It's Christmas Eve!

We will have photos to post of Christmas Day, like everyone else, but here are some Christmas Eve catch-up pictures.

Pre-Christmas Joy

I've got to run and get breakfast for Caleb but thought a little pre-Christmas update would be fun. Lily pie is happy but a bit colicky at night so I'm still pulling really late (2am) nights. Cannon bought a crashed up truck to work on. He and Caleb have been having a blast for hours in the garage, working on the truck. It's dark and very cold. My Christmas tree has a beautiful glow most of the day and night because of the darkness. I've got a big pot of wassail on the stove at all times. The presents to be wrapped are taking up space in the laundry room. The fact that they've not been wrapped simply because I'll have to go into the laundry room to wrap them tells you how much I like being in my laundry room. Moving them to a different location would require 1)energy and 2)a hiding place from curious Caleb. It's beautiful up here!

Our Card to Gma and Gpa!

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Fall and snow and such

Fall was gorgeous and we are well into winter weather now. Happy to have Thanksgiving around the corner. My wide-eyed beauty, Miss Lily is growing fatter and more alert by the day. STOP GROWING! I want to have a baby for forever...except I can hardly stand the lack of sleep, the lack of exercise, the lack of schedule, the lack of an even somewhat clean house. I guess as she grows, my life will gain more structure. For now I'm conscious to love every minute of holding her almost nonstop. Caleb is loving pre-school and had a great time celebrating Halloween this year. Cannon is doing swimmingly with grad work. We're all tucked in for ensuing winter. We hope you are too.

Happy Birthday Lolly!!

My little sis turns 31 today!! Happy Birthday Lolly!! Caleb kept blowing her kisses today when we were talking on the phone. He loves his "Aunt Wall-e". She is the sunshine of our family and we miss living close to her. We hope she gets into lots of trouble today and lives it up!

Clear as a Bell and Cold As...

This Fall has been gorgeous. Clear and crisp and lovely. I haven't gotten out much until that last few days. I really wanted to drive to my FAVORITE town, Talkeetna, to get a better look at majestic Mt. McKinley. Just before driving into town there is a view of the mountain that hits you *BAM* like a jolt of electricity. And after the shock of grandeur wears off, you just sit and bask in the sight. I do, anyway. That mountain beckons me to come and enjoy it's pristine peaks...who knows, someday maybe I'll climb it. There something so sublime and shocking about the beauty of it. I could go on and on. I can see why people become obsessed with mountain climbing. Perhaps it's not so much to conquer the mountain but it's more to be a part of the wild, ethereal power of that steep place. Anyhoo...

Lily gets prettier and sweeter by the day and Caleb is going to start pre-school. I can't wait for Cannon to go back to work even though I love him with all my heart. And that's it. I'm searching for great ideas for a costume for Caleb. Needs to be original and I need to make it. Last year he was a halibut! Ha! Baby is hungry, gotta run...

G & G are here!

Mom and dad finally made it up to Alaska and we had a great visit from them today! They've been able to see Alaska for the first time and meet Miss Lily Kate too! Grampa was totally won over from the second he saw Lily and Grammie didn't want to put her down for a second! Gramps even sang her a Celtic lullaby before they left. It was very sweet. Caleb had the time of his life playing trucks with Gramps and hugging Grammie. Poor mom and dad's knees and backs will be sore from kneeling down to get eye level with Caleb and pushing trucks along the ground, chasing Caleb. We had a delicious moose sausage breakfast and snacked on salmon steaks and apple cider while we visited. It was a memorable morning and we were so happy to see each other! We'll get a chance to visit the folks tomorrow at Alyeska and it will be a grand adventure. More pics to come...

Random Lily@Home Pics

We just love having Grammy here. We are working on getting the nursery done and maybe will be finished today! Caleb has daily meltdowns as he comes to grips with the fact that he's not the king of the house anymore. Other than the crying (and sometimes screaming) episodes he's fine and just adores baby Lily. Cannon is really patient with Caleb. I can't be around Caleb when he's fractious because I can't hold him or move fast enough to dodge an occasional arm or leg swinging my way. Other than that, we are loving the transition of having a new baby in the house and we just love all the help and fun Grammy is giving us!

Welcome Home Miss Lily!

Our lovely Lily Kate was born on 9/11/10 after 20 hours of excruciating back labor. She was 4 weeks early and weighed 8lb 10oz. I'm so glad she didn't go full term. I endured the labor because I was hoping to try for a normal delivery. But we now know that I'm not built to give birth to the gargantuan babies that grow inside me. So from here on out, it's c-section deliveries for me. I never experienced labor with Caleb so it was a new experience for me and Cannon.

We are delighted to have my mama here, helping us in her cheerful and workaholic ways. I'm so grateful she's here. I'm recovering from the surgery much better than I did with Caleb. Sweet Lily is a very good baby. She sleeps most of the day and nurses and makes very sweet squeaking sounds. Caleb just loves her and kisses her any chance he gets!

We are so happy she's here! Welcome home Lily!

Fall means Fair

We've been getting outdoors as much as possible as Fall is here and winter is imminent. Fall means going to the Alaska State Fair, which is a must-do event in Cannon's mind so we've been going to the Fair every year. I usually get creeped out by all the hordes of strange people but manage to grin and bear it. Caleb was big enough to ride a couple of rides which were a total rip-off, but that's what the Fair is about. Paying premium fees for fatty food, mediocre at best rides, and for looking at wilted vegetables with ribbons next to them.

Can you tell I'm getting grumpier as my pregnancy wanes?! Haaa! I'm getting slower by the day as my delivery date approaches. The baby is growing very big, very quickly. In fact, the doc measured twice last time because he couldn't believe how rapidly the baby was growing. So much for hoping the baby would be petite! We don't know what to name our baby girl so if you've got suggestions, leave a comment. We'll look at her when she's born and decide what she looks like, but suggestions are always welcome.

All grumpiness aside, what a fun Fall season this will be with a brand new baby and a visit from Grammy and Grampa Stoddard to look forward to!