Christmas Morning

As you can expect, Ed and I were far more excited about Faye and Lenny opening their presents than they were, but the put on a good show for us. We didn't get them much, since we knew so many others had been so generous with them, but we let them each open a single present (which seemed to take an eternity).

Here's Faye opening her present, and then as a present.


















Ditto for Lenny.



















Here they are showing off their gifts.

Christmas Eve

Oh holy night, your stars were brightly shining! That's right folks, I have pictures of the babies from Christmas Eve and this post is just a thinly veiled attempted to show my babies off! Every year we spend Christmas Eve with my mother and her family. This year was no exception and it was a wonderful evening. Lenny and Faye were spoiled rotten with love and attention (not to mention presents) and they got to spend some time with their cousin Annika whom they just adore.

We were the first to arrive so Faye quickly settled in with Great-grandma Gottmann and got her picture taken in her very pretty Christmas dress.







Lenny couldn't wait for the presents and hit the floor to start checking things out.





Annika and her parents showed up next, so the three kids played on the floor for awhile, but when Auntie Cory showed up everyone wanted to spend time with her. Here's Annika, showing off her adorable Santa dress and snuggling up with her Aunt Cory.





Next it was time to open presents. Great-grandpa Gottmann got a sweet University of San Diego baseball cap from Cory, and Lenny couldn't wait to try it on. It didn't quite fit him, but Great-grandpa's head is much larger.



Faye spent the present opening spree with Grandpa Boyle, her dollie and a bottle. Not a bad way to spend the evening.




Lenny spent most of his present opening time on his daddy's lap, smiling and giggling up a storm.








After a while, all the excitement wore little Faye out, so she settled in for a nap with Nana Boyle.

Everyone's waiting on Santa

How do kids know when it's the last few weeks before Christmas? Well, however it is, Faye and Lenny are clued in and on their best behavior. I just can't express what a joy to be around they've been the past couple of weeks.

Here they are, last Monday, at my friend Paula's house. Sweet as could be all day long, and when we were getting ready to leave, they had a little giggle fest with each other. I think they got a real kick out of each other's hats. Here's hopping they stay this happy all year long!

On the move...

I know, I know, it's been a long time since I blogged. But A LOT has been going on. First of all, the kids have been sick since before Thanksgiving. It evolved last week into some pretty high temperatures - that was fun. The best part (and I'm being sarcastic, which I'm not sure translates well on the internet) was that my doctor's nurses line told me to bring the babies into the office since their temperatures lasted four days, but when I got there, the doctor I saw said, "Yeah, well, kids this age get about 1 cold a month. You'll just have to tough it out." I could have told him that!!! I paid for this?

Anyway, on a lighter note, Lenny and Faye are getting bigger and stronger everyday. Faye sits up quite nicely (with some help) and spends quite a lot of time on her tummy (voluntarily I might add).


Lenny, in turn, has been scooching up a storm. Here's a picture of him on the floor. He started off on his back on the mat behind him and wound up here within a matter of 2 - 3 minutes. He's a determined little thing. Still no crawling, but it won't be long now.

Other than that, we're just preparing for Christmas and enjoying the mild weather while it lasts. And, yes, for you astute viewers, Lenny and Faye are dressed the same today. I just couldn't resist!

Santa, baby . . .

On Saturday, Lenny and Faye joined thier cousin Annika in meeting Santa for the very first time. We were lucky enough to be invited by my mother to meet Santa when he stopped by her hospital for awhile over the weekend. We were all kind of wondering what the consensus amoung the tots would be and I have to say the only one who seemed genuinely interested in Santa was Faye. Lenny and Annika seemed non-plussed about the whole experience, but Faye turned on the charm as if to say, "Santa, baby, I just want one little thing . . . a ring . . . four carats if you please!" Well, needless to say, there won't be any diamonds under the tree for Faye this year!

Our First Snow Day

You might be expecting to see the children bundled up and somehow playing in the snow. However, they're far to young for that and it would be just too much work for me. Please believe me when I tell you that I showed them the snow (from our window) and they were thoroughly unimpressed. Kind of a let down, I know, but just wait until next year; I'm sure the pictures will be priceless.

Speaking of pictures, it occurred to me the other day that there are no pictures of me or Ed with the kids on the blog (at least none where you can see our faces), so for you die-hard Ed and Heather fans, I submit the following. Enjoy!

Ed and Lenny take a nap on the couch before Lenny goes up to bed.









Heather and Lenny dance around the living room. Lenny really is a fantastic slow dancer, and he's still so young!






Faye's surprised to see her mom on the other side of that flashing thing.