So long 2012.

After a whirlwind Christmas season, we were ready to hunker down for NYE. I've always thought Dec. 31 plans were overrated anyway. With a neighborhood gathering, we went around the corner for a few hours of food and fun, and were home in bed by 11pm. Couldn't be happier watching the ball drop with two bugs snug in rugs down the hall, and in my own pajamas.

2012 brought us sweet Scarlet. And it had to be better than 2011. That year was a beast and we rarely speak of it.

Looking forward to a new year. Love that fresh feeling January 1 brings. And the pork and sauerkraut!

A few pics from the evening. Emerson and Luke playing XBox, despite the background mayhem. Em taking on a new opponent with Jason A. And an NYE family photo!

Christmas Concert 2012

Emerson and his preschool class sang Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, this year. It's a little long, but worth the 5 minutes if you love children, singing, and Jesus. It's totally up to you. Emerson is 4th from left!

Sick as dogs.

We're sick. Jason and I have been sicker in the last month, than in the last 2 years combined. From pinkeye, to stomach viruses, to colds, to the latest nasty sore throat/cough, we're in a constant state of disease right now.

I'm really quite mad about it. I work out, take vitamins, eat well, hydrate, get vaccines, and get plenty of sleep. There's no reason I should be sick. Except for one thing. The constant exposure to germs by way of preschool/daycare. When you do the math, and how each child is exposed to other children at home, who are then exposed to all the other children at school, who then interact with parents...it's a petri dish. I practically shower in Purell...still sick.

We sucked it up and headed to Toledo this past weekend for an extended Zielinski family get-together, and exchange with Jason's parents and nieces and nephew. I don't have any photos. Know why? I feel like poo. Photo opps weren't top of mind for me. Breathing was.

Somehow, Scarlet and Emerson have stayed mostly healthy (knocking on wood with crossed fingers right now). It's Monday. We've been sick for almost a week. We HAVE to feel better by the weekend, right?

You know how when people are sick, they want their mothers, right? Well, I do. I want my Mom to come to my house, make me chicken noodle soup, tuck me in to bed, then take care of my kids, help me with laundry, and then come feel my forehead with a worried look. And then I want her to say "No more coughing! Just stop that coughing!" Because that's what she did, and that's what she would do.

Making lists...

Can it really be the middle of December? We've had Christmas parties and events every weekend this month, and have many more to come! We even squeezed in a family photo shoot. We have some photos scheduled for the winter/springtime, but I totally panicked that we weren't going to have a good holiday card for Scarlet's first Christmas! And a good friend emailed saying she couldn't wait to see what photos our Christmas card would have this year. Cr@p. Thanks for the motivation, Sara! Check your mailbox!

Generally, we're feeling a bit over scheduled with all the holiday festivities (as well as an out-of-state wedding thrown into the mix). We cherish our weekends at home with the kids, just lounging, hanging out, watching movies, cooking, etc. So when we're constantly on the go, we get a little wonky. We enjoy the festivities, but miss the down time, this time of year. Nonetheless, we're so excited for Scarlet's first Christmas. And Emerson is at a really fun age with Santa, the Elf, and shopping for others. He also is absorbing so much this year with the advent calendar and nativity.

Scarlet, true to form...sleeping soundly. This was around 8am on a Saturday morning. Bless her heart!



We started our homemade ornaments that we make every year. Emerson LOVED the craft this year, so much so, that we doubled the number we normally make. This year, everyone gets an ornament!

Here's what Jason did while we were making ornaments. He's fixed the fridge 5 times in as many months. He recently did the permanent fix with a new part. I love his ability and interest in taking things apart! And so does my wallet.

"Mom, let's do more!" How I love this sweet boy.

Concentrating.

Observing, and patiently waiting her turn for the reverse side.

We're well into solid foods with cereal, fruits, and a few veggies. This was her first try of squash.

You wouldn't know by this face, but she gobbles down everything.

Flying.

Ornery. This face reminds me a lot of Em at this age.

Our sweet little girl.

 

Doing so much! Can reach out and grab items. Immediately pulling everything to her mouth.

  

With all the festivities, we've needed sitters a little more often than usual.
Here's Emerson and Scarlet with Auntie Jeeka making homemade pizzas.

 

And Emerson with Poppy watching a movie. Thankful for the help, and the extra time the kids get to spend with them!

I spent a night last week wrapping presents until 12:30am. I didn't have to. I wanted to. It will ensure that I can finish up shopping and wrapping, and enjoy the details. Have to check stuff off the lists! I like lists. My lists have lists. I just know what I need to do to make my life a little more organized. I enjoy the holidays when I'm not crazy with "to-do's." For me, lists get me there. Basically, organization keeps me sane. Don't ask Jason what I'm like when I'm feeling disorganized. Think Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest.

St. Nicholas and Dimple the Elf

Looks like we had a busy house last night after everyone went to bed! St. Nicholas left the kids treats in their shoes. And Dimple the Elf was busy making snowflake decorations!

 

Wildlights...are callin'.

An annual tradition we had to squeeze in a little early this year, included Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo. We try to get there every year, and it seemed especially important this year, given Emerson's obsession of all things Christmas lights. And with the warmer weather earlier this week, we even snuck in a weeknight visit! As weekends fill up with Christmas parties and other obligations, we need to take advantage of all hours! I'm even thinking about wrapping Christmas gifts tonight, seriously.

