Luke Weston has arrived…

(I thought I had changed the name of my blog, but for some reason, it did not save.  Thanks, Lizz, for noticing!)

Luke Weston arrived on January 21, 2010.  (I plan to post pictures, but for some reason, photobucket is not working right now.  Most of you are probably on Facebook, anyway.)

My c-section went well.  I actually was contracting quite regularly the morning of my surgery.  I am not a huge fan of a scheduled birth, so it was cool for me to know that Luke was ready to come into this world.

Chloe’s birth had a few minor complications, so I was a little nervous going into this birth.  Prayers were answered, though, because it went much better.  Luke did get stuck, so they had to use forceps to get him out (which I did not even know happened in c-sections).  They kept saying, “His head is just so round”….but they finally got him out.  It was about the longest 45 seconds of my life, though, when I could tell something was not right.  He is totally fine, though, so it ended up being no big deal.

Birth stats: 7 lbs. 11 oz….20 inches long…head 14″ (I think?)…born at 12:13 pm.

So far, Luke is amazing!  He is a dream baby!!  He sleeps well.  He eats well.  I prayed a lot for grace for this baby, because I needed it.  God is so faithful.  So far, in Luke’s first 6 days, he has made the transition to life outside the womb very nicely.  He sometimes goes a full 3 hours at night without waking up (can I get an, “AMEN!”).  I know that my confidence level, as well as my arsenal of tricks, definitely helps.  I do not freak out when he seems “off schedule”, and crying does not stress me out like it once did.  However, Luke is naturally just easy.  So, though experience helps, he is great.  I know it has only been a week, so I do not want to speak too soon.  However, even a week of an easy baby, is a huge help for me.  I am tired, but I am not totally exhausted.

Caleb and Chloe are both adjusting to him so well.  It helps they can finally have my attention.  Now that I am not pregnant, I can actually play with them again!  YAY!
Chloe loves to comfort Luke.  When he cries, she always says, “It’s ok, baby.  It’s ok,” in a very sweet voice.  When he was sleeping in his Moses basket, she read him a story.  So cute!
Caleb likes to hold Luke and just touch him, in general.  He feels very cool being the older brother!
Both kids enjoy playing with all of his baby equipment (car seat, bouncy chair, etc).  They put Chloe’s dolls in everything!

I think I can safely say we all love having Luke around!  He is so adorable!  He does not look like my other kids, so it will be interesting to see what he looks like as he grows!

And I always think its funny how big the other kids seem once you have a newborn.  Chloe and Caleb look HUGE!  Luke is so teeny, and I just love his skinny arms and legs!  I wish he would stay a newborn forever, because I love the little tiny baby stage!

With my third baby, I was a little nervous that Luke would not get the same love and attention that the other two got.  I was SO wrong.  My friends and family have completely blown me away with their love and generosity.  I have been so thankful for friends and family bringing meals, giving presents for all (its so sweet when people bring stuff for Caleb and Chloe…I have never really thought to do that!), and for loving my little boy!

The biggest gift I received was from my parents.  They are SO amazing, as I may have mentioned.  My car is big but only holds 5 people.  Obviously, we have a family of 5, but there are times when other people ride in our car.  Buying a car was not really an option for us.  Well, long story short, my dad came to the hospital on Saturday and told Brett, “I am giving my daughter a car, and I only brought you beef jerky.  Shows you how much I love you.” (I thought that was funny).   Say WHAT???!!!!
I knew they eventually were going to give me their Toyota Sequoia, but I thought it was not going to be for awhile.  (We “traded” them Brett’s truck, which, funny enough had been theirs to start with.  We have traded cars when I got married because Brett could not fit in my car.  I say “traded” because they definitely got the bad end of that deal).
The only problem is that I cannot drive (or operate heavy machinery, darn) for 2 weeks, so I am unable to actually enjoy the car!  I probably will cut that no-drive time short, because I feel so homebound.  I can RIDE, but it feels really silly to ask Brett to drive me places.  Even tomorrow, I had to plan Luke’s doctor’s appointment for when Brett could take me.  Feels so 1950s (and very spoiled, now that I think about it).

Well, this is getting long!  I just want to publicly thank my amazing friends who are bringing meals.  We have such an outpouring of love, and I could not be more grateful!!  God is so good to us. And each day, I realize more and more how gracious He is!!

