Ella Comes Home, Christmas, Coen's B-Day, etc...

OK. It's time for some serious catching up. The last month plus has been hectic but great. Here's a little review in pictures (far too many perhaps, but this is sadly my only journal lately and I really need to capture some of the recent family storylines). Click any picture to expand it.

Early December 2008. Coen's first experience with snow.

My parents drove out from California and spent the bulk of December 2008 with us. They were an incredible help in a myriad of ways before and after Ella's birth. We are truly indebted to them. Coen LOVED having his "Ami" (Tauni's made up term for Grandma so Coen had a way to refer to her) read him Spongebob and Dora books all day long.

Baby Ella just before coming home from the hospital. Does she look excited or frightened?!?!?

At home with the two kids. Notice my dad's Sul Ross State University shirt! Last time he was here he threatened to return with an obscure Texas university shirt. Mission accomplished.

One bed. Two kids. Add two adults and we're grateful that we upgraded to a King recently.

Grandpa McFerson with the first little Texan in the family.

Shady Grove. An Austin TX essential stop. We took my parents here as a feeble "thank you" for all of their help.

Baby Ella in one of her many little outfits.

Coen getting acquainted with his little sister.

Jayd and Coen going to Church while Tauni stays home with the new baby. Coen looked so stylish that day rockin' his little blazer.

This is a common sight around our house lately. I took two weeks off work for the holidays and Coen spent a lot of that time sleeping on my chest. He unfortunately had some really painful leg cramps during the holidays. It was nice timing that I was always around.

The people I love.

Coen has been absolutely obsessed with his belly button lately. If he ends up with an "outie", we'll know why.

A friend who knows of Coen's deep love of 'Magic Robot Plex' bought him these gloves and hat for his birthday. He rarely takes them off lately.

So, I'm obviously biased, but this picture is just plain gorgeous. What an adorable little girl.

The stockings. Five people strong.

The track that "Ami" bought Coen for Christmas. It stayed in our family room for about a week before we had to finally migrate it to Coen's playroom. He loves it.

It was an "immediate family Christmas" this year, so Tauni and I went to the flagship Whole Foods down on Lamar & 6th and splurged a bit on some good cheese and appetizers to go with our mini-Christmas feast. Good good meal.

That's my baby girl. Please don't break my heart. :)

Because of his leg issues, Coen has always slept in our bed. With the recent occupation of that bed with a newborn, Coen was thrown a bit off his game, so I spent many hours over the holidays driving him to sleep. He calls the routine "Ba-ba, Elmo" because he gets a bottle and we drape Elmo across his lap. Then Dad just hopes that he goes down quickly!

There is a cul-de-sac in our city that goes all out for Christmas. Every house. The scale of it is honestly incredible. Coen was into it so we went twice this year.

I know that babies supposedly only smile when they pass gas, but I promise you that this little girl is constantly smiling at her mom. It's crazy. She honestly sits and stares at Tauni.

Coen and the Spongebob ("Bob Bob") foam puzzle that he loves.

This was the Santa layout for Coen on Christmas morning. "Big Thomas", Elmo, and another Thomas the Train piece. Yes, he's in that Thomas phase.

Coen was a little short-changed on his 2nd birthday because I was out of town in Idaho helping Kayla get settled into BYU Idaho (which I unfortunately don't have any pictures of). So, we celebrated a week later and without a major party. But, we did go to Chuck E Cheese, which Coen loved (honestly my first time ever; underwhelmed). Notice the constant theme of Thomas the Train.

Coen representing his age (he always likes to use both hands).

This is the story of the month around here. Notice that there are two green Percy trains. One is normal and Coen is holding the one that is iced over. Coen is into ice lately so he will always point to this train (or attempt to pronounce Percy) and then wrap his arms around himself and shiver like he's cold. It's honestly hilarious. We've weaved a story together that Sir Topham Hat asked Percy to go outside in the cold to deliver bananas to Coen's friend Ellery. Well, it turns out that Percy was outside so long that she (he?) got ice all over her. Coen can retell about 2/3 of the story using his signs. Our constant rehearsing of this story helps to keep him somewhat still during his nightly leg massage :)

Coen's 2nd birthday present was this train table, which his Grandpa Schmirler perfectly set up for him while I was in Idaho. Coen loves it.

Coen and the girl he loves, Ellery, playing inside "Big Thomas".

I've sure every kid learns this essential life skill at some point. Good to see you've already arrived son.

Here is Coen getting fitted for his "boot" / brace extension a few days ago. We're hoping this helps with his nocturnal (and now occasionally daytime) muscle cramps (try walking on your left toes all day and you will feel his pain). We're now two nights in and it seems to be helping somewhat. It's crazy the amount of doctor appointments that Coen has already had in his two years of life. Look at him on that table. What a good kid. Seriously. (Note: That little brace would have cost us $2,600 without insurance. Thank you Oracle for good health insurance!).

Babe, I know Ella completely adores you (trust me, I'm well jealous), but frankly she looks frightened here!

Two kids. It boggles my mind.

Coen's brace extension in action. Look at that left leg. This is how we strap him in for bedtime. To his credit, he's goes along with it. Again, good kid.

Caption #1: Jayd's belated token Myspace mirror picture.
Caption #2: I finally purchased some glasses that I don't feel totally embarrassed to wear.

Our little angel.

Two of the three women in my life (Kayla being the 3rd, lest any strange rumors emerge). I must admit that I have it good.