What a difference a good lens makes. My dad gave me an awesome wide angle lens for Christmas. It is amazing how much better the picture quality is. Unfortunately my camera is having problems. I thought it was the battery but it looks like it is a camera problem. I have to send it to New Jersey to have it fixed. It is like sending off my right arm. I have to do a little more research first but I think it is inevitable.

Here is the elf baby:

Merry Christmas.. I had a nice visit with my family and Kevin's family. Here is a picture of Eliot's first Christmas..he is being highly entertained by a couple of Grammies. Now it is time for me to start gearing up to go back to work and start working on the craft stuff I have been neglecting. I need to scour Craig's list for a new sewing table!

Finally ... a picture of a smile..

So I have a little cold..sore throat and stuffy nose. Here's hoping the boy doesn't get it. We went for our first walk today in the new stroller my cousin gave me. We wound up talking about how great it corners and what a smooth ride it is most of the time. We are trying to get into the new work routine so that when I go back there aren't any total melt downs on any of our parts. He is taking the bottle from Kevin pretty well and he slept pretty well last night in the new crib. I think a routine will be good for all of us if Kevin can get used to getting up early and going to bed before 2 am! Poor guy.

Some good crafting news. Edith and Edna want to sell some of my hats and mittens. I am excited because they get a lot of foot traffic. Now...how am I going to get anything done...

A photo intensive post.. We had our first real snow day the other day. It always feels cozy inside when it snows. This is a view from our bedroom window out to the street. This guy ended up having to push the truck to get it unstuck because of the ice.

Pistachios were the main component to a desert I made the other night. It involved lots of mirange and pastry cream. I haven't made anything that complicated in a while. It didn't turn out too bad!

This house was across the street from a Christmas party we attended. Eliot was so impressed he slept for a 6 hour stretch that night! Although, tonight he made up for it by taking over 2 hours to go down for the night. that is tiring.

Last, and certainly the cutest, are Simon and Eliot...the 'twins'. Born only 2 weeks apart. They don't want to have anything to do with each other just yet. In fact, I don't think they have any idea that the other exists even when they are facing each other. All they want to do is stare at Mom or Dad...very cute. It was fun to watch them wiggle next to each other. It will also be fun to embarrass them with these pictures in the future.

Directions for using the Bamboosteamer Cooker we got for a presant swap

Operation Instruction:

1. Please wash steam-cooker with water slightly before first time using.

2. This steam cooker made of nature bamboo. in first time, boiling water remains light-brown water color due nature bamboo, no harm health.

3. Please clean and dry it under sun or shadow after use.

4. If no clean, it will easy to be spoiled.

5. If no use for long time, please pack in plastic bag or paper to any dry place.

6. No any dyeing or materials problem, quality guaranteed.

Kevin has been busy making snowflakes again this year. They are quite elaborate. It is hard to take a good picture out a window..especially of a white object but you get the picture. The one in the upper right is my favorite so far. There are some other 'porn flakes' which are quite funny. He is very adept with scissors. I unfortunately can't seem to visualize the final product when my paper is all folded up. Quite a talent I tell you.

This is how the baby is carried around most of the time these days. He snuggles right in to the sling and is covered up by our winter coats. It is quite convenient and we know he is warm enough. Most of the time he gets a little too warm. It is a great way to knock him out if he just won't take a nap. I hope he takes to the stroller just as well for the sake of any future babysitters! We tried it the other day and he screamed the whole time. I think he was a little grumpy to begin with so round two will happen again fairly soon.

It is bathtime at the house right now so Mommy has a chance to blog for a brief moment.

This is our first Christmas tree! Two feet of silvery tinselly goodness. We did go on a search for a 'real' tree but a potted tree can only be in the house a few days before it dies. So...this was the solution.. Kitschy and silly but that is perfect for this family.

Kevin singing to the babe. Very sweet. The quilt in the background was my brothers quilt when he was little. It will be nice to bundle Eliot up in it over the winter.

Eliot got to meet his Great Grandmother this weekend. That was a nice treat . Child rearing has changed a lot since she raised her three girls. It is a little frustrating having to explain and stand up for my choice to breastfeed sometimes. I know he is getting enough to eat because I know! Ah well, times have changed.

This has been what I have been up to mostly. Having the energy to walk around town again in short bursts is great. Eliot has been sleeping a little better lately. He has graduated to the full sized crib which should be arriving tomorrow. I don't know where it is going to fit but I am sure we will find room! We also got our first family Christmas tree today. That will be another post! I hope everyone is having a nice Holiday season so far.