Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tag

My sweet sister in law tagged me for a little Christmas game- she must know what a sucker I am for little survey things like this! Since Kenna is still sleeping (for now) I have a quick minute to actually participate!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I love wrapping presents- cutting the paper, making sure the corners are just perfect, tying ribbon in the square thing around the package, and picking out something to decorate the top and the perfect gift tag to attach... but that is a lot of work for each present, and admittedly, sometimes I just pop it in a gift bag. Also, gift bags are much easier to store, and I too "regift" the gift bags people give us!

2. Real tree or Artificial?

The tree isn't quite right without the smell of a real Christmas tree. However, as a kid I never realized you have to water the thing and vacuum up needles all the time (especially when the dog runs under it) and that it can leave a three foot wide dark green stain on your cream colored carpet (this actually happened to us our first year married). So we have an artificial pre-lit tree that stores away in sections and is the easiest thing in the world to put together. Plus, you can't beat pre-lit, it's SOOO much easier than untangling lights.

3. When do you put up the tree?

Not until after my birthday (November 29th)... usually not until it's officially December. This year it wouldn't have gotten put up at all except that Matt was on the ball and did it for me (he even put the ornaments on!)

4. When do you take the tree down?

No later than New Years, usually.

5. Do you like eggnog?

Not so much. I never reached a verdict on whether or not it has raw eggs in it, which scares me. I prefer hot apple cider or coffee.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Two American Girl dolls, and a little pink trunk that held their clothes (most of which my Mom had made). That was the year I remember Christmas being "big." We came down the stairs and there were just presents everywhere... the stuff for our stockings were so big that they were sitting on the couch. I think Jason got a camping tent in his stocking, and it was all set up in the living room.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

Hmm... everybody is hard in their own way sometimes. Everyone has so much stuff these days, I really try hard to get things that I have heard the person mention wanting at some point throughout the year. And I am horrible at thinking of what to say when somebody asks what I want for Christmas so I know I'm probably hard to shop for too!

8. Easiest person to buy for?

It used to be my Mom by far. I still see things everywhere that immediately make me think of her. Now it's the little kids- we buy toys that look so fun we would want to play with them (usually Uncle Matt takes on that job!)

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

No. My Mom had this huge one that she painted in a college art class. I remember it always being a big deal when she took each piece out, unwrapped it, and put it on the mantel just so.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Mail! I love non-bill or junk mail. It's crazy how expensive postage is getting though.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

That's a tough one. There's always something that kind of makes me wonder if the person knows me at all, but I don't think I'd be willing to designate one as the absolute worst ever.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Love Actually. I also like Elf and the Charlie Brown Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

If I see something during the year that's perfect for someone, I'll buy it and try not to lose it. Or try not to give it to them before Christmas. But usually I do most of it in late November, early December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Possibly... not that I specifically remember.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Christmas sugar cookies with icing, paninis, and Honey Baked Ham.

16. Lights on the tree?

White! I'm not a big fan of colored lights unless it's for a really colorful kids' tree.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

O Holy Night. If that song is playing at Christmas, I'm probably tearing up.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

I like to stay home, but I don't mind traveling. I like that "over the river and through the woods... " feeling of traveling to the grandparents, especially knowing how excited Kenna will be about that as she gets older.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, on Vixen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, on Blitzen. and Rudolph

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
A star. But I also like ribbon bows.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

Definitely Christmas morning. I'd like to start the tradition of opening special Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve with Kenna though.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Alisa summed it up- crowds, traffic, and rain, especially if it is warm and rainy. It must be cold at Christmas, and snow at Christmas is always ideal.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

I like red and white trees. I think it's so clean and classy. But it's special too to unpack all the different ornaments and bring them out one by one to put them on the tree.

24. Favorite Christmas dinner?
I like ham. Growing up it was always turkey for Thanksgiving, ham for Christmas. But who are we kidding, I'll eat anything especially if I don't have to cook it!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

To snuggle my brand new baby daughter under the tree late at night on Christmas Eve in her tiny red footed Christmas jammies.

