In late September, we welcomed The Joyful Baby into our lives! Labor was surprisingly easy (Thank goodness. Pregnancy was rough. I earned it.) JB has been an amazing blessing of an addition to our family. She's such a happy baby, smiling all the time and, more recently, babbling non-stop. Wonder where she gets that? Must be from her father…
Anyhoo, we had DH's parents down right after she was born. Then my parents, brother and sis-in-law and nephew came down for Thanksgiving where I hosted dinner outside on our lanai. We figured what better way to celebrate a Florida Thanksgiving? The weather was gorgeous! Everyone is totally over the moon for this little girl! We also squeezed in JB's first Pumpkin Patch experience right before Thanksgiving. We picked out a Mommy pumpkin, a Daddy pumpkin and a Baby pumpkin!
Our Outdoor Florida Thanksgiving Dinner Table
I had lots of fun decorating the house for Christmas this year. It's always been my favorite holiday and I was extra excited since we had JB around for this one. I started in early November. Having a new baby to tend to meant that it took a few weeks, but it finally got completed. I wanted to have everything up before my family arrived for Thanksgiving. Here's a link to my Christmas decor.
Our first Christmas with JB was fun. We took her to see Santa. She was so sleepy in line we were afraid she might cry in his lap. She didn't smile for the picture. She was way too interested in the skylights and everything else new around her. Even after waving jingling toys, goo-gooing at her and fluttering around like a moron in a mall full of people to get her attention, she didn't smile. But she also didn't cry, poop or spit up on Santa so we called it a win-win scenerio. Of course the second Santa handed her back to me, she turned to him and flashed one of the biggest, gummiest smiles ever in his direction. *sigh* Oh well. Maybe next year?
(This Santa looked so much like the real thing I almost bumped JB out of the way and took a turn myself!)
Two happy parents and one SLEEPY little girl
On Christmas morning, we tried to let her "help" open her gifts by slipping her tiny fingers around some of the paper but she was still pretty sleepy. Less than five minutes out from all the gift-opening excitement, she was out like a light. We Skyped the family, then went to my cousin's house for my extended family's Christmas party. JB got to meet my cousin's new baby girl for the first time. They are only 5 weeks apart (JB's the oldest) and were so cute together!
As far as work went, our original plan was for me to return after my three-month maternity leave. As that time came closer, we were back and forth on the decision. Could we afford to have me be a SAHM? I just couldn't imagine leaving this sweet angel's side. We prayed (constantly!) about it and finally decided that I would stay home with JB. We both feel such relief and happiness to have finally come to a decision and are very pleased with it. There will be lots of sacrifices made, but for our family, this was the best choice for us.
So now that the new year is right around the corner, I'm ready to enter Mommyhood full force. I've literally stumbled my way through the past three months (sleep deprivation will do that to you) and have finally developed somewhat of a rhythm. I'd love to blog more. It's a fun way to share the joys and journeys of our life. Who knows, maybe someday people will actually READ it! (besides my mom, haha) Take care all, and many blessings into the new year!
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