Christmas Day...

The coveted unicorn pillow pet.

Addie named him (drum roll please)... Unicorni

(I can't make this stuff up!)

Baby's First Christmas

It was the year of Toy Story 3 for Addie

Such a loving and hands-on big sister

Addie has asked for a robe for a while. Once opened, she didn't take it off for 24 hours straight!

Christmas Eve...

Before leaving Terre Haute, GiGi Tovey came in town to love on her great-grand babies!

All spiffied up for the holiday festivities...

I make this family look goooood!

Cuddle time with GrMa Reusser

"Excited" is an understatement for the reaction to this larger than life Disney Princess art activity pad Addie received from GrMa & GrPa Reusser. It's so fun to watch how artistic Addie is... she loves painting, drawing and "making" stories as she puts it.

Visiting Friends & Family...

Grampy

GiGi Newton

Grandma Deb

Auntie GiGi & Frankie

Sweet Caroline

Eli got the chance to meet and hang out with some of our favorite people while we were in Terre Haute this past week. He enjoyed some good quality snuggle time with Nana and Grampy. We had dinner with GiGi Newton one evening and played with Frankie and Caroline one afternoon.

Breakfast with Santa...

Daddy made reservations for us to have breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning at Prairie View. I was soooo excited to have some one on one time with the big guy. I let him know that the number 1 item on my list this year was a unicorn pillow pet. Thanks Daddy for planning a fun family day for us!

1 Month Old...

Eli at 4 weeks old (Monday December 13th)

Little man is very strong and also very hungry, hence the growth of 1.3 lbs and 1 inch in just 2 weeks! He continues to be a very easy baby, is pretty predictable and good natured. He does love to be held and I have to admit, it's a guilty pleasure of mine!

The Cookie Exchange...

We spent all weekend making dozens of cookies and treats as a family! Here are some of the haystacks we made. Our family is a big fan of the butterscotch morsels!

At playgroup on Thursday we exchanged dozens of cookies and got the chance to share cookies with friends and family throughout the holiday season. It has been fun being able to take Addie to the last couple of playgroups. Eli made his debut at the holiday cookie and book exchange. Great friends and even better company! Thanks Amber for hosting.

Christmas Cuties...

Our household is officially in full holiday mode. Addie loves the snow and all of the decorations. It is T - 18 days until the main event and she can't hardly stand the wait! Doug and I are eating every bit of her childhood innocence up. It truly is magical to see her eyes light up at the very mention of Santa Claus. She plays with her nativity scene every day and examines each ornament on the tree, pointing to and declaring a new favorite each evening as the lights are twinkling. Our Elf on the Shelf (aka Elfie) is the miracle magic worker for good behavior. She skips down the stairs each morning in anticipation of where Santa's little helper will be located and double checks herself throughout the day that he saw or heard how good she was. Happy Holidays... Ho! Ho! Ho!

3 Weeks Old...

Giving the big boy bed a test drive during a morning nap. Hopefully we will be seeing you sooner than later during the night time hours.

Every time I dress him in this outfit, I think of a bumble bee and then I start humming, "All I can say is that my life is pretty plain. I like watching the puddles gather rain..."

Seriously, I want to squeeze and cuddle him all day long... and sometimes I do!

Eli enjoys time on his play mat each day. It's funny because he has begun to knock the little characters around. He pretty much has it out for the red bird and gives him a good work over, even fussing at him!

2 Weeks Old...

Love this little man!

Eli had his two week appointment and the boy is growing!!!

In the 6 days since he last visited the doctor's office, he had gained 1.3 lbs and grown over an inch. Most newborns his age are consuming ~20 oz of breast milk/formula in a day. Our line backer guzzles down between 24 and 32 oz a day! It makes for some really entertaining farts, but he sleeps and naps like a champ, so I'm not complaining in the least. A full baby, is a happy baby!

Mother Hen...

Addie has never, and I mean never, played with dolls. In fact, this is the only doll she owns. Her name is Baby... original I know. Addie obviously didn't check the census list of most popular names for baby dolls before deciding on this one. But lo and behold, she is very much interested in everything a mother does these days in regards to feeding, changing, rocking and caring for a baby. We are defiantly experiencing some monkey see, monkey do behavior these days. Baby doll is making up for lost time and enjoying Addie's new found love of "mommyhood." Addie is an amazing kid and an even more amazing big sister!

Homeward Bound...

Let's get the rock outta here!

I make this operation look goooood!

Parental Note: I personally want to know when they will create chairs for travel like this in adult size... it's not like I'm ever allowed to take control of the steering wheel when we're on a road trip anyway! I might as well travel in the lap of luxury comfort safe seat. Come on Graco, game on!

Visitors...

Grampy & Nana Newton

3 Generations of Good Guys...

Grampy Newton, Daddy, Baby Eli and GrPa Reusser

GrMa Reusser

Amber & Gordie

Auntie Laurel

Scotty Potty

Auntie Amy

Alli & Tim

And this was just at the hospital! I can't begin to tell you how many of our friends and family have gone all out to help us welcome Eli into our family. They have visited, called, made dinners, brought gifts and made us feel blessed beyond belief. We love you all so much and are so excited for Eli to grow up with such a loving and caring network of people in his life!

November 15th, 2010... A Blessed Day!

Finally in mama's arms!

A proud papa and his son!

Exhausted... and looking a little frazzled, but so worth it!

I'm the BIG sister!

The next morning, the hospital brought us a birthday cake to celebrate Eli's big arrival. Needless to say he had one VERY excited older sister who was more than willing to consume his portion!