Christmas Bliss

This year was a pretty cool Christmas. Garrett was much more into the present opening than last year, but his attention was focused on that one present and didn't want to open anymore. He got lots of cool things, but most were just a little over his head and he doesn't quite understand the concept of them just yet. Among the favorites were a wooden Thomas train set, a kitchen set with play food, a power wheels 4-wheeler (courtesy of Uncle Dave), and so much more. He's also pretty excited about the snow shovel he got, but with all the rain, not much opportunity to use it. Here's some great pics capturing the essence of Christmas:

Merry Christmas!

The Nameless Girl

I don't think I'll EVER find a name for this baby girl. I've started the search over again (for the third time) in hopes that I'll find something that stands out. I was getting very frustrated so I gave up again, stopping at the letter G. I don't know what I'm going to do. There are a couple names that I kind of like, but nothing that screams "Here I am! I'm your daughter's name!" Nothing feels right! Ughh! I know that I still have PLENTY of time, but it seems to be going by so quickly that I'm worried that I'll be delivering her in no time flat and she still won't have a name! I know there are some people that are undecided on a name until they see their baby's face, but I'm not one of them. I would feel too pressured to pick a name right away, then maybe feel like I rushed it and have doubts-AFTER the name was written down!

So, of the names listed in the poll. Only one, well...two of them are mine. I can see that everyone likes Lillian, but I really don't (sorry to those who voted for it). So definitely Lillian, Gillian, Kendra, Jinny, and Helen are off the table. Those names just sound all wrong for our little girl. I like Ellis and Lucy, and I'm maybe still considering Evelyn. I know Doug still likes Evelyn, so I'm willing to keep considering it.

So I guess it's not too bad. I have 3 candidates. But finding a name that both Doug and I like is seemingly impossible. Too bad its not twins, only for the fact that I could name one and Doug could name the other...

...kidding!

If you feel like commenting and maybe giving me some more ideas, I'm all for it!

Playtime with Carolyn

Garrett loves his best friend Carolyn. She came over to our house Sunday 12/7 while her mommy was at work. The WHOLE time that they were awake together, Garrett was being a little show off. He would intentionally fall on the ground after spinning or dancing (which he doesn't normally do), constantly talk in her face to get her to pay attention to him, etc. I haven't seen him this bad before. And even though he loves music and always has, he kept requesting the music to be on while she was here. It was like he wanted to show off his latest dance moves in hopes of impressing her. Here's a little clip of it.

Christmas Party 12/6/08

Here's some pics from a recent family Christmas party.

Garrett "cleaning" inside the playhouse

This is pretty cute to me... Playing with a vanity while wearing a hard hat. You can't get much more masculine-sensitive than this.


Garrett playing with someone else's gift from Santa. We really need to get him one of these. He LOVES to help shovel outside.

Garrett is playing with cousin Owen, but Owen was a little sleepy. He climbed in the doll stroller and wouldn't get out. So Garrett was pushing him around in it, periodically checking to make sure he was okay.

All the kids together

Garrett getting his own gift from Santa

Mommy's little girl

This little girl has proven to be VERY active since the ultrasound. Mostly I feel her kicking while I'm eating or just after, or if I'm a few minutes into sitting down and relaxing. The funny part is that whenever I try to let Doug feel her kick, she stops. Without fail, every time. He gets a little mifted, but I just laugh. Finally the other night she was kicking away and without saying anything, I grabbed Doug's hand and put it on my belly. She still kicked for quite a while and Doug felt some pretty hard kicks. Doug thinks that she is going to like Mommy better than Daddy, just because of this latest preference issue. Garrett is doing much better at not always wanting Daddy, and he even lets me hug and kiss him and say "I love you" with some response. But I still think that all our kids are going to be "Daddy's". I'm the disciplinarian in the house, so I'll never be the first one they come too. Just as long as they show me they love me too, I'm okay with that.

Name Poll

For ANY of you out there that actually read this blog, I've set up a name poll on the right side of the blog. I'm about to have gone through my second book of baby names with no more ideas than after the first. Most of the names on on the poll are Doug's ideas (I don't really like any of them), but I thought maybe some extra opinions might make me look twice at them. As more people vote and shoot down the ones I really don't like, and as we come up with more names to consider, the poll will be changing. So PLEASE vote, and KEEP voting. Also, please keep in mind that the middle name is going to be Margery (or now possibly even Margaret, since Margery is a form a Margaret-we're unsure). Happy voting!