The Rancourt Family: January 2011

Two beautiful daughters and a wonderful husband to share it all with.
With so much to be thankful this year it was truly hard to imagine asking for anything for ourselves. (We managed of course...you've all met me) but the majority of the focus this year was definitely on our girls, especially Harper who really understood Christmas this year. From picking out our tree to helping decorate, shop for and then wrap gifts to the tears she shed when it was time to take the tree down this holiday season was really magical.
Life can easily become a race to the finish line, racing to get out the door, to get home before nap, to get the kids to bed and get work done etc. Among other things, like using my reusable coffee cup regularly, I resolve this year to slow down and enjoy every moment of this time with our family.
The other night as I laid with Harper while she fell asleep she said "Mommy, I grow up I can be like you." And while my heart warmed with love for this amazing little person I also felt a little bit of sadness. I don't want her to wish to be bigger than she is for even a moment. And while I can't tell her not to wish to be big I can slow us down and let her enjoy being little as long as possible.

We rang in the New Year with the Adams family. Our visits are louder now with four little people running around but there's a feeling of deja vu as we stop and watch Ana crawl around and pull herself up on furniture or see Paisley laying in the baby gym that both Ana, Harper & Theo laid in before her. I can only imagine how much they will all change in the coming year and how their little relationships grow.
This year we started a new tradition with Pat & Steph of picking out our Christmas trees together. Due to construction to their living room our first trip was for the Rancourt tree but a couple weeks later they got a tree and we all went over to decorate it. It was fun to get to decorate trees twice this year.
Dana and I gave our kids a Christmas gift of a full day play date together. They had so much fun as always we're going to try and do it again very soon!
The end of January brings us the start of Will's paramedic school which will be very exciting and stressful for all of us. Definitely a challenge for Will but something he is excited about and will enjoy.
For me things are changing with work. We are announcing that Sprout will be closing it's doors very shortly. I'm trying to enjoy my final shifts as much as possible. It is rather bittersweet to say goodbye. I started working there 3 months after Harper was born now, 3 months after Paisley's birth the store is closing. I really loved my work at Sprout and the people I work with, but perhaps it's time for a change and I look forward to whatever is next.
With news of the girls, Paisley is now rolling over and cooing. She can grasp a toy and put it in her mouth and she's very close to rolling over from back to front. All so exciting! Harper brings more joy and laughter to us everyday. Her imagination is so huge and she's so creative. She loves doll play and she is still really enjoying our Friday school program. She has so much love for her little sister I so enjoy watching their relationship develop.
With all the excitement of the holidays there were a ton of photos this month. Please enjoy this rather large selection of my favorites:

Winter festival at Harper's school - making gingerbread people ornaments

Ericson/Rancourt 1st Annual Tree Chopping (next year we'll get a picture of all of us)

"Wait...how did you know I have a big sister?"

I think we may need a bigger bed

Playing tutu's with Harper. We "flew" around the house. She really wanted me to wear a tutu but it wouldn't fit around my waist (no judging) so this was our compromise.