Happy Holidays

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, Jeffrey must have been the only kid in town who actually slept in Christmas morning - he didn't get up until 7:30 which is a half hour later than his 'official' getting up time. He was very excited on Christmas eve as you could see in the video of him chanting 'Christmas, Christmas....' over and over. He was happy to get things started by passing out stockings to everyone, then after examining the fun stuff in the stocking and opening a few toys we had a nice french toast breakfast followed by some more presents. Jeffrey got a lot of 'space' themed toys this year, the space shuttle, some rockets and lunar exploration toys. He also enjoyed playing with the usual trucks, airplanes, and driving his new McQueen car!

Jeffrey races McQueen around the house

Kids in their matching jammies on Christmas Morning

Meredith was delighted with wrapping paper and a shiny green bow, but she managed to do some unwrapping too and had fun playing with some new stacking bowls and a tea set. She was very happy to smile and pose for pictures. We were happy she is not yet mobile and was content to sit and play and enjoy the tree from across the room without trying to grab lights or ornaments.

Meredith unwraps a present

Checking out the new tea set

Jeffrey was thrilled to spend time over the holidays with all our family. There were many moments of high excitement. He enjoyed moments of sharing toys with Meredith and tried to make her smile and laugh. He has been very helpful at dinnertime picking up a spoon or cup that she drops and handing them back to her and she has been growing quickly, progressing over the last two months to eating babyfood - a favorite is vegetable turkey dinner- and sitting up on her own almost unassisted. She can spend long periods carefully examining a single toy and really enjoys the colored plastic stacking ring toy. Meredith just loves to see people and laughs and wiggles with joy when anyone engages her. She is the happiest baby I have ever seen! We had a wonderful Christmas and are planning on heading out to see ice sculptures downtown in the afternoon of New Year's Eve - an Axtell tradition!