Happy New Year!

Here is our 8:40 pm countdown. We weren't even going to try to stay up till midnight. I was passed out by 9pm.

New Year's kiss.

We're looking forward to 2011.

Fleece Pyjamas

Claire got these for Christmas. We never thought she would wear them but she loves them. They are soft and just like Mommy's! She looks real grown up.

Hurray! I'm a big girl!

She looks even more the giant next to Jacob.

2 Month Milestone

Jacob turned 2 months today! It's been an incredible journey so far with this one. He is our miracle baby for sure. This will be our starting point for monthly photos given he was in the hospital when he turned 1 month. We are enjoying having him in the family and are excited for him to begin to laugh and play with Claire and Isaac. Here is his photo:

For fun, this was Claire at 2 months. Do we see any similaritites? They both have some crazy hair.

Jacob is definietly filling in. He looks like Daddy here.

His favourite thing these days is his mobile.

While sleeping at night is getting much better, we are still working on napping during the day. The upcoming month we are still focusing on giving him the TLC he's missed out on during his first month.

Pyjama Day

Daddy went back to work today so I had the kids home with me. We decided to have a pyjama day. Claire and Jacob were discussing what we should do today. Their conversation went like this:

Claire: Mommy, I think we should watch the Wonderpets save the Goldfish and the baby birds. And when that's done, we should watch it again, and again, and again.

Jacob: Hey Claire, I have an idea!

Claire: Jacob, please don't interrupt me when I'm talking!

Claire: Now what was I saying?

Claire: I don't remember. I'm just going to eat my raisin bread.

Jacob: That looks good. Can I have some?

Claire: Mommy, why is he still talking to me?

Christmas Morning - Cinderella Claire

Claire took no time to get into her dress-up trunk. Here she is putting on her Cinderella ensemble.

And to finish off the look - earings and a necklace.

This cracks us up because we always thought she would be a tomboy. Somehow Cinderella just blew up as the new thing!

Christmas Morning - Family Photos

I love doing this post every year and comparing our photos from years past.

My photo with my babies this year.

Little Jacob among all the chaos.

And for fun, this was last year.

And this was 2 years ago! Oh my!

Our family photo this year.

Last year.

And 2 years ago.

Christmas Morning - Present Opening

We started off with the stockings. Isaac helping Claire out with her stocking. Wow, there are lots of goodies!

Yes, Cinderella Princess vitamins!! Victory!

Yes, All-Star Sports vitamins! How does Santa know?

Jacob didn't know what was going on.

Claire helped Jacob with his stocking. Here she is showing him the Christmas ornament he got.

Then it was off to open presents. Here is Claire opening up her gift from Santa - a Disney Princess dress-up trunk! She was really excited about this!

Isaac opening up his gift from Santa - Nerf Ninja swords. Santa was smart and brought 2 so that he could play with Claire.

Isaac and Claire testing out the swords.

Claire helping Jacob open his gift from Santa too.

He got a stuffed animal lion. Very appropriate given Jacob has the heart of a lion!

Isaac and Claire opening up some of their gifts. Claire got everything Cinderella and arts and crafts theme.

Isaac got an assortment of PS3 games, books, movies and nerf toys.

Isaac testing out the nerf gun.

Even though Claire got lots of new toys, all she wanted was Isaac's stuff...figures.

Jacob slept right through the tantrum.

We opened up his gifts for him. These were from Isaac and Claire.

Our gift from Claire. She made this at daycare for us. We loved it!

Our beautiful Christmas cards from Grandma this year. She makes these herself, you know!

Christmas Morning - Santa's Letter

This was Santa's Letter to the kids this year:

Dear Isaac, Claire and baby Jacob:

Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for the yummy cookies! I know that each of you have been very good this year.

Isaac - you are a great help to your Mom and Dad with your brothers and sister. They look up to you more than you know, so be careful of what you say because they are listening to your every word.

Claire - you are becoming such a big girl. Keep practicing your manners. Always say please and thank you and try not to give Daddy such a hard time.

Baby Jacob - You keep eating and growing! Try to sleep in your bedroom and give Mommy a rest.

I hope you all like your presents. Be good and I'll stop by next year.

Love Santa
xoxo
___________

After hearing this, Claire directly went to rub out the part about her practicing her manners and not giving Daddy a hard time. Guess that's not happening!

Christmas Eve

We spent our Christmas Eve as usual - mass, then dinner, and then getting ready for Santa.

Claire was really cute at mass. She really enjoyed the Christmas pageant, especially the angels. Throughout the entire mass she kept asking if the angels left.

After dinner and baths, Daddy made some cookies with the kids. Claire did some taste testing for quality control.

Isaac ofcourse is not too old for this part either.

Jacob was relaxing in his crib. Next year he'll be able to have some cookies!

The cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer.

Claire helping out with hanging our stockings.

Some cute pictures of Isaac and Claire. Jacob slept through all this...

Cuddling by the fire.

Another cute pose.

Isaac working off all the cookies he ate by giving Claire a horsey ride.

They had lots of fun. Last year around this time he was chasing her around and she was laughing her head off.

Crashing down...from the sugar and the ride.

They will sleep well for Santa.