Hannah's 9 Month Pictures

Last week we had Hannah's pictures taken for her 9 month birthday. She was not very cooperative. We never actually got a smile from her looking directly at the camera...but the photographer was less than stellar this time and was not very cooperative either. Oh well, they are pretty cute anyway though! These are the ones we ordered. You can see the rest www.smilesbywire.com. Then enter the following info: Customer Name: jennifer bender & Access Code: LTPP0741120577JCP.

Christmas Morning Videos

I just downloaded some videos from Christmas. Here are some really cute ones!

This is when Aly first woke up and saw the presents...and the eaten cookies!

Aly opening her doll. It was what she asked Santa for...I bought her one and she got 3 others, plus Hannah got one too!

I just like this video because she asks if she can keep them forever...too cute!

Christmas Carriage Ride

Aly has been wanted to ride on the horse drawn carriages at Easton for a while and we kept telling her that we would next time. So we rode it last night. She went around the loop first with Dan. She had so much fun I took her around again with he other horse. The horses names were Chief and Cherry. The man was going to let her pet the horse, but she didn't want to get that close! She had a lot of fun though!

Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer!?!

We were at my parents the other day and my Dad told Aly that Grandma, my mom, had been run over by a reindeer. Aly was really concerned because she really believes that she did! Since then she has been completely into the "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer" song (she knows all the words now) and the movie...I know, I didn't know there was a movie either! It's animated and pretty dumb. My parents tried to find her a book, but there isn't one. I think I see an opportunity...any children's authors out there? Every once in a while she will randomly ask me if I knew Grandma got ran over by the reindeer and tell me the whole story about the 'nog' (what she calls the egg nog), her medicine and the hoof marks on her forehead. At least Grandma was ok!

"What is That?"

Dan and I (and everyone else) really need to watch what we say around Aly! Yesterday, we were on our way to Dan's grandparents and Aly was looking out the window. She kept asking what things were. Then we passed a power station and she asked what it was. Before we could even answer she said with total seriousness...and I quote, "That's frickin' weird!" We just looked at each and laughed! It's not really funny...but it was!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Dan and I love the whole Christmas season and everything about it!! There are so many fun things to do together and things look forward to...it is such a good time to be with family and friends. Most importantly, it is a celebration and we really want the girls to know WHY we celebrate Christmas and the reason it is so significant to us. It is so easy to get caught up in the 'things' of the season and forget the reason for it. Yes...it is fun to get presents, make cookies, go to Zoo lights and not have to work, but it is also Jesus's birthday!! God came into this world and became fully man so that we can have a personal relationship with Him! Now that is worth celebrating!! I thought this year a practical thing I could do with Aly to help her understand what Christmas is was to make a birthday cake for Jesus with her. She was really into it and kept talking about it happy Jesus was going to be that we made him a cake! It was so innocent...now I understand why Jesus said to be like children!

Baby Jesus

Aly made a 'Baby Jesus' last Sunday in church out of a potato. She was being so cute with it when we brought it home. She put it in a castle (very appropriately) she had built over the summer at a Home Depot workshop and was carrying it...Him around!

Christmas

I finally got a chance to upload all of our pictures from the last few days. Christmas was so fun this year! It was really crazy and went by sooo fast, but the girls had a blast! Here is a condensed version: We went to church in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and then to Dan's moms for a round of presents there. We came home, made cookies for Santa, Dan and I Santa put the presents under the tree and went to bed. Then we got up around 8 the next morning. Aly was excited to see the presents, but was more concerned with the fact that Santa ate all of his cookies and she had wanted some! How dare he!?! We opened presents: Aly got a doll, Higglytown stuff, and a couple games. Hannah got a camera, phone and annoying penguin toy Aly picked out for her. Then Aly and I made french toast. Hannah ate 1 1/2 pieces by herself!! We got ready and went to Dan's grandparents for lunch and more presents. After that we went to my parents for dinner and, again, more presents. Finally, we went to my aunt's for desert and...you guessed it...more presents! We are going to need a bigger house so we can fit all of their toys! They ended up getting a TON of toys and even some multiples (to be more specific, they got 4 dolls, 3 laptops, 2 dollhouses...and a partridge in a pare tree :) And after multiple trips to Best Buy and several indecisive returns, Dan and I got a new digital camera, a new printer and a Flat Screen TV (Thanks Mom and Dad! We love you guys!)! Craziness aside, it was a great day and we had so fun spending time with our families! Here are a few pictures:

This is the best picture I could get of them on Christmas Eve...they looked really cute!!

