unwrapping a gift early

I thought that I would update pictures to both blogs and share a sneak peak of the christmas cards we had made with Kenz and the boys.

We did a somewhat impromptu photo shoot in the living room one afternoon. Nothing professional as you will see, just the family camera, very patient dogs and a baby.
We had our cards made online, so the actual card looks professional, with fun family style pics.

This gives you an idea of what sorts of shots we got. The final card is a collage of a bunch of the best.


Kenz in her 'my first Christmas' shirt. We added in some balls and a sled we use as an outside decoration to finish the look.


This one is a fav and I feel as though Edward was drawing some inspiration from the Grinch whole stole Christmas. Drake was a bit of a stick in the mud that day, so he lent his santa coat to Kenz for the pic. It is good when the kids are the same size in holiday costumes for photo opportunities.




This last picture is perhaps where Edward threw in the towel. Once Kenz knew the coat would fit, she was going to test out the antlers as well.

oi the pain

The babe is teething, which I feel she has been doing for MONTHS, literally months of swollen gums, chewing, drooling and crank, but white teeth have finally erupted through the gums. I use the word teeth as she is teething top and bottom at the same time. Her top right and bottom left are both poking through (which will make for a cute monster style smile) and her partnered top and bottom teeth are so close. She has swollen gums and bumps in those spaces with ripping tissue. I imagine kids handle teething all in their own ways, and true to form, my girl is handling it in the most dramatic fashion possible. I am giving her some slack as 2-4 teeth all at once is probably a bit much and more than likely super painful. I would go as far as saying sleep is being interrupted by this process, but I am far to realistic that she never sleeps to imagine this is the cause.

we have a christmas party tomorrow......and I can't take her as she is for too long.....but this may be a blessing in disguise.

cruising

The girl has started to cruise - I think this is what savvy parents call it. What she has really started doing, is what proud parents call walking. Sure she has to hang onto the play pen sides for support, but her legs are doing the moving. I am almost certain that rehab patients who learn to 'walk' again and use the bars for support are still considered walking.....so the proud parent will consider this walking.

She is able to go from one side of the playpen to the other at this time. She still can't master the 'let go and get down' part, but she is working on it I am sure. Bending your knees seems to be one of the last skills she is going to have. I have been placing soft stuffies behind her for the fall to your bottom moments that happen when she finally lets go of the sides.

Yesterday, on a rainy Sunday afternoon she had another big girl moment.....she went for a nap without me. It stings! We were having a movie day with tons of blankets and pillows on the living room floor and she feel asleep with papa while watching a movie. I should be grateful he has the patience to make it through the cries, and attempts to find mom before falling asleep.