A Very Long Month

She wanted to play with her cousins instead of pose for some pictures, can you tell?

Well, here I am. It has been a while, to say the least. But I am happy to say the Burns' family has survived this very long month. We weren't too sure if we were going to make it, but here we are. In this month we endured an ear infection; a great but long Christmas; mommy having the stomach flu; Addison and Henry having RSV, pneumonia, and little Henry having a double ear infection; to top it off we have had to be out of the house a lot of evenings due to showings. I've been to the doctor/ emergency room more times than I care to remember. Yes, we have been a disaster.
Along with the bad we have seen a lot of good stuff this month too. We enjoyed Henry's first Christmas and Addison's third. It was delightful to watch our little girl get excited about Christmas this year. She sang "happy birthday" to Jesus with all of her little heart. Henry may not have gotten it yet, but at least he looked adorable in his little Christmas outfit!
The election of Barack Obama, or as Addison would say "uncle bama," was a big deal in our house. For some reason Addison is in love with "daddy's friend" and asks almost daily to go see him at his house. During the inaguration she set up her dolls in front of the tv and said that they were going to watch the uncle bama show.
They are both growing so much. Henry isn't "crawling" yet, but he does shimmy his little body around the room. It is funny to watch him wiggle wiggle wiggle across the room. He would much rather be walking and takes the opportunity to use anybody he can as his walker.
Addison said "sandwich" yesterday. Which may not seem like a big deal, but she has always called it a "sandmer." It was her one word that we entertained and started saying as well, just because we thought it was so darn cute. But yesterday was the end of the era and we are back to "sandwich" now. So sad, she is getting too big.
Other than that our endeavor to survive this very long, cold, and snowy winter, we don't have much else to report.
I've included a couple of pictures that my sister Kendra took of the kids in their Christmas outfits.

Tea Party Conversation

Yesterday during one of our million tea parties, we had the most interesting conversation. It went a little like this:
Addison: "So, mommy, I'm going to the moon tomorrow."
Me: "Wow, that will be fun. How will you get there?"
A: "It is really far away, so I will flap my arms really hard."
M: "What is on the moon?"
A: "Sparkles and Christmas presents."
M: "Who lives on the moon?"
A: "Jesus."
M: "Who is going to the moon with you?"
A: "Daddy. Oh, and you can come too, mommy."
M: "What about Henry?"
A: "No. He is too little."

Downtown Pictures part II

Searching for Mickey

First sighting!

Henry mesmerized by the lights

Downtown Pictures

Our little Henry Bear and Daddy
Shari and I

Henry all warm and cozy eating dinner

Potty part II

My big dreams of no more diapers came to a screeching hault yesterday. She has no interest or desire to try again, no matter how many treats I offer. Oh well.

Potty Time?!

We have been trying to get Addison interested in going potty on the potty. Typically, she will sit on her little potty with her pants down but her diaper still on. She always says, "I go in my diaper, okay." I haven't found the need to really push, figuring she just isn't ready yet. But today was a big day in the Burns' home! Addison finally went in her little potty. Oh the joy. No more diapers, no more stinky pants, no more spending a million dollars on diapers.
Okay, maybe I am getting a little ahead of myself, but it sure is exciting! It makes me want to do the potty dance!

Lights Festival

Last night was the best night we have had in a very long time. Our good friends, Jake and Shari, recently moved right in the heart of Chicago. We went to visit them and to go to the light parade on Michigan Ave. Jake and Shari have an amazing apartment overlooking Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, and surrounded by some cool buildings. I could just sit there all day and look out the window. It was breathtaking.
After we hung out for a little while, we all got bundled up and ventured out to the festivities. This was Addison's first real time downtown, so she was amazed by all the sights. Michigan Ave was packed, so Jake let her sit on his shoulders to watch the parade. Mickey Mouse led the parade, so when she finally saw him, the look on her face was priceless. She was speechless, which says a ton! The whole night she talked about how Mickey "talked." She thought it was so cool that he came over the loud speakers and wished everyone a happy holiday. Henry loved the lights as well. It was fun to watch his little eyes follow the spot lights. He didn't say it, but I am pretty sure it was the coolest thing he has ever seen.
After that we went and stood on a bridge to watch the fireworks over the River. It was incredible. I thought for sure Addison would be scared, but her little eyes were glued on them. Henry slept through the fireworks, which made me laugh that I actually tell Addison to be quiet during his naps!
The joy that Andy and I experienced watching our children be filled with amazment was priceless. This is going to officially be a new family tradition.
We decided we are going to sell everything we own just so we can take the kids to Disney.
Thank you, Jake and Shari for your friendship and for showing us the best night ever!
(Pictures to come as soon as Jake remembers to email them to me:)