2011

Happy New Year's Eve, from our family to yours!!!!!

Best wishes for 2011!

We are really looking forward to 2011 and what it will bring. For us, it will be the Year of Colin, and we are so excited to meet the much anticipated, newest addition to our family!

But, in the meanwhile, good riddance to 2010. We couldn't be happier to finish writing this chapter in our life, thru all the ups and seemingly endless and unplanned-for downs: replacing the water heater, car repairs, B's company's selling, E's visit to the ER for a head laceration, more car repairs, B's salary bonus-structure change (for the negative), basement flooding (throwing things out and replacing carpet/trim), B's transfer to a further away location (more gas/mileage), being sick about 10times this year (no joke and each time 'quarantined' for a 1-2weeks), miscellaneous home repairs, several scares this pregnancy that have left me in tears, and stressful work changes for B (mostly layoffs for employees), substantial (read, ridiculous) increase in our monthly health insurance, B's serious accident this past month and car repair, and we are closing out the year, once again, sick with sore throats and colds. Yep, ready to close this non-exciting chapter and ring in the new year!!!

All said, we are so thankful and blessed to have our little family, our own fabulous and comfortable home, the giggles and joy our little one brings us, and another little bundle of our love on the way.

Happy New Year!!

Half way there!!!!!

Mommy & E at 20 weeks!!!

Two years ago today, with little E.

This was my first 'picture' with E.

Mommy & Colin at 20 Weeks!!!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 weeks

Size of Baby: ~10in (from head to heel). Think banana.

Total Weight Gain: 11 lbs. Both pregnancies have started at 125lbs, and it's evident that I'm growing another linebacker.

Maternity Clothes: Thank goodness I aleady have some to wear.

Gender: It's another sweet boy!!!!

Name: Colin (?) B.

Movement: He has been moving since week 14, and is continuously in motion, more than I ever felt with E!!! I can now feel him when I touch my belly.

Sleep: Yes, please! Dealing with two bundles of energy takes up all mine by midday.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach, enjoying a glass of wine, coffee in the morning.

Cravings: Cranberry sauce, tomato soup!, pies/cakes.
Symptoms: Just tired and hungry ALL the time.

Best Moments: Listening to his heart beat, seeing him kick/move on ultrasounds, feeling him wiggle right after eating.

Let it snow!!!! & Some holiday spirit!!!

E's first snowfall.

December 4, 2009
E's 1st snowfall he was excited about!!
Today!!
We scampered outside to get some fresh air and enjoy the first dusting of the season.
Tasting the snow.
I had even promised him that we would pull out his sled for the first snow of the year.
He went for a short ride and then enjoyed pulling it himself.
I'm thinking he can pull Baby CB next year ;)

Typically our Christmas decorations go up the first of December. This year they went up the day after Thanksgiving!! I'm really excited to decorate for E and have him enjoy all the holiday spirit.

This is our mantle. Our stockings are from Pier1, and E's and C's (can't wait to put all four up next year) are from an old cable-knit cashmere sweater of mine- so cute.

The living room, half a-glow.

My husband made the sweetest comment when he came home from work and saw the tree for the first time: "It is just what I imagine when I think of a perfectly decorated Christmas tree". Guess I did a good job ;)

E even has a miniature tree in his playroom (mine from college).

Still have a bit more decorating to go!

The tree decorations/stockings are all silver/platinum or champagne (our wedding colors), but I snuck a fun one in this year- a bright red cardinal from Great-Great Auntie S. I thought it would be neat to move it around every so often and have E find it.

Even decorated the dining room credenza.

The banister garland is from Great G&G S. and it looks beautiful all lit up.
I added some jingle bells in for more E fun. He loves to ring them every time he passes by.

Jingle. Jingle. Giggle. Giggle.