Christmas Outtakes 2011

I always chuckle at my attempts to get a cute Christmas picture of the kids, and this year throwing a newborn thrown into mix didn't make things any easier. Here are the fruits of my labors.

Very first attempt was the night after we put up the tree. Dressed everyone in their Christmas PJ finest, even fixed Clara's hair, and for whatever reason Jack ran away from the camera crying.


Next "photo op" began with Clara's wish to hold Meghan. I told Jack to join them on the couch and began snapping pictures despite the obvious lack of cute Christmas attire (or any clothes in some cases). Clara always puts on a great smile when she holds Meghan. She's such a proud big sister.




After the several pictures of Jack staring anywhere but at the camera, I told him to look at the green light, and so he opted to point as well as look.




Good one of Jack, but this time the girls are messing it up. C'mon Meghan, look at the camera!




Clara pulling a "Memo"






Now for a different angle. Everyone's looking, but Jack's face is kind of crazy... reminds me on another Jack I know. Through it all, Clara remains on task smiling!








And now that Jack finally is looking, Clara isn't, & Meghan's crying.


And Jack has left the building.


Next attempt - another impromptu affair that began by taking shots of Meghan enjoying some fresh air in her new, pink bunting.




These pictures are much less disastrous than the previous group, but it's harder to see Meghan. And in the really good ones of the older two, Meghan is crying. Alas...










A cute one of the whole family sans me in Christmas PJ's but Meghan isn't looking at the camera, and Jack is blocking Sydney.


Close runner up...


And the winner is...

Pumpkin socks, Supergirl dress, Boppy (aka Moon pillow), and all! Merry Christmas 2011!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Sadly on the day we are taking down our Christmas tree, I'm finally posting about putting it up the first weekend in December. Nevertheless, decorating the Christmas tree and the rest of the house this year was an exciting affair. Clara has definitely reached that magical age where she remembered how awesome Christmas day was last year and was eagerly anticipating it this year. Her excitement was infectious and had Jack running up and down the halls singing, "wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year". This put a new spin on all of our pre-Christmas activities.

Anxiously awaiting Mommy unpacking the first ornaments (notice the Grinch shirt from Auntique!)


Here goes - "first one to put an ornament on the tree"


Jack joins the fun


A smile that in hindsight can only mean, "just wait to see how much trouble I'm going to cause with the tree this year".




Enjoying the view


Our first present under the tree!

Meghan is Two Months Old

On Saturday Meghan turned two months old! We go to the doctor on Wednesday to get measure her height and weight, and then she'll receive her first shots. :(

Here she is in her crib not loving her bunting.


Ahh, free at last, much better.


Sayin' Little Words, just for Nay-nay.


How does she compare to her big sister and brother on their 2 month birthdays?






Jack has been enjoying Clara's Cinderella slippers lately. They seem to fit better when there on the wrong feet.


He's also been receiving a lot of telephone calls that notify him various people are sick at the hospital.




At the park this past weekend rockin' the shades and hat

Clara Performs the Nutcracker

Today was Clara's holiday performance of the Nutcracker at school. She was ecstatic to be one of the sugar plum fairies. The first order of business though was that Clara wanted her hair to be like a ballerina's. She went and got her Princess Tiana doll to show me exactly how she wanted it, just in case I wasn't sure. Here is my best attempt.


She also had the perfect shirt for the occasion - her sugar plum fairy shirt from Nay-nay!


The only disappointment of the day was that moment we walked in the building, Jack was totally freaked out, so much so that Brec had to carry him out. Thank goodness for videos, I was able to see this first one, then leave and let Brec come back for the last parts.

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies


The fairies - Rosalind, Clara, & Blythe


The fairies and Marie - Clara, Sophie, Rosalind, & Blythe


The Sugar Plum Fairies exit the land of the sweets with Marie, Maria, & the toy soldier.


All the dancers come back out for a reprise.


