All I Want for Christmas is...

Firetruck underwear! That is what an almost three year old has asked Santa for Christmas. Drake has been very specific on what he would like this year: firetruck underwear, a Batman shirt, a blue watch, and blue presents. Based on the conversations that Eckleton, our elf, has had with Santa, it sounds like he will be able to accommodate Drake's requests this year. We have heard that he went out and bought special blue paper to wraps Drake's gifts with.

When Drake begins to tell people his wish list, I think they stop listening when they hear firetruck. A firetruck would be a common request for a two year old but firetruck underwear?

Evie's 2 Month Stats

Evie had her two month appointment last Thursday and is doing well. Her doctor was very impressed with her head control and we are progressing well in the sleep department. She continues to eat about every three hours except at night where we are able to go for a 4-5 hour stretch. Evie has had really good gain since her birth, which we were both pleased with. She continues to smile, especially when her diaper is bring changed and is beginning to coo when she is talked to. When she is awake, she loves to stand and show off her strength and also enjoys looking at herself in the mirror. She is starting to follow us more with her eyes as we move and she loves watching Drake. I think he will be her biggest form of entertainment for a while.

Weight: 11.45 pounds (35th percentile)
Length: 22.5 inches (36th percentile)
Head: 44th percentile
 

Gymnastics' Demo Days

Drake started gymnastics in August and this week was his first demo day to show all of the fans his new skills. Either David or I have helped him in each of his weekly classes this session as he was in the parent/tot program. On demo day, Drake was the youngest child and pretty much did the whole exercise on his own. I think this shows that he really is ready to move to the next class starting in January.

We have no illusions that Drake is going to be a future gymnast as he is the largest child in his group by at least a head. I do think though that gymnastics is a great foundation for a possible future in any sport or activity. He is building muscles, maintain flexibility, and learning body control. It has been a great experience for him and he loves to go each week. Some days the most exciting part is the end when he gets a stamp either on his hand or his foot but he does especially love to fly though the air and catch the bar swinging (above) and the long tramp (below).  

At the end of the demo, all children were awarded a medal for their participation. Each was called up individually and Drake was given a special shout-out because he was able to do so much of it on his own after needing our help for the majority of the semester. I am so glad that we found this sport for Drake and we are looking forward to January when we'll start back at the gym.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

This evening I am scheduled for my first work trip since Evie was born. When Drake was born, I had almost nine months at home before my travel season started but with Evie, just 9 weeks. While I am certainly looking forward to a good night of sleep, I am going to miss these two little ones. I'm also pretty bummed because I will be missing Drake's first musical production; a two year-old's rendering of the age old classic, "Christmas Time is Here" (if you don't know it, we did not either, think a Christmas tune sang to "Farmer in the Dell").   

They are in the best capable hands with David and I have prepared the majority of the bottles and the freezer is stocked with a surplus of milk, it is still hard going out of town. An added element to this trip is a bit of weather anxiety. There is still a possibility that the trip is going to be canceled due to snow, sleet, freezing rain and bitter cold temperatures in Arkansas. I am sure if we can land tonight, we will not get stuck tomorrow so I can be home with my babies before bedtime.     

  

2 Months

It is hard to believe that Evie is already two months old and that I start back to work on Wednesday of this week. Evie does not have her two month appointment until December 12th, so I will wait to post her stats then. She does appear to be growing well and is generally in 3-6 month clothes right now. She is just starting to smile some which you can somewhat see in the picture above. She is very strong and is able to hold her head up very and she likes to have us help her to stand.

Our nighttime sleep situation is still not great, but I know we will eventually get to all night but when? She sleeps well in her pack-n-play but I would like for her to sleep in her crib, so I have been trying to condition her to crib sleeping. Because of that, we are not getting the long 5 hour stretch at night. She is generally still only eating once in the middle of the night, around 3:00, but she is waking up around 12:30 and we have to put her back to sleep.

Evie took her first car ride longer than an hour two weeks ago when we went to Charleston for a basketball tournament. She was a great traveler and did well at the games. Evie has also had a lot of company, meeting all of of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her Nana and Papa will be coming back for a visit next week to help with her daytime care before she starts daycare in January. She'll also get to spend more time with her Mammy and Granddaddy this week as they are helping for my first few days back at work.

Turkey Day and Trimming the Tree

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, celebrating with the whole Bishop family. It was great to see everyone and have some cousin time for play. Drake is quite a bit younger than the rest of his cousins, but he just jumped right in and played. It was a great family weekend if visiting and play. Evie was also able to finally meet her two boy cousins and her aunt and uncle.

Friday we went to get our Christmas tree at the "farm tree", as Drake calls it. We picked out a nice tree and spent this morning decorating. Drake did a great job of clumping the ornaments in the lower portion of the tree.

We have also given in and are using the Elf this year. It was given to us before Drake's first Christmas by David's sister because they never used it. I knew he would not understand it for the first two years and still this year, I'm not entirely sure he will get it. We have decided to use it to try to get rid of the beloved baa (pacifier). He was doing great without baa until Evie started using one and he decided he needed his back. Drake's elf, Eckleton, is going to report back to Santa on his usage of baa and if he does well, he will get an extra special gift from Santa. Nighttime sleep and nap one without baa are gong well...