Christmas

For Christmas this year, we stayed in Arizona... No jumping into lake Michigan for the Polar Bear Plunge, no multiple Christmas celebrations (my Mom's house, Kent Christmas, or dinner at my Grandma's), no trips back to Wisconsin, and no snow...

Although we missed all those things, we had a very low key and lovely Christmas here with Paul's parents. Matix and Colleen each had an enormous stack of presents (the rest of us had normal amounts) :). Matix got into opening his presents, but couldn't stay with one toy for more than a few minutes (it was very exciting)...

We posed the boys together in this wagon... It was a lot cuter in my head.

This is Matix peeking through his legs at Paul. :)

It was Hawken's first Christmas. :) We love this little guy.

Last Christmas was our first Christmas as a family of 3, and this was our first as a family of 4. :) Well, 5 if you count Sakina :)

Vacuum

Matix has discovered the joys of the vacuum thanks to Paul... :)

A few minutes later he sucked the hose on his cheek and got freaked out. :) I wish I had caught that on film, but I missed it.

Grandpa Time

Grandpa gets a lot of time with this little guy, and the other day this is how Grandma caught them together. :)

I don't know what this face is, but it's cute.

Big Brother

This is Matix reading a book. It is something he does a lot, especially before going down for a nap or when he is sad to calm down.

The other day he sat down next to Hawken (in the swing) and "read" to him... "Da buh buh buh. La leeeee pop-pop. Do da bee bee"

I have NO idea what he was telling him, but Hawken turned his head toward Matix while he was being read to. So cute. I love it.

Then later, Matix stumbled upon Hawken during one of his naps, and thought he needed an extra blanket. :)

He is getting really good at this big brother thing.

Happy Christmas!

Well, we have decorated the tree, wrapped the presents, danced to Christmas music, drank egg nog, hung the mistletoe and the stockings...

Tonight we will have some friends and family over for dinner, set up the nativity, read from Luke and remember the REAL reason why this holiday is so special. Happy Holidays everyone!

Christmas Pictures

We went to the ward Christmas party on Friday.... Mostly so we could get these pictures. :) At first this was how Matix was feeling about Santa...

Until one of the elves gave him a candy cane. Then he thought Santa was okay. Hawken, of course, being the calm baby that he is, fell asleep in Mrs. Claus' arms. So cute.

I have never seen Mrs. Claus at anything, so we were excited she came to our party. :)

The park

There is a park here just around the corner that Matix and Grandma (and now Daddy) go to all the time (the baby and I are sick, so we have been staying inside). Anyway, the park is SO much fun.

Matix usually prefers to do the slide with someone, but has been trying more and more things on his own. Today with Paul he went all by himself. Here he is, tongue out, concentrating...

And again with the tongue. :) He got stuck like this.

On this particular day, I had gone with to the park and when we got home, this is how we found Hawken.

Colleen was babysitting and thought he would sleep better on a pillow with my shirt wrapped around him. :) He did sleep well.

Sakina

Matix has really gotten into the "helping" thing. When the baby is upset, Matix races us to him so HE can be the one to give Hawken back his paci. :) He also is big on brushing the animals fur. Here he is with our WAY too patient dog, Sakina. :)

Paul is back!

On Thursday, Matix, Hawken and I went to the airport and picked up Paul. It was a very sweet reunion. Matix was SO excited to see him. And it was very precious to see Paul's reaction to meeting Hawken for the first time. I am SOOOO happy he is back here with us. I missed him like crazy! Here is a video of the event.

Since he has been back we have gone out to eat, shopping and to the park as a family of 4... How strange that is for me to write! :) 4 of us... :)

Anyway, it has been really nice and feels so right. Today we went to get a Christmas tree with Paul's family... I am loving this Christmas season already!

He's Here!!

Well... He will be! :) Paul will be in tonight, and although that is very soon, it isn't soon enough. I feel like this:

Just kidding! :) But I am very anxious to see Paul!

Right now, both babies are asleep and I actually have time to clean up and get things ready for when Paul gets here.

Sorry this post is a little random. :) The update on the kids is as follows... Matix is getting better about sharing toys and time and everything (except Grandma) with Hawken. He is concerned when Hawken cries and gets his paci for him. So sweet. He also likes to give Hawken kisses and snuggles. Hawken has been a little stuffy at night, but still sleeps VERY well for a 2 week old. He is usually sleeping, but when he is awake he holds his head up and looks around to see everything. He is very relaxed and calms down easily when he does get upset. I am SO excited for Paul to meet this little guy and reunite with Matix after a month and a half.

