Funny "Baby"

I walked into the living room today to find James wrapped like a burrito in my fleece blanket (courtesy of Daddy).

"Are you a baby?" I asked.

"Yes. That's why I'm all swaddled."

So cute and funny.

Epiphany

Well, we officially declared it Epiphany on Sunday and de-decorated (or shall I say corated?) the house. When we told James we had to take down the Christmas tree, he was sad (and asked, "Why?" of course) but also grabbed his handy hacksaw to help. Because that's the tool Daddy had used to "take down" the tree at the farm.

Then he saw that we had to remove the ornaments first. ("Why?") And he helped. And he removed some ornaments from their hooks and tops (which remained on the tree). He realized he was just the right size to go between the tree and wall which was somewhat helpful, but not really (see earlier hooks & tops comment).

Then came the arrival of "Baby Bird." Now while we did have a nest in our tree when we brought it home, it had no eggs, and this was not a real bird. This, of course, was James. Who was sitting behind the tree saying, "Tweet. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet tweet tweet. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet. Tweet."

It was pretty funny. (I took a video which I'll try to upload, but I'm not sure it is amusing enough to justify the inexplicably long time it takes to post to the blog...)

And in these last few days he's adopted Baby Bird as one of his new favorite pretend personas. As in, "Baby Bird is thirsty." Or, "Mommy! Save Baby Bird from the monster!" which he yells while "trapped" under an overturned laundry basket.

So, we finally got the ornaments and lights off the tree, boxed up, and put back in the basement. (Santa is coming OFF the tree in the photo below.)

James helped Daddy put away the train and its tracks as well. (Although he's volunteered a few times since then to help set it up again.) And all of the toys have a new home in James's bedroom. And the stockings are down. And the garland. So now our living room seems bigger, cleaner, and less festive.

I usually do not like de-decorating at all. Its often kind of depressing. However, as with every other part of the holidays this year, James just made it better and fun. So, how's that for an epiphany?

On the twelfth day of Christmas your blogger gave to you...

... the much awaited meeting of James and Ezra!

James was SO excited to meet his cousin and loved having him here in NJ. When Auntie Peg and I asked James if he wanted to sit in the chair with his baby cousin for a photo session he was all too happy to oblige.


We had planned to head down to DC to see Nana, Auntie Peg, and Team Winter on Tuesday, but were THRILLED that they decided to come up to NJ instead. In this photo, James and Uncle Preston were playing Santa and his elf (I cannot remember who was who).
Here James helps Auntie Ali open a gift for Ezra. By this time (Thursday morning), he was a PRO at presents. He was so excited to see so much under the tree!
Here is the beautiful box of delicious Jaques Torres chocolates that Santa brought everyone. James had his eye on that dark chocolate heart truffle...
... and quickly popped it into his mouth in one bite!

Thursday night we had a family holiday dinner. Before eating, James and Nana participated in some festive dancing and merriment.
And Thursday evening Ezra had his first bottle.
James was very nice and let Ezra use lots of his outgrown goods. He'd see the papasan and say, "I could fit in there when I was little."


Friday morning came all too soon. James and Mommy said our goodbyes to Nana and Auntie Peg before heading to the New Year's Eve party and brought the Winters along with us. After the countdown to noon, James gave Ez a kiss goodbye,

and hugged his Auntie Ali.

When we were heading home, he asked where his little cousin Ezra was and was heartbroken to hear that he was on his way back to DC instead of at our house.

In the days since, he's been talking about Ezra a lot. One day he was playing with his cars and said, "Mommy, I am playing with the Jeep. Auntie Ali is going to play with the camper. And the Chevelle is for Ezra to play with when he grows up."

More Jamesisms

Lately, James has been an official three-year old with the constant, "Why?"

Additionally, the past few days we've heard a lot of, "Ohhh, I didn't know ______."

As in, "James, give me a kiss. I'm going to work."

"Ohh, I didn't know you were going to work."

or

"Mommy, what are you doing?"

"Making dinner."

"Ohh, I didn't know you were making dinner."

For a while he's been replacing words in songs with "Med" or "goat" to his great amusement. For example, "You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to goat!"

His new favorite replacement word is "diaper." As in, "Santa Claus is coming to diaper!" He cracks himself up with this.

The other hilarious thing is that James now thinks that wearing a hat prevents ear infections! One day during the break Dan came in from outside, and James shrieked, "Daddy! You forgot your hat! You're going to get an ear infection!"

Come again?

Yep, every time we go outside, he comments on it. In fact on Saturday when we stepped out the door, he stopped dead in his tracks and covered his ears with his hands. I quickly put his hood up for him. I guess this is what they teach them at school...

Happy New Year!

Yesterday we went to Cora's house for what has become an annual tradition: a playdate/NYE party wherein we count down to noon. So fun!

This year's festivities included 2011 sandwiches for the kids,

hats, beads, and glasses,

s'mores! (marshmallows roasted in the fireplace by mommies),

and, of course, the annual group photo.

James was very happy to have Ezra come for a little while as well before heading back to DC.

Happy New Year!