Visitors, Shopping, Parades and Parties!

Yes, I did fall a week behind, but these have been a very busy two weeks.

Charlotte is nearing her 8 week birthday and really becoming quite the little lady!  She loves to look around, her favorite sites being Christmas lights (or any light for that matter), the chandelier above her changing table, or your face. She will stare deep into your eyes with a very serious look on her face, like she is studying you intently, then she will give you the biggest smile you have ever seen.  It absolutely melts your heart.  She enjoys her bath very much and is also quite content in her bouncy seat or play gym.  She naps in between each feeding still and is starting to sleep until about 5 in the morning.  These past few nights she has had a little trouble going to sleep, but with some comforting from daddy, she goes right down. She is really holding her head up well and will even stand on your lap to look around.  I think we are about to hit the 10 pound mark, but we will know for sure at her next doctor's appointment.

The past two weeks have been filled with fun activities.  Her Auntie Jenny (my college roommate) came to meet Charlotte and spend a few days with us. It was so wonderful to catch up and spend some time together.  The weather was crummy so we spent most of our time chatting in front of the fire. We did venture out on Saturday night to attend the Christmas Parade. It was fun to meet up with friends and watch the parade. Charlotte was underwhelmed and slept the entire time.  Jenny's visit went too quickly and Charlotte and I took her back down to Sacramento.  Since we were driving all that way, we decided to do some shopping.  This was my first big outing with Charlotte on my own.  No surprise, she did amazingly well!  Slept the whole way down, hung out in her Moby while we shopped, and slept the whole way back.  It was a long day, but very fun!

This past weekend, Jeremy and I hosted our Home Group Christmas Party. It was a total blast!  There was an ugly Christmas sweater contest, some other silly Christmas games, and a very intense gift exchange.  We are so blessed to have such an incredibly fun community of friends.  Charlotte slept through the whole party and made her appearance at the end of the night.

Snuggled in at the Christmas Parade

Nice and warm

Uncle Greg brought a special present from SF

Go Giants!

First shopping trip

Ready for the Christmas Party

The finalist for the ugly sweater contest

The men's division

Eric and his "prize"

Too much excitement for Abbey

Ugly sweaters

Everyday I wake up and stare at this little miracle with joy and love.  I can't believe how much grace and love God shows us by blessing us with such a gift.  We love her and are so lucky to have her in our family.