From our house to yours...

Merry Christmas from the Branch Family

2011

Counting down to Christmas

"The joy of Christmas, stays here inside us. Fills each and every heart with love..."
-Faith Hill, Where Are You Christmas

This Christmas season has been so busy, yet so joyous. We have spent the past few weekends on the road visiting friends and family and celebrating this Christmas season.

We headed to Charlotte this past Friday night for the Stutts Christmas party, and as always, had such a wonderful time.

Saturday, we were at my parent's house, and my mom and dad kept the girls for the afternoon while Sean and I finished up some Christmas shopping, sans kids. We really had a great day. We had a lunch date, shopped, had a coffee date at our old favorite spot, and really enjoyed the day. Thanks mom and dad!

Saturday night was my oldest and dearest friend's 30th birthday! Happy Happy Birthday, Carrie! We gathered at her parent's house then headed out on a party bus to celebrate. It was quite entertaining and we had such a good time. Carrie and I have been friends almost 25 years and she is such a special part of my life. Most of my memories include her!

Some of the girls at the party...

Sunday, we headed to Winston-Salem to celebrate Christmas with Sean's side of the family. We enjoyed a really nice brunch and the kids had a great time playing together. Three 5 year olds, a 2 year old and a one year old. It was busy, to say the least.

The girls pre-brunch...

We hit the road back to Columbia that afternoon, and both girls slept all 3 hours home. To say that they were pooped is an understatement. 

Sunday night, Sean and I put the girls down early and snuggled in to finish watching Family Man (which by the way, is a really great Christmas movie).

We have spent this week wrapping gifts, watching Christmas movies, and getting ready to hit the road again to celebrate the holidays.

Watching the girls excitement for Christmas this year, I am reminded of our Lord and Saviour, God's only son, who was born on this day. "Behold, the Lamb of God has come." May we believe in the magic of Christmas and not forget our Lord's birthday and the real meaning of this joyous season.

Christ is come, let all creation sing

God's own Son, oh hail the newborn King

The word made flesh, now dwells among us

Christ is come

-Big Daddy Weave, Christ Is Come 

Catch up!

Oh my. I am so behind on blogging. Life seems to be moving at such a fast pace and I'm doing everything I can to keep us swimming. With the addition to the holidays, it seems I'm bathing and tucking little ones in bed before I even know what's hit me and the day is over.

Saylor turned 13 months this past Saturday, so I am hoping to get a post up this week. She is trying her best to take off walking, and I am enjoying the last few moments of chasing a crawler and not a walker. She seems to be turning into a toddler overnight and it is breaking this momma's heart. They grow SO fast.

Chloe lost her first tooth and the tooth fairy paid a visit to our house (oh the excitement of a 5 year old over losing a tooth!).

Alex, our elf, has landed at our home and has been in to nightly mischief. Our milk has been turned red from magic Christmas powers, words have been spelled out in m&m's, letters have been left, and he has been finding fun hiding places each night.

I've been shopping, decorating and getting our house in the spirit. Sean and I have really enjoying the holidays this year and are looking forward to watching little faces light up on Christmas morning.

And a few pictures as we are enjoying the holidays around the Branch house...

24 weeks and his name...

Today, I am 24 weeks pregnant with the little fella. I cannot believe how much faster pregnancy goes by the second time around! He is growing by leaps and bounds (evident by my growing belly) and is moving around all the time. He is weighing about 1 and a 1/2 pounds and is roughly 11 inches long, crown to rump. I haven't been to the doctor since November 2nd, but go next week for my glucose test and a check.

The nursery furniture is set to be delivered this weekend and I am so excited! I have picked up a few boy items here and there and am definitely getting into the spirit of buying blue :). In other fun news, the little guy has a name...

My maiden name is Baker and I am so thrilled to use that for our little boy! His middle name will be Michael (which is my husband's first name as well as his dad's middle name). 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  24 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Haven't been to the doctor in 5 weeks... I imagine I've put on a few pounds, especially after being in St. Lucia!

Maternity Clothes:  Wearing mostly dresses and maternity leggings.

Best Moment this week: Seeing my belly move around

Gender: it's a BOY! 

Movement: Lot's of movement... Sean is feeling him quite a bit now, too. 

Food Craving: peanut butter

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep: sleeping pretty good

What I am looking forward to:  Decorating the nursery!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Still taking a zofran each morning, but otherwise feeling great!

Home.

We're alive. And home. And getting in the Christmas spirit. 

We flew in from St. Lucia late last night and arrived home a little after 3 am. Exhausted is definitely an understatement for today. 

A big thanks to ShuShu and Nana for keeping the girls this past week while we were away celebrating Melanie and Danny's island wedding. 

We are glad to be home! Cheers!