Last Update Before Baby #3

Look! I have a new look!  My colors were so drab that I wanted to spruce things up a bit.
Plus, as of tomorrow, I will not longer just have the C’s, so C&C Baby Factory no longer describes our family.
We can hardly wait to welcome sweet baby Luke into our family, so I thought it would be fitting to change it here!

To say we can hardly wait is an understatement.  On a physical level, I am more than uncomfortable in this pregnancy.  I have gained about 55 pounds, which is burdensome to carry around.  And Luke is really low, so the pressure on my butt and legs is excruciating.  Sleeping comfortably is a distant memory.  Going to the bathroom 342 times a day (that is not quite literal but almost) is getting old.  Shall I go on?  I am miserable.

BUT, I take joy that I have carried full term.  For many, my annoyances would be a welcome change from the complications involved in their pregnancies.  Though I have done my fair share of complaining (and one day when the child bearing years are far gone, I want to have a memory of what it was really like….not just what years of faded memories choose to remember).

Emotionally, mentally, and all other “ally’s”, WE ARE SO FLIPPIN’ EXCITED TO MEET OUR BOY!!!!!

Caleb refers to him as “Baby Luke, I mean, Big Boy Luke”.  I have a feeling Caleb will be slightly disappointed when he sees how slow (in kid years) that Luke grows and that he is unable to play with him straight from the womb.  However, Caleb has declared a few times, “Once Luke gets here, I want to stop growing and stay a kid forever!!!!!”  It is very endearing that this declaration cannot take place until Brother arrives!!
Caleb has already decided his roles are going to be to help change diapers and to put Luke in his bed.  He also has decided that now that he is big, he will be able to stay up later than Luke.  (I love what is important to children).

Chloe’s world might be pretty rocked.  She is a snuggler and loves to be held 95% of the time (ironically, except in parking lots, where she’d prefer to walk independently).  I think one part of her is going to LOVE having a real life baby to hold and love.  But there will be a part of her that will not like competing for Mommy’s affection.
Though it may be hard, she is such a baby person (real and fake) that I think she will enjoy being a little mama!

Even though all of my children have brought me great joy and delight, I am most excited about this baby phase.  With Caleb, I was too idealistic (expectations that were quickly diminished….for the good, though!) and nervous to enjoy it to the fullest.  With Chloe, she came so fast after Caleb that I did not have a ton of time to breathe.
But, this time, I am more relaxed and have older kids….to where I really think I will enjoy it way more.  I think Brett feels the same!
I am sad for it to make me truly realize how quickly my children are growing.  Seeing Caleb and Chloe become these little, independent people is fascinating and wonderful….but so painful.

I am also happy for Luke’s birth to just get it over with.  I pray a lot because I keep getting really nervous.  I think knowing when it is going to happen makes for extra nerves because it is so exact.  I do not like that.  Also, my kids have been CRAZY lately.  I think its partly knowing a new baby is coming and that life is going to change mixed with being home A LOT because I am too uncomfortable and big to go many places.  It’s hard for me to load and unload them constantly.  So, unfortunately, I have just stayed home a lot.  Also, consistent discipline has been lacking because of my tiredness.  The combination has been ugly….as they have been fighting so much.  And just acting crazy, in general.

As much as we are anticipating Luke’s arrival, life has still been hilarious around here.  I am loving the “kids say the darndest things” stage!

Here are some conversations recently:
Caleb: “Mommy, why am I white?”
Me: “Because God made you that way.”
Caleb: “Oh why? I want to be black.”

Driving in the car today…
Caleb: “Do you know what day I like the most is?”
Me: “Which one?”
Caleb: “Christmas Day”

My kids do this thing (often) that I have no idea where they got it from.  They will put their arms inside their sleeves and say, “I lost my arm in China.”  They will not pull their arms out until we call China to see where they are.

Well, next time you hear from me, I will have a new baby!!!!!!!!  (Please pray for an uneventful delivery!)

2009 Williams Family Scrapbook

Not sure why, but you have to click the link to see it.

Click here to view this photo book larger

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

With just over three weeks until I give birth to my precious baby boy, I am starting to think less about pregnancy and more what life is going to look like.

However, tonight, I was thinking of the things I will miss and not miss about being pregnant.  May I share such a list with you.

