Christmas-Part 2

I was really excited about celebrating Christmas this year! Our house was full of decorations, we were hosting friends at our house, and watching Paige play with her nativity set was so adorable!

This was our 4th Christmas to spend in East Asia, but our first time with a child/baby. (I will always call her my baby). This was also my first time to host Christmas and make a turkey. I was really nervous about it at first, but it was SO easy!!!

My mom bought the girls matching Christmas dresses last year a size too big and I was determined for her to wear it again.

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2014

I can't believe how much she has changed!!! Or how much hair she has!

We were out a little late on Christmas Eve for a friends party, so we thought Paige would sleep in a little bit the next day, but no. So we got up and did stockings, talked with family, then ate cinnamon rolls and bacon for breakfast. I don't make cinnamon rolls that often, just because it's time consuming, but every time I eat them I wish i made them more often.

Paige loves to help sweep and clean the house, so Daniel's parents got her a mini cleaning set. 

We didn't do too much for Paige this year-she really didn't need much. We mostly got her books. This girl will let you read to her for hours! I filled her stocking with Puffs that I found on clearance at an import store! And by clearance, I mean they weren't the normal $10 per container. 

At first Paige didn't really know what to do with the presents and gift bags, but once she figured out there were toys and fun things inside, she was all about it!

Here's a bit of the aftermath! 

Daniel gave me my favorite present-a Starbucks Christmas mug! I've been using it almost every single day since Christmas. Other than Sundays, when I use my special monogram mug my sister gave me, this mug hasn't left my side.

We skyped our families while Paige opened her presents so they could see her reaction. After presents, we let her watch some Christmas cartoons while Daniel and I played with our new toys and drank lots of coffee. 

We had several friends over for Christmas dinner, and sadly I do not have a single picture. But there was turkey, gravy, potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, hot cider, and yummy desserts. Paige ended the night not feeling to well so we put her to bed a little early. Us adults stayed up talking and having so much fun. 

Christmas-Part 1

I didn't really mean to take such a long blogging break-but these past few weeks Daniel traveled to the mountains and Paige was sick and is just now finally feeling better.

We had a wonderful Christmas! Having a kiddo, there are too many pictures to do in one post, so I'll split it into two. A friend gave Paige several Christmas dresses that her daughter's had outgrown, and I had so much fun picking them out each week for her to wear. 

Paige was so much fun this year! Last year, I think she slept through half of it and didn't really have a clue what was going on. She still doesn't really know what it is, but it was fun to start some traditions with her and see her enjoy it all! One of her favorite things is to play with her Little People Nativity set-I actually didn't pack it up with the other Christmas things, it might be a year round toy.

We thought it would be fun for her to help decorate the Christmas tree, but after she broke a few ornaments (ones I was convinced she couldn't break) we found other ways for her to help.

She loved putting up the lights!

I can't believe we will have two little kiddos next Christmas!

This is pretty much the only ornament she put on the tree, she was much more interested in taking them off, ha!

We probably aren't going to really do Santa with our kids. But, I'm still a sucker for traditions, so we still put out milk and cookies for him. Paige doesn't know who he is, so it really was more for me to take a few good pictures.

There is really nothing cuter than a child in Christmas jammies. 

I'll try to get the Christmas day post up, a pregnancy recap, and a few other posts up soon! Baby Joshua will be here in less than a month, so I need to get it together!

Paige's First Christmas

We are currently in Houston, Texas. We drove in late on the 23rd. We were going to stop in Ft. Worth on the way, but Paige was doing so well in the car we went ahead and drove all the way.

Christmas Eve, Sarah and I went for a run then did a little bit of last minute shopping. That afternoon all of us-including Sarah's whole family and my parents, went to church for the Christmas Eve service. My mom bought the girls these matching dresses and they were so adorable! Despite Adelyn being 11 weeks older than Paige, they're pretty much the exact same size. Both have blue eyes and blonde hair and have amazing mothers. :)

This is the first time I've put a bow (actually even had a bow) in Paige's hair. I die. Seriously. She was already cute before, but with a bow?!?!!? It is just too much. 

I bought the girls matching reindeer antlers, but I couldn't find the other pair at first, so we didn't get matching pictures. I promise Paige is happy. But she's such a people watcher and is so curious, she gets caught up in watching things around her instead of smiling on demand like we ask, ha!

Cousin Ethan-he's SO good with babies, he loves on them and is so sweet.

