Christmas. Bird Style.

So we've had a successful Christmas-time! Our trip to Ohio went fairly uneventfully (minus a sore tooshy on my side of the car). We've had a great time hanging out with all of Andy's family, eaten lots and lots of unhealthy/delicious goodies, and laughed almost hard enough to pop the baby right out (thankfully, he's staying put for the moment)!

Speaking of which - I am now 36 1/2 weeks, and finally starting to feel hugely pregnant (and uncomfortable)! My pregnancy has been so easy and wonderful, I kind of thought I was home free... but I guess experiencing the normal aches and pains for only a matter of weeks isn't anything to complain about - I've really loved being pregnant so far! Here's what the current state of things looks like:

36 weeks!
(sorry for the shocking amount of skin in these later photos... I can't really help how huge it is though!)

Even though my mid-section looks like a wart on a blue-whale's face, the Birds decided they wanted to capture us all, in our current glory, for a Christmas card! Since Andy and I are both bad about making things like Christmas cards, this is the closest thing we'll ever "send" - so enjoy!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

In other news, I finally convinced Andy to try to grow his first beard (he's supposed to grow it out until I have Oliver, but we'll see...) Conveniently, this was also a great year for the return of classic Christmas sweaters. Please enjoy the following. I know I do.

Andy and big-brother Jim!
So regal... or something akin to regality. Or not akin to it at all. I'm not quite sure.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, introducing, for the first time ever, Mr. Beard, on my husband.
My handsome man - his blue eyes and Mr. beard's first official appearance! He still has a long way to go (it's only been 1 1/2 weeks), but he's making great progress!
I think Mr. beard is looking pretty great! Andy just says it's really itchy...

Well, that's about it... I might someday take a picture of myself (for posterity's sake), that includes more than just my gigantic stomach... but then again, I might not. I am not currently growing a beard, so the pictures won't be quite as exciting.

Merry Christmas, happy New Year's and all that!
Please do keep me and Oliver in your prayers - he really could come any day between now and February, and I'm really hoping for a healthy and safe delivery (so I can go naturally), so pray for us a lot in the next few weeks!! Hurray for Baby almost being here!!

love to all!