The Comfort Family

These pictures were too cute not to share. Although its a chore getting pictures when Leia plays dress up since she runs and hides. This morning we’ve tried on LOTS of our regular clothes too. Loving this age

Leia and mommy has been playing dress up after nappy all week (daddy even played one time with us but he said NO pictures). Today Ivy got in on the fun to0. Mommy ceased the opportunity to snap a few pictures when I could of the girls (I could not get the sweet ones of Leia helping Ivy dress up or loving on her; it did not help that Leia was hiding/running from the camera today). What a blessing it is to watch Leia play with Ivy and how excited Ivy gets when big sister pays attention to her. Ivy’s teachers told me, they took her to Leia’s room to calm her at school yesterday too. LOVE the fact the teachers let them see each other at school! The teachers at Mt Top rock! Our girls are awesome too!!

Ivy and I got to play on her mat today just the two of us (I am not sure that has ever happened during the day when just the girls were at home). She had taken a late morning nap so after sister went down we had about 20 minutes before she was sleepy enough for a nappy. I enjoyed getting to hear her coos and squeals. Mommy needs to ensure she gets times like today and gets to be the center of attention like her sister was at her age.

This evening Leia was playing in her play room and helping Chris grill so Ivy got to hang out in her sling to ‘help’ mommy cook (Leia use to always help me at Ivy’s age). It was nice to let Ivy have some time helping too. I want to make sure I spend time doing some of the things Leia got to do since she is our first child with Ivy too; Ivy shouldn’t miss out on anything just because she is the second born. Although coming from a little sister it is nice to know that your big sister has ALWAYS been around when you grow up.

Leia helping mommy at just over 4 months (same as Ivy now)

What started my one-on-one thought was yesterday getting to play with Leia for a little over an hour with no ‘mommy guilt’ while Ivy slept. I forgot how much fun it was to have one-on-one time with her without being distracted (if Ivy is up I wonder what she is doing; likewise if Leia is up).  Today, we had about 30 minutes after nap time to play before Ivy got up. She is growing so fast! We danced around her room, played princesses and dress up. I LOVE to hear her laugh! She is an sweet spirited young lady. I am so blessed to have her as a daughter! And to have her as Ivy’s big sister!

Click here to see a video, there is actually 2 videos
if I knew how to edit them I’d make them one; maybe daddy will do that for us soon

Today was a holiday for Southern Company and the girls school so our family had an extra day this weekend. Unfortunately our extra day off started at the doctor office since Ivy had been running a fever most the weekend and both girls have been coughing with runny noses. The doctor said Ivy had an ear infection in one ear but she’s a trooper and hasn’t been fussy (as long as she is being held) so after we left there we decided to have a much needed family FUN day. We headed to McWane first. Ivy was sleeping when we arrived so mommy put her in a carrier to walk her back night night while Leia and daddy played. When Ivy woke up mommy remembered I could take pictures with my phone (daddy reminded me).

Leia loves the water tables at McWane. This one is fun since she got to play with water and balls

Ivy’s awake

We all looked around the aquatic animals

Leia had a blast playing with the big bright light

Ivy enjoyed it too!

Daddy decided to sit down for a little bit. He snuggled Ivy while mommy chased/played with Leia

Leia found some friends to play grocery store. She loves playing with other kids!

Leia thought it was funny to run from mommy/from getting pictures today

Leia at the water table. She ended up pretty wet even with the apron on

Leia loved climbing in the slide but it was hard to catch her for a picture

After McWane we went to grab lunch and drop off Ivy’s prescription. We went to the park while we waited on it to get ready. Ivy had fallen asleep in the car so mommy stayed in the car until she woke up while daddy went with Leia to go swing and play. Ivy and mommy found Leia and daddy on the slide .

Leia enjoys daddy helping her on the bars

After our fun filled day everyone ended up taking a nap, some longer than others. Lisa ended up holding Ivy to nap in case her ear was hurting and preventing her from resting.  The girls woke up from our naps before daddy. Of course as soon as Leia saw Ivy in her room she wanted sissy to get in the bed with her then wanted to hold sissy Ivy. We all ended up playing upstairs almost an hour before Leia insisted on waking up daddy to play too. Mommy let her since it was close to dinner time and wanted to make sure everyone could sleep that night.

