Christmas Morning: Luke

Christmas Morning, Photo Edition

We already posted a great video of Myla realizing Santa had visited us the night before. For the next few posts I'll share some pictures from that morning.

Opening presents:

Myla discovering and then enjoying her train table amidst the morning's spoils:

I Love Luke's face here. "Really? She got all those cool gifts and she has to come over here and bother me?"

"Christmas Eve"

It's time to catch up on the Christmas posts! Here are a few photos from our "Christmas Eve" celebration at our house. First, Myla and Luke pose in front of the fireplace after setting cookies and milk out for Santa.

Getting ready for the traditional reading of "The Night Before Christmas."

Random thought . . .

I just added a few updates to the previous post with Luke's 4 month pictures. As I was doing it, the thought occurred to me that future friends of his might be able to read this blog down the road! Right now when I post funny or embarassing photos of the kids, I don't worry about it too much because our audience is adults and the kids are too young to care. But someday, Luke or Myla's middle school classmates might be able to dig up pictures of them with their pants on their head, or reading on the potty. The horror!

And what about future girlfriends/boyfriends? I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to go back and read all about Matthew's childhood if I had the opportunity. But there could be consequences . . . imagine Luke's future girlfriend saying, "If Luke and I end up getting married, will our kids also be huge? I'm not signing up for that!" :)

Or potential employers? "Myla, I see from your mom's blog that you cheated at putt-putt when you were two. What do you think this says about your character?"

Something to think about!

Luke: 4 Months

Luke turned 4 months while we were at Nana and Pop's for Christmas. Just after that while we were at Grandma and Baw Baw's, he rolled from back to front for the first time. A couple of weeks later he could go front to back, and can now do both fairly consistently. He also got good marks at his 4-month checkup, where he weighed 18 lb (87th percentile) and was 27 inches (94th percentile). At four months he loves to play with his hands and feet, loves his baths, and has the cutest smile and laugh. Favorite toys include anything he can get in his mouth easily, and my hair (ouch!). He is constantly watching Myla as she plays, and usually has this puzzled look on his face, like "what on earth are you doing?" Good question, little man--your sister is a nut! Finally, he's still pretty much a mama's boy, as he should be since it's mostly my hard work that's packing on all those lbs! I love it when he catches sight of me across the room and breaks into a big grin.

Here are some great 4-months photos in front of Nana & Pop's tree:



Outtake!

Christmas Program

Before Christmas Matthew and I had our most "we really are parents" moment yet as we attended Myla's school Christmas program. We got her all dressed up in her festive Christmas gear and tried to get there early to get good seats. Of course, everyone else had the same idea and we were lucky to even get a parking spot! Once inside, Myla went off to practice with her class while we waited with a sleeping Luke.



On stage, Myla did a great job with the poem "Little Snowflake." Here are pictures of her "twirling 'round" and "falling down" as the song describes:



Then it was time for Jingle Bells. Between the songs, her BFF Hailey (loudly) insisted that Myla join her on the other side of the stage. Hailey is in the green dress on Myla's right.



Oh, and yes I did go to the front of the church and kneel on the floor to get these pictures! Like I said, we really felt like parents! They're still a bit far away, so click on them to see them better. Of course, Matthew was back in our aisle with the video camera.

Cookies & Cocoa

In the days before Christmas, we shared some "special treats" with Myla. First, she and I made Christmas cookies. She really enjoyed applying the red and green sugar.



Then, Matthew continued his quest to ensure that no man is ever good enough for her by making delicious homemade hot chocolate. (I got some too--Myla isn't the only spoiled girl in the house).



Yum!