Evie at Three Months

This little cutie is the Sweetest Baby in the World--we tell her so all the time, and we all believe it!

At three months, she is holding her head up without any uncertainty, not needing as many feedings, and letting out funny little laughs that make us all act like complete morons to get more out of her. She is my first baby to truly hate tummy time. The others had short attention spans on their stomach, but she cries as soon as I put her on her tummy. Then Isaac comes over and tells her how good exercise is for her, and how strong she's going to get when she keeps it up. In case you were wondering, the pep talk never helps.

She loves Isaac and Claire, patiently puts up with their attention, but prefers Mama and Daddy. We do have a bit more experience with babies. She loves hanging out with us (ie, she must be held nearly constantly), which is fine, because we love being with her! Happy 3 months, baby girl!

More Christmas

While the rest of us were lolling around drinking coffee and relaxing, Allie showed us up by being all productive. I expect to see that scarf in my stocking for next year! :)

Dad and Claire testing out the bean bags a bit more...

Isaac with the guitar that Uncle AJ and Aunt Julie gave him. Probably the biggest hit of the day. Between that and the cowboy hat from Papa and Noni, Isaac has been the spitting image of Garth Brooks lately. Hmmm. At least he's thrilled with himself--yesterday he said, "This is the BEST music I've ever heard in my entire LIFE!"

Indeed.

Christmas 2010

Evie getting ready for the Christmas Eve service. I didn't get a very good picture of him with all the dark lighting, but she was so cute in her little hat! We kept all the kids in for the candlelight service, and they did so well. Except for the part where Isaac pointed out a woman who, in his words, "She eats too much food!" Par for the course around here, and fortunately she didn't notice. Distractions aside, the service was wonderful.

Christmas morning at the Whitakers is a long, drawn-out affair. I came out of my room at 7:30 to the sight of two little munchkins parked in front of the tree, basking in the glow of the lights. Just like we did as kids...

They were so excited to have a "big party for Jesus' birthday!" And, as Isaac commented, "Jesus isn't selfish--he gives all the presents to us!" Aside from the selfishness inherent in that comment, he spoke a lot of truth. Vance read 2 Cor 8:9 to us after the story of Jesus' birth: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."

After sticky buns and scrambled eggs and fresh-squeezed orange juice, we read the Christmas story and sang a carol. Then it was on to the presents. Isaac and Claire were a little overwhelmed with excitement at first, but they settled down and really enjoyed the whole process. The blocks were a big hit.

So were the bean bags (that I made), and the cornhole board (that Dad made). He had a lady in his church paint it--isn't that adorable?! It ended up being the gift that children of ALL ages could play. Meaning, of course, that we adults commandeered it for an evening of competitive beanbagging :).

Let Claire Eat Cake!

The (violently purple) Cake

Listening to us sing Happy Birthday, and staring at her beloved...

Eating all the icing off the tail...

Papa decided she wasn't messy enough.

Claire is Three!

Yesterday, Claire turned three! Little Miss "All By Myself" is growing up so fast. She is a nurturing little mama to Evie and her baby dolls, an independent little lady, an opinionated drama queen, and our very sweet little girl. She is saying so many cute things these days, and keeps us laughing up our sleeves at the dinner table.

Lately one of her favorite songs is "Glorious and Mighty"....real words are on the right:

Glorious and Mighty Glorious and Mighty
You're Sovereign in Cuuuuties You're awesome in beauty
Greatly to be Raised Greatly to be praised

Claire has no problem keeping up with Isaac these days...in fact, he depends on her to find missing toys, open packages, and attend to other activities which require patience and fine motor skills. She loves to dispense the morning vitamin, oversee any cooking, play playdoh, and sing loudly and with exaggerated vibrato. She thinks she is fifteen already, and takes her little responsibilities very seriously.

Since Papa Dan, Deonni, and Aunt Allie were here for Christmas, she got to celebrate in style (even though we're waiting a couple of weeks after Christmas for party/presents). Aunt Allie took her to see her first movie in the theater (Tangled), which she greatly enjoyed. She chose asparagus and macaroni and cheese for her birthday dinner, and a purple kitty cat cake--which she has been dreaming about for months. It is so fun to celebrate you, sweet Claire, because we love you so much! Happy Birthday!

Vignettes

I have so many little conversations with the kids stored up in my head, but as said object is less than reliable, I realized I needed to save these stories for later. I might need them :)

* * *

Today, in the car:

Claire: When I grow up, I want to be Cinder-lella.
Isaac: Princesses like beautiful things. They like to live in beautiful castles, and have beautiful pink tulips, and beautiful purple tulips.
Me: Wow, Isaac, you know a lot about princesses. How did you learn so much about princesses?
Isaac: That's just the way God made me!

* * *

At dinner with friends, when Claire returned to the dining room with both legs stuck in one side of her culottes (yes, my daughter has culottes. Crazy.)

Me, picking her up to show the other girls: Look what Claire did!
Everyone chuckles, and as I set Claire down, she starts wailing.
Me: Honey, what happened? Did you hit your head on the table when I set you down?
Claire, still sobbing: Don't be laughing at me!

In that moment, I realized two things: 1) My girl is growing up so fast--I can't believe how self-aware she is, and 2) I have a GIRL. And if her hormones are like this at 2, I have a lot to look forward to in the teenage years. Hang on to your hats...

* * *

At Wal-Mart, checking out. At the time of this story, I was 9 months pregnant, and the cashier was also very round, but very NOT pregnant.

Isaac, looking at the cashier: When is your baby coming?

Note: At this point in the story (the point at which my heart hits my stomach), I notice that the cashier does not yet realize that Isaac is talking about her. I have two options: 1) ignore Isaac's comment, and hope that he does not say it louder, or 2) play the comment off as referring to me. I choose option 2.

Me, laughing: Our baby will be here soon, sweetie! In just a couple of weeks!
Isaac: Not your baby, Mama! HER baby! (as he points to the cashier)

At this point, the smile dissolves from the cashier's face, and she finishes checking out my items in silence. I can think of nothing to say that will help, and lamely wish her a nice day and run off as soon as I have paid.

* * *

At our house, where we are hosting a cookout for Vance's lab. About 15 people are here, gathered and ready to eat. It would be helpful to note that, in our reading of On the Shores of Silver Lake the previous day, Isaac asked me what "drunk" was. We had an enlightening discussion on the sin of dissipation. Vance had just finished blessing the food, when Isaac, ever the gracious host, pipes up with his announcements for the guests.

Isaac: The beer is in the cooler by the fridge! You can only have ONE at a TIME! If you have too many, you will get DRUNK! Don't do that, you will LOSE your PRIVILEGES!!!

(Everyone laughed. But was it coincidence that only half a dozen beers were consumed that evening?)

All I want for Christmas is a social filter for my son. :)

Evie at 2 Months

(because my blog is also my baby book)

Length: 24 in (95%)
Weight: 12 lbs 11 oz (90%)

Evie's chunking out, just like her sister did. I thought Evie had won the fattest baby prize, but it looks like Claire actually had her by 2 oz at this stage. She is the longest baby, so far. But the best news is that she's happy, healthy, and doing everything a 2 month old should do!

She's so smiley these days, and she LOVES being around people. It's amazing how, if she's crying, I can just go talk to her and touch her (without picking her up), and she will calm down. Isaac and Claire are more than happy to pull out their song-and-dance routine to keep her entertained. Must be nice to have your world completely wrapped around your little finger. Enjoy it while it lasts, little one.