Sometimes we do things

To get into the holiday season Lincoln and I went with a bunch of friends to the National Zoo for Zoolights. 

There was a dancing panda in a giant snow globe.

  

How much more exciting can our life get???

Thanksgiving in Durham

The closest family we have out here is my cousin Kimberly. She lives in Durham NC with her husband and three kids. She is one of the best cooks I know, seriously this woman is amazing. This is our third year going down to NC for Thanksgiving and we look forward to it every time. It is nice to be with family for the holidays, to eat good food, to take lots of naps, and to have a very relaxing weekend. They treat us like Kings, and let us stay in their beautiful house---how much better can it get?   

How cute are these kids?

Mmmm. Seriously, that food is was so good. I am getting hungry just thinking about it. Thanks again for a fantastic Thanksgiving Kimberly!

Veteran's Day (Yes, I am playing catch up)

Since most people have to work on holidays like Veteran's Day (including Lincoln), my friend Stephanie decided to organize all of us who didn't have to work (yes I love working for the government) and hike Old Rag in the Shenandoah mountains.  It was a good 5 hour hike. Had I known beforehand how dangerous the hike actually is (you are scrambling boulders half the time), at three months pregnant I probably would have thought twice about hiking it. (It is amazing how much you worry about the little fetus inside of you, and not wanting to do anything to hurt it--like falling.) But in the end I am glad I did it, everything was fine, and luckily I didn't get too nauseous.

We had a great time. I loved catching up on everyone's dating life. And the scenery was simply lovely. 

If you are in the area, (and don't have little kids) you should definitely add hiking Old Rag on the list of things to do.

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 :)