Holiday Update

We had a great Christmas and New Years and of course I am just now getting here to give y'all an update. We decided to stay in San Diego this year for Christmas because we wanted Madeline to have a fun and relaxing Christmas in our new house. This was actually the first year that I have spent Christmas here and I moved here almost 5 years ago. My dad and my brother, Ben, came out here to spend some time with us and we really enjoyed hanging out with the two of them.

Erik's Aunt Janie and Uncle Dave invited us over to their house for Christmas Eve and we had a great time hanging out with that side of the family. Madeline made herself right at home and had fun carrying around a Santa Claus. It was a really nice evening until we walked out to the car and I missed the step off the driveway, fell hard, luckily caught my falling daughter, and sprained my foot/ankle. Ouch! It's still bruised and tender even now, almost 4 weeks later.

Madeline and her Santa Claus

I made my first Christmas dinner all by myself (sprained ankle and all) this year. And I must say, it turned out wonderfully :) It was small gathering, just Erik, Madeline, Opa, Ben and I. And then my good friend Kate and her dad joined us for dinner. Madeline had so much fun opening up all her presents. She got pretty good at ripping that paper off! But I think her favorite present was the kid sized pink polka dotted chair that Santa brought her. She immediately knew that chair was for her and she loves reading books in it.

Mommy and Madeline

Her very own chair!

She loves reading her books in her chair!

Poor Mads is being squished in the middle

Wearing her kitty cat towel :)

Hanging out with Uncle Ben

In other Madeline news, she now 15 months and has officially left babyland far behind. She's not only walking, but running and jumping and she does this funny little dance when she gets really excited. She has lots of words now and is learning more everyday. Her understanding is getting so good and she can kinda sorta follow little directions. She has also started to use a little bit of that baby sign language that I have been trying to teach her. Madeline has been going up the stairs since she was about 9 months old but she has now learned how to go down the stairs. One of her favorite things is playing outside so I try to let her play in the backyard or take her to the park everyday. She loves playing in the dirt and the sand, digging out the sticks and rocks. She also loves climbing on the playground and sliding down the slides. She has figured out how to turn on her tummy and go down the slide by herself and she has no fear as she goes down the biggest slides at the park. She's just like her mommy and daddy!!

Walking straight out to the water with Opa

Climbing trees with Daddy

The whole family

In other Kolberg news, we had our 20 weeks ultrasound during the holidays. We're having another GIRL!!! Growing up, I always wanted to have boys so its a little ironic that I'm having 2 girls. But I love my girls and I couldn't be happier that Madeline is going to have a little sister. I am just truly thankful that Madeline is happy and healthy and that the jelly bean growing in my tummy also looks completely healthy. Yay for girls! Poor Erik is out-numbered at our house. At least Ozzy is a boy :)

It's a girl!!

My sweet jelly bean