Just hear those sleigh bells ring-a-lin

Tonight was Isabelle's very first dance recital. 

It was really just a little Christmas show to show what they are learning,

but her first none the less.

We all anxiously awaited our little dancers.

Judah got to hang out with his good friend, Berlyn.

Don't worry, Mr. Darcy. They're just old pals!

Marissa and Brookie took the award for the most expressive tappers.

But they all were absolutely adorable.

This was Belle's first time ever performing in front of an audience.

She had no idea what to expect.

The 'deer in the headlights' moment of shell-shocked horror.

I asked her what she was thinking about.

"I was thinking about you, mommy.

I wanted you."

She didn't tap a whole lot (or at all)

but she sure jingled her little bells.

And the poor baby was recovering from a cold...

so she spent a lot of time with her fingers around the nose.

But at least she found comfort in her

favorite 

Miss Julia.

At ease in daddy's arms.

What a darling evening.

ejk

Who Da Man?

Ju-dah Man!...

That's the chant that echo's around our house. Someone will randomly shout out the question, and the rest of us will resound with the answer. God has surely blessed us with this boy.

He knows our voices now, and seems to take a special interest in each one of us.Here he is cranking his neck just to see his daddy.
Isabelle often has to get creative to get close to him, but she is resourceful.
I never dreamed she would adore her brother the way she does. She kisses him all day long, and will get upset if I don't attend to his needs in a 'timely' fashion...like as soon as he makes a peep. In the car, she needs to be close enough to touch his head or hold his hand. And she's contstanly speaking encouragement to him; he may not understand now, but one day he will.
Even his little pouty cries are adorable. He's been such a good baby so far. He's very content, and rarely cries except for the occasional gas bubble. He knows what he wants already though...when he wants picked up he'll begin letting out little squeals every minute or so that grow in intensity to yelps until you get him. It is so funny to hear a baby so little do this.

In case you can't tell, this little man has stolen my heart.

one absolutely smitten mama,

ejk