What holiday traditions do you have?

I always love asking this questions to people I meet. I guess it is to get ideas for my newly budding family. I am always on the lookout for ways to make holidays more special and meaningful. One thing this year that I would really love to incorporate is the "family pajama." I know, a lot of you might be laughing about the concept of having matching pj's, but one of my friends from Harrisonburg grew up with this tradition and I thought it sounded neat. They could unwrap one gift on Christmas Eve (which was the family pj) and then they all wore it to bed and woke up the next morning to do the Christmas festivities in matching attire.

Except...do you know how hard it is to find the "family pj?" I mean you can find matching/coordinating jammies at countless websites, but in the correct sizes that you need? That is the challenge. So, I'm going to have my extraordinary brother's business (Springer Design), a logo design/screen printing/anything you want they can make company, create us some. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner. So, be looking sometime next year for pictures of the first annual, "I (heart) my family" jammies.

So, I pose the question to you...what are your family traditions?

My postings come in waves

Here are some more recent pictures of Connor's life. I love it how Owen loves his little brother so much. OK, so he can be a bit much at points (note the slobber on Connor's face), but I'd rather have to deal with too much love than not enough!

Sorry, it's been awhile!

I really have no excuse for my lack of updating...my parents graciously took Owen back to PA with them for the last 10 days, so we've just had Connor to care for. It has been great and yet bittersweet. Shawn and I have enjoyed a bit more peace and quiet and a chance to reconnect since we've added Connor to our family. However, 10 days is long time without Owen! It was almost too quiet around here. I look forward to his antics when he returns (this afternoon)! It's been so funny...every time we talk on the phone he always says, "I'll be back soon!" At least he's loving every minute of his time away with Grandpa and Grandma S. and seeing his other cousins/aunts/uncles in Ohio. So, we'll see how things feel after he gets back. I'm sure it'll feel wonderful to have all my boys back in one place, yet I'm starting to feel that sense of being overwhelmed by the new balancing act that will come with the transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4 !

Update on Connor: He is an angel baby, by and large! He sleeps. He eats. He does his "thing." He sleeps. He eats. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I mean, talk about laid back. It is awesome! I suppose, however, anything compared to the high maintenance of our first little one, will seem laid back. :) Connor is now 25 days old. At his 2 week appointment he grew 1 inch (22" now) and gained about 1.5 lbs (9 lbs, 15.6 oz)! I couldn't believe it! It feels great when you are sustaining a life! Such a sense of accomplishment! So, as you can see, he is doing marvelous, and I am so thankful.

Pictures--The above pictures are as follows: Family Christmas Picture '08, face shot of Connor sleeping (9 days), Grandma S. and Connor, Owen and his cousin Wade being silly in Wade's barn. If that last picture doesn't look like trouble, I don't know what is?!? They are going to have so much fun growing up together!

Welcome, Connor!

Introducing: Connor Samuel Gerber, a great reason to give thanks!
Born: Thanksgiving Day, 11/27 @ 2:29am
Weight: 8lbs, 9.9oz
Length: 21"

We are all doing well. He's such a good baby. Sleeps well, eats well. Owen loves him very much and as you can see is very attentive. We are thrilled. I'll post more as I have time. We'll see how that goes!

So just how far along are you?

Lately, I've been getting a lot of questions regarding the status of my pregnancy. Currently, I'm 36 weeks along. Technically, you are considered full term between 37-41 weeks...so...all that to say, I'm big. I had Shawn take a picture of me yesterday to document my growth. And yes, I think I realized in a new way, just how large and in charge I am! It amazes me what my body can do in caring for and growing a child. I continue to pray for a healthy labor and delivery for me and the baby. I invite your prayers as well as we go through these last weeks.

And for fun, I invite you to poll yourself on what you think the weight of the incoming Gerber baby will be...and if you want, feel free to leave a comment about when you think it will come, and what the name might be.

Halloween

I'm convinced that holidays just get more and more fun as your child is able to understand what's going on better! This past Halloween was no exception. Owen had a blast being a lion, despite the initial bribe I had to render in order to put the costume on! Thank goodness for Trident gum! We went to our church's (Belmont Mennonite) Fall Fest on Wednesday, and through the dorm floors on Halloween night. I think Owen thought he was in heaven as he went around gathering up all this candy! He has such a sweet tooth! Now, I guess the real trick is to ration out the candy in a "healthy" way...on second thought...is that even feasible???

Babymoon in Indy

Shawn, Owen and I took a "babymoon" of sorts to Indy, a few weekends ago, for one last hurrah as a family before our newest addition is here. We had a good time together walking along the canal, eating out, and swimming in our hotel pool. Unfortunately, this is the only picture we got from our time together, as our camera battery died. We are sitting out at Patachou, a quaint little brunch cafe downtown. They have the fluffiest omelets imaginable and the best cinnamon toast! Thanks to Mandy for this find...it did not disappoint!