We all enjoyed our MLK holiday!

Thursday was Grandpa’s 64th birthday. Chris had a meeting in Atlanta on Friday so we ceased the opportunity to surprise Grandpa on his birthday. The only person that knew we were coming was Deedee. Shortly before we pulled in the drive Grandpa had mentioned he’d not heard from us to Deedee (hehe, he didn’t know he was getting more than a call from us). We turned the headlights off, grabbed the girls out of the car, and Chris called to ask his dad ‘if he’d received the package we’d sent? FedEx said they delivered it 45 minutes ago” as we were standing at the door ready to yell surprise, happy birthday. Deedee that came to the door first so we had to wait for Grandpa. I think he was surprised! Deedee made sure there was cake for Leia to help Grandpa blow the candles out since that was what she kept telling us she wanted to do when we told her we were going over for Grandpa’s birthday. We all shared cake and ice cream then Leia and Ivy had to get ready for bed since it was already past their bedtimes (they had taken a catnap in the car on the way over).

Surprise Grandpa

Grandpa was surprised; Leia was excited to tell him Happy Birthday

Deedee got some loving too

Leia had talked about Grandpa’s cake since we told her we were going for grandpa’s birthday. Adrian had come over earlier to share some too so that is why it was cut. Leia had fun putting candles on it with Deedee and all the taste was there

We sang “happy day Grandpa” (as Leia says)

Make a wish

Friday, daddy headed to work while the girls played. Grandpa and Deedee took us to Jumping Joes to play on the bouncy houses and slides for a little while. Leia slid a few times with each of us; Ivy got in on the fun too. Grandpa had to leave early to make his tee time but Deedee and mommy told the girls we would play until they were ready to leave. Not long after Grandpa left Leia saw kids in the arcade area so that became where she wanted to play. Her game of choice was ski ball (reminded me of her mommy and aunt Stacy when they were little). Leia was not big enough to get the balls all the way up so mommy and Deedee assisted when needed. Leia picked out a stamp with her tickets she won before we left to run by the grocery store. Leia loves going to the grocery store with mommy because she normally gets a chicken finger or cookie (they are free at Publixs) and gets to drive the car in the buggy. We arrived and there was a different kind of car on the buggy (I think she liked it better) and she ended up eating a banana as we shopped (Deedee bought it when we first arrived).  After lunch and nap time the girls all played waiting on daddy and grandpa to get home to go to dinner with a few of grandpa and deedee’s friends. This was the first time Ms Jenn got to meet Princess Ivy too. Grandpa shared his birthday cookies with the kids Jenn gave him before heading back for a quick bath and going to bed.

Sisterly love early in the morning

Grandpa slid with Leia first but they were too fast for mommy to get a picture
Deedee slid while mommy and Ivy watched from above

Daddy was not there to stop mommy from taking Ivy down the slide

Ivy wanted to go again so Deedee took her; Leia left Grandpa before the picture was snapped

Saturday, everyone was together for family fun. It was a beautiful morning so we headed to the park after Ivy’s morning nap. Leia took bread to feed the ducks, swung high on the swings, climbed all over the playground equipment, slid, and flew a space shuttle; Ivy helped feed the ducks and swung on the swings with mommy before she curled up in Deedee’s arms for another power nap at the park. Of course in Ivy form, she woke up when we put her in the car to head to our next fun location. From the time Leia was old enough to talk she has looked up at the sky when she’s heard a plane pointed and talked to the plane. So we thought she would enjoy going to the small airport near Grandpa and Deedee’s house let her see planes up close, climb on them, and watch them take off and land. We even got to see one of Grandpa’s friends, Mark take off who waved to us with his plane to us from the sky before leaving. We timed it right to head out since as we were walking back to the car it started sprinkling. We spent the rest of the day at the house playing and enjoying each others company before grilling out that evening.

Leia loves reading books with Deedee

Grandpa was trying to get the neighbors cat since Leia wanted to see it

Leia having fun playing while sissy napped

At the park

Feeding the ducks at the park

Fun on the swings

All about Ivy while Leia plays

Fun on the monkey bars (with daddy’s help)

Leia loved running around sliding

She may end up flying like her Grandpa

Riding on daddy’s shoulders was fun too

What a sweet girl giving daddy love

At the airport

Daddy showing Leia something

Watching planes take off and land

Back home waiting on sissy to wake from her nappy

Grandpa playing motor boat with Ivy

The girls helping cook

We missed getting to see cousins Adrian and Alicia, Aunt Kelly, Tio Diego, Abuelo, and Abuela this trip; we will have to get together soon. Hope your birthday was extra special Grandpa! We love you!!

