A new way...

...to display my Christmas cards. I've put them up differently every year of our marriage. Last year I hung them from the tree, the year before that I think I put them all over the refrigerator (probably not my finest effort) and the year before that I used clothespins to attach them to pieces of red, sparkle-y ribbon. This year I used spiral paper clips to attach them to swags of raffia hanging from the top of the bookshelves. I think I'm becoming partial to this method...

Isn't this pillow fantastic?

...Julie embroidered it for me for my birthday. She made up the pattern & everything! I love it.

33 weeks...

With stuffed animal:

33-week highlights:

• Today, for the first time, when I went in to pick Henry up from his nap, he was standing up in his crib (holding onto the rail, of course). Up until now, he has only been able to stand up from a sitting position, not from lying down.
• Henry loves the book, One Moose Twenty Mice. Grandpa Bob & Grandma Sharon brought it to him as a souvenir from their recent trip to New York. I love reading it to him because the illustrations consist of super cute animals made out of felt.
• Another favorite of Henry's is his wooden shape sorting cube. Aunt Denise gave this to me at one of my showers and it is already making Henry happy. He isn't ready to sort his shapes yet, but he loves to bang the wooden pieces on the box and dump them out and roll around the room with them in his hands.
• We started working on a few signs about a month ago. I am starting with "more" & "all done". If anyone has experience with baby sign language feel free to share your thoughts.
• Henry is beginning to put his hands together almost as if he wants to clap. This would be a very exciting development as it would allow him to cheer for John at his basketball games :)
• Henry's crawling is becoming more graceful as his hands and knees are falling more and more in sync.
• Henry is trying to pull himself up using anything he can get his hands on.

Henry's performing debut...

Last Sunday night was special. Henry made his SMBC children's program debut! Isn't it great that a church includes even their babies in the presentation of the Christmas message? We think so. Here's a picture taken from the video John captured...

(This is Henry's "I'm in a new place and I reserve the right to be stoic" face)

Miscellanea...

Life around these parts has been busy. Lots going on in the way of family gatherings & Christmas present making (which, of course, cannot be blogged about until December 26th). Only 3 presents left to make. Can't wait to share them all soon. Here are a few photos of things that I can share with you...

I made lots of chocolate covered pretzels to give to our neighbors.

Henry got to spend some quality time with Aunt Jill

...as well as some time with all four of his grandparents. Unfortunately, the only picture I have is of him with one of them, Grandpa Royce. I'm sure I will make up for this during our respective Christmas celebrations.

Sometimes during basketball season...

...daddy needs some cheering up. I think this picture should do the trick.

Celebrate!

Cousin Adrianne's brain surgery went well! Praise the Lord! We are celebrating with them tonight. To read about their amazing story check out their blog here.