More Christmas

Even though I have our Christmas tree to stare at everyday I keep forgetting Christmas is this week.  Obviously, Christmas looks very different for us this year.  We have missed most holiday parties and I finished shopping and wrapping everything weeks ago.  So, sadly it just hasn't been on my mind.  

We did get to see Santa a couple weeks ago though and the whole experience was much better than last year's meltdown.  No smiles, but no tears either.    

Apparently, Santa likes a family photo too.  

Exactly a week before Annie was born...very ready to deliver a baby at this point!

And last week, Caroline had her Christmas party at school. 

C's sweet little class

Just sitting down to finish some chocolate leaving the party

Sisters

Sorry guys, there are lots of pictures in this post.

John brought Caroline to the hospital to meet Annie last Monday afternoon.  Caroline was thrilled.  I love these pictures that capture her as she walks in the door.

Caroline sleeps with a little duck and so a while ago we bought this giraffe for Caroline to give to the baby when he/she arrived.  

So curious and trying to figure everything out.  C even started looking for her toes under the blanket.  

She loves to pat her head full of hair.  

She was dying to hold her...

and it lasted about 10 seconds when Caroline told me, "Annie too heavy, Mommy's turn." 

Ready to hold her again.

Once we got all the pictures, Caroline realized Annie brought her a present too.  

And after that, the school bus was the big hit!

I pray these girls will grow up loving each other and will be not only sisters, but wonderful friends. 

Forgot to mention in the last post where Annie's name came from.  Annie Elizabeth is my grandmother's name ( my mom's mom).  She is my only grandparent still living and I have always loved her name.  My middle name is also Elizabeth (named for the same grandmother).  So, it is very special to continue this name in our family too.

Miss Annie

Annie Elizabeth Phelps was born Monday, December 12th at 12:01pm. She weighed 7lbs. 10oz. and was 20 in. long.  We were very surprised to have another little girl.  A lot of this pregnancy was  different for me and I really thought I was having a boy.   Thrilled to have two girls though!

I am still totally amazed at how the Lord creates each one of us.  The whole process is such a miracle to me.  We feel grateful for a healthy baby.  We feel blessed and loved that the Lord would entrust us with another one of His children.    

Thank you all for the love, support, and prayers for  us this week!  

More to come...       

 

The Tree

We finally got our tree decorated!  If you read a couple posts back, we were a little slow in decorating it this year.  We loaded up the day after Thanksgiving with some friends to pick out our trees.  

A stop at Starbucks first has also become a little tradition. 

Mark and Kuz came as well as the Simmons crew.   

We typically go to the Farmer's Market.  In my opinion, it is more festive than going to Home Depot, (no offense, we used to do that too) but not quite as good as going to a real Christmas Tree farm and cutting down a tree.  However, it is fun and easy with little ones! 

And there are tons of trees!

Caroline and Thatcher in their overalls. 

A big hug from Greg.

Bummed this picture came out blurry.  

And the final product.  There is something so wonderful and peaceful about sitting in a room with just the Christmas tree lights on.

Pink Pig

Lately, we have been filling our days with fun holiday activities and little mommy/daughter dates until the new little one arrives.  

Friday, we headed to the Pink Pig.  This is a fun Atlanta tradition that has been at Macy's forever.  My mom is from Atlanta originally and grew up riding the Pink Pig during the holidays too.    

It was a huge success for Caroline.  We might just have to go back one more time before Christmas!

A little hesitant until the ride started.

And we're loving it now! 

Talking to all the little pigs in the gift shop was a highlight as well.  

If you are planning to ride the Pig over the holidays, go during the week and go right at 10am when it opens.  No lines! 

Iron Bowl

So, the Iron Bowl didn't turn out so great for Auburn this year.  Oh, well War Eagle anyway!  We love our Auburn Tigers no matter what! We continued our Thanksgiving weekend with some sweet time at home as a family of 3 for a couple more weeks.  

It doesn't get much better than football, frying a turkey, getting a Christmas tree, hot chocolate, decorating for Christmas, a little yard work, and some naps! 

Now, small confession: the house is decorated, but the tree still needs some help.  It is pretty pitiful to have a Christmas tree in your house for 5 days now without lights or ornaments.  Caroline has no idea how much better it is going to get.  She probably just thinks she has crazy parents who brought in an enormous tree to sit in the house.  Hopefully, by tonight though!   Pics to come.

Merry Christmas!