Olivia is Here!

To everyone's surprise, Kara's water broke last night and she was induced into labor. Kara did a great job through 8 hours and gave birth this morning around 7:20am CST. Olivia Mae Bowdish is 6 lbs, 2 oz and 19.5 inches. The middle name comes from my Grandma Wharton, named Bettymae.

Although I thought for sure Kara was having a boy, my mom and Kara referenced the baby as "she" this week which hadn't really happened before. I told Ryan that I think they may know what gender the baby is, so maybe it IS a girl afterall. I texted Kara this comment last night and she denied it. But that incling was right and I couldn't be happier. Now we have a 'girl thang' going on! Growing up, I got all of Kara's hand-me-downs so now does Olivia get Shaye's? ;) I love you, Sister and Matt, and thanks for making me a proud Auntie!

Christmas Bliss

Christmas is such a special time of the year. I revel in the decorations, the music, the family time, and the overall feeling of the holidays. There's nothing better! I love the holiday parties, the food/drinks, and the smiles on everyone's faces as we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth. Before it's all said and done, I want to reflect on the festivities.

Christmas Eve is always spent at Ryan's grandparents house. Nana and Pops have the family over for a casual spread of food and a relaxing time. The gift exchange is a little chaotic in that everyone opens at once, but the gifts are so generous and greatly appreciated by us all. Shaye was teething a bit and was probably overwhelmed by the activity so she was a bit fussy but she enjoyed a couple new toys and the company of Grandma Flower.


On Christmas Day, we went to mass bright and early which turned out to be uncrowded and enjoyable. Shaye hung in there for an hour or so before she was ready to go. I always enjoy the Christmastime hymns and the church was decorated so beautifully. In the afternoon, we met up with Ryan's Grandma Barbara for coffee and some intimate conversation. Shaye had a great time at the coffee shop entertaining the other patrons by dancing around and pushing a big chair all around the shop. We really enjoyed chatting with Barbara and had a nice time.

Kara and Matt were in town for Christmas so I was excited to spend the rest of the day with them. We opened gifts at my parents house and Shaye went nuts over her Elmo and Abby dolls from Auntie K and Uncle Matt as well as the new toys that my parents bought for her.


Randomly Kara and I bought my parents the same exact gift this year so we were cracking up about that. Great minds think alike! The rest of the family arrived and we enjoyed a great meal at a table of 15, a fun gift card exchange game, and a lot of good conversation. We packed up the car in the pouring rain and headed home.

We feel blessed to have such wonderful families that make the holidays so special for us. I can hardly imagine each year to follow....it will only get better! Merry, Merry Christmas to our loved ones!

Santa Train

The MOMS Club that I am involved with has a very special event every year. The typically public Santa Train at Irvine Regional Park is made private for one night to avoid the crowds. It was so much fun! We met up with Shawn, Brianna and Hailee at the park around 5pm and saw the Christmas decorations and colorfully lit up trees. We got in line for the train ride to the ‘North Pole’. The little train played Christmas music while we rode through the park filled with more decorations and beautiful trees. We arrived to see Santa and stood in line for a short time while Shaye and Hailee played around the hay bales. Neither Hailee nor Shaye enjoyed their time with Santa. Hailee’s head faced downward with no smile and Shaye wailed the first second she was placed in his arms. It was actually pretty classic! We picked up our hot chocolate and cookie and headed back through the tunnel, back to the station. I know that each year Shaye will enjoy this event more and more! Not so sure about Santa, though.




More pics from our December holiday outings at http://picasaweb.google.com/bnetro/ChristmastimeFun#

Club 33

Thanksgiving came and went so quickly and suddenly it was my birthday on Sunday. We enjoyed a lovely picnic in the afternoon down at the Corona del Mar cliffs overlooking the ocean. Ryan prepared a delicious lunch and we had a nice time, walking up and down the bluffs looking at the gorgeous homes and of course, stopping to say hi to all the dogs along the way. In the evening, Joyce and Rick had a family birthday dinner for me. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my birthday, surrounded by my loving family. 33 doesn't seem so bad after all!