Sick 'round these parts

The Crayon household has been sick for the last couple days, but today was by far the worst.  Brynn was just miserable.  She was clingy, whiny, tired, snotty, congested, had a cough and very mild fever.  We went to the doctor to rule out an ear infection and apparently it is just a nasty cold that seems to be going around coupled with the fact that she is getting at least one new tooth.  In fact, we were just at the doctor on Monday for Evan for pretty much the same thing.

Needless to say, we have had a few sleepless nights or VERY early mornings.  Hopefully this passes soon and everyone is back to normal stat!  And for the record, Brynn isn't the kid that falls asleep anywhere, so she must have been tired.  Poor babies!

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve Brynn helped me with some baking.  She enjoyed stirring, but I think she liked licking the spoon the best!  Then we hit the road and spent the rest of the evening with my Dad's side of the family where Brynn was spoiled with toys, shoes and clothes!  We headed home so that Santa could make his delivery.  :)

Christmas morning we came downstairs and Santa got Brynn her very own kitchen.  {The Elf stayed up pretty late putting this together one night!}  She loves it and will "cook" dinner for you anytime.  Scott asked her for some peas and off she went to "prepare" them.  She came back a few minutes later with peas in a pan for him.

 It was kind of difficult to get her to open any gift at that point because all she wanted to do was play.  I suppose I don't blame her!  {And forget about looking at the camera.}

Evan got Sophie the Giraffe.  He seemed to like her!  {And Santa brought Evan his DOC band a little early, cause he knew those things were pricey! ;) What a nice guy.}

Brynn in her apron that Nana made and her slippers from Santa!

After we did presents here we were off to my Mom's and then we came home and went to Matt and Anna's for Christmas dinner.  Whew...it seemed like we drove all over Southern California!  I guess we kind of did.  But it was great to get to see our families and enjoy the holiday with them.  All of our family was really great to Brynn and Evan and they have more toys then we know what to do with.  Thanks everyone!!

We hope you all had a fantastic holiday with your family and friends and that you got everything you wished for.  I can't believe that Christmas is already over...2011 is just around the corner.

{Can you believe that I don't have any pictures from Christmas Eve night or Christmas afternoon/night?  I brought the camera, but forgot to use it.  Oops!}

5 months old

Where does the time go?  I swear it was just yesterday he turned 4 months old and now ::poof:: he's 5 months.  I feel like I'm saying it all the time, but time flies!  We think he is about 17ish pounds {by our very accurate step on scale holding baby, step on scale without baby method.}  He is such a sweet boy and isn't shy giving out smiles.  And he sure does love his sister...or at least he finds her very entertaining most of the time.  I'm sure that will change in a few years!

We finally gave his band a make-over.  What do you think?  Scott did it all and we are very happy with the results.  Evan is well on his way to being the smallest Saint on the field!   

Practicing more sitting...he still likes to fold in half after awhile.

 

Our little Who Dat!  :)

They crack me up!

Isn't she so cute?  She is so animated and expressive these days.  She will definitely let you know if she does or doesn't like something.  Brynn had this outfit on and went and got the shoes all by herself...little diva in training?

Later in the night we were giving Evan a bath and Brynn was making funny faces that were making him laugh and smile!  So cute to see her interact and play with him.

Then she wanted to look in the mirror to see the funny faces herself.  She cracks me up!

O Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree over two weeks ago, but took our time decorating it!  Brynn was so excited by it and always wants the lights on.  She has been really good with the ornaments after the initial "I want to touch everything phase" {although the bottom half of the tree is the unbreakable stuff!} 

She was amazed by the lights!

After we put the lights on we had some hot chocolate, or lukewarm chocolate for Brynn!

 Cheers!

Then she danced around the living room to Christmas music with a Saints Santa hat on.

We got two new ornaments this year...and Brynn loves to point hers and Evans out. {Thanks Aunt Deb!}

Here is our little decorated tree and both kiddos in front of it!

Just like Mommy!

I wear my sunglasses on my head constantly and apparently so does Brynn!  She always wants to put them on her head and rarely wants anything to do with actually putting them over her eyes.  ;)  It is funny how much she is imitating us now!

Evan Laughing!

I think babies and kids laughing is one of the cutest things!!

If you can't see the video above, click here.

{We had his band off for his 1 hour break for the day.}

Ho! Ho! Ho!

It's that time of year again..pictures with Santa.  We talked about Santa all week with Brynn; what he says, what he looks like {we have a stuffed Santa that she has been carrying around} and how nice he is.  We showed her the picture from last year and she says "Me.  Ho ho. keeze."  We talked about going to see Santa and sitting with him and Evan to take a picture and she was all excited!  

So Saturday we got the kiddos all dressed up to go visit with Santa.  On the car ride over, Brynn was talking to herself...."Me.  Brubber.  Ho ho. keeze. sit"  "Hi Ho ho!" and so on.  Walking up she could see Santa taking pictures with other kids and she was excited and waving at him.  Standing in line we told her she was going to sit with Santa and brother and take a picture.."Yeah, okay!"  When it was our turn we walked up and she was smiling away and saying "Ho ho"...I'm sure you can see where this is headed?  

