Happy New Year!

Dear Baby Bird,
Tonight we celebrated the end of 2013. Your first full year!!

We had a dance party, which was your favorite because you love music and love to dance. You thought it was funny to spin around and around until you got dizzy, and you liked seeing Brother show off his breakdancing moves.

We counted down together and then celebrated with kisses and more dances.

Dad and I are really looking forward to 2014 with you and Brother.

Love,
Mom

Potty Party

Dear Baby Bird,

This past week you received your first potty from Santa Claus.

You quickly grasped the concept of going poop on the potty.  The next day, I found you stinky sitting on your potty... fully clothed.

A few days later, we spent some time at the hotel in Geneva.  For naptime, it was just you and I in our room.  When you woke up from nap, I took you out of your pack-n-play and made you a snack.  While I turned my back, you walked into the bathroom and got real quite.  I peaked in the bathroom to find you standing by the toilet.  So, I thought it was best to give you some privacy.

A few minutes later, I peaked in the bathroom again.  This time, I found you standing INSIDE the toilet.  Your diaper was again dirty!  Yeah your second poop in the potty.  It's beginning to seem like you'll be potty training sooner than later.

Love,
Dad

Geneva Getaway

Dear Baby Bird,
We spent the weekend in Lake Geneva celebrating Grandpa's retirement. 

Uncle Jake and I took you for a trolley ride and we found the fun decorations in the Grand Geneva.

There was a big football game on Sunday. You wore your Packers clothes for the morning, but ended up in your Bears clothes before the game (that's a story for another day, but it seems you know more about potty training than we thought). The Packers won the game despite you and Brother trying to sway it toward the Bears.

We had fun looking at all the gingerbread houses.

Some of my cousins came to the hotel, so we took them back to look at decorations later. Here are the four boys waiting for the trolley.

We also had fun in the water park, exploring the hallways and luggage carts, and just being around family. You even slept until 8 am one morning, what a gift to mom and dad!

Love,
Mom

Time with Cousins

Dear Baby Bird,

We made a trip to visit your cousins today. You had a lot of fun playing with them, and enjoyed opening presents.

You also got to color and play stickers with Nana, one of your favorite things to do.

Love,
Mom

Ho Ho Ho

Dear Baby Bird,

 

Merry Christmas! Santa came, and you and Brother had a lot of fun opening your presents from him... once you figured out which pile was for whom.

 You were especially looking forward to opening this big one.

 Two pj brothers with basketballs

 Brother's hat

 Fun sunglasses during breakfast

 Enjoying dessert with Great Uncle Dave

 Showing off your big boy potty

 Such a happy boy!

Love,
Mom

All is calm.....

Dear Baby Bird,

Love,
Dad

Christmas Eve

Dear Baby Bird,
We spent the whole day today with family... and here are some photos of that wonderful time together.

 

Love,
Mom

Christmas Begins!

Dear Baby Bird,

 

Today we opened our family Christmas presents. You've been very excited about the tree, and especially the presents underneath, so finally you got to see what is inside them.

 Every present was exciting, and you liked ripping the paper off.

 You even got excited about other peoples' presents!

 The Duplos are a big hit already; you and Brother have spent a lot of time building and playing with them.

 But your favorite gifts are shown here: Brother loves his new Chess Set and you are excited about your Buh-Buh.

Having a great vacation with you so far, can't wait for the next few days!
Love,
Mom

Fun with Brother

Dear Baby Bird,
I know you like to say aabdi for Da Bears.
You also like to say baba when you are going to watch football/TV.

 

 You also like to build a nest for yourself when we have Pillow land

set up for you.



And also you liked playing in the snow , of course.

You also liked playing at Fox River Park. 



Love,
Brother

Holiday Choir

Dear Baby Bird,
Since I was a little girl, Grandpa has sung in a choir at the bank where he works.  I enjoyed taking Brother to see the concert, and now it's fun to take you! Dad got to come along this year, too. It was his first time coming to the concert.

You liked the music (and your nativity finger puppets!)

We got to see Grandpa afterward for a photo and lunch.

Since Grandpa is retiring, this is his last year working at the bank. It's been a really fun tradition to see his concert, and I'm glad we got to take you to enjoy it.

Love,
Mom

Inside Outside

Dear Baby Bird,

Sometimes we spend time inside. Here we are at Brother's soccer game.

 

A lot of times we go outside. You and Brother got to go sledding in the backyard, it was fun!

 

We also took a trip to Candy Cane Lane.

You LOVED seeing the lights!

Love,
Mom

Tis the Season

Dear Baby Bird,

Today was a very festive day. We started at church, where our family did readings and lit the advent calendars candles.

 Then we got to go to the childrens' party for dad's work.

You didn't mind seeing Santa, although you wouldn't look at the camera while sitting on his lap. 

You got to play a few games, and you got the hang of it by the end.

Mostly, you followed around this dog, so we finally got a picture with him.

Love,
Mom