Snuggle Time!

Raleigh came to me and wanted to sit and rock with me.  It was Saturday morning and I didn't have anything better that I would rather do!  I was also thinking that this could possibly be my last Saturday morning with her as my only child.  And how do you say no to some snuggling?!?!  I love this girl!

 She even gave me some kisses.  :)

Sweet Moment!

After putting Raleigh to bed I walked by her room and saw her sitting up just looking at her tree.  It was so sweet that I had to grab the camera!

And 37...

Another week down and 3 more to go!  Our little boy once again had a strong heartbeat around 140 bpm. Although I don't believe the midwives that I've seen, they say he's not too big.  Here's to hoping!  I've loved watching him and feeling him move the past week.  It doesn't take much, but when he moves my whole stomach becomes a different shape.  It's weird but I love it!  I'm really going to miss that feeling, but I can't wait to hold him either!  His bag is packed for the hospital and mine is 1/2 way packed.  All the baby things we can use early on are down from the attic and washed.  We still haven't hung anything on his walls so hopefully that will get done this week.  For the most part I think we're ready, but I keep remembering all the little things we need.  I'm trying to make one big list so we can make our last trip to the store, but I'm sure I'll still forget something.  Thankfully Grandma is willing to go get those little things for me!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!  What a wonderful day to celebrate Jesus' birthday, our greatest gift!  

Raleigh was thrilled to wake up and find that she had gifts under the tree.

 To begin the morning we read the Christmas story

 Then Raleigh got to open her gifts

 And daddy

 I was so thrilled to buy him a new bike computer because he always spends so much on my gifts and gets anything I want. So it was wonderful to be able to surprise him with something that he wanted and didn't expect!

 Raleigh with her new "back and front" stroller!

 After we opened gifts we had breakfast and got ready for church.  They were not opening all the preschool rooms at church for one service so we decided to take Raleigh with us.  Overall she really did great.  She enjoyed the music and even sang along to "Go Tell it on the Mountain."  When Kevin and Derek started preaching though she wanted to look in her Bible, but could not figure out why they didn't go past 2 (Luke 2) so she turned the pages in our Bibles to go to another chapter.  Too cute, but it was loud to me...hopefully it didn't disturb others around us.
After church we headed to Memaw's to have Christmas with her and Jason's parents.

Raleigh got more accessories for her dollhouse... 

 and kitchen

 Memaw got a new wallet

 And I got this beauty...can't wait to begin using it!

When we left Memaw's we went home for a much needed nap.  Raleigh got a special treat of taking a nap on the couch since it was Christmas (and Jason and I were napping as well).  When she woke up we got ready to go finish opening gifts at Grandma and Papa's (and to eat some leftovers).

 Her black eye :(

 After opening a couple of gifts from Grandma and Papa she ran up to them and told them thank you and gave them a huge hug and kiss!  So sweet!!

 We also had another small gift for Grandma and Papa...a picture of Raleigh

 Raleigh enjoyed helping me open my gifts

Me and my girl!  Love her!!

 Our last Christmas as a family of 3!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve...what a wonderful beginning...relaxing at home!  It was nice to not have any big plans in the morning (well, my only plan was to work on one of Raleigh's gifts).  For the evening we were going over to my parents to enjoy dinner with my dad's side of the family.  It was great, but a little different this year with my cousin not being around.  I know it was really difficult on his parents...you could tell they just were not themselves.  Raleigh had a wonderful time playing with Nathaniel and Bryson...they really hit it off this year!  Raleigh and Bryson had such a great time playing that Raleigh ended up with a black eye at the end of the night, but I guess when it's from playing with your cousin too hard it's ok.  :)

Before we left the house we needed to sprinkle our reindeer food out while it was still light outside.  I hope they find us!  :)

 Nathaniel, Bryson, and Raleigh

 Nathaniel helping Raleigh get her gift out of the box

 Posing with her chair for her doll started out like this and went to...

 this and then...

 this!  Silly girl!

 Cheesing with Lacy!

 This was as close as we could get to measuring Raleigh and Nathaniel this year...Raleigh is a tad bit taller this year.  It was sad to think that Andrew is not around to do this with me this time (or at least joke about it since we have stopped growing).  

 Next year though it will be two more cousins getting measured!  Amy is 15 weeks pregnant and I'm 37 weeks...more cousins being born in the same year!!

When we got home we had to leave out some snacks for Santa.  We left milk and rice krispie treats...Raleigh wanted to leave cookies, but mommy didn't feel like making cookies so Santa had to settle for rice krispie treats.  Mrs. Claus really liked them!  ;)

Stephens Christmas Dinner

With Christmas being on a  Sunday this year and Lacy and Robby leaving on Christmas day, we decided to have our family Christmas on the 23rd.  We enjoyed some bar-b-que and a wonderful chocolate pie (my favorite)!  Then we spent some time opening gifts...well, all but Jason.  (My brothers and I don't exchange gifts, we just give to the kids and Jason wanted to save his for Christmas night from my parents.)  This was the first time we would notice throughout Christmas, but Raleigh appears to have a very giving heart.  She would open one of hers, but was just as concerned that someone else opened theirs too.  Of course she wanted to help them, but she didn't care that it was not for her.  Made me happy (especially since I was not like that)!  Merry Christmas!

My baby girl!

 Curtains and rods for Grandma and Papa (to go in the new dining room)

 Game for Robby

 Raleigh's princess microphone she's been wanting for several months!!

 Typical Todd...on the phone!

 Clothes for Cindy

 Tripod for me!!  

 Lacy, Todd, Robby, & Cindy

 Ho, ho, ho!!

 Raleigh wouldn't take a picture with us.  :)

 Hope Raleigh and her baby brother love each other this much!