Griffin, Vivian and Georgia's Lives

We sure appreciate Grandma's help! Timing was a little off with Grandma's arm in a sling due to her shoulder surgery, but we were very glad she could come and do what she could. Hard to believe Georgia's nearly a month old and it's time for Grandma to head home.


As always, Griffin and Vivian had lots of fun with Grandma!

Living with a newborn baby can try anyone's patience, so I am really impressed with the kids' total acceptance of their sister. They never complain about her or ask to take her back to the hospital. ;-) They show her a lot of love and try to make sure that her needs are taken care of -- alerting us when she seems to need something. For instance, "Mommy, you need to feed Georgia!" when she is crying. They have some acting-out behavior that is typical for kids with a new sibling, but they never direct any anger or even irritation her way. We're very proud of them. I was more worried about Vivian than Griffin in this respect, because she is the youngest and very Mommy-identified. But she's been a loving (sometimes too enthusiastically loving) sister. In fact, Vivian really wishes we would let her do more to take care of her sister. Here are some photos of the girls:

Georgia's umbilical cord stump fell off on Christmas Eve, but with the holiday and family visit we didn't really have a chance to put her into the baby bathtub until today.

Daddy was busy, so Griffin took the photos while Mommy and Vivian gave the bath. He did a great job!


Georgia was very interested in what he was doing.


Griffin took a turn washing her as well.


Georgia seemed to like the bathtub -- especially when big brother was talking to her.


Clean kids! Griffin has his eyes closed here, but I wanted to post proof that Georgia doesn't always cry when the kids hold her.


But it usually doesn't take long to get going! (Note the girls' snowman-theme clothes matching the weather outside.)

Way back when we told the kids we were pregnant with Baby Georgia, we tried to explain when she would be born (her due date was Dec. 10) by saying it would be wintertime, aka snowy. So when she was born, the kids wanted to know where in the heck the snow was?!

Finally the snow has arrived! Even if it's not a lot of it, the kids were happy to be able to play in it this morning.


Vivi caught a fast ride with our neighbor Kelly.


Both Griffin and Vivian have improved their sledding skills this year.


Fun!


Good times in the snow.


This afternoon, Griffin and Vivian had fun with cousins Jake and Ian at Chuck E Cheese (Sophia departed this morning). Mommy and the baby stayed home, since Georgia isn't supposed to go out in public until she's a month old.

Another year, another Christmas enjoyed all around.

Right before bed last night the kids sprinkled the reindeer food to help Santa find our house.


They made sure to get it in the yard too. It was an extra special Christmas Eve ritual with the snow coming down.


In the morning we had agreed to wait for the cousins to come over before checking out what Santa left downstairs. Our kids are early risers, so it ended up being a few hours.


Griffin was very excited to see the number-one item on his Christmas list, a remote control Polar Express train.


Vivian was excited to see her gifts too, including a toy elf (Elf on the Shelf) and a purple sequin Santa hat. She had been asking for both for weeks.


Griffin spent a long time playing with his train. You could put the boy minifigure on top, pop the Hobo on and off the roof, etc. The other kids got turns with it too.

Griffin was pleased with one of his other gifts, a box of magic (labeled, of course).

After the kids saw the gifts, it was time to open stockings.


The stockings contained enough candy for an army of children! Grandma is hard at work on crocheting a stocking to match Griffin and Vivian's, which Granny made for them.


Merry Christmas! Is there anything cuter than cousins in Christmas jammies?


Aunt Ginger kindly held Baby Georgia while we moved on to the family present-opening portion of the day.


There were lots of kids and lots of presents! Christmas chaos is always fun.


Vivian showed off her Merida costume she received from Mommy & Daddy.

Family picture. We had no idea Griffin was making goofy faces in the front -- I was just trying not to drop the baby.


Goofy photo!

Christmas 2012. Christmas with a two-week-old baby is certainly interesting!

Christmas evening, Georgia got some cuddle time with Grandma...


...and Aunt Shari.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

With a two-week-old baby at Christmas, we for the first time are spending the holiday at home. Daddy's family has come to celebrate with us.

Aunt Shari is getting some practice with baby-holding before her own new bundle of joy arrives in April.


Uncle Matt is the baby whisperer. Somehow he gets Georgia to calm down and sleep -- and she stays asleep on him!


Jake, Ian, Sophia, Vivi and Griffin ran outside to play today when some light snow flurries started coming down. The Texas cousins don't see snow often!


The kids are having fun playing foosball. Grandma managed to play even with an arm in a sling! (She had shoulder surgery to repair her muscle.)


Funny hats are always a good idea!


We've got a full fledged kids table these days.

With a new baby on the scene, Griffin and Vivian are spending more time together without Mommy and Daddy's participation. Accordingly, they are learning to play together better. (They also probably fight more.)


We will remember these cuddly moments when they are arguing!


Awww.


Vivi often likes to do art projects with Mommy in the morning while Daddy takes his nap. Griffin usually plays videogames or something on his own, but today he joined us for painting. We were able to have a nice long art session while Georgia hung out and napped in the swing next to the table.


With Christmas almost upon us, we decided to make Christmas tree paintings.


The kids shared the new paints Memaw and Papaw got them nicely.


Vivian had help with her tree while Griffin did his all on his own. What a fun morning activity!