Santa Claus Ahh Coming Ahh Town

She got it. She sang that song, and knew about Santa and Reindeer just in time for the big day. She said she "heared" them in the night. But, the best thing ever was when she thanked Christmas when we all came down the stairs. And, now she says "Merry Christmas" when I lay her down for her afternoon nap. She is sweet....and saucy. We got home very late at night after visiting Gee and Papa and cousins in Clinton and as Derek carried her up to her room and got her in her pajamas, she played possum until she couldn't stand it anymore and growled, "The GRINCH!!!" at him with her eyes closed...still asleep. Those are the things I remember about Christmas this year.

Who needs mistletoe?

I can't keep my kisses off of him! Jack Boyer is 11 weeks old today!

Jack is 2 months old

He is such a great little baby boy! At 2 months he weights 14 lbs and is 25 inches long. That puts him at 95% and 97% respectively. We are so blessed to have a strong and healthy baby that loves to smile and coo. He loves his evening bath and baby massage. He almost looses control with delight when you rub his hands and feet! He is still excited to see us several times in the night, but is nursing much more efficiently, so we barely have to wake up to tend to him. He sleeps the best in our family room with Derek sleeping on the couch...maybe he likes the fire and the Christmas tree. His nursery will just have to wait. Greta calls him "Brother Jack" and she asks to see him first thing in the morning. She kisses him and holds him often and is so sweet to him. This sounds so silly to say, but I think he loves her, too - he looks at her differently and smiles when she is near. He must know they are going to have a lot of fun together. And, I think we are almost reaching a point where Greta doesn't remember life before him. I know I don't!

Make a wish

Make a wish, originally uploaded by DerekandRebecca.

Happy Birthday to you, Greta Lou!

Hurray! Greta is Two! This Sunday we had a birthday party for Greta and filled the house with all of her best baby friends and adoring adults. Derek designed invitations just for the event with "Oswald" the blue octopus and his hot dog "Weenie". Greta loves Oswald more than I can tell you. We talk about him all the time. He is a great octopus with a heart of gold. BUT, finding Oswald party decorations is near impossible -they just don't make them! We did find perfect party hats and smiling daisies and streamers and balloons in all the right colors. I made cupcakes and a four layer apricot coconut cake that we served with chocolate ice cream and peppermint stick ice cream. We had hot cocoa with marshmallows and citrus orange vanilla punch...and Derek got a mini keg of Heineken for the dads and moms...but the punch was good enough for me!

Greta was thrilled when guests started arriving. They all played so nice together. I must go on record as saying that his was the most well behaved group of toddlers I have ever been around...every one shared and they were all smiles until the end...until the sugar wore off...and then it was time for bed!

The snow is cold...too cold for Gigi

It Cold...Inside...Inside...cold shoe..., originally uploaded by DerekandRebecca.

We woke up to our first snow! Derek and Greta went outside to see what all of the fuss was about. Greta marched in the snow...and then she was ready to come inside. We had hot cocoa and marshmallows for breakfast and warmed back up.

Thanks

We give thanks for joy and laughter. We give thanks for health and big hearts. We are thankful every day, but especially when we are together....with food!

Thanksgiving 2008 will be remembered as Chase and Jack's very first Thanksgiving and the first year Greta ate with a fork. (Actually, she was given 4 and used every single one in rotation loaded with mashed potatoes and cranberry. ) We all met at Nancy and Don's for dinner on a beautiful, sunny day... Nancy, Don, Bob Meyer, Phyllis, Chuck, Katie, Chris, Chase, Derek, Greta, Jack and me. Dinner was delicious and Katie even made Ruth's mandarin orange salad - I ate two helpings!

We ate and played with the kids by the fire place. Chase is just about to roll over! Don and Chris mixed drinks. I had an Aspen coffee. (it was Bailey's, Frangelico, whiskey, bourbon, and a lick of coffee...mmmmm. And I don't remember anything after that. (Just kidding.)

Kids

I know they don't really look that much alike, but I know that together they are VERY cute!