Christmas

John had a pretty fussy day, but Carter had a great Christmas. Except that he was really disappointed that it didn't snow like it did last year. Whenever Carter opened any present (really, pretty much anything), he exclaimed "It's my favorite thing! It's just what I wanted!" I feel very grateful for the combination of his sweet disposition and his age.

Santa loot!

Santa came through with the light sabers (one for each of us that are old enough to wield one)

Hilarious gift from Patrick and Kirstin

Fighting over Donna's dip

The kids table
(at the other Fowlkes' temporary apartment where we had delicious dinner!)

Christmas Eve

Carter watches his personal video from Santa (4+ times in a row) 

At lunch after watching The Muppets

Anna in her Christmas Pageant costume (shortly before deciding she didn't want to be in the pageant)

Carter in his Christmas Pageant costume (shortly before deciding he didn't want to be in the pageant).
He did, however, carry the nativity Jesus into the church during the processional. A job he did well, but after which he declared "I hate that job!". He doesn't care to have people looking at him. 

In their Christmas PJs!

With his letter for Santa, accompanied by peppermint bark!

Church Wear

A study in comparison...

Dad gets Carter ready for church

Mom gets Carter ready for church

John's Christmas "Show"

Like they do at Thanksgiving, John's school rolls the babies through the audience at the Christmas performance. This time, Thomas did attend because there was a parents mixer afterwards. Apparently, there were only two parents (me and one dad) that did not attend this momentous event for our babies. I am glad to have the pictures, and I'm thankful for Thomas for going.

Most of the babies rode in the crib in bumbo seats

But John got to be carried by Ms Gloria

Ms Gloria makes sure we're taking good care of John

Tree Decorating

 We're enjoying this year when we can put ornaments wherever we want on the tree. Next year, and possibly the year after, we'll be back to only plastic, non-breakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree!

Marshmallow Roast

Last week, our town had it's annual bonfire and marshmallow roast. Given that it nearly hit 70 degrees that day, it was a roast in more ways than one.

The bonfire was approximately 12ft by 6ft, which would have felt great on a freezing night.

It was hard to get close enough to the fire to roast marshmallows. The kids were all trying to  get low so that the cinder blocks would provide some protection from the heat. 

Santa visited the bonfire! Carter asked for a Star Wars toy, and Santa suggested perhaps he would bring him a light saber...

John - 4 months

John is four months old! He weighs in at 15 pounds and he's 26.5 inches long. Essentially, there is the same amount of 4 month old John that there was of 4 month old Carter (50th percentile for weight), but John is spread over 1.5 fewer inches. Poor kid, he's only in the 97th percentile for length. Guess we're not feeding him enough.

I hesitate to write this, but... He's a great baby. He's very happy and easy going. And (whispers) he's started sleeping through the night. Like, from 11pm-6am. It's amazing.

He's very busy with grabbing things and putting them in his mouth. He loves his feet, and he's started sucking his thumb (which has a lot to do with the sleeping at night).

Going for a Ride

When Carter was a baby, we lived in NYC and didn't have a car, so he was always either in a stroller or in a baby carrier. It's been a very different experience with John, as we've had to adjust to car seat logistics (Carter really only used his a few times in his first year of life).

Carter loved being carried in his baby wrap, but I wasn't sure if John would take to it, since he only gets to ride this way on occasion, but he seems to really like it. He's slept happily in the wrap a few times, and recently, he graduated to the front carry. Now that we know he likes it, we just have to work to find opportunities for walking, which can be a challenge in this very car-centric city.

Joo's Visit

Joo came to visit us earlier this month! She got to meet John and she helped us decorate our Christmas tree. The day she arrived was also the same day her sister gave birth to her second nephew (congrats!). Though, we like to think of our boys as pseudo-nephews, too.

Easier Mornings

There is not a morning person in this family. We really, really hate mornings. One day this week, Carter literally punched Thomas in the face when Thomas attempted to wake Carter up for school. (He was pretty much still asleep when he did it). And I totally understand how he was feeling.

So, naturally, mornings are hard around here. We tend to sleep as late as possible and then rush to get out the door. We've taken a few steps that have helped our mornings run more smoothly. Buying a coffee maker with a timer was a great move. I've also recently started making an entire week's worth of breakfasts on Sunday afternoons. Egg and cheese sandwiches get assembled and refrigerated, ready for 40 seconds in the microwave before we run out the door.

It may not be the best routine, but it's getting us out the door. And until my mom decides to move in here and start waking us all up gently with a glass of OJ or coffee in bed every morning (please?!), it's going to have to do.

Choir

Carter has been rehearsing with the Preparatory Choir at church and generally seems to enjoy it.  He sings the songs at home, was very excited to get a practice CD with their songs that he played many times, and rarely complains about have to go to rehearsals on Sunday nights.  This past Sunday was their first performance during the service on Sunday morning.

As some of you may know, Carter has some serious stage fright, though he does not appear to realize it.  Remember this recent event.  Thankfully he doesn't get too nervous and after the fact swears he had a good time.  So he was all smiles when it was time to head to church VERY early.

New shirt and his first tie!

(The tie was all his doing, he wanted one at Target and picked it out himself.)

The choir warmed up in the small chapel and Carter took a liking to the altar and prayer book. Not sure what it means that he didn't seem nervous up there in front of all the people in the room!

Final practice in the big church before the service.

Obviously there are no videos or pictures of the actual performance, but while he didn't sing much, he did sing a few words here and there, stood mostly still, and looked very handsome.  All in all a successful performance that we celebrated at the Varsity with slaw dogs, chili dogs, and orange drink!

Popularity

I'm not sure who is the most popular person in our family. But I'm pretty sure who is the least. Three scenes from today:
..........................

Decorating the house for Christmas:

Me: Oh no! We only have three stocking holders.
Carter: This one is for John, this one is for me, and this one is for Daddy!
............................

At Five Guys, where we were having lunch. We are standing at the self-serve drinks. Carter is holding three empty cups, one of which had been dropped on the floor.

Carter: Looks at the cups. This is the one that fell on the floor. Here, mom. This one is yours.
..........................

At dinner, Carter is talking about his imaginary animal friends.

Carter: I have infinity friends. Daddy has one hundred friends.... Mommy has one.
...........................

This was not an unusual day. Always the odd woman out around here.

John's First School Performance

The daycare/preschool we use has programs for thanksgiving and Christmas every year. All the classrooms participate, even the babies. The babies just get rolled through the auditorium to up the cuteness factor. We didn't go to the program this thanksgiving, but our friend Stephanie got some photos of John's role/roll. We'll plan to attend these things for John when 1) he starts to have any idea what's going on or, 2) when we can take Carter along to watch. In the meantime, it's good to have friends who can capture the cuteness!





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