Zavier's Days

Jared and I want to make sure that Zavier still gets the attention he deserves for transitioning so well into having a little sister so we both set aside a day to spend just with him.

Jared took him to the city and they went to the Sears Tower and then to the Winter Wonderland at Navy Pier. He had such a good day and couldn't wait to tell me about the Sears tower when I got home from work. Jared said he would have stayed at the top of the Sears tower all day!

I took him to see Laurie Berkner sing in concert. I told him we were going somewhere but didn't tell him where. He was so excited when she came on stage that his joy made me cry - he is such a good boy and a good big brother - we couldn't be prouder if we tried!

Mila

Anyone who has held Mila knows that she likes to be sitting up so she doesn't miss anything. Her new favorite thing to do is sit in the Bumbo seat so she can keep a very close eye on her big brother. She seems like such a big girl when she is sitting on the floor watching us.

My crew

What a year we've had. I have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. I wanted to share some pics of my family - whom I love so very much! Even though as you can see - they can be very silly sometimes - especially Zavier!!

Grandma Carol to the rescue!

Thanks to Grandma Carol for rushing right in after Jared called her from the emergency room telling her I had kidney stones. Wow - I had no idea how painful that was!!

She came in and helped take care of the kids while I delt with my new little problems!

She kept Mila downstairs with her at night and she ended up in bed with Mom. She looks so cute and tiny in that big bed.

I am also ataching a couple of pictures of Zavier eating the powdered sugar donuts she brought him. He found a unique way to use them - what a nut!

I am also attaching a picture of Zavier painting - I think more paint got on his face than on the paper!!

One loved little girl!

These are more photos taken at mom's house. It's hard to tell who wants to hold Mila more - Auntie or her cousins. She gets so much love when we go visit!

Three monkeys jumping on me

I always call Zavier and Carter and Camden the three monkeys - for good reason! This picture makes me so happy. I love it when Zavier gets to spend time with his cousins. They are always so excited to see one another. This is a shot Jared got at mom's house when they all decided to attack me at once. The smiles on their faces make me so happy.

Thanksgiving with the Borchardts

This year we had Thanksgiving at Scott and Dana's house. It was so nice, the food was great and the fire was warm. Thank you so much for having us all at your house this year.

My nephew Jared did a lot of the cooking and I am ready for him to move in and be my personal chef - a job very well done. Needless to say I ate A LOT!

Jared and Zavier headed off for a nap and I couldn't help but snap a picture of them lying face to face - they are so much alike!

Being with family always makes us happy - and thankful!

Thanksgiving with the McMahons

Thanksgiving this year was so nice - especially since we have our new and improved family to be thankful for.

We had a nice dinner at Steve and Sal's on Thanksgiving night and the day after while I was busy shopping, Sal and Grandma Irene and Zavier built a gingerbread house. He was so proud of it.

Grandpa Mac was sure to help Mila get some good tummy time in too.

Zavier even got treated to breakfast in Grandma Mac's bed with TV! Talk about heaven!! The day before Sal told Zavier that there was a banana for him with his name written all over it. He looked at the banana and told her his name wasn't written on it so the next day - there was actually a banana with his name written all over it! Too cute.

Thanks to Steve and Sal for making this Thanksgiving wonderful!!

The newest Bears fan

Who can say this tiny Hester jersey isn't the cutest?!?!?

Thanks you to all of Jared's co-workers for the cute jersey and other gifts. Thought this was too cute not to share!!

Toys for Tots

Jared did his second annual fundraiser for Toys for Tots. He and two friends from work, Matt and Cody, took donations to run up 22 flights of stairs as many times as they could (taking the elevator down) in an hour.

Jared did the stairs eight times!!

All together they raised $1283. Thanks in large part to our neighbor Dave Tremmel who contributed a big part of the funds from his Walmart store here in Plainfield.

Hopefully some children in the Chicagoland area will have a better Christmas thanks to this event! Thanks for the donations!