December 22nd, 2016

Eleanor spends the evening with mom and friends, including Gini and Rebecca

Posing with the boys, Erin and Ethan

December 21st, 2016

Desmond “helping” get baby sister ready in the morning

Des demonstrates the four stages of painting at his holiday party:

1. Painting on craft materials.

2. Abandoning the paintbrush.

3. Painting directly on oneself.

4. Eating the paint.

December 18th, 2016

Having survived the coldest night in seven years (-11 F, -27 wind chill), Des gets his first hot chocolate as a morning treat. Clearly loves the marshmallows, but enjoy the chocolate as well

Watching some virtual lions on dad’s new VR headset from the white elephant gift exchange the day before

Des graduate to big boy underwear! Still on a 30-minute timer for trying to go in the potty, but lots of success!

December 17th, 2016

Eleanor making the rounds at the early Christmas gathering

Ella and great-grandma Kathy

More sleeping, with aunt Tammy

After returning with a clean diaper, dad finds Des exploring new tools. Not sure he’s ever seen a plunger used before, but yup, that’s where it goes

Des got a new monkey from ma today. “Three monkeys!”

December 16th, 2016

Ella napping peacefully with ma while mom is with the doctor

Special sushi dinner for mom, Des begins exploring using chopsticks himself (Santa might be getting him a kiddy set)

I want to be a dentist!

Des took his first dentist appointment in stride.

He was cooperative, but certainly fidgety with all the new dental accessories

When the dentist came in to inspect his teeth, she put on her first glove and Des took the second one and immediately began putting it on himself. As if to say, “Ok, so apparently we’re gloving up- check!” When she took her gloves off at the end, he immediately took his off and handed it to her 🙂

Eleanor also had her first dentist visit, though atop mom while the boys were in the next room over.

Ella pointing at her #1 priority (tummy)

December 13th, 2016

Eleanor meets Lindsay 

December 12th, 2016

Ella is just as surprised as everyone else how quickly she’s growing. Also, modeling what was at time dad’s pajamas.

Still mostly staring at lights, but occasionally getting lost in mom’s eyes