BIPD Christmas Party

Charlie was hypnotized by the police department's Christmas tree. We didn't have our own yet, and so it was all new for her to have a giant, brightly lit tree inside. She just stood there for nearly half an hour, touching the ornaments and putting her hands on her cheeks in awe, exclaiming, "Oh, beautiful!" whenever anyone came over to talk to her.

Oh, Christmas Tree (infested with jumping spiders)

We brought home our Christmas tree this weekend, and it smells so wonderful. We did not have a tree last year, since Charlie had just become mobile and was about to walk, pulling up on everything. This year we cleared a space in our living room, took Jeff's parents and Charlie with us to the lot, and picked out the perfect tree. We put on White Christmas and decorated it, Charlie placing the first ornament (her pacifier) on a low branch, and Jeff and I taking time to remember all of our Disneyland visits, our Yosemite trips, and our honeymoon on which we purchased many of the ornaments we were hanging. Finally, Jeff held Charlie up to place the star on the top of our beautiful tree, but it didn't want to stand straight on the branch. The result was a little Dr. Seuss-like, but very charming! (We fixed it later). Despite all of the holiday cheer, we looked on our tree the next morning with horror--a family of tiny jumping spiders had taken up residence on our cockeyed star, and had strung webs all over the top of the tree. Jeff's dad took the star outside to rid it of the unwelcome guests, and Jeff sprayed the tree with indoor-outdoor insect spray. After only one recurring incident, our tree seems to be spider free, and as shining and beautiful as the night we brought it in. Hey, what's that little black thing on the nativity?

Just give her a box!

Jeff's parents came to visit us this weekend, and we had a great time with them here. They brought Christmas with them a little early, but since Jeff has nearly always worked Christmas, we try to celebrate whenever we can, so it was just fine with us (and Charlie) to open presents early. Charlie got some great toys, like a pink electric guitar so she can play like Daddy, and a Belle doll with a tea set. However, the gift that seems to be getting the most action days later is the box Belle came in. It is a cage for monkeys, a hiding place for DVDs, and a funny place to climb into and peek out of. So if you are wondering what to get that special two year old, and you are having some trouble coming up with ideas, take my advice and just give her a box.

Baby Abby Pictures

Here she is again, and this time we can tell she has her Mama's nose!

Football Player or Cheerleader?

After much speculation and my finally referring to the baby as "he" instead of "it" because I was so certain it was a boy making me so sick, we found out on Thursday that we are very likely having a girl! I say very likely because the ultrasound tech said, "Well, I would guess it's a girl, because if it was a boy, the testicles would be here, but they are not, but we don't ever guarantee girls." I was a little unsure at that point, but then when we passed the tech's eight thousand awards and credentials on the wall on our way out, I figured she's just covering her behind, and it's safe to tell everyone that it's a girl. So Abigail (middle name undecided) Benkert is on her way! Probably. Very likely she's on her way. Or we'll be surprised in the delivery room, and have to buy some boy clothes last minute. But odds are good, she's a girl. Maybe 80% sure. And if you have good middle name suggestions, please post them here. So far, we have Rose, Hope, Jane (as in Austen) and Joy.

Snow, Snow, Snow...

It started snowing around noon on Dec. 1, and didn't slow down until mid afternoon on Dec. 2. It looks like we got about a foot or so, and it is so beautiful! It makes me want to watch White Christmas and get our tree and decorate the house all at once! Our friends Trevor and Nancy came over to watch football, and we all speculated whether or not they would be able to get home. They got home safely, but we certainly aren't going anywhere for a while!

New Baby Belly Picture: 18 wks.

Post your guess: boy or girl? We find out on Thurs, Dec. 6.

Charlie's "Daddy" quilt is finally finished!

Well, if I had worked on the quilt all at once, it would have taken about a week of solid sewing to complete, but since I started it before I got sick and then picked it up again a month ago, it took just a little longer! But it is finally done, and will be under the tree for her to open on Christmas. And just in time for the freezing cold weather we're having!

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, we ate with my parents and of course watched football, and then traveled to the beautiful Oregon coast to spend the weekend with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. In California, we always spent the holidays with Jeff's family, so it was very special for me to get to be around all my family on Thanksgiving for the first time in about nine years. Charlie is the only grandchild/ great-grandchild, so she was, of course, spoiled with attention and got everything she wanted. She also decided not to nap at all while we were there, which was terrible, but she still charmed everyone with her mostly good manners and willingness to climb up on anyone's lap to read a book.