And now it is my duty to tag:

-Beth Anne
-Mrs. C
-Mandy
-Tara

Kenna's First Bath

Linds has been asking me for over a week to post some pictures we took of her first bath. We promise not to make this blog entirely about Kenna and her firsts, but we did want to share this moment with everyone. I got her ready for her bath while Lindsey prepared everything.
Then Linds started washing her from tiny head to tiny toes. At first she hated it, but by the end she was doing great and even enjoying the warm water and washcloth.
So twenty minutes later we had a happy baby, happy daddy, and happy mommy. Most importantly, we had a clean baby. Not that I want these days to go away, because she's so sweet, but I am excited for the days when toys and puppet shows with washcloths come along. There are so many stories waiting to be made up between Kenna and I and can't wait for them to begin. For now, she's content to snuggle with her momma in a pink blanket and I'm content to take hundreds of pictures of each wonderful moment God blesses us with.

Dreams and Goals

Since Matt last wrote about thankfulness for God blessing him with the opportunity to see our newborn daughter, I wanted to also write about achieving a dream and goal of mine. Today I did something I've wanted to do since I was 16 years old and was given my first "real" camera for my birthday by my grandfather. I took photos of a beautiful infant girl...

...who is finally and actually mine! Matt and I have taken so many photos of beautiful kiddos over the years, and now we have our own. These pictures, especially of her little toes, are the kind of pictures I've seen in my mind and then finally get to materialize in real life. Here is my little beauty at 2 weeks and a day old:
And somehow magically in the hospital, despite the bad hair, no makeup, no sleep, and um, just having had a baby... Uncle Creech managed to capture the shot every mommy wants to treasure:

Thankfulness

Psalm 30:12 "That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever."

Last week was Thanksgiving and we as a family had quite a bit to be thankful for, but I felt extra thankful. In fact, I felt overwhelmingly blessed. While many might believe themselves to be fortunate, I got to cross something off of my list. Many who read this blog are aware that I was diagnosed with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) when I was 21. This disease is genetic, but never passed on by males (the thankfulness that this disease ends with me regarding my own offspring is also endless). It has affected me in very odd ways including rolling black outs of my vision, days of complete loss of vision, a loss of peripheral vision, a definitive decrease in my night vision, and many more. When the doctors officially diagnosed me, they told me that it was likely that I would go blind and that I should be blind already. In fact, my optic nerve is additionally weakened and further destroyed by increases in physical and emotional stress, alcohol use, and smoking (all the more reason to continue on in my Baptist ways and trust God to take care of my worries). Why did I share all of this with you? I try to keep a great deal of my life private. It's actually not that I am opposed to sharing, I just tend to keep some of the more intimate details of my life to myself because people often become fixated on flaws and weaknesses in an individual and I believe God has made me exactly how He set out to. I am not flawed, but designed and created with purpose and intention. Why share it now? Because I am undeniably moved and my God deserves glory and thanks. When I found out that I was blessed in a different way than others, I began to think of the things I would miss seeing if I went blind that day. Every day from there on out would be a gift of sight, so what would be important to see? I made a mental list of all of the things that were wishes and prayers of mine to see before I went blind (should God choose to send me that way). The top two things on my list were that I could see my bride on our wedding day (though I hadn't even begun to know who she would be at the time) and that I would see my first child born. I'll never forget how emotional a day it was to see Lindsey, my beloved wife, walking down the aisle towards me in all of the radiance and grace that God has blessed her with. I honestly did not think much could match that day, but the birth of my daughter has come very close. While many fathers have spoken to me about queasiness, fainting, and being disgusted at the time of delivery, I was in awe and literally waiting on pins and needles. Every remarkable push Lindsey made, God was using my wife to bring my prayers closer and closer to fruition. With each "I'm so proud of you! Keep pushing!" to Linds, a silent prayer was said that God would give me 10 more seconds...then another ten seconds...until there she was. God had faithfully answered another prayer and let me see, hold, and watch in amazement as my little miracle entered this world and God granted me the miracle of sight, and what I saw has left me captured. I quoted Psalm 30 above because the more I thought of how our Lord Jesus has given me this gift, the more it was evident to me that I could not be silent about my gift, God's faithfulness, and answered prayers. Thanks for reading and may all glory go to our mighty God, who still hears and still answers his children's cries.

