Christmas fun

Just some snapshots of fun around the house and things we did before Christmas!

What does Grandpa do?  (Grandpa has this thing with putting his hands up like reindeer antlers - it's a little game he plays with his granddaughters.  Amelia was getting ready and excited to see her Grandpa!)

sweet Christmas dress made by Aunt Chrissie

she was NOT in the mood for pictures

Since both sets of Grandparents were coming in for Christmas, we let Amelia open some presents from cousins a little early.  These presents are from cousins Abby and Ada, Uncle Joe and Aunt Chrissie

Amelia opened a present for baby brother too :)

presents from Great Grandma Murfin

making sugar cookies with Mommy

Amelia ended up wanting to eat the cookie dough and trying to push in the cookie cutters everywhere!

Helping Daddy decorate- after this we enjoyed them!  Although Amelia ate a few sprinkles and wouldn't even try the cookies!

Opening more presents- this time from cousins Kira and Alyssa, Uncle Ben and Aunt Soudavy

 

Christmas Eve

Playing with Grandpa

Potty Training

We started potty training Amelia back on Dec. 8th and she is really doing great!  She had previously been telling me when she went "shoe-eee"- (her word for #2) in her diaper.  After talking with a friend at church who had potty trained all 3 of her kids around 18 months we decided to give it a try.  If it didn't go so well, no problem we could try again later.  But if it did- we would not be having to buy or change 2 sets of diapers when baby brother comes. 

What I learned:  Research has shown that it's easier to potty train before they are 2 when they are more independent and can tell you "no".  Fifty years ago when most people used cloth diapers the average age of being completely potty trained was by a child's 2nd birthday.  Today due to the diaper industry making bigger and bigger diapers the average is now around 3yrs old.  For Amelia, this has just become part of her routine and she doesn't know any different.  Plus we avoid pull-ups unless we are out and about or overnight.  Pull-ups feel like diapers so they do not allow the child to feel that they are wet.  The training pants immediately allow the child to feel wet and uncomfortable- and eventually they learn to anticipate when they have to go so they don't have to feel wet and uncomfortable.

The first two days we stayed at home and I wrote down every time she went- whether it was an accident or success.  That helped me sort of see a pattern and learn her schedule.  After that I would have her sit on the potty for 10 minutes every 15 to 20 minutes during the "peak" times (a couple of hours after getting up, about an hour after nap time, etc). This was definitely a lot of work on my part- especially being 8 months pregnant) but it has been so worth it!

At 3 weeks later, Amelia usually will have 1 or NO accidents a day!  She also has no problem going "shoe-eee" (poo poo) in the potty.  She does wear pull-ups when we go out, during naps, and overnight. (I haven't braved going 'potty' in public yet). Other than that- she wears "big girl" panties- they are the thicker training pants. At this point- I will have her sit on the potty about every 30 minutes and within just a minute or two she will go.  Sometimes now she will even run over by herself and go.  That is why many of the pictures from December have been of her with no pants on- she is still getting the hang of pulling up and down the big girl panties. 

I'm so proud of my big girl!

reading her book called "Big Girls Use the Potty"

He's walking!

Dan had an appointment Dec. 20th to check on his foot- he has been completely off of the broken foot since Sept. 15th!  We have been counting down the days until this appointment.  Luckily the foot is healing and he is now able to walk without the boot!  His leg and foot are very weak from not having been used for 3 months so it will take some time to build back up strength, but he's WALKING!  (and just in time for Christmas and baby boy's arrival sometime the end of January)


taking off boot for the last time

Putting on TWO shoes

First thing Daddy did was scoop up Amelia and snuggle with her standing up!  He hasn't been able to do that for 3 months due to the crutches.  Amelia absolutely loved it and has since wanted to be held by Daddy all the time when he is home :)

Christmas photo shoot

Well I'm behind on updating so enjoy the next few posts!

We did a Christmas photo shoot with Amelia and these ended up being my favorites!  There are quite a few- but hey, I happen to know my sweet girl is just absolutely adorable!  How could I just pick one or two favorites?!!


My favorite of them all!

I just love this happy big open mouth grin! :)

Santa's little elf

 

this looks says "I'm up to no good"

all this posing for pictures wears a little girl out

Cheesing it

What I thought her expression might be like Christmas morning

I just like this one because you can see how long her hair is getting and her sweet little feet

Stationery card

Flurry Of Snowflakes Holiday Card

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Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

After getting back from our trip to St. Louis, I was eager to get our Christmas tree.  Several rainy days delayed us but we finally headed over to the base of Signal Mountain to our favorite tree lot- and the only one we have seen in the whole Chattanooga area believe it or not.  We seem to always end up going at night and when it's really cold!


Dan trying to pose with Amelia- who was way more interested in the green bowls of water

Fun flashback-

smelling our tree

trying to say "blue"

Fun flashback:

Fun flashback:

Putting on ornaments- the "safe" ornaments at the bottom of the tree are mostly wooden ones that my family hand painted when I was a little kid.  *Notice the angel ornament in Amelia's mouth :)

getting Daddy to help her hang the ornaments- Amelia's favorite ornament is a Polar Express jingle bell.  She loves to grab it and will walk around making it jingle while she giggles

caught this picture as she was running away with ornaments to throw them on the ground

playing with Little People manger scene

listening to Daddy tell the story- very briefly that is :)

talking about baby Jesus- Amelia is really into babies right now

Putting the star on top

Flashback- same pose as last year- my baby girl has grown SOO much!

Thomas family Christmas tree 2011

all aglow