just us.

It's been a while since we had an entire day of just us time.  Today we welcome it with open arms.  And yes, we are all still in our jammies.  I am so thankful for days like this to come along once in a while, with no agenda, no to-do list, just nothing, just us.  It's a special treat and we savor it. 

We enjoy leftovers, Christmas decorations around us, white lights brightly filling the room, a few episodes of Pawn Stars from the DVR, a little football and maybe a movie, playing tea party and picnic time and cuddles galore.

We are officially a family this year. 
just the three (plus Lucy makes four) of us.

thankful.

Thanksgiving was a busy day, and I could tell because I only had one picture that was taken.  Camera toted everywhere, not a chance to take it out.  It was a day with Todd's family.  Relaxing time with his Dad, time seeing all of the Blasdell's, and then dinner with all of the Snyder's.  We were able to see so many people, and that's great since we don't get out that way often enough.

Four generations in the Snyder family

On Friday, we spent more time with Todd's mom and celebrated our Christmas with her as well.

November was a great month with an abundance of family time.  We have so much to be thankful for this year, our family is so important to us.  But most of all, we received the most precious joy in the world this year topped with a pink little bow.  We love you so much baby girl.  Mommy and Daddy could not be more thankful for the greatest gift of all...you.

a merry thanksmas.

It's hard to adjust to the reality of holidays with family stretched across the country.  This year we had a combination Thanksgiving/Christmas with my family already, pulling in also the birth of a new family member (our niece Brynn).  We are so grateful for the good chunk of time we were able to spend together, its just going to take some getting used to when these holidays arrive. 

Our holiday gatherings also look and sound a little different as well.  Instead of Christmas music playing during dinner, we hear screams, whines, loud talking, and cries; instead of taking our precious time opening gifts in birth order, we randomly open presents and are lucky if you get to see half of them.  It's crazy, it's chaotic, but it's memories of this time with a 5 year old, 2 year old, 9 month old, and newborn in the family that we will all look back on and laugh at.  Aidan is old enough to read the names and hand out presents, Liam randomly opens everyone's presents with the expected patience of a 2 year old, Quinn crawls on them, and Brynn cries and then just might poop on them (yes, someone was even pooped on for this family gathering). 

Hello a very Griswold Christmas.

Despite the chaos, there was room leftover for good family time, a delicious meal (fried turkeys by Uncle Drew included), and the fun of gift-giving.

A first for this little girl...

cute turkey outfit huh? another masterpiece by grandma

Quinn with Thor (aka  cousin Liam)

matching turkey outfits made by Grandma for Quinn and Brynn.

complete with precious boots (turkey headband, tutu, turkey shirt)

adorable cousins.

Merry Thanksmas!

quinn & lucy.

It doesn't take much to entertain a baby or a cat.  A ball of yarn is all you need. :)

oh, she totally knew what she was doing. "here kitty kitty" may as well be coming out of her mouth.

just a few more days...and this little girl will be a big 9 months.

swinging along.

November is cruising along, and we are fortunate to spend a big chunk of this month with family.  A brand new cousin has arrived, my parents are in town, and Quinn's Uncle Drew will be here very soon.  We are so grateful for this time.

It's been a little chilly this past week, yet yesterday brought some mild air (and today even better) so we took advantage of taking in a little fresh air with a trip to our closest little park (on grandpa's birthday). 

Quinn loves the swing.

I think we are ready to welcome winter now.

With a warm day today we took advantage and got the Christmas lights up.  Since we were already doing that I went ahead and figured I could decorate the house with some Christmas things too.  We don't have our tree up yet, but I love Christmas decorations so the longer we can have them up the better. :)  It was a productive day.  Aside from getting the Christmas lights up and decorations, Todd also cleaned and straightened up the garage (needed it bad) and I made some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, among the usual house chores, and not to leave out all of our time chasing Quinn around.  She was a good napper today, so that helped with how much we were able to do today.

