a WHITE and PINK Christmas

Christmas 2010 was extra special.  We woke up Christmas morning to my dad playing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" on our piano -- looked out the window, and saw a beautiful winter wonderland.  The scene was straight from a postcard...

As if the snow wasn't excitement enough, Scott and I had some big news to share with our families (see previous post)...

Surprise!  It's a GIRL!!!  :)  Scott's parents are so excited about a granddaughter!

Baby gifts for Mom, Dad, Allison and Grandmother

Ready to open...  Boy or Girl?  They had no idea!

Surprise!  It's a GIRL!!!  :)  Mom and Dad opened the first little piece of clothing I bought once I found out it was a girl.  I also gave my mom, Scott's mom, Allison and Grandmother little photo albums (to be monogrammed once we choose a name).  They are the perfect size for carrying to show photos of the baby!

I collect these ornaments and I thought this was the perfect one for this Christmas!  We hung it on the tree at each family gathering once we shared the news with everyone.  It will hang on her nursery tree next Christmas. 

Looking at her ultrasound pictures...

Scott's mom was prepared to hang a stocking for the baby... boy or girl.  Inside her first stocking were a Gund baby blanket and precious book, God Knows All About Me.

There were a few extra special gifts this Christmas as well.  Scott's mother painted a canvas picture of our dog Hobie.  She is so talented... this looks so much like him.  He even has the exact bandana!  I can't wait to display this on an easel in our home.

I included these pictures of Hobie to show the resemblance.  

My cousins opened footballs signed by Coach Nick Saban himself!  They were personally addressed to each boy from Coach Saban.  Needless to say, this gift was a hit!  

This was a Christmas to remember!  

Boy or Girl: The Reveal...

Monday, December 20, 2010 was a BIG day -- one Scott and I had anxiously awaited since we'd known we were going to have a baby.  Neither of us cared whether "it" was a boy or girl.  We made our guess (as did many of you), but we knew we'd be filled with joy either way!  I was a bit nervous about the anatomical ultrasound and just prayed and prayed for a healthy baby.  

At the doctor's office just before the ultrasound (19 weeks pregnant)...

My first little baby bump  :)

 The ultrasound was perfect.  We have a healthy baby!  Boy or girl?  Well, we made plans to reveal the news to ourselves at dinner later that night.  The sweet lady who did our ultrasound put the answer in an envelope with "Merry Christmas!" on the front.  What a special Christmas present this would be!  So, we left the doctor's office not knowing whether we would soon be dreaming in pink or blue! 

We stopped by Savage's Bakery on our way to dinner to get a cupcake for dessert.  They put either blue or pink icing on top, placed it in a box, and taped it tightly shut.  We still had no idea.  It was hard to carry both the card and the cupcake to dinner and not take a peek -- but we waited and waited and waited.  I told Scott, "We may have to eat our cupcake before our meal."  No such luck... he made me wait through our appetizer, salad and meal.  There the card and cupcake sat (untouched) until it was FINALLY time for dessert!  

It was time to open the box.  This was a BIG moment!  What did God have in store for us?  Would we soon be picking out a boy name, using blue fabrics and paint, and buying cars, trucks and planes OR would we be naming a girl, diving into shades of pink, and buying dresses, hair bows, and baby dolls????  Either would be wonderful... but ooohhh so different!    

We opened the box...  

and.........

The cupcake was PINK!!!!!  It's a GIRL!!!!!

 As you can tell, I had never been so shocked.  I must admit, I thought boy the entire time!  Scott thought girl, and the blog poll thought girl as well (by a slim margin:  42 girl and 38 boy)!   

    

 The ultrasound picture (which was placed in the envelope) confirmed...  It's a girl!  

We shared our cupcake to end this special night and went home to dream in pink!  But, it would just be the two of us.  We decided to wait until Christmas day to tell our family and friends!  Yes, we have waited a whole 5 days to spread the news!  Christmas is the perfect time for secrets and surprises!  :)  Stay tuned for pictures from today's big reveal!

Ornament Swap

Scott and I hosted a Christmas party/ornament swap at our house this year.  It is always fun to mingle with friends during the Holiday season!  We have LOTS of pictures to share...

Rudolph welcomes to you our home!  :)

 The stockings were hung by the chimney with care --

Knowing that next year, one more would be there! :)

 Christmas cards!

Merry Christmas!