Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights

My mom wanted to take us all to Gilroy Gardens for their Holiday Lights Event - so we all went on December 15th.  It had been raining all day and we were worried that they would be closed but by the time we got there at about 630 the rain had stopped.  It was a little cold but dry and it was awesome because the park was super empty.  It was the first time Aaden has had the chance to ride any rides.  He liked some but was a little scared of others.  Overall - I think he had a fun time.  I know we did!  I can't believe that was our first time there - I can't wait to go back, it's an awesome little park for young families!

The pretty lights as we entered

Goofballs - Kate, Christopher & Dalton

Hehe

Aaden's first carousel ride!

This guy...

Dalton

And his first ride all by himself!

He wasn't so sure about it

And then he was sure that he didn't like it much. 

He kept saying, "no, no" as it went around.

Me and Addison hangin out

Waiting while Papa & Aaden get in line for the worm

Aaden and Papa on the worm

Emmy & Aaden

Family picture (that's Addison's little pink head poking through)

Me and my girl

Mom and Dalton.  Dalton had soo much fun!

Yeah - pretty dead.

Cool lights in the waterfalls

Mom & Kenny

Me and Addie.  Best part about the park?

They serve beer and wine!

At the Peanuts show

'Noopy

Snow! 

(they were bubbles actually)

Aaden and Dalton dancing on stage

Aaand, Aaden's out.

But Dalton had fun dancing still!

Finally at the end of the night we found the perfect ride for Aaden

He loved it!  I wish we had found it sooner before the park was closing!

Thanks Mom & Kenny for a wonderful experience!  We had so much fun!

2 Months

Our little girl turned 2 months old!  She has been such a joy.  And she's such a good baby.  Even on her fussy days she's so good.  I don't think we could even call it being "fussy".  She has a cute little smile that lights up her whole face.  Her eyes get squinty and her nose wrinkles up.  It's adorable.  Aaden makes her smile so easily.  He'll just be around her and goofing off and she smiles.  He doesn't even have to try.  You can tell that she loves him already - I look forward to watching their bond grow.  She is starting to coo and wow, that sound can melt the coldest of hearts. 

She has already changed a lot in the last month.  Her little face has gotten soo chubby - she has a double chin and cheeks that look like they weigh her down.  She is losing her hair (I find fine little hairs on the sheet of her bassinet) but her eyelashes continue to get darker and longer.  They are beautiful.  We can't tell still who she looks like - we see a lot of both of us in her.  (We definitely know she has Aaron's chin - no arguing that one!)

At her 2 month doctor appointment, Addison weighed 11lbs8oz and was 22" long - up 3lbs and 3" from birth!  She's still in newborn clothes and size 1 diapers. She had her shots and did pretty well but was definitely fussy for the rest of the day and evening.  I had to give her Tylenol for the first time.  Poor love.  But the next day she was fine.

She has become quite the tummy sleeper.  She'll be fussing, fussing, fussing and then I turn her on her tummy, put her paci in and boom! she's out like a light.  Right now I let her nap that way on the couch in the living room because I'm there and I can keep a close eye on her.  At night though - I usually let her fall asleep on her tummy and then flip her over.  She's still a great sleeper - sleeping 5-6 hour stretches at night and then waking up to eat in the early morning and then goes back to sleep for another few hours.  She has absolutely spoiled me with letting me sleep in!

She is nursing about every 3 hours and then gets one formula bottle (4oz of Similac) at night.  After she gets her bottle and goes to sleep I pump.  I have been trying to build my freezer stash for when I go back to work.  So far I have about 50oz in there!  She is very good at going between breastmilk and formula.  She doesn't seem to have too much trouble with gas - actually she gets it out quite well and she has some STINKY farts!!  I've actually had to apologize while waiting in line at Target because she stunk it up so badly.

I'm happy to report that she likes her bath a lot more now and her and Bubby even took a bath together for the first time.  They both did well.  Aaden likes to help with her bath now and he's pretty good about not getting water on her face.  He's actually been a big help - fetching diapers, throwing diapers away, getting pacifiers, letting us know if he hears her crying, and tries to play with her.

Love her!

How cute is that smile?

Holding her bottle

Tummy sleeper

2 months old! 

(I took a ton of these pictures - I still can't decide which one I like best because none of them really turned out how I was wanting them to)

This one is sweet

Cheese.ball.

Love this owl that she got from Ellen Fisher

Boooring...

I can't force a smile with these big ol cheeks!

I like these two pics - 

I think I will take her monthly pics in the chair from now on. 

With the owl of course. 

Christmas Card & Birth Announcement

Our friend, Seth Muenzer, designed our Christmas card and birth announcement.  Love the way it turned out!  Thank you, Seth!  Happy Holidays!

Front:

Back:

Pappy

My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Oct 6th.  He told us on Nov 1st.  Since then it's been sort of a whirlwind.  I bounce between being his daughter and feeling overwhelmed with sadness & fear to being his health advocate and putting my nurse's hat on and my emotions aside.

One thing the diagnosis has done is make me realize how precious time really is.  Life is painfully short.  I'm so thankful that my Dad moved back to San Juan so he can spend more time with his family and friends.  Because when it all comes down to it - that's all that really matters.  He said that it must have been a divine intervention that made him come home after being up in the mountains for a year and a half.  Whatever it was, that old verbiage, things happen for a reason, seems to ring true.

I've been trying to make sure my Dad is spending time with the kids.  However, it's hard because he doesn't have a lot of energy and he doesn't drive anymore.  Whatever the future may hold- I want to make sure that my kids know their Pappy and I never want to regret not having enough pictures of them together. 

Cute pics from November

  Daddy dressed Aaden today -

Twinsies

Best Buds

Aaden and his cousin Gavan!

Aaden, Addie & Gavan

Brother and Sister

Yeah, Uncle Brother spilled about 2lbs of candy on Addison

Didn't really phase her

Addie & Auntie Sis meet

Aaden & Addison's first bath together

Silly boy

Her nice brother sharing his toys -

she's not impressed.

Dreamy smiles

He insisted on playing outside even in the pouring rain.

His father's son!

Feeling the rain on his face

And trying to catch it

7 weeks!