Lola's 2-Year Pictures

Lola turned 2 at the end of October, and we got her pictures taken then, but our photographer was closing on her new house the next day.  I had to be very patient over the last month while waiting to get them back.  Lola was in such a great mood the day we had them done and was so anxious to get them back.  We got them back last week and they didn't disappoint!  :) 

And poor Bode got thrown on the cold ground for a few pictures (he was about 2 months old at the time these were taken). 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Such a fun time of the year, especially with two little sweet kiddos around!  Both of them love all the lights... Bode likes to stare at the Christmas tree and Lola gets super excited and points out anytime she sees lights on houses.  Every time we get home, she runs over the Christmas tree to turn on the lights (it's just a button you press... not actually plugging them in!). 

They both have sat on Santa's lap two times and that was uneventful.  Neither cried, but Lola goes from being super-talkative to silent when she gets up to see him.  And then as soon as we walk away she says "Bye Santa!"  "Bring presents!" 

Picking out our Christmas tree

Decorating the outside of our house

Brian and Lola decorating the tree

This picture was supposed to be showing our 4 stocking... instead I got Justin Bieber!

Lola and our decorated tree

Santa visit

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Deluxe Model

So... I found this adorable Fisher Price 'Little People' Nativity Set and since Lola has been so excited about church and learning about "Baby Jesus" this year, I thought she would love it.  Of course I couldn't just stop at the standard set, but also had to spring for the extras.  But seriously... what good is Baby Jesus without the three kings and shepards?! 

Brian and I set it up one night after she went to bed.  I have to admit... it did seem like a very thorough nativity scene!  It darn near took up the whole coffee table! 

Bode is 3 months old!

Our handsome little Bode has turned 3 months and it has been a very exciting last month!  We have seen lots of smiles, some quiet coos and a few little loud outbursts when something gets him riled up (mostly when Lola is kissing him).  He has really discovered his hands and fingers and loves to suck on them to see how far he can get them in his mouth.  One day, I looked over and he was licking his fist like an ice cream cone!  One thing I've noticed over the last month is how he will now initiate holding onto your hand, rather than us being the one to stick our fingers into his hand to hold on to.  If I'm giving him a bottle, he'll reach up to grab onto my hands and hold onto them.  He is always kicking those feet and has successfully rotated at least 45 degrees in his crib one night.  And lastly, he loves to be standing up.  Several times a day, I'll have him on my lap and try to sit him down and he'll stiffen up like a pencil until you stand him on his feet and then he's happy. 

Every time I would take Lola's month pictures, she would have a perfect little smile.  Bode, on the other hand, doesn't really seem to be a fan of the posed pictures!

"I'm grumpy!"

"Why do I have this number on my stomach?"

"My head is really heavy!"

"Now I'm happy!"



Finally Some Smiles!

It may be too early to tell, but Bode may be our laid back, 'don't rush me' child.  I was getting worried that I hadn't seen one smile when all of the stupid books and magazines kept telling me "your child should be smiling and cooing all of the freaking time now"... okay, maybe not quite like that, but it felt like it. 

Finally, we started to see some smiles. 

Happy Halloween!

I'm not sure Lola knew what all of this Halloween craziness was, but she quickly learned and had a lot of fun!

On Sunday night, we went to our friend's house and carved pumpkins

Halloween Day

Lola's 2nd Birthday!

Last week was Lola's 2nd birthday!  It was so fun to see her excited for her special day.  The whole week she was singing "Happy Day.... Happy Day" (her version of Happy Birthday). 

At her doctor's appointment, we found out she is 34 and 3/4 inches (80th percentile) and 28 lbs (75th percentile).  The doctor was very happy with all of her accomplishments.  She can count to 10, knows several of her shapes and colors (of course, she only does them when she's in the mood to) and is making great progress on her potty training.  Regarding her speech, which got off to a slow start - the girl can say anything and everything!  The part which has amazed Brian and I is how much she retains.  You can tell her something random and she will remember it and use it correctly the next time it comes up.  The girl is brilliant!  She is, however, also quite strong willed and really independant.  She thinks she can do everything!  Her favorite phrase (and my least favoriate) is "no way".  Grrrr!!! 

But, when she wants to be, she is a sweet little girl who I love like crazy.  I love that she does her makeup with me, puts moose in her hair with me, puts lotion on her legs with me.  I adore my little Lola!  :)

Making cookies to bring to Grandma Paula's.  She wanted to bring pumpkin shaped cookies with purple icing.  And her little finger WOULD NOT stay out of the icing!!  She kept saying "yummy icing!"

Party #1 at Grandma Paula's: 

On her actual birthday, Brian took the day off of work and we had a crazy busy day getting ready for her party while also having fun with her.  We started the day at the doughnut shop (her choice). 



Opening her presents with Brian, me and Bode.

Blowing out her candles (for the night of her birthday, we made a big pumpkin cookie with purple icing). 



Family Birthday Party

Her cake for her family party was a flower with pink and purple icing that Brian and I made.  Her little fingers just couldn't resist though and put a big ol' finger swipe in the icing!!  



 The next day riding her new trike

Bode is 2 months old!

This month has really flown by!  Bode is spending much more time awake and looking around.  I'm starting to get some smiles, but he either must be very hard to please or I'm just not very funny!  He is starting to be pretty particular with who and what he wants.  And if he wants something, you have about 15 seconds to give it to him or he gets very angry!  He grabs on to necklaces, shirts and hair.  He loves to kick those legs and has made an accidental attempt to role over.  But by far, his favorite thing to do is eat!  :)

Lola continues to ADORE her little brother.  He gets somewhere between 25-30 kisses a day from her and just as many hugs.  Along with hugs and kisses, he also gets laid on, smothered and "picked up" by a 2 year old.  He did finally start to get even though.  She bent down to give him a kiss and he got a hold of her hair and didn't let go when she moved.  "Ouch, mommy!  Bode pulled hair!" 

Random Pictures

Here is a little recap of our week!


Lola put on my shoes (these happened to be flats; she has also put on my heels before), grabbed my purse and headed down the hallway:

Lola:  Bye Mommy!
Me:  Bye Lola!  Where are you going?
Lola:  Church, no dentist.  Be right back!

After I fixed a little diaper issue ("issue" = blowout), Bode seemed to be content hanging out minus clothes.  Who could have guessed this is the same little man who had a hard time gaining weight at the beginning of his life!  Look at that belly!  :)

Happy Birthday, Corinne!!

I was trying to do a little hat fashion show with Bode one day....

Do you like this one, Bode? 

..... I guess not... How about the baseball hat?

...Okay, no... how about backwards?  Is that how the kids wear it these days? 

Alright... how about no hats?  :(

Our attempt at getting a decent fall picture with me and the kids.  Out of 23 attempts, this was the best we got!