Home for the holidays

This year we were able to spend Christmas in our own house.  It was nice and quiet, but we were able to FaceTime with all sorts of people we love!  This year was super exciting for us because Ryleigh actually understood what was happening.  She has spent most of December watching Christmas cartoons and listening to Christmas songs in the car.  She has a deep love for Frosty the Snowman and she was sure to point out "Anta Caus" whenever she saw him : )  We had so much fun with her this year and look forward to the next ones!! 

We started out on Christmas Eve opening up presents from Aunt Cristin, Uncle Dave, Tyler & Kylie.  We were able to FaceTime with them, so sadly we did not get any pictures, but everyone was able to enjoy everyone's company as we opened our gifts to each other.  Then we opened up gifts from Uncle Jason, Aunt Bekah and Olivia.

opening her present from Uncle Jason, Aunt Bekah and Olivia

Lucy opening her present too

both kiddos are happy & entertained

setting out milk, cookies and a handwritten note for Santa

Ryleigh wrote her own note for Santa

Christmas morning Ryleigh got to open up her presents from Santa Claus and from Mommy & Daddy.  She was not very happy when we told her that Santa ate her cookies and drank her milk, but I'm pretty sure after the first present he was forgiven.

Santa came!!

gifts from Mommy & Daddy

Ryleigh's first present from Santa

getting the hang of this opening thing

Ryleigh loves her Nemo

hoping to keep her away from our IPad, Santa brought Ryleigh a LeapPad!

Lucy loves her presents from Santa too

Dora and Diego Christmas ornaments from Mommy & Daddy

we had to hang the ornaments on the tree

Santa swag

presents from Mommy & Daddy

Mommy's present : ) Can't wait to be able to enjoy this!

just because she's so smart : )

After dinnertime and nap time, we were able to FaceTime with Gammy & Grandad.  We were able to open our gifts from them right there with them, which was very nice.  Ryleigh LOVED her tea set that she got and even shared a little tea time with Gammy & Grandad. 

Ryleigh loves her Bubble Guppies from Gammy

She loves to have tea parties

Tea party in her new wagon from Gammy & Grandad

Daddy giving Ryleigh a little ride around the house.  Gammy & Grandad were able to join in on the ride too via FaceTime.

So that was how we spent our Christmas.  We will be celebrating Christmas with Yaya and Poppi after baby Cooper arrives and we can all be together.  We look forward to this time together with them and with Uncle Jason, Aunt Bekah and Olivia because they will be visiting too!! 

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we will see you in the New Year!!

A letter for my firstborn

I was checking in on Ryleigh today while she was napping and after 15 minutes I found myself still standing there looking down at her sleeping.  It dawned on me that I have very few of these little moments left with her....with just her.  I decided I'd sit down while I still have time and write out these feelings for her....

Dear Ryleigh,

In about 3 weeks you're going to be a big sister.  You're going to have an actual baby to love on and cover with blankets...and I am so excited to see it.  You are such a loving, polite, and patient little two year old.  You're still my little cuddle buddy and even when you test me, your little sense of humor always seems to show.  You are so funny.  I can't wait to see what you teach your little brother and how you two will interact with each other.  I know that you will love him instantly and he will always look to you for guidance.  I am so excited to see you both take on the world together.

 But in all this excitement I am feeling, I am also sad.  I am sad to think that all these moments we have together, just me and you will no longer happen.  This baby will no doubt take up my time and energy and it frightens me when I think of how he is going to change our relationship.  I will no longer get to spoil you with my free time and I will have a whole other person that I am responsible for.  I know at times you will be sad and won't understand why things have changed, but what I want you to know is that I am sad too.  I know I will love him as much as I love you, although right now that seems impossible, but you will always be my firstborn.  My baby girl.  My introduction to parenthood.  You taught me things about myself, about life and about love that I never knew existed and that will never change.

It's going to take some time to get used to your brother.  Our routines will be turned upside down for a little while and I know you are going to be so patient while Daddy and I figure things out.  In the meantime, until baby Cooper arrives I am going to soak up every second of you.  I am going to enjoy our last moments together, just you and me.  Please continue to make me smile and laugh and know that when the time comes and there's another little person here that needs my time, I'll make sure that there will still be those me and you moments.

I love you Munchkin,

Your Mommy : )

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas

I feel like I have neglected my blog due to the craziness that is working in retail & being massively pregnant during the holidays!!  I feel like all I do is go to work, run around, then come home and crash.  But I swear that's not true!  I have actually managed to decorate for the holidays at least inside of my house.  It's very exciting this year because Ryleigh is actually understanding a little bit about what's going on.  She helped Mommy decorate the Christmas tree and can even point out her very own Ryleigh ornament.  And can I just add that listening to her sound out ORN-A-MENT is probably one of the cutest things ever. 

Our "fun" Living Room Christmas Tree

Our "pretty" Foyer Christmas Tree

(my first year with 2 Christmas Trees!!!)

and just because she looked so cute this day standing in front of her Christmas Tree : )

We haven't been able to do much this holiday season because like I said, retail during the holidays = crazy, but we did get a chance to go see Santa Claus.  We went to the same place we have gone the past 2 years and the experience is always stress-free : )  And you can't beat a picture with Santa at the price of a Mr. Potato Head to give to Toys for Tots, am I right?

waiting in line with Daddy...almost there....starting to get a little scared

Well based on last years Santa photo, Mommy was fully prepared to be in the Santa picture this time.  We seem to be following the stereotypical progression....Perfect first baby pictures, screaming second toddler picture and now we've added crying toddler/family picture to our collection.

Visiting Santa is SO MUCH FUN!!!

Why do we continue to do it?  I knew how it was going to turn out, yet I still stood in line and waited for this glorious memory to be documented.  I wish I had a video of our wait in line while she was happy and saying "Santa Claus, Santa Claus, Santa Claus".  She didn't fool me one bit though.  I knew as soon as we turned that corner and she got a glimpse of him that joyfulness was done.  I'd say "maybe next year", but next year we'll have an 11 Month old Cooper who will be old enough to be scared of Santa, so while Ryleigh may be happy, Cooper most likely will not.  Give us about 7 more years...we should have another good one by then.

After seeing Santa and recovering from the trauma, we enjoyed some hot chocolate and roamed the grounds looking at all the lights and interactive displays.  This part of the Santa visit she enjoyed : )

We are sad that this year we won't be able to spend the holidays with family up in Michigan, but we are excited about having our first ever Christmas in our own house!  Even as a couple, Steve and I have yet to be able to do that, so it will be fun to maybe create our own little tradition this year!  We wish everyone and safe and happy holiday and unless baby Cooper decides to come early, we'll be sure to post pictures and videos from our Christmas in North Carolina as soon as possible! : )