christmas recap

this was our first christmas in our 5 years of being our own family that we've spent the holiday with just ourselves. my family was all gathered in NC, matt's family was all gathered in OH, and we decided to stick close to home, since there had been so much going on lately with matt's thyroid surgery and the worries with my low amniotic fluid levels.

it was strange to have what is a usually busy, noisy day spent with lots of family so quiet and relaxing. it was a nice change (though, we have to admit, just a tiny bit lonely. we love our families!) we enjoyed leisurely opening gifts, watching olive play with new toys, skyping with loved ones, eating a homemade mexican feast, and taking really long naps.

it's really strange to think that next year we'll be celebrating with olive AND a little baby boy! so exciting!

some obligatory maternity pictures

some people are so great (and photogenic) that they document each week of their pregnancy through maternity pictures. i applaud their high levels of motivation and self-confidence.

with my pregnancy with olive, i had one...just one...picture of my baby belly taken. i allowed my sister to take it, with much protestation from me, when i was about a week past my due date. as swollen, puffy, and huge as i was at that point, (i don't think it's possible to feel more ugly and unhuman than when you're a week overdue...) i love that picture now, and i feel sad that i don't have any other pictures from that pregnancy.

this pregnancy i've tried to take more pictures. they've all been been taken with my phone, so they're not great, but i'm glad i'll be able to look back at something and remember what it was like carrying my littlest man. :)

[most recent pictures, at 26 weeks.]