Daniel, Isaac & Oliver: December 2007

Christmas Program 2007

Daniel's nursery school's holiday program

Daniel made this cute mitten for Christmas

Daniel with his custom-made elf hat

They sang several songs and played bells -Daniel loved it.

The boys pigging out at the pot-luck following the program

Daniel with some of his friends from school

Daniel also gave us a bulb for Christmas.

Isaac has since dumped out all the dirt - hopefully it will still grow.

Ward Christmas party 2007

You know you're at the Capitol Hill ward Christmas party when . . .

the activities include hula dancing to Walking in a Winter Wonderland,

And singing Christmas carols accompanied by ucalalies

I love our ward!

The Live Nativity

Lincoln Park, the park across the street from our condo, had a live nativity for us to enjoy.

Here are the boys petting the wise men's llamas

This donkey was 2 weeks old - I think he shares a birthday with Oliver.

Daniel and Isaac petting the sheep

Deck the halls . . .

We then decorated our tree - It's the first time we got a tree in the 7 years since moving to DC.

The boys helped - or at least they tried

Isaac in his too-small-for-him PJ's

It started out looking so nice but the boys couldn't stop touching the tree

The tree now has no lights or ornaments from Daniel's reach down.

Oliver actually sleeping in his car seat - He's usually sleeping in someone's arms

Cutting our Christmas Tree

To celebrate Oliver's 2 week birthday we headed to the tree farm to cut down our christmas Tree.

Isaac saying Cheese - Marc and Daniel are sawing down the tree in the background

Oliver slept most of the time -

He really like to be held, so I end up holding him most days and nights.

Daniel trying out the saw.

Marc hauling the newly cut tree while the toddlers play with the saw.

Botanical Gardens & more trains

Inside there was another train with some minature buildings.

The Smithsonian castle

The White house

Oliver wasn't too impressed, he slept the whole time.

Oliver with another train

The Washington Monument,

Good thing the boys still have on their winter coats in the "tropical rainforest"

Trains

Last week we visited the Botanical gardens to see the trains.

Daniel was so excited to see the trains cross the bridge and go through the tunnels. Oh, the simple pleasures of life - if only I could be that happy about tunnels and bridges and yes - Daniel is in his PJ's

Isaac loved it as well - He only wished he could climb over that fence.

Isaac felt so grown-up holding the umbrella.

Random photos

Here are some random photos

I thought my mom would enjoy this - Put your hands up -it's a hold up.

His jundice is improving but he still looks pretty yellow. Marc keeps passing on his blood type so my boys' blood and mine are "noncompatible" - Every baby has to endure blood draws and possible phototherapy because of it. Luckily Oliver has been okay and no hospital admissions have been needed.

As I was taking that picture of Oliver, the boys started to wrestle under my Tiffany lamp!

That didn't last too long.

Gingerbread house

I had such high hopes for this gingerbread house

But the boys had another idea

The final product -

lately, this represents my life.

First Snow

The first snow in the District

Isaac and Daniel quite enjoyed the flavor of polluted city snow

It snowed all day yesterday and into the night - Today the snow had nearly all melted. Good thing because this city shuts down with the smallest amount of snow.

Temple Lights

On Sunday we visited the Temple to see the lights.
Marc also had to direct cars for parking -I wish I had a picture of him with the yellow vest and walkie talkie.

The view of the Temple -

Because it was raining - Oliver was under cover and didn't see the lights.

Isaac leaving his mark - that is, destroying something.

Our bishop and his wife in the live nativity scene.

Maurlo looked angelic, of course, and Scott looked so different with a beard we weren't sure it was him. Was it?

Another picture of Daniel, the big brother, & Oliver

The boys

Who does he looks like?

Here's Oliver at 4 days old

and Isaac at 6 weeks old

Daniel a few days old

We think he's a mix of both.

Another Boy

Welcome to the world Oliver James Cook!

Here I am 3 hours after pushing the 91/2 pounder from me.

I had forgotten what labor was all about and we were so scared that I would deliver in the car that we got to the hospital too soon. I was having mild contractions and they were going to send me home so we decided to break my water. The first contraction after they broke my water brought back all my memories of prior births. I wasn't really in labor before that. Anyway, an hour later we had another son. You can tell from my picture how I endured that hour.

That's 3/3 natural childbirths. Is it still "natural" if they break your water? Hope so.