It’s hard to believe this is my baby! I was uploading my pictures and these stopped me in my tracks. How did Gwyneth Grace get so big? When did my little chubby-cheeked, rolly-polly baby turn into this little girl?

I’m such a lucky momma. Hopefully she never grows out of those chubby little cheeks!

It’s Red and Green Day at the girls’ school today! My girls are never at a loss for clothes so they were all set for the big day. I just love their snowman dresses! Even their new jackets from Auntie Becky fit the bill for the day. So very festive!

It’s nearly impossible to get anything done around the house while the girls are awake. They are usually content to play with their babies, but as soon as B or I start a project they want to be involved. I wouldn’t dream of painting while they are running around the house. Can you imagine that mess???? We bought the paint today to spruce up the basement but I figured it would probably have to wait until after the holidays. I put the girls to bed and couldn’t believe that B had already finished taping and was going to start painting TONIGHT! Not only did he start but he finally finished around 1:00 a.m.!!  The walls were in bad shape – just dirty and needed to be freshened up. The new paint makes a huge difference and I can hardly wait for the room to be finished. B’s “man-cave” is coming together quite nicely. I dont’ think I’ll be seeing much of him after the new couch arrives on Thursday.

Let the painting begin!

The painter in action

I surprised the girls with new pictures in their playroom. It’s their wall o’ cousins. I’ve been able to snap a great shot of each of my nieces and nephews over the last few weeks so I wanted to put them on display. It’s a bit off center – we’re short one Paz cousin right now. The girls don’t care though. They love the pictures!

While we were all up for Thanksgiving, my dad, Melissa and Becky left a few things at the condo in Breckenridge that they needed for Christmas. Considering that quite a few of those things were gifts for our girls, we could hardly resist driving up to retrieve them. Our weekends are jam-packed until the end of the year, so B and I decided to waste a little vacation time and cruise up during the day. The roads were terrible and it was freezing but we loaded up the car and had a nice quiet lunch on main street. We ate at Giampietro‘s which is one of our favorites, but it’s not extremely kid friendly. It’s just very tiny and not really double-stroller compatible. We even stopped in the ornament shop off main street and each picked up our ornaments for the Meyer family exchange on Christmas Eve.

Brrrrr…..it’s cold out there! Single digits!

We had a very productive day – did a little last minute Christmas shopping, picked out paint and new lights for the basement and got B’s ski picture custom framed. Busy, busy, busy!

The girls had their picture taken together at school and it turned out so stinkin’ cute. Gwyneth looks like such a big girl and I love how Annabelle has her arm around her. My school pictures always turned out terrible so if this is a sign of things to come for my girls then we’re in very very good shape!

After Disney on Ice we headed over to the Hales’ house for Preston’s birthday celebration. Preston turned  six (so very hard to believe) and there was a house full of six year olds. We hung out after the party and B and Don went and picked up sushi. We haven’t had it in a while and it was fabulous. They came home with a platter that could have served a large party, but we put an amazing dent in it!  Brennan, their 11 year old, earned $20 for eating a scoop of wasabi. It was hilarious to see his reaction. It also reminded me of when I was a kid and my dad would pay us a quarter to eat a raw jalapeno. We were cheap! He also threw in the caveat that we had to wait 1 minute before having a drink of water. We were really cheap!

We had the best time hanging out with Don, Lisa and their kiddos.  They are so fun and so sweet to our girls. There is no shortage for attention for Annabelle & GG when we get together. What a fun, fun, fun night!

 

Just the girls – Kaylee, Annabelle & Gwyneth

Annabelle had to try out the mask too

Brennan and Preston got right down to business with their legos

Lisa and GG

Each year my mom gets us a new ornament. Last year we each received our own ornaments but this year we received a family ornament. I noticed on our tree it’s our FIRST ornament with all of our names and I love it.

We’ve been at the doctor a few times this winter for Miss Gwyneth but today we dropped in for a well baby check up. She’s 17 months old – my oh my how the time flies. She weighs 23 lbs, 7 oz (50%) and measures 31 1/2 inches (50 -75%). She was showing off lots of her tricks and new words and the doctor said she is progressing wonderfully. Her doc said she was developing on track with a 2 year old. I’m a little nervous the 2 year old sass is right around the corner then too!

Gwyneth loves to dance, sing (Itsy Bitsy, Twinkle Twinkle, and ABC’s  are the fav’s!), play with babies, color, and build with blocks. She’s my cuddly girl – she snuggles and loves to give hugs and kisses. She squeezes her cheeks together and says “I Chubs!” (thanks Auntie Becky). She adores her daddy and is undoubtably a daddy’s girl. She is perfecting her march, learning how to skip and jump, and still claps,waves and blows kisses often. I adore her smile and fabulous chubby cheeks. Over the past few weeks we’ve watched her eyes change from bright blue to a beautiful hazel. She’s perfection and I’m a lucky lucky momma.

My poor baby girl had to have 4 shots today including her seasonal flu and her H1N1 shot. B held her while the nurse tried to give her the shots and the nurse was worn out – Gwyneth Grace is strong and she put up a struggle. She was furious but quickly recovered.

Blissfully unaware of the impending shots…

Every time I look at this picture I can’t help but smile ear to ear.

Given their love of babies, I was so excited to take the girls to the American Girl store. I knew it was a gamble since Annabelle would probably want to play with everything and wouldn’t want to leave, but it was worth it to see their little faces.  I told them we were on our way to the American Girl Store and they just looked at me with blank faces. I quickly changed my story and told them we were headed to the “Dolly Store” and they were too excited for words. They talked about the Dolly Store the entire drive down.

These girls can hardly believe their eyes

The store moved and is now located off Michigan Avenue is much bigger. It’s still a madhouse though.

Annabelle was in baby heaven!

GG took it all in, but Annabelle quickly picked out her souvenir and was eager to get it out of the box. We must pay first, Annabelle!

Annabelle, Gwyneth and Maeva each received a puppy and a pet carrier. Annabelle also received a baby changing set and Gwyneth received a blanket for her bitty baby. They were huge hits and kept them very entertained on our plane ride home (right along with their Yo Gabba glow sticks).  I’ve been to the American Girl store so many times for my nieces and I’m so excited to be able to visit with my little girls now too. Each year when we go back will be more and more fun as they grow up and really understand the craziness of it all!