Ha!

Please excuse the multiple double-posts from this month. Yes, it's been a fast and happy six months, but my brain is fried. :)

Christmas in the mountains

Santa found us in the mountains. We had a blast with Mama Kae, Papa, Cat, and Pat (and baby Patrick). Uncle Pat pulled out all the stops for Anna: Santa phoned in, Santa tracking in the web, sleigh bells outside, and boot prints in and out of the fire place.

I was worried earlier in December that Anna was going to figure out the Santa ruse. She was asking way too many questions and saying, "that just doesn't make sense!" At four! Fortunately for is all, she was enchanted by our trickery played right along. I went in to kiss her good night, and she heard Santa's sleigh bells. "Get out!" she hissed and went right to sleep.

In typical Jehle style, we were all up before six, and Anna was the last to rise (woken up) at 6:30. "I can't believe this! He got my letter!"

Ian and Anna at six months

Ian is six months old!

Fastest and happiest 6 months of my life. Our official check up is next week, but at a sick appointment this week (virus), Ian was 22 lbs 2 oz, a solid 6 pounds heavier than his sister at the same age.

Holiday attire

Anna and her girlfriends, Morgan and Olivia, spent a lot of time together in December. We delivered food to families in Atlanta and got to enjoy holiday festivities. Here they are after seeing Santa and Anna on her way to see the Nutcracker.

Bath time

Up in Cashiers for Christmas weekend. Ian had a blast in the bathtub with Anna tonight. I wish I could upload the video from my phone. She basically made him laugh the whole time. :)

One more week!

Nutcracker

I took Anna to see the nutcracker this weekend. Her favorite part is still when Clara defeats the rat king.

happy 6 months!

I often tell Rob that these are the best years of our lives. We have two happy, loving children who think we hung the moon; our parents are alive; we have great careers; and we want for nothing. Our big, sweet boy is a big part of our happiness. Our 6-month old, 12-month sized boy is amazing. He has no interest in being a baby and is trying to keep up with his sister. He is sitting, scooting, eating, laughing, flirting. Ian is such a joy!

Almost sitting!

He's getting close.

Ian is an eating machine

I outsourced feeding Ian to Anna tonight. He was no more messy than when I feed him, and I had time to do other things! Anna's finally earning her keep around here!
Seriously, those two are adorable together. He just worships her. He is already mimicking her laugh (and crocodile tears).

Rise Up!

Rob took Anna to her first Falcons game. She was a hit with the locals in their section. She and Rob wore matching jerseys and necklaces and feasted on popcorn and cotton candy. Sure, Anna still confuses football and baseball, as well as the Gators, Braves, and Falcons. But who doesn't? All that matters is that this Daddy's girl had a blast with her Daddy.

The Wonderful World of Disney

We had such a special week here at Disney. It was our first family trip since Ian was born. Both kids did amazingly well. We went to the Magic Kingdom for two days, 10 hours the first day and 6 hours the second! We had to drag Anna put of the park both days because she was never ready to go.

We anticipated that Anna would just want to see the princesses, but we were surprised to find that she loves Minnie Mouse and roller coasters. I can't remember a time in my life not knowing the song, "It's a small world," but Anna got to see and hear it for the first time. Anna also didn't realize that Mickey Mouse and the princesses all live in the same place, another Disney-ism that we took for granted. She loved having all the characters sign her autograph book and posing for pictures with them.

Ian lived in the Baby Bjorn while we were in the park, and he was mesmerized by everything he saw. I don't anticipate that he will tolerate being "cooped up" like that next time we go. I love the picture of Ian asleep when we met Mickey. :)

Rob's dear friend, Adam, is a property manager for vacation rental homes in the Orlando area. He set us up with a beautiful (5 bedroom!) home 10 minutes from Disney. It was an amazing way to vacation. We had tons of room to spread out. We could prepare meals without having to rely on room service. Out last day here was spent in the pool, game room, and playground in our back yard. It was awesome (and cost effective!). We will definitely stay in a property like this next time.

Little Clara

Mom has held on to my first Clara costume from my Kaleidoscope days. Anna got dressed up in it while we were home. I was in 6th or 8th grade when I wore this costume, but it wasn't as large on her as I expected. Anna has decided that she wants to be Clara, too. (With a handmade costume like this one, who could blame her?)

Happy birthday, Mama Kae!

We were in Pensacola this weekend to celebrate mom's 60th birthday. We had a fun, family-centered weekend. For the first time ever, we had family photos made. Colleen was kind enough to lend us her beach for the photos and them cook us dinner. It was fun to have everyone together and go to the Gulf Coast Arts festival for the first time in decades.

Happy Halloween!

Introducing our Sunflower Fairy and our Little pumpkin! This is our first year in the neighborhood, and we were invited to the neighborhood party. There were pizza and piñatas! Anna loved running door to door. She would report what kind of candy each house had, what kind of pets lived there, etc.

love that laugh

Ian loves Anna.  He watches her and is already trying to copy what she does.  This video is such a sweet example of that.  The mimicking of her crying was not as adorable.  

Family photo from Erika's wedding

This may be the best family shot we get all fall, so we may be seeing it again the in form of a Christmas card!

Busy week for Ian

This boy is ready to go! He outgrew his bumbo in a week and has moved on to his exersaucer. Anything he can get his hands on goes straight in his mouth. He is about to sprout his first tooth! He is also up on his knees and scooting. He wants to be crawling so badly. I feel like his is moving through milestones so quickly! He may only be four months old, but he's not a baby anymore!