Winter Wonderland

Opening presents at our house Monday night before we went to Iowa. These were the first ones he opened this year.

Opening presents on Christmas Eve at Grandpa and Grandma McCollom's house.

Streaking! For some reason Gus decided to pull his pants down mid-present opening. Actually, he is really interested in potty training. We haven't started him yet, but he pulls his pants down and pulls on his diaper and runs to the toilet when he is wet; he then points to the potty until you sit him on it. He doesn't realize that he has to actually go pee yet, he is just interested in the whole process. We will probably wait until he is two to really try to train him.

Mr. Cheesy Smile

Playing with the train set Santa brought him on Christmas morning.

Kennedy and the Barbie laptop Santa brought her.

Again, a really cheesy smile. He does this when you say, "Say cheese!" before you take a picture.

Parker was sick over the holidays but did manage to give me a smile.

Gus and Parker in their matching PJs.

Gus in his ATV from Grandpa and Grandma Dillavou.

Gus opening presents Saturday at the Dillavou Christmas.

Cade.

Ty.

Cousin Cade, cousin Josilin and Aunt Tricia playing with Gus.

Cade, Ty and Gus. It was cute to see the three boys interact together.

On the way back to Iowa on Monday we stopped in Des Moines at the Ringus home. Gus and Phoebe played for awhile.

In the car, drinking mommy's lemonade.

Gus with all his presents this year! Thank you everyone, you were all very very generous and made this a memorable Christmas for Gus. We appreciate you.

His tent from Gma and Gpa D.

Buster and Gus playing the the tunnel of the tent.

Another cheesy smile.

The car ride back to Iowa on Monday was scary. The roads between Clear Lake and Des Moines were horrible. It took us almost three hours to get to Des Moines. When we got back to KC, there was a foot of snow on the ground! I guess they haven't had this much since 1918. Daddy made a snowman for Gus tonight when he shoveled the driveway and sidewalk.

Happy Holidays!

My mischievous little boy, up to something, no doubt...

Finishing up some Christmas shopping on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, Gus had another swimming lesson- this one did not go so well.

It was cold, but it was fun to shop as a family.

He looks like just the perfect gentleman here, but this is on our way home from church on Sunday. Gus was absolutely terrible. Josh sat with him in the back for most of church, but the last fifteen minutes he had to take him to the car. Gus would not stop whining and moving around. We were going to go see Santa afterward, but decided to cancel those plans due to his behavior. Let's just say that daddy was NOT happy with Gus that morning.

We will be heading to Iowa tomorrow to see family and friends. We were going to wait until Wednesday, but with bad weather being forecasted for that day, we decided to come back a little early to hopefully avoid the storm. I probably won't blog again until after the holidays, so I want to wish you all Happy Holidays! I am sure to have lots of pictures for you when we return back to KC next week.

First Swimming Lesson!

Gus had his first swimming lesson on Saturday morning! He wasn't quite sure about it, but did become a little more comfortable in the water toward the end of the lesson. He especially liked the little songs and related water activities. I did end up getting in the water, which worked out nice because Gus was very clingy and both mommy and daddy were needed to keep him calm at times.

Not ready to blow bubbles and definitely not ready to put his head under!

Drying off.

Afterward, hanging out in daddy's office at the YMCA, waiting for him to finish up a few things before we left to go back home.

Just Like Brothers

Pet Buster nicely Gus...

Buster preparing for the get-away...

Buster is free!

Belly Pic

Here I am tonight at 21 weeks, or in my 22nd week, pending on how you count. I am trying to take pics every 4 weeks like I did with Gus, but I forgot to do it last week. My last belly pic posted was at 16 weeks. Hopefully my next one will be back on schedule. I have been feeling better lately, some tailbone/lower back pain, but all in all, much better than I was when I had morning sickness for the first 4 1/2 months. Baby girl is kicking and moving around all the time, I can see my tummy move and feel her kick against my hand now. Very exciting!

Let it snow!

This weekend we got out the Christmas decorations. Gus loved it!

Especially the beads (which are more of a toy right now rather than a tree ornament)...

Bling bling.

When we went back to Iowa for Thanksgiving, Gus got a new toy kitchen and rocking horse- both of which are his new favorite toys! Thanks grandma Sue for the early Christmas present, and thanks grandma Paulette for the rocking horse (hope the daycare kids don't miss it too much!).

On Saturday morning, Gus was supposed to have swimming lessons, but the YMCA called and cancelled due to high chlorine levels. Since we were already up and around, we took Gus to McDonald's for breakfast and a little play land. He had a bit of bed head...

He went down the huge, twirly slide all alone! Such a big boy.

He has some crazy hair lately. We gave him another haircut over the weekend, so the sides and back look much better, but the hair on the top of his head grows straight up! I have no idea what to do with it other than trim it and let it go. It is pretty cute though :)

The next few days it is supposed to snow here (I know you all in Iowa are going to get hit pretty hard too). Everybody be safe and keep warm! It could be several inches.