here and gone (long picture post)

gwen turned five months the day after christmas.  what in the world!?!

she is so sweet.  doesn't do much.  just hangs out being pleasant.

she's rolled over a couple of times, though.  

i guess we need to work on giving her more tummy time.

her grabbing aim has improved significantly this month.

she's become an expert drooler and chewer of toys, clothes, hair and most often her teeny little fists, 

which, i swear, she's bond to shove completely into her mouth one of these days.

new faces and voices make her nervous and prompt the cutest pout lip ever.

it's so sweet to see her looking around for mom for assurance.

this is new for me since none of my other kids ever cared who was holding them.

and look at that face.  aren't those little elf ears awesome? 

christmas was a raging success.  we tried to keep it pretty simple and low key.  the kids played on the floor with their new toys all day long.  we hardly heard a peep from them, and no fights.  that's amazing.

my mom knit the most darling little hat you've ever seen for gwen.  

i LOVE it.  (so does gwen) 

the kids each made a gift for someone in the family.

i helped devan make this lego block shirt for max.

he thought it was pretty cool.

here is a scene from our nativity.  we had a hard time deciding who should play baby Jesus.  ha! no, actually there was quite a fuss over who would get to be the donkey.  devan won out in the end and was VERY proud of how she carried the part (and mary). 

gwen tried rice cereal for the first time this weekend.  wasn't too sure about it.

snow days have come and gone.

another christmas has come and gone.  

another first five months have come and gone.

there will be more,

of all, i'm sure.

hope your christmas was beautiful and filled with family

and celebration of the birth of our little king who brought salvation to the world.