New Camera

Happy New Year!

Here are some recent photos on our new camera. Matt surprised me with a new camera for Christmas (even though I repeatedly told him I did not need a new camera). This new camera is fabulous...maybe I did need a new one. Thanks babe! It really was the perfect gift, afterall, I do LOVE pictures.

Christmas 2008

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas! It was nice to relax and enjoy the day. We enjoyed spending time together, being with family, and eating lots of good food. Our day started out at home, we checked out the surprises Santa had left and opened a few gifts. Kylie loved her pink princess castle - at first she just looked at it from every angle. Then, she realized it was really for her and started playing. There is a whole new dimension to Christmas when you are a parent. This was the first year I really noticed it, I think because Kylie is old enough to understand presents and Santa. It was so fun watching her and sharing her joy, it was hard to even open my own gifts. I do not think I would have noticed if I had nothing to open, it was a great feeling - just being so happy that she was excited and adorable. And of course I did have things to open, I am very spoiled. A cute daughter to enjoy and gifts of my own, wow, what a day!
Next, we joined Jeff and Kara at my parents for a delicious brunch and to exchange gifts. Jeff and dad had to play surgeon when Kylie decapitated her newly opened Cinderella lego person. We returned home for a nap and a shower and a little of "The Christmas Story" on tv. Then we were off to Steve and Sue's house for dinner. Last, we went to Matt's parents' house to visit and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!


We actually had a "white" Christmas.

Kylie had to open all toys immediately and put on all dress-up clothes.

We are not sure if these princess legos are for 3-year-olds or 3 people?

Chevy's gift from Grandma!

Looking pregnant.

Christmas Eve

We had our traditional dinner at John and Carol's. It was delicious. Those Freeman's can really cook! As always, Carol had the tables set beautifully and everything was very festive. My parents ate with us too, which made the evening perfect. After dinner the party continued. First, was the live nativity play directed by Carol and performed by the grandchildren. Next, was the slipper gift exchange. Everyone got such fun slippers! Last was the cookie exchange, as if anyone had room in their bellies for cookies. Wow, what a night!

Kylie in her festive red shirt!

Arie, Kylie, and Dallen

Kylie LOVED the cranberry mousse.

Kylie was an angel in the play.

Kylie, Dallen, and cow.

And the Winner is...

Our neighborhood had a house decorating contest and Matt won!! I think he did a fabulous job. Our house seems so festive and really screams Christmas! He spent many hours planning and decorating and it was so worth it.

Ultrasound 12-16-08

We saw the perinatologist yesterday. He measured our little girl and did a heart scan. He said everything looks great! She is weighing in at 1 pound 1 ounce currently. She was all cuddled up with her hands near her face. The dr. said her heart looked excellent. It was amazing to watch, we could see the valves between the chambers open and close. Everything looked so good he actually did not schedule a follow-up appt. We still do not have any names in mind for the little tyke...well, except Kylie's suggestion of Cinderella!

Christmas Survey

I received the following as an email, I thought it would be fun to post. Feel free to post your answers on your blog so I can read them!!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper (I take pride in the wrapping and the bows!)

2. Real tree or Artificial? We have a real tree. I like both. I love the smell of the real trees and bringing the outdoors in!

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually a day or 2 after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? I wait until a week or two after Christmas.

5. Do you like eggnog? I sure do. I recently fell in love with the eggnog milkshake at Jack in the Box.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? They were all perfect at the time, I do not recall a favorite. I have great memories of the season, traditions, and times spent together.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Matt. He likes expensive things and he changes his mind.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Kylie

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, a beautiful Demdaco one that took several years to complete. This is its first year in full glory!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Ooops! Neither this year. I do love receiving them.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have not received a bad one yet...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation!!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can think of.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Everything! Peppermint ice cream, fudge, cookies, Reese's Peanut butter Trees, ...

16. Lights on the tree? We have small colored lights on our tree, it was a compromise. I love white and Matt would prefer large colored lights.

17a. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night, The Gift, Mary Did You Know?

17b.Christmas Carol? Away in a Manger

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes. Even Chet from Santa Clause 2.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Not finding a gift I am looking for.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love all the ones with memories. I still treasure many of my childhood ornaments.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham with mashed potatoes. I love the feelings and being with family more than the food.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Not much, nothing fits when you are pregnant! I would like to spend time with my family and friends.


Have a Happy Christmas Season!

New Color: Cold Pink!

I was dressing Kylie for church and she asked if her dress was pink. I said, "your dress is pink and so are your tights. Your tights have pink polka dots, purple polka dots, and hot pink polka dots." Kylie said, "and cold pink polka dots?"

Too cute!

Ultrasound Picture 12-2-08

I saw my OB on Monday and the specialist on Tuesday. I heard the baby's heartbeat again on Monday, still sounds great. The doctor said everything looks good and that the baby sounds very happy according to her heartbeat. The specialist did a quick ultrasound just for fun to see our little girl. I was really there so he could check my cervix, which he said still measures a normal length. We see the specialist again in 2 weeks for a heart scan and to check her growth.


Baby's profile

Keyes Family Photos

We tried to take family pictures for my parent's Christmas letter. Kylie had her own plans, though, so it was hard to get a nice picture. "I runned away," she would say as she darted out of the pictures. She did make friends with a fake deer and was still long enough to get a few photos.

Belly Picture 21 weeks (6th month)