We Are Members!

I'm not sure if it's actually called a membership... but you are talking to the owner of a new Library Card! YEA!

We officially entered the new year with the ability to check out new books. Plus, there are neat activities for kids, computers with age appropriate games, and it allows us exposure to a lot of new books we might never see otherwise. Now the trick is taking advantage of all these things :) It's worth a shot!

During our first visit we checked out two books and reserved a sign language DVD. The sign language DVD was actually what finally prompted me to "join" the library... I'd been wanting to, but needed that final kick to get out of the house and do it. Along with his new mobility, Samuel has been learning more and more communication tools, including some sign. He definitely signs "more", "please", "eat" (even though he wants nothing to do with it), "fan" (don't ask :) ), and blows kisses, waves, gives 5, winks (with both eyes :) ), and is really showing his preferences and independence when it comes to play. He can also say "up" and I really think he can tell you what a horse says! Uh oh... I don't think I realized how incredible this really is until I just wrote it down... pause for a tissue... man, He is good!

Back to the story - we have a few signing flashcards and a CD, but have been trying to choose a DVD. Let me tell you, there are a lot of options, and they're not cheap. I heard from a friend that we could probably check some out from the library... loh and behold, it's true! Our library didn't have anything from the series we wanted to try, but could reserve it from another branch. Yea!

Mo and Do were so much more prepared than I was - they brought their camera! And of course, no trip downtown is complete without visiting the park :)

We were quite a site to see!

Needless to say, we took over our very own table at the library :)

You should have seen us at lunch at the Bagel place! ha ha!

George and Samuel loved exploring the new things and the new books! Olivia did too, for brief periods of time... notice there are no photos of her... this is because she spent most of the visit stuck to my leg :) The more we visit, the more comfortable she will get... but O is not generally a big fan of new people or places at first :)

George and Uncle Aaron had a great time! I'm not sure we even saw them much after this - they were off just doing their own thing! I love it.

Olivia was all about the photos... and she was having so much fun that it was easy to catch her smiling :)

Too cool for the camera... but I just love how relaxed Samuel looks :)

BB and Olivia - it was a very good day :)

Maaarrry Kiss-mas!

... and Kiss-mas Pandles (Christmas Candles), Kiss-mas Tee (Tree), Kiss-mas Moo-sic (Music), Kiss-mas Wreaf (Wreath), Kiss-mas Lights... you name it, George loved it and was excited to talk about it!

What a wonderful First Christmas-together-as-a-family we had! All five of us under one roof, now THAT is a Christmas wish come true :) Also a wonderful treat, DB and I caught a few minutes to ourselves with the help of Omi, Mo, Do, and Stefanie... Christmas Eve service and later in the week a morning walking on the beach followed by lunch at one of our favorite places, JCT... it was strange to be alone for so long... we laughed because we found ourselves talking about the kiddos almost the entire time :)

During the the Christmas season, we also had a few unwelcome bugs... Olivia and BB with 48-hour doozies that were no fun but also nothing to really worry about. Samuel, on the other hand, got his first strep throat/ear infection, which is something to worry about. To make a long story short, we have an amazing nurse who is in tune with Samuel, great doctors, and superstar little man - he got better without having to be in the hospital - this is HUGE!

Christmas Day in pictures :)

Christmas morning... not sure who is more excited, the kids with the new toy or the guy with the lit up nose :)

Off to Omi's for Christmas Breakfast... PJ's and all :)

Samuel and Mo look pretty happy :)

(This was a tough decision - the photo I took right before this one was Samuel trying to drive Mo's scooter... the kids loved it!)

Santa was very smart to put a few new trucks in George's stocking!

Miss O wasn't quite ready to pose... but that didn't stop me from taking pictures! ha ha!

I think Samuel likes opening presents... but even more so, playing with the ribbons.

Nice job Uncle Jay - the yellow car was a huge hit!

Woo Hoo - Thomas the Train video!

Oops - the cars got away from George once or twice... but it sure did make for a cute bootie shot :)

Christmas Night... and more presents!

