To Grandma's House She Goes

The other day Bella came out of her room, rolled her suitcase down the hallway, and announced she was going to grandma's house. She was all ready to leave. Her bags were packed, hat and mittens were on, and her sunglasses in place. Bella played "going to grandma's house" for several days.

She packed the most essential items...a fork and three ornaments.

All ready to go to Grandma's house!

She is also wearing her FAVORITE pair of pajama pants. The first time I put them on her I told her they were silky pants. Ever since then, she always wants to wear her "swiwky pants." She seriously gets so excited about them. Sometimes she will wear them over the top of her regular clothes during the day.

Christmas Card

This is my attempt at trying to get a picture of the kids for a Christmas card. It didn't go the greatest. Bella was too distracted by the presents and wanted to hold them in front of her face. Drew wasn't smiling and usually not looking. When he was looking he looked like he was surprised with his eyes wide open. After my attempt at getting the perfect Christmas picture, I didn't even create a Christmas card this year! So, I didn't forget to send you all one....I shamefully admit I didn't even get around to creating one. Hopefully next year!

The brotherly and sisterly love begin at a young age - he started pulling her hair.

The last picture is the best one I got of Bella and Drew. This would have been the Christmas card picture!

Baby Sheep

What do you see when you look at this picture?

Most people see a white sandal.....but you are WRONG!

Bella is always using her imagination and playing pretend. Lately she has been saying things like, "Yuck! I have to change my shirt. Baby Sheep puked on it!" The other night she changed her shirt several times, because she kept getting puked on. I tried to convince her that she didn't have to keep changing her clothes, because it was all pretend but she insisted it was real. Over the past week she continued to talk about this Baby Sheep. At first I didn't realize who Baby Sheep really was until Andy filled me in. I got home from school. The conversation....

Andy: So, Bella was breast feeding her shoe today.

Me: What?!? Her shoe?

Andy: Uh, yeah....a shoe. You know her shoe is named Baby Sheep?

Me: That's who Baby Sheep is?!?

So, now I know Baby Sheep is this white sandal that she carries around, breast feeds, cleans up his spit up, and puts him to bed. I tried taking a picture of her with Baby Sheep, but she started being goofy in front of the camera. She wouldn't look at me and she kept throwing the sandal and yelling, "I don't like Baby Sheep!" Don't worry though, she really does still like Baby Sheep.

I think it's great that she has such a great imagination, but why does it have to be so strange? :)

Update

Things have been a little busy around here, so I thought I'd include a couple of quick updates in one post.

Drew:

I missed his 4 month update, but the only thing I can think of off the top of my head that is new is he started rolling over at 4 months. He worked really hard at attempting to roll for about a week. He would get on his side and get stuck. Once he finally made the first roll, he was an expert. Every time I lay him down, he rolls over. He can only go back to tummy.

Drew likes to be sitting upright now, so he enjoys the bumbo and exersaucer. Bella is also fun entertainment for him now. He really likes watching her and laughing at her.

Bella likes to line up all of her "friends" in front of Drew.

Bella:

Bella is still making up names for the whole family on a daily basis. Her most recent name for herself is Andy. Then she calls Andy, Rocket. And I'm Big Blue Jet....WHAT??? Really? Do I have to be the Big Blue Jet? I guess the Big Blue Jet is from one of the cartoons that she watches. I liked Minnie Mouse better! At least she's a girl...She consistently calls Drew, Pluto. Once in a while he is Snoopy, but usually he's Pluto. Andy and I were trying to figure out why he is always the dog. We came down to these two possibilities:

1 - Drew doesn't talk yet and neither does Snoopy or Pluto; therefore, he has to be a character that doesn't speak.

OR

2. She thinks Drew is our family pet just like Snoopy and Pluto are pets.

Work:

I have been back to work for 3 weeks now. It was really hard to go back after getting to spend so much time at home with Bella and Drew. I wish I could always be home with them during the day. I feel like I'm missing out on things when I'm away all day. (I know, I know....at least I have the summers off!) Now that I am back at work Andy is working 4 to midnight. This is a good thing considering the kids can stay home and not go to a sitter. The downside is that when I get home from work, Andy and I have about 15 minutes to catch up on the day and how the kids are doing. Then he leaves for work. I am sleeping when he gets home after midnight, and he's sleeping when I leave early in the morning. We don't really get to see each other until Saturday morning. It's only been 3 weeks of this routine, and it is already exhausting for both of us!

I really do enjoy the Christmas season, but hopefully things won't feel so crazy after the holidays pass by.