Fa la la, la la la, la la la!

The celebrations aren't over yet!  We visited Great Aunt Mart and Uncle Rog's house to see the Briggs side of the family.  Your G.G. definitely had her hands full with your sister and her second cousins.  What's she going to do when you come along?

 The three second cousins got along very well.  I can't wait to see you jumping in there with them too.  Just think, this time next year you'll be part of the pack!  Hopefully they won't run you over since you won't be walking quite yet.

Everyone is very excited to meet you, Little 2.0.  This picture of the cousins and kids will have a new addition next year...you!

A Very Merry Christmas

You have officially survived your first Messmer Christmas from the safe confines of Mommy's belly.  You couldn't actually see all of the craziness that went on at the Messmer household this year, but I know you could hear it!  There were 11 adults, 4 kids, and 3 dogs running around dodging presents, and cookies and treats popped up everywhere you looked.  I think you were the reason Mommy was craving so many cookies...maybe.

The tradition of matching Christmas pajamas continued, much to the dislike of your daddy.  Thanks to you, Mommy barely fit into hers!  That's okay though, I'm proud of my baby belly with you inside.

We tried to get a picture of all of the cousins, including you, but somehow cousin Ari never made it into the picture.  It was hard to get everybody still enough to snap any shots at all!

 

 It was a great family Christmas, and you weren't forgotten either!  There are a few presents waiting here for you when you come out.  In the mean time, know that we love you very much and can't wait to share next Christmas with you!

The Big Man in Red

 We went to the Santa House in Midland, Michigan today to visit Santa Claus!  You couldn't speak for yourself, but I told Santa that you wanted lots of rest for Mommy this Christmas, so that you could have plenty of energy and time to grow.  I'm sure that's what you would have told him if you could.  

Your sister wasn't too sure about him yet, but he took a picture with the two of you anyway.  Next year hopefully both of you will be sitting on his lap with smiles on your faces.

Daddy's First Little Kick!

Daddy was excited to go out with Mommy to see The Hobbit tonight, but I think the highlight of the evening was when he felt your little kick for the first time!  In the middle of the movie you started to move around a lot, so I grabbed Daddy's hand and put it on my belly where I was feeling you the most.  It didn't take long for his face to light up with delight as your little fist (or foot) hit his hand!  The rest of the movie was pretty good, but that was definitely our favorite part.  :o)

The Half-Way Point!

We have reached 20 weeks, the half-way point!    You, Ellie and I were actually in Austin, Texas today to celebrate Jacob and Raquel Skrobarczyk's wedding this weekend.  The background of the photo is looking out of the hotel room window onto the city of Austin.  Hopefully next time we come down to Texas, you'll be able to meet all of your relatives in person (or at least most of them...there are a lot!).

 Thanks for taking the picture Rese!

It's a...

We got to see you bouncing around inside Mommy today.  And the ultrasound technician gave us the exciting news: you're a girl!  Ellie is going to have a little sister!  Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more excited to be parents to two beautiful girls.  We can't wait to meet you, but we'll settle for these pictures of you in the mean time.

 P.S.  Thank you for all of the moving your doing in there.  It lets Mommy know you're healthy and growing!

My Three Babies

 Just wanted to capture this moment.  Surrounded by love.