Updates and Christmas!

Hi! It only took me 5 hours, but I got all these pictures uploaded, yay!
I have a few pictures that are about 3 weeks old (oh my goodness, time is going so quickly). If a few of these are similar to the previous post that's because those were from Grammy's camera and these are from mine.
Taya holding Rory......................

The littlest Patriots fan in our house. He has changed so much since this picture.

Our new double stroller. We have given it a test run at Walmart but so far it's been too cold to go on a walk outside. I can't wait to use it!

This is what Rory did while we baked cookies with Grammy.

Taya trying out a cookie.

The pictures below are from the past week. What fun we had in anticipation of Christmas! We also enjoyed having Ethan home for 1.5 days more than usual!!

Taya "decorated" Nima with her necklaces.

On the 23rd, it was pajama day at school and the Christmas party. I admit, Taya put on clean jammies to go to school. She picked out new ones...Christmas Minnie Mouse :)

Dad-o and Rory at Christmas Eve Mass.

Our beautiful children.

Christmas Eve, just before bedtime.

Santa came!

Taya noticed this shortly after waking up. A bed for her baby!

Taya seeing if Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk.

Santa left a few bites so she decided to finish it.

Since we don't have a mantle, the stockings were hung on the table.

Big girl panties in the stocking.

I got this silver sweater from my mom but Nima thought it made a good blanket.

Taya loved ALL of her presents and took lots of time examining and playing with each one. It took 5 hours for us to open gifts. It's a blessing to share the special moments of Christmas with our kids while remembering the true meaning.

Taya got a tea set from Omi and Papa. She tested it out right away.

Notice how she put the spoons in each cup...

This is the help I had while opening gifts.

Isn't my boy so handsome?!

Rory got a wagon from Grammy but since he's not quite big enough, big sister will break it in.

Rory had many naps, but this one was in such a cute position.

We are working on giving Rory a bottle so he will be ready when I go back to work.

The 2nd littlest Patriots fan in our house.

Omi and Papa got Taya these footie jammies. She walked kind of funny in them but she really liked them!

Well, that captures our past few weeks. We have enjoyed some playdates, lots of sweets, and family time. Although it's hard being away from our extended family, Ethan and I really enjoy the time with our kids and our time at home. You were in our thoughts. God Bless!

Almost Christmas!

Merry 'early' Christmas from Taya and Rory. Our kids are definitely our best gifts! Before Grammy left us, she let Taya open her biggest gift...

.................a new kitchen!

My handsome little man

Rory received this soft, blue bear blanket from our cousins, the Qarmouts, but Nima took it over before he could try it out. No worries, Rory got it back later (where we had a little "accident" during loose diaper time) :).

Rory really focusing on something. I think it's cute!

The day before Grammy left we finally made some cookies! Taya loves to help pour the ingredients and stir. She did a really good job; I think she was just happy to be included.

Her favorite cookie cutter was the star. Grammy thinks stars are the hardest to frost :).

Taya and I did sprinkles after Grammy got the cookies frosted.

I know I haven't written much "commentary" lately...usually because I am posting with one hand as I hold Rory in the other. Today I have two hands but want to take a nap. So I'm still going to keep this short with good intentions to post a little more about our days and also Rory's birth story.

In short, my kids are amazing! I really didn't think have 2 kids would be so "easy". Don't get me wrong, I am REALLY tired and I get really frustrated and get irritated easily, but Taya has really adapted to being a big sister and for the most part is content to love on Rory a little, then leave him alone. Having my mom here for a month was truly a blessing and she helped me ease into being a mother of 2. Ethan has also been very understanding and has taken on the role of Taya's "primary caretaker" when I'm busy feeding Rory. We have just adapted to a new routine around here and so far it's going well. Our next big transition will be when I return to work; I still haven't decided when that will be yet.

Rory is such a sweetheart. For those of you who know me well, I really didn't know if I could "have" a boy, you know, with their boy parts, but I love having a son. Taya is so special because she's my little girl and she made me a mom, but having a son is just different. I was talking to him the other day, just a little baby-talk about nothing, and he smiled at me 3 different times. I thought the first one was a gas smile, but then he did it again and I thought it must be legitimate. He also rarely cries and he loves to cuddle. I try not to hold him ALL the time, but he's just so good that it makes me want to cuddle him.

I survived my first day home alone with both kids on Friday and even ventured out for a playdate. I was really ready for Ethan to get home from work that day, but we made it to bedtime and nobody got hurt, so I consider it a successful day :). To all you moms out there, God bless you. Have a good week, everyone!