Santa's cookies and and milk...and a birthday cupcake!

Opening presents at our house Christmas morning!

Dang Ear Infections...

Hannah has another one! This time in her left ear only. She has been sick now with various things for almost a month. Dr. Heiny (yes, that is his real name) said he was concerned she has had this many ear infections and is just now going to be 9 months old. Plus, it is only the beginning of winter. He said if she gets one more that we will have to talk to an ENT and consider tubes in her ears. I just want Hannah to feel better...we are hoping she remembers what a happy baby she used to be and forgets the fussy, clingy, non-eating, non-sleeping baby she has become over the last 3 weeks!

More bad luck...

This time for me! I woke up in the middle of the night on Thursday with a HORRIBLE flu bug and puking everywhere!! I don't know where it came from, but it lasted a good 24 hours. I had to call off of school (and, of course, I had 2 guest speakers scheduled so they were probably not too happy), my Mom had to watch the girls while Dan subbed and he had to call off of Home Depot last night. My mom, thankfully, watched the girls again today while he worked a few hours. I am feeling OK now, but still pretty weak. So far, no one else has gotten it...and I am praying they don't! It was MISERABLE!! Now I only have a week left until Christmas Break!! Hannah's rash is almost gone too, so hopefully this is our last bout of illness for this year!

Talk about BAD luck...

Hannah isn't having the best winter so far. She just catch a break in the health department. After having a double ear infection and finishing her antibiotic last night she woke up this morning COVERED in a red rash. The doctor wanted to see her and told me she has Roseola, a fairly harmless viral rash. It turns out that the worst is over since her fever broke and the rash appeared. Now she should just have to deal with the two teeth she has fighting to come through on the top...that is all she wants for Christmas ;)

It is hard to tell from the picture unless you look really close! Poor thing!

Our Snow Angel

Aly was so excited to see snow. Dan bought her a sled and they went out to play everynight until it melted...then she came in and had hot chocolate with me! Here are some fun pictures!

Getting ready to go out!

First time sledding!

Making a snow angel!

They Are So Sweet!

Aly's First Gingerbread House

My dad and I built a gingerbread house with Aly a few weeks ago. She had so much fun putting it together and eating the icing. It turned out pretty cute!

The Girls Met Santa

We went to Easton last night and the girls met Santa! We did not get any pictures this year because neither one of them would go near his lap with anything that resembled a happy face. Hannah was ok until she realized that it was not Dan that I handed her to and Aly was content talking to him from a distance. She did tell him what she wanted for Christmas though...a doll. Which, by the way, was not one of the things I bought her, so now I have to go buy one! She talked about it all night. The cutest thing was when we were praying with her before bed-night, Dan thanked God for letting us meet Santa and Aly said "Yeah, he was soooo nice!". This was the first year Aly really gets the 'Santa' idea. It was fun to watch her expressions when we were talking to Santa. Dan and I were talking afterwards about how we forget how cool it was to be a kid and believe, so whole-heartedly that the man you are talking to in the mall is actually going to come to your house, while you are sleeping and bring you presents! As an adult, the idea creepy and called 'Breaking and Entering'...but as a child it's innocent and magical!! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Oh, Sick!

Aly is such a sponge! She repeats everything she hears...good or bad! Lately, she has a new phrase...'Oh, sick!' She uses it as an expression. For example, if something is cool...'Oh, sick'! If something it gross...'Aw, sick', and if she drops something...you guessed in...'Sick'! You get the idea, right? I have no clue where she learned it because Dan and I don't say that, but it is so funny! She is just like a teenager trapped in a 2 and 1/2 year old's body!

Teething = The Devil

Poor Hannah!! She is getting more teeth and has been so sick! The runny nose has caused a DOUBLE ear infection! She only slept about 3 hours on Sunday night and maybe 5 last night...which means I have gotten even less than that!! I haven't been at school yet this week, but I have to go back tomorrow no matter how much sleep I don't get...unfortunately! Hopefully she will sleep better tonight now that she has been on the antibiotic for a few days! It is so sad to see her not feeling good...especially when she is usually so happy! Here is my favorite picture of her on one of her scrapbook pages...just for fun...she is beautiful!

Note to Self:

Two year olds should not be left alone with peanut butter around electronics!

(Aly was playing in her playroom eating a spoonful of peanut butter...when I went in to check on her she had filled all the A/V inputs on the front of the TV with it.)

