Introducing . . .

Grant Benjamin

born December 28th @ 4:18 am

7 lbs 10 oz
19.5 inches

Christmas Eve

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Paige told us the story of Christ's birth, with pictures.

Claire said, "my turn" and tried to copy her.

Daddy read to us from the scriptures.

Mom read Twas the Night Before Christmas and almost started to cry because she misses her Grandma (and the rest of her family).

The girls got to open one gift. . .

. . . and of course it was new pjs!

AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

A Lifelong Tradition

We made gingerbread houses last night - something I've done every Christmas season since I was a much younger girl. And it all started with Diana West. A wonderful Young Women leader who not only used to bake tons of these houses from scratch for an annual mutual activity but who also came to my family's home to make and refill frosting bags every year while we decorated houses as a family (I am just now appreciating what a huge amount of work that was for her!). It really is one of my favorite annual traditions. Paige LOVES it and Claire really got into this year too. It's a lot of work but totally worth it - even if I didn't get to sit down and decorate my own house until the girls were in bed :)

Claire ate at least 5 pieces of candy for every piece that she put on her house. And she licked every piece that did make it on her house (before gently placing it down). She was in heaven! For reals.

Paige loves, loves, loves this kind of thing. I think she would have gone at this for at least 2 more hours if I had let her. She is already suggesting additions and changes she would make.

Ben is a good sport and puts a lot of effort into his houses every year, even though it's not nearly as important to him as it is to the rest of us.

She's excited!

Busily working away.

And I got to participate too.

Thank you, Diana, for starting a wonderful Christmas tradition (and, Mom, for keeping it going) that I'm sure will last at least a lifetime and hopefully well beyond!

3 1/2 Weeks til My Due Date . . .

. . . although at my appointment last week the OB said he didn't think I would make it to January. So, we are slowly but surely finalizing preparations around here. Such as:

• I made a crib bumper (spare me the lectures) that I am super proud of especially since I am not an accomplished seamstress or even an amateur seamstress (although maybe now I can call myself that).
• My hospital bags are packed. Claire came in less than 2 hours so we need to be prepared to get to the hospital fast.
• Christmas is ready except for the wrapping. I should probably tackle that before the weekend.
• The baby's things are all washed and ready to be used.
• I ordered the new car seat today. It gets here tomorrow. Isn't that amazing?! Free shipping, in one day, and the best price online or in stores. I don't use it much but when I do I love diapers.com.
• My new camera lens arrived today. It's awesome. I broke the 2nd of 2 that I owned on the day of my baby shower (boo!) so I haven't taken pictures in two months! I finally talked myself into buying it and now wonder why I waited so long. I'm going to need it to take pictures of Christmas and of course of the new baby. Merry Christmas to me!
• And finally, I have a growing list of things for Ben to do once he finishes finals this Friday: A light fixture to hang, a bed to put together (for us), a book shelf to put up in the nursery, etc.

One thing we have not done yet is name this baby! Why has it been so hard to decide on a boy name? We had Paige and Claire named within weeks of our 20 wk ultrasounds, so the fact that we are just weeks and maybe just days away from meeting our son and we STILL haven't picked a name (or really even agreed on any) kind of worries me.

So, please, take the poll in the sidebar. One or the other of us has suggested each of the names listed. And if you have a different first name/middle name combination to suggest, go ahead and comment! We need all the help we can get. Maybe you guys can convince one of us to just give in already :)