Christmas Day

Christmas morning the girls slept tip after 7, which NEVER happens! Santa had come to visit!

Anderon got diapers, bottle liners, baby food, and an outfit! Harper and Payton pretty much got duplicated gifts for the most part, but only because that was their request. They each got a new baby doll, kite, sleeping bags, books, stocking stuffers, Minnie dresses, and a trip to Disney!!! We are going in March over spring break! I wasn't sure how much that would set in with them since it's 3 months away, but they seem excited anyways!

Waiting at the top of the stairs until they can come down. Sorry, we didn't brush hair. That's what makes it Christmas morning pictures, right?

Walking into the living room!

Bandaids!

Toothpaste!

Could he get any happier?

Chilling with Uncle Andy. Yes, we even got him up early!

The girls showing Anderson his gifts.

Payton putting baby Jesus in the manger. This has been another favorite again this year, the nativity countdown!

Uncle Andy managed to find the girls a recorder! 

After seeing what Santa brought and opening gifts from Bamama, Grandaddy, and Uncle Andy, we headed to Nana and Pop's. After opening gifts there, we went to Great Bamama's house for breakfast. I realized I hadn't gotten a picture of just the three of them in their pi's. This is the best they could do for me at that point.

Harper putting her baby to sleep in her new bed.

We did a very poor job of pulling out the camera after first thing Christmas morning. After enjoying breakfast at Great Bamama's, we went home, got changed, and headed back to Nana and Pop's for dinner. Whew! It was exhausting, but SO much fun! I think the girls are sad that Christmas is over, and it makes me sad especially that Anderson's first Christmas is over, but we've enjoyed hanging out at home playing with all of our new things. Thanks everyone who spoiled us all!

Christmas Eve

This Christmas has been magical. That's truly the best way to describe it. Every small detail of Christmas makes the girls just light up, and it brings so much joy. The both LOVE listening to our Christmas CD in the car. They have memorized so many of the songs, love spotting lights and squealing when they see them, and the list goes on. Jingles made his way to our house shortly after Thanksgiving. Payton had been asking about him for some time. Just as I anticipated, Harper got really into finding him also. It's a great way to get everyone moving at 5:45 AM! Luckily, Jingles isn't really a mischevious elf and just likes to move from place to place. This was the most trouble he stirred up while he was here. Unfortunately, he did fly back to the North Pole for two days during the month while the girls were not behaving their best. After Payton wrote him a letter asking him to come back and improved her behavior, he did make his way back. 

All that about Jingles, but seriously, Payton really understands the reason for the season. I let her choose a Christmas design shirt and she wanted the nativity above Santa or any other of the cute designs. She loves telling the story of baby Jesus and is often a great reminder to all of us. She's tried really hard to teach Harper the true meaning also, telling her it's not all about gifts and Santa. That girl's heart I tell ya!

We've been lagging a little on the decorations this year. Not all of them got put out, rather just sat in tubs scattered across the house for the entire month. Finally, the weekend before Christmas we managed to buy some gifts and get them wrapped under the tree. It's just been a busy month I guess. I guess a little something to do with working full time and raising 3 kiddos under 5...maybe that's the reason!

Another tradition that we continued this year was unwrapping a book each (or almost each) night. I wasn't planning to do it again this year because I felt like last year it just got crazy, but Payton asked about it so of course I had to follow through. The girls loved reading Christmas stories together in front of their Christmas trees. Sadly enough, I didn't get a picture of theirs, but they each had a cute little tree in their rooms. We figured brother can get his next year.

Christmas Eve Eve, we made a stop by Haisley and Benton's house to exchange gifts. Don't you think the girls love the high heels? Again, you can tell Payton really got it more this year because she kept asking, is tomorrow Christmas Eve? We would then have to explain to her one more day, then one more day. 

The boys just hanging out.

We went to Nana and Pop's house to make a decorate a gingerbread. Everyone sits on the kitchen table in a princess dress, right? Oh, we thought that was normal.

Christmas Eve morning I braved Wal-Mart with all kids in tow, trying to get everything we needed. We came home for good naps and then headed to Trippi and Lisa's.

Checking out the train.

After there, we went to Mom and Dad's house for our traditional Christmas Eve get together with my family. 

These pictures are quite challenging.

And......brother's feelings about it all. I adore the way Harper is kissing his hand to tell him it's okay. Those gestures are so typical.

This girl...IS.A.MESS!

After leaving mom and dad's house, we went to Nana and Pop's. The cousins got to open one gift!

Do you think they liked their matching pjs?

Just a little glimpse into how crazy it was! We had some excited kiddos on our hands. So fun!

Aunt Jennifer read The Polar Express and we even heard Santa's bells!!!!! 

 It was time to head home and great ready for Santa! The girls were so excited to head home and get ready for Santa! They jumped in the car quickly (without any whining, which NEVER happens) and Payton searched for Santa in the sky the whole way home. We put out reindeer food and cookies for Santa. Harper was exhausted and ready for bed, but when getting Payton down she told me, "Hurry mommy and turn off my lights so that Santa can come." 

(Not sure why it looks like they have white hair...maybe they're frozen)

Magical!

Anderson at 4 months

Little man is growing way too fast. He turned 4 months on December 13, the day he started coming down with a really yucky cold. We were a little late taking his 4 month pictures because he was so pitiful for a few days.

At his four month check up he weighed 14 lbs. 7 oz. (21%), 24.4 in. long (14%) and his head was 16.7 in. (70%). He is definitely a growing boy and I'm surprised his percentiles weren't higher for weight because he looks like he has becomes quite the little chunk lately. Size 2 diapers are snug, although his cheap Momma is trying her best to use up what we have, and his 3 months clothes are on the verge of not fitting anymore.

This growing boy loves to eat. We introduced baby food to him and he didn't gag a bit. He just opened his mouth each time the spoon came towards him like he'd been doing it for years. I remember the girls being so difficult to feed in the beginning.

He has really found his hands and feet this month. He actually found his feet while we were waiting at his four month visit. 

He is beginning to play with toys and pick things up. We are convinced he isn't too far from a tooth because he will gnaw on anything and drools like crazy.

Isn't that the sweetest smile you've ever seen?

He likes to sit up and look around. He's even been sitting in the highchair some while we're doing things in the kitchen and such. Although he has rolled over once or twice, he's still not doing it consistently. For the moment, he is still swaddled while he sleeps since he's not rolling. I'm not sure how he's going to handle it when we have to do away with the swaddle. He loves it! So does his Mommy and Daddy because he sleeps on average 9-10 hours a night!

His big sisters are usually the ones behind that smile. As you can see, I had Payton help me with these pictures while Harper slept.

Happy 4 months (isn) little man!