catching up on christmas

I've been blogging about Christmas for 6 weeks or so now but the holidays have come and gone so this should be the last one until Christmas 2008. We traveled to our home town and stayed for almost 3 weeks and got spoiled by both sets of grandparents. Riley was in heaven and enjoyed her aunts and uncle too! Emma was angelic and started to sleep in until a reasonable hour, except Christmas morning she woke up at 5:15am. How appropriate! She's jut like her mom and can hardly sleep for the excitement of Christmas morning.
Our trip was filled with wonderful Christmas traditions:

Eating fabulous fancy dinners
Riley is learning to drink from a tiny goblet

Making Christmas sugar cookies with Grandpa

Reenacting the nativity and reading Luke 2
Jessica and Michael are a camel w/hump, Emma is baby Jesus,
and Riley is a sheep

and of course new x-mas pj's to wear on x-mas eve.

Just a few of our holiday adventures:
We got spoiled rotten with fun gifts, lots of movies, shopping, going on dates and free babysitting from the grandparents. Unfortunately no snow where we were at all, so Riley still has yet to play in the snow and make a snowman--maybe next year. But we were grateful that we didn't have any adventures driving on the roads, especially over the pass. We helped Michael's dad find a wii for his mom and finally found one just in time on eBay. But little did we know that his mom had already bought one for his dad (she is the ultimate gift secret keeper and got bought it back in October which is much better than waiting until after Thanksgiving). So after Christmas was filled with games: Trivial Pursuit, Ticket to Ride (thanks Morgan & Jacob), pinochle, Guitar Hero, and Wii games (now I actually enjoy video games -- a select few).

wii wish you a Merry Christmas!

Riley and Emma have very talented aunts who made some of their gifts this year for the girls to share.

Auntie Monica made a knitted fire-breathing dragon
"Roar!" says Riley as she has fun scaring the whole family

this darling dress made with love for the girls by auntie Morgan--amazing!

the true meaning of Christmas. . .

So on Sunday morning I told Riley that we would get to sing Christmas songs at church today and how fun that would be, but then I wondered if she knew any Christmas songs that weren't about Santa. I started singing "Silent Night" but she belted out over me with "Jingle Bells". I started to wonder if we had gotten the whole story about Christmas across to Riley or if she only picked up the Santa & presents part. We have nativity scenes everywhere and she loves to play with baby Jesus and knows his mom's name is Mary. Lately she has surprised me with how fast she learns and retains information. This morning, I asked Riley what the true meaning of Christmas was and she replied excitingly, "Cookies!" Later during breakfast I asked her the same question, but this time she replied "Games!" We'll see what see says when we ask her during dinner.

Firsts

So it has been time for a few firsts for Riley and Emma. This is the first year they've met Santa . I can't believe Riley had never met or had pictures with Santa before! She wasn't too scared. She smiled some, but wouldn't talk to Santa at all. I'm so glad Santa visited our church x-mas party (saved us $20-30 to get pictures with Santa at the mall).
Riley had her first dental experience and she did great! We were home for the holidays and it worked out for me to clean her teeth at grandpa's dental office. She was scared to lay back in the chair alone, but once she sat on daddy's lap, she was perfect!
I think watching the Rudolph movie a lot lately helped because she really likes the elf that wants to be a dentist and really excited that grandpa is a dentist and that daddy will be one someday. She let me polish and floss, let grandpa count her teeth and then we even painted on a fluoride varnish. (don't worry, I normally wear a lab coat but I didn't want to get one dirty just with my own family's germs.)
These have been wonderful firsts and we are thrilled for Emma's first Christmas! We can't wait! She's started laughing lately--it's so cute!

she smiles!!!

Here is our darling Emma learning to smile! She just starting to do this since Thanksgiving and getting better at it all the time. We love seeing her mouth open up wide and sides curl up as she coos so sweetly.


Here her smiles look so darling, but they are actually mischievous, little does everyone know that she had a blowout 5 minutes ago, but she's in too many blankets and acting too happy for anyone to know about it.


















Emma is making some crazy face and what is she doing with her hand? Who taught her that?!? It must have been crazy Daddy and Uncle Steven. Riley would say, "so silly."

















PS . Finals are over and we are on Christmas vacation. Riley couldn't be happier to be a grandma & grandpa's house. Christmas is only 8 days away. The shopping and Christmas cards are 100% completed. Now those are things to smile about! (or as I have been known to say as a child "you can be glad about that!")

Winter Walks with d'Lights

The snow came and went after 24 hours but was followed by heavy rain for a few days. Now that the rain is gone and my parents are in town we've been outside often despite the cold. Near my sister's house across the lake is Garden d'Lights that we all went to. We had a great time wandering around the lights display at the botanical garden. There were all kinds of flowers, bushes, and trees made out of lights but also swans, peacocks, frogs and even a monkey in a banana tree. It was amazing and Riley loved it!

wow!