As soon as I tried to put her in Santa's lap she started saying "No!" and was holding on like she was glued to my hip.  We tried putting Evan in his lap and taking a picture to show her it was okay.  She wasn't buying it!  Being the mean Mommy I am, I told Scott to put her in Santa's lap anyway.  Full.on.screaming!  Tears and everything!  Does it make me even meaner that I was laughing the whole time?  After a couple snaps we "rescued" her and a few seconds later she was back to liking Santa from afar. "Hi Ho ho!" Clearly we didn't traumatize her!

Ha Ha Ha!  I cannot look at this picture without laughing...mean Mommy again.  Santa better shape up because I'm sure we'll have two screaming kids trying to wriggle away next year!

Brynn is a dancin' fool!

We had Christmas music on the other night and she was just going a mile a minute.  We were cracking up!

Click here, if you can't see the video above.

{And by the way, when did my "baby" start talking in full on sentences?}

Evan's new accessory

I haven't talked at all about this here, but now is probably a good time because you aren't going to be able to miss Evan's new accessory in pictures.  Evan has torticollis, which in turn has caused him to develop plagiocephaly on his right side.  We saw a physical therapist who gave us some stretches to do with him to stretch out his neck muscle but he still turns to his right side even after we tried repositioning him.  His flat spot is very mild compared to some other babies and you probably wouldn't even notice it if you were a stranger passing him on the street.  It was, however, something we noticed and didn't want him to be self conscious of when he was older.

Treatment to correct the flat spot is a DOC band that is worn for 23 hours a day.  It is super light weight and so far Evan hasn't seemed bothered by it.  His treatment will be about 2 months {of course it could be a little longer or even a little shorter} which will seem like nothing in the long run.  It is very medicinal looking right now, but very shortly we will be sprucing it up for the little guy!

Happy Turkey Day!

Hopefully everyone didn't stuff themselves too full this Thanksgiving!  We sure came close with Thanksgiving dinner over at Gay's house; everything was delicious.  We are so thankful for all of our wonderful family and friends!

My favorite people...I have so much to be thankful for!!

Brynn's turkey...the body is her footprint and the feathers are her hand prints. She walks up to him hanging on the fridge and says "Gobba Gobba Gobb"!  So cute!

The Christmas season is officially upon us.  I love Christmastime, but it is such a busy time of year with so much to do and I don't think I'm quite ready for that!

Practicing sitting

Look at me!

{Sorry for the cell phone pic...had to capture it with what was around.}

4 months!

Hard for me to believe that Evan is 4 months old already. He is a little flirt and likes to smile when you talk to him. He is amazed with his big sister, always watching her when she runs by or lays next to him. The little man is rolling over, but only when he feels like it {which isn't very often}. So most of the time tummy time ends up with him getting mad and trying to "swim" on the carpet. He is starting to show interest in toys and trying to grab them, but his hands still interest him the most. He loves to stand when you hold him and is even sitting for a few seconds before toppling over!

He had his 4 month well check today and is doing great. He weighs 15 pounds 11 ounces {68th %ile}, is 26 inches {86th %ile}, and his head circumference is 43.5 cm {82nd %ile}. He is a growing boy! He got 5 vaccines; 4 shots and one oral. He wasn't too pleased with the shots because we had to wake him up for them. He cried screamed for about 30 seconds, but as soon as I could pick him up he was back to sleep. And his chunky little thighs look so cute with Spider-Man, Cars and Elmo band-aids on them.

11 teeth

I noticed a white spot on Brynn's gum on Saturday, but it finally came through today.  It's the lower left lateral incisor.  Took awhile for those ones to make an appearance. 

A drive up the coast

Thursday we headed out on a drive up the beautiful coast with a final destination of San Francisco.  I know it seems ambitious to take a drive that long with an almost 4 month old and an almost 2 year old...it was!!  We did have my sister with us to help with the kiddos.  Thanks Kiki!!  Luckily we planned to stop in Monterey Bay to visit the aquarium.  Brynn loved all the fish at the aquarium; and the penguins and turtles were pretty exciting as well.

Brynn taking over driving...

 Trying to get the fishies and turtle.

Flamingos and penguins.

The kids are looking at each other..kinda cute!

Friday morning we started the drive toward San Francisco.  The kids did pretty well for the drive on Thursday and Friday...sleeping a majority of the way; which always makes things a bit easier!  We lucked out with great weather despite it being the middle of November!!

At the Golden Gate Bridge.  Yes, Evan was sleeping in the picture with Scott.  Brynn was sleeping in the car and missed the whole thing!  {In the family shot we were standing right next to the car}

Smiley guy!

 After the bridge we headed for Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.  {Driving down the street and looking up}

Brynn finally woke up from her nap!

 Saturday morning we headed over to Alcatraz.  The kids decided that they didn't want to have anything to do with it though, so we didn't get to see as much as we would have liked.  I guess that is what happens when you travel with two little ones.  Oh well, there's always next time!

 On the boat ride over.  Evan must have been bored and Brynn wasn't interested in taking pictures.

Evan and Scott exploring The Rock!

Brynn really enjoyed walking around the island.

 After a good nap for Brynn we went to Pier 39.  I seem to remember there being a lot more sea lions, but Brynn liked the few that were there.  She liked when they would make noises! 

Checking out the seagulls!

 Little guy keeping warm

We rode the carousel and she really enjoyed waving to Scott every time we went around.

Since my sister was there, Scott and I got to enjoy a birthday dinner date night!

On Sunday we started the drive home...it seemed SOOOO long!  But we made it!  The get away was nice but it is always so nice to be home!  The little ones were glad to be out of the car!