Merry Christmas!

We flew into DC to spend some time with family in that area.

We went to ICE! at the Gaylord right by the national harbor and it was really cool (no pun intended...)

Connor loved seeing the ice sculptures and being with family.

We had a good time!

 

Then we went to Virginia Beach to spend some time with family there.

Vale's Nona bought him a little Santa suit!  SOOO cute!

Connor was so cute in his little tie!

 Nona and Vale!

I love this picture of my little monkey!

Vale wasn't so happy about being kissed on the mouth!

 We ended up in Wilmington for Christmas Day.

Jimmy's Grampa Allen and Grandma Gett came through on their way up to VA beach.

 

Connor loves to look at the fish... he calls them all Nemo... :)

 

Connor opened presents but really didn't understand what was going on... we woke him up and asked him if he wanted to open presents and he said 'nnooooo' :)

 The boys in their Christmas PJ's :)  They are so cute! :)

Vale's cute little outfit on Christmas Day :)

It's cold in Cali!!!

It has been abnormally cold here!  Like in the 30's at night...

Connor was helping to walk the dog and maybe play a little football too :) 

 This is Vale in his warm clothes... pooping... hahaha

He looks like a midget!!!!

I was putting the wash in (washers on the bottom) and Connor wanted to help so I put him in the dryer :)  He had a good time :)

Jimmy and Connor playing football!

My sweet little guys... :)

How can you not love that little face!!!

He's found himself a little girlfriend... she's 5 months old... he goes for older women :)

:) I hope his eyes stay blue but they prob wont...

 Papa left on Friday... very sad but we were happy he was able to visit!

Connor with eggnog face :)

 Although it looks like Connor is going to eat Vale, he's actually quite a sweet and attentive big brother.

Vale likes to sleep with his hands out of the 'swaddle'.  It's very sweet... :)

We went to Vale's 2 week check up and he was 9lbs 2oz so he's growing very well!  He is 21.75" long :)

Vale also rolled over from his belly to his back!  Fun stuff!

Connor also went to the doc and we found he has a sinus infection and an ear infection!  Lovely!  That would account for the continual runny nose, cough and inability to sleep at night... :)  He's doing much better having gotten antibiotics.

Hangin out with the boys...

Baby Vale!  I hope he keeps his blue eyes... 

Connor loves his brother!  He loves to kiss and 'pet' the baby... haha!

Connor wanted the baby to sleep next to him... :)  It was sweet.

 

Connor just loves to be read to...

 

Dad with the boys... 

 :)  I think jimmy loves his little man...

 While we were playing football at the park, Vale was all bundled up in the stroller!

 Connor got to play football with his dad and papa at the park.  He LOVED it!

 He has such a sweet spirit!

Decorating for Christmas

On Black Friday the only shopping we did was for a Christmas Tree!!! 

We picked out a perfect one!!  It's our FIRST Christmas tree!  For the last 2 years we haven't gotten one...

 Papa and Nona were there with us, huggin' the babies!

 My little goof ball... found some old new years accessories and was havin a blast while we were decorating.

 We all picked out an ornament to put on the tree first.  Jimmy picked the one I made him for Iraq, I put up an angel with an irish saying on it and Connor picked out his little first ornament with his name on it.  :)

 Connor loved playing with the bells.

Cass was taking care of Vale... :)  They look so comfy :)

First Family Pic with 4!

First family picture!

It was hard to get a newborn to cooperate... :)

All the guys had their hats on!!! 

 

Jimmy was done with the whole picture thing... :)

Vale's first week

Vale had a wonderful first week.  He is adjusting well to life outside of the womb.

Like all babies, he's so cute when he sleeps!

Connor loves his brother!!!  He constantly is asking to hold the baby.  He gives him kisses all day long!

 

I'm very glad to have my healthy baby at home!  God is so good to us!

Grandma left today :(  We were so grateful to have her here!!  Her help was invaluable!!!

Jimmy's dad, Jim, has taken over as the 'family help' and we are so glad to have him!

 

 This is a video of baby Vale!  Don't get your hopes up... it's one of those video's that only a mother, grandma or close family want to see... :)

Vale's belly button fell off last night which was WAY quicker than Connors!

His circumcision is healing nicely and we've stopped having the put the gauze and A+D on it.

He's a great eater!  He's sleeping 5 hours eating then 4 hours, so I get 9 hours with only 1 interruption!!!

We took him to get weighed on Friday and he was 8lbs 9oz!  YEAH!

He doesn't like to be dirty... messed diapers really upset him.

He loves to be held and to sleep on mommy's chest on his belly.

Vale loves to be swaddled tightly, the exact opposite of Connor.

We're very excited to have a family of 4!  :)  It's not as hard as I thought it'd be... but I'm sure we haven't gotten to the bad point yet... :)