We also walked around a park along the water that is comprised of boardwalks over the wetlands out to the water. We saw a blue heron, ducks (despite ice along the water's edge) and even a bald eagle! It has been great getting out in the crisp, cold air after being inside with the girls for a few days. We got all bundled up and took Emma too. I know you can't see her, but she's in a front carrier or hiding asleep in the stroller. We're so lucky we can take her just about anywhere as long as we can work it around her feedings. Michael missed out on this adventure studying hard for finals--which will be over in less than a week!
The girls are still being as cute as ever. Riley is singing Christmas carols, helping make Christmas goodies, doing Christmas crafts and countdowns. She is constantly asking how soon we are going to grandma and grandpa's house and when is Santa coming. Christmas, christmas, christmas...it is soo fun! Happy Holidays! Here are some darling photos of our two little angels.

Snow

Today it snowed and those of you not familiar with Seattle might not think that blog worthy but it is here. Last winter it snowed repeatedly in January and that was VERY unusual. So to have it snow big fluffy flakes for hours on end and have it stick on December 1st is amazing. It happened while we were out Christmas shopping and on our way home it was so fun to see kids making snowmen (yes it snowed enough to make a snowman!). We kept Riley up without a nap after shopping to attend a Christmas Choir concert and we were a little worried about how she'd behave, but Santa was part of the show and Riley behaved angelically. The closer and closer Christmas gets the more Riley gets excited and the more we tell her about it. Lately we've been singing Christmas songs and I realized that this is a pretty parent-friendly holiday by encouraging kids to be good for presents--this is great. "You' better watch out, you better not cry, you'd better not pout..." There's nothing like employing scare tactics while singing a jolly tune to get everyone into the holiday spirit. I love Christmas songs. I love Christmas!!

Sorry, no pictures of snow but I couldn't post without a picture so this is one of our family surrounded by the cool Christmas decor at my mom's store, NestFeathers.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We decorated the tree last Monday--and by we I mean mostly Michael assisted by Riley. I was busy feeding Emma and my adorable husband just kept going. I just expected him to get out the tree and boxes of decorations and leave the rest for me. So when he finished putting on the lights, I thanked him"...especially because I know you don't like doing it." And he responded that he didn't mind doing it, just that I never gave him a chance before. Apparently I get so excited about decorating the tree I get carried away and hardly let anyone help. Well, this year I only hung about 3 ornaments and the tree looks as good as ever!



















Riley loves Christmas! Can you tell from the huge smiles?!? This year she seems to totally understand presents, Santa Claus, Christmas shopping, etc. It is so much fun!




So the girls have Christmas pj's. The tree is decorated. Most of the Christmas shopping is completed and the presents are wrapped. I'm started to make some of the seasonal goodies we enjoy. My mother-in-law reports it's snowing in Tri-Cities. Michael is almost done with finals, so it feels like Christmas break is around the corner! I'm so excited for Emma's first Christmas and so glad Riley is getting old enough to really get into the holiday beyond opening presents. We were shopping today and she totally wanted to choose a gift to give Emma. It was darling! I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!

Crafts & cookies... what can't she do?

I have been feeling like Riley isn't very crafty and doesn't have interest in that kind of thing, or didn't want to hold still long enough to make/cook things, make a craft, etc. Well I think I just didn't give her enough opportunities. Last week we went to playgroups on Tuesday & Wednesday and for the first time at these playgroups she did the craft projects--2 days in row--with toys everywhere and kids running around, she held still long enough to stick feathers, shapes, glitter, stickers onto her project. I just realized I didn't take a picture and since then she's picked it apart all over again and I don't even know where it is. So the next day it was pouring rain and we were stuck inside and Riley was going stir crazy--wanting to watch movies all day long and constantly asking for cookies. I decided to divert her by having her help me make cookies and she loved it. We put on aprons and made a delicious mess and had a great time doing it. Once we got going she wanted to do it all, but to get her to let me do some or for us to do it together we had to sing a song from her favorite show: Wonderpets. "what's gonna work? teamwork" It did the trick and we did it together and she kept singing that phrase over and over again! That girl never stops singing. Check out the huge smile! She even did a good job frosting the cookies--not easy! Emma was kind enough to nap the whole time so Riley could have mommy all to herself.

1 month old

I can't believe 4 weeks has already flown by! Look how big she is! The onesies she is wearing will barely stay snapped shut at the bottom. Here is Emma demonstrating how much she likes to hold her head up and look around showing off her strong neck muscles.




Riley is such a good big sister, always trying to share with Emma. She's figured out that Emma can't grab or hold the toys so now she just sets things on or near her and says "look mama, share with baby Emma!" So on Sunday she decided to share her purse. And then when mom was too busy snapping pictures, Riley saves the day by getting a burp cloth to get just a little bit of spit up. So sweet!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by my friend Natalie, let's see if my tired brain can come up with answers.