 

We met up with some friends and neighbors, including Emerson's buddies, Luke and Noah. Apparently everyone noticed the temperature, because it was crowded! Emerson tried once to wander off with a pack of blonde children from another family, but Jason and I decided we should probably keep him.

 

So excited! (We were even too layered here...it was warm!)

And one w. Dad!

Emerson and buddies...watching the funny-faced fish.

See that bag of popcorn that Noah is holding? Emerson ate 3/4 of it.
Then had half of another bag on the way home.

And this is why Scarlet isn't in the other pictures. This is what she did the entire time.

4 months of Scarlet

Our dear Scarlet continues to amaze us.

At her 4-month well check at the pediatrician, she weighed in at 17 lbs and 27 inches. Both of which put her in the 97+ percentile. This keeps her at the same pace as her big brother. They start big, and they stay big.

Just 2 nights ago, she rolled from back to front for the first time. She'd been very close for a while, and finally got enough giddy up to get clear over. I swear sometimes it looks like she's going to take off crawling. In reality, this may not be so far off. Em crawled at 5.5 months.

I love to dress this sweet girl. And it helps that she looks cute in everything. The tiny leggings and tights, and sweet little dresses are such a welcome addition to my laundry.

She sleeps like the baby grizzly she is. Down at 7:30pm, and sleeps solid for 11-12 hours each night. We're quite lucky this way.

She's loving school. She lights up when her teachers greet her in the mornings, and she's fascinated with her little friends. I miss her face during the day, but feel fortunate to have great providers that keep her happy and well cared for.

She watches her big brother and everything he does. He knows this, and will often stop midway with whatever he's doing and chit chat with her. "Scarlet, did you know it's almost Christmastime? Isn't that cool?"

She's a crowd pleaser. She gives up a smile quite easily, and has a coy, little flirt she does where she smiles and turns away slightly.

She's a talker. Again, much like her big bro. She's obsessed with ceiling fans and has lengthy conversations with them. This makes us believe she'll be a helicopter pilot. Or possibly just sell fans at Lowe's.

All smiles on Thanksgiving.

 

Sibling time in the morning.

 

Tired before the photo shoot began!

 

Just hangin' out. Notice the wrist. Or lack thereof.

 

This is the face of a little girl who can roll over!

 

Butterballs.

Who doesn't love a 4-day weekend!?!? These are so rare, that we make the absolute most of them. Jason and I spent Friday night knocking out some laundry and food prep so we could enjoy the holiday weekend that much more. We woke up Thursday morning, and the cooking continued, as we prepared to head to Lancaster for the Lineberger gathering. 

 

Emerson, Scarlet, and I watching the parade at home.

One of my two turkeys.

We spent Thursday in Lancaster, watched the rest of the parade, ate plenty of good food, watched football, and then topped it off with dessert! It was nice enough to even play outside and walk off a little gravy as we chased Emerson in the Jeep! And there's so much we are thankful for. Not just this Thursday in November, but every day.

My other turkey with her Poppy.

A boy and his Uncle.

Great Aunt Norma, Grandma Flowers, and GG...post meal.

Look at my little angel! The light around this girl amazes me.

Friday at home meant we had lots of time to decorate. The tree is up, outside lights and wreathes are complete, and our hearth is decorated and warm. Perfect night for The Wizard of Oz! Emerson has a fascination with tornados, and watched every second.

The true weekend was just getting started when we headed to Toledo Saturday morning for a post-Thanksgiving gathering with the Zielinskis. This was our first trip in the new car that was more than a half hour. Turns out, the DVD player wasn't even  used, since this is what Emerson did the entire trip.

The middle row of seats was perfect for me to hang with Scarlet, for the little bit of time she was awake.

 

She can get toys to her mouth now...and chews on them, and her fists and fingers regularly! Check out those Michelin arms!

 

We got to Toledo just before the OSU vs. Michican game started...

 



This is what the boys look like after Michigan scores.

Cousins.

And this is how we celebrate a win!

The weekends are escaping me in the holiday frenzy. So much to do...so little time. Yes it really is the most wonderful time of the year. I just need an extra weekend in the middle, that no one knows about, to prepare for it.

Sibling love.

In the mornings, we all end up in our bed. Scarlet is usually up a little before Em, and when he wakes, he joins us. Yesterday morning, Em cuddled up and laid his head on Scarlet's belly. She promptly grabbed onto his moptop with both hands and started pulling. Em found this hilarious! He kept going back for more! Love the love.

Welcome to the long weekend!

We are so ready for the long weekend. Of course, who isn't? I've been back to work for 5 weeks now, and while things are going quite well, we all need a little down time. We've also been dealing with battle of the illnesses among the four of us, so looking forward to some extra sleep to help get us all back to healthy. And I always look forward to gobs of mashed potatoes, fill-in-the-blank casserole, making gravy with Grandma, and the parade. God Bless the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! It's one of my favorite holiday traditions.



 

"Come here, Emerson, I just want a little nibble."

 

"Ahhhhh! She's scratching me!"
I swear to all that's good in this world, I will continue trying to get this photo.

Just hangin' out one warm, sunny afternoon.

Thumb-love.

Blankie-love.

Rough day at the office! (This pic was taken at 6:30pm...this is how she stayed until 7am.)

Ohp! Wasn't ready for this picture!

Sooo close to rolling over. I didn't tell her that her brother did it when he was just 10 weeks old.
(She'll be 18 weeks on Monday.)