Christmas 2010

This Christmas week we've had many walks outside. Gwen likes to come along too!

Gwen 6 weeks old.
We took Gwen in for her check-up and she weighed in at almost 12 lbs! That put her in the 95th percentile! She is our big growing girl!

December 23 - aka Festivus
Daddy and Cara participate in the traditional Feats Of Strength!

The Byrne Girls!

Gwen getting excited for Christmas.

Cara's Christmas Eve candy cane!

Daddy and Cara talking about Santa!

Cara all dressed up for Christmas Eve church. She was very proud of wearing a dress with a bow - she thought it looked like the Cat in the Hat!

When we got back from church Santa had flown over and dropped some Magic Sleeping Pyjamas off for Cara and Gwen.

Gwen lasted about 2 hours in her pjs before she spit up on them and needed some new ones....

Gwen thought 8 am was too early to get up (even on Christmas) so she slept most of the morning.

Cara and Mummy in awe of the tree and the piles of presents Santa brought!

Stocking time!

Gwen opening a gift....took her a very long time ;)

Cara opening her first Santa gift and it was.....

...a Cookie Monster!
That is a picture of pure joy!

Santa brought Gwen a lamb to sleep with.

Cara loved the chaos of the morning.

And playing with all the new toys!

Opening her Wiggles blanket from Aunt Sarah - She talks to the Wiggles' faces that are on the fabric. So cute!

Gwen also loved the chaos of the morning - such a stressed out baby!

Cara opened gifts at an incredible speed...she was a blur!

Santa brought a sled for the sisters!

Cara finally got to open the big gift and loved her very own kitchen!

Our little chef got right to work cooking lunch!

There is a Gwen in there somewhere!

Gwen and her first Christmas haul - thanks to everyone!

We went to Nana's and Howie's for Christmas Dinner and Santa had left Cara another gift there! Pots and pans for the kitchen!

Daddy and Gwen rockin' out on the guitar!

Boxing Day!

Cara enjoying her first Barley Toy! And her tongue looks freakishly long!

Boxing Day pizza party with Nana and Howie!

Lots of smiles from Gwen!

Watching World Juniors with Daddy - Go, Canada, Go!!

Our family Christmas 2010! xoxo

A special Christmas carol from Cara!

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

xxx ooo

Goodbye Smokey...but Hello Christmas!

This week started off with some sad news when old Smokey passed away on Tuesday. She had been diagnosed with kidney disease a few weeks ago and rapidly deteriorated. She had been staying at the vet's since Friday but was not improving and died naturally Tuesday morning. We are all very sad that she's gone (especially Daddy).

Cara and Mummy made a gingerbread house this week. Cara was very excited to start decorating with candy!

She was very proud of the finished product and figured out that Santa lives in a house just like this!

Cara got an early Christmas present from Grampy...a kitty hat with mouse tassles! Here she is modelling it with her "silly face."

Our childproofed Christmas tree...nothing breakable on the bottom third!

Gwen got a hat too...this one is ovine themed with lots of sheep.

Gwen is growing like a weed and is becoming quite the chunky monkey. Here she is chilling after one of her many spit-ups!

Gwen is now alert for several hours a day and is still usually sleeping at least one long stretch at night. She is starting to smile a lot too with the occasional vocalization.

Cara graduated from Level 2 Parent and Tot swimming on Saturday. Her and Daddy had a great time every weekend and Cara is very comfortable in the water. Her favourite part is the slide!

On Sunday, we made some Christmas cookies. Cara was pretty helpful but very messy as well. Nothing makes her happier than helping her Mummy.

Cara does not understand "just a pinch" of sugar!

Cara putting the finishing touches on some shortbread cookies. They are delicious!

Once things settle down after Christmas, we will post a mega-update. Until then, Merry Christmas everyone!

First sister kiss and first bottle!

Gwen - 4 weeks old.

We got out for some fresh air this week and Cara had alot of fun in the snow!

Daddy, Gwen and Cara pretending to be a baby swaddled in Gwen's blanket.

Deep sleep.

Cara has taken to holding Gwen's hand - but not when she's crying!

Cara has also started to give Gwen kisses! So sweet, she kisses her little sister on her forehead. Gwen loves it :)

Gwen's first bottle! She drank it all up once it was at the right temperature!

We got the tree up this weekend and decorated - Cara added some finishing touches with a few well placed candy canes.

She is very into the Christmas stuff which is making it all alot more fun than usual :)

Gwen with our Advent "candles".

Daddy multitasking!