Happy Holidays

Our cute little tree.

Our favorite present!

Christmas morning!

Clara was dancing with Rudolf for about 5 minutes, it was so cute. When I pick up my phone, she stops. It's still a cute video.

Christmas Eve at Aunt Juliane's house. Gift from Julia.

Dada's one present under the tree. ;)

"Hey Clara, stop playing with your toys and come open your presents!" Haha. Clara didn't quite get that the presents under the tree were for her. She opened a few and now LOVES them all of course. It was just hard to keep her attention, after the first few she got the hang of it. Andre and I got her two gifts. Family and friends spoiled her of course!

Her third present from us was my old cell phone, we had the charger and she likes talking on her phone. She puts it behind her head and holds it backwards.

Aunt Linny and Uncle Zimmer sent her the cutest Rudolf with a nose that lights up and it plays a song. Along with really neat soap that colors on her skin. She hugs and kisses Rudolf all day and signs, "please" for me to push the hoof to make it play and she sways with him clutched tight in her arms. Thank you Aunt Linny and Uncle Zim! We will get evidence of the bath soap soon!

Nancy, Bob and Anna got Clara bath bombs! We need to try these out and get video, I have a feeling she'll love them! She loved them in the box, alright!

Hugging every present.

We got Clara a tool set.

Doe, Clara's babysitter got her a tea pot with all the works. Of course it sings and makes a pouring sound. She LOVES it. She can't wait to play with Doe when I go back to work.

Sunday before Christmas - headed to Aunt Lisa's for the boat parade.

I love how her hair curls at the ends on its own. Pretty baby.

Snap forward to cookie making with dada.

Back to Aunt Lisa's, making a mess of her toys. Pretty tree. Clara left things alone very well. Only one short tantrum with one "No."

Boat show.

Cut short due to rain. It was so neat. There were many troopers that went on through the rain. They had music and crazy lights. Kind of like Cuba Lake's Christmas in July. Pah!

Christmas Eve at Aunt Juliane's house.

Julia had Clara and got her a cool magnetic board she loves!

The Crew of kids - 10 all together.

Sorry Andre, Shal didn't disappear for Christmas. Don't get your hopes up for your birthday. Sorry. Clara and I voted.

Dylan, my student got Clara a neat purse with all the necessities.

Christmas breakfast at the Crews. Ivy June bug, 3 years old. Their baby.

Noah - 6

Malia - 8 with her pretty mommy Corrie. Yummy breakfast!! Thank you! They got Clara her cute baby doll she feeds with a bottle.

At Grandpa's for Christmas afternoon/dinner. Thank you for having us. We had a delicious ham with potatoes.

Dinner at Grandpa Tigers.

A book from my student Julie.

I can't turn this for some reason. It's Elsa and Trenkle with Santa!! She likes his beard!

Kyriakos Antonio Karras

Andre's cousin Selene has a son, Kyriakos, who was baptized on December 20th. It was a Greek christening and dinner at Acropolis Greek Tavern after. They bathe the baby in oil and have quite a procedure for the baptism. They paid for a delicious dinner after that was so festive. It was a wonderful celebration. All the cousins had a great time playing and racing around at dinner, we had the upstairs to ourselves. Clara was beat so we took off at 7 and Andre followed soon after.

Andre's sister's daughter Gabrielle - the oldest cousin of the bunch. She was the only girl until Clara, you can see how happy she is to have a girl cousin finally!

Andre with a tree mustache, oops.

He is about 9 months here, and about 5 lbs more than Clara. He is so cute, and so big!

Pretty lady.

Clara loved when they would play the loud Greek music, throw the napkins, and break the plates while shouting, "OP-AH!" 

My Sick Pumpkin

Be careful what you wish for! All I ever want is to snuggle with Clara. That's all we've done for three days straight. This poor baby got the gross croup crap that's going around and she has got it bad. Thursday it started, Friday it was really bad. I stayed home with her and took her to the dr. She got a steriod, that helped a lot more last time. We traded sleeping with her on Friday night, her wind pipe was too closed to leave her on her own. Lots of steam and lots of hugs. Thankfully no ER, mama wanted to go, dada kept us calm. No one slept much. She has been sad and hacking since, nose running, sneezing, whining. She is so sad, not herself one bit, she hasn't even eaten in three days. Thankfully she has been drinking lots of formula, glad I didn't take the bottle away yet, she is staying hydrated. She sits on my lap or lays in my arms all day long. As much as I LOVE her snuggles, I miss her smiles and chipper self. This poor cookie is not feeling well at all. I don't want to leave her and go to work in the morning. I know she'll be happily distracted by her cousins, but I know she doesn't feel good at all. You can see it in these pics.

Wednesday tired and run down, sleepy face.

Thursday on the couch with daddy all day. Has both thermometers in hand.

Mama, you know I'm not picture ready, stop please.

The poop position

Helping mama take notes.

I'd like to go back to bed please.

 

I can't wait until she feels better and smiles and plays all day again. Today dada and I were organizing and I was dancing to Christmas music with her in my arms and she laid down her head and fell asleep. It was one of my favorite moments although I wish she was well. I wish I could take it all for you my love!!!!