My Cup Runneth Over

Merry Christmas!

I realize I havent updated our website in 10 whole days. So, bear with me as this will be a lengthy and 'picture-y' post. Our holiday was wonderful, energetic, filled with many new memories and full of family and friends. And boy. I am one wiped out mommy.

Last Tuesday Mia and I went to visit her new boyfriend, Brady! It was Mommy-bonding time for me with my good girlfriend, Katie. We had a good visit - and man oh man, is Brady one handsome boy. Mia LOVED Brady - she flirted her best smiles and coo's - and Brady reciprocated (of course he was a gentleman!) but he snuggled right up to her and they spooned, while Katie and I snapped photos! So adorable!

We had a Christmas party with Nick's girlfriend, Morgan the Wednesday before Christmas. The kids exchanged gifts - Morgan is into Tinkerbell and Nick into Transformers - so we had a really fun afternoon. I also got in more Mommy-bonding time with my very good friend Angel. We had all the entertainment we needed, watching Nick and Morgan just play. Nick is very gentle with Morgan and always looks at her with these smitten eyes. I swear - Morgan is the sweetest girl in the world. On the way home from their house, Nick said to me, "besides Mia, Morgan is the cutest girl I ever saw." Love.

On Thursday - Nick had his pre -school Holiday program. His class sang 3 songs, 1 holiday song and 2 spanish songs. It always brings a tear to my eye. I mean, honestly. What is cuter than a group of 3 and 4 year olds singing? Not much in my opinion! Nick is standing next to his best bud Gus.

On Saturday, we made sugar cookies (thank you Paula Deen, we loved your recipe! ...and am reminded why these are a once a year cookie!)

Then later in the afternoon we hung out at Grammie and Grandpa's and attempted to go out in the snow and play... It was snowing like crazy - and I think Nicki and I are the only ones who enjoyed the snow. We hurled ourselves into the snowbanks, made snow angels and reminisced about when Grandpa Earl would take us sledding and ice skating. Some of my very favorite memories. Nick and Keaten didnt like the windy snow - but there was time for a little bit of shoveling!

On Sunday we had the Wray family Christmas at Heather's house. I am really disappointed because I had forgotten my camera over at Grammie and Grandpa's house from the "winter party" the day before. I know there were some really good pics taken, so please those of you who read this, (jill!!) please send me some photos to put up of our fun afternoon! It is always a treat to have 4 "babysitters" for Nick - his big cousins take him down stairs and Dave and I sit on the couch and have a little break. Nick LOVES his cousins - he talks about all of them all the time. It is also wonderful because between Auntie Heather and Auntie Jill - Mia gets held too!

Christmas Eve had to be the best one of my life. Many times I felt my heart swell watching Nick, Keaten and Mia. We have a tradition on Christmas Eve to make home made pizza's. This year (thanks to Mona and Grandpa Gene for the amazing camcorder-) we were able to record the boys standing on the step stool, making their own pizza's. We had a fun, low key dinner, opened presents, had a few bottles of wine, and some good laughs. Nick and Keaten enjoyed every minute of the night - and even Mia - knew there was something really special happening.

Grammie and Grandpa watching Bob the Builder Christmas special

Nick and Daddy - opening up his new Cars trailer

Happy kids!


My little angel

Uncle Kyle enjoying our happy little girl!

Our Mia's First Christmas

All was going really well until it was time to head for home... Melt down central!

But, we got everyone home - and Nick decided he was excited after all to put out the cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for his Reindeer.

Christmas morning we woke to find that Santa and his friendly Reindeer had indeed made a stop to our home!

And Christmas afternoon we had a fantastic time celebrating at our Aunt Stacy's house!

Here is Mia with Susan - getting cuddled up!

And Mia with our hostess, Aunt Stacy!

And, just because I am the "mama - razzi" here are a couple more pictures of Mia's first Christmas.

and who could forget my favorite 3 year old...

Today - we went sledding with the Frase's, Grammie and Aunt Pammy. Pictures to come as that is a whole nother post - with lots of giggles to be had.

This last 10 days has been a whirl wind. Somewhere in the midst of all this craziness - Dave and I were able to catch a movie (7 Pounds - and highly recommend it) and grab a bite to eat all by ourselves. Thank you to Pam, Susan, Natalie and Jonathan for that! It is hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone. We are looking forward to New Years - til then, much love!

way too cute...

Believe it or not...

We did it! We finally finally finally got a family picture taken! Here are a couple to enjoy for a late night snack...

And my personal favorite...

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

The Hollidazzle parade was so cool. I was right in the front when the lighted school bus went by. That was my favorite part last year, and it is my favorite part this year too. AND, Keaten was my other favorite part.

It is always so much more fun when he is around. We stayed nice and warm - I had a yummy cocoa (NO whip cream or cookies a top, mind you) and Keaten he had a nice warm apple cider. MMM MMM good.

Mia couldn't go. She stayed with Grammie and Grandpa. Aunt Stacy also came to visit her! Next year, Mommy says Mia can come see the lighted school bus with me too. I cant wait to show her!

I even saw Santa go by at the end. WOW. That is the third time I saw Santa. Here I am waiting in line to see Santa at Macy's.

He knows exactly what I want for Christmas. I want Transformers and a Dump Truck. Mia wants a dolly. I made sure to tell Santa that too - since well, Mia cant talk.

Last week we went to Macy's 8th floor and saw Santa and Santa's Elf workshop. Grammie came with us - and we had so much fun. Wow, the elves sure have to work hard to get all of our toys ready. I fink I saw my Transformers up in a green package near the ceiling. I love it when Grammie comes with us on our special day trips. We just have so much fun.

