Merry Christmas to all!  We visited "Mamie" a week before Christmas and Riess LOVES her Christmas lights.  Riess had a wonderful Christmas this year.  Santa came to visit and she stayed up ALL night since she was so excited.  She slept late, as did mom and dad to catch up.  I think it will probably be the last Christmas that we sleep late ... EVER!  I can't wait until the real fun begins in the coming years when she can really enjoy the season.  

But today -- Christmas Day -- Riess has been asleep ALL DAY LONG.  That probably doesn't mean good things for tonight.  I return to work tomorrow, so Chris is on "daddy duty" tonight and all of next week too!  

But Chris and I agree that Riess was by far our best Christmas gift this year.  We feel so very blessed to have our beautiful baby girl this year.  And equally as blessed... my good friends Courtney and Brooke!  Riess met Paisley (Brooke's daughter) and Addison (Courtney's) in Owensboro.... Paisley and Riess spent some time together...

On Dec.15th, Addison was born and all three girls are finally here!  What a very Merry Christmas!!!!!

Newborn pictures!

We had our first real "photo session" with a wonderful photographer, Melanie Mauer, a few weeks ago.  (I would totally recommend her, by the way... wonderful!) 

I thought I would share our pictures from the session... you can see them at: 

www.melaniemauer.com/riess

The slide show will only be available for a week or so since they are only our proofs, but I hope you have a chance to check them out.  We think they turned out very well!  Enjoy!  More of my pics are on the way.

A LOT to give thanks for...

We made the trip to Owensboro for the week of Thanksgiving.  It was a wonderful time to see friends and family and share baby Riess with everyone.  We certainly have a lot to be thankful for this year!!!

I was MOST thankful for the help I got while at home!  My mom ("Mamie") fed Riess for her 2am feeding the first two nights so Chris and I got to sleep a full 6 hours!!!  It was wonderful to catch up on our sleep.  And I think mom enjoyed her time with Riess in her room.

Riess also met Paisley for the first time -- she's Brooke's new daughter.. born Nov.18.  She was 8 lbs, 14 ounces so she is already much bigger than Riess.  What a cutie!

  "Paisley and Riess"

Now there's only one of us left to go!  Courtney is due Dec.18!

  

Riess is getting bigger, though!  She had a doctor's appointment this week and she is now 8 lbs, 1 ounce.  She is 20 inches long.  That means she is only in the 10th percentile for weight and height.  The doctor says that's completely normal given her ...ahem, genes.... that would be from the 5-footer, mom.  She can curse me later.  She's just a petite little thing like momma!

I also took on the task of taking some pictures of Riess for our Christmas card.  What a hoot that was!  I took nearly 100 pictures.... about 3 of them are usable!  I have a whole new respect for those people who take pictures of babies for a living.  It certainly is not easy.  Here are a few of my favorites...

Hilarious!!!!!

                 

But there were a few good ones....  AWWWWWW!