The Night Time Negotiator

It's not uncommon for Bennett to come out of his room at least once or twice after we've tucked him into bed. He's always trying to negotiate with us to stay up for just "one more hour". I have to admit, his negotiating skills have gotten better. Instead of the usual requests of "I need to pee" or "I need a drink" or "Just one more book", he is now saying things like "I just want to cuddle with you a little longer" or "I just want to give you another kiss". The other night we checked in on him before we went to bed and found him asleep like this. Looks like he was trying to get out and didn't quite make it.

Parents Visit

My parents came down to visit this past weekend and we had a wonderful time. The weather was fantastic! We enjoyed lots of long walks, yummy meals and enjoyed our special time together. Bennett was on cloud nine having his Papa in town. He asked me almost everyday for the past month when Papa was coming, so I was so glad they were finally here and he stopped asking me the same question 10 x a day (no joke)! He cried when we dropped them off at the airport yesterday, so now we've started a countdown until our Oregon trip next month. :)

Where or Where Did My Baby Go?

It's crazy to think how much Sloane has changed and grown these past few weeks. It is so exciting but also a little sad for me. It's going by so fast so I am trying to cherish every second. Sloane is now crawling, says "dada" (to Justin) and "hi", and has her two bottom teeth. She pulls herself to stand in her crib, claps her hands on command, can pick things up with her fingers and cruises across the floor to get what she wants. She is definitely a motor baby. People always comment to me that she never stops moving (even when you're holding her). This girl doesn't miss a beat. She continues to be happy most of the time but isn't afraid to show us when she's frustrated. In fact, Justin and I were scared that she was getting a little bit of an attitude. Our friends tell us not to worry - we just don't know what life is like with a girl. Oh, we're about to find out!

I'm so happy her eyes stayed such a gorgeous blue! Her left tear duck continues to be a problem so we'll be having another procedure done at 9 months. Yuck! I hate to put her through that again, but the poor thing can't open her left eye all the way a lot of the time.

Best buds. They share such a special bond.

On the go!

All the Cousins

Christmas 2011

Christmas was so much fun this year spent in Oregon. I love watching the excitement of the Christmas season through Bennett's eyes and the chaos of all the kids running around. As usual, our trip home was packed with lots of fun activities with family and friends over two weeks.

All the Phelan cousins minus Brady. Auntie Katie got them matching Xmas jammies.

Daddy helping Sloane unwrap her first present on Xmas Eve.

Auntie Val and Brady. We were fortunate to hang out with them almost everyday.

Uncle Kyle got Bennett a helicopter. This was probably his favorite gift.

B didn't get up until 7:20 a.m. Christmas morning. Here he is discovering his new dinosaurs.

Santa brought B a new kickboard scooter.

It's a Christmas miracle - both kids are looking at the camera!

Family photo before we headed over to Kyle's for Xmas dinner.

Sloane and Miss Kennedy. Kennedy is so sweet with her and has named all her baby dolls "Sloane". I took Kennedy to get her nails done and out to lunch one day (just us girls). When it came time to pick her color I grabbed a bunch of pinks (her favorite color). She told me, "Auntie Stacy, pink no Christmas color. Red." So we both got our nails painted red (hers with snowflakes). She was so much fun and never stopped talking.

The 3 boys.

Tackling Uncle Mark.

They love to wrestle.

Playing with Kennedy's dollhouse.

Uncle Kyle and the girls.

Annual Gingerbread Party

We had our 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Party with our friends Lucy and Liv Friday. The kids all go to different schools now, but us moms keep in close contact and have play dates often. The kids loved making their houses this year and insisted on no help from the moms. I just love the independence of 3 year olds. I didn't have a chance to snap many pics since I was holding Sloane most of the time, but here are a few.

B built a firehouse and wore his red apron this year. Last year he would NOT put it on.

I think more candy got consumed than made it on the gingerbread houses.

My little girl. She has changed so much. Just love her so.

Fire Chief Bennett

Last Thursday we took Bennett to the Belmont fire house for a Toys for Tots event. I think it's so important during this holiday season to teach Bennett about giving to those less fortunate. We brought a 'boy' toy and B kept asking why he was giving the unwrapped toy away so it was a good lesson learned. He could care less that Santa was there and got a TON of attention from all the firefighters. They loved his costume and said it looked like the 'real deal'. I have to admit, Justin and I had a blast too. Afterwards, we went out to dinner with friends. I just love this special time of year!

Delivering a toy and meeting Fireman Steve. The fireman were so friendly and cute!

Fireman Grant giving B a private tour of the 'rig' (they call it). They had the big hook and ladder truck along with two other trucks parked outside.

He had the time of his life!

The fire pole was a highlight.

They even brought in fake snow.

Driving the big wheel.

B loved looking at the zone map of Belmont.

This is the exhaust pipe that they put on the trucks when parked inside. B was very intrigued.

Look at all those hoses!