I am infatuated with Christmas. I love every single thing about it and somehow, this year, I love it even more.

This year Sophia understands the magic of Christmas and to see it unfold in her eyes makes it all the more amazing. And today Huntsville had it's first snowfall of the season leaving a nice little dusting on our back deck and picnic table. It seems like forever since I actually saw the snow fall and I don't believe that Sophia ever has. I hope it comes again...the small flurries, I mean. I'm definitely hoping for our first Christmas in the south to be a white one!

Can you believe Alessandra is a month old!? I can't! Maybe it's because I've been living in a haze, still in the

'waking-up-every 4 hours stage' of little babe-hood and just crawling through each day hoping to catch a five minute nap here and there. You know, actually, I can't really complain. I remember being so anxious those final weeks of my pregnancy anticipating a huge fiasco when I tried to settle into life with two kids. And where yes, there have been moments where I have to fight to not pull my hair out, overall, the transition has been relatively smooth. I heard a quote somewhere that went something like, one child takes up 100 percent of your time so if you think about it, two children can't take up anymore...and I would agree with that. The key is getting into a routine and sticking

to it, all the while multitasking, making sure everyone's needs are taken care of. And I'm there. Nights are becoming more predictable and naps during the day are on a more regular schedule. Alessandra is truly a wonderfully easy baby. She's so content just soaking up the world around her and cries only when she 'needs' something. I've figured out a way to have a little time solely for my Sophia and on the flipside of that have time for just me, usually at the end of the night with a nice glass of red wine. It's been a little different around here with Chris coming and going, training, working and preparing. We were so, so

blessed to have him home for ten days after we brought miss Alessandra home but since then, he's been off training and he'll be out the door again sooner than we'd all like. But enough talking about him leaving...for now, we have him home on predeployment leave and Christmas is just around the corner. I hope this post finds each and every one of you enjoying your family and friends and soaking up all the wonderful things about the season.

Remember that this Christmas; when you're eating Christmas dinners, smiling and laughing, in another house there's an empty chair where a hero should be sitting.

....And I'll leave it at that! Merry Christmas!

Oh December...the most wonderful month of the year!

Sigh...I'm here. I'm where I've wanted to be for what was almost the entire year of2010. As I write to you, I'm surrounded by

not one but two breathtakingly beautiful little girls who I'm so lucky to call mine. It's been a tumultuous month but it doesn't matter how I got to this place...what matters is that I'm here and I couldn't be happier.

It's hard to believe that I've got an almost one month old baby on my hands when my due date was only just a couple of weeks ago. To make a long story short, my so-thankfully-on-top-of-things doctor was worried about my blood pressure which began creeping up as I hit 36 weeks. After almost a week of monitering it closely and a few dangerous spikes, my doc took no chances and induced me just shy of 38 weeks. Thanks to some beyond wonderful friends and their incredible support while Chris was away, they carried me through to when Chris arrived home, just in time to begin the induction. November 11th, 2010 at 11:12am, our little Alessandra Marie made her grand entrance in true American style on Veteran's Day.

It was a nice little present for her Marine dad (who was here and was incredible!!!! YAY!!!) and we are so grateful that everything went smoothly. Alessandra is wonderful. She reminds me so much of her sister. She fits into our family perfectly as I could

have only hoped and our now BIG SISTER Sophia has grown into this mature little lady almost instantaniously. It's all so lovely to see and with the added background of the holiday season...well...it makes for a lovely end to a great year. We've got some more big changes ahead of us for 2011 but right now, I'm thankful for two very healthy baby girls and a dedicated husband who works so hard, no matter what the cost. Merry Christmas!