December 31

Yesterday Elliott had his 4 month checkup. He weighed 14 lbs, 4 oz (24th percentile) and was 25 inches long (38th percentile). He got 2 shots. Julia covered her ears and closed her eyes while he got them - she is braver for her own shots!

Scaring the goldfish

After Elliott's appointment, we went to story time at the library. They had a New Year's Dance Party complete with a balloon drop at the end. The girls were able to burn off some of their excess energy. It was great!

"Kat has got a bear on her head... she keeps it there all day!"(sung to the tune of a Laurie Berkner song)

Now Elliott's got a bear on his head!

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...Happy New Year!

Clay took the girls to see the new Chipmunk movie after their naps yesterday. However, the 3pm show was sold out, so they bought tickets for the next show at 5pm. He took them to the mall until their movie started. Elliott and I had about 4 hours of peace and quiet yesterday and it was awesome! I had my pajamas on at 4pm and watched a Gilmore Girls marathon.

December 30

• I have a new addiction: carpet cleaning! I got a carpet steamer for Christmas and it works miracles! Love it!
• Clay being off work has been nice. I took a bubble bath last night at 6pm. Awesome!
• Elliott's 2nd day of rice cereal went great. He's taking longer naps and he is nursing less frequently (he was eating every two hours), so that's nice.
  
• I have started a diet now that Christmas is over. I have 10 pounds of baby weight left plus 10 pre-pregnancy pounds that I want to lose. So far I have exercised once and eaten pretty healthy. I am cutting out fried foods, trying to drink more water, cutting out food after dinner time, reducing my portions, and my goal is to exercise 3-4 times per week. Wish me luck (and hold me accountable for exercising please!!!!)!
  
• I have decided to tackle an issue with Kat this week - the tantrums. She immediately falls to the floor and starts screaming when she doesn't get her way. Two nights ago she went to bed early without a bedtime snack or a story because she wouldn't stop screaming. Yesterday she was very well behaved. Probably a fluke, but she knows I mean business at least! I am sure I will get a chance to practice disciplining her for the tantrums again soon enough.

Who is having more fun with the girls toys?

Yesterday we stayed home and I cleaned. Clay played basketball last night at church. This morning Elliott has his 4 month checkup. He will get 2 shots, poor guy. I am curious to see how much he weighs now.

December 29

Happy Birthday Nonna!

December 28

Elliott is 4 months old!

Nonna went home this morning. Elliott and I went to the grocery store and got some laundry done. Clay is off work this week, so it's nice to have him home. He put my new carpet steamer together and put clean sheets on the beds. Did I mention it's nice to have him at home?

Happy little guy

1st rice cereal

Super Girl!

Ma-maw and Pa-paw C came over with Bapaw for a visit tonight. They are heading home tomorrow morning.

The girls wrastlin' their Bapaw

Four Generations of C boys

The boys plus Big Kat, Little Kat, and Julia

December 27

Last night Nonna, Mamaw Pat, Aunt Susie, and I went to see "It's Complicated". It's a great movie - alot of laughs! We didn't get home until almost midnight, so we were too tired this morning to get up for church. Clay went for a run and ran an errand. For dinner tonight we took Nonna out for pizza at Impellizzeris- yum! After that we went to Lights Under Louisville.

Playing Barbies - I think the Barbies were going to the movies

How many time did you read Green Eggs and Ham today Nonna?

Nonna and her Grandbabies

Take 2

It was snowing tonight when we went out for dinner. Here Kat is "tasting the snow".

December 26

We have been taking it easy today. The girls are playing with (and fighting over) their new toys. Julia and Kat both took naps, which will hopefully help with the crankiness (theirs and mine). While the kids were napping, I put all the Christmas decorations away. I am always in a hurry to get it out, and in a hurry to put it away! Actually, I am always in a hurry for everything! Clay is out shopping for electronics right now. Tonight after the rugrats go to sleep, Nonna, Mamaw Pat, Aunt Susie, and I are going to see the movie "It's Complicated". Should be fun!

Elliott is testing out the baby doll bunk bed that Papaw G made.

December 25

Nonna arrived Christmas Eve in time to read the girls' bedtime story and to tuck them in bed. Julia woke us up this morning at 6:15am saying she heard a funny noise. She thought it was Santa coming down the chimney. We stayed at home and played with the kids' new toys until 1pm and then headed over to Mamaw and Bapaw's for more gifts and for dinner.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love, Clay, Amy, Julia, Kat, & Elliott

December 24

Update: Pictures from our Christmas Eve Cookie Party earlier this afternoon:

Original Post:

Merry Christmas Eve!

Late this morning the family is coming over to make cookies for Santa during our Christmas Eve Cookie Party. This afternoon we're going to church and tonight Nonna is arriving!

I am tooting my own horn here, but I am proud of myself. I have been wanting to make this recipe for awhile now, but was a little intimidated. Well, I made these homemade cinnamon rolls yesterday and they turned out pretty yummy if I do say so myself (and no, we didn't eat all 6 pans ourselves. I gave them out to family).

Click HERE for the recipe!