MERRY CHRISTMAS....

I can't believe it is 9pm on December 25th already. Where did today go??? What a fun-filled "first Christmas" it was with Charlotte and Jacob. Our day started at 6:30 a.m. which would have been great except for the 1:00 a.m., 2:15 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. wake ups. 


We spent a quiet morning at our house. The kids opened stockings and their present from Santa (a wagon) as well as a present from their Godparents (Neil and Geraldine) and one from our friends Sherilee, Jason, Liam and Olen. After their morning nap and some lunch we headed off to my mom's to celebrate Christmas with my mom and brothers. The kids weren't sure what to make of "Christmas" but they sure did love the wrapping paper, tissue paper, bags and tags! 


We will be continuing our "Christmas" tomorrow as we head to Montego Bay, Jamaica with my Dad, Sandy, sisters Kelley and Jalynn, brother-in-law Dave and nephews Kieran and Quinn. 


We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas...we feel very fortunate and are so thankful to be surrounded by such an amazing family and great group of friends! 


We look forward to sharing many more milestones with you in 2012! 


My next post will be in 2012 following our trip....Have a safe and Happy New Year! 

Charlotte and Jacob must have been very good b/c Santa left them a present

Their stockings on top of their present 

Their "loot" at our house

The first rip...

Teamwork at its best

Still working well together...

Getting closer 

YAY...we love Christmas!  

Doyle's stocking...complete with Red Stripe in honour of our trip to Jamaica!  

Michael (Uncle Mike), Me, Jacob, Charlotte, Grammy and Andrew (Uncle Andrew)

In a sea of gifts at Grammy's house 

Not quite sure what to make of all this - but might as well dig in

This one is for you ;)

Grammy and Jacob 

Their new sled....can't wait to try it out! 

BROWN FAMILY CHRISTMAS....

This past week Doyle's parents came to visit and celebrate Christmas with us early. They stayed at our place from Sunday - Wednesday and then ventured to Waterloo to visit with Doyle's brother Doug, his sister-in-law Lisa and their kids Norah and Luke until Saturday. Then everyone descended on our place on Saturday to celebrate "Brown Family Christmas". Charlotte and Jacob loved having their Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt and Uncle and cousins Norah and Luke visit.

Hey...are these for us? 

Opening their presents from Grandma and Grandpa 

This present thing is FUN

Charlotte getting acquainted with her Dino Walker / Riding toy 

Jacob checking his Dino Walker / Riding toy out

Charlotte and Grandpa 

Jacob and Grandma

Cousins - Norah, Charlotte, Luke and Jacob

Christmas wouldn't be complete without the "funny face" picture

LORDY LORDY DOYLE IS...40

Yesterday we celebrated Doyle's 40th birthday!! 


His birthday festivities actually started the night before with dinner at our place (with my mom and his parents). We ordered Thai and enjoyed a yummy chocolate cake. Charlotte loved being part of the party SO much, that despite our best efforts at putting her to bed for 6:30pm, she managed to stay up until 9:45pm! 


My dad ("Grandpa Tom") came over last night to watch the kids so Doyle's parents could join us for dinner at La Vecchia on Yonge Street. We had a lovely dinner and finished the evening at our place with some bubbly - after all you only turn 40 once ;) 


The celebrations continue this evening as Doyle celebrates with the guys! 

Daddy and his little girl (Jacob was fast asleep in bed)

Daddy..birthday parties are SO much fun! Especially yours!  

Getting ready to blow the candles out...1...2...3 

YAY! 

ALBANY CLUB CHRISTMAS....

Today we attended the Albany Club kids Christmas party along with Grams, Grandpa Tom, and cousins / nephews Kieran and Quinn. We enjoyed a morning / early afternoon filled with eating, ornament and cookie decorating, colouring, magician show, carol singing and of course a visit from Santa. We all had a great time - the kids were so tired by the end they didn't even make it two blocks in the car before they were asleep! Thanks Grandpa Tom for inviting us!

Grandpa and Jacob

Jacob and Charlotte warming up the chair for the "big guy"

Kieran in awe of the magician

Jacob full from lunch! 

Charlotte clapping for the Nutcracker 

The chocolate fountain was a big hit with Kieran (and Quinn)

The Brown clan

A "picture" of the family picture - I don't have a scanner - a great group shot though!
(Kieran, Nutcracker, Heather, Charlotte, Grams, Jacob, Doyle, Grandpa, Nutcracker, and Quinn)

A CHRISTMAS PHOTO SHOOT

A few weeks ago we took Charlotte and Jacob to the Great Canadian Superstore's photo studio to get some pictures taken in their "Christmas outfits". While Jacob wasn't sure what to think about the whole thing, Charlotte loved every minute of it. She laughed and smiled her way through the 20 minute sitting. Jacob was more reserved and even shed a few tears! We are very pleased with the final shots and even used one as our 2011 Christmas card photo! 

