Greta @ 2 months

Our baby girl turned 2 months on New Years Day.  She is becoming more beautiful and wonderful with every passing day and we thank God for the gift of her.  A few highlights from Greta's second month are…

*leaving the house more often (BSF, play dates, small group)

*looking more like her big brother and even more like her Mommy (so they say)

*had her first bottle from Daddy

*wanting to be held in the late evening hours

*thought bedtime was 1:00am

*went on her first shopping outing with Mommy

*loved laying on the floor and looking at the Christmas tree lights

*was fussy when trying to work the burps out after eating 

*got some 1:on:1 time with Mommy and Daddy while Hudson went to Mimi and Bapa's house

*starting to accept the paci a little bit more 

*began smiling

*going to church for the first time

*gaining lots of strength in her neck, back and legs

*celebrating her first Christmas

*relaxing in her swing and bouncer during "play time" 

*isn't a big fan of tummy time

*figured out long stretches of sleep at night (7-9 hours) without needing to eat

Christmas #3

For the 2nd year now we have done our "little family Christmas" over New Years.  It seems to be the best chance to fit it in.  We enjoyed breakfast together, lit our advent candles, read the Christmas story, and opened gifts.  It looks like we only took a few pictures of Hudson with his gifts.  One of my favorite memories from this Christmas was Hudson saying "Thank you" as soon as he ripped off the wrapping paper.  He had no idea what was in the box, but was still grateful for the gift.  Warms my Mommy heart.  Greta did get a few small (and pretty practical) things, but she opened those after she woke up from her nap.  This wraps up our Christmas festivities for 2014.  

  

Me and my buddy...

Excited about his new blocks...

There is so much we can build...

Ready to open his stocking...

Showing off his gifts.  Every year he gets something to wear, something to read, something for fun, and some stocking stuffers.  

A Swinger Christmas

Next up…A Swinger Christmas.  We have been celebrating with Roy's family the weekend after Christmas for a few years now and it seems to work well, as we all have our own families with children now.  There was lots of fun with cousins on this side!  All the little ones (or maybe we should say Hudson and the 4 girls) seem to keep everyone busy, as well as entertained.  Here are some pictures of our "last Christmas in the little white house."  Roy's parents are building a new house so we are all looking forward to making lots of memories together in it.  

Our family of four...

Jacy, Milly & Lynn

Jenna, Ellsy, Ben & Clara

Hudson and Clara, getting some organ practice in.  Before you know it they will be leading us in singing the Christmas carols.    

Greta and Nana enjoying some snuggles.  

Nana and Papa with the 5 grandkids (and another one will be arriving in June to Lynn and Jacy). 

 

These two little ladies…totally beautiful and precious in every way!  

Christmas smiles in front of the tree.  

Roy's dad received these "Swinger Farms" hats as his gift and he shared them with the handsome crew.

My handsome man, even with a beard.  

Roy, Ed, and Ben…these guys really do look like their dad.  :)  

A Bomgaars Christmas

We headed up to my parents house for Christmas again this year.  We kicked off the fun and festivities with our annual fondue dinner.  Hudson participated this year and was especially excited about all the yummy stuff to dip in chocolate, of course!  

There was plenty of time for relaxing and snuggling.  

The annual "kids picture" on the fireplace after the Christmas Eve service (minus Greta who finally decided it was a good idea to get some sleep).  

Hudson and Mimi, ready to open her gift.  

Aunt Ang got Hudson a firefighter outfit, perfect for our little rescue hero.  

Uncle Ryan showing Hudson how to play games on his phone.  

Greta, ready to open her present on Christmas morning.  What a beautiful gift she is!  

Merry Christmas snuggles for these two cuties.  

Mimi and Bapa Rog admiring their new granddaughter.  

We (or maybe I should say mostly I) made the gingerbread house this year.  I have fun with it, but I'm not sure anyone else in the family is all that excited about it.  This tradition may not continue, but it was fun, none the less.  

On Christmas evening we headed to Okoboji for the extended family Bomgaars gathering.  As always, it was great food and conversation, along with some interactive game with gifts.  

Mila, enjoying the traditional homemade ice cream.  

Hudson had so much fun playing with Beckett.  They became buddies and he is still talking about him. 

A few of my high school/college friends came over, Erica also had a baby in November, so we got to share babies and catch up on life.  What a blessing!  

December in Pictures

In an attempt to get this blog up to date, and also because of the randomness of the pictures we took in December, I'm going to just dump them all together here in one post.  During the month of December, besides the Christmas festivities of course, we really didn't do all that much.  We got out of the house a handful of times, but mostly we adjusted to being a family of four.  Our "extra hands" had all left and it was time to fully embrace our new routines, schedules, and expectations.  Here are a few of our memories, captured in pictures...

Hudson loves being a big brother and especially gets excited about helping give Greta a tubby.  

Greta is developing a love for her bouncer, just like her brother did.  

We celebrated Christmas with Hani and Afifa with Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and

homemade gifts of warm fleece blankets.  

Roy's 33rd birthday on Dec. 17th was certainly a highlight of our month.  

He was excited about his 4010 John Deere tractor and his Craftsman tool chest.  

My three loves...Hudson, Greta, and Roy.  

Celebrating Christmas with our buddy Thomas by doing a book exchange.  

Hudson really enjoys art projects and is becoming more interested in coloring.  

December brought a season of fussiness for little Miss Greta.  There were times when her swaddle and the swing were about the only things that would keep her happy.  We are thankful she likes the swing, as a real Swinger should, because her brother did not.  

On December 10th I captured her first smile.  

Greta's favorite place was laying on the floor and looking at all the lights on the Christmas tree.  

Hudson enjoyed telling the Christmas story with the help of his nativity.  

Look at those little cheeks...totally kissable!  

"Hey guys...I'm growing up so fast, don't you think?"