Bennett is so very excited about Christmas this year which is both super fun and exhausting. :) He helped me decorate the house and tree on Sunday when we were home from church. He wakes up each morning and looks at the tree and sings Oh Christmas Tree. It's pretty cute. You can tell he is a little sponge soaking everything in and learning all about Christmas and why we celebrate, etc. We are being careful to make sure we keep the focus on baby Jesus and NOT on Santa/presents as much as we can.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Oh Christmas Tree
The Saturday after Thanksgiving we got our Christmas tree, which has been our tradition the past few years. We went to Whispering Pines Tree Farm in Green Bay with our aunts, uncles, and cousins! The day before it was almost 60 degrees outside but on Saturday it was mid 30's so we did have to bundle up but the kids didn't mind too much. First we took a tractor ride out to pick and cut down our tree. Eleanor was sad we didn't get a pink or purple one (they had a few spray painted that you could cut down!). After cutting the tree the boys loaded them up while Isla, Eleanor and I went to the little Christmas store area and looked at some animals and got some (free) hot cocoa. We didn't wait in line to see Santa because Eleanor is a bit nervous about him.
Bennett is so very excited about Christmas this year which is both super fun and exhausting. :) He helped me decorate the house and tree on Sunday when we were home from church. He wakes up each morning and looks at the tree and sings Oh Christmas Tree. It's pretty cute. You can tell he is a little sponge soaking everything in and learning all about Christmas and why we celebrate, etc. We are being careful to make sure we keep the focus on baby Jesus and NOT on Santa/presents as much as we can.
Bennett is so very excited about Christmas this year which is both super fun and exhausting. :) He helped me decorate the house and tree on Sunday when we were home from church. He wakes up each morning and looks at the tree and sings Oh Christmas Tree. It's pretty cute. You can tell he is a little sponge soaking everything in and learning all about Christmas and why we celebrate, etc. We are being careful to make sure we keep the focus on baby Jesus and NOT on Santa/presents as much as we can.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Friday, November 24, 2017
4K Thanksgiving Program
Bennett had a little Thanksgiving Feast and program at school last week. He was SO excited and proud to have us come and see all his songs. Grandma, Grandpa, and Nate surprised him by coming too (extended families were invited!). His teacher is great, and the kids listened so well to her. You could tell Bennett was listening carefully and trying to do everything correctly. Afterwards, he was so excited to have a picnic "feast" with us. He had made some special fruit/marshmallow kabobs for us and was very proud to share them with us. It was really adorable. And then he repeated most of the performance again at Grandma's for Thanksgiving and in Green Bay for Grandpa Pete! Eleanor joined in since she now knows most of the songs too. :)




Sunday, November 19, 2017
Bennett's Special GB Weekend
Bennett got to go spend a special weekend in Green Bay with Aunt Amanda, Uncle Casey and Lincoln! Brad drove him to meet Casey in Fon du Lac on Friday night (Casey works in Appleton), and they got dinner at BW3's. Eleanor and I had a special dinner of Jimmy Johns and made rice krispies with sprinkles while Isla napped. :)
On Saturday they had breakfast with the Paw Patrol! Then they got to watch the holiday parade. Ben said breakfast was pancakes, donuts, orange juice and apple juice. He was excited to meet them!
On Saturday Eleanor and I did some special things too! We went and got pedicures and had donuts at Dunkin' Donuts. :) She got to pick the movie for movie night and of course chose Frozen.
On Sunday was the big event - Bennett got to go with them to PJ Masks Live in Appleton. Uncle Casey said Bennett was going nuts singing and jumping up and down the whole time. :) He LOVED it! He says he went to "PJ Masks ALIVE."
On Saturday they had breakfast with the Paw Patrol! Then they got to watch the holiday parade. Ben said breakfast was pancakes, donuts, orange juice and apple juice. He was excited to meet them!
On Saturday Eleanor and I did some special things too! We went and got pedicures and had donuts at Dunkin' Donuts. :) She got to pick the movie for movie night and of course chose Frozen.
