The Best Christmas EVER!!!

At the beginning of December, Karson wanted to play around a little with his camera.  He hasn't had a chance to do any editing, but I thought some of them were pretty sweet.;)  

I think this one is hilarious!  Kaden is cross-eyed and Katherine is crying.:)

Here are some other sweet pictures from December.  We took this after the morning that Kaden slept his first 4 hour stretch at night.:) 

"Aunt" Alli came to help me one day with the babies.  She has twins and has been SO helpful with everything.  She gave me SO many great tips when she came to help. She stole some sweet snuggles with Miss Katherine.:)

This is another cute picture of "Mommy's BIG guy."  I was so excited that I captured his smile on camera. Kaden has started smiling daily, and his smile just lights up the room!  His first smile was on December 13, and it was while he was helping me do laundry.  I'm hoping he continues his love of household chores.:) 

"Aunt" Haylee came over one day so that we could go on a walk and brought her sweet new little boy Knox.  We weren't supposed to have Katherine and Kaden around any other children, but we figured another new baby would be OK. He seemed to have a little crush...she's not that into him yet.:)

Later in December, Rae, one of my best friends, drove in from Oklahoma to help for a few days. She worked in the NICU for several years, so she was a huge help!  She cooked, cleaned, changed diapers, helped with feedings, and watched babies so I could run errands. It was wonderful!  

Rae discovered Kaden's favorite way to sleep...with his monkey on his face. :)

My sweet Aunt Linda also came for a few days and it was wonderful! I somehow forgot to take a picture!!!;(

On December 11, our little sweeties turned 3 months old!  Kaden weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. and Katherine weighed 6 lbs.

In the middle of December, Grandpa flew in from Cali for Christmas.  Since we weren't able to take the babies out to visit Santa, my sweet friend Megan let us borrow her Santa suit.  Grandpa enjoyed dressing as Santa, and as my sweet friend Alli said, they will NEVER have a Santa who loves them more.;)

Santa's little helpers :)

Granny bought them these cute Naughty and Nice bibs.:)

And then, of course, no Santa's lap experience is complete without the "crying on Santa's lap" picture.:)

On Christmas morning, they were SO excited to see Snug Seats from Grandma and Grandpa and a Giant Elephant and Lion from Santa.  :) 

Have I mentioned how much I love these two little Santa bums?!?!

Katherine and Kaden's first Christmas was also their first Snow Day.  They spent most of the day cuddling with Grandpa and Grandma, enjoying the view of the snow on the back porch.:)

They also enjoyed a few snuggles with Mama and Daddy.:)

Later, we decided to get out our snow suits from Grammy and venture outside.

They were SO huge on them!  In fact, we kept them in their swaddle and THEN put them in their snow suits!;)

So fun!

At the end of December, we played dress up one last time.:)

When we found out we were pregnant, my mom gave me the "going home" outfit I wore home along with the one that they bought for me to wear if I had been a boy.  It was so fun putting them in them now that they finally fit.

Sweet Katherine,

We adore you baby girl!  You are becoming more and more alert every day.  You love to lay on your side and just look at your surroundings. Your favorite place to rest is by the Christmas tree.  You love the lights! You often sleep with one eye halfway open.  Your Daddy and I think it's because you don't want to miss anything.:) You have started liking your playmat for short periods of time, which is great.:) December was a HUGE month for you! Cook Children's came to pick up your heart rate and respiratory monitor, which was SO wonderful!  December was also a huge month when it came to your feedings.  You still nurse at each feeding, but because you were getting stronger and stronger each day, we were gradually able to drop a few bottle feedings each day.  By the end of December, since you were maintaining your weight, you were only needing a bottle after half of your feedings each day. Mama hardly knew what to do with all that free time!:)  You have started smiling a little.  We can't tell if you are actually smiling at us or not, but we still love every minute of it! When you are not happy, you have two very distinct cries.  One is a very high-pitched LOUD cry and the other sounds like you are talking to us.;) Katherine, you are our favorite baby girl in all the world!  We love being your parents.  We pray that you always love God, your family, and your friends.  We pray that you find opportunities to serve people wherever you go.  We couldn't be more proud of you, our sweet little miracle!

Love,

Mama and Daddy

Precious Kaden,

You are such a joy!  We could look at your sweet smile and listen to your sweet cooing all day long.  Like your sister, you LOVE the Christmas tree and you have started liking your playmat as well. You have really started tracking things more with your eyes and you have started responding more to sounds around you. You LOVE your pacifier, especially when you are sleepy.  Sweet boy, you have the kindest and gentlest personality.  You love to cuddle and you are happiest when you are snuggling with someone.  You have really started to become interested in your sister.  We started tandem nursing some this month and you just stare at your sister the entire time.  It's pretty cute.:)  We pray that you two are the  best of friends and that you love each other, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable.  You are such a blessing to us!  In fact, we think you and your sister are the best Christmas presents ever!!! We couldn't be more proud of you, our sweet little miracle!

Love,

Mama and Daddy