A whirlwind…

I can’t believe Christmas is over already!  I feel like there is so much excitement and so much to do leading up to Christmas, that it is a bit of a let-down once it is over.  Such a whirlwind!  And unfortunately, one thing I didn’t realize I would miss is that I can’t bribe Charlotte by telling her that “Santa Claus is watching”…I guess I will have to come up with another stellar parenting technique :)

That being said, we had a wonderful holiday…Henry’s 1st Christmas, and the first Christmas where Charlotte really “got it”.  So exciting.  We had a nice Christmas Eve…went to 5pm Mass, and got to watch our favorite organist/musician with his flowing locks, which is always entertaining. :)  Charlotte was quite funny, as she would spread her arms out and spin in circles (while looking up at the sky) as they sang…she had everyone in the back of church giggling.  And Henry, like the good boy he is, slept through the entire thing.  After Mass, we went to Kathy and Ed’s for dinner, which was nice (albeit rushed).  Santa Claus came to visit the kids there, and Charlotte surprisingly didn’t cry…although she didn’t let him out of her sight for one second, and when we got close to him, she gripped on to me for dear life.  Baby steps.

Mommy, Charlotte & Henry on Christmas Eve

Attempting to get a family picture with Santa, although Henry isn’t looking the right way!

Henry is really not impressed…couldn’t care less!

Charlotte & Owen playing with the present Santa gave Charlotte

Grandma & Henry

I thought we would have a hard time getting Charlotte to bed because she was so excited, but we just put Santa’s cookies out for him and she was asleep within minutes.  Here is what she came downstairs to on Christmas morning:

So exciting…although I think maybe she was a bit overwhelmed.  But that didn’t stop her for long, and soon she was tearing into her presents like a pro. Luckily, Grandma came over to my parents’ house in the morning, as well, so she got to see Charlotte open her gifts.

Excited little girl!

  

Surfing on daddy’s new board

Henry got his Sophie teether, and so he was a happy boy!

Happy Henry :)

This is classic…look at Charlotte’s face—it is because I was paying attention to Henry and taking the pictures above.

My parents had Christmas dinner at their house…it was so great to see our family, and we loved not having to travel.  Good thing, because Charlotte was able to play with all of her toys, and by about 6pm Jon and I were exhausted and ready for bed ourselves :) 

Playing with her princess castle

Uncle James & Henry

Charlotte upon seeing the gift from Mama…a grocery storefront!

Henry’s turn

The kiddies

This “horsie”, affectionately dubbed “Caroline”, was one of Charlotte’s favorite gifts!

Even Henry got a ride on her!

The day after Christmas, we got a huge snowstorm and very strong winds…Jon tried to take Charlotte outside, but after putting her in her snowsuit and snow gear (which took quite a long time!), she lasted only about 14 seconds. So she came in and had hot chocolate with mommy instead…clearly, she is my daughter!

Before braving the storm…

As wide as she is tall :)

And, she’s done…that was fast!

In other news, Jon and I got a new car (you can see the back of it in the last picture)…after a lot of research, we ended up with the 2011 Honda Pilot.  Although I haven’t been able to drive it that much yet (see above re: snowstorm!), I love it and I am so excited that I have a safe car for my kiddies. And luckily, Jon doesn’t have to drive his 1984 BMW in this horrible weather…he inherited the Jeep just in time!

As for Henry, he is getting bigger everyday…I feel like I am carting around a toddler most days.  Actually, he is almost as big as my toddler :)  He has also taken to rolling from belly to back in the middle of the night, and then he gets stuck like a turtle on his back, so he starts grunting to wake me up.  So, surprise, surprise, I’m still exhausted!  One of these days, I will be able to sleep through the night again…I just wish I knew when, because I am ready :)

Xoxoxo