Who's the kiddo?

This is such a fun time of year....right?!? Usually it is for me, but after nursing a sick baby for over two months and then dealing with my own virus for the past week - I really didn't know how I'd pull together enough energy to help make FC's first holiday season a memorable one. This time last year I wrote about legacy and tradition and how I looked forward to sharing bits of John and I's family traditions with our "peanut" this year. In all seriousness this means teaching FC about our faith and why the holidays are truly important. Another aspect of this is just simple fun - and choo-choo trains!! John has been talking trains for the past few months so I wasn't surprised this week when he informed me that FC and him really needed a train for under our Christmas tree.

John and I both shared trains with our grandfathers. John and his Grampy and myself and my Pappy. I remember sitting on my grandfather's lap and him controlling the gauges with  my hand. As a child, my grandfather built a simple platform for our tree to stand on with a train track running around it. My brothers and I would spend our evenings playing with the train. John did too. So, we decided to pass this rich tradition on to our daughter - I really didn't think she'd enjoy it much this year, but I was wrong! She has had so much fun with the trains this weekend - I can't wait to see what she thinks of them as she gets older.

Side note: our steam engine is the "Strasburg" engine - and actual steam engine still running in Lancaster County, PA - close to where I was raised. This past summer FC, John, myself, and my Mom visited Lancaster and rode on the train while on vacation. So when we found this engine at our local hobby store we just couldn't pass it up!

She seems pleased with just the tree...does this mean I'm done?

 

Daddy got the train set up and was SO excited. He is a little boy at heart.

 

She is so happy to see that train and hear the whistle that she even manages to crawl forward a few wiggles.

 

Our Strasburg Engine.

 

 

 

Daddy is in heaven right now!

Giggly baby!

 

I MUST catch that train (what baby and Murphy are thinking!).

Murphy charged the train over and over...such a hotdog!

Family Time

It seems like I'm playing catch-up in every aspect of my life these days...just enough housecleaning to keep our home liveable, snippets of paperwork between bathtime, dinner prep, and before-mentioned housecleaning, and of course - and probably most important of all - squeezing in uninterrupted time with my sweet baby, my fur-babies, and my sweet husband. Needless to say, blogging falls at the bottom of my to-do list. While I sometimes consider quitting the blog - I then remember why I started to begin with - it's such a great way to save highlights of goodtimes with my family. So worth it.

I was cleaning up my picture files today and found many wonderful moments with my family that are so dear to me - the everyday play, outtings, and daily routines are really what makes my life so special these days. I am so thankful for my family...we are very blessed to have each other and these moments together. Keep 'em coming Father!

An impromptu afternoon trip to one of my favorite places in Marietta - the park on the square. People stroll, lay on the grass and read, and children dart around the play ground and fountains. Such a fun place to just "be" with my favorite people. 

FC taking in the view of the flags on display for Veteran's Day

Daddy and FC

Sadly, one of the few pictures of FC and I together. I might not have on make-up and my hair is totally gross, but the smile is genuine! I love my little girl.

 

We love to be bums in this house!

Best time of the day in this house is 6am! Come on over for a cup of coffee...you really can't be too early. Even FC gets her own cup.

Our puppies were our first babies - and they seem to be handling having a new baby in the house quite well. Annie remains aloof and distant, but that should keep her safe from FC's advances to explore. Murphy, on the other hand, can't get enough of this child. He bonded to FC from early in my pregnancy with her when he would lay over my tummy and follow me from room to room - guess he knew I was carrying something special!

Murphy is such a licker!

FC really would love to jump on top of that hotdog! Take notice to Annie in the background - she could care less what is happening in the playroom - just as long as no one messes with her and her pillow.

 

 

Aren't they cute!!

 

 

Annie "gaurds" our yard throughout the day. John decided to have a look too.