Holidays and Trip to NJ

Doing some clean up in the yard and getting some leaves to feed to the worms in the compost bin.

While xmas shopping Odin and I found the perfect gift for Mama...a pot big enough for her in the kitchen... and it's cast iron!  :)

On Christmas morning Odin loved opening up his stocking gifts before breakfast.  Note the goodies left for Santa on the fireplace!

Family picture of us.  Even Bjorn had a xmas outfit on.

Odin's favorite gift was a remote controlled Jeep.  (Fun for dad too!)

After Christmas, Odin and I went up to NJ to visit family and friends.  Odin used his new travel bag on the trip and he really did 'carry his weight' as he packed all his stuff in there.

We got to see Grandpa Jim.

The best part of the trip was staying with his cousins, Sydney and Brooke.  They had a great time playing, though Odin and Brooke were in constant competition.  The next two pictures describe their relationship, ha! 

We got to go on Uncle Brandon and Aunt Mary's boat, but no swimming in NJ.

Odin got to have fun with Grandma Cathy at the same park that I used to play at as a kid (though with different, and safer, playground equipment). 

At a large family and friend gathering we got to see Aunt Lisa and Uncle Frank too!

Hard to believe there are all these kids around...we used to be the kids!  :)

Hair Cut

Last Tuesday Odin got his hair cut!  As you guys recall Odin said no hair cut until he was a thousand years old.  BUT, about two weeks ago he got glue in his hair and we HAD to cut some of it...and it was then that Odin realized that getting a hair cut wasn't painful!  At that moment a light went on in his mind and he screamed, "I want my hair cut! I'm sick of it in my eyes and in my way and it hurts to be combed.  I WANT IT CUT!"  And so, we made plans for the historic day...

 Three long pigtails were cut off and saved.

 Odin said the shaving part tickled...

 As a reward he got a lollipop.  Now this was a super big deal b/c Odin has only had one other lollipop in his life.  And since then we've told him he can only have them once a year on his birthday.  But, on this special occasion because he did so well...he got a very special lollipop.  Since this momentous day Odin has told me, "Mom, you should get your hair cut!  It doesn't hurt AND you get a lollipop afterwards:-)"

Hanukkah

This year for Hanukkah we are having a blast! On the first day mom held a party for Odin's friends. They made menorahs, ate latkis and chocolate, played with driedals, danced and sang songs!

Last night Odin helped Grandma light candles...(he then blew them out just so he could light them again;-).

Dad and Bjorn spent some quality time together. Bjorn is so responsive!

and he holds his head up so well these days.

more tree climbing for Odin! In this picture there are 3 boys climbing...Demetrius, Lucas and Odin. They are best buds!

I saw it!

Bjorn just rolled and this time...I SAW IT! Yeah! The big boy is growing and doing so many cool things (in addition to rolling). He "talks" a lot and coos while nursing (so incredibly sweet). He holds our gauze and appears to answer our questions when we ask him. He, also, still sleep a lot. Odin continues to love his baby brother and appears to be a bit protective of him. If someone gives Bjorn a kiss or touches him, Odin always follows with a kiss right on Bjorn's head as if to say, "that's MY brother!"

More Smiles

Bjorn Rolled!

When I wasn't looking!  Serves me right for trying to work while Bjorn is hanging out in a different room!  This morning he was laying on his tummy about to fall asleep.  I snuck off to the office to try and get some work done.  Five minutes later I heard a loud cry, so I trotted into the living room to make sure he was OK.  AND there he was on his back!  I think he scared himself by rolling over...now, in all fairness he got a little help b/c he rolled off the mat (about 1/2 inch high).  Here is a picture minutes before he rolled...

Yesterday we had our annual Christmas party.  It was a blast.  Adults and children decorated wreaths, ate yummy food and played really hard outside and we had a bonfire.

Bjorn looking so cute in his Christmas outfit (the same one Odin wore!).

Bjorn's Smile

This morning we finally caught Bjorn's heartwarming smile on camera!

To get him to smile, Odin and Dad were being very funny!

Last weekend we took a trip to the land.  It was a gorgeous day!

This past week we also got our Christmas Tree.  Odin loved decorating it. 

It was really important to Odin that he put the star on the top of the tree.

Grandpa Dave came to visit yesterday.  He and Bjorn did some hanging out...

Yesterday Bjorn and Odin both went to the doctor.  Odin now weighs 35 pounds (72 percentile) and is 38.25 inches tall (69 percentile).  Bjorn is a big boy!  He weighs 16 pounds (97 percentile) and is 24.5 inches long (81 percentile).  According to the doc both boys are right on schedule developmentally.