A White Christmas!

We just returned from a wonderful Christmas in Texas! We spent the first weekend in Canyon with Jonathan's family. Jonathan and I got to go to a Chris Tomlin concert with some friends which was amazing. Jenna Grace got to come along with us and Anna Kate got to spend some quality time with her Nana and Abba at home. We got to spend lots of time with family and friends then celebrated at the Lairs' Christmas party on Saturday night. Jenna Grace made a short debut at the party then napped through the rest of it. We thought Anna Kate would be overwhelmed by all the people but she was the life of the party. She ran around the house as if it were her party. She cracks me up! What a sweet little girl!

On Sunday night, we hopped on a plane and flew south to Dallas to be with my family. We stayed at my sister and brother in law's new house in Richardson and they were excellent hosts despite Jenna's milky spit ups and Anna's ability to spread Cheerios and goldfish in a 6 foot radius around where she is eating! The girls had so much fun being loved on by Bobby (GranJan's new name), Papa, and her aunts and uncles. Jonathan and I loved relaxing, playing Rock Band (yes, I played the bass!) and watching movies with our family. On Christmas Eve, we were surprised by snow falling and then sticking! So we woke up to a white Christmas in Dallas! The day after Christmas we headed home with some tears but happy hearts. What a fun Christmas...more pictures to come!

Anna Kate's ABCs

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Daddy and Mommy who?

Though Anna Kate grows in her vocabulary every day, her favorite words are by far Mommy and Daddy. Since she is forced to express herself with her limited word choices, lots of things become Mommy and Daddy. For instance, Diego's cousin Alicia in her coloring book is deemed Mommy. She brings me the coloring book and asks Mommy? Mommy? until we get to that page. Ooh Mommy!



And today as we were setting up the nativity scene, she spotted the three wisemen and picked them up saying Daddy, Daddy. Apparently, Joseph did not make the cut for Daddy...only the three wisemen.



Oh the mind of a toddler!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our family of four trekked to Amarillo, Texas for the week of Thanksgiving! Jenna Grace made her first Southwest flight (the first of many...I am sure) and only gave Mommy one diaper explosion and one large spit up. Thankfully, this Mommy has made enough plane trips to know to pack an extra set of clothes for baby and Mommy. Anna Kate was an absolute joy to travel with as she sat on Daddy's lap and looked out the window for most of the flight. She knows the routine too well because as soon as the flight attendant came around to check seatbelts before takeoff, she started asking BUP? and JEEWS? (translation: cup and juice). We had to explain to her that snacks and juice don't come until after we are up in the air. Her favorite thing to do right now is sing the ABCs and count to ten, so we had many of these repetitions as we traveled. Surely our fellow passengers enjoyed every moment!

Anna Kate now recognizes and calls for her Nana and Abba so it was so sweet as she woke up in the morning to hear her ask Nana? and then run out to see her. She knows the colors yellow (wellow) and pink (peeps) and most animal sounds so it is interesting to see what she notices in the world around her. We loved the cooler weather in the Panhandle as we got to wear coats...not a typical experience here in SoCal.

Jenna Grace will be 3 months tomorrow and has made the transition from newborn to baby. She smiles and says A Goo with a chuckle every now and then bestowed to her big sister. Her daytime schedule has settled into a routine and her gassiness has improved tremendously. She is still working up to sleeping through the night consistently but we love the 8 hours we get here and there. Her favorite spot is a blanket on the floor where she can be in the middle of the action and Anna Kate brings her toys. Jenna kicks her little legs and loves watching everyone move around her.

We are so looking forward to Christmas and wish you and your family a very happy holiday season as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Pumpkin Patch

Several weeks ago we visited a pumpkin patch. Jenna Grace slept through most of the trip, but Anna Kate loved it. However, we were lacking the fall weather as you can tell by our sweaty faces!

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Welcome to Anna Kate's Kitchen

Anna Kate got a new kitchen from both sets of grandparents for her birthday. These are pics from when she first saw it. Now it has become a regular in our playtime lineup. Her favorite things to cook are macaroni and cheese and tea.

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Smiling Jenna Grace

Jenna Grace smiles, coos, and charms just about anyone she meets. What a sweet baby we have!