Jingle Bells with their rhythm sticks, Clara opts to play with her feet and ropes her friend Sophie into it. She takes after her Uncle Jack playing the recorder with his nose! :)

Thanksgiving

This visit to Richmond to celebrate Thanksgiving was particularly exciting b/c it was Meghan's first trip to Virginia. She got to meet lots of new people. I was also ecstatic about having Nay-nay cook dinner for me, (though I did pull my weight on Thanksgiving).

Bright and early Wednesday morning Pop-pop took Jack to get his "haircut de Delshay", (the Mary Lou Hair Salon has gone French!). I think it looks so cute; it's nice to finally be able to see his eyes.


Wednesday afternoon Nay-nay was already cooking. "Luckily" for her she had lots of help, even Sydney was in the fray to catch any stray crumbs, and with this crowd baking, there were lots. Her pumpkin cake never tasted so good. :)




All the while Lucy snuggled with Meghan.


Bath time with Pop-pop - always a fun treat.


Meghan on her first Thankgiving morning, giving her big sis a smile. She really started cracking them, this week. They're still tough to capture in a photo because as soon as the camera comes out, she focuses on it.


Already in her Thanksgiving dress.


First bed head in months, before the cut his hair was too long to stick up.


I am thankful for my two oldest babies in their coordinating festive Fall outfits.


Poor Jack was traumatized when Brec turned on the gas logs in the living room. He camped out in the kitchen in "Mommy's seat" much of Thanksgiving night.


Clara, however, was very excited about the meal and eating in the dining room. She was at the table long before the food was ready.


Happy Thanksgiving!


I would say this was tryptophan in action, but I'm pretty sure, he didn't have any turkey.


Clara is thankful for her new baby sister, and Meghan is thankful that Nay-nay is behind the scenes supporting her neck.


On Friday Brec took Jack & Clara with Su-Su and Grambles to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens to see the Christmas lights. Clara raced up to give Santa a hug; she shouldn't have any trouble sitting on his lap this year. Jack, however, may be a different story.


Checking out the sights




Meghan seemed to really enjoy time on the changing table looking out the window and smiling at us.




Saturday afternoon snuggle time with Su-su as we watched VA Tech destroy UVA in football.


Gramby happy to be holding Meghan, not at the Hoos performance.


Meghan meeting Great-grandmother Gigi!


We decked Meghan out in her new outfit from Uncle Jack and Dy and tried to capture a few smiles. She seems to be contemplating how silly we are.


This of course reminded me of similar pictures we took of Clara (or should I say Buddha) at the same age (~6 weeks).


Of course he is.


And a trip to Nay-nay's wouldn't be complete without a makeover!

Meghan Meets Her Auntique! & One Month Stats

The weekend before Thanksgiving Lucy came down to visit. She was anxious to meet her new niece since school had prohibited her from meeting her yet. As you can see, they hit it off. :)


Clara of course was excited to have Lucy visit. She got to play all kinds of fun games on Lucy's new iPhone and! is sporting her new shirt from Lucy as well.


And of course there's always time for some shufflin'!


Before we left for Richmond to celebrate Thanksgiving, Meghan had her one-month well visit. She weighed in at 11 lbs, 5 oz and measured 23 inches. She gained 2 lbs and 2 inches in just one month! At one month Jack was 10 lbs, 12 oz and 22 in, and Clara was 11 lbs, 11 oz and 22 1/2 in. Meghan is the tallest one at this age!

Here's Meghan enjoying time with her crib friends.


A seemingly uneventful video but I wanted to capture some of those baby noises and movements that disappear before you know it (*sob*).


And while I'm at it, you know I love a good comparison! ;)



Last but not least...

Back in the Groove

I was doing so well, but then Thanksgiving week in Richmond and the frenzy of Christmas activity that has followed derailed me... but I'm back and determined to keep the blogging flame stoked. To get back in the groove, here are some random, yet cute videos.

Jack & Clara shufflin'


Superman!


Exercising with Daddy.