Baby Hiccups

The first time Kenna got the hiccups, it was about 4 in the morning, and I was a little punchy from lack of sleep anyways, but I thought it was hilarious. I laughed so hard I'm surprised I didn't wake Matt up (that just shows you how sleepy he was!). Her whole little body shakes and she sounds like a little bird... she gets them almost everyday, just like she did in the womb. We sit and laugh every time!

Thanksgiving and Birthday Week!

We had planned that if Kenna came before Thanksgiving, we would drive into Raleigh to spend Thanksgiving with our families... since she arrived on the 23rd, it worked out perfectly to drive our little 4 day old bundle to see her grandparents and cousins!
Matt's parents put on a delicious spread of all our favorites, and we stuffed ourselves as usual! They also were sweet enough to practically make double of everything so there would be lots of leftovers for us to take home. We've been eating them for the past several days and it's so nice to not have to cook!

Later in the evening, Kenna got to meet her great Grandma Dean for the first time, and had the honor of visiting with both of her great grandmothers at the same time:
It's so special to me to see how excited they both are and how much they love their sweet great-grandbaby! We have enjoyed having Grannie stay with us this week, and hearing lots of baby stories about everyone in the family. We're getting spoiled having her help, especially since she keeps us fed, doesn't mind getting up early, and loves our sweet girl!
The sleep deprivation is hitting Daddy worst of all... I think God makes Moms so fascinated with their babies, a they are mostly in a love fog with the baby anyways, so a little extra sleep deprivation fog doesn't matter. I laughed so hard when he gave me a birthday card this morning that said happy birthday "even though we may be sleep deprized" ...I think that says it all!

Kenna's gift to me on my 25th birthday today was the biggest blowout of poop she's had so far. Matt went to change her and had to call Grannie and me in for back up... we ended up having to strip her down and clean her off in the sink! The good part is, that means she's eating right which is a relief to me after struggling a bit in these early days of nursing. No matter what, she is the best present I have ever gotten by far, birthday or not!
We didn't plan much for this birthday, since we're all pretty exhausted from having a six day old babe around. Matt got cupcakes when our plan for ordering a cake fell through, and I realized we literally did not have a single birthday candle except for the individual number ones from Matt's cake last year... so I stole the 2 and improvised my own 5:
Believe it or not, in all the picture taking, we did not get a picture of the three of us on our first Thanksgiving. Our attempts to take one today to make up for it were really disappointing... I guess the "photographers" of the family can't all be in a picture at the same time! Kenna was not a fan, and we just look soooo tired no matter what we do!
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Now That We're Home

I couldn't resist sharing just a few more pictures!
Making friends with the boppy pillow, which is great for giving my arm a little break. I want to always remember how tiny she is, everything feeling miniature, even for a baby.

After she nurses, she'll make little faces at me until she falls asleep. She likes to sleep with her mouth open in a tiny little o.
Then she passes out!
The funniest things so far are her squeaky little outbursts when she's warning you that she's thinking about really crying... like a little bird squalking... and when she got the hiccups at about 4 something a.m. this morning, I laughed so hard I cried. They were high-pitched and hilarious.

She is, by far, precious in every way this mommy knows!
I think we'll keep her :)

Family and Friends at the hospital

I have planned to upload at least a handful of pictures to our flick'r website later this week when my sleep deprived state becomes (at the very least) more of a habit or less and less as Kenna settles into a routine. Either way, I'm so thankful for God's provisions for our healthy girl and for Lindsey's continued healing and amazing attitude. "Thankful" falls dreadfully short to describe how we felt about all our visitors that made the effort to get to the hospital. I'll miss out on many if I try and name them all, (see sleep deprived state mentioned above) but here are a few of the pictures we took throughout the day.
Mere minutes after she was born, Nana Brogli was anxious to hold our new little one and Grandgraddy (as Ansley calls him) didn't pass up up the opportunity either.
Early Sunday morning, Jason and Alisa arrived and they stayed for a few wonderful hours where we visited and simply enjoyed being a 7lb 13 oz bigger family.
Evan came a couple of hours later, but I unfortunately missed my sweet buddy by mere minutes while I was running home to grab a much needed shower and a few things we needed from home.
When I returned from that much needed shower, Leanne, Sandy, Ansley and Beckley were there, along with Mom and Dad. Beckley had his dedication in Raleigh that morning and then they were sweet enough to drive all the way down here to see Kenna. We have amazing familes to say the least.
And of course we had to get the first full grandkids shot.
After my side of the family headed home, many of the members of our sweet church came to meet our little one and congratulate us. It warmed my heart to see so many different people have the same reaction to my daughter's face. Some cooed, some asked to hold her, some hugged their own spouses (I LOVED THAT!), but all smiled. They smiled at our blessing and I got to thank God, because at the moment he made our miracle, he blesses everyone around that miracle with joy and hope. Joy for what HE has done, and the hope for all that HE will continue to do.
Today we departed home with our blessing and we'll just have to see what's next...

