Christmas 2014

Christmas through a four year old's eyes is pretty magically... the joy of decorating the tree, the mystery of the little elf who comes to visit each day, and the unfiltered anticipation of what Santa will bring!

Alas, our Christmas this year was full of excitement, laughter, anticipation, sharing of the holiday season, Christmas movies, and (of course) many wonderful gifts.

Here's a look at Christmas 2014.

Christmas Eve at the Jabbusch's

Christmas Eve

Grandma & Ollie

Baby's first Christmas

Dad & Ollie

Lisa & Ollie

Justin & Ollie

Christmas Day at Home

Santa came!

Legos were a big hit! Isaac got this set on Christmas eve and was so excited to wake up on Christmas to put it together. In fact, he put it together before opening any other gifts!

Taking it all in...

modeling a few gifts

Santa got a few things for Lodi too

Santa visit part II (at preschool)

Santa Photos 2014

Santa was a big hit this year!

Preschool Pictures 2014 [Isaac]

Isaac had preschool pictures last month at school (age 4.5 years). Here is our handsome guy, looking so grown up!

Isaac goes to a Montessori preschool. This year he is focusing a lot on reading, math, and art. He also takes piano lessons at school. He loves to come home and do "homework" or play with legos.

His teachers say he is at a first grade reading level, and everyday he is reading better and better. It is so fun to watch!

3 Months Old [Oliver]

Oliver is three months old!

At three months old, our big little dude is:

• Using his hands a lot more (grabbing for toys, sucking on his hands for comfort, etc.)
• Rolling from his back or tummy to his side (not all the way over, but a great start!)
• Starting to have a more consistent sleeping schedule, but it's still a little all over the place. At night he usually sleeps at least 5-6 hours, followed by a couple 2-3 hours stretches.
• Smiling and giggling!
• Wearing 6-9 month clothes.
• Holding his head up very well on his own, and pushing up for a little bit in tummy time.

Holiday Weekend with the Merhars

We had a great weekend and visit with Grandma & Grandpa Merhar, and Uncle Jeff. Here are a few photos from our adventures around Seattle.

Lunch at The Crab Pot

Seattle Aquarium

Dinner downtown (Oliver happily asleep with Grandma)

Watching Isaac's soccer practice

Oliver all ready for a holiday party!

There are a few more photos of the weekend in our Google+/Picassa page (click here).

Just a Good Little Winter Weekend

The holidays are here! We got a Christmas tree this weekend and decorated, Isaac had soccer and gymnastics, we escaped to Fremont brewery briefly, and had lots of baby snuggles. Isaac was so excited to help decorate the house and tree, and was also very excited for the return of Johnny, our elf on the shelf.

Here are a few photos from this weekend.

(P.S.: We've added even more photos to our Picasa albums. See photo links to the right.)

Look who's giggling!

Friday lunch date with the boys

Trying out the stoller on a sunny day

O' Christmas Tree

festive

At Fremont Brewery

Tree trimming

Baby snuggles (is that 4 chins?)

Thanksgiving 2014

The holidays remind us how nice it is to be near family. We spent Thanksgiving in town with my side of the family. A few photos of the day:

Our best shots at a family photo...

Eric & Lisa

Ahh... post-Thanksgiving snooze....

Go Seahawks!

 We hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.

2 Months Old [Oliver]

Oliver William is two months old! Well, he's almost 10 weeks old now, but I started work again and life just got a whole lot busier. But I digress...

Oliver's two-month stats are:

• Weight - 15lb 2 oz (95th percentile)
• Height - 24" (88th percentile)
• Head - 41cm (91st percentile)

Like his brother at two months, he is a healthy, fast growing boy.

Here is our little big guy...

Here's a two-month milestone snapshot:

• Oliver is sleeping longer stretches through the night! He usually goes to bed at 9pm and sleeps 5-6 hours, wakes up to eat around 3AM, and then goes right back to bed until 6 AM. Then, he usually sleeps another 2-3 hours until it's time to take Isaac to preschool.
• He is still eating frequently, and like a champ. He's got the rolls to prove it. He's quickly growing out of 3 month sized clothes...
• He is talking up a storm! It is so fun to have a conversation with him, and he loves being sung to.
• His head control is getting better every day. During tummy time he can hold his head up pretty far, and only occasionally needs neck support (usually when he is "boob diving," as we call it).
• He is getting less fussy at night. He still has his moments, but he has less of the uncontrollable, colicky, "witching hour" fussiness (knock on wood).
• He makes the most charming and funny facial expressions! Sometimes he looks just like his brother, sometimes he looks like Chris Farley, other times he just looks like Oliver.
• He is usually a great trooper when we are out and about. But he still likes to exercise his lungs in the car...

Cheers!

Halloween Weekend 2014

Happy Halloween! 

Isaac enjoyed a Halloween party at preschool, followed by trick or treating in our neighborhood with friends. We also had a short visit with Eric's Dad, soccer, and lots of baby snuggles. A few photos from this weekend:

Jack-O-Lanterns

Isaac as Spiderman!

Sweet Brothers

Oliver and Bernadette on Halloween night

Isaac's trick or treating buddy, Malin

Grandpa Don and Oliver (and Lego Spiderman...)

Oliver is taking a bottle! Now, Mom and Dad can go out for dinner...

Our first dinner date out since Oliver / Grandpa Don babysitting 

Go Seahawks!

Lil Kickers Soccer

Isaac's Fall Festival - 2014

Isaac had his annual fall festival program at preschool last week. It is always a fun opportunity to see him with his friends, see what he is learning and interested in, and meet the other families.

Proud to show us his "pink reading" work

Showing us a favorite math activity - "birds eye view"

All the kids performing songs

Student profile, by Isaac

His writing is getting better each day! This is an example of his "pink reading" - one of his favorite activities