i realize i have been somewhat of a slacker the past few weeks when it comes to keeping this blog up to date. lots has been going on around here and i am excited to share. first of all, eliana and i made our big adventurous trip to north carolina to visit max over thanksgiving weekend. it went very well! she was a gem on the plane, only fussing the first flight and sleeping the rest of the time. we had a few long car rides as well, which she also did very well in! visiting max in jacksonville was amazing! it was so good to spend four whole days with him (that's the longest i've gotten to spend with him since july!) and for eliana and he to interact and get to know each other! he became a pro at burping her, getting her in and out of the car, changing her diaper, dressing her and figuring out what she needed when she was crying. while we were there we went to an aquarium, a couple different beaches in the area, got shown around Camp LeJeune and hung out in town.

and on the last night...he proposed! it was so sweet, a night i won't forget for a very very long time! it's so fun to be able to call him my fiance and make set plans for a wedding...which will be happening very soon! we'll be getting married december 22nd, having a super small private wedding ceremony. then having a big reception on december 27th! so much to do, details to get worked on and plans to be made. we have locations, dresses, most of the big imperative details determined. so now it's getting the invites out (will be in the mail over the weekend), and arranging the small details (flowers, shoes, hair, rings, music, license, cake, etc)! it's all very exciting and i am thrilled he is able to come home for TWO WEEKS (unless something changes...) over the holidays. it will be fabulous to get married and then be able to spend that time with him and eliana, as a family!

speaking of ms. L...she is doing very well. it's hard to believe she is 7 weeks old already...that's almost two months! she has been having some good long stretches of being awake and alert...cooing, giggling and "talking" to her toys. and she has been sleeping very well at night, often for 6 hour stretches at a time! we have her pediatric urologist appointment on monday to check on her one kidney and her two-month check the following week! it is so fun to watch her growing and developing and it's amazing how fast time flies by! it was such a treat to watch max with her while we were in north carolina. it's definitely hard to not have him here, but it's just precious to see him interact with and love on her when he is around!

nothing else too exciting. we got to spend thanksgiving day with family. and now we are looking forward to a wedding, a marriage and the glorious christmas season! woot!