Happy New Year to us

New Years Eve 2010 has been a big day for us. Emmie teet teed in the potty (M&Ms worked like a charm. After she did it I got so excited and she started cheering"I did it, I did it!") and Anabelle got her first tooth (hence all the slobber and teething nights)! I don't have pictures of either, but just wanted to mark this one for the books!

Merry Christmas!

Nothing like starting off the holiday season with the Pink Pig. And I am glad we went when we did. I was at the mall the week of Christmas and the line was about a mile long. My children do not have patience for that.

Mimi and Emmie enjoyed the ride

She was pretty happy the first time around and wanted out after that!

Some sister love for the holidays

Emmie, Anabelle, Mimi and Papa

I had been searching for Christmas outfits for them. I really wanted to get them matching smocked dresses. Well, when it comes down to pulling the trigger... no way. I just could not fathom spending $140 (about $70 each) for 2 dresses that will get worn once (well, Anabelle could probably wear Emmie's again, but still...). So I went onto Etsy and found these cute little retro dresses. Different, still classy and cute. Emmie wanted to wear hers everyday. The girls were angels when we went to meet Santa. Not one tear was shed.

Daddy taking over

My favorite. Most pics of these 2 will be Emmie having Anabelle in a headlock. This one turned out just right!

Ok, well maybe this one is my favorite. This picture pretty much sums up how happy Emmie was this Christmas season. She loved singing songs, especially Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman. She helped me decorate the tree. Made Christmas cookies. It made Christmas so much more fun this year!

Just a sassy little pic of Emmie dipping her waffle into some yogurt. Eating is a chore lately, so I have some to the idea of "whatever she will eat" (as long as it is not candy, candy, candy).

And here we are on Christmas Eve. Emmie helped Nana make cookies for Santa and was so excited to put them out near the fireplace. She got to listen to a surprise message on my phone from Santa himself. It was classic. I believe we got it on video. I will have to look.

Mateo woke up sooooo early on Christmas morning. Emmie was sound asleep. So we had to wake her up. She was excited, but a little subdued. She was happy to see the tricycle Santa brought her.

And the pillow pet

When after all was said and done... all Santa really needed to bring was some chapstick and she would have been happy as a lark!

Champ got a brand new toy too

Love this one

Emmie loves her sister. Here is that headlock I was telling you about

Ok. That is a little better. Anabelle was so sick. She had her first ear infection the Wednesday before Christmas. Thankfully we got her on medicine but it didn't really get any better until the day after Christmas. Christmas Day itself was probably her worst day ever. She couldn't breath or eat, fever and just flat miserable. You would never know it though by looking at her in this picture. That is one reason why I love her so much. No matter how bad she feels she will put that sweet smile on her face.

Girl must be teething too. Secret to the stars on a teether... let them chew on the cold beer bottle. They love it!

Well, this is more of a tackle. This is the reason I shouldn't be taking pics by myself with these two.

Uncle Tom and A-belle. We were so happy to spend some quality time with Tom and Beema when they were home. They travelled from Thailand for 2.5 weeks. This was the first time they have met Anabelle and haven't seen Emmie since last Christmas. We hope they move back to the states soon...

Daddy helping Emmie on the tricycle

Now we are getting to New Years Eve. Emmie wanted to hold her feet just like Anabelle was in this picture. New Years plans tend to die down when you have kids. I mean I spent the last 2 pregnant, hard to believe. But this year wasn't much crazier. We hung out with the fam. Emmie danced her heart out and played with her cousins. She went to bed around 830 and didn't wake up the next day until 1030am. She was tired!

Dancing with Uncle Tim

And playing "cup feet" with uncle John. A favorite past time at Mimi and Papa's house

We had a busy Christmas and New Years. It was a lot of good times. I can't wait to see how things change next year when both girls are so into the Christmas cheer!

Christmas cookie party with our favorite baker!

Emmie was so excited to go to her first Cookie party at Sweet n Sinful Bakery! We were too young last year and just right this year. She sat down at the table and immediately started popping marshmallows into her mouth.

Layne is the best baker in the world. She made my wedding cake and many of our friends. She makes every birthday, shower or party cake we need. It really is the best cake ever! Here she is helping Emmie to decorate.

Mateo got in on the action and was very excited.

Yum, yum, yum!

It is hard to believe, but we have been friends for 27 years. Now these 2 mamas just had babies 2 weeks apart.

And here they are. Baby girl Ellis Lee and Anabelle (Cheeks) Nichols

Emmie had so much fun and was on a total sugar high for the rest of the day. Torture for mom!

And, the finished product...

Anabelle gets baptized

December 5th 2010, Anabelle Sunde was baptized at OLA. It was such a special and exciting day. Cold too. She did great, slept throught mass and was awake for the whole ceremony.

Emmie was a bit tired by the time the ceremony started. Thankfully Nana and Mimi were there to help out.

Anabelle's godparents. Uncle Tim and Aunt Shannnon

Not a peep

Holy cheeks!

Yeah Anabelle! Go God!

Mommy needs a getaway

Oh my. 5 months post-Anabelle and I was ready for a little getaway. Brent had a business meeting planned in New York and I have never been to NYC during Christmas time. So, it was perfect timing.

The first night we stayed directly across from Rockefeller Center and the infamous tree was right outside of our window.

We went to the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. It was worth it. Put us in the spirit. We had some wine at a little wine bar before the show. It was a like we were on a date! haha

We had a very romantic dinner at a place called Extra Virgin down in the West Village. We sat in the window and had a great meal. I guess it was a true date night!

Brent really thought he was something. He thought he was king of the subway. We got tired of paying for cabs so we quickly tried to figure out the subway system. On his behalf, he did a pretty good job of getting us around.

Oh, this was the best. Brent in a pair of ice skates. That's right. Brent and I ice skated in Central Park. We only made it around 10 times or less. Our legs were on fire. We hadn't fallen and wanted to leave the ice with our heads held high. It was an experience.

We just walked around town and met up with one of Emmie's favorites... Cookie Monster!

It was a blast and a much needed getaway! But we did talk about the girls a lot and were ready to get home to hug them.