The jumperoo downstairs

I hope no one is turned off by the spit-up. This is the plain reality of my days with Hank. His bib or outfit/pajamas always look like this, my shirt is always sprinkled with spit-up, and he is just a drooly, wet mess. 

 exersaucer in his room

We've had a big snow today. It was beautiful to watch and we can't wait to play in it tomorrow!

Vivian is a wonderful big sister, always helping me with Hank when I need it. She helps him in the car when he is fussy, making him laugh or getting his pacifier back in place. She gets a diaper or wipe when I ask. And as in the picture, she will go to his crib if he wakes before I get the bottle ready, to cuddle with him until I get there :) He adores both sisters and I'm thankful he has them!

Of course, I shouldn't say always. There are times when she gets frustrated. But I've told her before that we can't give up on him and we need to do whatever we can to help him. And the other day I heard Kate saying, "I don't want to hear him cry anymore!" And Vivian answered her, "Kate, let's not give up on him, we have to keep trying!" 

(he has some fits in the car on occasion :))

 playdough is not

 just for

little kids.

I caught Brooke and Ben continuing to play with this dessert-time playdough set long after V and K had moved on to something else!

 Vivian has a noticeable (to me and Aaron) lisp for the letter "s," especially when it's at the end of a word. The way her tongue is in this picture is what her mouth looks like when she's using an "s" in a word. So adorable to me, and sometimes I even make her keep a conversation going just so I can watch her mouth and cherish it because I know that baby cuteness won't last.

 And her wiggles are contagious!

Happy 5 months to Hank!

 Check out the new rug that Aaron got me for Christmas :) He picked it out!

Thanks, girls, for coming and filling me in on your busy lives! I loved starting the new year with you :)

 The little man slept for a few minutes during dinner.

 And then he woke up for the party! Yay!

 Uncle Joey and Tasha gave Hank this outfit for Christmas, including his first pair of Timberlands. He looked sharp.

The whole crew. Thanks to Dad and Mom for treating us to a great dinner (Aaron and I took all our food home though because we had plans to go to dinner after we left Kabuki. It took soooo much self-control to not eat the food in front of us...it looked and smelled so good).

Mom and Dad took the 3 kids home with them to spend the night, and Aaron and I headed downtown to meet friends for another dinner celebration. Fun fun night!

Our Christmas Eve is never a potluck dinner. My Grandma cooks it ALL. She makes a huge dinner for all of us and it is always exactly what we want! There are so many dishes that she serves...I have no idea how she keeps up with it all. Thanks, Grandma...we appreciate you! You have an amazing talent for feeding us!