Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Browns! Andrew was looking so cute in his Thanksgiving outfit from Nana and Papa with a cute little turkey on his bum. We were glad to have my sister and her family in town for Thanksgiving this year since she's my best friend.

My sister and I took our two boys for a walk in the neighborhood in our carriers before we even ate our Thanksgiving dinner. Both boys fell asleep and we had quite a walk back up the hill carrying a bit more than our own weight. It was such a nice day for a walk in the neighborhood followed by a little time on the playground.

Alexander isn't much of a napper unless you hold him so Brad was more than happy to snuggle with the little guy and take a nap after eating.

Andrew was all smiles and is such a happy baby.

It was quite a busy day with Julia not feeling 100% so the apple pie didn't get made until after we ate our Thanksgiving dinner. It actually wasn't a bad thing since we got to enjoy it more since we weren't so full. Julia enjoyed rolling the dough for the pie and says she needs a rolling pin for her kitchen. She definitely loves to help me when I'm cooking!

Julia Kimberly Brown with her Aunt Kimberly who she is named after. I'm really lucky to have such a great sister! There are many things we're thankful for this year but most importantly our health and each other. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

Andrew and Alexander

My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew Alexander got into town on Wednesday morning for Thanksgiving and for Andrew's baptism. Alexander and Andrew are only about 6 months apart so I'm sure they're going to love playing together as they get older. Alexander was such a cutie crawling all around the house and checking things out!

Andrew and Alexander had fun hanging out together. I think it was nice for both of them to see someone else about the same size as them. Alexander enjoyed climbing over Andrew but he better watch out the next time we see them since Andrew will be ready for payback.

Such a cute picture of Andrew and Alexander playing in Andrew's room.

Potty Time!

This past Monday we started potty training Julia. I've wanted to start for a while but the timing just wasn't right. In September I wasn't ready and we were so busy in October and then November came and Julia was sick for about 2 weeks. Once she got better I thought I need to do it now or it won't get done until after the holidays and Julia was clearly showing many signs of being ready to wear underwear. We decided to stay home all week so we could focus on using the potty. On Monday morning we had three accidents and then the afternoon went great. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we only had one accident. On Friday and Saturday we didn't have any accidents and on Sunday she started telling us that she had to use the bathroom instead of us asking or just making her sit every 30-45 minutes to try. After using the bathroom she always gets to put a Sesame Street sticker on her chart that Daddy found at CVS and she gets 2 M&M's. When she has to go she says, "The pee pees are coming." She's been doing so great and we're so proud!

Tree Lighting at Atlantic Station

Last night we went downtown for some great pizza at Pizza Antico and then headed to Atlantic Station for the tree lighting. We went last year and had so much fun that I decided it would be a family tradition to go every year. We love traditions but I'm not convinced that Thomas is going to love this one...but we'll see! If we tie it in with a trip to Pizza Antico then I may have him hooked.

Just like last year they sold these star wands to benefit the Make a Wish foundation and again Julia loved her star. At first they didn't have any left that worked but I hung around the tent for a little while and they found one that worked. Julia was very excited to get a star that worked and she asked if she could take it home. She's been playing with her star at home all day today.

Daddy and Julia having fun while standing in line waiting to go on a train ride.

Last year Julia went in the yellow train and this year she picked the blue one.

She loved looking out the window at all the people.

Here's the Steel Mill X-press train. Julia and Daddy are in the blue car.

Thomas says Julia waved to everyone while she was on the train ride. She told me some people waved and some people didn't wave. Andrew just slept in the Baby Bjorn for most of the night since it was past his bedtime but I'm sure he's going to love the train ride next year!

Of course a picture of the Christmas tree!

After the tree lighting they had fireworks which was new this year. Julia just watched with her mouth open the whole time. I asked her which one was her favorite and she said 'All of them.'

I loved hearing all the Christmas music and can't wait to start playing some at home the day after Thanksgiving. This year we'll teach Julia some Christmas songs like Jingle Bells since she loves to sing and dance. On the car ride home she was playing with her star and singing some song she made up...it was very cute! Andrew woke up right before they lit the tree and feel asleep again once we started driving.

Handsome Guy

Last weekend I had some fun taking some photos of Andrew for our Christmas cards. I'm going to take some more today and then decide which ones I like the best. The ones of Julia didn't come out great since she wasn't in the mood to have her picture taken so we'll try again. I just love his big blue eyes and his big smiles!

Such a Cutie!

Somehow Andrew keeps getting cuter by the day. I'm not surprised since I always thought the same thing with Julia. We really are lucky to have two cute little kids who are so sweet.

Andrew is such a happy little boy who loves to smile! Andrew and Daddy are having fun in the playroom. Julia was too busy playing to get in the photo.

Andrew is looking good in his new shirt from Naartjiee which is a new store that opened in North Point Mall....it's such a cute brand from South Africa. Funny enough my sister bought Julia an outfit from this store in Texas last year and I loved it. I'm so excited since we now have the store here in Atlanta. Andrew is just hanging out and relaxing in the recliner in his room. I'm sure Andrew will be watching some sports on TV with his Daddy and relaxing in a recliner before I know it. When that happens Julia and I will be sure to go out and do some shopping or get a pedicure instead!

L is for Leaves

Julia definitely watched lots of television while she was sick but there were times throughout the 11 days that she felt well enough to play and do some fun things. On Tuesday we went out in the yard and gathered some leaves and she glued them down on her big "L" and little "l." We're so glad she's all better and back to herself again.

Look Whose Rolling Over

One day after Andrew turned 5 months old he rolled over from his back to his tummy. On Friday while Julia was napping I was playing with Andrew in his room on the floor and he was so close to rolling over. When Thomas got home from work I told him that Andrew was very close to rolling over and sure enough after dinner Thomas put him on the floor to try it and he did it! It was pretty neat that he waited for Thomas to be around to do it so he didn't miss out. Today while Julia was napping I was playing with him on the floor in his room and he was rolling over again. I grabbed the video camera but the battery wasn't charged so I got the camera instead to take some pictures of him in action. Here's a few pictures of him rolling over without any help. It's so cute to watch him as he's working so hard...way to go Andrew!

Andrew 5 months old

I had to post a picture of Andrew today since he is 5 months old. Just the other day I was thinking about how he won't be using the swing, his play mat, and bouncer for too much longer and it made me kinda sad that my baby is growing up quickly. Nowadays he loves to be held sitting up so he can watch Julia, play peek-a-boo (he really gets a kick out of it), stand, play with his toys, and of course coos and smiles. His big blue eyes are very much like his big sister Julia. We love our little guy and we're so glad he's a part of our family!