Merry Christmas!

This was our last Christmas with just the two of us... but you can see that Laura was right there with us for every minute of the fun!

Nate and I began our Christmas celebrating in PA with his family. This was my first family away from home, and I was a little nervous about it. So you can imagine how touched I was that my mother-in-law went out of her way to make Christmas feel like the ones I grew up with - complete with Chinese for dinner on Christmas Eve! Nate's family is wonderful, and we had a great time celebrating with them.

On Saturday, Nate and I drove back to Maryland laden down with fabulous gifts. My parents and younger siblings were driving down from MA to spend a few days with us, since I couldn't brave an 8-hour car ride this year.I cooked my first Christmas dinner, and had fun serving it in my delightfully Christmas-y dining room - fancy china and all! Dinner was great, but seeing my family was even better. And the gifts kept flowing! My family stayed till Wednesday morning after a wonderful visit!

Merry Christmas!!

Let it snow!

I haven't seen this much snow in years! Nate and Ries have been having a ball playing in the mounds. It certainly is beautiful out there!

BadBash 2009

Another year, another great party!

Nate, Riesling and I hosted our annual holiday party on December 12th. Like so many years before, there was good food, yummy punch, and a host of great friends. We love seeing everyone in their holiday finest each year! And this year was no different.

I almost think this year was even more fun, with babies and toddlers joining our ranks. Owen and Caroline gave Nate and I a good idea of how much baby-proofing is in our near future. Riesling got a good taste of tiny tots as well - and loved it! Jackson was adorable in his reindeer slippers, even if he's not quite old enough to understand the fuss. Our party next year will be even more fun with Laura around!!

And yes, we're already planning next year's party :-)

Let's go for a stroll!

With our new stroller and carseat!! Laura's dolly is modeling the car seat for you:
Laura's stroller/carseat combo arrived in the mail the other day. We are very excited to have it all ready for our little girl. We would also like to thank Grammy for getting it for us. We have such a great family!

Childbirth Class

What fun! Nate and I got to spend an entire weekend at the hospital for a childbirth education class!

Actually, for a class that went from 9:30 to 3:30 during precious weekend hours, it wasn't so bad. Most of the information is common sense stuff, but still good to hear. Nate and I most enjoyed the hospital tour. It's nice to become a little more familiar with the place where our child will be born. And very nice to know exactly where we are supposed to go when the BIG DAY arrives!

While we are feeling more prepared for Laura's arrival, here's hoping we still have a few weeks!

Thanksgiving!

Obviously it has been a while since I last posted. It's not that we've been boring - to the contrary! We have been so busy, I haven't had a moment to sit down and log our activities. Let's start with Thanksgiving. Yum!

We started our week-long Festival of Thanks on Saturday the 21st. Nate, Ries and I hopped in the car and drove up to Philadelphia. We dropped Ries off at Haverford for an overnight stay (thanks Julia!!), and then made our way to Liz's house for an enormous meal. I mean enormous in every sense of the word. There were 30 people at Liz's to celebrate. Thirty! There were two 15-pound turkeys AND a ham. More mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green beans than can be imagined. And it was all delicious! We had a great evening of food, laughter, dancing, and CLR (a really fun, fast game).

Sunday morning, Nate and I popped over to Haverford once again for breakfast with Julia and Taylor, and to pick up our collegiate pup. Riesling had a fantastic night at college, complete with long walks and drunk freshman girls. Even better, she was very well behaved and beloved by all. Nate and I are so thankful that Julia was able to give Ries such a fun introduction to college life! After breakfast, the three of us (three and a half?) hit the road on our way up to Concord.

A few hours later, we had arrived - no traffic! We were very fortunate to have been able to take a whole week for Thanksgiving this year. It was great spending time with my family too. I haven't had Thanksgiving with my family in several years! This year was extra special - both my maternal grandmother and my paternal grandfather were with us! Dinner was great, again. And even after so much turkey, Nate and I were ready for more!

Nate and I were honored with another baby shower on Saturday. My mom's friends are absolutely wonderful. From the lovely hostess to all the guests, I could not have asked for a lovelier afternoon. We received many wonderful gifts from so many special people. Laura even received a little bear from one of my mom's college friends - the same friend who gave me my first bear so many years ago! And if that wasn't touching enough, my sister-in-law gave me a little dress for Laura, made from the bridesmaid dresses at my wedding. I was completely overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness.

Nate, Ries and I drove back south Sunday morning after a wonderful trip. This was truly a week to reflect and be thankful!

Laura's Room

Laura is one lucky little girl. Look at what her grammy painted in her room!

And look at what her grammy made for her room!

I have always known that my mom is thoughtful, loving and talented... and now I get to show it off in Laura's nursery! My mom bought (the cutest ever) fabric and made the curtains, crib bumpers and bed skirt. Then, she painted images from the fabric onto the walls. I just love it!

We are very loved

This week:
Laura and I made it to the THIRD TRIMESTER! We are two-thirds of the way through to our January 31st due date. Time is flying.

Nate turned 31! Happy Birthday Hunny! Riesling and I gave him a marshmallow gun. Ries is already regreting her help in picking out the gift.

My parents brought furniture for the baby's room! We are decorated!

(and best of all... for me at least!)
My sister-in-law gave me a shower!
Sarah invited a bunch of my friends to a tea in my honor at a little place near my house. The scones were delicious, and I could not have felt more loved. Laura made out like a bandit! Truly, we received some lovely and thoughtful gifts. The child will also be very well dressed...

After the shower, Nate and I went out to dinner with both our families. We had a fabulous time, celebrating three birthdays in style. Happy Birthday Nate, Aaron and Bernyce!

Dinner was also a wonderful opportunity for me to get just a little more quality time with my mom before she headed back north.

So aside from a teensy little fiasco with some mice, Nate and I had a lovely weekend. We are truly lucky to have such wonderful family and friends!

The Cocktail Party

Nate had a fantastic weekend. He and four friends went to the Florida vs. Georgia football game in Jacksonville, FL. While I don't know all the details, I know they had a great time. Here are some photo highlights!

Chris, Nate and Greg on Friday night:

Parke and Nate:

Nate and Albert:

Greg, Andy and Parke celebrating Florida's win (and Tebow's new record):

So what did I do this weekend? Laura and I dressed up for Halloween! (We were a pumpkin):

I also got to have brunch with my cousins Betsy and Gwen Sunday morning. I can't get over how awesome it is to have my cousins living on the East Coast! I hope to see them again soon!