Birthday preparations

Edie is almost 3! Hard to believe. We are having her first official birthday party this year, with many of her neighborhood and preschool friends. And her school has a small ceremony for birthday kids, and participating in this has really amped up her anticipation of her own big day. She throws birthday parties for her stuffed animals, bakes "cupcakes" in her kitchen, and even helps me bake the real thing occasionally.

Security breach!

No ignoring that it's time to lower Eli's crib...

Squirmy worm

Eli is moving all over the place these days, not least of all when I'm trying to dress or change him. His favorite time to do this is post-bath, when I dress him in our bed. Eli crawls all over the soft comforters, scrambling away from me and erupting into laughter everytime I catch him. Very cute. Though not the bedtime calm to which I aspire.

Bro and sis

Edie has so much love for her baby brother and shows remarkable patience for an almost three year old. And for his part, Eli worships her. He lights up whenever she's around. It is the most fun thing to watch them together.

Winter... or "Winter"

I cannot get over how pleasant winter is here in the South.  Sure, it gets dreary when it rains.  But there is just none of that biting cold, where the wind stings your face and your nose hairs freeze.  It's funny to me when southerners lament that the weather isn't cold enough. I keep telling them: real cold isn't fun.  Maybe 70 degrees in November is a bit odd, but I'm not complaining!  For the most part, we're in the 40s.  Perfect park weather, even if my darling Edie lost all of her Bavarian stamina for the cold and complains bitterly about it.  Sorry, love! We play outside in this family!

Eli enjoys stroller rides, still in his bassinet, though he's quickly outgrowing it.  He loves to look around and coo and talk to me.  The siblings enjoy swinging together at the playgrounds many times each week, either side-by-side, or else sister pushes brother to both of their delight.  We are very lucky to live in a neighborhood filled with side walks, playgrounds, trails, and even a duck pond, all within walking distance.  And we've made great use of it this season.

Merry Christmas

We had a happy, but also hectic and tiring due to illness, holiday. So I will post more pics soon. But suffice it to say, Edie got a book from mom and dad, and a doll house from Santa. Eli got a book as well, and a teeny tiny baby doll from Santa. We had pizza on Christmas Eve and leftovers on Christmas. And a doctor appointment on the 26th where Edie was diagnosed with a double ear infection and both were thought to have RSV. I am one tired mom and I should've bought stock in Kleenex back in November. But we are sure happy to be together.