This is a common sight around here lately. Hawken LoVES to be snuggled by Grandpa.

This is NOT a common sight:

Grandma does not get very much time with this little guy, since our BIGGER little guy has claimed her for himself. :)

1 day!!!

Today is Wednesday... which means Paul is in (or on his way) to Puerto Rico. He has to spend the night there, but then he will be on his way home!!! He should be here in Arizona tomorrow! Woo hoo!!!!

1 more day until we can dance again... in the store, in the living room when Matix and Hawken are asleep, in the street, wherever we want! I miss dancing with you. I love you Hubby and I will see you tomorrow! :)

- The Wifey

2 days!

2 days until we can snuggle! We are all in desperate need of a snuggle from you Paul! See you soon! :)

3 days!

3 days until we get to talk in person! No more of this over the phone stuff! :)

*Side note*

Elder Cook (an Apostle) was at the stake conference here yesterday and he met Matix. He said Matix has eyes the same color blue as President Hinkley, and just as piercing... I thought that was really cool. :)

4 days!

Only 4 days until you don't have to walk 45 minutes to church! It will be a short 3 minute drive. :) Although, I know sometimes we enjoy the walks... We will see you soon Paul!

5 days!

5 days until kisses! We miss you Daddy!

Love, Matix and Hawken

Bubble Bath

Matix now enjoys bubble baths, rather than non-bubbled baths... and I thought these pictures were particularly cute. :)

Who is the baby?

Matix has re-discovered his old baby swing... :) Here he is enjoying being the baby again.

Time alone...

Today I had some time alone with the boys (weird, I have boyS)... Usually I have Lee, Stacy, Colleen, and up until yesterday, my Mom to help. But today it worked out that I had Matix and Hakwen all to myself for just over an hour. And... drumroll please... we made it! :)

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, which gave me some more confidence. Hooray! Matix had breakfast (he can do it completely by himself now, other than the getting into and out of the booster seat). Hawken had breakfast. I had breakfast. Then Matix played while Hawken looked around. Then I got up the guts to give Hawken a sponge bath! Matix came with and it all went just fine. Here is picture proof. :)

Then I dressed Hawken and he went to bed. When I came out I saw Matix snuggling Sakina... which is a common sight. These pictures are of different days, but it looked like this today too. :)

Matix went down for his nap shortly after, and so did I. :) Good day! I hope you all had as good of a morning as I did.

Helping

Matix is teething still and has been for a few weeks. Molars are no fun. :( But aside from that, Matix has been interested in this new little baby person who is STILL here. :) I think he thought maybe he was just visiting.

Here we are changing Hawken's diaper together. Matix was a big helper, as I'm sure you can imagine how helpful a one year old could be. :)

Also, my Mom left today. I was so grateful that she wanted to and could come out to be here with me. Thanks Mom! :) I love you.

Just for you, Daddy!

Here is a post just for Paul. He has been wanting to see a video of this new little guy sleeping (we had a few funny ones of Matix when he was a few days old too)... So, this is about a minute of nothing but Hawken... awake and looking around and then sleeping and making silly sleepy faces. :) Hope you like it Paul! One more test and a couple of days and you will be here to see him for yourself. We miss you!

Hawken's earth debut

Okay, finally...

Here is the video of Hawken's big debut. :)

We are so happy he is here!

Results on the polls were:

What day will Hawken be born?

Monday=1 vote

Tuesday=3 votes

Wednesday=4 votes

Thursday=5 votes

Friday=4 votes

Saturday=2 votes

Sunday=2 votes

So good job to the majority of you who guessed the right day, Thursday! :)

How much will he weigh at birth?

6 pounds=1 vote

7 pounds=7 votes

8 pounds=20 votes

9 pounds=6 votes

10 pounds=2 votes

He weighed 7 pounds and 10 ounces, so I will let you be right if you guessed 7 or 8 pounds. :) But shame on you (whoever you are), for voting for 10 pounds! yikes! :)

Early Christmas

My Mom brought Matix his Christmas present and we decided to have a little early Christmas. :) It was fun to watch Matix opening a present, since last year he was only 3 months old and didn't get to do that. Here are some pics of the opening...

But THIS is the funny part of the event. :) After it was open and Matix played with his V Smile Baby (it's like a video game for babies that focuses on shapes, colors, animals, things like that)... Then Lee and my Mom had their turn. :) Please note the faces of delight as they play. So silly!

Matix sat with Stacy and had a little pie while he watched everyone else play with his new cool toy. :)