Things I will miss….
1.  Feeling my sweet little boy kicking around inside of my belly
2.  Daydreaming about what Luke will be like
3.  My kids asking me everyday, “Can I hit baby Luke?”  (When I say no, they ask to kiss him.  Cute!)
4.  Not worrying about what I eat (I like to think pregnancy is God’s way of letting women indulge without guilt….I know some of you would disagree)
5.  Sleeping (mostly) through the night
6.  The accommodations made for pregnant women
7.   Having an excuse to not do the things I do not want to do

Things I will not miss….
1. Being HUGE!  (I get huge even when I eat well, so no lectures, please)
2.  Going to the restroom every 2.7 seconds
3.  Not being able to do the things I want to do (wrestle with my kids, having energy to show hospitality, walk up stairs without being winded, etc)
4.  Feeling like a beached whale everytime I turn over in bed
5.  Waddling instead of walking
6.  Maternity clothes
7.  Sore muscles from doing nothing
8.  The inability to bend over
9.  Feeling like my legs are getting no circulation

I am sure there are more, but those are what comes to mind!!

We want to have one more child after this, so I apologize, in advance, that you will have to endure this adventure with me again one day.  Probably in about 2 years.  Give or take (well, mostly just give).

Pictures!!

I have been so slack about posting pictures, but I am feeling particularly motivated this afternoon!  My sweet children are sleeping.  I took all the Christmas decor down.  We are stuck at home because of the massive amount of snow (though I am really craving Chinese food, so I may venture out later!).

Coming downstairs (post bath) on Christmas Eve…..

Jammies!!

Reading the Christmas story (thank you, Jesus, for your precious life!!)

Christmas Day

A very pregnant me and Chloe making Jesus’ birthday cake

Birthday party for Jesus!

Chloe spent the day doing our hair and make-up

Caleb spent the day playing with his castle

It was a beautiful, white Christmas

And some pictures a few days before Christmas that are just cute…..

Merry Christmas!!

It has been a very Merry Christmas at the Williams home.  I will try to post pictures later, if I get motivated!

Our festivities began last night.  While the kids took baths, the Jammie Elf stopped by for a visit and dropped off pajamas for the kids.  I actually was surprised how excited they got about their new jammies.  We put on the jammies, and Brett read the Christmas story to all of us.  It was at that point that I realized (at 8 months pregnant) that I could have been giving birth in a stinky, hot stable without an epidural, after having traveled all day.  Life is good.

After the story, we put the kids to bed.  Chloe went to bed pretty easily.  She was excited Santa was coming, but I do not think she had much of a grasp of it.  Caleb was SO excited.  He kept asking tons of questions….”why does Santa land on the roof?”….”where is his wife? the elves?”  We were unsure what our stance on Santa was.  We decided to do Santa, but we do not make a huge deal of it.  Therefore, Christmas is still magical and make-believe, but Christ is the focus of our celebration.
I think Caleb had trouble sleeping last night.  Brett and I thought back to how awesome Christmas Eve was as a kid.  I love the circle of life…..enjoying Christmas as a kid (my parents gave us awesome Christmases!) and now enjoying Christmas with my kids.  So fun.
Once the kids were safely asleep, Santa visited.  And Mrs. Claus cleaned up (pictures are forever, you know! LOL!).

Christmas Day started off perfectly, as we woke up to lots and lots and lots of snow.  A white Christmas…perfection!!

Caleb was the first awake.  We made him wait about 15 minutes for Chloe to wake up.

They came down the stairs, and the excitement ensued.
Caleb had actually found his big gift (a knight, horse, and princess, castle handed down from my nephew) a few days ago.  We had convinced him he was not getting it (just to save Christmas….Lord, forgive my white lies), though, so he was beside himself when he discovered it was for him.  He has declared no less than 10 times today, “THIS IS AWESOME!” and “I love my Christmas!”  To say he loves his castle is an understatement.

Chloe’s big gift was a vanity with make-up and hair stuff.  We bought her pretend make-up, but Caleb really wanted to buy her real make-up.  I let her play with the real stuff, but it will not go in her room!  She LOVES it.  All day, she has been doing my and Brett’s hair, as well as her baby doll’s hair.  She also has a face covered in make-up!

