Christmas letter

It's been a long time since I've blogged. I don't really have a reason why. Honestly, I think it's because I have been reading a lot lately, and when I get a quiet moment, I have been picking up my book instead of getting on the computer to blog. Anyhow, I thought I should document what is going on in our lives, as this is really the only place that happens. So, here's a pseudo Christmas letter:

Dear friends and family,
It's hard to believe that the Christmas season has already come and gone! I hope you all enjoyed it and got some time to share some fun moments with your families. Our Christmas was great! Coranelle is at a really fun age for Christmas and it was so neat to share in her excitement to unwrap gifts and have "parties" with our families. Sheldon had no clue what was going on, but was pretty happy to rip open presents and eat the wrapping paper and bows. Both kids got fully spoiled and now I am trying to figure out just where all of their new toys and clothes should go. Our house is in need of some serious organization! All in all, we had a good time celebrating with families! The real present was Ryan taking off the whole week after Christmas! We had a wonderful time as a family taking day trips to the zoo, parks, swimming, Jump Street and playing together. It was an awesome little "vacation" for us all.

Starting with the youngest member of our family, I will give you a little update. Sheldon turned 9 months old on Saturday. Where time has gone? I cannot even fathom! He is a beautiful little boy and so much fun. He has moved on to eating lots of solid foods and likes to stuff more into his mouth than he could possibly chew and swallow- all while screaming for more. He has drastically decreased how much formula he takes, and the doctor says we need to get more in him. How we will do that is a mystery to me. He glues his lips shut after just a few ounces and there is no forcing any milk on that kid! It seems that both my kids were not big milk drinkers. In other news, Sheldon now weighs a whopping 18lbs and is in the 11th percentile. So, he's growing, but tiny. He loves to clap, babble, bang toys together, play with his sister, listen to music and roll. He is not crawling, but desperately wants to. We are supposed to be working on his ability to pull to stand, as that is a milestone he should have reached by now and isn't quite there yet. He seems much happier being left at church and occasionally at the rec center. He has been sleeping through the night consistently since about 7 1/2 months. He has also moved to waking up near 7am, instead of the old 5:30am. We are thrilled about that and feel much more rested and normal! Overall, he is very smiley and easy going and I just love him to pieces. I feel so blessed to have him in our lives and I cannot wait to see his personality shine more!

Coranelle- now older than 2 1/2- never ceases to surprise and amaze us. She still loves to read and would sit and listen for hours! Her memory is incredible. I can read her a 35 page book, just a few times- a lengthy paragraph on each page- and stop anywhere mid-sentence, and she'll finish the sentence. It's amazing to me! She hears a new word once, asks what it means, and I'll hear her use it properly within the day. She's mastered her letters, letter sounds, numbers, shapes, colors and just continues to learn and be curious. She observes the world around her with unique eyes and wants to know how and why everything works and happens as it does. She lies awake at night for almost 2 hours after being put to bed singing songs, telling stories to her animals and reviewing her day.

Coranelle is also an athlete. She is a pro on her strider bike and can lift up her feet and "glide" for a long ways. I think a bike with pedals is in her future for the 3rd birthday! She continues with her swimming lessons and is great at floating and swimming with help and holding her breath underwater. Both kids love the water and it is a fun family event for us! Coranelle is also a runner, a climber a jumper and always on the move! So much so that getting her to sit down and eat is still a daily battle that we fight with her. But, she seems healthy and happy so we'll just keep on keepin' on and hope that some day she has an appreciation for food!

We are presently looking into preschool for her. Next fall, I'd like to have her go someplace two mornings a week for a couple hours each session. I think it would really help her socially and also give me an opportunity to spend some quality time with Sheldon.

Coranelle is a lover. She gives the greatest hugs and kisses and cares SO deeply about her family and how we are all feeling. She is a wonderful big sister ( even if she often forgets how to share her toys with her little brother). She is very protective of Sheldon and always insists on hugging and kissing him before bed. The glimpses I get of the two of them playing together just warms my heart.

Ryan is doing well with work and supporting his family- as well as jumping into the "work" as soon as he walks through our door. Both kids adore him and Coranelle begs him to "stay home all day" every morning. Ryan continues to lift with friends and mountain bike when the weather permits. Both of us are very much looking forward to meeting our nephew this February.

I am keeping busy with two little ones, MOPs, my book group, Step and Zumba classes at the Rec Center, and a wonderful set of girlfriends. I feel very thankful and content at this stage in our lives and am working on laughing more and enjoying the small, wonderful(often fleeting) moments that I have with my kids and husband each day.

I hope you all enjoy the new year! Thanks for being a part of our lives!
Many hugs,
Kari and Family