Anxious for the holidays

I cannot stress enough just how much our two little babies have grown this past year. We can hardly believe that Isaiah will be 2 and Makenna will be 3 all in a matter of a few months! Seriously, where has the time gone? Every day we are constantly being surprised at how much the two of them have developed, and we love seeing just how much they feed off each other's energy! At times both Enz and I wish some of their energy would rub off on us; yes, keeping up with these two can be exhausting!

As the end of the year approaches, so do the holidays, and with that come the fun family outings! This year, we've talked to them more and more about what holidays are coming up and we can definitely see their eyes light up when we mention Christmas! We've got a lot of fun stuff planned for the family, and since the two of them are now more aware of what goes on during the holidays, they seem genuinely excited! Makenna's even started a "list" of what she wants from Santa this year. Since we've had the kids, every holiday season that passes seems to be more fun-filled than the previous, and this one coming up doesn't look like it's going to disappoint!

Isaiah enjoying some bounce time

Makenna showing her "serious" look (even though she still looks like she's smiling) Growing up sooooo fast!

Back from hiatus...

Quite a lot has happened since my last posting, the most obvious being Halloween. This year was the first time we took the kids out around the neighborhood for trick or treating. They had a GREAT time! Our "Superfriends" got into the whole Halloween act at every house, shouting "trick or treat" even before doors were opened! After about a solid hour of walking around the neighborhood, Isaiah began to tire first, asking to be pulled in the wagon rather than walking on his own. Makenna stuck it out like a trooper until she got spooked by a big kid wearing a Jason Voorhees mask! The funny thing about that was she walked past him three times on the street and wasn't the least bit bothered. It wasn't until she saw him clearly in the light that she "freaked out" and immediately called out for mommy. After Enz comforted her, she didn't want to walk anymore, but wanted daddy to carry her. Thank goodness we brought the wagon!

On a different note, our little baby boy has achieved yet another milestone (actually a two-parter, if you will). It started off exactly one week prior to Halloween. As I put Isaiah down for the night, he asked for his pacifier. I saw this as an opportunity to wean him off it, so I told him that I couldn't find it. Of course he knew where it was and he even had a clear line of sight to it, but I used the age-old jedi mind trick and insisted that it was "nowhere to be found." Hehehe, "these are not the droids you're looking for..." Though he continued to ask, I stood my ground and eventually he fell asleep. The next day for his nap he inquired about it, but we held firm. By the next day, he stopped asking for it, and would immediately ask "its gone?" as if he knew that's what we'd tell him. It's been about a week and a half now, and his pacifier is all but a memory. Score!

The second part of his milestone is that he is no longer in a crib, but in his big boy bed! He accepted the bed with welcoming arms, and loves to jump in it like his sister does in hers. The first nap was a bit tough, because he realized that he had the freedom to get in and out of bed as he pleased. After numerous returns to bed, and after raising our voices, he finally tired out and slept for a solid couple of hours. His first night went well, though we had the time change there to help us. He's now on day three of his bed, and he's enjoying it! He still likes to play before his naps, but hopefully that'll lose its luster, and he'll learn to stay in bed when it's bedtime! For now, we're so proud that the little man is making strides and "movin' on up!"

Halloween 2009 - The Superfriends

Superman Isaiah

Wonder Woman Makenna

Our goofy kids preparing for some trick or treating

Enjoying his new "big-boy" bed