Winter Fun in the Woodlands

We have spent the past two Saturdays at winter festivals in the park in our village.  On Saturday, January 17th Creekside Park had their annual chili festival/winter festival.  We headed over after naptime and were too late to taste the chilis but the kids did enjoy the snow, a train ride and other fun activities for the afternoon.  Both Saturdays were beautiful 65 degree days which are just the kind of winter days that we like!

On their way to hit the slope

He was having so much fun!!

Ella and Daddy had a good time, too!

Loving the snow!

On Saturday, January 24th we headed back to the same park (this time before naptime) and enjoyed the Arbor Festival. The Woodlands really does an amazing job of putting on so many free activitites throughout the year and this one definitely did not disappoint.  There were at least 10 bounce houses, a magician, entertainment on the stage, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, free trees to bring home and lots more.  

 Touchdown!

 Two points!

 Ella had to try, too!

 She had so much fun!!

 They held hands while waiting in line for one of the bounce houses-it was too sweet!

They loved the clowns and magicians!

 And a big hug for Frosty to finish out the day.  So much fun!

 Julia was with us at both festivals and was hanging out/asleep in the ergo both days so I had to include this picture from later in the day on the 24th just to confirm that she was here! 

3 kids, same swing

We were at the park on Monday afternoon and I sent Rich a picture of Julia in the swing and he wrote back, "3rd kid in that same swing", so that got me wanting to find the pictures of Joseph and Ella in the swing, too.  So, here they are:  

Julia on January 26th, 2015 (4 1/2 months)

Ella on May 6, 2013 (4 1/2 months)

Joseph on July 6th, 2011 (almost 6 months-we had just moved into our home at the end of June so this was the soonest he was in the swing)

Dentist

On January 20th Joseph and Ella had dentist appointments.  This was Ella's first time at the dentist and she did great-almost to the point where she loved it!  She was really excited about going and once we got there her excitement continued.  She acted like such a big girl the entire time!  Joseph went first and she held his hand for a little bit and then just continued to watch him.  Joseph did great and his teeth look super.  Ella hopped up there next and acted as if she had been there a hundred times before.  I was totally shocked as her dislike for the doctor is extremely high so was anticipating a similar reaction but she just had me smiling the entire time.  I was so proud of her!  The dentist is honestly amazing which I am sure really helped Ella and they were super excited about the favor bags that they left with-it's like going to a birthday party!  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of Joseph but here is one of Ella rocking it at her first dentist appointment which just makes me laugh every time I look at it.  We'll keep flossing and brushing daily and hope that all dentist appointments go just as smooth!

Julia-4 months!

Our smiley little peanut turned 4 months on January 8th!  This is such a fun age where she is full of smiles, coos and giggles, not mobile yet and as long as she gets fed when she's hungry no tantrums :)  We call her our little pterodactyl these days as she loves to hear herself talk/yell and if someone will talk back to her she gets even louder. She is super close to rolling from her back to stomach but hasn't quite mastered it yet-she gets stuck on her side and then just rolls back to her back.  Joseph and Ella love cheering her on and Ella will often yell for me, "Come, come" so I can see Julia trying to get over-they are going to be so excited when she finally does!  She is a drooling machine and underneath her chin rolls always seem to be wet and dirty (such a lovely thought!)  She is no longer sleeping from 10 to 5 (ugh-going to blame that on traveling in December) and is now getting up normally around 3:00ish and sometimes also at midnight.  Come on baby girl-we know you can do it-let's get back to the longer stretches!  She is still in our room but there is talk in this upcoming month to move her to her own room so we'll see if that helps with the sleeping.  She is still napping in the swing which I know I need to break but she sleeps so well in it so why ruin a good thing, right?  She loves the exercauser and enjoys the bumbo for between 5-10 minutes and then is ready to get out. 

We had her 4 month well check on January 13th and she weighed in at 16 pounds, 5 ozs (69th percentile) and was 25 inches long (85th percentile).  The doctor said she looks great and encouraged us to move her to her own room and to start solids if we wanted.  

She continues to be just as sweet as can be and her smile and giggles definitely light up our lives!

Sweet girl on January 8th-4 months today!

January 2nd

 There is always so much love from her older siblings!

January 5th

 She has found her feet this month! 

Sisters in purple!

 Look at those cheeks!

 Love her!!

January 6th

 The whole gang

 4 month photo shoot!

 Happy 4 months sweet Julia!  We love you!