Christmas 2011

This was probably one of my most relaxed, favorite Christmases to date. We started out by celebrating on Christmas Eve with family at our house and a casual buffet-style dinner of clam chowder, french bread, spinach dip, and some yummy desserts. After the last of our guests dwindled, we put the kids to bed with letters to Santa and reindeer food sprinkled on the front porch.

We made the kids wait for us before going downstairs Christmas morning, and before long it was a slurry of wrapping paper and presents. This guy's one and only gift from Santa was a cozy new puppy blanket and pillow; it was just enough. (The kids deduced that he must have been on the "naughty" list because there was nothing in his stocking- I explained that Santa knows babies don't need much.)
He's so snuggly in it I'm thinking maybe it was more for Mom!
After presents were opened, the kids set to work putting together their Lego sets around the table and creating with Play-Doh. Here's Ashlee with her food masterpiece.
Quite intricate, don't you think? I love her birthday cake.
The girls in their matching church dresses from Aunt Vera.
Each of them received a mini baby doll.
I didn't realize until posting these pictures that they are kind of dressed to match!
This guy's first Christmas, and it was magical...
...especially the lights.
We had an amazing musical church program that afternoon that I would not have wanted to miss. It was worth every moment.
We are having a beautiful, dry, sunny, cold December and Christmas was no exception. You can see we didn't even need sweaters for church.

7 Months

No pic to go with this post, but Anthony is 7 months today and I wanted to do a post to commemorate. He has been and continues to be an absolute joy. I moved him into his brothers' bedroom a couple of weeks ago, which is going pretty well. Sometimes when he wakes at night one or both of the boys will bring him to me. Even with the going back and forth to nurse him and lay him back down, I know we are both getting better sleep apart. It's also high time I have my bedroom back to myself, which is a great feeling. With the co-sleeper disassembled it feels so spacious in there.

I believe Anthony is beginning to teethe, as he has been a little discontent these past couple of days. My babies don't typically go through a long teething spell and often times I won't even notice they're cutting teeth until I look in their mouth and see them. Anthony happens to be a little more of a sensitive guy though and my hunch is that he might be having a bit of a harder time.

He doesn't really sit up for very long on his own, though he could; for the most part he's pretty content to lay around and be loved. He rolls, but doesn't make much of an effort to get around. With all these kids in the house he's pretty entertained as it is and doesn't have much need for toys or outside stimulus.

He loves to give open-mouth kisses and we call him our "little licker." He will stick his tongue out at anything that comes near his face.

He and Rachel are beginning to interact and get silly with each other, and he is no longer as intimidated by her. Speaking of which, she is very gentle with him and aware of him. I think they're going to grow to be good buddies.

As for me, I am feeling about 80% of normal and better every day; very happy in one regard to have the postpartum period behind me once and for all. I have been running regularly, 3 times a week, and tentatively plan on competing in my first half-marathon in April. I look forward to the training experience with anticipation and awe. Right now I am averaging 3-4 mile runs and have brought my mile time down to an 8:30. I can only keep that pace for about two miles right now, so we'll see how it goes when I start running longer distances. My main thing now is getting my nutrition back where it needs to be, and weaning off the sugar and carbs I've been craving since I had Anthony. I am hoping that once I get on board with better eating habits and longer, more intense runs my body will go into burn mode.

We have many good things on the horizon and I look forward to all that 2012 has to offer.

Christmas Picture 2011

December Showcase

Tonight Ashlee performed in the December showcase for her dance studio. Bear with me, as my camera had an extremely difficult time focusing, and for a portion of the time I was recording with a toddler on my hip. SO, the quality is not the greatest, but the performance was and I promise if you keep watching she will come into focus. Great performance tonight Ashlee!

Coziness

I love a sleeping baby in-arms. It's one of the many things I will miss about not having any more of them. Anthony is such a soft baby and he just melts into you; he really is a joy to hold. Unfortunately I know that I won't be able to hold onto him forever, and it's only a short matter of time before he's off and running with the rest of the pack, so I will savor these moments. I love the innocence and trust of a baby who falls asleep in your arms. Heaven.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

On Thursday we undertook our favorite tradition of heading up to Robert's Tree Farm in Apple Hill to cut down a fresh Christmas tree. This was the first year I can remember it not being muddy, due to the lack of rain. The night was beautiful, the moon full (or nearly) and we had a great time. The best part is treking through the forest, all kids in tow, looking for the perfect tree. Well, Forrest did most of the looking while we sang and made merry, the kids making imaginary forts between the trees. I can't say we were the best tree-finding partners.

I absolutely love having Anthony all snuggled up in the baby wrap. I don't think I will ever get rid of my baby wrap.
Me and all my kiddos! It feels so nice to be a complete family.
This year Forrest passed the torch to Jacob as he undertook the responsibility of felling the tree.
Ashlee was totally in her element.
Rachel got carried some of the time, but mostly she loved running around, trying to keep up.
Again, can't get enough pictures of my last baby in the wrap! These times will be missed.
Ashlee helped, with only minimal bickering involved.
Ta-da! Dad shows off our proud find, and carried it back to the car single-handedly.

Breakfast with Santa

Boppin' It

I snapped some cute pictures while Jacob came in to lay by Anthony in the Boppy pillow this morning. I love the way the sun filters in through my bedroom windows in the morning, making it everyone's favorite place to conglomerate.

Hi buddy!

"Can I get that toe in my mouth?"
I just want to kiss him!
Staring at big brother in awe. "Will my foot ever be as big as yours?"
So lovable.

Placerville Parade

On Sunday we had the privilege of watching Ashlee perform with her dance troupe in the Placerville parade.


We arrived a little bit late after making our way through the madness to get her to the parking lot in time for a warm up before the parade began.


She was all confidence and smiles (here she is being goofy with her friends.)
I was impressed by all who came out to participate; it was quite the production.
Nearly every passer-by was tossing candy to the kids, and by the end of the parade each of my kids had a sackful. It was like Halloween all over again, just before the holidays. Oh joy.
Forrest and Anthony, with Grandma Nancy's new beau in the background.
Rachel watched from her stroller the whole time, enjoying the occasional piece of candy that came her way. She was nice and sticky afterwards.
The boys enjoyed a close-up of this tractor.
You can guess who liked these princesses...
We even saw the boys' Shihan from karate, as their demo team was in the parade as well.