Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve

This was our first actual Christmas Eve together. (In years past we have had Christmas Eve earlier so we could spent time with our families.) Jeff had to work and it was a nice reason to refine our own Christmas tradtions. Anna and I spent the morning making cookies for Santa. We got a little crazy and attemped Candy Cane Sandwich Cookies. They were a lot of work and took longer than Anna's attention span would have prefered but they were delicious and I'm sure Santa appreciated the extra effort.

When Jeff (finally!) got home mid-afternoon, we headed off to Chili's. I couldn't bring myself to cook since that was never a part of my growing-up Christmas experience. I may have to change that. There was something slightly depressing about eating mid-grade, chain restaurant food. It made us miss our families.

But we quickly recovered from our moment of homesickness driving home and anticipating the party awaiting us. We had a spread of more food, chocolate, candy and nuts. After acting out the natvity and singing some carols, the kids open one present each. Then we set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and shooed Anna off to bed. It was pretty easy to convince her since she had a bit of a fever and was feeling pretty sluggish anyway.

Jeff and I continued the evening by watching Midnight Mass.

One Hip Daddy-O

Happy Birthday Jeff!

In honor of your 28th birthday I just want to say, you complete me, you make me want to be a better (wo)man, I will love you my whole life; you and no other, I may not be a smart (wo)man but I know what love is, I love you even when you're sick and you look disgusting, come what may I will love you until my dying day, I love you most ardently.

(Five gold stars for you if you can name all the movie quotes.)

It was not my most stellar performance in birthday celebrations, but it certainly was pleasant. After church, Jeff took a nap while Anna and I "planned the party." Anna colored the banner, set the table, and blew up balloons (as evidenced from this picture.) Jeff's meal of choice was Italian Sausage Soup and Bread Pudding. Mmmmm. That's pretty much it....oh, yeah, Jeff also got a rockin' tribute on our blog.

PS Anyone of the Black siblings that can identify the source of the tag line for this post gets double gold stars.

PPS Triple if you can name the movie playing in the background of birthday picture #1. Hint: It's one of Jeff's favorite. Another hint: We promptly turned if off when Anna woke up from her nap. Too scary.

Sumo Isaac

Thanks for the laugh, Karl!

Rolly Polly Boy

2 Months

14 lbs 5 oz

23 3/4 inches

Isaac is doing great. He is healthy and happy. He's starting to sleep better, only getting up once or twice a night. He loves to coo and smile. Isaac really likes to get his belly rubbed (rather violently) by dad. It always produces a huge grin. Isaac is obviously a great eater and only spits up once or twice per week. (That's right, I said per week.) Anna has really warmed up to Isaac and is especially sweet when he's crying. She loves to get diapers and wipes for me and thinks it's really funny when Isaac toots, which is often. On that note, we love you Mizzy!

I pretty much look awesome in this picture.

I am trying really hard to get up the motivation to back-blog. It. Will. Happen. First I just need some actual sleep and a few more hours in the day. (How can it possibly be December?!) Meanwhile, enjoy this gem of a photo and think good thoughts about me.