Potty time

Jack has finally started to show interest in potty training over the last couple months, so the Big Boy Potty has recently become a new fixture in the bathroom. So far we've only had one successful pee, but at least he's trying and requests to use the potty even if nothing ends up happening. We've got 8 months before he has to be fully potty trained (preschool in September), so there's not a big rush.

I'm very much looking forward to having only 1 child in diapers! I welcome any suggestions on potty training, since Andy and I are novices at this too :)

(He doesn't normally hold that phone while on the toilet; it was the only way we could coax him to sit his little butt on there the first time)

Bath time

Whoa! That flash really freaks me out!

Happy birthday to Granddaddy Fields!

I took some pictures of Charlotte the other night when she was getting her bath. She seems to really like this new bath gizmo she got for Christmas--it's a little towel specifically designed and cut to go over a baby's body during bathtime to help keep them warm (you soak it in warm water first).

What a sweet little face!

Trains and New Year's

Before Grandma and Grandpa Nold left for Florida, they took Jack to the Morton Arboretum and saw this cool train exhibit.

We went to the lake house for New Year's weekend, and were joined by the Words and our friend Dom. In case you can't tell, Jack has a major crush on Aubrey Word. He's never hugged me this hard, the little stinker.

Jack and Leah

Jack and Aubrey were rolling around together on some pillows. Hopefully we have several years before this type of behavior becomes worrisome.

Coloring some pretty pictures

Charlotte being carried around by Ashley

The squealer

Charlotte's new trick

Christmas, Con't.

The day after Christmas, we went to visit with the Felton side of the family. We actually got a picture of Parker, Jack, Alexis, and Charlotte sitting still and smiling. Compare against the picture from last year--how much they've grown up, especially Parker.

Charlotte sitting pretty with Grandma Nold in the cute Christmas outfit she got for her.

Charlotte and Alexis, looking like a model as usual.

Jack and Parker chowing down. Jack's turning into a great conversationalist. When he sat down at the table, Jack studied Parker for several seconds, and then announced "Monkeys eat bananas." Once that icebreaker was out of the way, he picked up his fork and got down to the business of eating.


Playing with new toys


Marty and Charlotte. Marty was very brave putting Charlotte in this position, since she projectile vomited on him at Thanksgiving!

Aunt Carol and Charlotte

Uncle Bob got some big smiles out of Charlotte!

Christmas

Check out Jack and Charlotte in their cute Christmas pj's from Grandmomma and Granddaddy Fields! We had a wonderful Christmas, and the kids were absolutely spoiled rotten with all the gifts from our family and friends. Thank you everyone!

Grandma and Grandpa Nold, Aunt Lisa, and Macie came over to our house on Christmas Day. We also got to see Grammy and Grampy Jarvis, Grandmomma and Granddaddy Fields, aunts, uncles, and cousins via Skype!

Here's Jack showing off some of his presents. He's got the usual thrilled look kids have on their faces when getting clothes for presents (but he does really like this new monkey shirt and requested to wear it the next day).

Jack was a big fan of the monkey Pillow Pal Grandma Nold got him. It's now in his bed, along with his 500 other monkey stuffed animals.

Why is it they always love the cheapest toys the most at this age?

Charlotte actually took a long nap for once in the afternoon, so the rest of us had fun playing new video games. Andy showed Jack how to be a Hunter Hero with Big Buck Hunter.

Grandma Nold showing off her skills on their new Wii.

Aunt Lisa with Macie and Louie, worn out after a long day of chasing each other and gorging on Christmas doggy treats.

Christmas Eve

Here's the first of what will probably take 3 blog entries to get all our pictures posted. And since I return to work tomorrow, we'll see how long that ends up taking me!

On Christmas Eve, we went to the Murantes' house. Sammy and Shannon fixed a wonderful dinner for us and friends Tiff and Dean. Jack got to hang out with Luke (4) and Sammy (2). Here was the kids' setup for dinner (which they barely ate, since they filled up on chocolate-covered pretzels beforehand!)

The kids kept swapping Iphones to play each others' games

After dinner, we got online to track Santa's location. Ah, the wonders of modern technology!


After a while, Charlotte just couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.



We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!