It's a Boy & Christmastime

Happy Third Day of Christmas!  We hope you and your family are enjoying this blessed Christmas Season!

We've had a great week.  Last Thursday, we went to the doctor for the baby's 21 week check-up and ultrasound.  The baby looked strong and healthy, full of energy!

We had the doctor write down the sex of the baby and we planned to open the results on Christmas morning.  

The guesses on Facebook and Instagram were pretty evenly split...but the verdict was clear: it's a boy!

Brian and I actually couldn't wait until Christmas morning to open the results.  So on Christmas Eve, after all of Ellie's and Francis' gifts were assembled and wrapped, we opened the envelope and found out we were expecting another son!  Fitting news for Christmas :)

I was nervous about Ellie's reaction to having another brother because she's been praying for a "new girl baby" for about 10 months.  But she was excited by the news - and her new boy doll (who she named 'Alexander' - but you have to hear her say it in her German accent; apparently it's the name of one of her classmates).

Francis continues to think that everyone - himself included - has a baby in their belly.  And if you ask where the new baby is (or refer to him as a baby) he'll lift up his shirt and show you his bellybutton.  

So prior to finding out we are having a boy on Christmas Eve, the kids had a great day celebrating with a few fun activities with our neighbors still in town (our other neighbors are off to Slovakia, England, Hungary, and Poland).  

Ellie went with the neighbor boys to the neighboring town to receive the "Bethlehem Light" and bring it back to Gaming.  The light originated in Bethlehem and was flown to countries in the EU.  It is then delivered town-to-town on horseback.  Families gather with their lanterns to bring the light to their homes. 

After bringing the light into our home, Ellie and the boys brought their lanterns to the Kartause church.

We all gathered to sing Christmas carols around the altar with Baby Jesus now displayed in the manger.

Then it was home for Christmas pajamas and an early bedtime!

You can see how the Christmas ornaments begin just above Francis' head-level (we only lost one ornament due to our poor placement)...

On Christmas morning, I heard Ellie's door open at 7:45am (the time the sun rises) and her creep downstairs.  She then came running back up, threw our door open, and exclaimed, "Mom and Dad, come see!  Santa did bring us presents!"  (So no, the American idea of Santa has not escaped her).  Francis woke up soon after and we all joined her downstairs.

Ellie's favorite gift was her baby boy doll and the stroller from Aunty Shannon and family.

Francis' favorite was his "ball and hoop!"

After opening a few more present - we had Baby Jesus' Birthday Cake for breakfast and then got ready for Mass.

We had a quiet dinner at home, just the "five" of us!

We are so thankful for all of our blessings this Christmas!  Most importantly, for the gift of our Savior!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

Merry Christmas!