First Trip to the Zoo

This Christmas we had no snow, and I am not complaining.  It was in the 50's today so we decided to take Grace to the zoo!   

She was quite in awe looking at all the children running around, let alone the animals!  

She enjoyed watching the monkeys play.

She loves it when Daddy carries her in the bjorn!  It is so funny watching her legs wiggle in the air with excitement as we looked at all the displays.  

Her favorite animals were the bears!

In other news, Grace has her first tooth!  I was trying to get a picture of her toothy grin but I couldn't quite capture it.  I have this funny picture instead.  She doesn't seem to be too bothered by it!  

The Star of Christmas

Nothing like an adorable baby to bring the family together!  This was the best Christmas I've had in years!

  Another memorable thing about this Christmas is we got to meet Brian, Sam's other half!  He is wonderful and makes our family even better.  We all enjoyed his warm personality and amusing quips.  Jason enjoyed sneaking off to the basement to play video games with him.  Plus, he does dishes!  

Grace loved hanging out with her Auntie Sam!

A family shot!

A bigger family shot!  We are all in this one so there is no one to dance around idiotically to get Grace to look at the camera.  

I loved having everyone's stockings to display on the mantle.  

Mom and I took a ton of pictures and there are a lot of good ones, but this is one of my personal favorites!

A Moment of Glory

So guess what, I did it!  I made it back to my pre pregnancy weight!  

Here is a picture of me the last time I wore this sweater:

Being all flabby after birth was definitely my LEAST favorite part of the entire baby making experience.  I know it is an inevitable part of pregnancy and I'm sure a lot of women feel that way, but I was very impatient with the losing weight process.  Pregnant people are supposed to be huge, but when I was no longer pregnant, I felt awkward and almost embarrassed that I couldn't wear my old clothes and I wasn't my old self.  Not that I'm completely my old self now.  Things seem to be... redistributed a bit, but that is a reality with which I have come to terms. 

That awkward time did not take too long though, and wouldn't everyone like this cutie sucking 500 calories out of them every day?  I don't have to tell you that it was totally worth it in every way.  Who knows, maybe I can make it to wedding weight!  Nursing is the best weight loss solution, I highly recommend it!  Get your own baby though :)

Five Months Old!

Happy five month birthday to our beautiful baby girl! 

 This Christmas is going to be the best Christmas ever.  Not only will it be Grace's first Christmas, but my family will be coming to visit!  I'm very excited!  Plus, we've just discovered that Grace loves watching us rip paper.  Apparently, it is hilarious!  We got the idea to try it after we saw the famous youtube video of a dad ripping up a rejection letter.  But don't watch that video, watch mine!  She's a little in awe at first, but keep watching!

Now think about it:  with Christmas paper ripping everywhere, Grace will probably be in hysterics!  What's not to love about this Christmas?