Some things haven't changed...

This Christmas season has certainly been different than our last three together. Obviously, we have two children now, which is a change, but there are other things that have happened:

-Mom Beutel was gone for two weeks in Germany. She finally came home December 12, bringing Steph and Elena back with her. Much celebrating ensued.

-Max decided to climb out of his crib and fall. That night, Greg converted the crib into a toddler bed. Max can now get out of bed on his own, which has both its good and bad points. Some naptimes have been interesting. It's pretty cute to see/hear him come pattering out when he wakes up, though.

-Our house was hit with a baaaaaad case of the stomach flu. Max got it first and had it the worst. I had it and was in bed for a full day, which hasn't happened since we got married. We were a mess...the vomiting, diarrhea, everything. Yuck. We had to skip my Grandma Rassi's Christmas because we were recovering.

-No picture of this, but Max and Daddy hung out last night and bought a fish. We now have a pet beta named Charlie. Hopefully he lasts longer than Scales.

We're back on track, now, though, and ready for Christmas...which is good, since our solid week of having plans every night begins tomorrow. But, the presents are wrapped and stockings stuffed, so bring it on!

Even though the flu made things different than I had planned, it's nice to know that some things haven't changed:

-Nora is still a good baby (and yes, is still sucking her fingers)

-Max still loves music of any kind and is a sweet little boy.

-Max still loves Nora, gives her kisses and hugs, and wants to be close to her when she's awake.

-We still have two of the cutest kids ever.

-It's still Christmas Day two days from now, and nothing will ever change the fact that God loves us so much he sent His Son in the form of a helpless little baby or that Jesus loves us so much He came to earth knowing His life would end on the cross to save us.

Merry Christmas.