Oh Chrsitmas Tree!

It's beginning to feel like Christmas around here! We had a smidge of snow this week and on Saturday morning we went and got our first real Christmas tree. I helped pick it out and did a thorough check to make sure there weren't any bunnies in it. Then we strapped it to our minivan and off we went. Thankfully, Daddy is strong and could carry it into the house by himself.

While Mommy and Daddy were getting the tree in its stand, I was safely tucked into my seat at the table enjoying some hot cocoa. And when Mom and Dad were finished they found me shirtless ("I just spilled a little") and with a new chocolate goatee.

We finished the tree decorating on Sunday morning and I was a good helper! I only broke one ornament, but I got frustrated with Mom's constant reminders to be careful. "I am!" I would adamantly say as I would clank two glass ornaments together or drop them or . . . I also have a slightly different design aesthetic than Mom, preferring to place all of the ornaments on the same branch as opposed to spreading them out! When we finished though, the tree looked really good. And Lily spent some time enjoying her favorite ornament (see photo!)

Sunday night was luminaria night in our neighborhood. It was really pretty! After our own candlelit dinner, we went for a ride to see the lights. After a weekend of poor naps (Katie: "I did nap!" Mom: "When?" Katie: "On Friday.") I fell asleep in the car with my sippy cup of cocoa clutched in one hand and a cookie in the other. Dad carried me right up to bed and Mom and Dad enjoyed a rare evening of having me asleep early without the contiuous stalling tactics. However, I came to around midnight and proceeded to loudly request company from Mom or Dad. We're working on resolving this problem. And yes, the Santa card has been played.

I also want to update you on Caroline. She is now four months old and had her check-up with the pediatrician on Friday. "The tank" (as we call her) is doing great. She weighed 15 pounds 8 ounces (90th percentile) was 25 3/4 inches long (95th percentile) and her head size is 75th percentile. Her neck strength is very good and her belly button is almost completely normal now. The doctor got the last little nubby part off. Her hemangioma (birth mark) by her eye has not gotten any bigger (we have been watching to make sure it didn't grow toward her eye and interfere with her vision) and it may start to fade soon.

Aside from all of this, Mom and Dad have been busy with Christmas parties-- they had one on both Friday and Saturday nights this weekend and have two more this coming week. Lots of babysitters for us! Next Sunday is my birthday party, which I am very excited about. Despite the fact that I am not even three yet, Dad found out that I was telling people at his hockey game that I was four! Perhaps I am working on a fake ID to get into Chuck E Cheese?