The Goose is Getting Fat

So, we thought since we've introduced our darling girl into the world and since it is her very first Christmas, we should start making some wonderful family traditions.  What better a tradition than to be able to go Christmas tree shopping and chop down our own tree?!

We headed out to a Christmas tree farm.  We grabbed a sled and a saw.  (The sled was to pull the tree back in.)  We got our photo taken at the Christmas tree:

That's Kate in there!

And then we looked at the cost of the trees we liked and decided that we would hold off on the chopping of the tree tradition until Kate really wanted to do so.  Plus, it was cold.

We did, however, stop and get a fantastic tree at Meijer's and decorated it:

The star is no longer crooked...

We also put a little tree in Kate's room.  This was the tree that we set up at the condo that we lived in on W. 5th Avenue BK (that's Before Kate).  We're sure this will become a tradition.

Kate's tree. ♥

The holidays are rapidly approaching, and at the risk of photo overloading you and this post, we have also been stuffing and sending this year's holiday card:

Quite an acrobatic bunch, aren't we?!

Do you recognize that image of Jack?!  The build up isn't nearly as dramatic as it has been in year's past, but we hope that we did not let you down with this year's holiday wishes!

Here's to gearing up for the holidays!  Merry Christmas!

Poop Defies Gravity

So does pee, if you want to get technical, but not nearly to the extent that poop does.  We've learned both of these facts the hard way.

Now, I don't know about you, but I was taught that gravity pulls objects toward the Earth.  At least on our planet it does.  That is, unless your object happens to be poop or pee from your new baby girl.

Our sweet Kate had a massive poop out while I was burping her.  And when I say "massive" I mean there was maybe a dot of poo in her diaper.  The rest was entirely up her back, covering her clothes, and on me.  And I still have not figured out how it was possible.  My only conclusion thus far is my belief that Sir Newton may not have considered poo when he developed the Law of Universal Gravitation because if he did he would certainly have expected said poo to travel down, not up and out.

And speaking of gravity, while I was changing Kate's diaper the cool, fresh air must've signaled "go time" because our darling girl decided it was time to go to the bathroom.  (Number one, that is.)  Except going to the bathroom did not entail peeing into her open diaper.  No.  It was analogous to a geyser.  Her pee shot straight up in the air, covering her, her diaper, the changing pad cover, the changing pad, and the wall.  It all happened so fast!  (By the way, Brian, we need to wash the pee off of the wall behind the dresser...)  I was fortunately spared this time.  But, once again, I was left baffled at the force behind such excretion.

Poop [and pee] defy gravity.  I have witnessed it first hand.  I have warned Brian about this and I have seriously considered writing to the accredited scientific society that would overturn or at least make an exception to Mr. Isaac's studies.

I suppose I will hold off on my letter until I have photographic or video evidence, but at that point I don't think anyone will want to see/watch my scientific evidence anyway, so let this be a lesson learned - don't let gravity fool you.  There are some exceptions to the law.

Father Christmas

Kate, meet Santa.  Santa, meet Kate.

We can assure you, Santa, that Kate
has been a very good girl!

Today we met up with three of Kate's cousins - Gina, Courtney, and Wyatt - for a Breakfast with Santa.  There is a church that hosts this breakfast each year where the kiddos get to meet and have their picture taken with Santa, play lots of reindeer Christmas games, see a little puppet show, and get into the festive spirit.  This was Kate's very first visit to meet Mr. Clause and we must make this a tradition!  It was so much fun!

Our family of three and our first breakfast with Santa!

In addition, we received our Baby's first photos from the holiday photo shoot that we had a couple of weeks ago (Thanks, Katy!!):

Our little angel.

She is such a sweetheart!

Our Christmas is going to be so extra special this year!  (Because of Kate, not Santa, that is...)

The Lineup

We had a reunion with our child birthing class tonight at the home of our teacher now that all the little one's have been born!  (It took me three hours to cut up vegetables for our vegetable tray and Jack ate the Olive Penguins that I had started to make while I was tending to Kate.  I will probably never try to make them again...and I will also probably just buy a pre-cut vegetable tray for our next soiree.)

Now that's a nice looking class!

We talked about our babies and our labors and deliveries and enjoyed some delicious food and wonderful company.  We also lined all of the sweet babies up on the couch to snap a quick photo.  What resulted was pure comedy:

Brian's view.
Kate is in the pink dress.