She is now sleeping through the night which makes for very happy mommy! She is still having some tummy trouble with gas but every day gets better and better. We enjoyed visits from both of my sisters and one brother in law, Jonathan's sister, and my parents recently. What a treat!

We can't wait to travel to Amarillo for Thanksgiving for Jenna Grace to meet some more family and friends! Look for us there!

Happy 2nd Birthday Anna Kate!

 

Our sweet Anna Kate

photography by robin lair cook

Jenna Grace at 1 month

photo courtesy of robin lair cook

Our First Week

Once Jonathan's mom left on Sunday, we jumped into our first week as a family of four. When Jonathan left for work on Monday, I had a few tears thinking about a day on my own with both girls. But it has been so peaceful and full of grace from God to enjoy each moment at home. I am so thankful! Here are some pics from our first week at home.



Anna Kate catching up with friends on the phone



Sleeping cozy on the couch







Have paci and blanket...will travel



Quality Daddy time



The bouncy chair...her favorite place to sleep!

Two Little Bows

First Bath

Our Amazing Moms

I am beyond thankful for our amazing moms! GranJan and Nana kept our house clean, loved on Anna Kate, held baby Jenna, fixed every meal, and provided emotional support to my post partum self. They are truly amazing! Thank you for everything you did to make our recovery time so smooth. We love you!

Big Sister!

Jenna Grace Lair

Jenna Grace Lair arrived September 1 at 7:37am. After a short labor during the night, Suzanne delivered a healthy and happy little girl weighing 8lbs 11oz. We are settling in at home and enjoying both of our little girls!

Countdown to Jenna

The countdown to Jenna is on! With 10 days until my due date, we are looking forward to the birth of our second daughter. I am slightly dilated and having some minor contractions every now and then, so we know this little girl is on her way. If we do not go into labor before the due date, we will be induced on September 10th. Our parents have booked their flights and the bassinet is all put together...come on baby Jenna!

A little babymoon

While Mommy and Daddy took a couple days away at a church conference in Orlando, Anna Kate got to stay with Ab and Nana in Canyon and have some special time with her grandparents! She had a great time and loved being the apple of her grandparents' eyes. While she was there, she got to visit with Aunt Robin, Great Grandma, and Aunt Susie. What a treat! She is already excited to do it again.

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Dancing with Daddy

As we enjoyed an outdoor concert at a neighborhood park recently, Jonathan and Anna Kate took some time to dance!

Preparing for Baby Jenna

Anna Kate has been such a big help preparing for Baby Jenna. First she tested out many of the new items we have received for her new sister. She especially loves the pacis! She practices giving her baby doll her own paci too. Then as we put new batteries in the bouncy seat, Anna Kate demonstrated her skills with a screwdriver. Where did she learn that one? Now anytime we take things for Jenna out of the garage, Anna will say baby, baby. I think she is really ready to be a big sister.

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Catching up...

While Anna Kate is in the bathtub (aka her inside pool because she lays down and swims in it), I am trying to catch up on this blog. We will see how far we get today! First once we returned home from Texas and Jonathan got back from Costa Rica, we were surprised with a harvest of bounty from his garden. Anna Kate and I harvested another big batch of produce on our own as we hit three stores in one morning. She and I were both worn out!

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California Girls

We are back at home and glad to be in cooler weather! Even so, the warm Cali temps keep this pregnant momma in the shade, in the pool, or indoors with the A/c blowing. Here are the rest of our pics from our time in Texas!



This little stroller is her new favorite toy at Target. She pushed it around the whole store. Just getting ready to help with Jenna Grace!



Anna Kate loved that spray park! Wish we had one here!



Eating bbq at Rudy's in Waco and enjoying a little of Baylor campus.



Enjoying her free Slurpee from 7-11 on July 11. By the way, this is the first and only ponytail she has left in her hair for longer than 30 seconds!



Anna Kate was a trooper with all our time spent in the car...



and in her pack n play...



but it was not always all smiles!



Grandpa helping her eat raisins...her new favorite food.



Our last night in Austin eating dinner at Cheddar's (yum!). Enjoying double fisting her french fries (don't tell Daddy!) and time with GranJan and Grandpa. We had so much fun and can't wait to see you again soon...next time with Jenna!