I'm dreaming of a WHITE CHRISTMAS - 2012

From our family to yours, the Kelley's and Maldonado's, here's hoping your holidays have been filled with joy, laughter and blessings beyond compare.  Our Christmas couldn't have been better... 

In our house, photo's tell it best.  Tis the season!  

Addie reading the letter Santa had written her thanking her for the cookies she left him :) 

Andrew and Addie Maldonado

My brother Omar, his wife Christi and kiddos

Andrew Omar - 17 months

Addison Grace - 4.5 years

Happy that Santa left so many wonderful presents!!  

A snack before opening presents.. 

Addie and her cousin Everleigh

One last look at the tree before the chaos 

Addie and Grandpa Maldonado being silly... :)

READY, SET..... OPEN!!

While my little one took a snooze.  :)

Happy with his big boy truck :)

Oh wait.. just kidding.. only a little cat napper.  :)  

Happier playing with the bag his toy came in! 

Fun with BIG BAGS!!

AND THEN..... SNOW!!!!  

PAUSE in the festivities to take a walk in the snow as it fell!  :)  

First White Christmas for Addie, Andrew and Everleigh :)

Even Everleigh got to experience snow for the first time.. :)  

Just by the door of course.. BUT enough to have a few snow flakes fall on her head.  :)  

Everleigh and Daddy :)

 Now... back to the action of opening more presents!!  

The grandparents got custom made books of Everleigh's professional photo session.  :) 

And Chad opened Everleigh's gifts. :)

Next Up:  SNOW BALL FIGHT :)  

Merry FIRST Christmas Everleigh - 3 Months Old

Dear Sweet Baby Bear,

I can't believe you're THREE MONTHS old already!  It makes me so sad that time is moving at warp speed because I can't seem to take enough of you in.  You're SOOOOO incredibly adorable with your squishy cheeks and super chunky thighs and arms.  I just want to SQUEEZE YOU forever!!  I also can't come to grips with the fact that I'll be starting work again next week.  SUPER sad mommy right here. :( :(  It has been what I'm dreading the most.  I'm going to have such a hard time leaving you.  You've been my little partner in crime every single minute of the day for these last three months.. I seriously doubt I'll actually be able to concentrate on work (at the beginning at least).  You'll be in good hands with Grandma D though.. I'm sure you're going to have lots and lots of fun with her and I'll try and sneak out of work early whenever I can. (but shhhhhhh... Our little secret, ok?? ;)  

So it's been three weeks since we were down in the valley when your Grandpa and Grandma saw you last and even they can't believe how much you've grown! Your little baby mullet is filling in (although you're wearing out the little hair you have in the back from where you rub the back of your head back and forth each night before bed) and your chunky legs are getting..well chunkier!  So many people think you're much older than 3 months just by how alert and steady you are now.  You can hold up your head during tummy time, "stand" on our legs for a while and steady yourself when I carry you around (which most of the time I don't even have to support your back anymore!)  You're sleep schedule is getting a little better.. although it still varies.  Sometimes you can give me five hours sleep, sometimes SEVEN!  Or ONE time at least.  ;)  Here's hoping you continue to take after your parents and sleep for longer stretches at a time.  :)  Your dad and I LOVE our sleep!!  

Your first Christmas with us was an absolute HIT!! Your grandparents, GREAT grandma Nana, Aunt Christi, Uncle Omar and cousins Addie and Andrew all came to visit us here in Dallas.  We EVEN got SNOW!! ON Christmas DAY!  It was the very FIRST time Addie and Andrew saw snow as well :)  Everyone was really excited to go outside...even your Daddy!  He was kinda upset that none of us let him really take you outside for it.. although you DID get a couple snowflakes on your face when we let him open the door and take pictures with you just past the opening.  It was FREEZING out there!!  :)  Hope it snows again when you're old enough to REALLY enjoy it like Addie did.  We had snowball fights and everything!  :)  (Pictures to follow in the next Christmas post... this post is ALL YOURS ;)  

And because I couldn't decide which picture to post of you... I'm putting them ALL!  Thank you for being so cooperative and giving us such cutie little grins and chuckles and for making it so tough to choose just one !!

We LOVE YOU baby bear! 

Thanksgiving In The Valley - 2012

Seems kinda odd blogging about our Thanksgiving trip down to the valley when Christmas is right on our heels... but between feedings and napping when the baby naps (or attempting to... she's been "cat-napping" a lot lately, only taking 15-20 minute power naps every few hours)... and trying to take showers when I can, using our elliptical to shake off that pesky baby weight and shopping for Christmas... I haven't really had a whole lot of down time to sort through the bazillion and one photos that were taken during the time we were visiting and blog.  

