Someone found their feet! She's been grabbing her feet on and off for the last day, but doesn't appear to be too impressed with them since whenever I try to get a picture she is already done and over it. But I managed to snap some shots before bed tonight.
(ignore the full diaper, I was just about to change her)I don't remember how old Lily was when she started grabbing for the toys in her rainforest, but I remember taking TONS of pictures because it was such a big deal. And now baby Danielle is doing it too! She is still very entertained laying there and playing with the toys. She still rolls over sometimes, but not as much as she was -- I think the novelty has worn off. She is getting better at playing with rattles, teethers and toys outside of the rainforest too, but since she can't quite figure out what to do with them they seem to piss her off. So, I am always hesitant to give her toys since I know they will make her fussy. But, I know if I don't keep doing giving them to her, it will take her even longer to learn how to play with them. Hopefully she'll start enjoying more toys soon since Christmas is coming and I have a feeling she is going to be spoiled!
The last week or so Danielle hasn't been sleeping as well at night. She still sleeps great for a 3 month old -- usually a good 5-6 hour stretch followed by a few 2-3 hour sleep sessions before morning. But that is not as good as the 8 hours I was getting and she just seemed to be more restless and waking more. So, I thought maybe she was over the swaddle. She is old enough now and rolling around during the day. So last night, I brought out the sleep sack . . .
. . . and by 10:30pm I had her swaddled again.
This was probably the only peaceful moment in the sleep sack. I don't think she slept for more than 10 minutes and she would wake up really pissed off. So, instead of trying to move on to sleep blankets, I think I am just going to have to buy her a bigger swaddle for now. Not that I am complaining, she is already growing up TOO fast. Anything that keeps her more like a newborn infant is fine by me!
Also notice that she is officially out of the nap nanny and in the co-sleeper! She's been sleeping in her own "bed" since Thanksgiving. I was waiting to make sure it stuck before I got too excited. But it was a very easy transition and with the exception of the aforementioned more restless sleep, she is doing great!
Like the last two years at Lily's preschool, they had "International Exchange Day". Being a non-demoniacal private preschool, they don't observe any holidays in order to be fair to all. But once a year in December everyone is invited to bring a gift, food, or something of tradition and culture to share with all the kids in the class and they bring the gift home so us parents can discuss the meaning behind the different cultures. Usually, it is mainly Christmas stuff and this year was no different. Lily brought ornaments for each of her classmates to paint and got some Christmas cookies and candy, coloring book, puzzle and craft. I swore I was taking a lot of pictures of her opening up her stuff, but this is all I got . . .
I thought this was such a cute idea for a cookie! At first I was like why are there pretzels in my cookie -- but then I realized it was a reindeer!
I had fun with Danielle's 16 week mini photo shoot. It is kind of a sneak peek as to what our Christmas cards are this year, but I couldn't wait to post these they are too cute!! She is sitting in her bumbo inside the hat box . . .
That is the face she makes when she is giving kisses.
I LOVE that face!!
I know, it is a lot of pictures, but I already narrowed it down a lot. I love them all for different reasons. She is too cute!!
It has been COLD here this week. Literally freezing. So, Wednesday when we took Lily to dance I got to dress Danielle in her new little purple coat and fuzzy boots. 
Lily has had an ongoing cough and I can't tell if it is a lingering cold or allergies. Nonetheless, her time with Danielle has been limited lately and they are both pretty sad about it. Lily really misses getting to hold and play with Danielle and I think Danielle misses it too. She gets the biggest smile whenever Lily comes around and starts cooing at her. It is the sweetest thing ever and Lily just loves it. Earlier in the week, Lily seemed to feel pretty good, so she got some much needed time with Danielle . . . of course now I am regretting that since Lily was sick this weekend and on antibiotics for a sinus infection.
We had planned on getting our tree on Monday since that is Chip's day off. But the weather called for constant (sometimes literally freezing rain) from Saturday afternoon - Tuesday morning. So I made Chip take some time on Saturday morning take us to get our tree! I didn't want to have to wait an additional week!! I love going to tree lots, but Lowes has the nicest trees. We've gotten one there every year we've been in Texas (and our last year in California). The only two things I hate about going to Lowes is that the trees aren't all set up, so you have to dig to find the right one and the fact that it does not make a pretty photo op!! Nonetheless, I got a picture of the girls getting the tree:
It was already cold and misty when we got there, so I didn't get a lot of pictures and we had to rush the whole process. But it was still exciting to pick out Danielle's first tree!!!
Lily hung the first ornament, her new Hello Kitty ornament. Lily and I hung all the ornaments while Chip and Danielle played on the floor nearby, so I didn't get any pictures of the process. Lily was loving finding all the ornaments. Some she knew well and remembered and some I got to tell her about. It was fun. I love this tradition, especially since 90% of our ornaments are souvenirs or represent something.
Chip always puts the star on last to complete the tree. This year he had Danielle's help!
Here is it! It is looking even better now with all our presents underneath! 
On Tuesday my Mom came over after school to help me decorate the house for Christmas. (I'll get pictures of that as soon as the house is clean and put together again -- so you may have to wait until next Christmas!) Lily was excited to see all the decorations again, but was most excited for her pink tree that goes in her room. We finally got it put up there. It is SO Lily. Pink and sparkly with Princess, Hello Kitty, candy and cupcake ornaments. I LOVE it.
Hanging the first ornament.
Putting the pink sparkly star on top!
Ta Da!
Danielle was up there helping out too -- so I couldn't pass up an opportunity to get a picture of my girls.
Last weekend Lily asked me if she could change Danielle's diaper. It was only a wet diaper, so I let her give it a try. She did a great job and looked so cute being a little mommy to her little sister. Unfortunately, we were upstairs at the time so I only had my phone to take pictures. But it is better than nothing. Lily was so proud and I was proud of her!
