Mommy's Little Helper

Olivia LOVED helping stuff and stamp our Christmas cards this year.  She really enjoys anything and everything having to do with mail and this was no different.  She loves checking the mail in hopes there is a letter for her.  She got to open all of the Christmas cards we received and looked forward to it everyday.

Bed Head

Eliza has so much more hair than Olivia did at her age.  It is WILD when she wakes up :)

 This is the face you get when you take away her paci

 The face you get when you give it back

Dance Parties

Dance parties have become quite a common occurrence around here.  The "audience" is called up one by one to participate.

 Sometimes they can get a little out of hand...topless table dancing ;o

The Nutcracker

As an early Christmas present, Aunt Carrie took Olivia and Nonna to see a dance studio's performance of The Nutcracker.  It was a small production (perfect for a 4 year old to get up close) that included a little "tea".  Afterwards, Olivia got to take pictures with the dancers.  She talked and talked about it for weeks after.

All ready to go!

The Jig is Up

Olivia and Mike STILL make pancakes or waffles from scratch almost every weekend morning together and for years we have been telling Olivia that syrup is hot sauce.  Well, the Jig is finally up.  After seeing her cousins pour it all over their pancakes when they were here, Olivia asked if she could have some.  I finally conceded and let her try it.  I poured a little and let her dip it, hoping she wouldn't get too much.  Not surprisingly, she loved it!

 I bet we only have a few more months until we have to give in on this one.  She wants to be just like big sister in everything she does.

"What, no syrup?!"

School Pictures

How cute are my babies?!?!?

 

Mother's Day Out

I was tremendously apprehensive about putting Eliza in a Mother's Day Out program.  A couple friends said I should try it sooner than I was ready, because when I really was ready, there wouldn't be any spots left.  So we started in September.  I didn't put Olivia in anything until she was over 2 and it was only for 3 hours.  All of the programs here are 5 hours with a nap there!  Eliza is so different from Olivia, in that she loves to be out of the house, exploring the world.  She is so social and gets super bored with just me at home.  Olivia was completely content to be at home reading books, playing, and being imaginative. 

Eliza's first day came and after dropping her off with complete strangers, I thought I was going to be physically sick.  I was a mess!  At about noon it took everything in me to not to drive over and just get her.  It has taken some time, but she now loves it!  She has a great time and loves all of the action and excitement it has to offer.  Dancing and art are her favorite things so far.  Olivia's school requires a minimum of twice a week, so she is at a little church just down the street from us.  Amazingly, she naps on the floor, on a nap mat with all of the other kiddos.

E with some of her new buddies

In Search of the Perfect Lovie

I have been trying and trying to get Eliza to latch on to a lovie of sorts.  I have put almost the entire nursery in her crib hoping something sticks.  I have tried stuffed animals, blankets, dolls, lovies and so far, nothing.  All she wants is a paci for her mouth and a paci to hold in her hand.  Hopefully she will be okay with a snipped off paci as her comfort item when I take away the paci at 2.

The Perfect Tree

Maybe one day we will get a fake tree, but I love going as a family to pick out the perfect Christmas tree (well, as perfect as Lowe's has to offer, anyway!!).

 

 Daddy with his hands full!

 After all of that exhausting tree hunting, we went to refuel at Lupe's.  Only in Texas can you go sit on a patio and eat queso with a spoon after Christmas tree shopping in November!

YUMMY!

18 Months!!

The day after Thanksgiving, Eliza turned a year and a half!  Crazy how it just flies even faster with the second little one!  What joy this spunky little girl brings to our entire family.  She is so much fun and I can't wait to see what the next 6 months brings...okay so I am slightly scared but excited too :)  Her language has absolutely exploded.  She has over 75 words and is often putting two words together, with an occasional 3 word combo (ex: "uh-oh Maya cracker").  Her favorite two word combination is "NO Mama".  She is slowly starting to show a little interest in books, but it has to be on her terms.  There will be no orderly page by page looking at a book, for sure!  Her 18 month stats:

Weight:   22.7 pounds    48th percentile
Height:    32.2 inches     56th percentile
Head:      18.5 cm

  I looked back to Olivia's 18 month birthday pictures and by chance, she is wearing the exact same dress
 

 

That is our Eliza! :)

 Olivia wanted to get in on the action.  I love these pure glee pictures of my babies!

 Still her favorite thing in the entire world--the potty!  That day it was her sippy cup, roll of toilet paper, and some Tupperware.

 A couple days after her actual 18 month birthday, we had a proper celebration.  Olivia and I went and got balloons and giant cake balls.

Pumpkin Pie and Lemonade

Chris, Heather, Haylie and Aiden came to Houston for Thanksgiving.  We had such a great time over the weekend.   I thought it would be fun if the kids got to help Big Jim make his delicious pumpkin pies.

 Eliza, Olivia, and Haylie

 Nonna had a bumper crop this year from her lemon tree.  The kids loved making lemonade with her on Thanksgiving.  

Eliza LOVES pumpkin pie (really any sweets)

 

After one dinner at Nonna and Papa's, we headed over to Ducky and Pong Pongs for another delicious Thanksgiving dinner.