Tis the Season...

The Christmas spirit entered the Gore household the weekend after Thanksgiving with our annual trip to the Festival of the trees.  Madelaine you reported feeling a bit under the weather but still came along, spending most of the time being carried by Papa or in the stroller. 

Theodore was clearly mesmerized by the elves around this Christmas tree, thinking they should be communicating with him... 

Eleanor posing in front of one of her favorite Christmas trees...



Harrison, who slept his entire first experience at the Festival...



We also started decorating the house the weekend after Thanksgiving.  What used to take 1-2 days is now ranging between 4-5 days and we still aren't using all of our decorations.  Everyone got involved and of course had fun.  M and E did a much improved job of hanging their ornaments, being able to go a bit higher this year, though Mama still needed to do a lot of rearranging and add the most special ornaments to the top.  Thanks to Theodore the glue gun has gotten a lot of action this month!



Taking a break from decorating and being silly...

Placing window clings...a safe activity for Theodore being not breakable, and Harrison enjoyed supervising!



A favorite to put up every year, the tree in our bedroom with our letter decorations...



Taking part in Christmas activities around Kasson...cookie decorating



Visiting Mrs. Claus with cousin Leela...much less intimidating to us as compared to Santa Claus.



In addition to routine trips around town looking at lights, we also enjoyed driving out into the country one evening for a display set to music...





 We finally got some snow this month and were able to enjoy the large flakes.  Theodore you weren't too sure about moving in the white stuff but did enjoy watching Papa make the first snowman of the year... 

 Papa working away, you girls named him Frosty, go figure!  Madelaine you ate the first carrot Mama sent out for the snowman...silly girl (also note no hats, not how you were sent outside, but apparently you were warm enough).

 Shoveling out on the deck and while enjoying eating the clean, white fresh snow...

 

Harrison, staying warm and of course cute in the house with Mama while the rest played outside...it was very, very quiet!



And of course an annual trip to see Santa Claus.  Harrison you obviously sat in Santa's arms without difficulty...

Girls you came the closest ever to Santa and actually had a conversation with him.  Mama thinks the fact Santa was sitting on the ground with a book of nursery rhymes made him appear more approachable...hope we are on to a new trend for Santa visits in the future.

Theodore you kept your distance and gradually came this close, likely being enticed by the story Santa was reading...



Sending Warm Holiday Wishes to all!









Happy 2-months to Harrison!

We decided to forgo use of my monthly number sticker this time around being Mama felt we should be festive and thought I looked much too cute in this gingerbread man onsie to not snap a few pics in it (yes, she is likely a bit biased)!

 2-months is making me a bit more alert in between feedings and also a bit more sensitive to noise...thanks ME and T!  My MD check-up placed me in the 53rd percentile for length and the 30th percentile for weight (I was 1 oz away from 11 pounds), finding me growing and healthy!

I am starting to melt everyone with a very cute smile and am doing some cooing, both of which my older siblings are finding quite enjoyable!

 Everyone is telling my my eyes are looking pretty blue these days so of course Papa and Eleanor are tickled that the score in the Gore household is even in this area as well! 

So long for now...

 

 Love, Harrison

Happy 20-months to Teddy!

Where is Theodore???

Here I am!!!

My obsession with hats has continued but now with the cold months upon us I have added a new accessory...gloves/mittens.  Mama has finally given up on putting the ones I like away being I was starting my request for them the second we got downstairs in the morning.  My typical routine involves my coming downstairs with Papa, getting my socks and shoes on, and then finding a hat and something to place on my hands.  The shoes stay on all day except when sleeping and the accessories go on/off countless times.  I of course am able to say shoes, socks, hats, mittens, and the words outside, cold, and ride are typically included in my phrases.  Speaking of, my phrases now always include 2 words and have sometimes been up to 4 words. 

Winter is going to be a long season for me when I am at home with Mama alone being our ability to get outside is minimal with my baby brother around.  I have, however, been going on regular weekend outings with Papa and of course get rides in Grandpa's truck whenever I am at his house. 

Though I haven't officially started potty training yet, I did have luck and a huge surprise when I pooped on the potty one night prior to taking a bath.  While I received the most amazing cheering response from my big sisters, I myself wasn't too sure what had occurred and since when asked if I want to use the potty I quickly respond with a very sweet "no".  Maybe my new Thomas the Train undies will help persuade me differently. 

I am having a great deal of fun with the Christmas decorations around the house and have caused Mama to complete more repairs to things with glue this year alone than she has ever had with my sisters in all of their 3 Christmas seasons...must be a boy thing?!?!

Warm hugs to all,

Teddy

Thanksgiving 2012

Counting our blessings today and everyday!!!

 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!
Love, The Gore Family



Happy 1-month to Harrison!

Where has time gone?  Have you heard this said before on this blog site???  Hard to believe I am already one month old!  I have been a gem of a new baby, though I gave Mama a few minor worries my first few days home in the eating department!  My first two nights home I was eating every 1 1/2 hours and though Mama doesn't need much sleep overall, this was not quite enough...but thank heavens I quickly got into a very nice routine.  



I am the least spitty baby Mama has had thus far, but I have been told by my siblings that I am a big "tooter".  While I am eating I have a tendency to release some air and if Theodore is near by he will say "toot" with a big giggle!

I sleep through just about everything which is wonderful for myself being there rarely is a quiet moment, thanks to the other 3!

As Madelaine would say all I do is eat, pee, poop, and sleep so I guess we have covered everything...

though I am starting to have more alert times which is fun for everyone in our house being they enjoy reading, singing, and talking to me. 

Much love,

Harrison

Happy 19-months to Teddy!

Well what everyone knew was going to happen has definitely happened...since the arrival of my little brother, I no longer look like a baby and instead have transformed into a little boy (who looks gigantic next to my brother!).  Overall I have been a superstar with the transition.  Yes there have been a few more meltdowns, more unpleasant vocalizations (read screaming), more demands, etc. but some of this could also be due to my desire to be independent and have things my way as I approach two. 

 

I very much love to kiss and hug my little brother, hold him, and usually am right by him with my sisters (if not being the one trying to give him his pacifier) if he is crying.

As mentioned in my previous post, I have mastered my families names except for Harrison whom I currently just call baby. 

We have had very mild weather thus far which is right up my ally and has allowed ample outdoor time.  I also have transitioned to just one nap in the afternoon which gives me more time in the morning to play or run errands with Mama and Harrison when the girls are at preschool.  I am a complete social bug when out, saying hello, waving, smiling, and twinkling my big brown eyes!

 Even with the addition of another boy in this house, I still enjoy hanging with my sisters and doing as they do which includes such things as having a snack at their table with them. 

One last picture which Mama quickly snapped the weekend Papa was gone to Texas and she just loves looking at being it displays the love we have for each other (and the love we show each other most of the time despite those other occasional moments...)

Much love, Theodore



At home with Harrison...

Disclaimer:  The following pictures were taken the first two weeks Harrison was home.  We likely look the same in all of them, wearing our pajamas and not having our hair done...but the main point to take away is we survived and are having a blast with our newest addition!  Actually, Mama feels the transition to four was easier than the transition to three (maybe because ME are such big helpers!). 

The crazy big sisters...

 Our hat boy.  This is just a simple stack of papa's hats, being I usually throw in a headband or some other accessory to top if off...

 Harrison's first MD check-up, his watchful sisters right by him...

 Little Mama Madelaine, who frequently can be found reading to him, singing to him, or just talking to him...

 Lots of hold time from my big sisters...

 Theodore is picking up on being a helper as well...

And thankfully this little one can sleep, even when surrounded by it all!