Before I Forget...

While Amelia was playing with the squinkies that Santa had given her the week before she says, "Thank you Santa Claus".

When Jude was getting his four month shots Eleanor was concerned she was going to have to get shots. I told her she wasn't and then she asked, "Do I have to get shots when I'm dead?" I told her no and then she said, "Oh I can't wait until I die".

While watching the First Presidency's Christmas devotional Eleanor told me she doesn't want to be in the "Norman" Tabernacle Choir because of the dresses they wear.

My conversation with Eleanor after she got done playing in the snow with Amelia and Katelyn:
M: So how was it?
E: Mom, it was like HELL but awesome!
M: What?
E: You know like when hell freezes.

After Eleanor got a little treat baggy from one of her primary teachers I tell her she's getting pretty spoiled this holiday season. She then says, "that's what it's all about, giving".

Jude At Four Months

I hate that I'm writing about his four months stats. I kind of wish he were still just four weeks but then he wouldn't be as chubby and smiley! This little boy has been a complete joy in our home! The girls are head over hills for him and John and I are pretty smitten as well. Today the Dr. asked if he was rolling over yet and I had to explain to him that Jude hasn't been left alone long enough to even think about rolling over (and if he is alone chances are Amelia is laying on top of him). So, for his stats. He is 15.09 lbs. He's still in the 90th for height, 50th for weight and 30th for his head. To me he's just perfect!!

I confessed to the Dr. that I've been putting Jude down on his tummy to sleep. After a week of him screaming all night long (and I really mean all night) I gave in and turned him to his tummy and he's been sleeping through the night. Well the Dr. advised me to have him sleep on his back and as I write this Jude is up in his crib screaming bloody murder! How long can I let him do that? I hate it!!

Because Jude got a few shots today I gave him a long hot bath. Of course Amelia had to join in. After Amelia got him all scrubbed and cleaned I just let him lay for a few minutes. He must have been really enjoying it or extremely tired because he fell asleep. I tried getting a photo but the noise woke him up. (I couldn't do it. I went and got Jude, rocked him and put him back to bed. I know, he needs to cry it out but not tonight!)

Here are a few more photos of little Jude today. I love love this little boy!!

Christmas Day

I don't think I can remember a better Christmas! Having a 5 year old, 2 year old and a new little baby may have helped make it a perfect day! Eleanor woke up at 4:30 to tell me she heard Santa's bells just before she fell asleep and asked me if I thought Santa had left yet. I was expecting her to stay awake but she fell back to sleep within a few minutes. Jude and I were the only two awake by 8 so I started making breakfast. I will admit I was being a little bit more noisy then normal but I was proud of myself for resisting the urge to wake the entire house!

Finally around 8:30 both girls woke up. Eleanor was so excited and was so patient to wait for Amelia to get a diaper change.They all enjoyed opening their stockings. Eleanor loved everything (but I think her undershirts were her favorite). Amelia was most pleased with the candy and chap stick. Jude smiled and laughed when the girls showed him his Sophie the giraffe.

 It was great watching the girls walk into the family room and seeing all the presents! Eleanor loved being in charge of finding every one's presents and handing them out. She was so excited that Santa used the paper we set out and even put the correct bows on every one's presents. Eleanor was so excited for everyone to open the presents she bought them. She had all of us open her presents before she opened any of hers.

 

 

 

It was a lot of fun watching Eleanor's excitement. She loved all her presents and enjoyed helping Amelia and Jude open their presents. Amelia got a little overwhelmed. All she wanted was her babies in her cradle. Eleanor ended up opening most of her presents for her. My favorite quote of the day was from Eleanor. After all the presents were open she said, "Man, Santa must be really rich!".

 

I'm not sure why I even tried getting a shot of all the kids right before church. They were all being crazy! Oh well, I still think they looked pretty dang cute!

 After church we played with all the kid's new toys and had a really relaxing afternoon. Grandma and Grandpa Martin came and had Christmas dinner with us. We had fondue with shrimp. Eleanor was in heaven!

Overall it was a fantastic day! I only wish it could have lasted longer! 

Christmas Eve

 I love Christmas Eve! I loved it even more this year because John got the day off from work and our little family got to spend the entire day together.  John made us a yummy breakfast and then we all pitched in and cleaned up the house. (I'm determined Santa will not visit a dirty home!).  John played with the girls while I got a few things ready to take down to Elk Ridge for the Martin family party. On the way to the party I had to run into Costco to pick up a few more pounds of shrimp for Christmas dinner and a few other things. It was a mad house but I actually enjoyed it. I know its odd but I enjoy the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve (only if I'm in no real need of anything and I'm just out to be out).

We all had a good time in Elk Ridge. The kids loved seeing their cousins and were thrilled to get a special visit from Santa. Amelia was very consistent with asking Santa for squinkies (she  sat on three different Santa laps). Lucky for her Santa delivered. Both she and Eleanor got a pack of squinkies and they were in heaven.

We of course had to drive past Salem pond on our way home for one last look at the lights. I was glad to be on the road before 5pm. Both girls stayed awake and when we got home we had plenty of time to get things ready for Santa.

Plans were to make chocolate chip cookies, Santa's favorite, but the girls were more interested in their new toys so we opted for the pre-made cookie dough. Eleanor made a jar full of special reindeer food at school and she was so anxious to spread it out on the lawn. I'm pretty sure most of the food flew back into her face and hair but luckily a little made it to the lawn.  Eleanor was pretty concerned about all the cookies Santa would be eating that night so she really wanted to leave him something healthy. So we left him an orange. She thought about leaving a cup of water but was afraid he would try to dip his cookies in water and it wouldn't be too good.

 

 

And one of my favorite thing all night was when Amelia starting eating Santa's cookies during our little photo shoot!

After we got everything set up for Santa I let the girls open a present. Each year they get a new Christmas book and we read all read it before going to bed. This year Eleanor and I have been working on memorizing "Twas The Night Before Christmas" and I found a really cute animotion version. The girls loved it and we ended up reading all our other Christmas books.

 

Amelia went down to bed around 8:45. I'm pretty sure she had no clue what would be happening in the morning so I'm sure she had no problem going to sleep. Eleanor on the other hand was having a pretty hard time settling down. She had asked earlier this week if she could sleep in our bed on Christmas Eve. We put on How A Grinch Stole Christmas and got her all snuggled up.  John and I left her in there for a about a half hour while we started "cleaning" downstairs. When we went to check on her she was just about asleep. John moved her around on the bed and just when he got her all cozy they both her a loud jingle outside! Eleanor got very excited and told John they both had to close their eyes so Santa can come in. She must of believed us when we told her Santa won't come in if little kids are awake. She closed her eyes and was out within a few minutes.

John and I had a lot of fun "cleaning" and getting ready for Santa. We watched Family Man and didn't finish everything until the very end of the movie. I know its a lot of work for one night but I wouldn't want it any other way. I tell you, Santa has the best job!!

 

Of course I had to get a photo of each kid while they were sleeping. Well, except for Jude. When I went to get his photo he was wide awake. I didn't want to take the chance of waking him later so he got to be awake.

Amelia was adorable. I can't wait until next year when she understands it a little bit more.

Like I said, Eleanor had a hard time settling down but once she did she looked so cute.

I'm not going to lie. I too had a hard time falling asleep. I was so anxious for the morning!! I had to promise I wouldn't wake anyone this year and I knew it was going to kill me...