Silent Night...Christmas was wrapped up by the twinkling lights of the Christmas Tree.

Ahhhh...what a perfect day!

Christmas Dinner with Friends

I made a traditional Allpress Christmas dinner all by myself for the first time! Salmon starter, salad, filet mignon (the veggies in the group had crab cakes), glazed carrots, chestnuts & brussel sprouts, yorkshire pudding and potatoes au gratin. We had a great time with Damon and Mylanie.

Christmas Morning, opening presents!

This was the first year Chloe started to grasp the concept of Santa Clause. It was such a fun Christmas to share with our two and a half year old! We baked cookies the night before for Santa and left a glass of milk for him. A carrot was left for Rudolf the Reindeer. Santa was lucky to get a few cookies, since Dad ate most of them.

Chloe ran in the tree Christmas morning to see if Santa came and was so excited to see he ate his cookies and milk! Thank you to everyone for the wonderful, thoughtful gifts! Highlights for Chloe this year were a sled, a babydoll, Dora backpack, snow outfit, memory game, puzzles, ladybug shoes and super cute outfits...including the fav, a brown tutu skirt which had to be worn over her pajamas all morning!

We spent the morning opening presents and had a traditional Allpress English Breakfast, chipolatas (bangers), baked beans and baked tomatoes....YUM!

Chloe loved the Bangers and ate more than Mom! Presents and breakfast was followed by some finger painting and then...the unveiling of the baby envelope! Yes, we know what we're having but if you haven't already heard...you'll need to get the scoop from one of us in person or over the phone. No mass announcements yet!

Dad took Chloe to the park in the afternoon and Mom got ready for dinner.

The Entertainment at Teddy Bear Tea Ritz

A full performance was given by Santa's Elves and a great big teddy bear!

Teddy Bear Tea

We sat down to hot chocolate with marshmallows, tea for Mom and Day and my very own white teddy bear with a balloon! Hot cocoa was followed by finger sandwiches and mini cakes. Mmmmm....marshmallows were my favorite!

Christmas Eve at The Ritz

Chloe was impressed by the beautiful tree in the lobby and was very excited to go into the tea room to start her Teddy Bear Tea!

December 2009

You turn your back for one second...

Ballet

Baby Pre birth 19 weeks

We went for our 19th week sonogram on Friday. Baby is doing great! Growth and development all looks on track. I have gained a total of 6 lbs since day one pf pregnancy which is pretty on track with where I was with Chloe. A little below average but my OB said she's not worries, as Chloe was a healthy 8lbs! We are finding out the sex this time round and had the doctor put it in an envelope to be opened Christmas morning.

Chloe came with us for the sonogram, she was very interested in seeing the baby on the TV screen and announced, "that's my sister!" "Your sister?" we asked. "yes, it's a boy" she said.

So, back to square one...;)

Apparently the baby's size is that of an heirloom tomato and weighs about the same as a Coke can.

We have our short list of names but aren't going to dedicate too much time until after we open the envelope...

It's Raining, It's Pouring...

I'm wearing my Mary Jane rain boots and raincoat. Thank you Tanya for my super cute outfit. It's one of my favorites, I look forward to the rain so I can wear my boots!

Our Tree

Here's a Christmas Tree tip I just learned..be sure to put your tree into fresh water within 30 minutes of a fresh cut and use bottled water only. Clorine present in tap water causes the trunk to close itself off with it's sap. So does waiting too long to water it. Who knew?!

Let's pick out a pretty one...

We went shopping for a Christmas tree Thanksgiving weekend. Chloe was more into the snowmen and wearing her new red tutu than picking the actual tree. Decorating it was way fun though...there's a nice cluster of ornaments around the bottom of the tree. A perfect place for a 3 foot little girl to put them!

Shopping for Christmas Trees 2009

Little Ballerina

Meeting up with Maris and Lilly in Philly

Thanks for meeting us half way girls! We had a great time with you at the Children's Museum. Such a cool place for the kiddies and so fun for us Moms to be reunited!

The Girls Hit NYC!! Ahhh...good to be back.

A fun filled day in NYC!


Any excuse to make a slide!

NYC's Famous Cupcake Store followed by a Street Concert

The girls loved the cupcakes store, it was tough to get them away from the window...lucky for us, the musicians were nearby!

Little Ballerina

Melis & Mom at the Church, Baby Dean's Baptism

Mom felt so honored and lucky to be a part of it.

Baby Dean's Baptism

Baby Dean did a great job, not a single cry. It was a very touching ceremony!