She's Here!

We're so happy to let everyone know that our baby girl is finally here!

Kenna McKay Brogli
2:03 am on Sunday, Nov. 23rd
7lbs 13oz and 20.5 inches long

...with strawberry blonde hair, daddy's lips and mommy's nose!

We are all three doing very well, and survived a long night of anxious expectation and pushing. We'll have lots more pictures and stories for you in the next couple of days, but for now it is 5am after an incredibly long and full afternoon/night, and we are all getting some rest. Here are a few quick highlights:

39 weeks: The Very Last Belly Pic

The very first look at my daughter:

A happy new family:
Praise the Lord for a safe and healthy delivery and baby, great medical staff, bodies that heal, and the wonderful wonderful invention of the epidural. Thank you for your prayers!

Cold Weather Hats

It's finally feeling like fall/winter here, and we love it! Matt loves it because it's cold, and I love it because we're nerds and I made us cold weather hats:
We are in the car on our way to a chilly OB appointment this morning. And yes! That smidge of green right between us is a recently-installed baby car seat!

Update on all 3 of us

We are still on high baby alert here, with lots of anxiousness and the last-minute crush of trying to plan for the unplan-able and wait at the same time. Even though I'm tired at night, I have a hard time going to bed because I think of all the things I still need to get done... make overnight plans for Pontouf while we're in the hospital, call the pediatrician, finish the last little bit of packing for my overnight bag (which requires laundry, of course), and even getting a few things ready for Christmas while it still feels like I can. I'm feeling a rush of mental energy, but not so much the physical.

38 weeks:
(The giant smile is because it was warm enough wear the one other pair of pants that fit other than my jeans!)

A good friend told me she thinks the last few weeks are more stressful than the whole 9 months put together. I'd have to agree because I think this is the only major life event so far, other than my mom's death, that has had a huge impact on every aspect of my life and yet has been completely out of my control and that in the end I haven't been able to plan for! Plus, there are lovely 9 month indignities that they don't really tell you about, such as losing your balance when you put on your own underwear, and it taking 10 minutes to put on your shoes as if you're 3 years old again. The very worst this week has been the severe back pain. Right now my little one is kicking and flipping so hard, it's as though she might try to break out.

I have to brag on Matt a little bit- he has been wonderful to still take care of me and try his hardest to weather my snappy moods, random crying, and occasional whining, while being in pain and discomfort himself. He's had really bad knee pain since the car accident we were in, and had xrays and an MRI done last week to check it out. We were told by the orthopedist that it's most likely a torn ACL, but go back this week to find out hopefully for sure and possibly discuss the option of surgery if need be.

Between weekly doctor appointments for the both of us, we managed to take a few fun maternity shots out in the beautiful fall leaves, something both of us had wanted to do for awhile. Next time I think I'll try harder to do it before I'm quite so big! I'm excited to have a few pictures showing that K is an autumn baby, and I have to also brag on Matt for how pretty they turned out.

Routines

I find an odd sense of comfort sometimes in our routines that we don't even realize are routine. Patterns seem to just spring up in our lives because of who we are and what we like to do, and sometimes even just how we photograph them in some of the same ways. I was looking through and updating some of our many folders of photos on our computer and noticed a few that made me smile and think of how two photos can look practically the same at first glance, but reflect such different times and even how two people can change through the start of a lifetime together.

Pilot Mountain, 2006
Blue Ridge Parkway, 2008

Matt with newborn newphew Evan, 2007
Matt with newborn nephew Beckley, 2008

My Mom and brother Jason, 1981
My Mom and Jason's son Evan, 2007