The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I'm pretty sure I had a post titled this exact same thing last year. I don't know what it is about this time of the year that makes me so happy! Maybe it's the red cups from Starbucks...maybe it's the little elf named Ivy that has taken up residence in our house...maybe it's the pure joy that exudes from my three year old right now. Experiencing Christmas through the eyes of a child is magical. Jani is loving everything that this season has to offer. We kicked it all off with Holiday Hoopla and went downtown to welcome Santa. Unfortunately my battery to my camera was dead so I cannot document this event. It was the first really cold night and we refused to let that stop us. So many of our friends didn't go because of the cold but we did not stay away. We bundled Mallory up, put Jani in her Cuddle Duds, and headed down for cocoa and Santa. Since then, we've had lots of discussions with Jani about Jesus, Santa, and how this whole thing will go down. Integrating everything into the Christmas story has been interesting but Jani seems to be just as excited about Jesus' birthday as she is about Santa coming.

In Mallory news, we have another wonderful baby. Sleep deprivation is non existent! If I'm sleep deprived it's my own fault...or Pinterest's fault!! Right now, she goes to bed around 9 and sleep until 5 or 6. Some mornings she'll sleep later but that's been her pattern. Then she eats and goes right back to bed until I have to wake her to go to daycare. On the weekends, she tends to sleep until 9 or 10! She's adjusted very well to daycare and Jani loves having her there. Being back at work has been an adjustment but I'm finding my groove back. Pumping is time consuming but I'm committed to doing this for a year for Mallory. I see it as one thing I can do for my girl :) She's been smiling like crazy and loves watching the Christmas tree and her big sister. We've so enjoyed having two girls. They definitely keep us on our toes!!