30 Weeks...AND THREE DAYS!!!

What seemed like an eternity away when we first started out on this journey to you, Baby Peanut, was a day we have been anxiously and excitedly awaiting. Today marks the longest I've ever been pregnant!

There have been milestones along the way, that we were nervous to approach and happy to get over (like 21 weeks when I went on bedrest with your brothers). None of these milestones have been bigger than getting over that "30 week and 2 day hump," when your brothers were born. But today, we did it!! Today, I am 30 weeks and 3 days pregnant and feeling great! We prayed and prayed for another miracle baby. And we prayed that if it would happen, we would be able to experience a "normal pregnancy." And while this pregnancy hasn't been without bumps and challenges, I know God has heard each of these cries and I know He is answering those prayers!

We are so thankful to be this far along. We pray you continue to stay put, Little Peanut, so that Mommy can get hugely, uncomfortably pregnant and we can deliver a healthy, full term baby that comes home the same day I do!

30 Weeks

Christmas Weekend

What a wonderfully, busy, full weekend we have had. The Christmas festivities began on Christmas Eve Eve, when we enjoyed a day at home, just the four of us. Together we baked and decorated Santa's cookies.

 

 

 

 

After taste testing them, and giving your approval, we headed upstairs for bed around 8:00. Fast-forward to 10:00, as Daddy and I were getting ready for bed. Daddy opened the bathroom door, only to quickly close it.

"What's wrong?"

"There is a child staring at me outside this door." I couldn't help but giggle and peek out the door. No one was there, but we did hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet, racing up the stairs, not wanting to be caught. As soon as you got to your room, Ryan, you flipped on the light switch and began to play (amazingly, Wiley, you just kept on sleeping!). Daddy quickly sprinted upstairs, turned off the lights, and put you back in bed.

Two minutes later, you were back downstairs and snuggled up on the couch with us while we were watching a movie. Finally, too tired to fight it anymore, I headed to bed, as you and Daddy followed. It had been too long of a day to even attempt bedtime again; we caved and let you sleep in our bed. Moments before we all fell asleep, you whispered, Ryan, "Is Santa flying right now??" Sweet little boy! You had been so excited about making Santa's cookies, that you thought he was coming Friday night. So excited, you couldn't even sleep!

So after a long (semi-sleepless) night of squished, shared bed sleeping, it was Christmas Eve and the wonderful madness was beginning! First, it was off to Grandpa and Grandma Karen's house for Christmas Eve brunch. Twelve kids all under the age of six make for wonderful Christmas sounds! The giggles, playing...and occasional meltdowns, are such welcome noises. Growing up without my cousins living nearby, I love that you two have the chance to grow up near your cousins and are already creating such precious memories with them.

  

From Grandpa and Grandma Karen's house, it was back home for a quick power-nap before heading back out to visit at Paka and Zsu Zsu's house (and a ten-minute break for Mommy and Daddy to snuggle up on the couch, enjoy some hot chocolate, and watch a little football together!). 

 

 

  

Once home, it was time to prep for the big guy - notes to write and cookies, milk, and reindeer food to set out. Knowing you were up late Friday night, thinking Santa was coming, Ryan, we anticipated another long night. But one late night, followed by a long day was too much for you and you conked out pretty quickly. Oh sweet Wiley, the same was not true for you! The excitement was too much for you and you were up well after 11!

Finally, the four of us all fell asleep just in time for Santa to make his delivery and enjoy his treats you set out!

 

We anticipated an early Christmas morning, since you two are such early birds, but you decided today was the day to sleep in! It wasn't until nearly 8:00 that we headed out to see what Santa brought you. It was a nice morning for the four of us: Santa toys, green and red cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and then off for a nice Christmas morning church service!

 

 

 

After church, it was home again for another quick power-nap, a wonderful visit with Nenny, Papa Donnie, and Boo. Before we knew it, it was time to pack up again and head back to Zsu Zsu and Paka's house for Christmas dinner. We were so happy to have our Florida family join us this year (their first time here for Christmas in the 24 years we've lived here now!). You boys fell in love with all of "you cousins, Mommy," but especially sweet "Yiye" (Lily) who's side I don't think you ever left.

 

 

Who can feel Peanut move first? Clearly Tse Tse wasn't happy about losing!

 

 

Today has been a wonderful day of quiet resting and recovery from such a full weekend. I can't believe this is our fourth (and final) Christmas as a family of four. To think I started writing to you boys when you were just a hope and a prayer. And here we are now. Our lives beyond full of joy and answered prayers. We have been so incredibly blessed, Little Ones. I hope you don't ever take for granted all God has done for our family in your lives already. Merry Christmas, my sweet boys, and Happy Birthday to you, Jesus!

29 Weeks

Christmas Round One

Let the Christmas festivities begin!! Yesterday, we celebrated our first round of Christmas with the Wiley side of the family. This has been such a wonderful tradition we started last year. Instead of trying to squeeze three, sometimes even four families into Christmas Day, we now spread them out. It is so nice to be able to focus on one family, instead of worrying about being late to the next family's house.

The day was full of love, laughter, and lots of memories made. There were way too many presents, yummy food, crazy cousin playtime (get ready Peanut, you're gonna have to be one tough chickadee to hang with these silly boys!), a performance by Noah and the Noels, ridiculously silly candy cane games, gingerbread men baking and decorating, and miraculously we even squeezed in a nap! What a great start to our Christmas celebrations!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preschool Christmas Program

Thursday was the last day of preschool before the winter break and was celebrated with a Christmas program! The 2, 3, and 4 year old classes teamed up to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. It was complete with costumes (and the two cutest sheep you ever saw), adorable singing, Christmas gifts, cookies, and even a visit from Santa! It was a wonderful way to kickoff Christmas break: surrounded by your family, telling the real story of Christmas. 

 

 

 

28 Weeks

 

Lights Under Louisville

Thursday night, we started what may become a new family tradition! Mommy bucked up the courage to take on the Louisville Mega Caverns and we headed out to see some underground Christmas lights.

During the day, we made special Christmas snacks for the drive and got new mugs for hot chocolate to decorate. By the time Daddy got home from work, we were in our Christmas jammies and giddy with excitement, ready to go. 

It was a little overwhelming at first (and maybe even a little scary), but once you warmed up, you both enjoyed it!

We had been warned that there is sometimes up to an hour or more wait, so we thought we'd have plenty of time for our snacks and hot cocoa. Turns out, the weeknight is the way to go! No wait and no time for our drinks! So, on the ride home, you finally got that "hot, hot, hot... hot chocolate!" and to watch the Polar Express on the way home. (To hear you singing "Hot Chocolate," and whispering, "I believe!" was a highlight for this believing momma!)

It was a fun, magical night!