::peace on earth::

we celebrated christmas a day early here because ryan is on call tomorrow. and while anyone who knows me well knows i really really don't like to celebrate things early, it turned out to be just perfect.

ry got home from rounding just as lily and finn were waking up. we had lily wait in her room with her very own cup of hot chocolate and then she bounded out into the living room at just the right time. she is at a very sweet age for christmas and it was a very special day. she made sure that baby jesus joined us for the entire day and loved "helping" us all open every last gift.

our hearts are certainly longing for our families tonight and wishing we could have been a part of the biber-smith-monopolization-of-three-rows-in-church process that occurs so lovingly each christmas eve. and it was hard to know we were missing brandon and sam acting like two year olds through the entire service. but, it was such a sweet day as a family of four and tonight as the church was dark and we were all holding candles, it seemed just perfect... especially since we know we get to be with our families in just a few short days.

so, from our house to yours, we wish you love, happiness, truth and peace this christmas.

the snorks...

remember the snorks?

yeah, i only kinda' remember them, too. but, the one thing that is clear in my mind is the way that little snorkle-thing on the tops of their heads bent to the side.

well, that is the way finn's hair has been looking as of late. we would have two options with his hair:
1) comb over that would pop up in the back due to a wicked cowlick.
2) mowhawk that would fold over like the snorks.
both of which were terrible.
it's been a good thing it's been hat season.

anyway, our little guy got a hair cut years before his big sister...seriously, her hair has still not been cut.

i'm not sure that it looks any better, but at least he doesn't look like a snork anymore.

open up...

finn is a big eater. a B.I.G. eater.

as of late, he's seemed more hungry. so, i thought it must be time to introduce solids. and, prior to trying it, i told ryan that i was sure once we started him on solids, there would be no going back. ever.

boy, was i wrong!

my champ of an eater refused every single bite. he even gagged when the spoon got close to his mouth. he was not interested at all.

maybe he wasn't quite ready?
that's ok, chief...because i wasn't quite ready, either!







and a little sibling love...

blizzard of '09

we experienced what has been referred to as the "winter wallop" this past weekend and it was pretty phenomenal!

i am pretty sure that c'ville didn't quite know what hit it!

thank you...

thank you, to miss betty and miss beckett, for all the ways they teach lily the love of our Lord and Savior in such tangible ways.

lily came out of her class today with her new baby jesus and she proudly exclaimed, "mama, i have a baby just like you!"

baby jesus (made so sweetly out of pantyhose) has done everything with lily since she returned home.

he snuggled with her.
he ate lunch with her.
he was even meant to bathe with her until i convinced her that he was quite clean already.
he is currently napping with her in his manger in her room.
he has been by her side all afternoon.

what a powerful and simple reminder of the Lord's presence at this wonderful time of year.

so, thank you, miss betty and miss beckett.

firsts...

it is amazing how the same two parents can create two children who are so wonderfully different from one another.

it has been evident from day one that finn's temperament is vastly different from lily's...and we are so thankful for their uniqueness from each other.

lily was pretty much gangbusters from the start when her opinion was involved (or when her opinion was not involved, but she wished it was) and she has added spunk to our lives in so many ways. and finn has chosen to be much more laid back about life in general (except when food is involved!)

and so it should come as no shock that lily rolled in both directions with gusto on her 4 month birthday. and the chief has chosen the more relaxed rote...as he is now over 5 months old, he has decided it might be time to try to roll over at least in pursuit of his beloved thumb (as lily loves to say, "look mom! he is stucking on his thumbkin!") so congrats, finn, on rolling for the 1st time!

and of course, for your 1st snow!!

welcome.

welcome to the world, griffin isaac guzman.
we adore you already and can hardly wait to meet you.
your parents are amazing and you are so blessed to be their son.
congratulations, ashley and jose!!



and congrats to our dear friends, adam and katie, as they welcomed mac into the world this week, too!!