Future Olympic Sport: Tunnel Crawling

We had a fun time setting up the TeePee Maze Craze the kids got for Christmas. It does take up half the basement, but at least it is something fun to do on a rainy day. To get a little exercise we decided to have races through the tunnels. Carlie won the gold medal by getting thru the tunnel in 14 seconds. Mommy [aka Rachel, R1, Sports Goddess Extraordinaire (I just made that up)] won the silver by getting thru the tunnel in 1 minute 48 seconds. I had to do the army commando crawl, and it is quite difficult. Daddy (aka Mike, P-Daddy) failed to qualify as he got stuck in the tunnel. We nearly had to call the fire department to rescue him. Needless to say there is no Olympic future for him.

Little Big Man

Noah had his two month appointment a few days ago. He weighed in at 12lbs. 4 oz. and was 23.5 inches long. That puts him in the 75th percentile for both height and weight. By comparison, Carlie was 9lbs. 14 oz. and 21.5 inches. He is sleeping pretty much thru the night now (from about 10pm - 5:30am.) He really likes to play Patty Cake, and he just smiles so big when we play. Other than that, he is very stoic.

Christmas Part 2

We got a few more gifts from the Dobbins clan as Heather and Sean stopped in for a quick visit on their way back to California. Carlie loved her Lumpy stuffed animal and purse she got from Aunt Casey. I hope Kitty doesn't get jealous.





Don't know what he got, but I think he likes it.

Christmas Day

Everyone has left now except Grammy and Pawpaw Rodgers. Good thing they are staying an extra night so Mike and I can get things cleaned up a bit, and they can visit with the kids. We are looking forward to Aunt Heather's and Uncle Sean's visit later this week so Carlie will have people to play with again. Carlie got several fun things like a microwave, Pooh's Heffalump Movie, books, puzzles, dinero, Dora toys (I could go on and on.) Noah got some clothes, rattles, books, dinero, a toy truck (that Carlie is having fun playing with), and other fun stuff. No worries, I got Season 3 of Charlie's Angels so even when there is nothing on regular television, we can always watch the Angels. It was a very fun Christmas, and now I get to find a place for everything. Speaking of, I think I am going to find a place for that leftover ham-- in my stomach!! Yum!

Christmas Eve

It was so nice to have the entire family here for Christmas. Who knows when we will all be together again since several of the grandchildren aren't children anymore and will be off on their own before too long. We were able to get some family photos done. Haven't gotten them back yet, but will try to post some once I do. Carlie had a fun time playing with her cousins, and Noah actually smiles and laughs now so that is cool. I messed up when I uploaded these so they are somewhat scattered.






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Zoo Lights

Here are the highlights from the Zoo Lights extravaganza we went to on Friday evening with Grammy and Pawpaw Rodgers. It was strange to go into the Penguin exhibit to warm up! Oh, and if you look closely, you may actually see a picture of me in these.

Who Says...??

Who says you can't get cool stuff from a White Elephant Exchange? Carlie certainly thinks you do. Daddy brought home this huge polar bear that he got from the exchange at work. Good thing it doesn't talk or make noise or the reaction would have been much different that is for sure. I think we are going to put an addition onto the house just to hold all of this stuff.

Pictures with Santa

On Wednesday we went to Plaza Frontenac to get photos with Santa. The kids did a great job, especially since the majority of kids would start screaming when they were plopped on Santa's lap. I think Noah just stared at the ceiling the whole time, (or he was looking up at the Pottery Barn on the second level trying to decide what Mommy would want from in there for Christmas.)

Movie Suggestions

Just thought I would offer a few movie rental suggestions in case you are with family or friends and have nothing else to do. First, Glory Road. I thought this was a very good movie, especially for anyone who likes basketball. It is a true story and has a bit of humor sprinkled here and there. Also, Perfect Man. This stars Heather Locklear and Hilary Duff. It is somewhat of a Chick Flick, but much better than I expected. If you like thrillers, Mind Hunters, starring Val Kilmer and Christian Slater is good also. I won't go into detail as to what these are about, don't want to ruin them. What not to rent-- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, possibly one of dumbest movies ever made. We are watching Superman Returns tonight or tomorrow so I will let you know if that is worth the rental.

In Search of the Perfect Card Photo

Well, I attempted to take some really cute photos of the kids in their Santa hats, (you know, the precious little angel types that you see on all the photo card samples)but that is easier said than done. Since Carlie didn't want to wear her Santa outfit, and Noah's was in the wash, they just wore their regular clothes. They are still cute, and quite hilarious in my opinion. You'll have to wait till you get your Christmas card to see the one I chose. It isn't posted. Hee hee.

Putting up the tree

We got the tree put up, and Carlie liked helping put the ornaments on (and taking them off). She even made sure Noah helped out as well by giving him ornaments. He didn't really know what to think. I forgot to take a photo of the finished tree though. Ooops. And, it wouldn't be a tree-trimming party without playing a little Celine Dion Christmas. Daddy didn't really enjoy that too much, but oh well. Now, I just have to find a place to hang 19 stockings in preparation for family arrivals. (I think I need to take some pictures of Daddy and I or people might think we don't really exist.)

Recap

Didn't realize it had been over a month since I posted anything. Here is a recap of the goings on in our household since the last posting. We had a nice visit with the Dobbins clan for Thanksgiving. Too bad Heather and Sean couldn't make it here. Carlie had a great time having tea parties with Grandpa Dobbins (too bad no one got pictures of that) and running Aunt Casey ragged. Casey taught her toe taps for playing soccer so she practices all the time. Noah just hung out and slept a lot. Thanks to Casey I was able to get some time away to participate in a taste test market research study. Don't really know if that was a good thing. I had enough tater tots to last me the rest of my life.

Last weekend Noah played Baby Jesus in the St. Louis Concert Choir Christmas production. He did a fine job. But, it was tough driving back and forth for the performances. I know what it is like to be a soccer mom already and he is only 5 weeks old (well, six now). He is also Baby Jesus in the Christmas service invitations that our church sends out. It's pretty cool really. At his one month appt. he weighed in at 10 pounds flat. Sounds big, but apparently is only the 50th percentile.

Carlie is saying all kinds of things. It's pretty much like talking to an adult. We really have to watch what we say. Of course, Daddy thinks it is so funny so he comes up with stuff for her to say. I need to write some of them down. She is a great big sister, always doing things for her brother- sticking the pacifier in his mouth, burping him, giving him his bottle (yes we do assist her with these things).

Now, I am participating in another market research study for training pants. I can't say what brand or anything because you have to keep it confidential. They pretty much suck. I have had to wash Carlie's sheets nearly everyday because they don't hold all of her pee and the odor they release is gross! I know TMI!! I think that pretty much sums up the last month. I will try to keep up better now that we are getting into more of a routine.