Merry Christmas!

Where do I even begin...This year was an especially fun Christmas because Alex is starting to buy into all the magical happenings and, of course, it was Seanie’s first Christmas. We were SO spoiled from each of our families with presents, food and, most of all, love.

It was a weekend of celebrations - On Friday, we celebrated Christmas with the Beyer side. We’re up to 6 kids running around and it was crazy but so much fun! All the kids were crying when we left because they didn’t want to leave Papa and Nana’s house, even though it was WAY past their bedtimes!

Alex & Aunt Car Car

My little Christmas present!

All the cousins admiring the Christmas train!

My sweet Grandma:)

The "big" cousins.



Uncle Dave & Miss Anna Banana :)



The Michna boys cuddling in their Christmas pajamas.

Silly Papa with Logan and Alex

On Saturday, we celebrated Christmas Eve with the Michna side. We enjoyed a delicious steak dinner and then watched as Alex & Sean were showered with more presents!

Sean with Grandma Michna

My two lovelies:)

Aunt Ann & Alex...Ho Ho Ho!

Mommy & Alex

On Sunday, we opened presents from Santa, went to church, then we went to Grandpa & Grandma Michna’s house for the afternoon and finally headed over to Uncle Paul and Aunt Pat’s for a Christmas dinner.

Miss Hailey & Seanie

Getting some snuggles from Aunt Jenny!

Tuckered out from all the festivities!

Christmas morning was my favorite part of the weekend and everything that I hoped it would be for Alex. We set out cookies & milk for Santa and then looked outside for Santa’s sleigh in the sky before we went to bed. I wasn’t sure if Alex really understood that Santa was finally coming. But, when he woke up in the morning, the first thing out of his mouth was “Santa!” So we ran downstairs to see all the presents under the tree and began ripping them open. Alex & Sean received so many nice things all weekend long - Woody & Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, dinosaurs, xylophone, bath toys, race tracks, cash register, play food, easel, Mr. Potato Head, books, photo albums, picture frames, choo choo trains, teething rings, clothes, and bibs just to name a few!

Santa came!

Playing dinosaurs with Daddy.

To infinity and beyond!

Seanie's first Christmas!

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and wishing everybody a Happy and Prosperous 2012!

Gymboree Fun!

I signed Alex up for a few classes at Gymboree Play & Music during the winter months while we are stuck inside and I'm so glad that I did. He loved it! Unfortunately, there was only one other little girl that was in his class on Saturday but usually there are more kids to play with. He definitely had the instructors full attention and had the run of the place. It was so nice to watch him follow directions and take turns with Maddie, the other little girl that was there. They mostly sang songs and ran around but it's a fun place to take Alex when it's cold outside.

Havin' fun on the balance beam.

My little climber:)

Singing and tapping with maracas!

10 more days...

...until Christmas! We're enjoying all the fun and exciting things that come along with Christmas season. Santa's elf, “Buddy,” made his first debut in the Michna home when he was left by St. Nick on December 6th. Alex enjoys finding him each morning and is mystified by the whole idea of Buddy’s magic. Alex went Christmas caroling at a local retirement community last night and sang his little heart out. We saw Santa for a second time at the New Berlin library where they had story time and treats for the kids. Alex had the same reaction as the first time we saw Santa, however, he did work up enough courage to slap Santa a high five. We still have to take the boys to see Candy Cane Lane before Christmas. So much fun!

Alex & Sean with their St. Nick stockings!

The little Christmas carolers:)

  

Helping Mommy hang ornaments on the Christmas tree.



"My Auntie Knows Santa!"



Alex:  Which way to the exit!?!



Thumb Sucker

Our little Seanie is quite the thumb sucker. He wants little to do with his binky. I think it’s cute but I just hope it doesn’t become too much of a habit and turn into an issue down the road. Sean decided on his own, about a week ago, to start sleeping through the night. He’s like his Mommy and loves his sleep! He usually sleeps from 7:30pm until 7:15am.  Sometimes we hear him babbling to himself in his crib in the morning until we get him up.  He will usually flash us the biggest smile in the morning.  So adorable!

Found that thumb!

Sucking away...

More sucking!

Kisses:)

Waterpark

Alex received a gift certificate for his birthday to stay at the Great Wolf Lodge in the Dells and we finally enjoyed it this past weekend – Thanks Jill! We timed it out perfectly with Christmas because every inch of the place was decorated and Santa made his first arrival on Saturday night for the tree lighting. Alex & Sean sat on Santa’s lap, we said hi to his (real) Reindeer, we stayed for storytime and we had tons and tons of fun at the waterpark.

Alex was a little fish all weekend. I swam with Alex primarily while Dave sat on the sidelines with Seanie. I could see Alex’s confidence and skill level get better from day to day with playing in the water. He was scared to ride on some of the bigger waterslides because he had to go alone and when I finally got him to slide down, we spent the next hour on them because he had so much fun. Let’s just say by the time it was time to go, he left the place kicking and screaming!  We can't wait to go back!!

Alex and the pretty Christmas trees

Alex & Daddy had to check out the huge gingerbread house that was made entirely by candy.  It was amazing!

Alex and Sean meeting Santa Claus-
Sean was out cold and Alex wanted nothing to do with Santa despite talking about him all day!

"Santa's Little Helper"

Alex and I bonded in the water all weekend:)

Trying out the jet ski.

Seanie's first time in a pool:)
Is this kid easy going or what?!?



Sucking on those fingers again.  Too cute!



Trying out the baby slide first.

My little fish:)

Daddy and Seanie bonded too!

4 Months / Potty Update

Wow!  4 months old already!!  We went for Sean's 4 month checkup today and the doctor said he looks great and now weighs 15lb 12oz.  The doctor said that he's "socially advanced" for his age and Sean is already doing things that 6 month olds start to do - following objects from a distance, rolling, grabbing onto things, and he even had a bit of seperation anxiety when Dave left the room to take Alex potty.  The doctor measured Sean's head to check the flat spot and he said it's a lot more symmetrical so there wasn't much concern anymore but we should still keep an eye on it.  Yay!  The doctor said we have two very healthy boys and we should feel lucky - We feel extremely lucky!

Potty Update:  Alex has been doing great on the potty as of lately.  He hit a few stumbling blocks a few weeks ago where he was having 1-2 accidents per week and he was so constipated that he wasn't pooping on the potty because it hurt him so bad.  But this last week has been terrific - No accidents so far and he's now telling us when he has to go poop on the potty.  It's been nice not having to change his diaper during the day!  Way to go, Alex!   



Sweet brother love!



Our little over-achiever grabbing onto his toys.

The Alex Man trying out Seanie's bumbo chair.



Celebrating the 4 month milestone with a cold one!