Baby Girl in 3D

We went for our 3D ultrasound back on December 17th, but little girl Howell wasn't quite as cooperative as the ultrasound tech would have liked. So we got to come back today for another try. Both times she was covering her face with her arms and legs (she's very flexible). To get a clear 3D shot, the baby must be faced the correct way and not have limbs above the face. She faced the correct way, but enjoyed sucking on her hands and feet. We enjoyed watching her move around like crazy both days, the tech told us she was a very active baby. We also got to see her stick her tongue out, swallow, and yawn. Today we invited the grandparents to come along for the fun, we are all hoping she's a little less stubborn on the outside world! When we did the 3Ds with Drew we got much better shots, but at least we got to enjoy watching our little one today! She looks very healthy and happy!

December 17th:



December 30th

Playing in the Snow!

This morning Drew and I ventured out for his first time playing in the snow. I've been to several stores looking for snow boots and so far I've come up empty handed. I should have bought them weeks ago, but I didn't. So this morning I was determined to get Drew out there boots or no boots. So how did I keep his feet dry? I put ziplock bags around his shoes and duct taped them...what else did you expect? Out here in Olathe anything goes!
I thought Drew would fight the snow pants and the bags over his shoes, but suprisingly he didn't care. It turns out this kid loves the snow! We don't have a sled either, that will be a purchase we'll be making along with some boots once the stores restock their shelves! Patton enjoyed having some company out in the backyard. We lasted a while out there until Patton decided she needed to take Drew's and my gloves off our hands. What a goof!

Happy 5th Birthday Patton

Our first baby turned 5 today! Patton is a wonderful dog and we are very lucky to have her. She is full of energy still at the age of 5. We've been waiting for her to "settle down" for years and years, but I think we have come to realization this dog is always going to be full of life! She started her birthday out by eating one of those "do not eat" gel packs. So I made a call to the vet first thing in the morning and the vet assured me that they really aren't poisonious and she's 60lbs so she'd have to eat a lot of something before we need to be worried. The day went on like normal and the vet was right, she was just fine.

We really didn't do anything too special to celebrate other than stay home all day with Pat. Mike flew his and Drew's new helicopter around and Patton hated every second of it. She jumped on the couch to take cover and even jumped on Drew's little chair to get away from the helicopter. She's such a goof. She surely keeps up laughing. Drew also loves having her around. She's a constant buddy to him. Sometimes they do drive each other nuts, but overall they are great friends.

Flying the helicopter around (can you see the little red helicopter in the air).

On the couch...not too excited about the new helicopter toy.

On Drew's chair.

Drew enjoyed Pat's big day by playing with all his new toys. Not only does he love his new Buzz, but he has taking a liking to the box Buzz came in. What a silly boy!

A Very Merry & Busy Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas! We were on the go all day long! We enjoyed our morning at home as a family of three. This is the first year that Drew really understands the whole Santa thing. So we got to watch him open his gifts from Santa. He loved his Woody and Buzz that Santa
brought him.
Drew sure talks a lot and doesn't always understand what he is saying. When he finished opening his first gift he said "I not want this." At that point Mike and I were hoping that he wouldn't be saying that to anyone else who might be giving him gifts. Two year olds don't always say the nicest of things. It will be a funny story to tell him one day!

Daddy looking at the coffee cup Drew made for him. Drew and I go and paint a piece of pottery for Mike every year. This is the first year that Drew was very involved and it turned out just beautiful!

Looking at Woody.Proof of our very white Christmas!

Got his two favorite toys.

Our first stop of the day was at Ma's & Pa's. Drew opened some presents, but Mike and I did most of the opening. He was more interested in playing with his cousin, Dean. Drew was spoiled rotten with all the presents he received.

My mom finished Drew's stocking in time for Christmas. It will be so fun having stockings next year (now I just have to get one made for Mike and I). She worked long and hard on this and it will be enjoyed for many years to come. She cross stitched it! She was able to get Drew's and Celia's done in time for this year. She now has Dean's to work on and we are adding two more babies by next Christmas. So if she isn't burnt out she'll be working on three more stockings before next Christmas!


