Merry Christmas 2008!!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas this year with our new baby! We attended a beautiful service at our church on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day it was so warm outside that Ben and I headed to the tennis courts while Grace watched from her stroller. (Ben has already started teaching Grace how to hold a tennis racket.) Later Christmas afternoon, my parents and brother Andrew's family all came over to open gifts, eat and play games. After everyone left, Ben and I stayed up to play Dominoes. The day after Christmas we headed to Hampton to celebrate with my Dad's side of the family. We created a hilarious video of my Grandpa and posted it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6jUoR0ywPc . We stayed the night with my Grandparents and then headed to Mt. Pleasant to celebrate with my Mother's side of the family. We sang Christmas carols and ate some more! I was so happy that Grace got to meet most of her extended family. I love my family very much and it was so good to spend time with everyone again. After several days on the go, we were exhausted and took a very long nap today!

The Christmas Photo

We took a Christmas photo of the cousins all dressed up this week. Lindsay and I were exhausted after it was over. Trying to get a four year old, nine month old, and a 3 month old to all look at you and smile was exhausting! We had to resort to marshmallows. We bribed Jude with marshmallows to get him to smile and poor Roman had to hold his cousin Grace (who is over 17 lbs). He kept saying "she's heavy Momma, I can't hold her". We begged him to hold her just a little longer. I thought it turned out great!!


This picture shows what you don't usually get to see in a Christmas photo. You can see Lindsay and I (in the reflection) working so hard to make them smile and not a single one of the kids is paying us any attention! Jude can only think about the marshmallow in her hand. So funny!

Another out-take. Grace is thinking "please don't drop me!"

Grace meets Santa

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are some photos from our Thanksgiving with Ben's family. We had a wonderful time sharing Grace with Grandma & Grandpa Hough. We are so thankful for our family!

Grace finally got to meet her Aunt Hannah "Fif".

We also enjoyed spending time with our friends the Picolets.

Grandpa Hough is teaching Grace bad habits.

Photo Update

It has been a while since I posted any new pictures, so here are a few. I'll get our Thanksgiving pictures up shortly!

Here is Grace getting out of her bath. She is getting so big! I love all her fat rolls!!

This is the cutest pinkest frilliest dress (I love pink, in case you couldn't tell). I had so much fun dressing Grace up in it.

Happy Birthday Nana!!

Proud Nana & Pappy with their three grands.

Here is the family at Roman's 4th b-day party. Ben & Grace didn't make the photo.

Fashion Show & Family Update

Here are some updated pictures of our sweet baby. With the weather changing, I have been enjoying putting her homemade sweaters on her. The pink one below was made by our friend at church. Don't you love the pearl buttons! Her smile just makes me melt.

"Stop taking my picture, already!" This sweater was made by Ben's Aunt Barb. There is a blue/green one just like it. So cute!

I love this silly hat!

She looks like one of my old Cabbage Patch dolls when she wears this outfit.

Cute 'lil pumpkin & handsome daddy!

Grace (8 wks), Jude (7 .5 mos) & Roman (soon to be 4)

Grace has a new auntie: Auntie Natalie! My brother Matt decided to get married last week and here is a picture of the newlyweds. Welcome to the family, Natalie!

Gaga Googoo

Grandma & Grandpa Hough

Grace finally got to meet her Grandma Jane & Grandpa Brian. Grace's middle name, Margaret, is after her Grandma Jane's middle name. I have never seen Ben's mother smile so big! Hopefully she will be tall like her Grandma!! So far she has met all of the immediate family except for "Aunt Fifi" Hannah (Ben's sister). We can't wait for Thanksgiving so that she can finally meet her. Grandma & Grandpa kept Grace all day Saturday while Ben and I worked in Hilton Head. We are so fortunate to have family close enough to do this!! Grandma Jane made this adorable blue dress & bonnet. She is so talented!!

Cutie-patootie

I thought this was so cute of Ben's lap being shared. Saki has been so good with Grace.

Since Grace likes to be held almost all the time, I thought that getting a sling was a good thing to try out. Not sure what Grace thinks, but she was glad to be close to her momma!

Busy Baby

It has been a busy week! It's hard to believe that 4 weeks ago yesterday, Grace came into our lives. It has gone by so fast. I have loved every minute of it. I am definitely starting to feel the effects of little sleep, though. Here is a quick look at our week.

Monday, I went to a mother's support group with two of my friends, Jill & Shannon, and their newborns. Here Grace is pictured with four-day-old Riley! Riley's Mom and I are have been walking together in the mornings.

Wednesday, I took Grace to meet her Great Grandparents Jack & Frances. We had a great time visiting them. "GG Ma" held Grace the whole time! Grandpa got a chance to hold Grace so I could take a shower.

Thursday, Grace got to meet my brother; her Uncle Matthew. Matthew came down from Ft. Bragg and stayed the night with us. He slept (snored) right through Grace's crying...AMAZING! Grace was very interested in him as you can see by the look on her face.

I worked all day Saturday, so Nana and Pappy kept Grace for us. After work, I stayed the night at their house since I got home so late. Let me tell you that I was EXHAUSTED!!! Thankfully, Grace slept for 6 hours - a record - which was much appreciated. Sunday, we enjoyed hanging out at my parent's house with my nephews Roman (3) and Jude (6 mos) . Look at the proud Nana. Roman loves Grace so much, he was so excited to hold "him".

Weekend Update

The weather has been so nice, we have spent a lot of time outdoors lately. Grace, Saki & I have been walking everyday to lose those extra lbs (me)! I love this stroller that my parents got us.


Grace goes to sleep every time we head out for a walk!


Here Grace & Daddy are enjoying an evening out on the porch.

Grace & I watched Daddy play in his tennis double's match on Sunday! They won - way to go!!


Here is another cute pic of Grace & her Daddy; Saki is learning to share our laps.

Luv My Auntie

If you ever see Grace in a cherry outfit, you know it came from her Auntie Lindsay. She also bought Grace this adorable smock dress. I love smock dresses!! Auntie Lindsay has been playing dress-up with Grace all week. She has just enough hair to hold the bow in place.