On Sunday was the big event - Bennett got to go with them to PJ Masks Live in Appleton. Uncle Casey said Bennett was going nuts singing and jumping up and down the whole time. :) He LOVED it! He says he went to "PJ Masks ALIVE."
Bennett and Lincoln had so much fun playing together! It's awesome to watch the kids all grow up and play together. And we can't wait to return the favor and have Linc come stay with us sometime soon! :)
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Isla: 9 Month Update
Ahhhhhh dare I say we've almost made it? This little peanut is getting easier and happier and more fun every day. Now don't get me wrong, she's still demanding and opinionated, and cranky when tired or hungry, and she still really loves her mama, but in general she is way more content! She loves to crawl around and explore and especially play with the big kids' things. She ADORES Bennett and giggles at him and Eleanor a lot. She loves to play peek-a-boo and get tickled ("I'm gonna get you!"). And she loves eating solid food!
Isla still nurses a lot, because she's kind of a snacky nurser (just a few minutes before naps/bed), and then does usually 2 longer feeds in the middle of the night. Oy. She likes drinking water from her sippy cup and loves feeding herself. She will be entertained for 15 minutes or more sometimes in her high chair with food. I'd say her favorites are veggie straws and fruits. She will do carrots and peas too. We gave her peanut butter and jelly toast one day and she loved that. She also likes ham and cheese cut up small. I thought it would be fun to do real oatmeal and she just spit that all out like it was the most disgusting thing I've ever given her, lol. She will do pouches when we are out and about, too. She's not a huge fan so far of carbs (is she my daughter????), so pancakes and things like that don't get touched very often. She was sitting in the Bumbo to eat but now that she's bigger she prefers the high chair.
Isla is maybe my worst sleeper, or a close tie with how bad Eleanor was. She usually does 2 naps per day (8/8:30am and 12/12:30), but if that second nap is shorter she needs a third catnap around 4:30. In general her first nap is 30 minutes or so, but usually then the second one is 1.5-2 hours. Bedtime is right around 6:30/6:45pm, and she's up around 6/6:30am. She's up twice a night usually to nurse and then goes right back to sleep. She's got white noise, black out curtains, a sleep sack, pacifier, and lovey blanket....
So far fall has been difficult, because Isla loves to be out and about. We normally play outside most of the day and it's been too cold for that. So we are trying to figure out how to keep busy/happy. Lots of trips to the library and Target so far. Looking for more suggestions if you have any!!! I'm excited that when it's nice out again she'll be walking and almost 1.5 years old and able to actually play a little!
Isla's favorite things are animals/noises, Bennett/Eleanor/Daddy/Mommy, being outside, eating solids, peek-a-boo, tickles, and putting everything and anything into her mouth! Speaking of which, she has FINALLY got her first tooth popping through on the bottom left side. I've been saying for months it seems like she's teething, lol.
Isla tolerates the carseat but is not a fan of long car rides. Last time I tried she still doesn't like the stroller (but loves the Lillebaby carrier!). She loves Eleanor talking to her but does not like when Eleanor tries to hold her and pick her up (and now she squawks/yells when she's mad about this lol!).
Isla is crawling quickly now, and she pulls up on everything, which sometimes leads to falling/crying episodes (she's so sensitive!!). She also walks along furniture and LOVES to walk holding onto your hand. She has stood by herself for a few seconds once in awhile. She doesn't love other people holding her (besides me and Brad) but she will smile at anyone who talks to her, and she's been able to stay in church nursery the past couple of times we've tried!!!! YAY!!! She will cry a bit off and on sometimes, especially toward the end when she's over it, but she's doing much much better. I think it helps that she can play now and be entertained.
This little girl is sure a challenge and makes me so tired, but I also love her fiercely! She has been doing the cutest smile lately where she crinkles up her nose at you with a big smile. It's adorable. <3 nbsp="" p="">
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