O, Christmas Tree!

This will be our last Christmas in Alaska, and I thought it would be great fun to have the experience of cutting down our own Christmas tree this year. I pictured snow shoeing out to hunt down the perfect tree, Bella in tow and light snowflakes falling ... beautiful, huh?! I finally convinced Tyler to give it a try, and then, last weekend when we were planning to get our tree, it was 50* and raining ... it. rained. Crazy! Needless to say, we bought our tree and we're quite happy with the way it turned out.

Last Monday we went to get a Christmas tree right after Tyler got home from work then we had dinner and decorated the tree as a family. We had the best time decorating the tree, listening to Christmas music and sipping on coffee and hot chocolate. Caroline slept for the first bit and then was awake, so I decided to put her in the sling so she could help, too.

 All we need is the bow!

Taking in the sights of her first Christmas tree.

I have so enjoyed decorating for and celebrating the Christmas season this year. Stay tuned for the rest of our decorations!

Wordless Wednesday

Our little thinker.

She's So Strong.

When we left the hospital with Caroline I asked the pediatrician when we could begin tummy time, and I was surprised that she said, "Right away." I love tummy time and I think it's so good for the babies. We have had tummy time nearly everyday of Caroline's short life and she doesn't mind it at all. I can tell that tummy time has been good for her because she's quite strong.

It's Beginning to Smell Like Christmas!

One of my favorite things about the Fall and Christmas seasons are the smells!! Growing up Mama had a few concoctions that made our home smell so delicious. I recreated one of the smells today, and I'm in love with the way my kitchen now smells.

All you do for this Christmas concoction is slice a lemon, slice an orange and throw them into a sauce pan with whole cloves, cinnamon sticks and a little water. Let the mix simmer for as long as you desire. Put on a little Christmas piano music and you'll be in heaven!

Wordless Wednesday

 

 Not the best picture, but you can see her sweet smile in the mirror.

Our Beautiful TWO Month Old

That's right, folks, our baby is  TWO Months old. We are so very in love with our little one. Today was a big day for her ... she had an audiology appointment, a well-baby appointment and her first round of shots. She did fantastically well with all the excitement. 

Caroline is quite the snuggle-bunny, and we just cannot get enough of cuddling with her. She is a very sweet, peaceful child who is beginning to smile at funny noises or faces that Tyler and I make. We bought a play mat for her and she loves to look at herself in a mirror that dangles from above. Caroline is quite strong ... she can hold her head up quite well whether she's on your shoulder or the floor. We have had tummy time most everyday of her life, and she doesn't mind it at all. Like her mother, she loves bath-time. 

We are awfully thankful for her, and we look forward to everything that lies ahead for us.

Caroline Blair

Two Months

10 pounds 4 ounces, 22.5 inches long

September 27, 2011

Tuesday, September 27 was a special day for the Van Zandts because we welcomed Caroline Blair into this big world!! I was admitted to the hospital at 9 AM after my water broke. Tyler and I spent the day walking through the Labor and Delivery ward until about 3 PM when I was in too much pain to walk. Caroline was born at 7:01 PM after an incredibly wonderful pregnancy and delivery. 

We have had the most fun getting to know our little one. She is beautiful and already beginning to change from a newborn to a baby. Sadly, she is already three weeks old .. I'm unsure how that much time has passed already. There are more pictures to follow in the coming days, but for now, here is her introduction to blogland!

Today's the day that we'll meet Caroline!

 

Already in love.

Daddy's little girl. 

Caroline Blair.

6lbs. 10 oz. 20 inches long.

You're Beautiful

This post has been on my heart from the first time I heard this song. You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham is a beautiful song about Christ and how he's in so many parts of our life. I heard it for the first time as part of the worship set at our church. It is definitely more powerful live, and fortunately was able to find a live performance to share with you. 

At first this song spoke to me primarily because the final verse speaks about how we'll enter into heaven with wedding bells ringing and the Bride will come together and sing "You're Beautiful." In the Bible the bride of Christ is the church, and I think Wickham is saying that the church will come together to rejoice that another soul has lived a good life and now resides with in heaven with Christ. But, as I sang those words the first time, I was taken back to when I was the bride, what it was like to walk down the aisle and how, although that was super exciting, my Earthly walk down the aisle will pale in comparison to what it will be like to meet Jesus. We are his bride and one day we will walk into his arms much like a woman meets her Earthly groom at the altar on their wedding day. For me, that walk was filled with excitement, wonder, love, thankfulness and so much more, and I cannot help but think of how much more exciting my walk into Christ's arms will be.