Wordless Wednesday *Walking in Daddy's Shoes*

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thursday through Saturday we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving getaway in Charleston at my friend, Ashley's house. It was fun spending time with her and her daughters, and then on Saturday we had a Thanksgiving feast with Ashley's sister, Rachel and her family. Christian loved playing with his friend, Evalee and it was sweet to see them reunite and give hugs and kisses. Ashley watched Christian on Black Friday, so we went to Mount Pleasant and enjoyed a leisurely lunch and some Christmas shopping. Steve helped Ashley with some things around the house and we simply enjoyed her company and conversation. Cannot wait until Ashley and her family move back to Sumter when her husband returns from his deployment in the Spring, but it has been fun visiting and seeing more of Charleston. Sunday we played a little catch up and we finished decorating our home for Christmas. Love this time of year!

Christian decided to add his own tree decorations (above.)

Wordless Wednesday *Taking Flight*

Our First "Stay at Home" Christmas

The tree is up, there are snowflake lights sparkling in the windows, Christmas music is playing, and the official Christmas cookie list is beginning to take shape. Steve has been ready to decorate for Christmas for a few weeks now...he said he needs to make up for missing the festivities last year. Fine with me...I love Christmas! Last year, if you recall I decided not to decorate much, with Steve deployed and Christian and I going home to Colorado for a month. This year is entirely different, and it is fun to begin getting our home ready for Christmas as we will be unable to go back home to Colorado to celebrate with our families this year (something to do with a baby arriving around that time.) This is my first time in 28 years to not be home for Christmas, Steve's second, but it is a good chance to begin some of our own holiday traditions, and it has been fun to bring out the holiday decor that we haven't seen since Christmas 2008 (in December 2009 we were moving from Edwards AFB.) Thankfully, we will be celebrating with some family here, as Steve's parents will be flying out Christmas day through New Years! (A perfect time for baby #2 to arrive at 38 weeks...hint, hint.) Anyway, it has been fun decorating with Christian...he loves that there is a tree in our home and it has been fun going to the stores to see the holiday decor. He especially enjoys all the inflatable snowmen, lights, and moving reindeer. Such a joyous time of year filled with excitement and anticipation, but I am hoping that as we prepare for our new addition and the Christmas season, that we will remember and begin a tradition of treasuring God and his ultimate gift.

33 Weeks

33 weeks, the time is still flyin'. I am trying to get the baby's room ready and organized, so that when he makes his surprise arrival I will be a little more prepared this time around. I may even try to pack our bags soon, since I packed our bags the day of when Christian was born at 36.5 weeks. Wouldn't it just be so much easier if we knew when he was going to make his appearance? :) In addition to baby preparations, I am trying to get our Christmas shopping done early, gifts wrapped, and shipped so that I can focus on everything else that may come in the busy month of December. At today's doctor appointment everything looked good (other than the 6 pounds I have gained in 3 weeks- Boo!) The baby's head is facing down, a huge blessing, and only 7 (give or take) more weeks of heartburn, pelvic pressure, cramps, and kickboxing. :o)Compare: 33 weeks with the first babe

Pics from the Past: November 20, 2010

Just love these pictures from one year ago today. Christian has grown so much! He was 14 months old, not quite walking, and his blonde hair was beginning to grow in. *Love*

Our Last Hurrah

...for a little while. This week we spent a few days at Disney World! It was kind of a spur of the moment trip. Steve had just finished a month-long conference and we had wanted to get one last little trip in before baby #2 arrives. Also, Monday was my birthday AND we got a great last-minute deal at Shades of Green, so it all worked out fabulously. :) This week in November is supposedly one of their least busiest times of the year, and really the wait times were pretty good. The weather was beautiful in the low-80's, however, we were totally unprepared and had packed winter-like clothing. We had even checked the weather throughout the week, but I guess we should have checked the weather the day of. Needless to say, we had to do a little summer clothing shopping. Wouldn't you know...they don't sell maternity clothes! Oh well, I managed to get by in the 3 days we were at the parks.

This was the 3rd time Christian has been to Disney World (he also went to Disneyland at 2 months!) It becomes more and more fun each time we bring him. This time he was walking more and we were able to do and see more things. He especially enjoyed the miniature trains and "the Seas with Nemo and Friends" at EPCOT, and "It's a Small World," "the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," and "the Buzz Lightyear" ride at the Magic Kingdom. He repeatedly said, "adain (again)" and "ride" and "go" on this trip. So fun to see the wonder through his eyes.

Overall, we had a great family time. Lots of walking as expected and somehow at 32 weeks I survived the heat and exhaustion. We are really glad that we took advantage of the opportunity since we are unsure of when the next time we will travel.

30 Weeks

Man, this little growing boy is active! I am beginning to experience some discomfort as he seems to enjoy delivering sharp jabs and kicks, especially in my ribs! I am not sure that I remember Christian doing that. I never recall actually saying, "Oww!"...at least not until I was in labor.

The baby's heartbeat was 145 at this week's appointment, and everything is looking right on track...just sailing along. I am so thankful to have healthy and relatively "easy" pregnancies with minimal discomfort. Praying that the labor and delivery will be smooth as well.

Halloween Festivities

We kicked off this past weekend with a visit to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. They had it all decorated for "Boo at the Zoo," their evening Halloween festivity in October. More importantly we got to see the fish in the aquarium and the penguins. Christian also took great notice of the snakes on this visit, pointing and saying, "Eww." I am thinking maybe he learned that from Daddy. Sunday night we attended First Baptist Church's fall festival, but it was just crazy insane. C enjoyed trunk or treating...and was eager to eat some "treats." This child does not like to get dressed! He wasn't so sure about his costume at first, and he kept saying, "want off," but he must have forgotten eventually that he was wearing it. I thought he made a pretty cute little sheriff. :o)Yesterday was surprising overcast, cold, and wet, so last night we attended the fall festival at Alice Drive Baptist Church (I am telling you there are so many churches here and nearly all of them had some sort of festival either on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.) It, too, was very busy and it was held outdoors which I was unaware of, but we stayed for a little while and ran into some friends. I think Christian mostly enjoyed helping Daddy give candy to the trick-or-treaters when we came home. And then he needed a treat too.