I think with the Christmas decorations up, that helps us feel more ready for snow.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

the cuteness.

sometimes the cuteness is just too much.

Love you so so much pretty girl.

introducing...

our new baby niece and cousin!

Brynn Elise ~  6lbs. 13 oz.  19 inches.

the girls. :)

Welcome to the world beautiful little Brynn.  We are so excited you are here!

eight months.

This gorgeous little girl is eight months old! 
well, she already has been for a little while, sorry for the post delay.

taking photos has presented new challenges as it's now try to catch a good shot on the go (a little one on the go all the time that is)
she has been crawling for a month and a half now and she can be speedy.

her hair is getting longer.

she is pulling herself up everywhere.

the monthly size comparison picture we just have to take :) 

eight month olds can be a difficult subject to shoot.

Eight Month Stats:

Size:  About 17 pounds  29 inches

Eye Color:  green/blue with specks of brown

Looks like:  Recently I've seen more Todd in her, she seems to go through phases.  Often I find it in her expressions, and she is definitely more expressive lately.  Todd doesn't seem to see it.  Otherwise, we still see more mommy in her and so much like my baby pics.  The last picture on this post is all Dalton. 

Sleep:  Bedtime 7pm, wakes 7-8:30 am  (sleeping through the night for over 5 months now already, crazy how long it's been since the nighttime feeding times)

Naps:  Still 3 naps a day, occasionally 2.  Typical day of naps looks like -  1 hour morning nap, 2 hour mid-day nap, 45 minute-1hour later afternoon nap.  Such a good sleeper!

Eats:  When she takes a bottle it's 6 ounces, that's as high as she has gone.  I still make all of her baby food and that is going great.  So far she has had:  sweet peas, pears, apples, zucchini, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, bananas, peaches, pumpkin, squash, avocado (and asparagus is next).  That's a lot of little flavors for this little girl.  We try puffs each meal, she mostly just plays with them or I put them in her mouth (she is getting used to them).  Real food? she has enjoyed some chewing on a banana, but a finger sweep was needed when she tried to put too much in her mouth.

Teeth:  Oh my goodness!  Almost 8 teeth already, doesn't that seem like a lot?  6 came in by the time she turned 8 months with another one that just joined and one working its way in soon.  I can't believe it!  She handles teething like a little rockstar!  Orajel occasionally, but never had to use motrin or anything for her.

New things:  Crawling really fast now, pulling herself up, catches herself really well so we aren't quite as nervous of her falling over when she pulls up, stands by herself for a little while, grabs small things, babbles and hums and kind of sings, found her shadow, feeds the bottle to herself...and I'm sure there is more...  It's so many new things in such a short period of time.

Talking:  the consonants and "mama's" have been absent recently, I think due to all these teeth lately, but that hasn't stopped the "talking"  it just sounds different.  She is definitely discovering more sounds she can make.

Likes:  being chased and then giggling the whole way, favorite toy right now is one of Lucy's mice toys (pulls it around everywhere, it's become her little sidekick), is figuring out that we pull her away from where the dvd player and cable box are and thinks it is funny so goes over there with a huge grin and over the shoulder look., likes the front door, ceiling fans still, being tickled, fake coughing, being a little ham, trying to get your attention, listening to mommy's nursery rhymes and daddy's made-up songs, walks, people watching, baths and much more.

Dislikes:  not too much in this category, occasionally she does not like being lifted up high in the air, sweet potatoes, having her facewashed after eating (but doesn't mind it at bathtime)

Unique qualities:  doesn't have that put everything in your mouth instinct (so awesome), let's mommy put hats, headbands, hairties etc. on all the time and it never bothers her, goes to bed and wakes up a happy little peach, a smiley and compassionate girl, is very curious, does not get upset if something is taken away - moves on easily, soooo easy-going.

she looks so old here...hopeful for such an easygoing teenager.

a place we spend so much of our playtime.

with so many pictures, favorites change.
Today it is this one...