Pre-Christmas Day Fun

Snowflake Lane is an annual occurrence outside Bellevue Square. There are lights, music, people dressed up like toy soldiers and other characters, and of course soft falling snow. We decided to experience it this year. Oh my gosh was the mall packed! That’s what we get for going the Saturday before Christmas, but it was the only day we could go. We had to get a little creative when it came to eating dinner at the mall before the event, and used a bench as a table for Kayley. Kayley was pretty excited about all the lights and music. She loves dancing and likes to march too, and the music made her dance in her stroller. She even got a special hello from the Snowflake Queen. We’ll have to go next year so both the girls can enjoy the event (Shilo of course slept through it).

Our make-do table for dinner since all other tables and chairs were taken at the mall

It was super crowded

The Snowflake Queen

On Sunday our bible study group got together for a potluck and cookie decorating. I never imagined everyone to be so creative with the cookies. We ended up with the Ninja Turtles, The Avengers, Spiderman, Mega Man, Bedtime Bear, and so many more fun creations. Kayley and her little friend Irene got into the fun too and both seemed to like using the star sprinkles. It was a fun evening with our friends enjoying one another and talking about our dear precious Savior. 

The girls decorating cookies

Some of the very creative cookies

The Ninja Turtles!

The Avengers!

It is a tradition in my family that my mom’s side of the family always gets together on Christmas Eve. The main event is the gift exchange, which is conducted like a white elephant gift exchange with all the rules, but with new and nice items. You have to be 18 or older to participate, so this year was my niece Sara’s first year. It was fun and entertaining like always, and we came away with a very nice honey pot. I love getting together with my family this time of year. It’s great to all come together and shower one another with love, joy and cheer. And good food. Lots and lots of good food. ^_~ Kayley was excited to see our extended family again, and followed Harriet (my cousin’s eldest) around like a little duck. She also became quite attached to my brother, Jay, and constantly asked him to pick her up and toss her around, which he happily did each time until she wore him out completely. Shilo enjoyed some face time with family too, but was cozy and asleep in her bouncer the majority of the time. 

Food time

Just look at that grin on Kayley's face. She loves her Uncle Jay

Shilo with her first Christmas gift

The dessert layout

The cousins dancing one last time before calling it a night

That night Andrew and I wrapped the last gifts, prepared for Santa’s arrive, decorated the last cookies and Jesus’ birthday cake, and enjoyed a nice glass of apple cider. 

Hoshi supervised us as we set up for the morning

Shilo's 2 Month Check-up

Shilo is sure becoming a little talker. Her most vocal time of the day is around 9:30pm, but that is followed by her last night feeding and her sleeping 5-7 hours. It’s been pretty nice these last couple of weeks. And she is starting to smile more. But to top all that, Shilo gave us the gift of her first laugh two days before Christmas. Andrew and I were both able to hear it, twice! She has done it a couple times since then, and it is just so precious and sweet. She did this for us after we gave her the early Christmas present of her 2 month check-up where she was administered four shots. Poor baby girl cried and cried. I’m glad even though she went through what she most definitely thought was a traumatic experience, she still laughed for us.

Here are Shilo’s stats:

Weight: 12lbs 8oz (90-95 percentile)

Height: 23.9 inches (95 percentile)

Head circumference: 15.5 inches (50-75 percentile)

She’s growing fast! She’s taller than Kayley was at her age. We’ll see if this continues for a while or not. 

This is what Andrew was doing when Shilo laughed for the first time

Christmas is Coming

Wow! It’s been a month since I posted last. Being a mommy of two sure keeps you busy, especially when your little ones get sick. Kayley caught a cold two weeks ago, and since then has shared it with the rest of us. She is currently the only one in our home who has recovered. Regardless of that, we have been able to do many fun activities.

The past month in review:

Shilo got to experience Thanksgiving for the first time and Kayley really got to enjoy the food. Shilo also got to meet her great Gram Bell and great Grandpa Paul.

Thanksgiving dinner

Grandpa and Shilo

Gram Bell and Shilo

 After Thanksgiving, our Christmas celebration began! It started by going to WildLights at the zoo. We went with my mom, sister and nieces and all had a great time enjoying the lights and seeing the reindeer. Kayley oooed and awed while Shilo slept through most of it.

 

We decorated our Christmas tree! Our family tradition is to put all the first ornaments on first. Andrew and Kayley also helped Rick put the trees up at my mom’s. 

 

Andrew and I went on our first date since Shilo was born and got to attend Michael W. Smith’s Christmas Celebration concert.

 

Kayley has been making Christmas crafts to help decorate our home. Some have been little kits, others were designed by me and Andrew.

Having fun decorating Christmas trees

Kayley helped assemble each of these

 We all went to the Family Christmas Festival with my mom at her church. The girls got to see Rob Biagi perform live, walk through the Christmas story, make crafts, and decorate a gingerbread man.

Rob Biagi in concert

Kayley meeting Mary and baby Jesus

Making crafts together

Kayley's gingerbread man

  

I have somehow found the time to bake many batches of Christmas cookies, and Kayley has been my little helper.

Wearing my apron while helping me bake

Some new things with Shilo:

She is getting really good at holding her head up and loves looking around.

Her 3 month size clothes are starting to fit her perfectly, which means they will probably only last a week or two more.

We have been getting more and more nights with 5 straight hours of sleep.

She likes being in an upright position most the time.

She has found her fists to suck on, and loves her paci.

She loves bath time.

  

Some new things with Kayley:

She’s been working on more sounds and words, but doesn’t seem to have a great interest in talking the way we do yet.

She is getting really good at following instructions and “helping” around the house.

She is very creative when it comes to figuring out how to be higher/taller.

She still sleeps great at night and has a great 2-3hour nap each day.

She is starting to identify objects and people more.

Pushing her boundaries and crying when things don’t go her way or she gets frustrated is a new norm.

Copying what mama and dada do brings her great pleasure.