Christmas 2008...so far

Here are some pictures of our first two party's. One more tomorrow. Oskaloosa here we come!

Christmas 2008

Snow

We all piled on our snow gear to blow off some energy in the backyard. I think Bo had the most fun, with Emily a close second. Last year she wouldn't have anything to do with the sled. I think Robert got his cardio workout in this morning, dragging her around the yard.

Popcorn!

Emily loves popcorn, Robert loves popcorn, I love popcorn. I think if it was socially acceptable we would eat it everyday. Emily now knows the process to making it. Yesterday after nap we got out the popper and she helped pour in the popcorn. Our new favorite kernnels come from De Moss Pumpkin Farm. Our favorite topping is Lawrys Black Pepper Seasoning. On this occasion we were making popcorn to string with cranberries for the birds. It was fun, Emily was able to do it with a little help from us, although she did string one popcorn and eat three!

Dr. Checkup

This picture has nothing to do with the post, other than Robert and I were sharing sushi from Super Walmart (you would think gross, but very yummy), Em tried some and then wanted to eat her nuggets with the chop sticks!

I mentioned in the last post we went to see our favorite Pediatrician today. He reminds Robert and I of Santa, I think it is the calming voice and the little twinkle in his eye.

Dallas is doing really well. I guessed his weight to the ounce, he is 8 lb 8 oz, which is 5 oz above his birth weight (50% percentile). He stretched out to 21.5 in, measured 21" at birth, and I believe his head measured 36 cm. It has always interested me as a scientist (trained to use metric) that they switch between the English and metric system to do the measurements. Anyway he is as perfect as can be!

We also had a chance to chat about Emily's poop problems again. As many of you know we have had on-going issues for at least 6 months. Nothing is biologically wrong, it is just a head issue. We would like to ask for prayers for her to "get over it" per se, and give us patience to help her.

First Bath

After the bath

Emily filling up Dallas's tub

To celebrate leaving the house today for our doctor appointments we had Dallas's first bath. Emily joined him and helped too. His umbilical cord stump fell off yesterday, after only two weeks! I was going to go back and look at Emily's baby book because I think she had her stump for a month. Dallas didn't seem to mind the water too much. The only time he ever cries is when we take off his diaper, I think he prefers to stay warm.

Emily and Dallas

Emily loves to hold Dallas, she is pretty good at it too. She likes to inspect his hands and feet. Today she noticed his breathing, (its pretty rapid in a baby), we had a little science lesson on how breathing works and what it does for us! She has been such a helpful loving big sis!

Christmas crafts and baking

Cake Balls, so delicious and super easy! I made and dipped, Em sprinkled.

Gumdrop tree, best idea found on the internet this season, perfect craft for a toddler.

Andee's mint cookies, the perfect combination of chocolate and mint, Emily unwrapped the candy and broke them in two as my helper.

The ginger bread house, gettin assembled, I did most of this work.

Emily decorated.

I have been trying to make some traditions with Emily in the kitchen this year. We have dipped pretzels, made Andie's mint cookies, built a gumdrop tree and hopefully get the gingerbread house assembled soon.

The Santa Express

Robert and Emily took Grandpa Dallas on a trip to the North Pole for his Christmas present. The Santa Express (ie, Boone Scenic Valley Railroad) jumped from the pages of the Polar Express , Emily, daddy and Grandpa had their tickets punched. Pajamas were encouraged, Emily wore hers, but Robert and Grandpa stuck with their jeans and coats. They brought the book with to read along with the narrator, sang Christmas carols, had hot chocolate and cookies. Santa was on board as well to hand every kiddo a silver bell! Hope you enjoyed your Christmas gift Grandpa!

(oh yeah, they were all troopers, turns out the train cars were not heated!)

A Kibbe Christmas

I didn't want to end up writing a Christmasy brag letter everyone is so accustomed of getting from those distant relatives and our parents friends. I now find myself trying to get a little message up here quickly so everyone can see what we have been up to since last year, If that is what you are looking for, just review the previous years worth of posts.
I want to focus this Kibbe Christmas Letter on our years blessings. I suppose I could start with our recent little bundle of joy. Dallas Charles arrived 13 days early and in perfect condition. He is such a joy to hold, feed, and stare at.
Emily has grown into a beautiful little girl during the past year. Her many changes include having "real" hair, an ever-growing vocabulary, jumping, doting on her little family of stuffed animals and baby dolls, and still her favorite is reading books.
Robert and I have enjoyed this blessed year. We have both tackled new adventures this year. I worked part-time the entire year, and with the addition of Dallas to our family, I will now make staying at home my full time job. It is such a joy and privilege to have this opportunity to raise and help lead our children to live loving and God-fearing lives. I am also looking forward to enhancing my homemaking skills, and will hopefully grow to enjoy "cleaning the bathrooms"!
Robert has learned a lot in the past year running Guidepost Financial his part time financial counsuling buisness. He has really enjoyed setting up the buisness structure. He has been able to help many people tackle the daunting task of getting out of debt.
We also cannot be thankful enough for our family. The support we get from our parents, sisters and brother is too great to describe. We have enjoyed many new relationships found through our church family as well this year. We have developed life long freindships that are important to our family.

Introducing Dallas Charles

We have a new child - a son! Here are the stats: Name - Dallas Charles Kibbe Born Dec 7 at 10:48PM (13 days early) 8lbs 3.9 oz, 21" long

His birth story is very similar to Emily's. Eighteen or so hours of labor, but with this little one only 13 minutes of pushing! He is doing so well at home. I feel very spoiled so far. He sleeps a lot, is eating like a champ (although I do have to wake him sometimes to do so), and is very easy to soothe. Today at almost 5 days old he is finally giving us some eye time, up until now he would barely keep his eyes open for longer than 3-4 minutes at a time. The only think that makes him slightly fussy at this point is getting naked for a diaper change, and who can argue with that. Emily is enjoying the big sister role, she had been very helpful. Everyone keeps asking how she is adjusting, I think she is doing the best she possibly can be. She hasn't been feeling that great this week, dealing with a cough and running/congested nose and she is still doing quite well. The bottom line is we feel really blessed and thank God for this wonderful little guy.

The leader of the "Nest"

I felt I didn't give enough credit to Robert about the previous nesting post. I don't want to get caught having this sound like I run the place with no husband! Robert absolutely fixed everything about the whole leak in the ceiling thing. He even told the plumber I was really pregnant and the guy offered to come over on his Thanksgiving break. Robert declined seeing as we were going to travel anyway. Rob came back home with major allergies from being in CR plus he had developed the flu, but he still helped the plumber all day Monday, and has spent his limited evening time patching the tub back together! What a great provider.

Christmas tree

We have been working on the family tree. Emily decorated her tree that hangs out in her room. The Cyclone tree also made another appearance this year.
I wanted to get a super cute picture of Emily hanging ornaments, but she is mostly interested in the hooks... go figure!

My nest

All things considered, I am taking the hole in my kitchen ceiling quite well. I am trying not to be crabby about it. I couple of weeks ago, I felt my "nest" was in order. Everything I wanted finished and cleaned was checked off my list. Then life happens, little leak in the bath tub turns into a hole in the kitchen ceiling. I am quite thankful, I know an access hole through the nursery wall was a possibility, and luckily the already damaged ceiling worked just as well!