Our Christmas in Pictures

We're spanning a few days here - from Christmas Eve at the Chens to our annual After-Christmas Visit with the Chapmans. I thought, seeing as it's 10:30 on New Year's Eve, I ought to post these. You know, sometime before 2011.

To begin: My dad playing with a Barney puppet. Never thought I'd see this happen. Best part - Dad had no clue who Barney was. We overheard him say, "Hi, my name is Ralph." Ralph?
For those of you who don't know, Mike is notorious for his outlandish wrapping jobs. One year, there was something wrapped in duct tape. This year's was awesome. Rubber bands. Brian forgot to count how many there were. When I asked him how may, he said, "plenty."
Enter, Christmas morning. Kaylynn could tell you who Santa was, tell you that "Santa no hurt you", tell you that she did not want to get her picture taken with him again, and had no clue that Santa leaves presents. Still, she was pretty stoked about her baby doll stroller. In typical Kaylynn form, she made a beeline for the buckles.
Ben was pretty happy about his first Christmas!
Have I mentioned that Kaylynn LOVES Elmo? And Abby. And Big Bird. And the Cookie Monster. And Baby Bear. But mostly, Elmo. Since this day, I have bought her the DVD of Elmo and the Potty. If we can't talk her into sitting on it, maybe a red puppet can. :)
"Hey, Grandma - I'm ready to learn how to bowl!"

I figure we can pull this picture back out in 18 years when Ben signs to play basketball for the Aggies.
Kaylynn being silly Christmas night.
Ben wearing Christmas outfit #3 on Christmas night.
Kaylynn got stickers from Meese. Instead of putting them in the sticker book that came with them, she thought her face was a more appropriate place.
Jacob and Ben. Shortly after this, Ben started fussing, so Jacob handed Ben over. Shortly after that, Ben spit up all over me. Jacob was the only one who found it funny.
Caleb teaching Kaylynn how to play Fruit Ninja on the iPad. This was after Kaylynn told him to "saw'em off".
So, Mom got Kaylynn a tricycle to keep at her house and a panda helmet to go with it...even though I never wore helmet a day in my life. Kaylynn talked some folks into pushing her on it outside, but of course, we had to wear our helmet. While she was getting ready, she found the goggles and wanted to wear them, too. To protect her eyes from the blistering north wind? Perhaps?
More sticker silliness...with painted fingernails!
2 questions:
1. How in the world can she sit like this?
2. When did her hair get so long?! Our beautiful girl!


It's officially 2011 in New York - and Cleveland - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Naive?

I have been reading through old posts, mainly to compare Kaylynn and Ben's pictures. I ran across this post. Man, the naivety of a first-time mom. Kaylynn has had her fair share of ice cream (on occasion, it's not a daily or even weekly occurrence), cake, goldfish crackers, pretzels, and I'm sure a plethora of other things that I swore she'd never eat (and don't want to know about. Ignorance is bliss.)

We're still holding strong with fast food!

We do own 2 of those Kleen Kanteens though. I love them!

2 Months!

Saturday the 18th was a big day in the Frink household. Not only did Brian graduate law school and Kaylynn have her 2nd birthday party, but Mr. Ben turned 2 months old! Isn't this smiling face precious?!


Dear Mr. Ben,

I just looked. When your sister was 2 months old, she weighed 10lbs 1oz. You weighed in at 10lbs 11.5oz. That baffled me for 2 reasons:

1. I didn't think you would have gained that much weight in one month (because you aren't eating near as much as she ate at this age).
2. Because you have less "baby chub" than she did at this age. You are long and lean, my boy.

You are .5 inch longer than she was. You are too long for your 1 piece outfits...in the arms and legs. You'd be too long for pants, too, except they did that smart thing and made longer cuffs that can be unrolled. It's funny how boy and girl babies have different percentiles, because you are in a smaller weight percentile than she was, but you weigh more! Every baby is different, that's for sure.

You have a better grip on things now...my hair, my shirt, my necklace, etc. It's a strong grip and I have to pry your long little fingers open! You got a fun little tummy-time mat for Christmas, so I can't wait to see when you grab at the toys on it. You sure did enjoy looking at all the black and white pictures on it yesterday!

We think your reflux has gotten better. Well, your dad does. I'm not so sure. You eat like a champ for your daddy, for me, not as often. I think you're starting that thing that Frink boys love to do...give their mama a hard time! I was hoping that gene would have skipped a generation. :)

You are very strong with your neck. When we hold you on our chests, you don't lay your head down often, unless you are sleepy. I think that is your favorite place to sleep (that and your carseat). You are getting more time on the floor now. I was afraid to do it with Kaylynn around, because I anticipated her falling on you or using you as "help" when she's getting up. She did throw Daddy's football flag at you yesterday. Let's just say you were less than amused by that.

Ben, you are such a good little baby. You only cry when you are hungry, sleepy, or when your reflux/gas is hurting you. We were all pleased with how well you were in Daddy's graduation ceremony on Saturday - never heard a peep out of you! You still wake up once a night, but the time is gradually moving back and back. 4:00 or 5:00 seem to be the lucky times.

Your third month is a big one for you - your first Christmas and New Years! Don't expect anything huge from Santa, Ben. I told him you didn't need a whole lot, you were really just into eating and sleeping right now. Maybe next year he'll make up for it! Also, up in month 3 is your baptism at Christ Church UM!

Happy 2 Months, Mr. Ben! We love you!

Love,
Mama

Serious eyebrows
We had to get some photos in this outfit, as it is now too short for you!

It's Super-Ben!

Party Like You're 2

On Dec. 18th, we celebrated Brian's graduation from law school and Kaylynn's 2nd birthday. It was a great time with family and friends at a local park.

But first - the graduation!
Hey! Bagpipes!


Getting ready to walk.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of him getting his paper or getting hooded, thanks to a man who was camping out in the aisle directly in front me. He kept standing up to take a picture of his kid who was still sitting down. I was so angry.

Brian with his Mom and Dad.

The Frinks graduated law school! Seriously, after these past 2.5 years, I feel like Kaylynn and I have gone through school, too.
Moving ahead to party-time! Kaylynn and Tatum having fun in the wagon. Kaylynn still thinks that the extra spot in the wagon is especially for Tatum.
Will-i-am.
Will and his super-cool Mommy!
Birthday girl enjoying the slide.

Clumsy Mommy didn't fall!
Cute cousins!

Brian and Will practicing some snaps.

More slide fun!
Not sure how Honey ended up being the one who pulled the girls around.
Probably an airplane. They are pretty populuar among the toddler/pre-school crowd.
"But I don't wanna slide, Uncle Mike!"
Kaylynn doesn't like it when we sing "Happy Birthday".
Hooray for Grandpap!
Silly Meese.
Cheese and cards with Daddy.
Grandpap and Grandma watching the present opening.
Party guests - Bo (Jim), Aunt Donna, Uncle Mike, Eric, & Greg

Caught ya eatin'. Jennifer, Dufer, & Tanner.
My favorite Honey!
My favorite PawPaw!
Matt, Aunt Lila, & Dad
Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
Pals. Saving this photo in case they get married one day.
Twin 1, Twin 2, and Uncle Mike.
Ho
Check out Ben's "Old Man-do"

ps - thanks to jenno for sending more photos!