We are having a baby GIRL!!!

Which is probably a really good thing. Since I never had sisters I always dressed up my little brothers and painted their toenails. Lincoln was getting worried that I would do the same if we had a baby boy... 

At the sonogram appointment earlier this week, Lincoln wanted to find out the sex and I wanted to wait until Christmas morning to find out. The technician told me to close my eyes when she showed Lincoln that it was a girl---so I had no idea. On Christmas Eve I felt like a kid again, because I was so excited to find out what we were having! I woke up every hour that night checking my watch to see if it was time to get up. Then when it was finally time, I went upstairs and found the answer under the Christmas tree----IT'S A GIRL!

We are both really excited. 

April Fools in December?

You may have heard of Christmas in July, but have you ever heard of April Fools in December? As you may know, the DC Essigs love to play April Fools Jokes. And the majority of our April Jokes have been displayed on our blog. Back in 2009 we joked that we were pregnant.

And the year before that in 2008 we also joked that we were with child

So now that we are really pregnant, when we tell people, what do they tell us??? Nope, not a "congrats," or "we are so excited for you." It is most often an...

"APRIL FOOLS!!!"

But it is December... Not April.

So this time it is the TRUTH.

We promise. Scouts honor.

And Ali is 16 weeks along.

(photo taken on Friday. I know I am not really showing, but I have some big hips so the baby has plenty of room in there, I promise!)

May Baby Essig will be due May 25, 2011.

We can't wait!

And we are pretty sure that this guy is the father:

Like a hundred percent sure.

Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony

This year I decided to venture out for the Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. All hill staffers are invited, although not a lot attended this year--maybe because it was FREEZING COLD. The tree was from Wyoming, and they had a nice little program. Speaker Pelosi and a 6 year old boy from Wyoming officially turned the lights on.

I am glad I went. But I could not feel my fingers, nose or toes after the short ceremony. Unless it is 10 degrees warmer, I don't think I will go next year.

Before

After

Super washed out photo of me with the tree. The frightfully cold wind was blowing in my face. Why has it been so cold in DC lately? I swear this is not normal...

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

You planning to run for office?

Apparently, if you are planning to run for office, you need to make sure you look good in red.
Getting into the Christmas Spirit, I wore my new red sweater to work. The first thing the Congressman said when he saw me was, "I see what you are doing" as he picked up the magazine and held it up next to me...

(FYI, I don't intend to run for office anytime soon... but I do think brunettes look great in red :)