Thanksgiving Surprise

Aly went peepee on the potty this morning!! We haven't really been trying to potty train her yet. She is usually terrified to even sit on the potty so it was not expected at all! We were just putting laundry away and getting ready to take a bath when she said "I am going to go pee on the potty so I can have some candy!" She walked into her bathroom, sat on her potty and peed! Of course, Dan and I were so excited we started taking pictures and a video. We were so proud of her and she got to pick out a piece of candy! Then, about a half hour later she stopped playing and said she had to go again...and she did! We will have to see if it continues, but at least I know she can do it AND she knows when she has to go. Maybe Santa will have to bring her some big girl panties for Christmas!!

Dear Santa,

I am really excited for Christmas! I can't wait for you to come! I have been a good girl this year...and Hannah has been good too. Santa, will you please bring me some toys? I want milk, milkshakes, play-doh, Higglytown stuff, books and movies. Hannah wants a big chair with her name on it and some stuff to chew on. Please don't forget about all the poor kids. Give them some warm things, good food and fun toys. Thank you!

Love,

Alyssa

(Dan helped Aly write her very first letter to Santa. She was very into it and even drew him a picture. Here are some pictures of them writing it.)

Color Your World

Aly said the sweetest thing today! We went to Easton to paint some pottery for Christmas gifts. Aly had so much fun...she mixed all the colors together...but loved every minute of it. While we were painting Dan walked around with Hannah to keep her busy so it was just Aly and I. She looked over at me and told me I was a good painter. Then she said, "Thanks for doing this with me Mommy. We're having so much fun!" It made my heart melt...having kids is the greatest!

To Crawl or Not to Crawl...

Aly started to crawl at 7 months...she couldn't wait to be on the move! Hannah on the other hand is taking an alternative route to movement. I know all kids develop differently and I am not concerned about her at all, but I think it is really funny! She scoots, she bounces, she wiggles, she gets on her knees...but she has no desire to crawl! Some people have said she is being lazy, but I think she is being smart! She wants to walk and is not going to waste her time on 'measly' crawling! She is already pulling herself up on things and she will only be 8 months tomorrow! She is VERY determined and will be standing on her own soon. She will be walking before we know it! Then we are all in trouble...

Our Prima Ballerina

Aly has been taking a dance class every Saturday for 2-year-olds since September! She LOVES her class!! It is mostly ballet, but they do some tumbling too. The point of the class is to not only begin learning ballet, but also self discipline. They have to wait their turn, listen to the teacher and follow directions! She is the youngest and smallest in the class...but also the most vocal participant! Until now they have been working on some basic elements of dance, but this week the teacher added in some real ballet...there are a few videos below. Taking her to dance is one of my favorite parts of the week! She is so cute!

This is Aly doing her Chasse (Sha-SAYs). She is better doing it to the right, but she is starting to get the hang of doing it to the left!

This was her whole class learning to walk in a circle...then chasse in a circle. It is a lot harder than you think...when you are two! It was really cute!

Trick or Treat

Here are some pictures from Trick or Treat night...it was over a week ago, but my camera was MIA. Aly was a monkey (even though everyone thought is was a bear...she actually started correcting people) and Hannah was a Happy, Hairy, Higgly Monster (from Higglytown Heros...Aly's favorite show)! The weather was great and Aly had a blast!

Sleepless in Columbus...

I am beginning to wonder if anyone in the Bender home will ever sleep through the night again! Hannah isn't doing too bad, but Aly has never been a good sleeper! I am afraid she never will be. Still, at 2 1/2 years old, she has a difficult time falling asleep, wakes up multiple times in the night and wakes up super early. Today, she woke up at 6:30 am...which is not that unusual. But, instead of taking an early nap or a longer nap, she decided NO nap was a better way to go. Let me tell you, 2-year-olds NEED naps!! She finally crashed tonight at 8:30...after Hannah (who had several naps). She can fight sleep like no one I have ever seen!

A New Adventure!

So, I thought I would try this whole 'blog' thing. Everyone else seems to be doing it...and since I always give into to peer pressure...I decided to jump in as well! Plus, I also found out that there is a company out there that publishes blogs into a hardcover, bound book for a small fee! I though it would be pretty cool for the girls to be able to look back on it some day and have a journal I kept throughout their lives! I love to scrapbook and my hope is that one day I will have the time to do that more, but lets be honest - working full-time and being a full-time mom and wife leaves little time for personal hobbies! This is much quicker and fun since I am so 'tech savvy'! Hopefully, we can keep in touch with our friends and family this way too! Enjoy!