Those were the highlights, but here are the other gifts they received (this is for my own benefit) from family and us:

Caleb:
- Duplo Legos with people to go with it
- Tonka bulldozer and dump truck
- Trio building set
- Star Wars Lego’s shirt (he really wanted Star Wars Lego’s, so this was the next best thing….and no choking hazard for new baby)
- Bubble bath, boxer shorts,
- dinosaur puppets
-$30 Toys R Us gift card
- $50 savings bond
- $20 cash

Chloe:
- lots of make-up
- Little People set with extra Little People
- more jammies
- tights
- $30 Toys R Us gift card
- $50 savings bond
- $20 cash
(The vanity was her big gift.  Caleb’s big gift was free, so that’s why it appears he got more.)

As you probably know, receiving gifts is my love language.  So Christmas is still the best day, to me!!  I am worse than a child.  Brett is so sweet….even though gifts is probably his last love language, he works so hard to get me perfect gifts!!  I appreciate him so much because he is just so thoughtful.
Here is what he got me this year:
- a gift card to Social Suppers (this is awesome!! I will be able to get prepared meals, so when Luke arrives, I will have meals stocked in the freezer!)
- Purity face cleanser and Hope in a Jar moisturizer from Sephora (I have not used it, but I read about it on my friend Claire’s blog and have wanted it!! He got the HUGE container of face wash, so I am set for a long time! YAY)
- a diaper bag (because we all know I have a bag obsession!)
- matching plastic cups (I really wanted these but have been unable to find ones I like.  Basically, I only ever drink out of plastic cups, but all of ours were mismatched and old!  I wanted a matching set, and he found some….and they’re perfect!!)

I feel so loved!!  The thoughtfulness and effort means about as much as the gifts themselves!  I love my husband.
I also got a watch from Brett’s grandparents.  And collectively, we got $150 from his parents and other grandparents.

My sister totally surprised me this Christmas!!  She is SOOO sweet.  She sent me a pair of CUTE earrings from etsy, as well as some really awesome baby stuff….high end burp cloths, wash cloths, and swaddlers.  I have expensive taste but actually have to pay bills, so nice baby items are the best!!!  Plus, she sent me a Ju-Ju-Be pouch.  It attaches to diaper bags, strollers, etc and is way cute.  I thought she was buying stuff for other people (she sent me emails asking which prints I liked since she was buying stuff for her “friend and cousin” (which, she did buy stuff for them, too)….so I was shocked to get it all in the mail!).

My friend, Dana, also gave me such a sweet gift….a necklace engraved with all of my kids’ names.  She even included Luke.  When I saw it, I burst into happy tears.  Seeing his name made his upcoming birth such a reality, which is SO exciting!!

For Brett, he got an iPhone last month, so he just got a few small things…..2 FSU sweatshirts and a book.  And a nice set of pens from his grandparents.  He does not care about presents, but he does LOVE his iPhone.  I was not sure if it was worth the money.  It has, indeed, been worth every penny.

Because presents are the least important part of Christmas (though, actually, they really are important to me, as sad as that it)…..we actually did celebrate the birth of Christ.  We made a tres leche cake and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!!  So fun!!  Christ is the most important part of our lives on a daily basis, so I do not worry that Christmas is full of cookies, presents, and overall self-indulgence.  My kids are so awesome and thankful (for their age), so I like to spoil them on Christmas!!

We have been playing all day!!  And it is SO adorable seeing my kids play with all their new stuff.  They really do appreciate it all.  So, family and friends, thank you for making our holidays so special.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to travel this year, since I am having Luke in just a few weeks.  So we were unable to see family.  That’s a bummer, but since I am so miserably huge, it was nice to relax at home!!  We always stay home on Christmas Day, anyway, but usually we see family at some point.

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!!!!!!

Much love to you all……

Life. Life. Life.

A conversation in the car this evening went like this:
Caleb: You are poo.
Chloe: Mommy, Caleb said ‘poo’.
Brett: Let’s not talk about poo.  It’s yucky.
Caleb: It’s not yucky. You are poo.
Me: Caleb, please use nice words.
Caleb: I am using nice words.  I am talking about Tigger and Pooh.

(Nice cover up.  We laughed and laughed!)

For about the last week, my kids have been putting their arms in their shirt (taking them out of the sleeves) and saying, “I lost my arm in China.  I lost my arm in China.”  I am not sure where they got this from, but it is so funny.  Brett sometimes pretends to call China, which makes Caleb and Chloe laugh hysterically!  Fortunately, their arms always come back!

