Church Christmas Pictures

We took some pictures of the kids in their Christmas outfits before church this morning.  It was extremely hard to get a good picture of all 3 of them!!

 Most of the pictures turned out like the above one….ha!!

Preschool Christmas Programs

Connor had his Christmas Program this past Monday, December 15th and Elliana had hers on Tuesday, December 16th.  Both Papa's were able to come to Connor's on Monday and both Nana's joined us for Elli's on Tuesday!  Both kids did an excellent job and sang so nicely on stage!  We were so proud of them!

 See that girl in red next to Connor?  That's Stella….his current crush!

 Elli's program…..

 When Elli walked on stage, Connor yelled 'Sissy, I'll see you after the show, ok."  Ha….it was so funny (he looks so old in the above picture).

I loved watching their programs!!

SANTA

I took the kids to see Santa last Friday at the mall.  

Not sure what is going on here, but I thought it was funny.  Look at Miss Attitude on the right!

 Emery did great!  Didn't cry at all!!

Elli asked for a Dorthy costume and Connor asked for a tin man costume.  This is a newer gift they are asking for (ugh).  I told Elli that for Christmas I wanted to sleep through the night, but of course she forgot to ask him for that!!

4 Months

Emery Rose, 

You are so incredibly sweet!  We seemed to have finally gotten past your fussy period and we are no longer experiencing your 'witching hour' in the evening!!  I can't believe you are already 4 months old (ok, so really you are close to turning 5 months….I'm a little late in posting this)…..the past 4 months have flown by!!  

 You are really starting to play with your toys!  You love your Sophie, rattles, and basically anything that makes noise and anything you can put in your mouth.  You always have something in your mouth and really enjoy chewing on your hands.  You like your playmat and exersaucer, but only like to do them for 10ish minutes.  You always want one of us around and love to be held!

Your sleeping is still inconsistent.  I am no longer nursing you during the night, but usually do early in the morning.  We usually have to stick your pacifier back in your mouth a few times during the night.  We've had to let you 'cry it out' on various occasions….this seems to be harder this time around.  You've been going to bed between 8:00 and 9:00.  You can go 9 to 10 hours without being fed!  Your naps are extremely inconsistent.  You used to give me a good solid 3 hour nap in the afternoon, but lately it seems that you've been taking multiple 45 minute naps during the day.  You can roll from your belly to your back, but not yet from your back to your belly.  You usually wake up with your roll from your belly to back at night.  

You love, love, love your pacifier and always want it when you sleep!

 You seem to be experiencing stranger anxiety and have since about 3 months.  You tend to get fussy around people other than Daddy, Elli, Connor and I.  You are most content at home with us (this is exactly how your brother is).  Your siblings love you so much.  They already have a few nicknames for you.  They usually call you 'Emmy,' but Connor has really started to call you 'Emo-fimo.' (not sure where he got that??)

 You received 5 vaccinations this month and did awesome with the shots.  You cried for about 2 seconds and then stopped as soon as I picked you up!  What a brave girl!!

 You still have your hernia, but we're hoping it'll go away within the next year or so.  You are only going #2 about once a week.  Because of your hernia, the dr. wants you going more.  You don't like juice….we've tried pear, apple and prune to get things moving.  But I've been able to get some down you using a syringe.

 We started rice cereal and oatmeal a week and a half ago.  I was going to hold off until you were 6 months, but the dr. is hoping some of the fruits and veggies will get you more regular.  You don't seem to mind the oatmeal, but haven't exactly mastered eating with the spoon.

 You do not like your carseat….not one bit.  Hopefully one day you'll enjoy it better….otherwise the furthest we'll be traveling from our house is to and from school :)

Happy 4 months sweet girl!  I know I've said this before, but you are the sweetest surprise we've ever received and a surprise you were!!!!

Thanksgiving

 We headed home for Thanksgiving on Wednesday and got off to a little earlier start than we had anticipated.  Connor told us he was not tired and would not sleep in the car.  A few minutes later and we found him like this….passed out….

We spent Wednesday evening at my parents house and Santa made a special visit for the 6 Brauchler grandkids.  Connor sprinted back to the bedroom as soon as he walked in, but then was brave enough to come out with Nana Lindvall.  Elli was quick to sit on his lap and tell him she wanted an Elsa doll that sings.  

 Connor told him he wanted a Toothless (from How to Train Your Dragon…..he has also said he's wanted 1.5 million other things….he thinks Santa is a miracle worker and can just get whatever he wants at the last minute!!)

 Emery was unamused!  These days she seems to have quite a bit of stranger anxiety (family be ready for Christmas), so we were very surprised that she didn't seem to mind sitting on his lap).

 All 6 kids….Avery and Maddy weren't very happy about being near Santa.

 We spent Thursday at my parents house for Thanksgiving.  These days we aren't able to travel all over to various Thanksgivings like we used to.  Making the 3 hour trip home, hour trip to Indy, and 3 hour trip back home with the kids in just a few short days is about all the kids can handle.

Picture in front of the Christmas tree for Mom and Dad's Christmas card….

 This sweet girl on her first Thanksgiving!!

Amber, Mom and I did our annual Black Friday shopping trip on Friday.  This was my first night away from Emery (we headed down to Indy on Thursday night). We started around 4am and we were done before 12 or 1.  Scott spent the day at Nana and Papa Lindvalls' house.  Friday evening, Scott and I went on a double date to go see Dumb and Dumber 2.

On Saturday, we spent the day in Noblesville for the Lindvall Thanksgiving.  We left from there to head back to Ohio and got home around 8:30.  I'm not sure who was more tired when we got home….the kids or us!  Emery didn't sleep well when we were home (and she wasn't even sleeping well here at our house) and the kids were exhausted from skipping naps and playing with their cousins for 3 straight days.  

Despite being unbelievably tired, we had a great few days celebrating Thanksgiving!