Leia and Ivy were excited for Deedee to come visit and see their toys Santa brought them this week. She came over to watch the girls while Chris and Lisa had to work on Wednesday and Thursday; daycare was closed again this week. (She came over last year to watch Leia this week too but this year of course there were 2 instead of 1). Deedee said both girls were sweethearts . Mommy was glad they were not too much of a handful so hopefully Deedee will come back to help again when school’s closed especially since last week daddy said they were handfuls . Our family is blessed and thankful that both Deedee and Mimi are willing (and want) to help out and keep our girls when we need them.

A few pictures from Deedee’s visit

Was that santa saying, “to all a good night” as he flew away in his sled after filling up our stockings, dropping off gifts, and having some of his cookies and milk?

The loot santa left the girls

Leia’s

Ivy’s

Mommy and Ivy were the first two up on Christmas morning. We snuggled, Ivy had some milk, and then we woke daddy so we would all be ready when Leia woke up. She mentioned santa was coming to visit her on Christmas Eve night as she got in her be; the thought crossed my mind she may get up ready to go check everything out first thing. However, Leia was slow getting up and going downstairs. However, it did not take long to start playing with the baby station, checking out Ivy’s goodies, pulling out her dress up clothes, using her cooking set in her kitchen, digging into her and Ivy’s stockings, and unwrapping gifts.

Leia peaking at everything on her way down stairs

Ivy was waiting patiently on sissy to come downstairs

Leia checking out the baby doll changing station

Leia checked out sister’s gifts too

Then started bringing sister her goodies

 And Ivy played

Stocking time

Present time

Leia opening up sisters after she finished opening hers

The girls gave mommy and daddy pottery with their hand prints

Sierra opened up her gifts too (Leia helped)

After we opened gifts, we hopped in the car to head to Mimi and Papa’s house to celebrate with our some of our family, play with cousins, and enjoy a yummy brunch and dinner.

Mimi had a yummy spread ready when we arrived

Gift time

Ivy watched

Katie was the fastest at opening gifts! She opened hers then helped everyone else

Sara was not too far behind her at opening but not as quick either

Leia was at the opposite spectrum as Katie; she was slow … Katie and Sara offered to help her since she was so slow after helping open Ivy’s

Ivy’s turn

Daddy got some snuggle time while the other adults opened presents

Sara and Katie helped Mimi and Papa too

Sara, Katie, and Papa had to go on a scavenger hunt for a present

Ivy enjoyed being snuggled all day!

It rained most the day but at the first break we saw Mimi and Papa took the kids out to see what santa had left at their house for everyone … Mommy took a turn and did a flip after uncle Mark tried driving it with a towel … thanks uncle Mark

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS
We celebrated Jesus’s birthday the traditional way by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and having cake.

Sara got to blow out the candles this year

We enjoyed spending Christmas with half of our family but missed getting to see Grandpa, Deedee, aunt Kelly, tio Diego, and cousins Adrian and Alicia. Glad we got to talk to them at least and Deedee was coming to town a few days after Christmas so Leia can show Deedee her loot.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Christmas Eve we have traditional have family gatherings to celebrate Christmas. Normally we take tons of family pictures that as a child drove me crazy since I wanted to open presents (I am sure it did my sister and cousins too). Now, I love reminiscing as I look back on the pictures, thinking of all us dancing in Mama’s garage or the cousins gathered in Mama’s bedroom ‘prank’ calling people to sing “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” among other Christmas songs (our version of caroling). This year family pictures were not successful … we seemed to forget about having a camera … as an adult I regret not taking pictures; we will do better next year. Luckily my sister and brother-in-law took a few while everyone was sitting around and I snagged them .