Yesterday we had family pictures at Grammie's house. All of us were on our very best behavior.

We had pictures in our Christmas pj's and then a nice dressy picture too. Mommy and daddy are really proud of us (mia, keaten and I) it is hard work to be all dressed up and "No Running". When we get the pictures downloaded, we will make sure to post some of them on here. Grammie and Mommy got a little bit teary eyed when the three of us had our pictures done. I guess they ARE pretty lucky to have 3 adorable, cute, funny, (did I mention adorable?) little angels in their lives. Well, guess what. Mia, Keaten and I love you guys too!

It is -7 degrees out. SO, I got to eat breakfast at home this morning. Huh? you say? Well, this morning Daddy let me eat breakfast at home before going to school. It is always fun to start the day out like that. I got to eat and watch Wow Wow Wubbzy and then Daddy took me to school. I got there late and all my friends were playing in the gym - perfect timing if you ask me! So, Brr. Everyone bundle up and stay warm!

Mia in her really warm hat and sweater!

Well, that is all for now. Have a great Monday. Here are some of our pictures from the past week!

Mia in her 'Bumbo' - look at how well she is holding up her head, and she is having a blast being such a big girl too!

Happiest baby on the block...

I'm a Big girl!

I am a big girl! I weigh 14 lbs, 10 oz now! Yeah! Thanks to you guys who voted on my weight. I got my 4 month shots and I was super tired all day. I didnt get a fever, but sheesh. I just slept, and slept, and slept. I am feeling lots better today! Dr Gobel said I am growing beautifully. I have come a long way since my birthday on August 4.

We had a busy weekend. Nick had the best time ever. We donated our toys, got our tree and had some hot cocoa with Keaten. Lots of fun. Nick even got to put the star way up on the Christmas tree. He was super hyper all weekend - he kept running around and around. Mommy just kept telling me that Nick is really excited about Christmas. He sure is!

Picking out the tree with Daddy at the tree farm. Mommy and I stayed in the car nice and toasty warm while Nick picked out his very first Christmas tree!


Here we are at home, Nick and Mommy shivering outside.

Just about to start decorating - Nick LOVED it!


Of course he had to be our little comedian!

Holy Moly, mac and cheese...

Today was a big day - I got to eat big girl food. Mommy mixed rice cereal with prunes. (I guess if you start with prunes, a lot of the other food will taste better. Plus, it will help me go poop, since I am having a bit of trouble with that. Shhhh, dont tell anyone though. Its not very lady like to talk about poop.) I think eating big girl food is really really cool. I cant wait to show Nick. He will be really happy for me. Plus, I get to eat at the table with everyone else too.

Well, I am still a bit sleepy - so talk to you later. Enjoy all the cool pictures of our nice family weekend.

XO,
Mia

Here you can watch me with my first time eating big girl food... what do you think?! I wasnt quite sure about it at the beginning, but I think I will love it!

Vote on Mia's 4 month weight!

Hey all of you who receive email updates of our blog... go to our blog and vote on how much you think I will weigh at my 4 month check up this week!

http://carisdavidnickmia.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned,
Mia

Santa, Fanta, Bo, Banta...

Love.

T - 19 days til Christmas!!

Happy St. Nick's Day!

I have another new friend! Mommy's friends Kara and Andy Sacchetti welcomed their new baby girl, Natalie Grace on December 2nd. She is so lovely. I got to meet her at the hospital. The very same hospital I was born in (and Nick too!) Mommy is so thankful that Rylan, Brady and Natalie are all here safe and sound.

This week was really really busy. On Wednesday we had lunch with Nick's girlfriend (tee-hee) Morgan. Nick is such a good eater - he wanted to impress Morgan so he ate ALL of his chicken nuggets and french fries at Granite City. I think it is so funny, Nick and Morgan hug all of the time. Mommy swears that since they will grow up together that they will either be best friends or something like 'married.' Thursday was awesome. Mommy brought us to meet my new friend Natalie. We went out to lunch at the Green Mill for pizza. (kudos to Mommy! In and out in the cold is a lot of work with 2 babes.) And then. Here is more big news. And then, we met Santa Claus! The one and only all the way from the North Pole. I loved him. His beard tickled me. Nick was really brave. After all this is his very first meeting with THE MR SANTA. Nick gave a 'high 5' and told Santa he wanted Transformers and a dump truck for Christmas. Oh Nick. Mr Claus asked me what I wanted too. Nick giggled and told him that I dont talk yet (since I dont have any teeth, or something like that...) But we got a really cute picture, and Mommy said we did great. After a good nap, one for me, one for Nick, and one clean kitchen and dinner in the oven for Mommy - daddy came home and we told him all about our adventure. Mommy had to go to the dentist last night. She had 2 cavities. She laughed and said one was for me, and one was for Nick. When she got home, she was talking all funny - apparently her tongue was numb? Weird.

This weekend is going to be a lot of fun. Tonight, St. Nick comes. We put out our shoes - and in the morning they will be filled with treats and coins.

We also are down to 19 days til Christmas - Nick takes a ring off every night. He just loves Christmas. He cant wait! It does sound like fun. I am excited to experience my very first one!

Tomorrow, after we see our shoes - we are going out to breakfast, then off to donate our toys for tots at KARE 11. We are also going to get our Christmas tree and decorate the house. HOW FUN!! Nick and mommy are going to make Ginger Snap bread and that will make the house smell wonderful.

Well, Mommy is sleepy and she is going to bring me to bed now. Daddy is out with some friends - he has had a very difficult week with school and work. He is out celebrating the weekend and that he is almost done with the semester. Good job, Daddy! We love you!

Night!

Mia