Erin's view.
She was such a darling!

She was not quite sure what to think of the whole thing,
but she was so sweet sitting there.

It was really nice to see everyone and meet their new additions after spending five weeks in class with them!

Congratulations to all the new Mommies and Daddies, and Happy Holidays!

The Elusive Hippo

Kate wonders why her parents insist on hanging blue hippopotamuses above her head.

"Why, if that thing falls on me..."

As if being toted around in a carrier seat isn't enough...

Guess What Time It Is!!

HINT: This is a jerry-rigged photo studio.
Yes, our paper towel holder doubles as our
light source.  And, yes, that is a painter's light.

If you guessed it's time for our annual Christmas card photo shoot, then you guessed right!!  Yep, we are currently working on this year's masterpiece and we are very excited to include a new prop our sweet baby girl!!  (I meant that in the sincerest of terms, Kate...)

For your viewing pleasure, here is last year's holiday card and cards from years past and a sneak peek for this year's card:

Jack *loves* this time of year!

Happy Holidays!

He's Baaack!

I would tell you, but you wouldn't believe me...

...So I will show you:

Matt came back into town.  He loves him
some Buckeyes...and chili dogs...and
extremely short trips to the states as seen
here and here and here and now this post.

He had never attended an OSU vs. Michigan game and
both Brian and he decided what better game than Urban's
first season and the very last game of the Buckeye's
so far undefeated season.

Meanwhile, Kate supported her Daddy and
his Buckeye's from home with her
Mommy, who, unfortunately, did not don
any scarlet and gray that day...

They chose a good one.  They were both
able to revel in the glory of the Buckeye's
defeating the Wolverine's in the 12-0
victorious first season coached by
Urban Meyer. 

I don't think this is a game that either will forget anytime soon!  Thanks for making the trip, Matt!

This Year's Prize Turkey

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with a stop at Brian's Dad's and a stop at Brian's Aunt's.  We had a double dose of turkey!  Kate was such an angel at both places and slept soundly in everyone's arms!

Courtney, Kate's cousin, put it perfectly - who is this year's prize turkey?!  Why, Baby Kate, of course!

Our first Thanksgiving together!

We have so much to be thankful for this year, but Kate certainly tops our list!

Happy Thanksgiving from our turkey family to yours!

Theme Songs

I come up with some pretty random things in the middle of the night.  This is one of them.  Last night I was overcome with the desire to list our current theme songs. 

What in the world, you ask?

Well, our current theme songs are those that are playing in our individual heads throughout the day and night.  No one else can hear them, but they capture the emotion/moment/melody of our current life or the happenings in our life.  Each one of us has our own song, currently, but it is very possible to have a family theme song.

On November 20, 2012, these are our current theme songs:

Brian's current theme song is I Don't Give a Damn For the Whole State of Michigan - with the looming OSU football game this weekend against archrival University of Michigan, Brian sees only in scarlet and gray.

Erin's current theme song is Dream by Priscilla Ahn - this melodic myriad of emotions captures the wide spectrum of emotions that she is currently experiencing.

Kate's current theme song is No Sleep Till Brooklyn by the Beastie Boys - our sweet little girlie has been pretty consistent at giving us four to seven hour chunks of sleep since we returned from the hospital; however the last couple nights have been more like two hour chunks...

Bun's current theme song is Another One Bites the Dust by Queen - for Bun knows all to well what happens when another member is added to the family.  I actually think Bun is singing this song to Jack...

Jack's current theme song is the acoustic version of As Long As You Love Me by Justin Bieber - Jack is still working out where he fits into the mix with a new family of three.  We are working together together to make sure he knows that no matter what we still love him.

We are quite a musically diverse bunch, I tell ya!  Now I wonder how long theme songs last...

Scrub a Dub-Dub

Kate's first time in the tub!

Kate's umbilical cord came off on Monday.  I found it plastered to her leg with poop that exploded from her diaper, so we didn't save it.  But we did give her her very first bath and got her smelling so fresh and so clean, clean!

Daddy is very daring holding that naked butt
with no protection!

Testing the water temperature, sans baby.

Kate's not too sure what to think of this contraption.

And decides to watch with only one eye open.

Mommy assures her all will be well!

And makes sure all her bits are clean!

Uh-oh...our one and only crisis moment.

Phew!  Crisis averted.

Warm, snuggly, and clean after our first bath!   ♥