Two Weeks and Sally the Photographer

Two weeks already?  How come 2 weeks at the end of the pregnancy seems like it takes a month, but two weeks with a newborn seems like 2 hours.  We continue to fall in love with Miss Libby more and more every day.  I remember someone telling me once that they were worried about their love splitting when their second child was born, but they were surprised to realize that it doesn't split, it doubles.  Boy is this ever true.  Love is overflowing at this house!

She's got a tight hold on his heart already

As you have seen and heard in many videos Sally is always wanting to get her hands on a camera and take pictures.  The other day Reid remembered he had an old camera that doesn't zoom and you can't review the picture.  We put in some batteries, an old memory card and Sally was a happy camper.  Don't mind the snorts in the background, she was pretty entertaining when she first started shooting.  It is also pretty entertaining to check out the pictures that she has taken...

Happy New Year, those of you that know me well, know how excited I am to be back to an even year :)

Bring on 2012!

Hey Little Girl

I went to the bathroom quickly and came back to witness this. I had to sneak the camera from the other room.  My apologies for the blurriness, a little girl likes to get her fingers on the camera whenever she can.

If you listen carefully you can hear Sally ask Libby if she's  happy.  I love how when she's done she just goes on playing with something else, like it's no big deal.  We're only 2 weeks in and I'm already in love with having sisters in the house.

Little Girl is pretty in pink today

It's my favorite when they get wrinkles on the forehead

HORSES!

One of Sally's favorite presents from Libby...another hand-me-down from our wonderful neighbors!

First day flying solo...it is going very well!  I consider it a successful day, even though it's only half over because I was able to get both girls napping at the same time!

Video of Pictures

We had a nice and relaxing weekend in Alexandria for Christmas.  Thank you to my mom and George for being such great hosts with delicious food and drinks and many generous gifts.  Thank you!

It's always good to be home.  Trying to get into a routine..hard to do after having a baby and then throw in Christmas and visitors :)

Tomorrow, Reid goes back to work.  I can't complain, it's only for two days and then he has Friday and Monday off.  It'll be nice to ease in to the transition of doing it all on my own with my two little ladies. 

The easiest way for me to share our pictures with you is through a video/slide show.  Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

We are headed up north for Christmas tomorrow morning.  My mom and George are "pee your pants excited" to have all the kids home, plus their FIVE grandchildren.  I'm sure they'll be just as excited come Monday when it is time for all of us to head back home :)

Here are a few pictures from our week.  Happy One Week Birthday Miss Libby, you have fit perfectly into our family, it is as if you've always been here, we love you! 

Big Sister washing Little Sister's hair...both so very calm and in love

Special Dinner out to Noodles

Seen many times throughout the day

"I hold my Libby now"

complete

She's a great shopper already!

So alert when she's awake

"What could it be?"

Both girls have their eyes locked on Daddy

Horses!

Merry Christmas!

Love, The Craigmile Crew!

Introducing...

the newest member of the of the Craigmile Crew:
It's a girl!!
Elizabeth {Libby} Josephine
December 16, 2011 12:44pm
9lbs 15oz, 22inches long, head 15inches

We are all doing fabulous! I promise to give more details at some point, but quite frankly I have more important people to snuggle with than update this here blog :)  Be sure to click the Baby Pool 'button' on the side to see how you did.  Winner Winner, be sure to email me your address to claim your prize!

A few pictures to hold you off, until I'm back!

She has been doing such a great job of being a big sister and being so cooperative! Brings tears to my eyes, how perfect Sally has been through this big transition in her life!

We are blessed!

Pottery Barn Kids

We're trying to stay busy so that we aren't just sitting around waiting.  We went to story time the other morning at Pottery Barn Kids

Llama Llama Holiday Drama

The Grinch

Every little girl's dream

Little Drummer Girl

Pa rum pum pum pum

Dads and their Daughters

Mary and I had an advisory council meeting for ECFE last night.  Here are a couple of pictures Reid sent me while we were at the meeting.

Lucky little girls they are, to be loved this much.

**Hey Big Baby in my belly, are you going to be a little girl or boy? You're welcome to come on out and meet us, we're patiently waiting...at least some of us are being patient**

Pals

Pretty soon Sally and Isabelle will be running around getting into trouble together!