Sarah's boys are 7 and 5 and very into Christmas! We knew they were going to be up early so it was an early morning for all of us. First we did stockings, then had a big waffle breakfast, then went back to opening gifts. Paige has been sleeping in a lot lately, so I let her sleep until after stockings. 

Grant excited about his TCBY giftcard.

Ethan enjoying presents from Santa.

Daniel about to open his stocking! He is so cute!

Sarah and Ethan!

The hat says "Baby's First Christmas," shockingly she left it on the whole time.

I haven't been sleeping well, so this is me tired.

And here I am excited! I love Christmas! And I love presents!

Paige got a little ahead of herself and started opening her cousins' presents. 

This is the first time in years that all of my family was together for Christmas. With Mike being a pilot, he rarely gets the day off. It was wonderful all being together for a few days. 

She looks so chunky here! She really liked playing with the bows. 

Me and my little goober. I just love this girl.

We didn't go overboard with presents for Paige this year, especially since she doesn't have a clue. But we got her a few things, I loved picking things out for her!

Paige and Adelyn have been sharing their presents the past few days. Sharing might be a stretch, but they do both slobber and rub their snot on the same toys. 

My favorite thing about Christmas this year was being all together. With us living overseas and Mike flying all over the place, it is rare that we all get together. And if we do, it's only for a few days. So to have my family all together for Christmas....I'm so thankful! I love quality time with my peeps. 

I have SO much to blog! i'll try and get caught up over the next few days. 

Merry Christmas!

love

laura

Paige at 10 Months

Paige turned 10 months last Thursday! It almost depresses me that Paige is 10 months....double digits! Where is my baby?!?!?!!?? I really do love the newborn stage, and miss her being my little baby. But I am loving this age, it is SO much fun!

(no she's not cross eyed, but isn't she cute!?)

10 Month Stats: 

(i'm totally guessing!)

Weight: 18 lbs

Length: 27-28 inches

Size Diaper: Pampers 3 (at night), Fuzzibunz Mediums, and Bumgenius One-Size

Size Clothes: 9-12 months

Sleep: Still sleeps from about 7:30-7:30, these last few mornings we've had to go wake her up! She naps from about 9:15-11:15, and 2-3:30

Feedings: I nurse at 7:30, 11:30, 3:30, and 7ish. She gets solids 3X a day after each feeding, except the last one she eats closer to our dinner, about 5:30. Since I just did her 9 month post, I don't think she's had anything new to eat. The main thing she is doing is a lot less purees and much more finger food.

Last week we took Paige to see the Christmas lights in Chickasha, Oklahoma. They have a big Christmas light display, and it's free. Double Win.

While it was in the 60's during the day and quite comfortable, the temperature dropped by the time we got there. I was freezzzzzing!!!! I felt so bad for Paige, because I didn't bring her big coat but just a light hoodie. We didn't spend tons of time because we were all so cold, but it was a lot of fun.

When we were in Dallas, Amy gave Paige a stuffed bunny. Paige has played with it almost non stop.

I could have done an entire post on the bunny.

love this one!

While giving Paige a bath the other day, we found out what her hair can do.

Her hair doesn't seem that curly when it's dry, but there's a lot of it when it's wet!

We celebrated Christmas with Daniel's side of the family yesterday. Not sure if Paige had a clue, but she had fun!

Gifts is my love language, so I had a blast opening all her gifts, ha!

Paige and Grandpa reading her new books.

Time with Great Grandpa!

Friday we took Paige to see Santa. I was SO excited, I was practically giddy!

I think this one is precious!

I am SO excited about Paige's first Christmas!!!! I know she doesn't understand it, but it's been so much fun for me! We went shopping last night to pick her up a few things, and I enjoyed it way much more than is normal. I think it's because living in Asia I buy online or have to try and read in a second language what the toy is. Shopping in america, reading english......it's just a gift in itself really.

Paige has gone to the nursery a few times at church, and has done so well! She's gotten really good at just going to people. But something clicks at about 6pm at night and if I leave the room she notices. 

We are getting on the road this afternoon-we'll spend the night in Ft. Worth with my Aunt, then get up early and head for Houston to meet up with my family at Sarah's house. It will be the first time for my nephews to meet Paige, and my dad hasn't seen her since she was 6 weeks-crazy! 

I hope to blog but with 4 crazy kids running around, I might just be thankful for 5 minutes of quiet at the end of the day, ya know??

Anyways..... that's Paige at 10 months!!!! Woo hoo!

love

laura