More Photos.

We had such a great time with all of the family that came into town to greet our new addition.

To share photos with some of you, I put together a Kodak Gallery of photos from last weekend!

Feel free to follow this link and see our photos from last weekend!

Merry Christmas!

INTRODUCING....

Lucie Rose Surratt!

Our precious second born arrived Dec. 17, 2008 at 11:50PM! She weighed 6Lbs. 9Oz. and measures 19 1/2 inches long! Lucie is adorable, and I just want to spend every moment kissing my two girls on their rosy cheeks!

We came home from the hospital on Saturday morning and celebrated the special homecoming with famly and friends! Eloise LOVES her new little sister and wants to help Mommy with everything!

I have been given the most blessed gift for Christmas.

Sleeping Beauty!

Coming home from the hospital

The Surratt Girls!

Northpark Santa

We took Eloise to see Santa not too long ago. Northpark has some fun holiday attractions like story time with Santa, toy train exhibits, etc. I knew Eloise would probably have a hard time with Santa this year, but I thought it might be easier if she saw him during story time. She loved Story time and while waiting in line she would point to Santa and say "Ho,Ho,Ho!" So, I thought that she would do great.

Northpark has the best Santa I have ever seen! I also love how you draw a numbered ticket, and you can go shop while you wait your turn (As long as you check back to see if your turn is up!)

Anyhow, after story time, and shopping and watching Santa all night Eloise FLIPPED out when it was her turn to sit in his lap. She wouldn't even let go of me! So, we spent all of that time at Northpark and ended up with no "Santa Shot." We did get a cute pict. of Eloise in her outfit though!

Although it was disappointing, I will make the drive next year too! I think that the Northpark Santa is worth the drive!

Santa in his "Casual" outfit during story time... he changed into the full velvet suit for photos!

Eloise at story time... reading up on "Jolly Old St. Nick"

Eloise after refusing to sit in Santa's lap. She didn't mind posing for this shot!

CHEESE!

Eloise is really into getting her picture taken right now. Last week she was on the couch with her daddy with her arm around his neck and stared straight at me saying "CHEESE!" I asked her "Do you want Mommy to take your picture with Daddy?" and she said "YES!" So here are some of the shots. I think it's these simple and suprising moments that I will always cherish!

Doc. Appointment

So I had another Doc. appointment today. (I go once a week now.) I found out that I am dialated to a 3! and 50% effaced. I have been having dreams that little Lucie was coming soon and this weekend I did some SERIOUS nesting..... Maybe the next post will be from a hospital bed in post partum??? It's getting down to the knitty gritty!

Decorating the tree with my sweet Eloise!

I know Eloise's days as an only child are numbered, so I really enjoy these little moments together! We recently decorated the Christmas tree. I was worried about putting one up at all this year, because Eloise is actually mobile this Christmas! I was decorating it by myself when I looked down and El was putting ornaments on, too! She was copying what mommy was doing! She would pick up one of the balls and set it on the limb. I had to go back and hang them by the hook, but she got the basic idea! I am really enjoying this time with her. She picks up new things daily and is SO interactive! I know she's going to be the best big sister!

Thanksgiving

This year was a bit different for us! Since I am so close to my due date, and I had pre-term labor with Eloise my doctor grounded me to McKinney from here on out. Instead of the big family gathering that we are used to, we had a quiet Thanksgiving this year. My parents came to see us and we celebrated with the 5 of us. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect, but things turned out very nicely! We had the traditional meal (on a smaller scale.) It was quiet and relaxing. We missed all of the family, but I truly enjoyed the day!

Papa, Eloise and Patrick eating dinner.

Kelly, Patrick and Eloise

Eloise in her pretty Thanksgiving Dress (that I made her!)

Playing games in the backyard after dinner

ICE!!

Over the holiday weekend my mom and dad came to town. We wanted to do something special so we went to the Gaylord Texan to see the ICE exhibit. It is an ice sculpture wonderland! They had gingerbread houses, Santa Clause, the Nativity scene, HUGE ornaments and much, much more... all sculpted out of ice!

It was so cool... LITERALLY... They keep it at 9 degrees in the exhibit so the ice won't melt. Everyone gets a long down parka to wear. Eloise was bundled up in several layers and wrapped in a parka as well. She learned through experience the words "ice" and "cold" VERY quickly! It was definitely something we will never forget. We had so much fun.

Eloise also had the chance to visit Mrs. Clause and Dasher, the reindeer! The famliy had our picture made (because Eloise didn't want to do it by herself.) The hotel was decorated for Christmas and really put us in the holiday spirit.

BRRRRRRR!

Ice Gingerbread House

Eloise wanted to touch it... so we took off the mittens for a minute!

Bundled up and warm!

The group!