Happy one month birthday Jacob!

I call this post "How many grandparents does it take to entertain a baby?"

While James and Tabitha went to Indiana on Christmas Day, and Jake and I stayed home, we managed to have a small Christmas celebration before they left.  Here's to our first Christmas as a family of four.

The annual picture by the fireplace with a note for Santa and his cookies.

Opening up a gift for the both of them.

Santa came!

The look on her face when she realized Santa brought her a Cinderella dress was priceless!  I'll post video soon.

Jacob getting into the festivities!

Time for your checkup, Jacob

I'll let the picture do all of the talking....

Such a helpful big sister

Now that we've introduced the bottle to Jacob, Tabitha is always wanting to help out.  She's a great big sister and will do anything for Jake.

 

I wasn't able to capture the first go around, which was much better than this video, but as we were in the basement hunting for some supplies, Tabitha decided to take out a book and start reading to Jacob.  It was so sweet on her part.  While Tabs is adjusting well, she has her moments of jealousy, so we'll take any time like this.

Tabitha's sledding adventures

While I thought that it was warmer this past Sunday, James and Tabitha braved the single digit temperatures to go sledding.  While she has been sledding at grandma and grandpa's house before, this was a much bigger hill.  After a few runs down the hill with dad, she decided to brave it on her own.  This girl has no fear!

An orange for Jacob

Jacob got his very first Christmas ornament this week--an orange!  It may seem a bit weird but just look at the December 27, 2008 post about our oranges.

Look what I found!

A successful first bottle

Tabs Quote of the Day

"Mom!  Look! He's leaking again." This in reference to Jacob spitting up.  She is completely grossed out by it.

Playing together....

Tabs has been a great helper so far with Jacob.  If I'm making a meal and I need someone to entertain him, she's on the spot helping out.

Today she was showing him the new rattle he got as a gift. Hopefully they play this nicely together forever (wishful thinking I know!)

Too cute not to share...

Welcome Jacob Neal Durbin!  

Saturday, November 30, 2013

1:48 am

7 pounds, 9 ounces

21"

Loved by all!

Marathon Man

Last month James completed his second marathon!  He was dedicated to training all hot summer long, and in the end it paid off, as he bettered his time by about 45 minutes from his first marathon.  Way to go!

Waiting for daddy!

Almost halfway done

A quick kiss at mile 12

Marathon Finisher!

A trip to Seattle

I had the opportunity to attend a conference in Seattle a few weeks back.  The rest of the family "invited" themselves along, but we ended up all having a great time.  While I didn't get to see the sights like the rest of the family, I was able to take time one afternoon to join them for a little touring around town.  For more pictures you should visit James' Blog:  Professional or James Photography.

Riding the monorail (Yes, I was there for a rail conference, so we took public transit everywhere!)

It's hard to see with the sun, but I was able to capture, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, and Mt. Hood as we were flying into Seattle.

View from the Space Needle.

Upside down

Family photo fun

Tabitha loves practicing her ballet moves.  The crowd at the Space Needle didn't deter her, either.

This was the highlight of the trip....the day before, James and Tabitha got to know the monorail driver, so when they saw him the next day, Tabitha immediately asked if she could honk the horn.

A Fun Halloween

I am a bit behind in getting this post up (sort of like everything else in life these days), but Tabitha had a great time participating in Halloween festivities last week.  At three, she now seems to understand (somewhat) what Halloween is all about--well at least the candy and goodies that is.

Last year after Halloween we ended up buying a 3T costume on mega clearance and much to our satisfaction she enjoyed wearing it and was really excited about it this year.  Tabitha had a great time dressing up in her costume for "ballerina" school, then for a parade at school, and finally on Halloween night to go Trick or Treating.  Despite the cold weather she had a great time and can't wait to do it again next year!

At the parade at school

During her halloween party...glad I got to leave.  All of the sugar and kids, I can't imagine what the rest of the day was like!

Ready for Trick or Treating!

Tabitha wishes everyone a Happy Halloween!

(Note...this is right before she dropped it. Don't worry no harm was done to the pumpkin)

After visiting the City of Minnetonka open house earlier this week, we decided to check out the City of Bloomington fire department open house. Since the closest fire station is just two blocks from our a house we took a quick walk over there.

There were a lot of fun things to do and try. Tabs enjoyed sitting in the fire truck, meeting Sparky the fire dog, coloring,and trying out the hose.

It was a fun day!

A future doctor

The past two days have verified my suspicisions....tabs will be a doctor some day.

Yesterday I had one of my regular doctor checks. Tabs has been coming to most of them with me so it was a normal day. I asked to get my flu shot and was able to get one with Tabs watching. After my appointment was done I decided to stop by the peds office to see if I could get an appointment for Tabs. Much to my delight they were offering a flu shot clinic and had availability right away. Tabs was excited when I told her she would get her shot right away. You can imagine my thinking that this enthusiasm will never last. We got called back right away. The nurse was great and much to my amazement no tears or crying was shed. Moments later Tabs was skipping out of the clinic singing "I got a flu shot! I got a flu shot!"  

Today was a regular dentist appointment for Tabs. The past two appointments have been fine but today was awesome! She layed in the chair by herself, let them use all of the cleaning equipment, and even did X-rays.  While I could sit next to her most of the time, I had to leave the room for the X-rays because of the baby. At first I wasn't sure how she would react with me being out of the room, but she went about it like an old pro! Again, no tears, good listening ears and sitting so still.

I'm one proud mama!

Quote of the day

"I can't see my eyes".   

In reference to the dark when I turn out the lights.  I guess it's her version of "I can't see!"

No longer a baby's room

Well, it took us over a month but we have nearly completed the makeover of Tabitha's room. While we converted the crib to a bed awhile ago, we felt it was time to give her something more age appropriate. Tabitha loves her new room and can't stop talking about it!

Just a rainy Saturday

Backyard camping

Since James and Tabs had so much fun camping last month with friends, he wanted to do it again with her in the backyard.  With the weather being picture perfect yesterday they decided that from dinner on that they would be in the backyard.  They had a great time and at about 7:30 a.m. they both came inside happy and well rested!

Dinner time!

Anxiously awaiting S'mores!

Yummy!

Inside the tent and ready for bed

Here's what happens when you give your phone (on camera mode) to a 3 year old....

I do have to say that there were a lot more...luckily she got to the end of the memory on the photo app and it stopped taking pictures and videos until we erased some of them!