Opening Gifts

Make a Smilebox greeting

Christmas Program

Last night, Nana Vicky, Papa Gary and Grandma Joyce joined Doug, Mia and I at Charlie's Christmas Program. The kids sang the Twelve Days of Christmas, Hallelujah, and Joy to the World. Once again, Charlie had to pee, but wasn't about to leave the group to go!! His focus is incredible. But we had a great time and the kids did such a great job :-)

Christmas Party

Yesterday, Charlie had his Christmas party at school. Doug and I volunteered to help at the party. The class had circle time where they sat, sang songs, and prayed. Charlie was fidgeting and obviously had to go to the bathroom. Despite pleading with him to tell his teacher he had to go, he would not leave circle time. It was time for circle and apparently nothing gets in the way of that. I am happy to report that Charlie has great bladder control and made it to the bathroom after the very important circle time.
After that, we played games and had snacks with the kids. We love being able to help out at Charlie's school.

Walk Through Bethlehem

Our church creates a "Bethlehem" that you can walk through to see what it was like when Jesus was born. We took Charlie and he had a great time. He loved the camels and sheep. He also enjoyed "finding" baby Jesus. But he was most amazed that he got to see a "real" angel. Every 5-10 mins an actor, dressed as an angel, on a wire, rises above the crowd to proclaim that the savior has been born. Pretty awesome for a 3 year old :-)

Update and Pics of the Season

I haven't posted much in the past few months, my pregnancy was very difficult towards the end and now its been a whirlwind having a newborn.
I am currently interviewing for a full-time job. This is a tough economy and I feel blessed that companies have shown interest in my resume. I am just praying now that I get an offer.

We are settling into to our routine and Charlie is a wonderful big brother. Mia is also a great baby, she eats round the clock, about every three hours. I am slightly sleep deprived, but very happy.

Here are some pictures of the kids. We had Santa from the Westminster Fire Department visit our house, so that is who the Santa is in these pictures!

Mia Angela Benisch

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Update

Here are some pictures of Charlie's last skating lesson and Doug, Charlie and I picking pumpkins. If anyone is on Facebook, I have also posted additional photos on Facebook, just look me up :-) (Amy Benisch)

We have our next OB visit on Wednesday. I found out at my last visit that Mia was breech. I haven't felt any big somersaults from her, but we will know for sure on Weds if she has turned. If she hasn't turned, we will be scheduling a C-section.
I have been fighting a cold for the last few weeks. Unfortunately, I also had a stomach bug, migraine and insomnia. I feel much better now and I am just anxiously awaiting her birth.

Doug is playing hockey on a new team this season and is really enjoying it!!! Charlie and i went to watch his game last night. Charlie was excited to see daddy score a goal. When I asked Charlie if daddy plays hockey as well as the men on TV, he answered "not really". LOL

Charlie is loving school and seems to be learning something new everyday. I just can't express how impressed I am with his teachers and the Montessori system. He informed us this weekend that he learned how to put his shoes on all by himself at school. When I asked him to put his shoes on at home he informed us "I only have to put my shoes on by myself at school not at home."

Charlie is very excited to meet his new sister. He talks about her all the time!!!!

Hockey Mom Part 2

Here are some pictures of Doug & Charlie playing hockey!! They are out on the driveway playing hockey every night. At school the other day, Charlie was asked by his teacher what he wanted to be when he grew up. He answered "A hockey player!" His daddy is certainly proud!

The making of a Hockey Mom!!

Last week Charlie started skating lessons so he can play hockey like his dad. Being the independent spirit he is -- he refused to participate in about half of the activities. He did much better in week two. We have lots of fun at skating lessons, Charlie can't wait to show Mia how he can skate.
The last picture in the series is of Charlie having a donut at Lamar's -- it was a great way to start our Saturday. We usually make Saturday's our family fun day. After the donut we headed to Costco, while it may not seem fum to everyone, Charlie and I LOVE to eat the samples.

Long time ...

Its been almost two months since I have found the time to update the blog. A lot of you have been nagging me to get it done, so here are some pictures and updates.
I am doing fine, the pregnancy is progressing normally and I finally have some relief from the migraines.
I am still working hard at my MBA, for my current class I have been working on a business plan. It has been much more time consuming than I expected.
Charlie started school, giving me a few hours in the morning to get caught up on school work and chores.
Doug is doing well, hockey starts again later this month, I know he is looking forward to playing again. Tonight, Doug is taking Charlie to his first skating lesson. Expect some pictures later this week.
We spent the last couple of months getting some more camping in, attending festivals, and just hanging out as a family.
I hope to have more time to keep the blog updated now!!!

Carousel

This past Saturday, our friends Jerdie and Eden were babysitting a little girl Charlie's age named Ashley. We took the kids to the zoo; here are some pictures of them on the carousel.

Baptism

My mother-in-law Vicky was recently baptised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Doug and I were blessed to be able to share this very special day with her.

Zoo Trip

Here are some pictures from a trip to the zoo with our friends Tina & Isaiah.

First Day of School

Charlie started pre-school on August 25th. He is attending Victory Montessori three mornings a week. This will eventually change to three full days when I go back to work after Mia is born.
Since this was Charlie's first experience with school, I was a little nervous. But he did just fine, he didn't cry when we dropped him off. He did cry when we picked him up, I think he was just relieved that we really were coming back:-)
He loves going to school and all of his teachers. He is always happy in the mornings to leave for school.