A Kibbe Christmas

I didn't want to end up writing a Christmasy brag letter everyone is so accustomed of getting from those distant relatives and our parents friends. I now find myself trying to get a little message up here quickly so everyone can see what we have been up to since last year, If that is what you are looking for, just review the previous years worth of posts.
I want to focus this Kibbe Christmas Letter on our years blessings. I suppose I could start with our recent little bundle of joy. Dallas Charles arrived 13 days early and in perfect condition. He is such a joy to hold, feed, and stare at.
Emily has grown into a beautiful little girl during the past year. Her many changes include having "real" hair, an ever-growing vocabulary, jumping, doting on her little family of stuffed animals and baby dolls, and still her favorite is reading books.
Robert and I have enjoyed this blessed year. We have both tackled new adventures this year. I worked part-time the entire year, and with the addition of Dallas to our family, I will now make staying at home my full time job. It is such a joy and privilege to have this opportunity to raise and help lead our children to live loving and God-fearing lives. I am also looking forward to enhancing my homemaking skills, and will hopefully grow to enjoy "cleaning the bathrooms"!
Robert has learned a lot in the past year running Guidepost Financial his part time financial counsuling buisness. He has really enjoyed setting up the buisness structure. He has been able to help many people tackle the daunting task of getting out of debt.
We also cannot be thankful enough for our family. The support we get from our parents, sisters and brother is too great to describe. We have enjoyed many new relationships found through our church family as well this year. We have developed life long freindships that are important to our family.

Introducing Dallas Charles

We have a new child - a son! Here are the stats: Name - Dallas Charles Kibbe Born Dec 7 at 10:48PM (13 days early) 8lbs 3.9 oz, 21" long

His birth story is very similar to Emily's. Eighteen or so hours of labor, but with this little one only 13 minutes of pushing! He is doing so well at home. I feel very spoiled so far. He sleeps a lot, is eating like a champ (although I do have to wake him sometimes to do so), and is very easy to soothe. Today at almost 5 days old he is finally giving us some eye time, up until now he would barely keep his eyes open for longer than 3-4 minutes at a time. The only think that makes him slightly fussy at this point is getting naked for a diaper change, and who can argue with that. Emily is enjoying the big sister role, she had been very helpful. Everyone keeps asking how she is adjusting, I think she is doing the best she possibly can be. She hasn't been feeling that great this week, dealing with a cough and running/congested nose and she is still doing quite well. The bottom line is we feel really blessed and thank God for this wonderful little guy.

The leader of the "Nest"

I felt I didn't give enough credit to Robert about the previous nesting post. I don't want to get caught having this sound like I run the place with no husband! Robert absolutely fixed everything about the whole leak in the ceiling thing. He even told the plumber I was really pregnant and the guy offered to come over on his Thanksgiving break. Robert declined seeing as we were going to travel anyway. Rob came back home with major allergies from being in CR plus he had developed the flu, but he still helped the plumber all day Monday, and has spent his limited evening time patching the tub back together! What a great provider.

Christmas tree

We have been working on the family tree. Emily decorated her tree that hangs out in her room. The Cyclone tree also made another appearance this year.
I wanted to get a super cute picture of Emily hanging ornaments, but she is mostly interested in the hooks... go figure!

My nest

All things considered, I am taking the hole in my kitchen ceiling quite well. I am trying not to be crabby about it. I couple of weeks ago, I felt my "nest" was in order. Everything I wanted finished and cleaned was checked off my list. Then life happens, little leak in the bath tub turns into a hole in the kitchen ceiling. I am quite thankful, I know an access hole through the nursery wall was a possibility, and luckily the already damaged ceiling worked just as well!

White weekend

We were not home long to enjoy the first measurable snowfall of the season, but It sure looked pretty on all the fields.
Robert and I had a date planned this weekend in DSM. Grandma and Grandpa came up and entertained Em and Bo, while we shopped, saw a movie, ate wings, watched the Cyclones lose, and attend what could have been my last ever company party! The party was at the Casino in Altoona, it was a tad more elegant looking affair over the last years it was held in Ames. We opted to stay over in Altoona as well to sleep in (we are officially old now, because that resembles about 7:30 - 8:00 am to me).

Big thanks to the grandparents for giving us a nice retreat, we appreciate it. I am sure pictures will come with mom's post of the weekend.

Robert and I also managed to pretty much tie up the Christmas shopping, I think we have 1 or 2 more things locally we might pick up. This is unheard of in our family to have presents bought before Thanksgiving. It sure makes me look forward to the season. Rob's hanging outdoor lights as we speak, he lucked out as it is pretty balmy outside today.

Em's song

We have been listening to the holiday station Holly on Direct TV. Tonight while Frank's version of Jingle Bells was playing, Emily started singing.
Emily - "Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle bells, (long pause)"
Me - Wow, how do you know that song Emily?
Robert - We sing it in the truck.
Emily - "Robin layed an egg... Jingle Bells"
Me - "so you taught her that version first!"

We broke out in laughter, while Emily kept singing to us!