After eating breakfast we headed over to Pa and Toot's house for more opening. The first gift Drew opened at Pa & Toot's house was an airplane from Greg & Kelley. He loved it and didn't want to open another thing! So Mike and I helped open all his gifts and he was spoiled once again. This boy is surely loved by many!
After some lunch and a short nap we headed to my Aunt Maureen's house to see my mom's side of the family. Drew was the only little one at the get together so he took over center stage. He had all the ladies' attention. He showed them how Buzz and Woody worked. He also ran around "getting" Jimmy, Jill, and Pa. What a silly boy.


Our last stop was back to Mike's parents' house for dinner. We did manage to get a quick family shot (Buzz included). Drew wasn't too into the whole picture thing, but that isn't anything new!
Overall we had two great days! It was very busy, but fun seeing and spending time with all of our families. Drew enjoyed seeing everyone and playing with so many different people. We feel very blessed to be surrounded so many wonderful family members! Next year will be just that much crazier with another child to add to our family. We can't wait!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Our Christmas festivities started with the Finholm side. We had lunch at Great Nana and Great Pop Pop's place. Drew enjoyed running around and playing the organ (luckily he didn't learn to turn in on until the end of our visit). Drew got to play with cousin Charlie who is 10 days shy of being one year younger than Drew. We are hoping to get a play date in this next week before Charlie heads back to warm Texas. Madison the new family puppy also joined us for the event. Golden Retriever puppies are hard to resist and I think she was held by everyone! I told Mike maybe we needed another puppy, but then I was reminded we do have a new family member to arrive in March and two dogs and two kids may be a bit much for us to handle. We didn't get to see this side of the family on Thanksgiving this year so it was fun catching up and Drew did quite well warming up to everyone. He seems to come out of his shell a little faster these days!

Charlie and Drew playing the organ.

Pop Pop & Nana having some BBQ.Drew watching Pop Pop opening his gift.

Drew & Ma playing the organ.

Mike and sweet little Madison.

Madison and Drew playing (the two have the same hair color)

After a nice nap we headed to church at the Holiday Inn near our house. Our church had a satellite location near our house, which we couldn't turn down because of the blizzard like conditions. It worked out well, Drew joined us for the service and stood in the aisle most of the service. He was pretty quiet except for a few "affinity and beyond" comments. He is now quoting the movie Toy Story (he is just like his daddy with the quoting stuff...they are going to drive me crazy)! He also enjoyed seeing a dog on the big screen during the service and he started barking (I do believe most people heard him). Mike and I had a few chuckles during the service. During the candle lighting part Drew was very involved. He had his own battery operated candle and when we were asked to raise our candles he did so accordingly and was very serious about the whole thing. It was very cute!

All ready for church!

After church we headed down I-35 to Mike's parents for the annual Christmas Eve open house. I was not a fan of driving (or should I say riding) in such conditions, but Mike assured me we were in a Dodge and we were very safe. It was a fun get together. Drew was in heaven because his cousins, Celia and Dean joined us since they decided not to make the drive to Topeka. Drew also enjoyed smiling and cooing at cousin, Peter and playing with cousin, Will. We tried to get the three boy cousins to sit still for a pictures. Peter did a great job, but both Will and Drew were on the move and it was nearly impossible to get them to pose for a picture. Ma & Pa also joined us for the open house. Drew couldn't get through the evening without getting his cars out and asking Pa to join him in "playing cars."

Baby Peter smiling at his mommy!

Drew & Will with Peter sitting so nice in the background.
Probably the best pic of the three cousins (again Peter behaving so nicely...wait until next year).

When we got home Drew helped us get the cookies ready for Santa. He wanted to both Santa plates and the mailbox for Santa. So we loaded Santa up with cookies and milk!

Drew's new Mickey plate from Uncle Gary and Aunt Barb

Drew setting out his new mailbox for Santa from Ma( he was very concerned Santa was going to take his mailbox).
Drew's Santa plate from Great Nana Howell

After Drew went to bed, Patton found Santa's cookies and helped herself to one or two. So we have to replenish the cookies for Santa.

We ended the night with Mike reading Twas the Night Before Christmas to Drew. This is a tradition Mike enjoyed growing up. His dad read to him and his brother (probably up until Mike and I got married 5 years ago) each Christmas Eve night. I had gotten Mike his own copy for our first married Christmas to share with our future family. Drew and daddy enjoyed snuggling in Drew's big boy bed.