Pre-Christmas Festivities

Christmas was so much fun with Collin this year. He is finally at a age where he could understand Santa Claus and the Nativity Story. There was so much excitement in the air! We got to do lots of fun activities to celebrate the season.

As mentioned in my last post we decorated the house and tree and made cookies with Boppi. We also saw Santa for the first time that season at Bass Pro Shop.

We had our ward Christmas party on December 18th (which just so happened to be our anniversary as well) The theme was "A night in Bethlehem" and Derrick got to star in the nativity presentation as Baby Jesus (he was the youngest baby in the ward at the time). Consequently Michael and I got to play Mary and Joseph.

We all wore our Christmas red the Sunday before Christmas. The boys looked so handsome and I was happy that they behaved for a picture in front of the tree. Although if I remember correctly I think there was promises of a treat after

We joined Michael for part of his work Christmas party- the highlight was another visit with Santa. I was glad that we had our previous Bass Pro Shop Santa experience to warm Collin up to the idea of sitting on his lap. Collin loved getting to see him and this Santa was so sweet and friendly. And since there weren't many kids there Collin got a lot of attention from him.

Boppi Comes to Help!

My mom came to help us after Derrick was born from Dec 2nd-15th. She was such a HUGE help and we had lots of fun with her in town. At first we were a little concerned about Derrick coming early and her not flying in until later but it ended up being perfect. We loved that special time as our own little family, and I was able to recover enough that by the time she arrived I was up to getting out and doing things (although I will say it was still a bit exhausting at times, but that was just because of the frequent feedings in the night and we tended to stay up later)

First Time Holding Derrick! 

 

Some of the fun things we were able to do:

The first one was Collin running down the hall at the airport to give jump into her arms and give her the biggest squeeze. He was SO excited to see Boppi!

We introduced Boppi to our Gulf Coast beaches. She loved it, especially all the sea shells and colorful the beach houses. We ended up going both Saturday's she was here. First weekend, and Derrick's first beach trip was to Surfside. The next weekend we went to Quintana, where we found lots and lots of sea shells. We brought home lots and I was able to use some to make some ornaments for Christmas presents for my siblings. 
Surfside: 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 Quintana:

 

We took a trip to Pearland one day to go to Bass Pro Shop for our yearly picture with Santa. Collin cried a little, but he was so brave! And then while we were up there we did some shopping :) Collin was a trooper with a late lunch and missing nap!

Mom watched the boys for us one night so Michael and I could go to his work Christmas party. It was a fun evening and nice to have a free babysitter. We ditched the party after the raffles were over to run home, change, and pick up Derrick to play games with some fellow LDS coworkers that were at the party.

 

Since it was Christmas time we made sure to drive around looking at Christmas lights. There is a street in town that does Christmas around the world- each house has a display representing a different country. We also made gingerbread cookies, and some other goodies, decorated the Christmas tree and put up some decorations around the apartment. The biggest highlight for Collin was meeting our Elf on the Shelf, "Bernard". He loved looking for him each morning. And it was actually great bribery since Collin was pushing the limits a little more since Derrick had been born. All we had to do was say "Bernard's watching" and he'd start obeying.

We went to Lake Jackson Seafood one night for dinner. Always a delicious meal!

 

We had our family pictures taken. I was glad we were able to have them done when my mom was around to help us decide on outfits, and get ready and out the door in time ;) That has been one of the big struggles of having another baby- it takes double the time to get out the door. And it often seems that by the time we leave Derrick is hungry again.

The day before Mom left our realtors called to tell us a new house came on the market that they thought we would really like. My mom was excited to go check it out with us. We all loved it so Michael and I went with our realtors to draw up an offer while my mom took the kids home. Little did we all know that it would end up being THE house...OUR house!

 Her last morning we went to one of our favorite ponds to feed the ducks and play. We always seem to gravitate toward the swings at the parks. It was a beautiful day!

Collin loved all the attention he got from Boppi! Since they were sharing a room Collin and Boppi got to read stories together every morning in bed. And would play until Derrick and I rolled out of bed.

It was definitely hard to say goodbye when she left. There were tears from both Collin and I. Its been a hard transition from 1 to 2 kids- the hardest parts being that I have to be up and functioning in the morning no matter how many times I had been up in the night and how long it takes to get out in the morning. By the time my mom left Derrick was nearly a month old and I hadn't had a solo day with both boys, which I am grateful for. It was a little nerve wracking our first full day on our own.

First Week of Derrick's Life

Michael was able to take off work the first week after Derrick's birth until my Mom flew in. It was so nice to spend time as a new family of four. I felt like we were living in our own little bubble. We had some meals brought in by people in the ward, Michael would take Collin out in the mornings for little outings,  we celebrated Thanksgiving, snuggled Derrick and enjoyed quietly adjusting to having a new baby in the family.

 

 Sweet Snuggles

 

Ready to watch the BYU game with dad

 

1st night home and sleeping in the cradle 

 

These little chicken legs were such a novelty for us (compared to Collin as a baby). I love them! 

 

He may not have much hair in the front but he has a bit in the back 

 A swirl in the front just like his daddy

 

He LOVED getting his hair washed, his sponge bath not so much 

 We love Sunday naps! 

Collin liked his new brother but we definitely noticed a lot more tantrums and acting out from him. One night totally out of the blue he whacked Derrick on the head with a toy. Of course Michael and I immediately reacted and Collin put himself in the corner for time out without us having to say anything. Another time I walked a few feet away to grab a pen and I turn around to find Collin trying to pull/lift Derrick off the couch. I intervened in time, but it definitely gave me a little adrenaline rush! We quickly learned that Derrick needs to be buckled if not in our arms. He follows me around the house a lot in his little bouncer seat. This first week Collin went poop on the potty for the first time. Which is awesome! But he also started taking off his diaper during nap time. The first time it happened some how he managed to get his poopy diaper stuck in the foot of his footie pajamas. Which I guess was nice since it contained the mess. He did it a few other times, one time when my mom was here he smeared it all over the place. I was so glad my mom was here to help- I don't know what I would have done without her! I was a little concerned how long this acting out would last but thankfully 3 months later he seems to be doing much better. And the taking off poopy diapers phase has stopped!

Thankfully he has always loved to hold baby brother!

 

Michael and Collin went on a few outings together. One day they went to play a little "soccer" at the park. Another day they went to Target and got popcorn after shopping. The purpose of that trip was to get some more newborn sized clothes for Derrick. We only had probably two little sleepers that size. We definitely didn't run into that issue with Collin, he only wore newborn size for a few days! Michael also took him to get McDonald's for lunch one day. He had some coupons and Collin loved it! It was nice to have some quiet time at home to rest. And one outing they brought flowers home for me. Collin wanted to get purple ones for me. The lilies smelled so good! I am so glad that Collin and Michael were able to have some good bonding time, especially with all the changes Collin was experiencing.

Recovery wise I was feeling much better and moving around faster this time around then with Collin. However on Tuesday (day 3) we had Derrick's first doctors appointment and we looked at a house that afternoon. I think I overdid it and I was definitely feeling it for the next few days.

We celebrated Derrick turning 1 week and hitting his due date on Nov 28th with a little photo shoot with my iPhone on our bed ;) 

Derrick had his first bath on Dec 2nd in preparation for my Mom's arrival that night. His cord had fallen off a few days earlier on Nov 29th. The bathroom was pretty soaked after, thanks to a certain little helper ;)