Family Visit

Last weekend my mom, Danielle, and I took a day trip to Redding to visit family. Two of my cousins who are in the Army were visiting (one just back from Iraq!) and between us we have 5 little girls. It was fun for Danielle to get to know her cousins. We also got some photos, thanks to Aunt Jeni, which are always special. It would have been nice to stay longer but in the last few weeks of pregnancy I really need to sleep in my own home.

The latest plan for baby's arrival is January 14th first thing in the morning. Apparently the ultrasound had a different due date than I had calculated so we need to wait one more week. It's fine with me, there is so much to do, and of course we want the baby to be as developed as possible for his/her birth.

Not too much else is new, kind of a quiet week which leaves a little time for cleaning and resting up for the upcoming excitement in January.

More Christmas Fun

We are really enjoying the Christmas season with a 2-year-old. Danielle is finally old enough to at least notice things like snow, ornaments, cookies, etc. The other day we baked cookies and decorated them. Danielle just wanted to lick the frosting off the cookies! We also got our ornaments on the tree which was really fun. Danielle loved pulling the ornaments out of the box. Her favorite one is an ornament from Jeff's childhood, it's a pair of soccer cleats and a soccer ball. She was carrying it around like it was fragile and saying "be vevy careful".

Jeff snapped a photo of me in front of the tree so I suppose I'll show it because it also shows our little one that most likely won't be here (on the outside) for Christmas. Yikes the profile sure shows how big my belly is. We talked to our doctor yesterday and he will be scheduling the c-section for January 7th. We are very excited!

Our Christmas Tree

All bundled up for the snow.


Getting warm in the truck with friend Noah.

Saturday we went up to the snow and got our Christmas tree. It was a quick trip and I didn't get many good pictures but we did it. Danielle thought the snow was pretty driving up the hill but she did not want to walk in it. This made things a little tricky since Jeff had to go on his own and hunt for a tree, cut it down, etc, so I ended up standing there holding Danielle and waiting. Oh well, it was wonderful just being out in the snowy wonderland.


Helpin' Daddy.

Our tree before ornaments.

Last night we put up our Christmas tree. Well, Jeff did all the work and Danielle tried to help...I just stayed out of the way and ooohed & aahed! There is something so wonderful about the smell of a fresh pine tree in our living room. Danielle really wanted to help Daddy put the lights on it but she wanted to put them all on one branch! I quickly snapped a picture and we smiled as we watched her. Once it was all done Danielle said "Oh my gosh, Daddy, I love it". (more smiles) We thought that was enough fun for one night so tonight we'll do the ornaments. I'm finding with a 2-year-old it's more fun if we do things a little at a time.

Big Girl Bed

Last night Jeff put together Danielle's big girl bed. It's a toddler bed so it's the same size mattress as her crib and it's very low to the ground. She thought it was the best thing ever. Of course we made a big deal about it, bought her pink sheets and a pink & white blanket, etc. She helped me put the sheets on and then began bringing in all of her friends (toys) to show them her new bed. We made quite the evening of it and even had ice cream before bed. Danielle loves ice cream! Right before bed Jeff made sure she knew the right way to get in and out of her bed, we tucked her in, and off to sleep she went. I wondered how she would do with this new freedom but she seemed to just want to go to sleep. Pretty easy for the first night. We were wanting to do this before the new baby comes so that she wouldn't see it as the baby kicking her out of her crib. I'll let you know if the next nights go as smoothly.

Baby On The Way

I finally had someone take a photo of my profile. Not my favorite angle but it must be shown to give an idea of how big my belly is. My due date is Jan. 15th, still 6 weeks away but the doctor may do my c-section as early as Jan. 7th, which is only 5 weeks away. Yikes! We'll see how things go. The baby seems to be on the big side, but then again Danielle was the same way and she was born at 7lb. 14oz. which isn't huge. I really can't complain (much), heartburn is my main discomfort. Otherwise I'm feeling pretty good. This month is going to fly by with Christmas and New Years so before you know it we will know if we have a son or another daughter.

Thanksgiving, Early Christmas & Danielle's Birthday

We got home last night from our trip to Southern California. We had a wonderful time visiting family. First a day or so was spent relaxing with Grandma & Kayleen, then we had Thanksgiving/Christmas with them on Thursday. It was so neat to spend special time with Auntie Jen & Uncle John, too. Everyone enjoyed Danielle and she adored the love and attention. There were lots of wonderful gifts, too, but really the time together was the best part. Danielle even sat happily through most of the Thanksgiving meal! She loves mashed potatoes, veggies, and turkey!

Danielle, Daddy & special Auntie Kayleen

Huggin' Auntie Jen

A pink bike for Christmas from Grandma!

Huggin' Uncle John

Thursday night and Friday we spent at Danielle's Grandma & Grandpa Miller's house. We were thrilled to spend time together and we had a nice, relaxing visit. Great-Grandma & Grandpa Miller came over for cake & ice cream and there were more presents for Danielle!

Saturday was Danielle's official 2nd birthday. We were back at Grandma & Kayleen's house for a PINK birthday party. Danielle loved it, pink balloons, pink cookies shaped as 2's, pink m&m's, a pink birthday outfit and the prettiest pink rose cupcakes for dessert. Family & friends came to help us celebrate and Danielle had a wonderful time. I think she was beginning to think every day was her birthday. Oh well, she deserves a little spoiling. It's hard to believe that the tiny little miracle gift God gave us is now 2 years old. I'm doing great with her turning 2, though, I'm having a blast and enjoying this stage of her life.

Thank you "Ma" for my pink birthday party.

Daddy got the messy job of feeding her the frosting covered cupcake.


She's such a sweetie pie