New Years Eve 2010

For New Years Eve, Jason and I went out with Roger and Lindsey to ring in 2011. The kids got to spend the night with Gigi. It was so nice to have a night out without the kids, but I sure did miss those two little cuties!

Ready to go out with Roger and LindseyThe kids were marked with a Mommy lipstick kissReady to have fun with Gigi

The kids were very good for Gigi. For bedtime routine, Gigi bathes Colin first while Ella helps. Then Colin plays or takes a little cat nap while Gigi gives Ella a bath. Then Ella reads in her bed while Gigi gives Colin a bottle of my pumped milk and puts him to sleep. Then she goes back to Ella for some cuddle time before bed. It sounds exhausting, but Gigi loves having this time with the kids. We are so lucky that we can rest at ease knowing the kids are so cared for by Gigi.

Colin passed out after his bath

Ella's bath time
Last kiss of 2010

Ella got to stay up extra late with Gigi (half because it was New Year's Eve and half because she took a late nap)

Happy New Year's Eve!

4 Months Old

Today my angel is 4 months old! I just can't believe how quickly it is all going this time around. He is such a wonderful addition to our family and brings us so much joy.At 4 months, Colin:

• Is super smiley and happy all of the time. And he still has an extremely laid back personality. For example, I was carrying his car seat and my water bottle in one hand walking towards the car. When I felt cold water hit my leg, I looked down. There Colin was sitting in his car seat with his head, face, and shoulder wet from my dripping water bottle. He didn't cry or fuss; I guess he just knew I would get around to noticing and clean him up--haha! Now that is one laid back baby boy!
• Can roll from his tummy to his back (though I don't give him a lot of practice with that because he still spits up a lot. When I put him on his tummy, it is only a matter of time when he spits up.).
• Loves to be straight as a board. When you hold him up against your shoulder, he arches his back so that he is straight and supporting his own body. When he sits on your lap, he won't lean back and relax; he likes to sit straight up and watch what is going on. This sort of goes against his extremely laid back personality, so I can't figure that out yet. He is so chilled but apparently can't wait to hit the ground running to keep up with Ella.
• Does not love his pacifier. He prefers to chew on his finger/entire hand, burp cloth, or toys. I have started giving him a lovey to hold onto while his is in the swing or car seat.
• Is quite the chatter box! He has a lot to say to people, toys, fans, mirrors, etc.
• Had his first ear infection along with his sister the week after Christmas. The Monday after Christmas, he seemed like he was hurting. He was closing his eyes and moaning (the exact same thing he did after getting his 2-month shots). He looked so pitiful! He would try to be smiley and playful, but he was definitely hurting. As soon as we took him to the doctors and got him on medicine, he was back to his happy self. Though the poor little thing was on antibiotics for 10 days! I learned that he does not like to take medicine. It took me quite a few days to figure out a trick that worked: letting him suck on my finger while I dispensed the medicine towards his cheek a little at a time. After I discovered this trick, he was a champ at taking it!
  
• Is wearing 6 - 9 months sleepers. Ella likes to say "Colin has a big belly all the time" and this is very true. What a big boy!

Silly Pics

We spent a few days after Christmas in Jasper relaxing, playing in the snow, and being silly.

Beauty Shop

While in Jasper, Ella had her first manicure. She LOVED it and felt very special. I couldn't believe how it made her look so grown up!
So happy to have pink nailsShowing Mommy her manicureBlowing them drySo happy!Thank you, Nana!

Let it Snow!

In total, Jasper got about 8 inches of snow over Christmas! And Ella had a blast playing in it! I didn't take Colin out because he seemed to be coming down with something, so (again) I missed the opportunity to get pictures of his first snow.

Dressed and readyDaddy wore Papa's coveralls and made us all laughMommy and Ella ready to goKissSo happy
Making snow angels

Snow ball fight!

Trying to get Mommy

Trying to make a Frosty, but the snow wouldn't pack. Instead we made a Frosty Face and sang the song over and over again.My little snow bunny
What happens when you rub your face with snowy mittens?You get a face full of snow!

And of course, she had to give it a taste.

Colin was warm and toasty inside with Uncle Jake and Aunt Juju

Christmas in Jasper

The forecast for this Christmas was snow, snow, snow! After brunch, Nana and Papa took Ella up to Jasper so that Jason and I could stay behind and straighten up. At that point, the snow had begun to fall, so we knew we had to hurry. By the time we left, Jasper already had a couple inches of snow. Our Xterra couldn't make the drive up the mountain, so Papa had to shuttle us up there in his Jeep. Here we are awaiting Papa's rescue mission:Colin looks pretty adorable stranded in the snow

When we finally all arrived safe, it was time to get warm. Gabi's sister Malou was Colin's date for the evening and she kept him very warm (he just loves her)

We had a wonderful prime rib dinner and were all so glad to be snowed in together. By the time we were opening presents, I was pretty "pictured out." Unfortunately, I did not to a very good job documenting the night. But here are the few I took:

Mommy and Ella (blue-eyed twins)

Ella playing with her dinosaurs (this was her special Papa gift....he picks out a gift just from him each year)

And Nana got Ella her very own pink helmet!! Ella has been asking for one for months, and it definitely lived up to her expectations!

She might be a little big for this bike now, but she had to take the helmet out for a spin--haha

Jake and Julie

Jer and Gabi