New

The "halls" are now completely un-decked (thanks to a 60 degree January weekend), the toys have found their homes, and we're back to our normal routine!  Happy New Year!

December was once again, a whirlwind of a month!  Christmas parties, social events, every day life, and Christmas and New Years filled our calendar!

The boys were completely and utterly spoiled at Christmas!  The living room as a complete disaster - filled with wrapping paper and new toys and clothes!  We even took a few breaks to clean up, play with toys, and eat breakfast!  (Also in part so I could fight with the Drs office, trying to get Romy in for an emergency checkup for the worst sounding croup.  It failed.)  The major hit of a gift for Jack was a dragon.  Which him promptly named "Tookress" (i.e. "Toothless" from How to Train Your Dragon).  As for Romy's favorite gift...its hard to say, considering he plays with all of Jack's toys and his attention span is so short!

"Tookress"

Yummy wrapping paper!

A telescope!  Just like "Jake!'

Sure, I'll smile for you!

Christmas weekend took us to Nana and Papa's for lots of fun playing with different toys, cousins, and of course, more new things!

Merry Christmas!  (This cookie is so yummy!)

Madison & Romy playing

Dinner and a movie!

Sweet Charley!

New Years weekend took us to Chicago for a visit with college friends!  A long drive (in which Jack didn't sleep at all), a lot of patience (with fussy kids on the back seat, slow traffic, 4 kids), and lots of sharing, brought us a great weekend with great friends!

Sammie and Romy playing Princesses!

Post bath, pre bed, Mickey Mouse Club House!

And, with the beginning of a new year brings some new tricks for the little one!
Like walking!  He's started to stand on his own and take a few steps!  He still likes to throw himself forward in a "trust fall" if he's close enough, but he's getting stronger and sturdier!  And, new obsessions, like the pantry and the stairs.  We've discovered new ways of keeping him away from the stairs since our way of gating Jack off wasn't nearly good enough for the Romy-Monster!  (He's too smart for his own good!)  He has also started to despise diaper changes!  He'll continue to do a death roll until the diaper is off.  Even trying to distract him with a toy, only works sometimes!  And, we think he's starting to put on some weight!  Thanks PediaSure!

I want to get to those stairs!

Whoopsy!  The Cheerio container spilled!  Let me help clean up!

As for Jack, he's a 3 1/2 year old boy!  He loves rough housing with his Daddy, sometimes has a hard time sharing with his little brother, and is occasionally an awesome helper!  He has started going to the gym with me to play on Saturday mornings and helps put groceries in the cart after his donut has been demolished!  He drinks out of big boy cups (without lids) at the table.  

"Decorating" the Gingerbread House

Cookie decorating!

And of course, with a new year, brings new goals for myself!  This year, I'm not calling them resolutions, because lets face it, resolutions only resolve in quitting!  So, to hold myself accountable, perhaps I'll put them in writing!  In no particular order: 1.  Workout more; 2.  Spend more time enjoying my boys (prioritize the crumbs, stickiness, dust, and dishes vs racing, wrestling, and snuggling)!

My Boys!