New Beginnings: It's the Holiday Season

Our baby is growing like a weed. He had is 2 month checkup earlier this month and weighed 11lbs 15oz and was 24 inches long. This bumped him from the 50th percentile when he was born up to the 70th percentile. My poor baby also had to get his SHOTS! He was a tough little guy. He hardly cried for the first one, and only screamed for a few seconds for the second. Man, I think I had a harder time with it than Will did. Talk about breaking Mommy's heart! With each shot he gave a little jump and a cry as if to say, "How can you let them do this to me, Mama?!" Ooof. We are having so much fun watching little Will grow!

Will's 2 month photo

Family photo: Jonah 7 yrs, Will ~2 months

Our smiley boy!

Will- 2 months

Last month Grandma and Grandpa Janetski came for a visit and finally got to meet Will. I think it's safe to say they were astounded by how often that baby can eat! Jonah and Dave showed them their hellgrammite hunting skills, which Grandma just LOVED! (Note: sarcasm.) We mostly spent time around home, but we did venture to a cute neighboring town to do some shopping and enjoy a nice dinner. It was great to have them here. If only we didn't have to wait until next summer to see them again. :/

3 generations of Janetski boys!

For Thanksgiving we went to Michigan to spend time with my family. This was our year to have Jonah for Thanksgiving, which was of course, great! Right before the break Dave, Will and I went to visit Jonah's classroom with a bunch of BUGS! We tried to teach the kids all about arthropods, but they mostly just wanted to touch and hold the cool stuff we brought (walking sticks, cockroaches, millipedes, etc.). We were able to borrow some critters from the nature center and from one of Dave's co-workers. I'm kicking myself for not taking any pictures. Dave got a taste of what it's like trying to teach 1st graders. I think it solidified his appreciation and admiration of elementary school teachers. And made him glad he teaches college students. ;)

While we were in South Bend we also were able to visit with Dave and Jonah's old neighbors. They have 2 boys that Jonah has basically grown up with, and when the three of them get together it is a combination of unbridled joy, and unbridled CHAOS! Those boys are a riot. When I first saw the three of them together Jonah was only 3 years old. I remember being astounded at the level of noise and energy that surround them. Whew!! Talk about exhausting! Now that they are older the noise and the energy is still there, but they are old enough that they can take it to the basement to play on their own so the grown ups can talk. :) Anyway, the neighbors got to meet Will for the first time, though I'm not sure if Will or the iPad was the bigger hit.... We had a great time catching up with such good friends and good people!

Jodi and Will

The fellas all around the iPad

Jaxson-11, Jonah-7, Miles-7, Will-2 months

In Michigan Jonah and Will had a great time hanging out with cousins, and I am always amazed at how well the kids are with Will. Jonah really is a great big brother! He is so gentle with him (for now....), and will even sing to Will when he gets upset. The moment Will looks like he is about to start crying Jonah will announce, "He's crying! He's crying! Erin, he's crying!" I'm not sure if his concern is strictly for Will, or if it is more because he just doesn't want to hear him cry...Probably a little bit of both.

Morning snuggles with my boys!

Unfortunately, Sarah couldn't make it back for Thanksgiving, but "Uncle Nico" (Bob's brother who Jonah adores) and my Aunt Candy and Uncle Doug joined us on Thanksgiving day. Will got to meet lots of new people! (I only took a couple of pictures. Should have taken more!)

Silly, as always!

Our Thankful Tree

Hanging out with Uncle B

Bob's SO funny!!

Aunt Katie and Will

Snuggles!

It really is true what they say about kids--they grow up so fast. Every day Will seems like a new kid! He is officially wearing his 3 month outfits. Saying goodbye to the newborn clothes was a little sad. They sure didn't last long! We will hang onto them, you know, just in case we ever need them again. ;) Jonah seems to be growing like crazy, too! He is the tallest in his class and seems to look older every time we see him. I should also mention that Jonah has been doing really well in school. His reading is amazing! When you compare where he was at the beginning of the year to where he is now, it's like night and day. He is just starting chapter books, and there are few words that really stump him. It's amazing how quickly kids can catch on! Jonah's artwork is absolutely phenomenal as well. We definitely have a talented artist on our hands!

Excited for some fishin'!

Outfit from Grandma Janetski

Dave is OFFICIALLY done with his first semester as an Assistant Professor. Woo hoo! He just submitted his final grades yesterday! To celebrate he made himself homemade crab rangoons and Kung Pao Chicken. Few things excite my husband more than good Chinese food. Personally, I am just excited to have him around more. Dave gets a full 5 weeks off for the winter break. Wooo hooo! We love having Daddy home!

Now all of us are gearing up for Christmas! We plan to head back to Michigan, and this time Sarah will be there as well. While I am really looking forward to seeing my family again, we would have loved to go to Washington to spend time with the Janetskis, too. We had such a great time all being together last Christmas. Jonah actually asked if we were going back this year, and was pretty sad when we said we couldn't. It's hard when family is dispersed all across the country.

Will is excited for his first Christmas! (I think...he hasn't really said much about it, but he didn't scream when I put on his Santa hat so I'm calling it a win.)