Happy New Year!

2011 was a great year for us and we are looking forward to a fun 2012!

Sleeping Beauty

Thanks to some late naps and sleeping in, I have had a chance to sneak in and take pictures of Leana before waking her up. Note: For some unknown reason, Leana takes her pj's off almost every night, so that is why she's just in a diaper in some of these shots.

2 Months Old!

Julian is 2 months old today. Feels like he has been a part of our family much longer but also like the time has flown by. He has a doctor's appointment at the end of the week so no stats yet. He sleeps mostly 6-7 hours at night, and then will go back down for another few hours, so we can't complain too much over here. Leana continues to do reasonably well with the adjustment to big sisterhood, (usually) showing more patience than I expected from her. In addition to nursing, burping and changing her animal friends' diapers, she has now added giving them Vitamin D drops and putting them in the swing or on the mat for tummy time. I love how she is aware of all of Julian's needs in her own way.

More Holiday Fun and Smiles

Leana intently decorating the tree, with her "friends" Stewart and Purple Ape also adding to the decor. Each day the animals living in the tree seem to change.

Julian shows off his sweet smile.

Holiday Season

Leana helps Grandma (Nana) and Grandpa (Baba) Collins decorate the Christmas tree.


Julian at 6 weeks

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today (and every day) I am thankful for moments like this...


...and this

Leana the Bruiser

Even though she is quite the daredevil, it took Leana more than 2 years to get her first shiner. A little goofing off before bath time and a flight of stairs can lead to things like this.

1 Month Old!

I can't believe Julian is already a month old!

He is starting to smile, can lift his head up pretty well, has slept up to 7 hour stretches at night and is chubbing up every day. Leana is adjusting well to her role as Big Sister, helping with the binky, burping, and diaper changes.

"Mommy" Leana

Leana has taken on the new role of playing mommy. She nurses her "babies", burps them, changes their diapers and then tucks them in at night. It's very sweet.




Tucking in all her friends.


Julian tries some tummy time....and contemplates life.

Trick or Treat!

The promise of chocolate treats got Leana to put her costume back on for some trick or treating on our street....

Got a picture of both kids in costume!


And we're off!

After our first stop Leana took out her treat, ditched her bag, and only wanted to eat her raisins.
The lollipop was the biggest hit of the night

Tired Bear heading home

Happy Halloween!

Leana lasted about 30 seconds in this costume...lucky I even got a photo!

Julian wondering what on earth he is doing in a pumpkin suit. Look familiar? Leana 2 years ago.



Leana designed the pumpkin's face.



Trying to repeat a picture from 2 years ago. Leana could not be convinced to wear her costume.

Julian - 2 Weeks Old

Julian has his 2 week check up this past week. Here are his stats:

Weight: 8lb, 14 oz (50-75%)

Length: 22.25 inches (90-95%)

The doctor gave him an "A" for strength after he put him on his tummy and Julian was able to lift up his head and move it from one side to the other.

Julian is mostly still sleeping all the time but now has a few hours each day when is awake and looking around, very curious about the world. He will sleep a 5 hour stretch each night which is not so bad for this tired mommy. Leana has been helping out by sleeping in until 8am most mornings.

Aunt Dannie's Visit

Aunt Dannie came for a 5 day visit to meet Julian and help us out as we adjust to this new life with 2 kids. While she was here we ventured out for our first big outdoor adventure: a walk through the arboretum, which is at its prime this time of year with all the changing leaves. Plus we even got a little sunshine. Leana had a blast stomping through puddles and looking for spiders.




Looking for spiders is serious business.

Big Sister Leana

Many of you have asked how Leana is adapting to her new role as a big sister. At the hospital she was not too interested in Julian, but she did enjoy the presents that he had waiting for her. When we brought him home from the hospital she was much more curious about him. She immediately wanted to take his blanket on and off of him and compare her feet/toes to his.






Leana's preschool teacher sent me this note from class 2 days after Julian was born:

"We read a book about a big red barn and in the book a baby mouse is born in the hay at which point I said that another baby was born in this week, Leana's baby brother and she clapped and then everybody clapped. It was very sweet."

Julian Picard Collins!

Born 10/12/11 at 9:26am. 8lb, 6oz, 20.5 inches.

8 days late but worth the wait!

The Waiting Game

5 days overdue so far, everyone is getting a little impatient for the arrival of the Deuce!

Grandma Ruth and Papi Jean are here waiting as well and Leana is having a great time having them around.

Here she is demonstrating her climbing skills for them.

Fall Fun

Now that the weather is not as nice, we are back to exploring indoor play areas. I just discovered this Tot Gym that had lots of fun things for Leana to do....

Today we went for a walk in the arboretum, Leana had fun looking for bugs and collecting leaves and sticks.

Preschool!

Leana just had her first week of her new "pre-3's" preschool class. We are part of the Wedgwood Coop, which means I have one work day and and drop-off day. The teacher warned us that the first drop-off days for the kids can be difficult, but when I told Leana I was going to leave she gave me a kiss good-bye and ran off to play with the rocking horses. We are assigned "buddy parents" who work on the opposite day as us, so I left my phone number with her and took off for a glorious hour of Costco shopping all by myself. When I got back it was the last part of circle time and Leana was plopped right in the middle of the circle. She glanced over and saw me but didn't bother coming over, she was too entranced by Teacher Kari's song and little harp.

Overall, a successful first week of school!

Leana gets to bring a lunch on Fridays and she was very excited about using her new Froggy lunchbox.
Enough pictures Mom, let's go to school!

Circle time in the outdoor playspace.