I'm 5 months!

Hello world - it's me Mia.

Mommy has been hogging the blog lately - so I thought I would drop in for just a short update. Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday to me, Happy birthday dear Mia, Happy birthday to me. Guess what- it's my 5 month birthday today! Mommy keeps telling me that over and over AND over again. So- being that I am assuming it's kind of a big deal - I thought I would share the moment with all of you guys. I sure have come a long way in just 5 months. I am almost triple my birth weight, sleep for 10 hours at night, I smile, I laugh, I recognize people - especially my brother Nick! I cry sometimes when Mommy leaves the room and squeal when she comes back. I can suck my thumb (or my fist, which ever I am in the mood for at the time.) I am working really hard on sitting up by myself - and can do pretty well in my bumbo. I can hold onto things and bring them up to my mouth now -- so watch out if you have jewelry on! I also had my first cold. Boo. I have been confined to the house for 4 days now. Sheesh. But, I guess Mommy knows best - and since Im a preemie we really have to watch out for RSV right now. Mommy said I get to leave the house on Wednesday - but that will be the first time. Anyways - I am feeling lots better - and I never ever ever want to see that blue suction-y nose thing again. Yuck. Well, Im finishing my bedtime bottle as we speak - so off to bed.

Below are some pictures - sort of a stroll down memory lane...

Nighty night!

August - just a couple of days old



August - Just about 2 weeks old



September - First shopping trip!



October



November



December - going to meet Santa!



January - can you tell I have my first cold? I am not feeling very smiley in this picture...

Some pretty significant changes in 5 months, ey??

Happy...

Happy 5 year Anniversary Nicki and Kyle!




We love you guys!!

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Happy New Year!

As my friend Rachel said the other day, "2008, I am so over you!" Agreed. While there has been some good times in 2008, much of the year is over shadowed with some pretty scary moments that we are very ready to leave behind. To sum it all up - here are a few of the babes favorite things for 2008.

Nick's favorite Things -
Toys: Transformers, Disney's Cars, Lego's, Monster Trucks
Movies: Madagascar, Cars, Toy Story, Elf
TV Shows: Wow Wow Wubzy, Curious George, Clifford, Dora the Explorer
Foods: Chicken Nuggets, French Fries, Spaghetti, Pizza, PB&J
Favorite Past Times: Polka-Dot Parachute, Sock 'em Head, Pillow Monster (daddy & nick inspired games) Hide and Seek, Baking all kinds of treats, Bedtime stories, Playing with cars and trucks, Building car walls, Going to the movies, Dancing and singing, Playing outside - especially at the park!
Sayings: "Sure thing!", "I love you from Earth to Jupiter"

Mia's Favorite Things -
Toys: Baby Einstein Play-mat, Exer-saucer
Food - BOTTLE!
Pastimes: Eating, Sleeping (especially in someone's arms!), Smiling, Enjoying pampering time in the tub (and mostly the lotion massage after!), Practicing sucking my thumb, 'Lunching' with Mommy, and Play dates with friends, did I mention smiling?!

So, as we jump ahead to 2009 - here are some pictures of the last days of 2008.

Sledding with The Frase's, Grammie, and Aunt Pammy. The hill was pure ice. I could barely make it up the hill in my boots. It was hilarious - and a good work out too! Gotta love my 'polaris' jacket. Hah! That came from way back in the closet at Grandpa's house.

Kyle and Nick at the bottom of the ginormous hill. Nick LOVED sledding.

The Frase's

A caboose down the hill with Keaten, Grammie and Pammy.

Daddy and Nick

The girls going down the hill! A few times we could be heard yelling "Abort mission!" and one of us would jump off as we neared the woods or the street below!

New Year's Eve at Chuck E Cheese. Nicki and Kyle had date night out, so along with Grammie we took Nick, Keaten and Mia out for some games. Dave and I made it up til midnight -sort of. We headed upstairs at 11:30, and at 11:57 we were still chatting in our bed~ HA! At midnight I wished Dave a Happy New Year and was out like a light by 12:05. Both kids were fast asleep well before the ball dropped.

Thanks Aunt Pammy for the 'big boy' pj's!

And here are just some cute pictures of the babes -

"Which way to the gunshow?"

MMMM- this doll tastes mighty good!

Am I cute or am I cute?! Thanks for the adorable outfit Auntie Nicki!

Miss Smiley!

Well, we're off... Nick and Daddy are at a movie and Mia is ready to eat!

Here's to a healthy, safe and happy new year, filled with love and peace!

Cheers!

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...