Christmas Part Two

We made the long journey of this year's Christmas events and are back home and trying to settle in. Jase did unbelievable on the car rides thanks to Dora and Diego, unfortunately the change in routine has made our perfect sleeper a little distraught. While in Virginia Jason's parents bought Jase a toddler bed and he loved it. When we were in Ohio we stayed in a hotel for four nights and Jason slept with Jase. Apparently Jase became dependent on this. Normally he would go to bed happily and willingly with no complaints. Now he screams bloody murder when you leave him in there. He is happy when you lay with him until he falls asleep but we just can't do that. So we have been listening to him scream and scream as if something terrible is happening until he decides to give up and get in bed (which can be up to an hour so far). It is heartbreaking but hopefully after a few days he will be back to normal. Other than that things are just ticking along. We were able to go to my parent's home for a second Christmas celebration and also to celebrate my sister's birthday. Since Jase loves pirates my sister decided to have a pirate party. She even had a pirate-ship cake made for the occasion which ended up being a ship-wreck! The cake ended up caving over and my brother had to hold it up while we got together at the table to sing. Jase thought the cake was real and kept saying "Pirate ship, please, please, please" and was signing please at the same time. He wanted to play with it so bad. Jase's cousin, Elektra was with us for both celebrations. It was really neat to see them together because they are the same height (Jase weighs more) and to see the significant development difference in the year that separates them. It made us realize how much of a baby Jase still is. His size is deceiving to other people and they expect more from him. Strangers for some reason feel the need to tell us that Jase is too old for a pacifier. Ideally it would be great if he didn't need one but he does. I sucked my thumb for 8 years and know that it's harder to take away a thumb than a pacifier. So when the time comes it will happen. For now it keeps him and us SANE! Zach is discovering his hands and it's so cute to watch him move his arms around then all of a sudden he stops them and stares intently until they go away again. He is so big and is growing out of his 3-6 month clothing real quick! He is so content and happy all the time (except when startled or very hungry). Since Jase is going through his hard stage right now and nearly sending us over the edge at times, Zach is a great balance that is needed right now.

Here we all (most of us) are in Ohio at Nene's house. She is one of the sweetest women I have ever met. I hope I can be that way when I am her age. We had a wonderful time celebrating together.
Our growing family with Nene! (by the way, it took a lot of clapping and jumping to get Jase to look at the camera and smile. Before this photo he was clapping his hands above his head like his Great Aunt Barb was doing while she was trying to get his attention. It was really cute and he was laughing so hard he thought it was so funny.)

What a wonderful time he was having running around the cul-de-sac with his cousins and Jason's cousin's kids (what is that...second or third cousins?) They were tossing the football to one another and Jase kept running to who had the ball and they would give it to him so that he would not freak out and cry.

We even got to see my Titi, Tio and cousins that just lived a little over an hour away! They were able to meet Zach for the first time. That was very special.

While we stayed in the hotel Jason and Jase slept in the same bed together. It was so adorable. Jase was all over Jason as they slept and most of the time was on Jason's head. Teehee...Zach and I slept together in the other bed. He was in his moses basket on the bed. We realized during this trip that Jase is not as light of a sleeper as we thought.

My father dressed up as Santa Claus for the kids and Jase was unsure at first then said "Hey Sissy Claus". Elektra screamed and acted frightened but more in a drama queen way. It was so funny to see Jase take and open the presents from Santa.

Then he sat on Santa's lap.

He even gave Santa a hug. This photos shows how he was a little apprehensive but not afraid.

He then grabbed Santa's hand and asked him to take him outside.

My dad picked this present out for Zach's birth present. So adorable and it says "Welcome Little Prince".

My sister and Zach for her pirate birthday party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA!

It was a very cool cake even though it was falling apart! My mother ended up getting all her money back for that darn thing. (Way to go Mother!)