Emma's version of the Nativity

Mack and the slide

Mack has a new trick. The Slide. He figured out how to climb up our playset and slide down this past Saturday. He LOVES it. This video was after several times up and down. He was moving a little slower by the time Worth and I had stopped laughing at him and decided to video. He had dirt all over his face from landing on it many times. Ellie and Emma had no interest in him until I started videoing. So, excuse Ellie trying to get all up in the camera. She's the performer of the family and doesn't want to miss any chances at being in the spotlight!

Mack's 15 month checkup

Mack had his 15 month check up yesterday. So here are his stats:

Weight: 21lb 3 oz.  7th percentile
Height: 30in. 13th percentile
Head circumference: 18.25in 23rd percentile

We actually saw the pediatrician during this visit, and she  agrees that he is small, but she is not worried about him at all. She even commented: "he's fine!" And Mack looked at her and said "I'm fine!" We both cracked up! After playing 'you can't catch me' around the room with Dr. Blache, her next comment was "Boy! You have yourself a little sport!" No kidding! It's pretty bad when your child makes the pediatrician sweat! Of course, Mack thought he was the most hilarious person.

He didn't even cry when he got his shots. I was surprised, and so was the nurse. He was so brave! Other than his weight, he checked out ahead of the game on everything else. I think he's going to be an early talker like Ellie, because this kid doesn't stop talking! Words he says regularly: Hey, no, thank you, love you, night night, outside (which was his first word, kid LOVES being outside!) mama, da (for daddy,) ball, shoes, car, paci, and apparently, "I'm fine." 

He's a busy, busy boy that is a magnet for anything dangerous. He can have 10 safe, fun toys in front of him, and he will turn for the electric outlet or the scissors that were left out. Ahhhh! Getting back into the throws of toddlerhood! Nothing like the joys of parenting. The hard part this go round is having a 3 year old and a 6 year old (with an endless supply of energy) to keep up with as well! Mack has definitely been a game changer! He's so loving when he wants to be and loves hugs and blowing kisses. I don't know what we did before this sweet little monster came into our family!

"Ugh! Another picture?"

I have to take pictures of him in these cute little outfits! I know it won't be long before he will be too grown up to wear them! I could just eat him up! 

Hard to get him still and facing the camera! This was after church a couple of weeks ago and he was over it and ready for lunch. 

Visit with Santa

We had our annual neighborhood visit with Santa this weekend. The kids did great! Mack didn't even shed 1 tear. I was so looking forward to a picture of him screaming his head off in Santa's lap, but oh well, maybe next year?!

I think Ellie was a little scared of Santa. I had to remind her to tell Santa what she wanted. Emma, on the other hand, old pro that she is, walked right up and began spouting out her wishes as soon as we got into the room. The girls both asked for American Girl Dolls. We'll see about that. I'm blaming their obsession with these outrageously expensive dolls on some play dates we've had recently!

We had doughnuts and fruit and enjoyed hanging out with some neighbors and their kids. It's definitely an easy Santa visit with no line, no waiting and free food. You can't beat that!  These are a few of the pictures we took yesterday morning.

First attempt at a picture with Santa

Mack is just hanging out, sucking his fingers. Not upset that a man with a big beard is holding him at all. 

Mack finally turns around like "Wait, who is this?" But, it doesn't ruffle his feathers. 

We tried to get a picture of all 3 in front of Santa's tree, but as you see it was not a success. 

Trying to escape

Mack is DONE!

One of our neighbors volunteered to try and get a family shot of all 5 of us. This is the best one he got. Worth looks hilarious in this picture to me! Clearly Worth and I were not as festively dressed as our children.