Snow Day

From 6 AM until about 9 AM, the only thing I accomplished besides getting dressed and eating breakfast was refereeing the two of you.

Between the crying to go "snow boarder" (meaning "snow boarding" meaning sledding on your new Santa sleds) and the fighting over any and every toy either of you touched, it was going to be a long day! You had played so nicely and peaceful most of the day yesterday; it was as if you had used it all up. Free play wasn't really going to be an option for us -- you need a lot of structure today.

So, instead we packed our day with constant activities, not giving you any time to fight anymore. I felt like I was more in teacher mode than mommy mode today, but that's okay, it worked! What started like a never ending day, turned out to be a blast! We made snowflake Jello-jigglers, made banana bread (huge flop -- which I tried to blame on a new recipe. Nope, it would be the bakers. I'm gonna claim pregnancy brain, trying to bake with two three-year olds, or a combination of both on this one...because we forgot the flour! Oops -- that would be a pretty crucial ingredient!! Oh well it was fun making it), building puzzles, practicing letter tracing on our new chalk board, hot chocolate with our lunch, and a little snuggle time on the couch to watch a little Snow White before naptime (a new favorite movie of you both).

 

 

By the time naptime rolled around, we were all pooped and ready for a snooze!

However, an hour later and you were up, ready to go again! So, this afternoon we got started on dinner -- you were fascinated with "helping" and watching me make mashed potatoes. Before we knew it, it was 4:30 and Daddy was home. Finally...it was time for some "snow boarder!" You both had a blast, squealing giggling, and loving every minute out there. Had we let you, you would probably still be out there now.

 

  

 

It was an insanely busy day, but it kept the peace, helped the day pass quickly, and made the first snow day of the season feel a little more special than a typical day. As for tomorrow...let's hope you're happy to have some alone time playing again because I am one tired momma!

31 Weeks

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!