Christmas has come and gone yet again this year. Can't believe it! Our last Christmas as a family of three. December 15th weekend we went to Sean's family's house to have Christmas there. All of Sean's brothers were there and we saw the whole big family for a few hours as well. Kaelyn got a big horse that she likes to have things ride as well as a couple of Elmo books and a Minnie dress up doll and set and car. She had the most fun with a little village they had set up that had a small horse that moved around and people and lights. She watched and watched that thing.
The next weekend, the 22nd, we went to my family's house for Christmas there. My grandpa was there so we celebrated his 97th birthday, which was back in October. My sister and her kids and my parents were there as well. It snowed just before we got there so the kids did a lot of sledding. It was Kaelyn's first time going down real hills so she had a blast. She got snow pants and boots and a new coat and it was a good thing! She was most impressed, however, with the squinkies she received. Have you heard of these things? They are tiny little rubber figures that come in little plastic balls. You would have thought you'd given her pure gold she just played and played with those ignoring everything else she got! It was really nuts.
We got to be home again for Christmas this year, which was only the second time ever. We went to church Christmas eve and Kaelyn was really good. She wore pjs and really jammed out in the aisle to the Gloooria in exclesis deo song. It was pretty cute. When she got up the next morning we opened presents immediately. Sean and I actually did ours the night before so we could just enjoy watching her do hers. She got a doll house complete with dolls and furniture. She played with it ALL day. Since then, she has played with the house occasionally, but the dolls quite a bit. We have a couple of little cars that the dolls fit in and they travel all over the house, especially around the dining room table. They climb a "tree" we have in the corner, which actually is a decorative thing with candles and get into all sorts of trouble. I'd say we did well by her for gifts. She also got a light brite, some Mickey DVDs and a few other little things. And yes, the squinkies still get out and play quite a bit as well. I have been keeping a close eye on them so they don't get lost.
There's still snow on the ground so over the break Kaelyn and Sean went sledding quite a few times in our backyard. It was nice having him home for so many days in a row. He's back to work now and we're on out own again! New Year's Eve was especially nice this year. We didn't have any plans so around 7pm we had our own little party. We got out some noisemakers...a train whistle, recorder and harmonica, ripped up some streamers for confetti, and counted down! We had quite a little celebration and it was SO much fun we then did it another dozen or so times. Until Kaelyn went to bed. :) She got up the next morning wanting to do it all over again so we did. We also had to give kisses every time, which was nice. She had a blast. I wonder how long we'll play "New Year Party!" I managed to stay up till 11 thank to netflix instant play. And, of course, Kaelyn up the next morning for the first time all break well before 7. What do you do.
That was a quick version of our Christmas. Time is short these days as we await baby#2. She (still looks like it's a girl!) is due Jan 28th. At my last doctor's appointment shortly after Christmas all was well and she was in the right place etc. As long as she waits until after Jan 21st, I'll be happy. My mom is in Florida until then and I really want her here to be with Kaelyn to keep things as normal as possible for her during such a huge life changing event. The pregnancy has been lovely. haha. Heartburn is extraordinary. I don't understand it at all. I can eat something as bland as a simple grilled chicken breast and baked potato and suffer the rest of the day. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat (though some things are worse than others) but IF I eat, I burn. Tums are my best friends. I would not have survived otherwise. That's my biggest complaint other than feeling huge. :) I have a leg/nerve issue on occasion, but it was much worse before Thanksgiving. Baby must have moved somehow to take pressure off of that. Still hard to get up and walk sometimes, but it doesn't hurt quite as badly as it did for a while there. I'm anxious to have my body back to myself, but I suppose since I plan to nurse, I have another good year before that can happen. What do you do! It seems like a long time, but in the grand scheme of life, it's a very short time. And so worth it when looking back on how well Kaelyn did with everything. I just hope I can handle two of these creatures!!
Kaelyn will go back to preschool next week. In the meantime, we're trying to stay warm (though the pregnancy has also thrown me out of whack and I'm often hot, keeping the inside temp to 65 and freezing everyone else out!) and have fun around town. We will not be traveling again anywhere farther than the cities right around us until after the baby arrives. And probably not for some time after that, even.
Merry Christmas (late!) and Happy New Year (also late). Our next adventure...Sean's birthday. Then baby. :)
