Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we started the night having a meal over at Mom and Dad Tesch's house. It was nice to sit around the table and have good conversation. After that we took a break so that we could all go to Christmas Eve church services. As you can tell, it was during Lily's bed time.

Lily wasn't waiting on Santa Brad, Lily, and IKisses from Mommy and DaddyWhen we got back we started to open presents. Brad and I are trying to save money so we decided to just buy one gift for each couple and then gifts for the kids. So I wanted to make it a good one. We had family pictures taken a few months back by my Cousin Charrone. So we bought canvas family pictures for their homes. I think they liked them!

Grace, Audrey, and Ezra watching Lily eat her sweet pea doll with Aunt Anna

Lily got all sorts of adorable little toys and books, Brad got a few books and a belt buckle from this awesome store that we went to when we were in Hawaii from his sister, and I got an itunes gift card that I have lost! Its somewhere, I just don't remember where I put it. I also got this necklace with angel wings on it that I love, it goes with everything. Having both families in the same town is great around the holidays.

Santa Baby

We spent some time with our good friends the Gaeta's. We went over to the Christmas Village and saw the animals and attempted to go see Santa. When we walked in there was a really weird looking Santa......obviously an impersonater :) There was also a really tall frosty the snowman and it totally creeped me out. I'm not normally freaked out by mascots but this one was weird. We looked all over and finally found Santa Claus! Lily was excited to see him and even tugged on his beard to make sure he was real. Experiencing these type of milestones as a parent is so much fun. I love being her mommy. I would like to start a few Christmas traditions. One idea is to make Cookies for santa together and set out the cookies and milk just in case he needs a snack when he drops off her presents :)

Women's Tea

Our church hosted a Christmas tea so I thought it would be fun to do a table. Since Brad would never let me decorate our home hot pink for Christmas I thought it would be the perfect opportunity. I used our plates and mugs that we got as a wedding gift, bought hot pink napkins, ribbon, and ornaments....threw them in a square vase that I have as a centerpiece. I had pink notebooks for each of the guests at my table to help them organize for the New Year....told you it was a Nikki table. I also made pink cupcakes, just cause they are fun :) What do you think?

Earth Has No Sorrow That Heaven Cannot Heal

Today is the anniversary of my Poppy's death. He has been gone for 18 years now. Its hard to believe. I can still remember stories he told me or the day he sold his boat....his big smile and watching WWF with him on TV. It seems like just yesterday. Every time I go to Newfoundland I make it a point to go visit my Poppy and say a little prayer. I like to think that he's my angel and is always watching over me. I love you and miss you so much. This was taken 2 years ago. Notice the quote on the bottom of the headstone. One of my favorites, "Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." I think it may be my next tattoo.

Tree Farm

Every year the Tesch family goes to the tree farm to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. This will be my third year on the hunt, but Lily's first year!

Brad, Lily, and I

The Tesch Clan here in Oak Harbor....wish our little Laney Bug was here too!

Audrey giving kissesJenn, Brian, and Baby Mc!Marc, Anna, Grace, Audrey, and EzraGrace and EzraAdorable Audrey riding the tractor Lily and I playingAudrey playing doctor and checking on Aunt Jenny's baby

Cuts, Curls, & Colors

My Aunt Dianne owns an adorable hair salon in Placentia, Newfoundland called Cuts, Curls, and Colors. When I was a baby my Aunt Dianne actually gave me my first haircut so it was really special that the could cut Lily's hair. Lily's hair is so long. It stuck straight up about 2 inches, so we only cut about an inch of the top....not much since I love her hair. She did so well. She didn't even cry :)

Grandma and I getting our hair done. All this excitement has made Lily very sleepy.

Canada Baby!!!!

As you all know, my family is from Newfoundland, Canada....pretty much the most amazing place in the world. When we were invited to my Grandma's 80th birthday celebration when I was on bed rest, I just knew this was a party I had to be there for. The best part about it was that I could introduce my baby to my Grandma Snow White.

I was a little scared of flying with a 6 month old, but since my mom was traveling with me I wasn't as fearful. Flying with an infant was actually pretty easy. Surprisingly the airlines make it pretty easy for you. Infants fly free on your lap up to age 2, you get a carry on and a purse and the baby can get a carry on and her formula and food were allowed to bring as long as they were sealed. Lily's car seat was checked when we checked our bags in. They put it in a giant plastic bag and tag it for your destination so you don't have to lug it around! Our stroller was just too big so I decided to use my moby wrap and carry her on me through the airport. It was great. I still had use of my hands, it made it easier to go pee if I was alone and my mom couldn't hold her for me....all around it was a great experience. Mom, Lily, and I flew out of Vancouver, Canada early in the morning so it was still dark....Lily's first time in Canada! When the plane went up in the air I nursed Lily to pop her ears from the pressure change and she did great! I also gave her a little bit of Tylenol just in case her ears started to hurt. She laughed, made coo noises, and people on the airplane said that she was the best baby that they had ever seen! Yesssssss! Mom and I had a great time watching movies while Lily napped. I love traveling with my Mom. No matter where we have traveled to we have always had a great time flying together. We had a layover in Ontario, Canada and it was dark again....the time change was a hard adjustment. We finally arrived in St. John's, Newfoundland late at night. It was a long day of flying so we took a taxi to my Uncle Rodney's hotel that he manages in St. John's. We had dinner at a nice pizza place, gave Lily a bath, and headed to bed. Newfoundland is a 4.5 time difference, so we were exhausted. So excited to see everyone in the morning.

Meet the Flinstones

For Halloween this year we hosted the trunk of our car for Trunk or Treat. Trunk or Treat is a place where kids can go and have a safe place to go trick or treating, it was hosted by our Church New Covenant. Its also a good way to get a lot of candy in one place. Last year I had one trick or treater at our home and that's just not enough for me. Each car had its own theme, we were the Flintstones! I looked online for costumes everywhere, but they were all so pricey. I decided it would be my first sewing project! Brad's costume was really easy. I traced one of his shirts and just made it longer and cropped the sleeves. I used a felt material so it would be thick and warm. Mine was a little trickier since mama's got curves....I sewed most of it, but my mom helped me with this one. Lily's costume was made out of a tutu from Walmart just snipped and made into a dress. Thankfully my mom made that one :) I also made matching bones for our hair out of the left over felt from my dress. Nothing fancy, but it was just a Halloween costume....something fun. It was so much fun seeing all the kids in their costumes. Lily went home with my folks really early because it was freezing outside! I didn't want my little Pebbles to get sick. Here are some pictures from Trunk or Treating!

5 months old

My baby is 5 months! Here are my favorite pictures of her! You'll notice I don't have as many photos since I'm back at work I haven't taken near as much as I was. I'll take more, I promise!

Her first baby biscuit! She looks like she got caught with it. These biscuits make a mess! Pretty blue eyes

4 months old

4 months old! Lily with her cousins Audrey, Grace, and Ezra. Sleepy girl at Grandma and Poppy's house
She's a rough riders fan! The outfit is from my Cousin Russ!

Lily not happy about being in her car seat. She's even cute when she cries.