3 Months

 The big 3...Otto is so settling into this world with big smiles and bright eyes!

Oh Yeah...January

So January has flown by with few...or no pictures or updates on the blog.  I have some catching up to do so brace yourselves.

The first week of January Otto spent at the hospital.  He had not gained any weight and was actually on his way below his birth size so he is now porking on formula as well as nursing.  He is doing fabulous now and although giving us a scare is incredibly strong and a proven fighter.  Otto is already rolling over even though our doctor doesn't believe us, but I have the video to prove it.

Although just going on 9 pounds he is still irresistable to the ladies...

Harper has entered the t****ble twos (bad word) a bit early and has been spending quite a bit of time on the "time out stair."  Here she is berating herself for being caught in the act of "out of controllness" once again.

New Year's Eve was  a glorious 55 degrees with no snow.  Then January 2nd happened and we got dumped on.  Fortunately, we had some fun in the snow.

Harper loves playing in the snow...

...and grabbing it...

...and especially eating it!  While Matt slaves away shoveling.

Harper and Daddy taking a break.



Our local sled hill is way too steep for Harper Belle, but luckily our front yard is just perfect. 

We are still getting the hang of it!

Madison went on her first "date" this January. Her friend, that is a boy, and his mom took her to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch and then to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame for the day.  It was a very sweet day for her and a little bittersweet for me and Matt.  Matt was sure to meet him in the driveway with his bat...just kidding...kind of, it was a shovel.

Our baby is growing up!

Otto is growing up a little, too.  He is now sitting in his bumbo seat...

...sorta.

All in all it has been a blessed month!

Two Little Girls

I took this picture of Madison when she was twoish.  My sweet little cowgirl in Texas!

This is Harper Belle, my sweet little snowbunny in Cleveland!  The similarities were too much for words, but what a difference a decade makes...

Christmas

 First Christmas

Waiting to see the loot from Santa

First cheesy Christmas photo in the stocking

Taking a break from playing

Santa Clause!

Today we visited Santa at the mall.  My first said trip in many years since Madison has refused the tradition after one harrowing experience at age 5.  So obviously I was a little bit apprehensive about how Harper would respond. 

In true form, Harper was, of course, a precious trooper and after staring at Santa awkwardly for about 10 seconds she jumped right up into his lap.  Otto was obviously entranced by Santa or so frightened he feigned sleep!  Although not entirely perfect because when asked what she wanted for Christmas and what her name was Harper sat silently and stared longingly at the crayons and coloring book he was giving out. I guess the childhood obesity epidemic sweeping the nation has resulted in no candy canes from a fat guy at Christmas...too bad.  Next year should be just as exciting and wonderful and we will have the picture to prove it!

Just a side note...Madison watched from afar after opting out of the picture.  She has been renamed "13 year old doesn't want to sit in an old guy with a beard's lap in the middle of the mall in fear of some of her school friends seeing her."  Typical teenager...but at least she didn't start crying and run hysterically from the display as she did at so long ago.

Good Morning

 Harper woke up with just a teensy bit of bed head today...winter static!

Snow Day!

 This week we had a bit of a snowstorm. Madison even had two days of school off...which rarely happens!