We did enjoy an abundance of yummy food, catching up, and stealing presents from each other as we played dirty santa with family who got to come – Mimi, Papa, Stacy, Mark, Sara, Katie, Kristi (and baby Raymond in her belly), Clark, Stephanie, Alex, Lexi, Ava, aunt Joan, Jody, Susan, Devon, Nana, and aunt Charlotte with all her grandbabies. We missed those that did not get to come and hope to see you all soon – Veronica and her girls (she worked the night before and the girls were with their dad), Jeremy and Rick with their wives, aunt Freda and her family (boo on car troubles), and of course my grandmother, uncles Ronnie and Tommy, aunt Freda, and granddad (pawpaw) who all celebrated this year together in heaven. Thank you Jesus for the time we had on earth with each of our loved ones and for providing a way for us to get to see them again one day; they got to celebrate with the Reason for the Season this year.

Mimi helping the kids sort presents

Ivy fell asleep

Uncle Mark capturing memories – he

Family time

Sara helping Papa

Katie and Leia playing in the bumbos

Mimi and Papa loving on Ivy

Mimi with Ivy and Ava

The girls playing with Chris

Cousin Sara playing with the little ones while her other cousins napped

Hugs for everyone from Sara

Christmas Eve night we joined Aunt Stacy, Uncle Mark, Sara, Katie, Mimi, and Papa for the candle light service at Fullness then headed back to cousins Sara and Katie’s house to decorate cookies for Santa like we did last year.

Leia concentrating on decorating

Cousin Katie at work

Sara too

Ivy was checking everything out; she will be decorating next year too

Daddy helped decorate the cookies too

Cute picture but Daddy got in trouble …she is on a mommy’s milk diet…she did not actually have a bit

Mimi and Papa checked out what an awesome job the girls did

The girls sure have grown from last year
Leia (last year)

Katie (last year)

Sara (last year)

I am not sure why but it cracked me up when I read my sister’s blog and saw santa had two drinks at her house; I am sure we will have a variety at our house when Ivy gets old enough to voice her opinion. At any rate, Sara and Katie each insisted santa wanted OJ and apple juice (respectively) while Leia gave santa milk. I guess it cracked me up since Leia’s sat out the traditionally santa treat (milk and cookies) while Sara and Katie’s was not; yet so many people have commented that Stacy’s girls names are traditional and mine are not. I love how kids each have their own opinion and personalities at such young ages as they all put the cookies out for santa in hopes he would come visit their house that night.

The girls did a great job on the cookies

Leia and Ivy’s cookies set out waiting on Santa

Kelly, Diego, Chris, myself, and the kids all got together one day to go get some pictures taken of the kids so DeeDee and Grandpa could have some good ones of all their grandbabies. We could not post them earlier since it was a surprise but wanted to share them with our friends and family now that they know we did it.

Adrian showing some personality

Big bro/sis pulling the little girls

Family time

These two LOVE each other bunches! So much fun watching them

One more family shot

Cousin love

Love their little sisters!

The “out-laws”

We have not gone out to see very many Christmas lights this year despite the fact Leia gets excited to see all the lights when we drive into our neighborhood so Wednesday night we went to Zoo Light Safari to see lots of lights. The weather was nice in the evening and Leia was excited to be going to the zoo. What made it even better was that cousins Sara and Katie, Aunt Stacy, Uncle Mark, Papa, and Mimi joined us.

Papa and Mimi spoiled the girls by buying everyone a wrist band so they could ride the train and carousal as much as they wanted. We rode the train 4 or 5 times and the carousal 3 or 4 times (we made sure we got the money worth from the bands). The girls had a blast! The lights were pretty and Santa even showed up and shared some cookies with the girls.

Waiting to get on the train … the first time

All aboard

Fun on the train

The girls started pointing things out to us after the first couple rides on the train

Of course we headed straight to the carousal next (Leia’s favorite)
The girls had to wait to get on the first time but then got to stay on till we said no more

Some of adults hopped on for the first time around but took turns watching for the next few times around

Ivy watched her sissy and cousins while entertaining those around her

Next up was a run through the petting zoo

Sara and Katie took one last opportunity to tell Santa what they wanted … Leia didn’t want to see him but enjoyed the cookies he gave the girls

Leia’s the giraffe

The girls got caught but we did not leave them there too long

Sara driving Papa around

Roll Tide from the zoo!

Chris on stroller duty

Ivy got to rest when she wanted with daddy pushing her around

After Christmas as most people know the lights disappear so after dinner and bath time tonight we drove around our neighborhood looking at some great lights too