December Highlights

My blogging has been a little...lacking lately.  So instead of making 100 posts (because our lives really are that busy) I am just going to jam everything into one.  

Mat and Andi were able to get us a crib from a family in their ward for FREE!!  We were so excited and eagerly got ready to put it together when we found- the hardwear was wrong.  So we had to go to a couple different stores to find what we needed.  But finally we got it up.  All of our blankets are folded and in the crib (for storage) and the room finally looks like a nursery!  I have tried hanging up some of my baby shower decorations (I will need to adjust and fix them) and so it is getting more pink by the second ( I think Ben is warming to the idea of pink). 

 

On Tuesday, December 18, Ben's co-workers at Crocs threw us a baby shower.  They had catered in food and presents.  It was so much fun to see everyone, and meet new people, and to see the love everyone had for Ben.  Everyone is so excited for a new 'Crocs Baby' and they all raved to me about how good of a father Ben would be (like there was any doubt).  

Our rule growing up is that the house had to be "Christmas Clean" in order for Santa to come and I love Santa, so this tradition had stuck.  While on bed rest, in September, I planned our Christmas prep, maybe in too much detail, including my 'job list.'  Little did I know in September how big and uncomfortable I would be by the time December rolled around.  I tried to get a lot of this list done; I would occasionally get bursts of energy and succeed in one or two of my OCD tasks.  However I must admit that I did not completely Christmas Clean my house (and yes Santa did still come). So now I am trying to finish the list to "Baby Clean" the house- although I have been warned that some of the tasks should be saved till I was a little closer to my due date (moving the fridge and oven to clean behind, for example).  

Another big Christmas tradition is- GOODIES.  Again, I had this meticulously planned and again I fell short.  I did have one day of baking glory (followed by a day of exhaustion).  I made some delicious pumpkin bread and was able to get some snickerdooles for Ben.  Again I have decided that all of my other goodies will be saved for "Get Ready for Baby Goodies"- she needs to gain some weight...right?

Another thing that I detailed in my bed rest Christmas list was the decorations but again...I am always tired.  So instead of getting the tree up Christmas slowly crept up on us with NO TREE.  Instead of getting the Newson's extra tree and spending hours putting it up with lights (I am not joking, hours!)  I sent Ben to the church, late at night, and he stole or 'borrowed' a tree.  We had it home and decorated in a couple minutes.  I love the idea of having a fancy elegant and matching tree but Ben loves homemade and original ornaments, so this year we did both! I must admit that I like it. 

At the Stones Birthday Party (Dec 9) Grandma Baker gave Ben and I a pre-Christmas gift.  She gave us a beautiful nativity that used to be Nannies.  Grandma said that Her and Grandpa had given this to Nanny and she was now passing it on to us.  We both feel so special to have such a beautiful and important nativity.  Thank you Grandma.  

Another thing that we got from Grandma Baker were some baby cloths.  Grandma is an amazing (even expert) knitter and her talent is raved about.  She made us an adorable white outfit, which we have decided will probably be her blessing outfit, a beautiful blanket and some cute embellished blankets/socks.  We both are so impressed and will always treasure these amazing pieces and heartfelt cloths.