Eliza's birthday

Me prepped for surgery, looking pretty awesome.  Noticed the blood shot eyes.  Thanks for the close up Brian.

The doctor, on the right- she did a fabulous job and she stayed up all night too.

Our first view of little Eliza.

She had a squeaky little scream.

Not sure what I am doing.  Maybe I am waving hello.

About 2 minutes later they had her hooked up, they took her to the NICU while the doctor finished putting me back together.

I went to visit on the way up to my room.  A random lady was sitting on the couch.  Actually I think that was my nurse Arlene or Marlene or something like that.

Checking out the baby.  Another great shot of me Brian.

Little Eliza all hooked up in her isolette.  

She had all her fingers.

And all her toes.

And she knew how to use her pacifier.

First picture with mom and dad.   I think the random lady from the couch took this.

Later that evening Brian brought the kids to visit me.  (Merry did her own hair that day.)

They had to wait outsied the NICU while Brian went to visit the baby.

Random pictures of the kids waiting

and waiting

and waiting.

Sacred Heart Christmas play

Adam and Grace participated in the Sacred Heart Christmas Nativity play.

Adam was a cow. 

 Grace was Mary.  Poor Joseph had to hurry to keep up with her.

 The whole preschool cast.  Adam is some where in front of Grace with his cow ears on backwards.

Jacob and Aiden- big brothers coming to watch the show.

Divide and conquer

Grace had her dance recital the same night as Jacob and Merry's cookies with Santa at the school.

Brian took Grace and Adam to the recital, while Jacob, Merry and I went to eat cookies.

 Tutus and cowboy boots, so stylish.

 Warming up for the big show.

 The best part- red punch afterwards.

 How happy does Adam look.

Brian recorded her dance on his ipad then Grace reenacted her Frosty the snowman dance about 20 times that night for me. 

 Meanwhile, Jacob and Merry visited Santa, ate some cookies and made some crafts.

Love Mrs. Claus in the background.

All aboard the Orange Cannonball Express

 We took the kiddies to ride the Orange Cannonball Express.  Brian's face pretty much sums up going places with our 4 kids.

 They  served us hot chocolate and cookies then we went to the North Pole and picked up Santa.  He was a pretty jolly Santa.

 The conductor punching the kids tickets.

 The train complete with engineer in overalls.

Merry's hot-chocolate-stained shirt and are-you-for-real expression.

Snapshots of the Day Dec 3

Grace demonstrating her door frame climbing skills.

The best thing about hallways is the climbing potential.

Snapshot of the day Dec 2

Griswold Christmas tree.  It does fit in the house, if only it worked with our stand.

Snap shot of the day Dec 1

Brian's corporate party.

If you are wondering what Brian has in his hand, it is a champion hermit crab.

Who knew racing crabs was so much fun?

If you are wondering why I look like a shiny ball of aluminum foil, it is because I let my 6 year old pick my party dress.