In my attempt to give Everleigh a well documented life, please excuse my delay.  :) 

 

My sweet little happy camper and expert traveler :)

I have to say that in the weeks leading up to this trip... I was more than a little nervous traveling alone with a newborn on a plane.  Because Thanksgiving came so close to Chad starting his new job, there was no way he could take any extra time off to travel down with us.  To prepare for our solo adventure to the valley, Everleigh and I spent every day, in the week leading up to our trip, getting to know the Baby Bjorn.  Talk about a lifesaver!  Snug as a bug in a rug, she slept through our check-in, slept through security and woke up just in time to her feeding during take off.  She stayed awake throughout the entire flight down and never made a peep!  Love my sweet, happy girl...such a great experience!  

Right from the get go, Everleigh was set to meet the family who hadn't been able to travel to Dallas for her birth.  First up, NANA..her Great Grandmother (my mom's mom :)

Next:  Everleigh's cousin Little Miss Addison, who was MORE than a little excited to meet her new best friend.  :)

After finally making our way to my brother and sister in law's house, Everleigh got to meet her Aunt Christi and Cousin Andrew.  :)

Words can't explain how much I love this little, sweet girl :)

Everleigh's face is classic!  

MOOOOMMM!!! You're embarrassing ME!!

It was so incredibly adorable how much Addie loves her cousin Everleigh.

So much love in those eyes for each other.  Can't wait for them to grow up together... 

Grandma Maldonado getting ready for our Thanksgiving FEAST!

So cute how Andrew was more weary of ME than he was of the baby.. 

Sweet Cousins!

He LOVED HER!!!

Next Up:  Celebrating Baby Everleigh's Arrival! 

Everleigh Isabella Kelley - 2 Months and Counting

Dear Sweet Snuggle Bear,

Before we got pregnant with you, life was selfishly only about us.  Days and weeks would fly by without much thought...without as much as a second glance to see what all had been accomplished.  Days were routine and for the most part uneventful.  Since the day we saw that little blue line on that magic stick back in January, weeks have been marked with milestones, major accomplishments and reasons to celebrate.  These last two months of your sweet little life has been no exception.  Everyday you're changing right before our very eyes.  Growing by leaps and bounds and giving us new experiences with you every single day.  

Two months in and we are well into our groove.  Feeding patterns established, sleep schedule still fluctuating but could definitely be worse (5 or 6 hour stretches on good days.. 3-4 on super hungry days) and mommy has started to learn how to function with only a few hours of sleep at a time.  Life is sweet with your little face... And we definitely wouldn't change a thing.  Right from the get go, your dad and I have begun to see your little personality shining through.  Quiet and observant of your new surroundings.. (you love to look at all the clothes in your closet and all the lights shining overhead - which we think is because we'd shine the flashlight on my belly when I was pregnant..you seemed to love that ;)... Eyes wide and alert and the spitting image of your dad!  ;)  You're not too easily startled as the dogs bark around you and not a whole lot can wake you from your beauty sleep.  ;). You fight your sleep most evenings, especially when there's been a lot of excitement throughout the day but you can also put yourself to sleep if things are mellow and you have your pacifier.  :)  you're also starting to show us your big 'ol sweet, gummy grin..( especially while you SLEEP!). We'd love to know what you dream about cause so many times you'll even giggle in your sleep!  You're also the happiest morning baby I've ever seen!  Who you got that from, we will never know though.  Your dad and I are pretty grumpy almost every morning.  Your sweet baby bear smiles could make ANYONE a morning person though so...I LOVE IT!  :) :) 

Mama's sweet SUPER MODEL!!  :) 

We have dealt with a few common baby issues since you've been born but luckily nothing too serious (thank heavens for healthy and happy babies!).. Clogged tear ducts, tummy/pooping troubles and a mild-ish case of cradle cap.  No biggie, we're dealing and you're a trooper.  ;)  Your pediatrician (Dr. Karen McClard) was extremely happy with your growth progress at your 7 week check up (you handled your immunizations like a CHAMP by the way ;)... You weighed in at 11lbs 3oz of sweet, baby lovin' (and 22" long) You're finally starting to "fill out".. Although most of your milk storage is still definitely in your CHEEKS!!  ;). You're still rocking some newborn gear and just a few days ago transitioned from newborn diapers into size 1's.  It seems like literally overnight you went from a newborn to a full fledged BABY!  I really can't believe how fast you are growing.  You're definitely starting to "fill out" with cute baby arm and thigh rolls that are so squeezably soft and adorable. 

Happy 2 months Snuggle Bear, we love you!