It was great, the opening presents actually lasted for a few days. I suppose next year will be different, so we cherished it even more :)

I'm pretty sure Omi and Olivia are having a good time :)

For me?! Even if it's not, can I open it? Ha ha!

For the most part, they did a great job sharing their new toys...

George could arrange, and rearrange, these pieces all day.

For the most part, Samuel was too busy crawling and pulling up on anything his height to worry about opening presents. Although once we got him started, tearing the wrapping paper was great :)

Santa Claus Came To Town

I had a slew of plans for the three weeks that Mo, Do, and Uncle Aaron were here (he made it in on Christmas Eve!). Unfortunately, they were cut short by a loving reminder from DB and Samuel's pulmonologist that Samuel is still medically fragile and being around lots of people, many of whom have germs, is a very bad idea. Bummer. He looks fine to me ;) Ha ha!

There was one plan that could not be stopped... Santa must have known we couldn't make it to see him, so he sent one of his helpers to see us! His visit was one of our Christmas highlights!

Sweet! Santa is coming!

Ummmm... hi Santa... now BYE Santa!

Who's first to sit on Santa's lap?! No volunteers :)

(Our friend Lucas came too - the kids had so much fun together!)

The Best of Santa Photos

Samuel went first...

Woo Hoo! Check out this cool guy in the red suit! He brought presents!

(Apparently he has met too many people during his first two years - Samuel had no hesitations!)

Olivia...
See, I'm smiling... now all done!

Lucas...

High Five!

George...

No thank you Santa, I'm good on the gifts, can I get down now?

The Worst of Santa Photos :)

Samuel...
Have I met you before? No? Ok, but you look very familiar :)

Olivia... AAAAGGGGHHHH!

Lucas... AAAAGGGGHHHH!

George... AAAAGGGGHHHH!

Decorating The Tree

We went to Omi's a few nights ago to help her decorate the tree... all eight of us had a great time! Omi, BB, DB, Olivia, George, Samuel, and grandMO AND grandDO! Yea! They are here for three weeks! Since traveling isn't easy for either of us, it's been nearly a year since we last saw them, so this is an extra special treat :)

Decorating the tree requires special accessories, according to Olivia. She added the belt, purse, and scarf all by herself :)

Do and George checking out some finger puppets at Omi's house. There was no fooling these babies, they knew the horse, from the giraffe, from the octopus!

Magic! George loved turning the tree lights on... and off... and on... and off...

Out came the tub of ornaments and George and Olivia lit up!

Samuel checked out a few ornaments...

... but the tissue paper was his favorite :)

A few of the ornaments got everyone's attention :)

George and Mo having story time. They took turns pointing out characters :)

Holiday Preparations

Yes, DB put up the Christmas lights and the wreaths (thank you Omi!)... and yes, we have some Christmas decorations and pandles (candles, but it's cuter the way George says it) set up... and yes, we are getting a tree... but those aren't the preparations I'm talking about.

I am going to take entirely too many photos in the next few weeks, and need to get my posts up-to-date before that happens, which includes posting these pictures from the last month that I love :)

Yep, starting in the back yard :)

Rain or shine, warm or cold, George loves his trucks!

Hmmm... not sure how I feel about this... I think I like crawling inside better for right now ;)
At least Samuel tried it!

Another picnic for three... this time we moved the table into the sunshine. Love that vitamin D!

Samuel can't stand on his own yet, but he sure loves to try!

Smiling girl :)

For candy? Or for rocks, acorns and sticks?! The latter has been a favorite at our house!

Everyone loves a turn on the hammock... and sometimes you give in and just try to balance as many people at once as you can!

Hangin' Out Inside

Oh my, George... what big feet you have!

Trying on mommy's and daddy's shoes is the new thing.

Olivia gives it a shot too, but also adds the vest for the full look :)

Samuel was just lounging and laughing at his brother and sister :)

Every day that our favorite cousin comes to visit is a good one!

Olivia loved hearing more than mama's Twinkle Twinkle song coming out of the piano :)

Whew! Another busy day :)
Samuel, let this also be a lesson to you that this is what happens when you don't take your nap! Ha ha!