January photo catch up

Natalie getting ready for dance class....
Trying out her new balance bike that Papa Gary gave her for Christmas. She needs to grow about one more inch before she can sit on it with confidence - give her a week.
Jackie Boy napping on Mama Kathy.
Natalie looks for Bruiser now every time we go to Pearl Street.
She also wants to go to the Peppercorn and get a rock candy every time too!
purple mouth.
First real snow, (her dad let her go out like this - it wasn't me!!)
And check out this cool guy! He really knows how to rock a fleece vest!

Mr. Happy

So I can only honestly consider Jackson happy for about 50% of his waking time... the other half of the time I'm trying to get him to wait just a few more minutes to try to space out his seemingly constant feedings, (if he goes three hours between feedings it's a success... 2.5 and I still feel like I've won the battle!) or I'm bouncing him back to sleep after his uncomfortable gas has woken him up!

But for that hour when he's happy... he's just so darn cute and loveable! I have a lot of pictures like this...




And you may wonder what Natalie was doing during this photo shoot. Well she came downstairs from her nap, blankie in hand, one ponytail in and one out, to find Crazy Mommy on the floor in front of the fireplace blowing rasberries at The Boy. She positioned herself to watch and laugh.
Of course, when Jackson's not awake being either cute or sad, he's blissfully asleep.

snow day

We've finally gotten a couple snowy days around here. It's come late, but now it's nice and cold and Wintery, (actually today the snow is melted in all but the shady parts, but it was still snowing when I took these pictures!)

Natalie wanted to play outside, but it wasn't the right kind of snow, or deep enough for snow men or sledding. She's easily satisfied though, and enjoyed making tracks in the yard...
... trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue...
... and just eating the snow! (not the yellow stuff, of course!)
I also set her up with a measuring cup and told her to make some snow cakes for dinner... surprisingly, this occupied her for about twenty minutes!

While I was warm inside by the fire, hanging out with this guy!
When she was finally ready to come in I changed her into some fresh warm sweats and she sat by the fire with us, drinking her warm honeyed milk... what a perfect afternoon! It makes me wish for more snow.

Though since we just bought a little inner-tube sled, I have a feeling my next snow day will be a bit more hands on...

Natalie's first dance recital

Dance is Natalie's favorite activity so far. This recital was back before Christmas, but I never got around to loading it up. It's pretty much the cutest thing ever. She's taking the class again, but this time she's in the ballet/tap version! That recital is coming up in April.

Here's a link to the video.

end of year photo catch up

As you all know, recently we had a baby, and moved.... it's been a bit hectic, and there are still plenty of boxes left to unpack. We don't have blinds on any window on the lower floor yet... but there's one on the bathroom window, so that's a plus!! I have been taking pictures though, and we have been up to more than just moving.

So here you go:

Closing day during the final walk through... My new kitchen!! Woo hoo! There is more cupboard space plus a pantry, so in theory I should be able to fit all my stuff.... so far so good, but as I said... there are still more boxes to unpack!!
Moving day and the first meal eaten at, (though not in) the new house!
Natalie went to her first movie at the theater this month! Can you guess what it was? I'll give you a hint - she's holding the doll.... Tangled, (Rapunzel for those of you who aren't on the kid scene). It was great and we all enjoyed it, (Jackson was even quiet through the whole thing and I never had to leave my seat... Success!!)

Natalie gave her ticket to the ticket taker guy. She was very excited.
Maybe all the candy and popcorn she consumed were part of the reason she liked the experience so much.... I don't think her mouth was empty for even a moment. That probably helped keep her quiet though.

Natalie taking a picture of Jackson in the kitchen.... her picture probably came out straighter than mine!

Jackson on his first trip to the zoo, (and his first stroller ride!)
One of the four tiger cubs at the zoo. They're growing up so fast!
Playing doctor with Mama Sally...
Getting ready for her first ballet recital. This is the face she makes whenever I ask her to do something she doesn't want to do. Like smile for the camera... probably why I can't get as many good pictures of her as I used to! Did she learn to roll her eyes like that from me?!
Natalie's little class danced to the Chinese song from the Nutcracker. It was very cute. I'll post that video on Facebook soon.
Jackson enjoyed the show too.
Waiting in line afterwards for Santa. Natalie's the small one. :) She loves her dance class and is starting up the ballet/tap version next week! I can't wait!
Here she is listing all the stuff she wants for Christmas.
Again, not pleased I'm making her pose for a picture.
Cute Christmas outfit - Thanks Mama Kathy!
Getting ready for Caroline's 2nd birthday party! Notice the lack of a jacket at the end of December!
And again... no coat Christmas week!
But we have about six inches of snow now! That's more like it!

Happy New Year!!