Hopey's First Christmas!

Hopey's first Christmas was just fantastic! She got to experience all of the old traditions, new traditions, and a few "tester" traditions. We had a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas day, (thanks for the idea Katie!) and she seemed to get a big kick out of it. I've always really loved Christmas, but to see it through Hopey's eyes was just the icing on the cake! I think she really kind of knew what was going on. Sadly, I ended up with my traditional Christmas bronchitis, so I was a bit out of it for all of the family festivities. Here are a few pictures from Hopey's first Christmas and Christmas Eve!

Hopey and Santa...The Sequel

Okay, first let me explain. I wanted to do the first mall santa picture, but Wilbur Tague was offering a free sitting with santa too!!! I seriously just happened to be in the studio that day, so I thought, why not?? Anyway, she didn't cry, but she choked on her pacifier as I was putting her in his lap, so she looks a little red and shocked. And I'm serious, this is the last picture with santa for the 2008 Christmas season!

Merry Christmas to the Wonderful World of Bloggers!!

9 Months Old Already!!

I must have blinked, and my baby girl was suddenly nine months old!! How did this happen?? I took Hopey in for her nine month checkup yesterday, and they had me schedule her one year checkup....ONE YEAR!!!!!! She's going to be one year old in 3 months!! I'm just blown away at how quickly the time goes and how true it is that they don't stay little forever. On the bright side, the doctor eased my mind a little bit today and assured me that this........ ....is totally normal. I'm referring to her lack of teeth. Yes, I know I posted 3 or 4 months ago that she had a little tooth popping up, but whatever it was that we were seeing and feeling is completely gone. I was told today that she could remain toothless for another few months, so hopefully there truly are some teeth hiding under her gums. Anyway, just a quick update on the appointment. She is 20 lbs 4 oz, 27.75 inches tall, super healthy and tested negative for anemia, and completely vaccinated for the flu now. What excellent news!!

CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love Christmas so much it hurts!!!!!! Isn't this just the BEST time of year??? Of course my Christmas decorations were out as soon as we got home from Thanksgiving dinner, and my house is now a winter wonderland!!!! This is our tree this year!!! My favorite are the short fat trees, but last year's was MUCH fatter!!

I have 31 special Christmas movies that we watch every year, and the best part is we're getting to see one every night!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you noticed that everyone seems a little nicer this time of year? This is the one month a year you can smile at almost anyone and they will smile back at you!!! I LOVE that!!!! I love that Christmas songs are on every radio station and that we keep Christmas records on constant rotation at home!! I love waking up to a freezing cold morning with mountains of snow outside!! Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to drive in it, but I just LOVE being snowed in with my two favorite people!!!! Anyway, all of that to say, I think Hopey may possibly be following in her mother's footsteps!!!!!! She is absolutely loving the Christmas tree and the decorations all over the house!! And, for those of you that know her, she didn't cry when we met santa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, she refused to smile, but she didn't cry!!!!!! That's huge!!!!!!!!! She even sat on his lap and had her picture taken!!! YES, I KNOW, MY DAUGHTER GOT HER PICTURE TAKEN BY A PROFESSIONAL WITHOUT THROWING A FIT!!!!!!!

There's the proof!! Anyway, I just wanted to share my Christmas joy with everyone else, and wish you all a very merry early Christmas!!!!