Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Unfortunately the Berg household was hit with the stomach bug on Christmas morning. Emerson was the first to go down, but not before she was able to rip open all of her gifts. Michael and I were so busy with her we didn't get any pictures of the mornings events... only a home movie. The BIG gift for the Berg household is our very own Macbook. I am sooooo excited to have a computer I can actually download things to... we both have work computers we have used for the last 3 years so I never was able to do all the things I wanted to do. For all of those people out there who are hesitant to go to a Mac... DO IT!!! I have made Michael a believer... he is a sucker for gadgets. We traveled to the Valley and only spent one day there before I came down with the illness so we headed back and are hanging out at home this week. We went to the zoo, put away all the Christmas decorations and are getting ready for real life to start on Jan. 5th- thats when I go back to work and both kids will be in day care. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Our little Santa

Is that a smile or just the look of relief after he spit up!

Emerson waiting for me to get her some yogurt

Christmas with our cousin Aiden

The Christmas party at school with Dad

Playing catch up...

My 3 months of maternity leave is over and our sweet baby boy isn't on the blog enough, just one of the many things that hasn't got done... well Emerson just deleted my post and Jackson is up from a nap... so all I have for you are some pictures. More to come later... AFTER the kids go to bed.

The Joy of Having Kids

Well the Berg household has been non stop lately. From changing diapers every 5 minutes with Jackson to potty training Em, we have been busy. I can honestly say I think the Thanksgiving weekend was one of the greatest we have had yet. We ate like pigs on Thanksgiving, of course, Emerson helped bake the pumpkin pie with Mom, Michael hung Christmas lights on his 30th bday, we went out to dinner with the Barretts, we went to the park with the kiddos, and we completed the Christmas tree. It definitely feels like Christmas around here now. I realized this weekend how blessed we are that having kids hasn't slowed us down, we have just been given new reasons to live life to the fullest. Here are a few recent pics I love.

Emerson has learned the word "Patagonia" because of her hat- every 2 year old needs that in their vocabulary.

One of our 20 zoo trips... we love the zoo!

Jackson watching Mom get ready in the morning.

His first bottle and he grabs it like a pro.

Hmmm... I wonder if they're related??

We must have pictures of our friends... Pam do you recognize the bear, she rescued it from the dogs and now claims it is hers... sorry Aiden.

No I don't have to go potty!

Having fun at Discovery Green.

Our first Sunday back at church.

God Bless America

It is a new day in America. No matter which side of the aisle you are on it was a moment to behold last night. I might not agree with the politics but this change empowers people of all races and creeds. It is a new day and we have a new president and for that I think we can all be thankful… this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

This is noteworthy... I think history will grant this man the honor and respect the American people couldn't muster. No sex, lies and scandal... just a godly man trying to do his job.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122584386627599251.html

Halloween Fun

Here are some of the pictures from Friday night. We had a great time hanging out with the neighbors and trick or treating. Emerson was a bee and Jackson was a pumpkin. Jackson slept the whole time and was a joy to take along and Emerson was excited with every piece of candy she got. We now know that Emerson's favorite candy is a lollipop. I can't wait for the little man to be able to enjoy it as much as E did.

He's Here!

Jackson Ryan Berg was born on October 10th at 5:52pm, weighing in at a hefty 8lbs 15oz, 20.5 inches long.

Now for the back story... so it goes that with the 2nd child (and any there after) that you just don't document things the way you did with the first. Before his birth this definitely was the case, but I am trying to make a better effort now that he is here. I think we only got one belly picture this time around... which is just fine by me! For all of you who asked repeatedly about belly pictures I thought I would include it here... this was taken the Saturday before I had this linebacker! Mama was HUGE!

I was induced on Thursday night and got the big drugs on Friday morning. Things were touch and go late Friday afternoon and I was about to be wheeled in for a c-section when the little man decided to turn so he could come out. Jackson heard my prayers and was delivered 20 minutes later happy and healthy. After my first labor with Emerson this one was a breeze!

I am blessed to have Michael home with me for 2 weeks while we settle into life with 2 kiddos. It has felt like old times and has been a lot of fun spending time together with our newest baby. Emerson has been wonderful with Jackson. She is already a little momma and helps in whatever way she can. Usually she just says "it's okay baby brother" or "don't cry little one" even when the guy isn't making a peep. She loves to hold him and get close to him whenever possible. Let's just hope it stays this way!

Here are the latest pictures of the little man as he enters his second week of life. He looks just like his big sister did at this age. I will have Michael do a comparison post later because the two of them look like twins.

Another event in our world was my 30th birthday. I can proudly say I had Jackson when I was "in my 20's" and we have the hospital records to prove it. On the big day I got a 2 hour nap and a pedicure and manicure... exactly what every mother wants for her birthday! I told Michael he was off the hook for a present since we have been a little busy, but of course he came up big! Michael took a beautiful picture of me and Jackson while we were in the hospital and it has quickly become one of my most treasured possessions. He gave me this picture in a frame with the sweetest note. I love him and I am so blessed that he loves me. Having him by my side has made the events in my life that much more special... our kids are so lucky to have him as a father... I like to say they won the daddy lottery!

Last Family Vacation with an Only Child

For the holiday weekend, we packed our bags and headed to San Antonio for four days at the Hyatt Hill Country. It was a much needed vacation for us all. Emerson could not get enough of the water and Kim got to relax while floating the baby belly around the lazy river. The resort is a very kid friendly place to stay. They have so many kid activities thoughout the day including smores in the evenings and movie night on the front lawn. It is definitly a place we will go back to. We also spent some time at Sea World since it is less than 5 minutes from the resort. Emerson was a trooper. We went two days in a row and she made it until 2:30 or so without a nap. Both days she crashed within seconds of getting into her car seat. She loved Shamu, petting the dolphins, and the sea lion show. Her favorite part was probably the water park. She just has no hesitation with getting wet and having water splash her in the face.

The real reason for our vacation was to take one last trip with Emerson as an only child before her baby brother comes along. Her smile and loving nature reminded us everyday how blessed we are to have her. It was so much fun watching her experience all the sights and sounds of Sea World, swimming in the lazy river, playing in the sand, petting horses, and all the other aspects of our mini-vacation. It brings a whole new meaning to experienceing the world through your child's eyes. It's like being a child again which makes life so much more fun. Here are some pictures of Emerson from our trip. Enjoy!