Christmas, as you may have noticed, is upon us.  I am SO excited about it.  Both of my kids are so excited.  Caleb, in particular, cannot wait!  He asks everyday when I am going to put the presents out.  Tonight, he asked where I am hiding them.  He thinks they’re in the food closet (aka pantry) because I put one of Brett’s presents in there for a few days (before moving it to my real hiding spot in the basement).
A few days ago, Caleb asked Brett if he could pick out presents for Chloe and me.  How precious is he!!  Yesterday, he told me that he was going to get me make-up (his idea).  Then, after they went shopping today, he said, “I cannot tell you what we got.”  A few minutes later he whispered, “I got you lip gloss.”  Brett steered him towards that, since it is hard to go wrong with lip gloss.  He also picked out a make-up set for Chloe, which he was very excited about!!

Receiving gifts is my love language, so Christmas is like the ultimate fulfillment.  Brett has not actually shopped for me yet, but just the thought of it makes me giddy.  I am worse than a child!

I am less than 5 weeks away from having my sweet baby boy!  I cannot wait to hold him, kiss him, and love him!!  I am also ready to be able to tie my shoes again and lean over gracefully-ish.  This pregnancy is wearing on me.  I will be thankful for it to be over.  I am also tired of being overweight.  I know that sounds funny, but I have gained close to 50 pounds.  And it has gone everywhere.  Basically, I am my normal shape (+ a belly), just ballooned.

Caleb asked me if my belly is going to keep getting fatter.  At least he asked me about my belly and not my face or arms!  LOL!
Tonight, he laid on me (like on my side) and said, “Mommy, it’s ok.  Luke is tough!”  (Because I always say, “Do not touch my belly. You may hurt Luke.”)

Have I mentioned that I would be totally fine with my kids staying this age forever??  They are just so funny and cute and cuddly.  Chloe has the sweetest voice and is just plain cute.  The way she says things makes us smile.
And Caleb is just becoming this little man.  He can dress himself now.  He actually goes through about 3 outfits a day.  After naps, he always…I mean, always….comes out with a different outfit than he went in with!

Life is good around here.  We are anxious for the next 5 weeks to pass quickly.  Life with a newborn is tiring and a lot of work.  And having 3 will be new and challenging, I am sure.  But it is always so amazing to meet your little baby.  And to not be pregnant anymore!!  I think the last few weeks of pregnancy are actually harder than the newborn phase.

(I Never Know What To Title Things)

As I type this post, Chloe is rocking her baby doll, singing (in the cutest voice ever), “You go to bed.  You go to bed.”  I was into babies as a little girl, so I love seeing her love her babies!!  She rocks them, changes their diapers, and gives them to Grandma (me) to hold when they are crying.  Sometimes they do not listen to her, so they get spankings.  Which just makes me laugh.  Because if you know their mama (Chloe), you know listening is not her best attribute!  She has a lot of great qualities, but obedience does not rank high!  She is just so sweet, though, that even her disobedience is cute.

Caleb and Chloe were talking in the car a few days ago, and I heard the following:
Chloe: “I want to play football.”
Caleb: “Girls don’t play football; they cheer.”

When Caleb and Brett play football, Caleb always asks me to cheer for him.

I finally figured out how I am going to decorate Chloe’s bedroom.  I found the CUTEST bedding at Target.  It is pink princess with diamonds.  Today, Chloe woke up and declared, “I am Princess Darby (Barbie)!”  Needless to say, she loves her new bedding!
I am going to decorate with pink and light green.  That was not my original plan, but as I look around, that is really in right now, so it is easy to find cheap decor!

I had an OB appointment earlier in the week.  I have not been in six weeks (oops) because I had to cancel an appointment (and then my next one was just two weeks after, so I waited instead of rescheduling).
Brett and I joke that all my weight gain is just my baby.  He reassures me that it is not my fault that I am carrying a 50 pound baby.  Yes, you read that right: I have gained 50 pounds.  My OB is so sweet.  She seriously is the tiniest woman I know and cannot weigh more than 90 pounds.  When I was complaining about my weight gain, she kept rationalizing why it is ok.  She thinks my shoes weigh at least 5 pounds.  And my clothes probably weigh another 5.  So, really, I have not gained much at all.  My thighs, face, and arms would say otherwise.  But I will keep lying to myself.

