Decorating for Christmas

We spent some time this weekend decorating the house for Christmas.  Mikey took on an ambitious lighting project in the front yard, with several hours worth of work culminating in half of the strands of lights not working.  He kept at it (with his helper Ellie) and now our yard shines very brightly at night.

I also had a good helper along with me to decorate the tree.  Surprisingly, only two ornaments broke - and those were broken by myself and Mikey, not our two year old - go figure!

We are getting excited for the holidays!

Ellie and Maddy helping Dad with the lights outside

Sometimes Ellie helped, other times she walked up and down the bricks

She thought this was as much fun as helping her Dad

Tommy and a stocking; he is a teeny guy

Ellie helping Mom pick out ornaments

She didn't "love" mom helping her hang them

Saying "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" when she saw the KU ornament

Hanging the stockings

A Happy Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving over at Amy's grandparents house, Ruthie and Large.  All of Ellie and Tommy's grandparents were there as well.  We had a great meal and a lot to be thankful for this year!

Tommy and his great-grandfather

First family picture of all 4 of us

Posing with Grandma Burgess

Dad hanging out with Tommy

Tommy and Ruthie hanging out

Thanksgiving was also Mikey's birthday, so we helped him celebrate

Ellie was a fan of the cheesecake

Real tired after all the activity!

Ellie Burgess Sees Santa Claus

Ellie met Santa Claus at the Mission Hills tree lighting ceremony.  Santa Claus came buzzing in on a fire truck.  Ellie did really well meeting him.  She went right up to him, sat on his lap and when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she replied "A Kitchen".  Let the shopping begin!!

Ellie and Tommy

So many people have asked us what Ellie thinks of Tommy and how she is doing with her little brother's arrival. Well, we are happy to say that Ellie has been an amazing big sister to Tommy.  She is very sweet with him. 

She always asks to "pet" him before she actually goes in to do it.  She likes touching and naming his features "Tommy's nose", "Tommy's mouth".  We did have to lay the ground rules to not touch Tommy's eyes.  She will says "No eyes, right Mama?"

She likes to see his "owie" - his belly button.  She holds him once or twice a day and enjoys picking out his pajamas when she picks out hers for the night, making it clear that she can put hers on "by my own" and Tommy needs Mom or Dad to do it.

Ellie is off to a great start as a big sister!

Tommy's First Week

Here are some shots of Tommy's first week.

Introducing...Thomas Benjamin Burgess

Thomas Benjamin Burgess surprised us by arriving early, on November 18th at 12:01 pm.  He weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces and was as healthy as he could be. 

Tommy took it pretty easy on me...I had contractions starting at about 5 am and he was here about 7 hours later. Here are some pictures of that day at the hospital.

Waiting for Tommy to show up

First shot with Mom after he arrived

This was how he looked when we first met.

Mom and Tommy

Weighing in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces

Tommy and his Dad

Meeting the grandparents - here is his with Grandma and Grandpa Postlewait

And with Grandma Burgess

And last, but not least, Ellie meets Tommy!!!

Last Days of Being an Only Child

Here are some pictures of Ellie's last week of being an only child. 

A big girl headed off to school

Posing with Dad and Sadie

At gymnastics with Mom...

Check out Mom's 9 month profile  :)

Every 2 year old needs to know how to use a smartphone...relaxing in bed with Sadie

Baby Boy Update

We wanted to share some pictures of Baby Boy Burgess' new room.  And also wanted to recap the last couple of weeks with him.  We found out two weeks ago that he was sitting in a breech position.  Happy and very healthy, but not the best place for him to greet the world in.  We went in for a procedure to turn him around, which was successful.  We find out tomorrow if he chose to stay that way. 

We are excited to meet this little guy soon, and hope he likes the new room he is coming home to!