A Tale of Two Christmases

Christmas Eve

Christmas breakfast

Sorry for the poor quality of this footage. I was holding a very wiggly baby while shooting. This is to verify for my Dad that Betsy isn't too deprived.

Christmas presents for Betsy

Julia loves her new toy!

Sweetie Pies

He's no angel

My dad took this picture of Steve looking beatific.

Go Browns

Go Bucks!

sweet baby girl

sweet girl

That's Our Girl

She was almost 11 lbs. at her 1-month check up. Precious.

Paranoia

Why is this blog now "by invitation only"? Why did you, Dear Reader, have to create yet another username and password just to view it? Because my Dad just warned me about thieves stealing baby pictures from blogs like this. That's right, stealing the images and using them for any number of horrible internet scams! I hate it, but will feel negligent if I don't take the extra steps necessary to prevent Betsy and Julia from becoming fronts for a fake adoption scheme or other enterprises (Nigerian Prince needs your bank account number). Sad to say, it's a sign of the times. Thanks to anyone who went to extra trouble to get through.

Back to work for Daddy.

Steve returns to GWCOLS week. Oh how Betsy misses him. Me too.

State Fair 2009

We had a great time at the State Fair. Betsy's favorites: Carousel, Choo-Choo-Train, and Poultry Barn.

Steve and the Girls

Betsy misses her Arkansas Relatives

New Book

A gift from Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Victor

mmmmm carrots & beets

Who's been sleeping in my stroller?

6 weeks of Heaven

Maternity/Paternity leave is great. With both of us home, everybody gets enough attention. Here Steve and Betsy are trying out the wonderful new carrier given to us by Sarah and Nils (this brand, "Beco", goes from small baby to 45 lbs, which is perfect for us).

4th of July Weekend

First Night Home

JULIA sleeping in her beautiful cradle.

Those late-night feedings are gonna be tough.

Family Resemblance

A

B

C

Julia in the hospital

Here are the latest photos of Julia.

Julia Marie Albright, June 23, 2009

Here are some very early photos of Julia Marie. The one with Steph in it

is taken moments after delivery. Julia was born at 9:13 a.m. on June 23, 2009. She weighted 8 lbs., 8 oz. She's beautiful! Steph is recovering nicely and is with Julia at the hospital. Betsy and I are visiting them there and holding down the home front.

Won't Be Long Now

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Two Days and Counting

I can't believe the big day is almost here. So far, so good. I feel fine.

Julia Marie

"Julia" has been in the top 100 girl names since 1989, but it has not broken the top 20. It is a familiar, well-established name, although not trendy.

In comparison our other top choice, "Olivia," has been in the top 20 most popular girl names since 2001. Since 2003 it has been ranked anywhere from 7th to 4th most popular.

The meaning of the name Julia is "Youthful."

The origin of the name Julia is Latin (feminine form of Julius).

"Marie is an important name in Steve's family, and I think it goes well with Julia.

By the way, in this picture Julia Sawalha ("Saffron" on Ab Fab) looks a lot like my sister, Danielle.

Or Amelia?

I officially have no idea.

What About Julia?

Date for the baby!

Surgery is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, June 23. I'm so excited.

Oh, and as for the name? We now fear that "Olivia" is too popular . . . that there will be 4 "Olivias" in every classroom. So STILL no name for this baby. Yikes.

Relaxing in Week 35

So far, so good. I'm now going to the doctor for check-ups twice a week. I'm looking forward to the big day, which finally seems right around the corner. We've got almost everything ready for our new little girl (cradle thanks to Don and Earlynn, clothes thanks to Susan). I'm also relishing these last weeks of being able to devote lot of attention to our darling Betsy. What a sweet girl. Here she is reading with Steve.