On that note, I am counting the days until my sweet baby arrives.  I am SO excited.  It will be just a few weeks after Christmas, and wow, Christmas is almost here!!
I always wondered why very few people have their Christmas shopping done by now.  I was done like a month ago.  Then I realized that I only buy for my little family of 4 (excluding myself, so 3 actually) and my little sister.  My siblings and I have decided to just buy for our own kids (we all have different taste in toys).  All of us are on a fairly limited budget (and try not to give into consumerism), so it works well.  And no one ends up with junk.  Brett’s family has been cutting back on giving, but my kids get stuff from all of their grandparents (both sides) and great grandparents.  I was the first on Brett’s side to take a stand and not buy for everyone, but we just do not have the ability to do so.  I am sure they were not on board with it at first, but in recent years, they have all cut back…..so I guess I started a good trend.  They are all just so sweet and giving.  I love to give, but I prefer to give to those who have very little.
Back to my point: when you only buy for a few people, it is way easier!  So that is how I get done so fast .

I am in a major simplifying mode right now.  I am going through all of our storage, closets, and drawers getting rid of anything that feels excessive.  My favorite time of the week is dropping off a bag at the thrift store.  If I think an item is useful to a friend, that is my first option….but I do not want  to junk up other’s lives.  This made buying for Christmas hard this year, but I was intentional.

Well, I may or may not be back before Christmas!  If not, have an awesome, wonderful, sweet Christmas!!!!!!

See you in 2010 (but probably before).

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  I am not the best writer, but I do enjoy sharing my life with my friends!!

Hello.

I am 33 weeks pregnant.  On the home stretch!  I can hardly wait to meet my precious little guy.  I just know he is going to be the sweetest, cutest little baby!  He moves around a ton (more so than I remember with my other two), but I sense that he will be a calm baby.  I do not feel like I adequately enjoyed the baby phase with my other two kids, so I am thankful for the opportunity to really enjoy it this time.  Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy their baby stages and loved every minute of them growing and changing….but I just can tell that I am more relaxed and excited this time.  Now that I have a boy and a girl, who are growing way too fast, I feel less nervous.

Plus, my kids are besides themselves with excitement!!  Caleb keeps asking if he can just saw open my belly to take Luke out.  He really wants to show him all of his toys and introduce him into the world of all things boy!  Caleb told me tonight that when Luke is in the kitchen, he will carry him to the living room.
And Chloe is just ready for a baby of her own.  When we visit friends with babies, she always has to hold them.  They bring her much joy.  In recent days, she has been practicing changing diapers on her dolls.  At a Bible study I go to, they use gloves when changing kids’ diapers.  When Chloe was changing her baby’s diaper, she put on a glove to do it.  So cute!
When Chloe holds her baby, she likes me to hold her like a baby.  I’m “holding my baby whose holding her baby”.  It is times like that when I beg her to stay two forever.

Which, by the way, 2 year olds are way easier than 3 year olds.  I am not sure who ever invented the “terrible 2’s”, because while no age has been terrible, the 3’s have been more challenging for us.

So, anyway, back to happy memories….
Tonight I went to the grocery store in search of post-dinner treats.  Plus, its getting really cold here, so I wondered if it might snow.  With not much food in the house to speak of, I decided a trip to the grocery store was wise.
When I arrived home, Brett showed me that our kids had cleaned the entire living room by themselves.  He was doing something in the kitchen, not really paying attention to them free playing.  They asked him to, “Come see” (which Caleb does a lot….he likes to show us everything he does).  All of their toys were put away!!  Getting them to pick up toys is usually no easy task, so this really took us by surprise.  To celebrate, we gave them ice cream and let them stay up late!

I can hardly believe Christmas is less than 3 weeks away!!  I am so excited for Christmas Day!  My kids are really into it this year, so we are going to have extra fun.  Caleb often asks when I am putting the wrapped presents under the tree.  I am thinking Christmas Eve….otherwise, the temptation would just be too great for them!!  And talk about the days dragging on forever!!  Do you remember how LONG days felt as a kid??
We do fairly low key Christmases.  It is our family tradition to be in our home on Christmas Eve and Day, so its just our little family (since no family lives in town).  Though we both have awesome families, I love celebrating small!  I feel like we all enjoy it more (mostly because I am not a good traveler, so I am never at my best when away from home).  We take our time, and my kids do not feel pressured to act a certain way.  With the exception of this year (because I am too pregnant to travel), we typically visit family during the holidays.
One tradition (that I got from Brett’s mom) is to give each of my kids an ornament every year.  I always do a photo ornament and try to find something that coincides with one of their interests that year.  I am not sure if I just went too late this year or what, but I could not find anything!  I ended up buying regular ornaments and taping their pictures to them.  Definitely not very classy, and I imagine they will one day wonder what I was thinking.  But, I could not break tradition.  I bought Caleb a Star Wars ornament.  He asks almost everyday if I will buy him Star Wars Legos.  He has never even seen Star Wars, but he is really into it for some reason!  When I gave him his ornament, Chloe exclaimed (she exclaims everything!), “I want my princess one!”  How awesome because that is exactly what I got her!!  It was a proud moment to know i picked the perfect ornament.  She is really into the Disney princesses!

