I Can Do It Myself!

Adam decided that he was going to go to the potty on his own (YEAH!) while I was feeding Sarah this morning. I sent him to his room to get his big boy pants and he came back with "clothes" and proceeded to dress himself. I guess I need to move some clothes from his closet to his dresser drawers. He got a pair of his summer pajamas and refused to put on something else. At least he remembered socks even though they are on upside down!

Three Months Old

I cannot believe that Sarah is now three months old. She had a hard time adjusting to not being held and walked around the past two days after being with family. She finally fell asleep in her swing after my many attempts to get her to stay asleep in her bouncy seat or bed. She has started rubbing her head while she falls asleep. We remember one of the boys doing this but can't remember which one. She looks so relaxed and peaceful.

Christmas at Emily and Joe's

After finding out what Santa brought us and opening presents at home, we packed up what seemed like everything and headed to South Carolina to Emily and Joe's house. Mom, Daddy, Nana, Jamie, Roger, Philip, and Natalie were already there. We ate a wonderful late lunch and then opened more presents. The boys couldn't contain their excitement yet again. We played our annual game of "Dirty Santa". The favored presents had a red theme to them this year. Red pitchers, ramekins, and candlesticks got stolen many times. Daddy got the funniest gift- a penguin who "talks" uncontrollably, but he was holding an iTunes gift card. I think we were all laughing until we were crying. Poor Joe got some mixing bowls, but Emily sure was excited about them. I think we all went home happy- even mom- although I think that penguin may end up in the bottom of the lake, and I'm sure he'll sink with the gadget inside!

The next day we all played Cranium, Roger's new gift. It was a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. We learned that none of us were too good at humming or guess that tune. After everyone left, Emily and Joe led us to McAdenville, a town all decorated with Chrsitmas lights. I thought it was so much better than Tanglewood and it was free! We met at Chick-fil-a for dinner where the boys ran some of their energy out in the play area before hitting the road. I think Adam took energy back to the car with him. He didn't get quiet enough to fall asleep until we were in Burlington- around 10:00pm! This will definitely be a Christmas to remember!

Adam is having a hard time sharing Gramma with Sarah.

Sarah got a beautiful handmade crocheted dress from Aunt Emily.

Adam loves playing with his puzzle. He can undo every single one of the latches. At least he still hasn't figured out the child locks on the kitchen cabinets!

Thanks Aunt Emily and Uncle Joe for the drum set. Jackson loves playing and Adam gets his beat in every once in a while.

On the way home, we had to cram the three of them in the second row so that all of our stuff would fit. They entertained themselves with their new video games.

Back in our driveway. Not even the lights and the cold air woke them. If Jackson only knew that Adam was touching his pillow...

Santa Visits the Faircloth's

Santa did come visit again this year. He brought Sarah a baby gym, ball popper train, and a car seat base. Now she can easily go to the babysitter's without having to move the car seat from my car. Adam got a firetruck, a V-Smile hand-held game, and a monster truck. Jackson got the Nintendo DS he's been wanting since after last Christmas, some games, and accessories.

Sarah never would look at her gym. She kept looking at me and smiling. I guess she thought it was more fun for Mommy to be on the floor with her than to play with a toy.

Jackson and Adam with their games.

Christmas Eve

Jan, Jackie, Kara, Kevin, and Jeanne came over for lunch on Christmas Eve. The boys were so excited to finally be able to open some presents. They had waited soooo long. Jackson had decided that Santa had already slowed down the time because it was taking forever for Grandma and Papa Jack to get to our house. We played our annual "Dirty Santa" and everyone was way too nice again. We ended the day with our annual Chrsitmas Eve candlelight service at our church. Jackson sang "Happy Birthday Jesus" with the children's choir. It isn't the traditional "Happy Birthday Song", and it is stuck in all of our heads. Days later you can catch one of us either humming the tune or singing.

To keep Jackson busy during Adam's nap the day before, he decorated a gingerbread house. I was busy in the kitchen remaking the Happy Birthday Jesus cake (the first one turned out awful and the second was "decoratable" and quite delicious) and let him work on the house by himself. I think he did a great job!

Kevin let me open one of my Christmas presents early. Adam just had to help. It's a pretty nifty souped-up flip camera. So, if I can figure it all out you will soon be seeing videos on this blog.

I just couldn't do it all. I was trying to get the table set and lunch started, and as it usually happens, Sarah got hungry. I had Jackson feed her. He always makes sure that she burps. She looks almost as big as Jackson. He is such a proud brother and a good helper too!

Sarah got a Bumbo seat and Adam thought the box was a great seat- until it broke in half!

Jackson got a Crayola Glow Station from Grandma and Papa Jack. He loved watching the marks glow and then disappear.

Sarah loves her Bumbo seat. She can sit up and look around at everything. A perfect gift for a nosy little girl!

A Day at Home

We spent the first day of vacation at home today. Jackson, Adam, and I made some Puppy Chow Mix this morning, and Sarah was on her best behavior all day. She hardly cried at all. She and I took a nap on "Gramma's bed" during Adam's nap. I was watching her sleep, and when she woke up, she looked right at me and started smiling and cooing. Jackson joined us laying on the other side of her, and she just kept turning her head from one of us to the other. What a sweet girl! Tomorrow the boys have haircuts and we are all going to attempt to get a picture with Santa. Better late than never! We'll probably make some chocolate covered pretzels, too. YUM!

I never could catch a smile with the camera.

Sarah and Jackson are having a very serious conversation.

Last Snow of '09?

Last week was a crazy week. I had last minute things to take care of before school got out for the holidays and Jackson ended up with some strange stomach bug on Wednesday and Thursday. He was only sick until about 11:00 each day. Weird! Poor thing missed the special Polar Express day where he was going to get to wear his pajamas. (Thanks again to Aunt Jamie for those- he's just about worn them out and it's not even Christmas yet!) Then the next day was his class Christmas party. He tried to go back for the party on Thursday but made it only a few steps in the building before getting sick. I promise I am not a horrible mom- He kept everything down (except breakfast) and he and Adam were wrestling with each other Wednesday night. He returned to school on Friday, the last day before Christmas break, and only had to stay for a half day. They were calling for snow so the school system decided to close early- and it actually snowed! We got about 2-3 inches of snow and then some freezing rain. This was Adam's first snow- sort of. When it snowed earlier in the year he was sick and couldn't go out to play, so he was ready to get out there this time. He saw Seth eat some snow at the babysitter's house, so that was all he wanted to do. He kept asking to go out to eat snow. Jackson keeps guessing which day the snow will all disappear. So far his guess is for tomorrow, but I'm not so sure about that!

Adam had a little trouble walking in the snow boots. Thank goodness we found all of Jackson's old snow gear.

Making snow angels. The snow was a little icy because of the rain so it was difficult to make an impression in the snow.

Jackson's snowman. There is actually a "real" looking snowman that someone made down the street from us. It's huge and will probably be around for a while.