One-liners

Sally's been quite the character as of late.  She comes up with the craziest sayings.  She especially loves to change words to make them her own...it is a different language between she and Reid. 

"Just a minute Mommy, I have to text Grandma real quick"

Last night we were having sloppy joes for dinner.  Sally wanted to make sure she got her little piece of chocolate from her Advent Calendar so she said:

"Mommy, if I eat all of Grandpa, then I get my chocolate!"

Confused Mommy: "Sweetheart, what are you eating for dinner?"
Certain Sally: "Grandpa Joe!"

...sloppy joe, grandpa Joe {my dad}, same difference

"I'll be there in a minute, I'm looking up coupons for Daddy"

I've definitely been enjoying these last few days just me and my girl.  Pretty soon her world {and mine} is about to get rocked by a new baby.  I think I did a pretty good job planning ahead and preparing with household tasks and all that goes along with preparing for Christmas, so Sally and I have been enjoying lazy pajama days these past few days.  Yesterday we did a whole lot of arts and crafts.  Here's a sampling...

HoHoHo

Hand print Christmas Tree

Hard to tell, but the tree is made up of Sally's footprints.  Didn't turn out the greatest, but Sally loved dipping her feet in paint!

You've got to love pinterest for their great ideas!!  Check it out, if you haven't already!

Happy Weekend!

Friendship

Friendship can come in many different shapes and sizes.  We've got a lot of it in our neck of the woods.  Last weekend during our beautiful snowfall, our fabulous neighbor, Delores, took Sally for a sleigh ride!

Delores has been a blessing during this pregnancy as she will often take Sally when I go to my midwife appointments which are weekly now.  She is also one of our persons "on call" in case I happen to go into labor anytime soon.  Our other lovely neighbors, the Lindbergs, are just as willing to be "on call" and watch Sally during our appointments.  Like I said, lots of friendship in our neck of the woods.  We're blessed!

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us"

I am lucky to be able to have a girls night almost once a month.  Lots of wine, laughter and chatting go on at these.  Being a stay-at-home-mama, I very much look forward to these nights!

I had one to attend on Tuesday of this week.  I kept asking Liz, who was hosting, what I could bring to help, but it was always nothing, I've got it.  I was a little upset to come to find out as we got there that everyone else had brought something to share, I hate feeling like a slacker.  Well, little did I know, they were surprising me with a baby shower! I was so humbled by their love and generosity. 

A while back they had asked if I was having any showers and I said, no, you don't really have any baby showers after the first baby.  Apparently they weren't okay with that answer. 

**Blessed** {Meggers, we'll have to photoshop you in!}

Thank you ladies for loving me and my children so much! I cherish and am so thankful for each and every one of you!  My kids are so lucky to have so many extra "Aunties!"

**Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception**  Here's a link to my most favorite Christmas Song! click HERE

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

We continue to go to our same spot to pick out our real Christmas Tree.  We continue to be glad that we do.  The people there are so kind and helpful.  They are also there to truly spread the Christmas Cheer!  The prices seemed like they had gone up from last year, so out of curiosity I asked.  The guy said, no I don't think so, what do you remember paying last year?  He gave it to us for that price, at least $10 off. 

We also loved that after he helped strap the tree to the roof of our car he waved good-bye saying "Merry Christmas, God Bless You!"  It's not very often that a total stranger will say 'God' out in public anymore. 

After all, Jesus is the reason for the Season!  Sorry, I couldn't resist :)

Picking out the perfect Tree

Getting ready to bring it in

Reid and I enjoyed decorating the tree while Sally napped.  It could not have been more picture perfect, it started snowing while we were listening to Christmas music and remembering the stories that go with each ornament.

TaDa

Each morning Sally comes down excited to see the "Beautiful Tree."  Each morning she has to point out her most favorite ornaments, the ones containing Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, of course!

In the evenings we are often found in our living room with the lights out except for the Tree, Christmas music playing and dancing around!

**Looking forward to the middle of the night feedings. Just me and my newborn, snuggled under the lights of the tree, while the rest of the world sleeps...that is, if he or she chooses to arrive before Christmas!