The Boys' First Christmas

We enjoyed our first Christmas today this morning, but it did not turn out as Kyle and I had imagined. The wonderful pictures that we were going to take of the boys' smiling faces opening their presents and our family picture by the tree didn't turn out so great. They were both tired and fussy. Patches decided he needed everyone's gifts. Kyle and I decided pictures we have seen of family pictures and unwrapping gifts with smiling faces of all the children must be staged :) We have overall had a wonderful day. The boys liked their gifts later on in the day once they had had naps. The dogs the boys got are programmable to say their names. Every time Jacen's says his name he smiles really big. He enjoyed pushing the paws of the dog to make it talk to him. They both like to watch the part of the dog that lights up. Neither one of them was sure about the VTech ball that sings, lights up, and rolls around. We enjoyed a relaxing day together just the 5 (including Patches) of us. Here are some pictures from today. I hope everyone's Christmas was wonderful!

Best family picture of all the attempts.

Jacen opening his stocking and gifts. He enjoyed eating his stocking and bows.

I finally got him to pull off some paper!

Thank you Aunt Laci and Uncle EJ for the pajamas.

Dad showing Nathan the books and DVDs in his stocking.

Nathan watched Daddy open his present.

Nathan snuggling with Daddy :)

Both boys watching Mommy open their ball.

Their sleepers had reindeer on their bottoms.

Patches got a stocking and present too!

Kyle and the boys got me Willow Tree Angels. I love them!

Snow on Chrismas Eve

We have lots of snow on the ground. There are places where it is really deep because of the Lubbock wind. It is a very beautiful sight. We bundled the boys up to take pictures, but because of the drifts, Kyle didn't get very far into the yard.

Santa at Our House

Hospice graciously found a Santa, so the boys wouldn't miss out on their first year to see Santa. He came to our house last night and very patiently posed for lots of pictures until we got good ones. Thank you to our wonderful Hospice friends!

Nathan
He wasn't in a good mood, but santa wonderfully worked with him and his pacifier.

Jacen
After figuring out not to be scared, Jacen loved Santa even enough to grab his beard and try to eat it!

Both Boys

This and That

"Sitting"
We are working with Jacen on sitting, but he prefers to fall back on the pillows

Texas Tech
We have to support Tech (Daddy works there!) He wanted the camera :)

Nathan Happy

"Boxing Gloves"
Nathan is now using the gloves that Jacen used to wear from ECI. They are to keep his hands open instead of clenched.

Sleeping
We have found another place that Nathan will sleep. I think that Nathan just prefers to sleep during the day. Hopefully we can fix that over Christmas break.

Eating
Last week it was squash which Jacen did pretty well with if it was room temperature.

This week we are starting on carrots. He wasn't too sure, but he ate them all!

Twin Shots

Play Time

Nathan

We are still practicing tummy time and holding toys. He is more content now on his back and even enjoys to kick his legs and move his arms. We have decided he will sleep anywhere (even laying flat on the frog toy) during the day. If only we could convince him to do that at night. We have caught Nathan grinning and making noices this week. Yay!!!!!!

Jacen

He loves to grab toys and knock them down, suck his thumb, and spend time with Patches. I thought I would try to get a picture of Jacen in front of the tree, but he really wasn't interested.

Nathan and Jacen

The boys enjoy playing with their toys, reading stories and even looking at each other during Bumbo time.

Patches

He has found a new hiding place under the Christmas tree especially when he decides to eat something that he isn't supposed to eat.