Have a holly jolly Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!
Have a wonderful and relaxing day! :)

It's almost Christmas...

This was taken at the Chesapeake Christmas Parade. It was actually a lot of fun. I don't think I have ever been to a Christmas Parade so I didn't realize how loud and long it would be. Duncan loved seeing all the emergency vehicles and lights. He was truly amazed. I think Fiona enjoyed it as well. :) She was wide awake just taking it all in.

I am super close to being completely done with my shopping. Just one thing to pick up tomorrow. Every year I tell myself that I will have it all done by the beginning of December and for some reason I am still finishing up at the last minute. Oh well! Maybe next year.

The little ones are doing so well. I am a blessed woman. Duncan has adjusted very well to filling up those big brother shoes. He is very caring and thrives on being helpful... i.e. getting diapers, throwing things away, turning off the tree when we are leaving, ect. He gets upset if she is crying. He will tell me over and over "Mom, baby... crying." As I try to appease Fiona I am reassuring him again and again that she is ok. He has a tender little heart. Fiona is such a joy. I cannot imagine a better baby. She has nestled her way into our little family. She is an amazing baby. She has slept through the night since she was 5 weeks old. She goes to sleep about 9:30 or 10 and sleeps till 6:30 or 7 in the morning. I know with a baby everything come and goes in stages, and so I am waiting for it to change. While enjoying every minute. :) She is very smiley and has started cooing and talking all the time. It is so fun to see her little personality come through. Transitioning from being a tiny little helpless baby to a happy spunky sweet little girl is incredible to watch.I can't believe she is almost 3 months old!!



I have loved being home with my children. I am going back to work next week. I am dreading it. On one side, I am grateful to be able to have a job that is so flexible and provides insurance to employees who only work for 20 hours. I am an assistant manager and have completed all my training to be a store manager and have just been waiting for an available store. But now that Fiona is here, I am stepping down, and am transferring to a store that is super close to our house (I could walk if I wanted to)! We have our family insurance through Starbucks and so that is why I have to return to work. On the other side, everything in me wants to stay home with my kids. Brian would love for me to be able to stay home as well, but this is where we are right now. This is going to have be something I have to totally trust God in. I feel kind of frantic when I think about balancing work, home, and my family. If you think to pray for me I would truly appreciate it!

I am sorry for not being more diligent in my posting. I am always checking on other people. I am really going to be better :). I hope and pray this Christmas finds you among friends and family and that you will genuinely feel God's pleasure and love in your life. Merry Christmas!!

My babies...

I took this with my camera phone earlier this afternoon. My little Fiona is three weeks old today! She is such a pleasant baby... very easy going like her brother. She is becoming more alert everyday. It is so fun to watch how Duncan is with her. I couldn' t ask for a sweeter boy. I am really loving being home with my little ones. Now I am off to feed baby Fi...

Our little lady is here!!!

We are so happy to announce the littlest addition to our family...

Fiona Ruth
7lbs 12oz
20 inches
She was born on October 9th, 2008 at 5:16pm

She is doing so well. Everything went well and we are thrilled to have her here.




Her proud big brother! He was so cute with her. He calls her Baby Fi



She looks so much like Duncan. Although, her hair is a bit more brown.










Our little family of four! I can't believe I have two children. God is so good!

Enjoying PB+J's

Earlier this week, Duncan and I went to play at Fun Forest at Chesapeake City Park. We had such a fun time. A little date with my boy. He is so happy and good natured... just a pleasure to be with. He is my dear boy.







This face makes me laugh!

My little artist

The other afternoon, Duncan brought his magna-doodle to me and made his little elephant impression (which means he is telling me what it is). I was pretty impressed... I mean, it kinda looks like an elephant... right??? He was so proud.



Soon after the elephant, he was drawing another picture and he pointed out that this was the moon.

a beautiful morning with Marmee...

One morning last week, we met up with my mom at Locks Point Park. She found this point that overlooked the water. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and we sat for a while and watched the boats make their way to the bridge. My mom has been such a tremendous support to my family and especially me. She has watched my little boy while I am working and honestly I couldn't imagine him in better or more loving hands. She is seriously crazy about him and is always teaching him and encouraging him to learn about the world around him. Thank you so much, mom, for sacrificing your time, your energy, and for all your prayers. You are a treasure!!!

Like his daddy!

Duncan and Bri were playing one afternoon and Brian was able to take a few pics of him playing with his trucks and cars. He loves trucks he pushes them all over the house and has different noises for each vehicle. It is fun to see what excites him since I grew up in a house with all girls. I do love having my boy :o).











For those of you who are Pride and Prejudice fans this is his "Mr. Collin's" wave :)



Trying to be like his Dad. He walks all over the house wearing Brian's shoes. Pretty funny to watch.

Fun for the deck!

My parents gave this to Brian for Father's Day. What a sweet gift. We use it all the time. We love to eat breakfast out on the deck on the weekends. The patio set has given us the opportunity to make some fun memories. Now that is getting to be so beautiful out and fall is now here, I think we will be using it much more! Thank you so much mom and dad for your generosity!!!