Daddy's Birthday!

We celebrated Craig's birthday this week!  Hannah loved taste testing the frosting and was quite excited to share in the cake!  Daddy got a new book from Hannah and Baby T which I'm sure they'll read over and over again!  We're looking forward to see what blessings this year will bring to Craig and our family!!

15 Months!

Our sweet little Hannah turned 15 months this week.  She weighs 20lbs. 6oz. and is 30 3/4 inches long.  As the doctor said--she's very petite.  Her personality has really started to show and there's not a day that goes by where she doesn't make us laugh...we think she's going to be quite the ham!  She still loves playing with Ike and chasing him around the house...and she loves books.  She's always carrying one around with her wanting to sit on your lap, plug in her thumb, and enjoy the story.  She has her favorites and likes the interactive flip books most of all.  She says a few words here and there, especially Mama, Daddy, and Ike, she knows so many, just hasn't learned the art of stringing them all together yet--once she does we're sure she'll be quite the chatter-box!

A few weeks ago we bought Hannah some new shoes--she walks around on the hardwood floor just to hear the sound that the sole makes (her mommy used to do the same thing when she was little!!).  She won't go anywhere without them on.  It was finally warm enough today to go for a walk around the block--the first one of the year!  We can't wait until it's warm enough for daddy to build a swingset and hang out outside in the warm weather!  The last 15 months have really flown by, and my-oh-my how we love our Hannie!!

 

Sledding!!

It was finally warm enough (and sunny!) to go out and spend some time with Hannah and her new sled.  It was pretty traumatic getting ready in all the gear and she wouldn't walk in her boots...but we made it out.  Ike loved chasing her as mom and dad raced around the yard. 

Merry Christmas to ALL!!

The Night Before Christmas...we read the story and then tucked in our little sweetie in her new nightgown made by Grandma...

Before church on Christmas Eve...

Hannah loved Santa and even gave some pretty good smiles! Christmas morning we enjoyed the luxury of being able to sleep in--the last year for a while, I'm sure! Hannah was delighted with her new market place kitchen and other toys that Santa brought, she was REALLY good this year. She is just so much fun to watch play and 'talk'. We look forward to going to Missouri tomorrow to visit mommy's family, although the nine hour car drive may prove to be a challenge, we'll get there one way or another! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

We put up the Christmas tree last weekend and much to our surprise, Hannah has not bothered it at all. Sure, she points to it and loves to be REALLY close to it, but she hasn't disturbed it. Putting up the tree is one of my favorite parts of Christmas--I love all the ornaments, each with it's own story. Some of them are 33 years old!!
Hannah also enjoyed her first taste of snow this week. It only snowed a little bit at our house, but it was enough for her to want to go out in it. We bought her some snow shoes last night, so when we get enough to play she and Ike can go have some fun! Ike's favorite past time is having snow balls thrown for him--he would be out there for hours if you let him!
Mimi and Papa bought Hannah Elf on a Shelf for her birthday...I thought she might be a little young for it, but she LOVES him! Everyday we ask her where her Elf is and after looking around she points, smiles and waves to him. Of course, we have him send back a wonderful report to Santa so that she can be sure to get everything on her list. And every morning he's in a new part of the house, watching and just waiting to be found!!

Second day down...

A funny story about Hannah's second day at school. She managed to go to sleep during her afternoon nap on her little cot underneath her blanket. She was asleep for about 40 minutes when she woke up, sat up, took off her socks and laid back down for two more hours of sleep. To any of you who know her well, this is no great surprise. Her shoes and socks are the first thing off when she gets into the car and she would much rather walk around barefoot anytime! She ate well and slept well and played well...we'd call that a banner day! Thanks be to God for banner days :)!!

Hannah's first day of 'School'

Today is Hannah's first day at Little Tykes learning center. She joins seven other toddlers and three teachers--Miss Lindsay, Miss Stephanie, and Miss Roberta. She seemed quite interested this morning when I dropped her off--so many new things to see and watch. She is such a nosey little peanut that I'm sure that's why she didn't nap this morning. Just too much to do! She will fit in just fine once she gets used to her new surroundings and friends. They sleep on cots for their naps--all in the same room--like a bunking party everyday. How lucky is she!! Even though it's been a hard morning (for mommy and daddy, too), we're more than halfway through the day and I can only pray that she is sleeping with the rest of them :). Here's a picture of her that they sent me with a cute little e-mail from her. I'll share some others with her new backpack on when I get a chance.

So, we made it through day one. With little to no napping and not much bottle drinking, but we made it none the less. Hannah made some good friends yesterday and took a liking to a little miss Lauryn. When I went to pick her up, they were having snack time--goldfish--how could Hannah not love that? They were all seated in their table with the seats cute out of it...it was precious!! Hannah and Lauryn were sharing goldfish and every once in a while Hannah would touch Lauryn's hair. It was super cute!! They did art projects and played and I praise God she got along with the other kids. All the way home she jabbered about her day and when we got home she went right to playing...she will learn SO much there, even though it was a hard day, I am so thankful that she has a safe. loving place to be!! Dropping her off on day 2 was MUCH easier!!Here's Hannah and her big brother Ike checking out her new book bag!!What a darling little cutie!!!