One Big Merry Christmas

I have so much Christmas to blog about so prepare yourself for one big long Christmas post!

After celebrating "Christmas morning" at our house, we headed to LP to be with our families for the rest of the Christmas weekend.

First up was Christmas Eve with the Zukowski's. We all went to 5 PM mass and then headed back to Grandma & Grandpa's for dinner and fun.

We took a few pictures and then...






we had a very special visitor!



This was Luke's face when he saw Santa at the door!



Luke led Santa into the house. He sat right next to him and listened to Santa read off all of the people that were on the "nice" list. He mentioned all of our names and when he was done, Luke asked, "Santa, what about the dogs?" It was about the cutest thing ever!



Luke opened his present from Santa which was Smokey the Fire Truck - exactly what he had asked for at our "Lunch with Santa". Santa is good!

Paige wasn't really having it. She was due to eat, but I made her wait because I knew Santa was coming.



Santa was followed by dinner, present opening, and the annual Bingo and dice game! Then we headed back to Grammy & Papa's for a good night's rest and some more Christmas the next day!

We woke up to this!


Luke opened his presents but then we waited for Aunt Carly to get there to open the rest. As a first year nurse, she had to work the holidays. She got off at 7 AM on Christmas Day and immediately made the drive down from Madison.

Luke played with his Transformers playdoh set while we waited.



Two happy kids!





I love this picture!


Checking out the ornaments with Michael.


We headed to Wally's Grandma Hylla's around noon for lunch. It is always crazy there - lots of cousins and lots of kids and babies. It was a nice time!

Then we headed to my grandparents house to open presents and visit. My Aunt Heidi and her boys weren't there this year so it was kind of quiet, but still fun!



Love this girlie's smile :)



We asked Luke to smile and this is what we got - silly boy!



Opening her presents!




And our final stop of the day was at Aunt Kathy's for Kohr Christmas! Luke fell asleep in the car and remained asleep on Kathy's bed for about 2 hours. It was for the best!

A lot of our time at Kathy's for family gatherings are spent around the island full of food!


We got our present opening spots!


It is always a bit crazy opening presents there, but so much fun!

Like father...


like son!


Brooklyn and Luke


This one cracks me up. "Brooklyn are you looking? I have my fake smile all ready to go!"


Just missing the babies :(


Carly & SIL :)


Ben and his besties!


Papa always has the magic touch!


Hey!




Dangerous Pair #1


Dangerous Pair #2


Playing :)


Trouble!


Sophia and Luke - best pals by the end of the night!


The girls (minus Kara and Paige)


The guys (minus Matt, Casey, and Baby Jack)


Overall it was a wonderful Christmas weekend. We are always running around everywhere, but I remind myself that it is 2 days out of the year and we are with family so it is all worth it!

Happy 1/2 Birthday Paige!

My goodness have these last 6 months flown by!



Paigey you are still the happiest, sweetest little girl.



We have been very busy every weekend traveling for various occasions and you have been so good. You travel well in the car these days!



You are such a big girl sitting up on your own. We still put the boppy or pillows around you since you can still get a little wobbly at times, but you look so cute sitting up and playing with your toys.



You also finally started to roll this month. There definitely has to be something worth rolling for though. You tolerate being on your tummy if you get yourself there, but we can't lay you down that way without you getting very angry!



Your sleep has improved! You definitely sleep much better at home than in the pack-n-plays at your grandparents, but overall, we are all getting a little more rest. You usually go down around 7:30 and wake up between 6 and 7. You wake up once or twice during the night, but we have been able to give you your paci and blankie and leave the room lately. Very rarely do I nurse you in the middle of the night anymore.



You like to be held close and cuddle, but the person holding you usually has to be standing. I really wish you would let me rock you, but you get super squirmy no matter how tired you are.



You are still a squishy little girl whose thighs and cheeks just keep getting bigger :) I think you are probably around 19 lbs. now. We go to the doctor on Friday for your 6-month checkup.



This month we have retired your bumbo and your playmat (since you sit up now). I am considering putting away your swing, but that is where you nap when you are home and you nap so well in it, but I know it is a bad habit and you won't fit in it forever so we need to start transitioning naps to your crib. I am also trying to figure out what to do with your carrier/carseat. You are getting heavy, which means it is getting harder to carry you around in there. I believe the weight limit is 22 lbs. so we have a little bit of time before moving you to the convertible carseat (Lukey just upgraded to a new seat so the convertible one is waiting for you!). Plus, it is winter and cold and you are nice and cozy in your carrier so I guess we will use it until we can't and Mommy will just have to get stronger!



We have been introducing lots of new foods this month. We started with some oatmeal, which you really weren't a huge fan of. We moved on to sweet potatoes and now you have tried squash, green beans, peas, carrots, apples, bananas, peaches and just last night you had pears. I can safely say you like them all, but I think your favorites so far are carrots and apples. I also give you a little bit of water in a sippy with your food. You are drinking out of the sippy fine, but don't really swallow the water. You make the funniest face ("this isn't milk???") and then just let it run out of your mouth. Just last week I started sending some food to daycare so you now eat twice a day.

You have lots to say and we get a lot of giggles from you these days. Just a poke in the belly will get us a giggle from you!



You LOVE your brother (and he is really starting to show how much he loves you too!). You smile the second he comes in sight and then you just watch him. He has been very helpful showing you your toys and bringing new ones to you.

You are definitely still a mommy's girl, and I am not complaining about it one bit. :)

We get some professional photos done in a couple of weeks so we will have even more pictures to remember you by at this fun age!

Happy 1/2 Birthday baby girl - we love you so much!