1-The best thing you cooked this week: cookies
2- If money and time were no object, where would you go and with whom? Everywhere with my husband! Japan, Europe, Caribbean, Africa, etc I would take all the time and money and see it all! Do I have to choose?!?
3- Last time you cried: a few weeks ago when Emma was a few days old and I was exhausted over-whelmed etc -- do I really need to explain???
4- Things you were doing 10 years ago: getting my drivers license, meeting/befriending my future husband: Michael, being a busy teenager
5-5 things you did today: took a shower, fed the girls, accidentally pushed Riley OFF a swing (oops! yes she fell : ( not the way I imagined our quality outside time going), chatted with Erka on the phone, read blogs/updated my blog
6-5 favorite snacks: cookies, brownies, really yummy crusty french bread with real butter, cheese, apple
7- 5 bad habits: being critical of myself and my husband, biting my nails during a scary movie or when I'm nervous, poor posture when I work, talk too much, poor listener (I missed the first time Michael said I love because I honestly did not hear it)
8- 5 favorite foods: chocolate, artichokes, steak, bread, asparagus
9- 5 places you've been: Panaca, NV; Maui; Boston; Utah; Victoria, Canada.
10- Favorite memory: Wedding day and the birth of my 2 beautiful girls.
11: 5 people I tag: Steven & Meredith, Erica, Kristin, Dani, Jamie. Have fun!

the singer

Riley loves to dance and sing but lately the decibels have increased. Even when we're driving around, grocery shopping or out to eat she sings almost at the top of her lungs, but the second you turn on the camera she gets shy and whispers or won't face the camera. Hopefully she'll enjoy being back in the spotlight again soon, but I was lucky to get these little snippets of her performances. Here is her singing some of her favorites. Sorry there are so many but I have the grandparents in mind who frequently experience 'Riley withdrawal' and it has been a whole 5 days since we were last together.


This is on Halloween after trick or treating and she's only halfway into her pjs. She had enough of pictures already that night--so that's way we see her from the back.



Oops, sorry this one starts sideways but don't worry, I figure it out about halfway through the clip. But this one is my favorite because she's finally singing loud and so cute dancing with Woody.




Stay tuned for videos of Riley the dancer. She only showed a few of her great moves in these clips.

And the best big sister award goes to . . .

Riley is so excited about having a sister. Even before she was born Riley knew the bump in my tummy was "baby Emma." After the baby shower we were looking through all the baby gifts and she loved sorting through all the clothes making little stacks all over the family rooms saying, "for baby Emma" "little, tiny." No jealousy...yet. When Riley came to the hospital to meet her new sister, she was so excited saying "oh so tiny" "oh so cute" and was very concerned that Emma didn't have any clothes on under the blankets she was swaddled in.

Now first thing every morning goes like this

Riley: Where's baby Emma?
mom: asleep in her bed
Riley: I want to see her
so we go to peek in her bassinet
Riley: I want her to wake up, I want to hold her, etc.


Every time Emma wakes up Riley is so excited! "Awake! Eyes open, awake!" She asks if baby Emma is sad when she cries or "hungry, thirsty? need breakfast?" and then she'll run and get Emma's pacifier and try to put it in her mouth. She even tries to share her toys, and doesn't quite understand why Emma won't grab or hold the toys Riley tries to put in her hands. There are so many more cute phrases and things she does that I can't do justice in words (or I'm just too exhausted to get it right), so watch this video to get the feeling of how cute the girls are together.

Here are a lot of long overdue photos of Emma and her biggest fans. I feel like I haven't posted enough pictures to document Emma's first few weeks of life. Sorry if the slide show is too long. We've loved every moment since Emma came to our family--we hope you enjoy these snapshots of her life so far.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Perfect Day

When Emma was exactly 1 week old we had her baby blessing at our church. My parents were in town meeting the baby. Michael's parents, sister, brother and his wife were in town as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. We were so glad Emma and I were feeling up to it so we could include our loved ones who live near and far. It was was wonderful to have them all there for the special event. Michael did a wonderful job giving her a name and a blessing. Emma behaved perfectly too! She slept peacefully through the blessing, the rest of the church meeting, didn't cry (well, not until about halfway through photos outside afterwards)and didn't even spit up on her dress. Michael's grandma had made Emma's beautiful dress -- isn't it gorgeous!!


After church my family hosted a nice brunch so we could all be together before all the family had to travel home. Then I attempted to take a Sunday afternoon nap but couldn't bring myself to set my angel down when it was just her and I (Riley was napping), so we snuggled on the couch in the afternoon sun. That evening my sister Monica had us over for a wonderful dinner and it was perfect ending to a perfect day.