Merry Christmas 2009

Our first official tree. Notice how it looks a bit Charlie Brown. Rob hated it when he first got it up. Then we "fluffed" it and see how nice it came out (below.)

The tree ready to go for the morning.

Here is the big debate - does Santa wrap his gifts or not? Rob grew up with Santa not wrapping gifts and I grew up with Santa wrapping gifts. So....we compromised. Santa did half and half. I have to say that I think the "unwrap" way is definitely the easy way out because you don't have to wrap. That is real nice on Christmas Eve when you're doing all the last minute wrapping. What does your family do?

Christmas Princess

I LOVE my Princess shoes!

Comfy PJs for me!

Photojournalist in training. This is our favorite gift.

Or future Rockstar! Playing our drums.

My Daddy Doll is also one of my favorite toys!

Common questions - "Daddy please open it?"

Love my Daddy Doll

Say Cheese Daddy

Kisses for Daddy's Doll

Notice my cute PJs - they match my Sister's. These are from Aunt Rachel!

And, we went to our first movie. It was Princess and the Frog. Peyton had a blast and Bristol feel asleep fast.

Bristol's status at 4 months

Went to doctor on Monday for Bristol's 4 month check up. Here are her stats:

15 pounds
25 3/4 inches long

Doc said the following things:
- she needs to eat more. Her chart did not show the right incline in weight as the last two visits. So we've been giving her a bottle/boob whenever she wants it. She's been eating like a champ.
- she can start rice cereal. Did that for the first time last night and she loved it. Kept opening her mouth and going for the spoon. We have another eater on our hands!

Questions we had:
- her left eye seems to be a little lazy every once in awhile. Doc gave us a referral to a pediatric opthamologist to be on the safe side. We'll go see him in the New Year.
- her left rib cage seemed a little larger to me. Doc confirmed this. No real issue, but it's nice as a Mom to know you're not crazy.

Bristol is doing great. She now holds her bottle on her own when she eats. This is all Papa's doing as he is raising my girls to be very independent.

Merry Christmas to me!

Side view of our new Lake "House" at Camp Clearwater on White Lake

Side view from left
Extra room - we're putting two bunk beds in here.

Queen size bed. Peyton LOVED her new bed! HA!

View from kitchen to bedroom.

Kitchen with table that turns into bed. Notice the stainless steel fridge.

View when you walk in front door. Pulls out to a bed.

Dead on front view - we plan to paint it something fun.

Many of you know that I've been talking about wanting a getaway for our family to start making memories. I've talked about this for years. Well, we finally did it. Rob and I bought a camper in a campground attached to White Lake. We are so excited. Can't wait for March to come when the "season" starts. We also plan to get a golf cart and wave runner to with our purchase! The girls are going to have SO MUCH FUN in our new playhouse! You all are invited to come play with us. Make your reservations now.

Meow - kitty cat

Our little kitty cat. She looks so excited to be all dressed up.
Our long child - that's a normal size ottoman.

Bristol's hand

Bristol realized today that the things she constantly puts into her mouth is actually attached to her body. She is completely amazed at this new found friend. She holds her hand out and moves it around and watches it in amazement. So funny!

Peyton is growing every day. Her vocabulary is doubling every minute it seems. A few conversations:

"Mom - I drive your car?"
No, Peyton, you're too young.
"No Mom, I'm not too young. I drive in my car seat."
I don't think so.
"Papa - I drive your car?"

I ove you = I love you. (We really don't say our Ls)
Hold on a moment
Hey Buddies!
I'm awake = I don't want to go to sleep
I'm happy! = I don't want a time out

That's just a few Peytonisms.

Santa's (aka Papa) visit

Bristol took to Papa...I mean Santa...just fine. In fact, she couldn't wait to get on his lap. A friend of mine was holding her on the side and every time Santa would talk she'd immediately turn her head toward him. It was cute. She was at ease with her Santa.
Peyton on the other hand took some time to warm up. She would only stand next to him until I moved Bristol. Then she got up in his lap, but wanted to cuddle.

In case you didn't know she is Santa's favorite and Santa is all hers!!!

Best shot I could get of the girls with Santa. I guess I could always have him dress up one day and do a TON of shots in order to get a good one. Peyton was bribed with a candy cane and Bristol was checkin' it out.

Just another example of Bristol chillin'! As long as she has her fingers in her mouth she's good to go. Don't you love the fur collar? Our friend KrisTina gave her this cute outfit.

The Grinch

Peyton watched the Grinch for the first time tonight. And, here is her interpretation:

Baby Grinch = "look - it's Bristol"
Cindy Lou Who = "Mommy, Mommy - that's Peyton!"
Adult Grinch = "DADDY!"

And, that's the story of the Grinch in the Douglas household.

Photoshoot DRAMA

First attempt at Family Photo. It only got worse from here.
A two year olds impression of smiling. Can you see the sassiness?

Absolute refusal to participate. She even had a cookie in her hand!

Tears, tears and more tears.

Oh, wait! I'm two! I bounce right back.

And....the....cookie....sets....in....SUGAR RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!

"Stop touching me Bristol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

At least one side of the family looked good.

It's like a flapping fish.

I would like it noted that there was one child not participating in this family fun. Yes, she is the two year old. We did get some fabulous photos and I will post those soon. I just felt you had to see the bad before the good. Thanks to Brittany for putting up with us through all of this. We were only there an hour, but it felt like a lifetime. Good shots will come soon! And, Christmas cards will be mailed as well.

Happy 4 months Bristol

This picture completely captures who you are my dear. You're the sweetest little baby ever. You brighten our days with your gorgeous, infectious smile. We love you tremendously and can't imagine life without you in it. Thank you for being an amazing baby and for allowing us to be your parents. You are a true blessing.

Happy to have Daddy back

Waiting by the garage door to go get Daddy. Anxiously awaiting!

Do you notice by big bow? Yup, I rocked the big ass bow to go see my Daddy.

Here's a better picture of it. It meaning the bow.

How we passed time at the airport.

So excited! Daddy''s home for 7 months.

The day after Daddy's welcome home. Thanksgiving was obviously eventful. Thanks to the Adams for hosting us. It was yummy, yummy, yummy!

Mid-November Update

This is the way we talk to Daddy. Peyton makes a point to put the phone on Bristol's chair so she can talk to him too. It's really cute. In fact, I tried picking up the phone one time and Peyton yelled "NO!!!! Mommy it goes on Bristol's chair." Precious. The best part about this is that we only have a few days left and Daddy will be here with us in person!!!!!

Up close of Bristol's phone time. By the way, do you notice the "Hookem Horns" finger sucking? This is her new thing. She totally soothes herself.

Future basketball star. I see it in her future.

HOOKEM HORNS!!!

Cutie in a hoodie.