30 Days of Rachael: Day 14

Happy almost New Year! Mommy says that 2011 will bring many new things...like a baby brother. I'm hoping for something better than that!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 15

If you have picked up a new trick (like putting your finger to your lips to make that blub.bbb.bbb.. sound) and, if everyone laughs and smiles...do it every so often. Make sure they're paying attention.

Rachael's first Christmas...

was a smashing success! She was showered with love and goodies of all kinds. We started with the trip to PA on December 23rd and have been going non-stop. Rachael has been a trooper through all the hectic family gatherings and the back and forth from Mimi's to Nana's to Pops' houses and back again.
The biggest items to note are her "new tricks" -- just while we've been in PA -- she's been doing the following:
waving hello and goodbye, putting her arms up for "so big", and putting her finger to her lips for that "blib, blub, blib" sound that happens when you run your finger over your lips while sounding your voice.  My treasures from this week include being able to watch these things happen before my very eyes.
She's also been on a  much needed growth-spurt and eating everything in sight. She had a full Christmas Eve meal with Mimi & Papa and a full Christmas dinner with Nana on the day after Christmas. With a great eating day on Christmas in between.
And, of course, I can't possibly post without mentioning how thankful I am to be in the midst of a healthy pregnancy at this special time of year. I can't imagine how Mary must have felt....I've thought of her a lot on the days surrounding the birth of her Son, our savior.
I'm getting more and more excited to meet this precious boy growing inside of me. I'm still praying daily for his continued health and growth.
Mike and I were generously gifted with the chance to go away overnight for the first time since Rachael has come home while Nana kept Rachael. It was some much needed time together and a great chance to reconnect and keep our spark lit. We are so lucky to have each other and to have Rachael and her little brother.
Without further ado...here are some photos of the holiday:

30 Days of Rachael: Day 16

If you're scared or lonely in the middle of the night, just cry out, Mommy or Daddy will come for you.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 17

If you have a favorite toy, make sure to chew on it. That way, no one else will want it. Unless you're at school...then, everyone else will chew on it, too.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 18

When getting tickled, make sure to let out your best belly laugh. It makes everyone smile.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 19

Wow...what a day it was yesterday! Who needs presents when there's shiny ribbon and grandma to play with?

30 Days of Rachael: Day 20

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  
Mommy and Daddy have learned that the best gifts come in small packages -- 3lb, 6oz ones to be exact.
Happy Birthday, Jesus...glory be to God!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 21

Mommy and Daddy want me to learn to share. Does giving the dog 1/2 my dinner count?
I'm excited for my first visit from Santa Claus tomorrow! I wonder what he will bring me? I wonder if I'll even notice.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 22

When you bump your head, make sure to cry. The more pathetic you can look, the better. People (ok, mommy and daddy) will feel sorry for you.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 23

When life is difficult, take a moment and suck your first two fingers on your right hand. It will help, trust all of us...it works.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 24

When learning something new, take baby steps. Enjoy the process...and don't be afraid to fall down.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 25

Make sure to play some and sleep some every day!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 26

Cutting new teeth hurts! Make sure to let everyone know by crying, drooling and chewing on everything in sight.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 27

When you're hungry, make sure to eat all of your bottle. When you're not hungry, don't eat! Simple diet plan, folks!

30 Days of Rachael: Day 28

When you meet a new face, make sure to study it. You can learn a lot by watching.

30 Days of Rachael: Day 29

When you see someone you love, give them a big smile and reach your arms out. Hugs are the best!

30 Days of Rachael...

As we count down to the end of our first 365 days with Rachael, I thought it would be fun to have 30 days of Rachael. This is a challenge for me to blog each day about one of the 30 lessons I (we) have learned from Rachael. Some of them will be deep, meaningful lessons, and others will be fun tidbits. Enjoy!
Lesson # 30:
Most everything is better when you put on fuzzy pajamas!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Dear Daddy,
Rachael here. Mommy let me take over the blog, just for this special occaison. She says it's YOUR BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday! When you and Mommy sing that song, I always look and stare...it's got to be for me, right? Well, today, Daddy, it's for you. You're the best Daddy a girl could have.
You know just how to make me smile, just how to cuddle me and just how to twirl me around so that I giggle, but don't get too dizzy. You can do many things while I'm in one of your strong arms....make a pot of coffee, stir your yummy spaghetti sauce, and even put the dog outside.

Thanks for teaching me about the Hokies and about the computer and lots of other gadgets...I can't wait to get my hands on all of those things. I'm also looking forward to doing many more fun things with you, like playing ball outside, riding a bike and going to Hershey Park, when I'm bigger.

Mommy says your the best and I couldn't agree more. We're two lucky girls!
xoxoxoxoxo
Rachael

Fall...

So, before it's WINTER, I suppose I'd better tell you (or at least record) the things I want to remember about our fall season.
In October, we had a divide and conquer weekend. Mike went to PA to spend a weekend with his college buddies and reminisce and catch up with each other. He had a great time and enjoyed some solo nights as well as a visit with Mimi and Papa. Meanwhile, Rachael and I stayed behind in DC with Allyson, Nick and Alex so that we could pay a special visit to Mary and Darren and 5 day old BABY DEVON! Welcome Devon Earl Smith! You are a cutie-pie and have captured all of our hearts. Alex and Rachael had a great time playing even though, we drove to the petting zoo, both kiddos were passed out in the car by the time we got there. Oh well, next time, I guess! Here's our best attempt at a photo of the 3 newest in the generation:

Later in the month, we went to the Pumpkin Patch with Shannon, Phil and Samantha. We had a gloriously sunny day and a great time on a hay ride, visiting some goats and hanging out in the corn crib. That day produced some fabulous pictures, see the last post for my best example. Here's a good one of the 3 of us:

And here's the best one of the girls:

It was quite the task getting a good picture of those two...this is probably one of the best.

We capped off October with Rachael's first Halloween and trick-or-treat. We met up with Ryan, Nate and Evan and took two giraffes out for the fun! The costumes were not planned....I thought Evan was going to be a monkey when I picked out the giraffe for Rachael. It ended up being a cute coincidence!