Oh Christmas Tree...

Putting up the Christmas tree was so much more fun with Rachel in the house.  I imagine it just gets more fun from here.

She used some of the decorations as personal accessories.


Unfortunately I did not take a picture of the tree when we were finished.


Every year we plan on buying new ornaments for the family.  When the kids move out they will have a bunch of ornaments that have great meaning to them.  This is Rachel's ornament for this year.  It represents her 2nd Christmas on earth.


Rachel was awestruck by the tree and loved looking at the ornaments.  I spent a lot of December reminding her that she "musn't touch" the tree or the ornaments.  She was drawn to them like a moth to a flame.  One day Doug pointed to the tree and asked Rachel, "what's that?"  She replied verbally and with sign, "No.  [pause] No, no, no, no, no."  Most of the time she just called it the "kiskis tee."

I was grateful that there were only a few ornament casualties this year.  Rachel pulled a couple of glass baubles off of my parent's tree and tried banging them on the round mental staircase.  Breakage was inevitable.  Mom was very gracious about it.  And we all agree that she handled all the temptation very well for her age.

Rachel's First Caroling

Once upon a time I kept up with my blog.  It was a simpler time.  Now I'm so far behind, and feel like there is so much to tell, that I can't do it justice.  It's a new year and I haven't even written about Thanksgiving yet.

Some of you have expressed disappointment that there hasn't been much new here.  So, in an effort to catch up, I'm just going to share our adventures in bite size pieces.

Last December, we were invited to participate in a caroling party.  We enjoyed the camaraderie of friends as we made homemade doughnuts.  Then we walked around the neighborhood delivering the goodies and singing Christmas carols.  We had a lot of fun and felt honored to be included.  This was Rachel's first caroling experience.  She liked watching the other kids and playing with new toys at the hosts' house.  We were surprised that she was still having fun at the end of the evening.  I love her cute little red nose that matches her antlers.

Twelve

In spite of appearances, I have not forgotten about "12 on 12."  I just decided to take a couple of months off and start again in January.

Dear Old Santa

Rachel, Doug and I attended the 2010 Ward Christmas Party.  Rachel loved coloring while she waited for her food.


But the main event, for the children, was the visit of Santa Clause.


Rachel wasn't sure she liked the man in the red suit.


She began signing "mom" almost immediately after being plopped on his jolly lap.


When it was obvious that mom was not going to save her she began to sign "dad."


She may not be smiling.  But at least we got one good picture before we saved her from St. Nick.

Baby 3 Update

On November 15, 2010 we went in for our routine 20 week ultrasound.  No matter how many times you see your child on ultrasound it is still a miracle.


Doug and I were conflicted on whether we wanted a boy or a girl.  It would be fun to have a little sister for Rachel and we have all of the girl clothes and things.  But, it would be fun to have a boy.  So we went into the ultrasound with no expectations.  When we saw boy parts flash across the screen our hearts skipped a beat and we grinned at each other.  The technician didn't have to say it.  We already knew.

It's a boy!
(Image censored for content.)


We were happy to see his little feet,


his head and hands.


We were thrilled beyond belief to see his bright white straight bones
 

and hear his strong heartbeat.


He was wiggly and made it difficult for the tech to get clear measurements.  She also announced that I had a low lying placenta.  She says, "It's nothing to worry about at this point.  But they will want you to come back in a few weeks."  I, of course, went home and looked it up on the internet.  I realize that was not the wisest course of action.  I began to worry that we'd have horrible complications.  I am grateful for priesthood blessings and the power of prayer.  I am no longer worried.

We go in for our followup appointment tomorrow.  I can't wait to see our little boy again.

Accessorizing

Rachel LOVES accessories.  It doesn't matter what they are.  Mittens, hats, bags, bracelets, hair bows or glow sticks, all are fascinating to her.  It's all fun, at least, until they break or mom takes them away.

More Pictures from the park

Doug and Rachel assisted me in taking pictures of our friends in the park.  During the small moments we captured some pictures of us too.  These are our spoils.