Miracle at Mission Viejo Mall

This year, I was sure that Sadie would freak out on Santa's lap. I was wrong. She and Rosie both loved him. He was pretty convincing....

Sadie's Birthday part 2

Sadie enjoyed a birthday breakfast with Papa and Mimi and later a stroll down Del Mar Avenue to celebrate her first year. On Sunday night we got together for pizza with the Hunts and Welches before heading to the Christmas Train at the Irvine Park. Due to the torrential downpour that we experienced we decided to take a raincheck on the train. No pun intended :)

Rosie does her best impression of "Ralphie" from The Christmas Story:)

And Now YOU Are 1

Dear Sadie William,

Happy birthday, my sweet Baby Sadie,

And now a whole year has gone by with you in our lives and we have loved every minute of it. One year ago we had been waiting expectantly for your arrival... you came a little late, which is proving itself to be the true Eckert way :) I read the Christmas story with new eyes in the days before your birth, and had a living reminder of Advent.

When you finally arrived, you let us all know that this may have been an earlier exit than you had planned. You screamed relentlessly for about 5 hours before looking around, focusing on our faces and promptly quieting down. You've been quiet ever since. You, my little Sadie, are entirely easy going, mellow, go with the flow, go right to sleep, wake up happy and playing in your crib, content to play on the floor with toys, even more content to sit on my hip while we go about our day, cuddly, sweet loving little girl. I remember thinking this about Rosie; but I really can't remember what life was like without you.

You're an amazing traveler. Unless you're hungry, you sit quietly in the backseat and watch your sister. A few times, you've been so quiet that I've nearly driven off the road staring into the rearview mirror, just to be sure you were back there in your seat.

I can't wait to see what your personality is like. I already see glimpses of patience and kindness, a sense of humor, confidence, resilience and other amazing qualities that will shape you as you grow. I love getting to know you better, my sweet girl. What a gift you are to our family. You're already an little amazing sister, and I know you're going to be a great big sister too. I didn't know I could love anything so much, until I had children. I think you're simply perfect, Sadie, and I love love love being your mommy. Everyday with you is a gift from God and I'm so grateful to have you.

We love you so much, Sweet Sadie girl. Happy birthday to you.

Gingerbread Houses

Rosie and I decorated a gingerbread house this week. I had to prepare myself to NOT micromanage the decorator. I just let her go... and celebrated the creativity... like candy Christmas lights on the roof.... We were going with a Clark Griswold thing here.

Well done, little builder. Don't you want to move right in?

Surprise, Part 2

Notice that I wasn't tasting the wine with my sweet husband and friends this weekend? Well, that's because we're pregnant. again. Shocked? Stunned? Surprised? Speechless?? JOIN THE DANG CLUB! WE ARE TOO!! In case you forgot, Sadie William turns ONE on Saturday. The 3rd little Eckert is due to arrive sometime in July.

(feeling excited and blessed too..)

Surprise!!

For the last number of months, I have been planning a surprise for Ron. The end of December marks the end of Ron's 30's! Yes, he's going to be 40! Because his birthday is so conveniently sandwiched between between Christmas and New Year's we've often referred to it as "the rip-off birthday." I have been planning and scheming for months with friends and family as to avoid another rip-off birthday. Mission accomplished. The surprise birthday weekend was fantastic! Napa with the Paschalls was a huge hit. Happy Birthday, a little early, Ron Eckert. I love you and I loved your birthday.