Christmas

We had a great Christmas ... times two!  We got to celebrate with the Caruso family in St. Louis and then had another Christmas at our house in Connecticut.  

We enjoyed breakfast with Santa in St. Louis and somehow actually managed to get a great picture of all 7 grandchildren with Santa!

Our new official family photo

Julia asked Santa for 'a present' from Santa.  

All seven grandchildren, actually smiling all together with Santa.

Sophia and Taylor playing with Corbin

Julia got a Tangled princess dress for Christmas and loved playing in it.  Chase didn't want to be left out so we put on his Buzz Lightyear Halloween Costume.  They played all day in their costumes referring to each other as "Buzz" and "Tangled".

Christmas in Connecticut

Ella, Jack, and Julia loved coming out to find all the presents under the tree, but the especially loved the hula hoops around the tree.

Our new unofficial 'pajama' family photo

Decorating the Tree

Julia and Corbin did a great job helping us to pick out the Christmas Tree.  Well, daddy did a good job picking out the tree, Corbin slept, Julia played hide and seek among the trees, and mommy just tried to keep track of everyone.

Julia hid too well at the Christmas Tree farm to get a photo, but here she was "practicing" her hiding skills beforehand.

Then the Cederbaum family came over to help us decorate the tree.

North Pole Express

We got ready for the holiday season by taking an adventure on the North Pole Express

Concerned

Most of the time Corbin always looks very concerned ....

Business Casual Attire-my friend Caitlin thinks he looks like he just got bad news about the stock market

But he doesn't spend all of his time worrying, in addition to smiles and coos, Corbin just started giggling as well.

Today, Corbin is officially 12 weeks old.  His current talents include swatting at objects, chewing on his hands, and sleeping 6 hours at nighttime.

He is growing like a weed, at his 2 month doctors appointment he weighed 13lbs, 2oz (75th percentile), 23.75 inches tall (75th percentile).  As a comparison, Julia weighed 13 lbs when she was 4 months old.

No Power

Our lives were disrupted for 8 days while we were without power due to Winter Storm Alfred, though after all the fun we had while staying at Nana's house I think Julia will want the power to go out all the time.  In fact, when we arrived back home Julia just kept asking to go back to Nana's house. 

Providence Zoo with Aunt Ellen, Ella,  Jack, and Lisa

Boston Children's Museum

Chucky E. Cheese's with Grampa

Music Class with her friend Henry

Trick or Treating with new friends (Julia kept asking where Nemo was for days)

Halloween

Halloween in Glastonbury was cancelled but fortunately Julia and Corbin didn't have to miss out.  We went trick or treating in Hingham, MA.  Before we could go we had to deal with the bats that overtook Nana's house.

Once the bats were gone, the Monkey's came out to play (or sleep).

It was hard to stay away from all the sweets with this many adorable cupcakes.

Winter Storm Alfred

We were hit with a major winter storm, which normally in CT would be pretty normal, but it's not normal in October with all the leaves still on the trees.  We luckily didn't have any damage to our house, expect for a broken fence.  We lost power at 5pm on Saturday (with 8 minutes left on the oven timer for our Halloween Brownie Bites).  When the power went out Julia asked why daddy had turned out all the lights.

Sunday morning we realized the scoop of the storm and that we would likely be without power for several days and decided we couldn't stay there.  Corbin (only 7 weeks old) was already wearing warm fleece pajamas, a hat, mittens, and snuggled in blankets to keep him warm.  Julia was running around the house and didn't seem to realize it was cold in the house.  We decided to go to my mother in laws house and then discovered the street was blocked by trees and downed wires and we couldn't get out.  Fortunately, John, 5 neighbors (including a volunteer firefighter), a chainsaw, and a snowplow later and we were free!!

When we told Julia we were going to Nana's house she was very excited and said "I will wear a dress", picked out her pink cupcake dress, and said "This will be perfect".  Not exactly the outfit I would choose for a Halloween storm, but exactly what Julia wanted. 

Hippos and Flu Shots

A few days ago we arrived home from a day at Lisa and Rob's, Julia was just waking up.  I asked her if she would like to play inside or play outside.  Julia's response "Mommy, I just need a hippopotamus".  She then proceeded to whine and get very upset when I informed her I could not get her a hippo.

Julia could not wait for her flu shot (and I'm not joking).  Ever since she saw that I got a bandaid when I got a flu shot she has been asking when she could go to the doctor and get a flu shot.  Saturday morning I told her that there was a big surprise because today was the day she would get a shot.  She was so excited she wanted to go immediately.   At the doctors office, there were many nervous children with parents talking about gifts etc they would get after the flu shot.  Julia was happily playing and ran up to John and happily yelled "Can I get my flu shot now?".  

Big Sister and Fall Fun

Julia is loving being a big sister, she helps feed her baby and baby Corbin. 

Corbin getting his very first bottle with help from Daddy and Julia

Julia had to make sure that her baby was fed also.

Julia had a great time at the Glastonbury Apple Festival going on all the rides with Ella.

While Julia enjoys bike rides, Corbin gets a comfy ride in the stroller

Corbin at 1 month old