The picture we used for our 2011 Christmas photo card

Charlotte all smiles for Christmas!

HAPPY ELEVEN MONTH "BIRTHDAY" CHARLOTTE AND JACOB

It is SO hard to believe that today marks 11 months since Charlotte and Jacob were born. The time has just flown by and before we know it we will be celebrating their "real" birthday and not just acknowledging their "month" birthday. And I'll be returning to work after a wonderful year off with the kids. So much continues to change here almost on a daily basis. From November 1 to November 30 Charlotte and Jacob have:

• Continued to gain weight: We don't have 11 month official weight numbers because their next weigh in is at their 12 month appointment but we can notice a difference in their size

• Learned to clap their hands: Charlotte mastered "clapping" on November 29th and is quite proud of herself each time she does it. She looks up and smiles as she brings her hands together. Jacob likes to clap his thighs but hasn't quite figured out the "hands together" motion yet

• Continued to pull up on everything and anything they see: Both Charlotte and Jacob are very comfortable pulling themselves up on objects and getting down from them (the couch, coffee table, toy bin, stroller, activity table and their crib). It's mostly still on their knees but they have figured out how to pull up to standing on some lower objects. 

• Continued to sit, crawl and go from sitting to crawling unassisted: Both Charlotte and Jacob move with ease. They can prop themselves up from a lying position to a sitting position and can go from a sitting position to a lying position with very little effort. 

• Ate more solid food: They continue to love the "old faithfuls" they have enjoyed over the past few months but have also begun to eat more "people food". They love bananas, oranges, pasta, avocado, Cheerios, cheese, grapes, turkey slices and chicken. They really haven't refused anything we have offered! 

• Visited Santa for the first time: We took Charlotte and Jacob to visit Santa at Yorkdale mall for their first picture with him. They didn't cry but they didn't smile either - they weren't quite sure who the bearded man was.

• Activities outside the house: More walks in the stroller, jogs with daddy in the baby jogger, swimming at Douglas Snow Aquatic Centre, 

CLAP....CLAP....CLAP CLAP CLAP....

Yesterday Charlotte mastered a new trick....clapping! I was finally able to catch it quickly on video this morning as she finished her breakfast. Excuse the silly "mommy voice" and the half eaten orange in her mouth as you watch the video!

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN....

Today was a very exciting day for Doyle and I....we took Charlotte and Jacob to meet Santa Claus for the first time!! 


We thought today would be a good day to visit Santa at Yorkdale mall because it is still early in the "season" and many families would be standing curb side waiting for him to arrive in the parade downtown. We arrived at the mall at noon when his shift started. There were about 12 people ahead of us but the line moved quickly. We actually waited longer for the CD to be burned than we did to meet Santa himself. The kids were very good and successfully got through their first encounter with Santa without any tears. They didn't smile for the picture but at least we don't have the iconic red faced scream picture! 

So...tell me...what is this Christmas thing anyway?

Not too sure whether to smile or cry so we'll just stare instead

We are very excited for Charlotte and Jacob's first Christmas and are already counting the days until the big guy arrives...only 35 more sleeps to go!

POSTMEDIA...CANADA.COM INTERVIEW

The other day I chatted with Sarah Schmidt, Consumer Reporter for Postmedia. She was writing a story on infant formula and was looking to speak to a parent that used formula for their kids. I reached out to her following her request on twitter for a parent that uses formula - we chatted for about 20 minutes by phone (she works in Ottawa). Following our conversation she arranged for a photographer to visit our house and take pictures of us. Sarah's article was posted on Canada.com this evening and will run in select Postmedia papers tomorrow (Friday November 11, 2011). We had fun with our 20 minutes of fame and were happy to help Sarah out! 


http://www.canada.com/health/Government+allows+infant+formula+claims+despite+acceptable+evidence/5692445/story.html

HAPPY HALLOWEEN...

Halloween 2011 started bright and early in our house. I decided that the kids should wear their costumes all day since they likely wouldn't make it out trick or treating given the fact they go to bed at 6pm. So on the costumes went at 8 a.m. and they didn't come off until bath time at 5:30 p.m. Luckily they didn't seem to mind being a pumpkin and dinosaur for the day! The people at the doctor's office got a big kick out of them when we arrived for their appointment. 

The kids also got to spend time with Grams and Grampa and Grandma Pam as well. We took lots of pictures to commemorate Charlotte and Jacob's first Halloween - here are a few of our fav's! 

Meeting the pumpkin for the first time

All ready to carve the pumpkin

Even Grams and Grandpa got into the Halloween spirit! 

Cuddles with Grandpa

Charlotte isn't quite sure what to think of Grams

Visiting Grandma Pam's house and meeting her electric pumpkin

My little Pumpkin and Dinosaur

Outside Grandma Pam's House - Trick or Treat

Outside our house - all ready with their trick or treat bags

I like Halloween

Mr. Bones

Our House - decorated for Halloween