Well, it is after midnight.  I took a gloriously long nap today, so I am not really even tired.  But those sweet little babes of mine will be up, regardless of what time I go to bed!

Hope you have a fabulous week!!!!

Back To Blogging

It has been quite awhile since I last blogged.  I did not intend to take a break.  I just have been so blah that I really did not want my yucky attitude to infect others.  This pregnancy has definitely been my toughest.  I only have about 8-9 weeks left, so the end is in sight!!  I am trying to soak up as much enjoyment as I can with my two kids.  I know a third baby means I will have a lot more on my plate.  Caleb and Chloe are both very excited to meet their little brother!

Amidst my blah-ness, life has been good.  My kids are changing so much.  It is so bittersweet.  Looking at old pictures of them makes me so sad how fast they are growing up, but watching them become a little boy/girl is amazing.

Caleb is becoming such a boy.  Not an old toddler but a boy.  As I have well documented, he has had trouble going #2 in the potty.  For some reason, he was just really scared to use the toilet for that occasion.  One day, he just started doing it.  And has had zero accidents since.  When I asked him what changed, he said, “Jesus helped me.  He told me, ‘Do not be afraid.’” (Wow)
And, on the same note, he stopped wearing diapers at night this week and is accident-free.  So Caleb is officially out of diapers.  Forever!  (I know this is not interesting to anyone but me, but I want to remember his journey).

Caleb is such a kind boy.  He will often come up to Brett or me, hug us, and say, “Mommy (or Daddy), I like you.”  It melts my heart!

While being awesome, Caleb is very much a boy!  Everyday during naptime, he completely destroys his room before falling asleep.  He takes out all of his clothes and rearranges his drawers.  Most everyday, he wakes up with a different outfit than he went to bed with (which makes for a mound of laundry).
And while he is generally very sweet, the other day he got really mad at me and said, “Mommy, I am going to take your teeth and mouth off of your face so you cannot talk to me anymore.”  Not quite his best moment, but one day when my future daughter-in-law accuses me of me thinking my son is perfect (because that seems to happen often), I have proof of the contrary.  I really cannot complain, though, because for one moment of meanness, he has 100 nice moments!

And Chloe is just sweet as can be!!  She brings much joy to our family.  While Caleb is more of an entertainer, Chloe is more of a snuggler….using her sweet smiles and warm hugs to melt my heart.  She would literally let me (or Brett) hold her all day!  Life is so hard for her if she is not being held!  And I just soak it up.  I know this time is short-lived, so I indulge her as much as I can (which is becoming less and less as my belly grows to epic proportions).
Chloe is such a talker!  She talks to anyone who will listen (and even herself) constantly.  It is adorable.  People are impressed by the quality of her communication.  She talked early and talks clearly.

Caleb and Chloe are both in Daddy phases right now.  Every morning, if I am the one to get Chloe out of bed, she asks, “Where’s Daddy?”  About 10 times during the day, she will ask, “Where’s Daddy?”
Caleb likes to sleep “just like Daddy”.  Which to Caleb means wearing just his boxers, but Brett actually wears athletic shorts to bed.  But even in the cold, Caleb refuses to wear a shirt to bed because Daddy doesn’t!
Brett takes each of them on a Daddy Adventure (Caleb) or Daddy Date (Chloe) once in awhile.  This week was Chloe’s first daddy-daughter date.  She is still talking about it!  They both come back from their one-on-one time with Daddy with huge smiles and so much joy!

This update is mostly for my own memory.  We were with Brett’s family last week, and they were talking about stuff my kids did this time last year. So much of it I had totally forgotten about that it made me realize that I need to keep better records!!  I always think I will remember their funny antics, but sometimes I just forget .

Have a great day!!  Can you believe its almost December??  WHOA!