Christmas 2012

* Warning: Lots of pictures**** Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent with Jason's mom and her family. We didn't have to travel this year which was awesome considering when we went to visit my family several weekends ago we had to pack our whole house =). We did Christmas Eve dinner over at our house and then Christmas Day festivities were over at Jason's aunt's house.

Jason and I tried to go to Christmas Eve service at our church, but we got there too late and the service filled up. So we just headed back home to get ready for everyone to come over that night. Don't worry though, E had a photo shoot in front of the Christmas tree in all her cuteness.

We all had gumbo for dinner and then sat around and visited. E got to meet her great-grandmother for the first time. She and GiGi got along very well. 

Aunt Minette (the baby whisperer) feeding her niece

Traditional family picture in front of the tree. E wasn't that interested. 

It's a tradition in my family that we get pajamas every year to open on Christmas Eve to wear that night.   I'm so excited to carry on this tradition with our little girl. And apparently E was so excited for Christmas to come that she woke up at 6 AM =). I just spent that extra time making the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls for breakfast. They were delicious, but definitely something you can only make every once in a while because they are fattening. So worth it though - I think I definitely love this new tradition I'm starting. 

Even though it was 6 AM she still makes me smile

After breakfast, we headed over to Jason's aunt's house for Christmas lunch. We opened presents and ate some yummy fried turkey. While we were there, snow started falling outside! I was so excited that E was going to get her first white Christmas! We got between 1-2 inches of snow. 

Isn't she just the cutest thing? 

She loves this giraffe that her MawMaw got her. 

Four generations!

Our first Christmas together

When we got home we took pictures outside but didn't stay out too long because the wind was something fierce. Her little outfit made me giggle, but she had to stay warm. 

We opened up our stockings and gifts from each other when we got home because there just wasn't enough time to do it in the morning. Christmas with a little one is so much fun! I couldn't wait for her to  open her gifts even though she doesn't really get it but next year she will =). 

And don't worry we didn't forget about our other baby either. 

Christmas 2012 was one of the best yet! I can't wait to see what next Christmas brings! 

Christmas #2

The weekend before Christmas, Jason's dad, stepmom, and two brothers came into town. We had such a great time with them and glad they got to spend time with us and E. I'll let the pictures do the most of the talking. 

Fun little caterpillar that shakes when you pull it

This little toy lights up!

It is so fun to dress a little girl!

More cute outfits!

My fun gifts: A silhouette machine and a mini Ipad!! Love it!

Jason's gift: a gun. They went shooting the next day. Boys.......

The family with little Miss E before they left Sunday!

4 months!

Dear E,

On Thursday, you turned 4 months old! How did this happen? How has another month gone by? Every month with you is such a blessing. Here's what happened this month:

You are sleeping fairly well. You have your good nights and your bad nights. Your bad nights are just because your reflux is acting up but we just take it all in stride and your mom and dad just drink a lot of coffee = ). You get about 4 naps a day ranging from 45-100 minutes long again just depending on how the reflux is that day. You have one night awakening to feed and then sometimes will wake up 1-4 times a night because of your tummy. Although there have been nights were you have slept until 5:00 and one night you slept from 9:00- 6:45 a.m! Your mommy and daddy appreciated that for sure. You go to bed between 8:30-9:30 each night. I'm hoping that once you get rid of one of your naps that you will go down earlier but we shall see.

Feeding is going well. You feed every 3 hours. Lately though you are more interested in what is going on in the room than eating. Mommy has had to turn off the TV or any other distraction during feeding times because you think that is way  more important than eating - ha! You are definitely curious as to what is going on around you!

You are doing great with your tummy time. You have pushed up onto your hands a couple of times and are definitely rolling from your tummy to your back pretty much when I put you on your tummy. I have to find things to entertain you to keep you on your stomach. You reached for a toy on your tummy the other day and I was so proud of you. You can roll from your back to your side as well. You have found yourself in the mirror and smile at yourself all the time. Absolutely so cute!. I think you are saying "well hey there that's a pretty girl!" You have started noticing your feet and can touch them when you are in supported sitting but just can't get them up to your mouth when you are on your back just yet. I think it might because your cute little belly gets in the way. You kick things with them all the time especially on your play gym. You sit really well with a supported back on the floor and even try to bring yourself forward more on your own.  You are reaching for toys with your hands and are getting much better about holding them for longer periods. You can even shake your rattles while holding them now. You still love putting your hands in your mouth but now are now putting toys to your mouth too! You have also found your thumb and love to suck on it. It is so stinking adorable.

You laughed for the first time on December 15. You laughed at your dog Lucye and your cousin's dog playing on the floor. It was the sweetest sound. Since then, you have laughed at both daddy and mommy. We can't wait to hear it more often. Your smiles are getting bigger by the day - you are such a happy baby.  You still "talk" all the time. Lots of vocalizing when we talk to you, and you definitely will make different vocalizations for when you are upset or when you are happy.

Many firsts again this month: you had your first Christmas (three celebrations to be exact), your first snow!, your first road trip,  and you went to a restaurant for the first time. You also had your first play date with one of your friends. You guys were more interested in eating your hands than playing with each other but I'm sure that will change later.

As of last week you weigh 13 pounds 7 ounces. We had to take you to the doctor because of what I thought was a rash but it turned out to be eczema =(. It doesn't seem to bother you, and the doctor thinks it won't be something you have to live with the rest of your life so we are thankful. You were size 2 diapers when you wear disposables. You wear  3 months, 3-6 months, and 6 months clothes. The 6 months clothes are a little baggy on you but I know it won't be long before you are filling them out.

You grow up more and more everyday. We are so thankful for you sweet pea. We can't wait to see what this next month brings!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

What a difference a year makes!

A year ago, I walked into the bathroom in the hotel we were staying in to take the test that I had worried about for 2 weeks since our IUI. Would it be two lines or one? Those two minutes were the longest of my life, but after those two minutes I saw the most wonderful thing: TWO LINES!! I remember praying over that stick thanking God for this miracle and asking Him to protect the little one growing inside of me. Then I ran out to tell Jason and he prayed as well. We were so excited. A year later - I have the most wonderful gift- my precious daughter E. I'm so thankful God chose Jason and me to be her parents, and I will spend the rest of my life telling her how much I love her but most importantly how much God loves her.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours! May you know the love of Christ today and in the year to come.

Be back later with our weekend and Christmas activities!

December Photo A Day Part 1

Here is the first half of the month. Follow me on Instagram (username: ebethr)

Day 1: 8 o'clock: getting presents wrapped after a long day of shopping

 Day 2: Peace. Nothing more peaceful than a sleeping baby

 Day 3: Something you held: York peppermint patties for cookies I made

Day 4: no photo

 Day 5: Looking up. Looking up at our toys while making spit bubbles

Day 6: no photo

 Day 7: star. The star on top of our Christmas tree

 Day 8: someone you love. These two blessing in my life!

 Day 9: Out and about. Finishing up Christmas shopping with my wide awake partner in crime

 Day 10: Under. I love this "present" under my tree

Day 11-13 I must have been really busy no photos =)

 Day 14: something green: Starbucks for the drive to my hometown

Day 15: outdoors. Wide open spaces - enjoying my visit home