35 More Days...

Wow, I can't believe we've only got just over 30 days until Elaina is due to join us! Now that Christmas is over, Steve and I both have started the nesting. Yes, I know Christmas was only 2 days ago, but we've already gotten a lot accomplished in the past two days! Yesterday, Mom and I went and purchased the changing table/dresser. We get to pick it up on New Year's Day. I can't wait! I can then put away all the clothes and goodies Elaina got for Christmas! Can I just say I'm so glad Belk was having great sales on baby clothes! We got several outfits for under $10 each! Today I've been working on getting Emily's room cleaned out and re-organized with all the new stuff from Christmas. I actually came out with 2 bags of garbage from all the stuff that needed to be thrown out. So there's only a few more things I want to get accomplished at the house before Elaina comes. Mainly, organize her room. Also, there's two closets I want to orgainize. And Steve's mom is sewing me some curtains and cushions for my glidder. I can't wait to see it all together!!! I'll post pictures when we get it all completed. I'm so excited!

Christmas 2008...

I have finally gotten all the pictures downloaded from all the Christmas festivities. It really takes a while when you are so backed up on blogging! 2008 has been probably the hardest year for my family. There has been so much negativity and bad circumstances, it seemed hard for my family to get into the Christmas spirit. But when it came down to it, everyone really rejoiced the reason for the season and being able to celebrate the fact that the bad stuff this year has drawn us closer together. Here's some pictures, hope you enjoy!

These two are from Christmas with my sister and family at my parent's house. It was the Saturday night before Christmas. By the end of the night, my feet were so swollen they were red. So, Emily and I just ended up spending the night. Steve had to go home because he had to go to a basketball tournament the next day. By he was concerned about me driving at 10 o'clock at night and feeling as bad as I did, so he told me just to stay. It really helped, and Emily and I just made a weekend of it and stayed all day Sunday. This is from Christmas Eve night, we went back to my parent's house. My aunt Bonnie Jo came into town for Christmas and we wanted to be able to see her and mom open their presents. With the passing of my Grandad this summer, I knew this Christmas would be difficult for them both. My sister and I decided to give them a sentimental gift this year in honor of Grandaddy. I put together a shadow box for each of them with different pictures of Grandaddy and them throughout the years. They really turned out great, in fact, I'm a little jealous. I'm thinking about making one for myself. Here's a picture of Bonnie Jo with her shadow box (somehow, I didn't get a picture of Mom with hers) Okay, so the next picture is not really my favorite, but I have to share just how huge I'm getting. I can't believe how big my belly is!

Emily got a new jewlery box from Me-maw and Pe-paw. She absolutely loves it. We've already filled it with all her jewlery.

This was the scene on Christmas morning. I've never seen so much stuff!

Seeing Christmas through a child's eyes is so amazing! Emily has really enjoyed this Christmas, and she actually sat on Santa's lap without crying! This is the first year - I couldn't believe it.

After Christmas morning at our house, we went to Steve's parents house.

Steve's grandparents sent this table for Emily. It is so cute! It came with 2 chairs and a bench.

This is Steve's dad's reaction to our gift. We had a great day at their house. After opening gifts, his mom sat out some amazing snack food and then Steve and I took about a 3 hour nap on the couch. Somehow, every time we go over there we end up asleep. Then we woke up in time for dinner, prime rib and ham. After dinner, Steve went and got our Wii and we played it for a long time. The girl's loved playing it! Emily played and actually knocked a guy out boxing! It was a great day and the best thing was being able to spend time with both of our families!

A Note from School...

is normally something you would be nervous about, but I have to say the one I received this past week brought tears to my eyes and I just had to share it. This is what Emily's daycare teacher wrote:

"Mr. and Mr. Barrios,

Emily is such a joy to have in my class. She is always making me smile and is a wonderful helper. You guys have an amazing daughter and have taught her well.

Anytime I need a smile I walk in the classroom with her and she comes running to hug me. She brightens everyone's day.

Thank you for being so helpful in the classroom. Have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Love,

Ms. Heather"

So, I'm thinking I'm going to start a poll as to whether Elaina will be as good of a student as Emily. Going off of how she's been so far, I'm thinking not! :)

Guess What....

I'm back to the blogging world thanks to my sweet husband. I'm sitting here on my bed, in my PJ's, typing on my brand new LAPTOP! I'm so excited because now I can update the blog without having to worry about my work schedule! YAY! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I will update more about the happenings of Casa de Barrios later, right now I have a 4 year old begging me to feed her.