Texan Christmas

We have lived in Texas for 5 Christmases and this year, due to being very pregnant, was the first time we stayed home for Christmas!  While we missed our families terribly, it was exactly what we wanted and needed as our last Christmas as a little family of three before baby girl comes. We are so excited for little one to come and make us a family of four... but in these last weeks I am cherishing and soaking up every little memory making moment as a family of three and with my baby boy while he's still the baby.



I'd like to say that it was peaceful and restful and perfect... but it's real life. ;)  Unfortunately during the Christmas Eve service, Grayson started spiking a temperature. Christmas morning we were so tired... not from "playing santa" and wrapping gifts all night, but from getting up every hour with our sickly little boy and his rising temp. Thankfully it had broken by morning and we had a great time opening presents and playing most the day.

This was our first Christmas Eve service - it was so amazing. Such a beautiful candlelight service celebrating the birth of our Savior. Grayson was so excited to get to go to "big church" for the first time... but he didn't make it through without konking out. :(

And we attempted a Christmas family picture in front of the tree.... But Grayson wasn't feeling very photogenic after his little nap.

 Christmas morning he was feeling better and could not wait to open his presents!

This little only child is so completely blessed! Family shipped all his presents so he could have them Christmas morning.

 He got a doctor's kit and has been doing "check ups" all day! He opened new spider man shoes and had to put them on right away before opening any other present.

 He also got a new baby doll to help him get ready to be a big brother and take care of his "baby inter" and a basketball hoop which has been fun for all of us!

 And if I could brag for a minute.... This guy is amazing! My sweet husband always does so much for his family and works so hard for us - but during this pregnancy especially, he has been going above and beyond in taking care of us. We were all so tired Christmas day from the night before that we all took a nap, but he woke up early to start Christmas dinner, and let me keep sleeping when Grayson woke up. He woke me up with a huge Christmas dinner made by him all while watching and playing with Grayson. He spoils me and I am so blessed!

Now we have 4.5 weeks before baby girl arrives. We have lots to do to get ready for her arrival. Tony gets to be home with Grayson all week while his school is on break. So he has lots to get done for us. And I'll try to leave the house for work and not be jealous every morning next week while they cuddle on the couch and play all day. :)

Life

This poor blog has been neglected lately, but life happened and suddenly it's the week before Christmas, 6 weeks (to the day) before Olivia's arrival and I am a very large and tired 33 weeks! :)

This is the first year ever (since moving to Texas) that we are staying home for Christmas! That means we have all of December for some Holiday festivities and resting together without the stress and craze of packing and traveling... So we've been doing just that! We went to Santa's Wonderland and drove through thousands of lights - Grayson was in awe!

We got back home from snowy Illinois Thanksgiving and I received a baby shower from my sweet friends at work! A week later, I started in a new position at work. I am absolutely thrilled to be doing something I'm passionate about and using my degree as the new Communications Associate at our church. It's a step up for me and a great opportunity! It's a little crazy starting at 32 weeks pregnant (hello pregnancy brain!) - but I'll work here 8 weeks, then take my maternity leave and jump right back in. :)

Speaking of, we have 6 weeks to the day before our baby girl's arrival. We have scheduled the C-Section for January 29th... So hopefully she doesn't take after her brother and come early. As the weeks and days come closer to us being a family of four I have had an intense need to capture and relish in every sweet moment with Grayson while he is an only child. This sweet little momma's boy has me wrapped around his finger most days. He's getting so gosh darn smart and thinks he can negotiate with that little smile and winks at me. Goodness he's a charmer! We've been on lots of dates lately soaking up each other.

Pregnancy has gotten much better than the first 5 months ;) I am just tired! But what preggo momma isn't!?  We are doing good and she is right on track. We have a "getting ready for your c-section" class at our hospital tomorrow - just so we know the procedures of a new hospital. And we get to see her on an ultrasound next week before Christmas!

I'll update again after Christmas! I'm so excited to wake up in our home together as just the 3 of us and soak up the day. :) Merry Christmas!!

Snow & Thanksgiving

We went to Illinois for the week of Thanksgiving - Usually we go for Christmas, but I will be far too pregnant to travel then. It was so good to get away from everything and relax with family! It was especially sweet because it SNOWED! My two little snow buddies (Tony and Grayson) were completely thrilled! We got to see both of Tony's grandmas, got lots of cousins time and lots of food.

I think the sweetest and newest thing about this trip from all the others was Grayson's obsession and adoration for his older cousin, Koen. Koen is my first and only nephew and Grayson absolutely adored him and asked to see and play with him everyday we were in Illinois!

I will let the pictures speak mostly for themselves....

Above: the flight there he was happy, awake and excited...

Below: the flight home he was wiped out!

One of our favorite things to do when we lived in Illinois during the holidays was going to the Festival of Trees. We were so excited that the dates worked out to get to go while we were there - and we got to go with all of our family.

Cousins.... See how Grayson looks at Koen!? He did that all week - copied everything he did and said.... it was precious!

 

SO much fun in the SNOW!!!

 

Those last two pics.... my little snow buddy! :)

Of course in making sure to capture every new moment of Grayson, we didn't get any good pics of us or grandparents or aunts/uncles.... Typical first child problem ;) (Many more pics on Facebook soon!)

We had a great time! And as much as I'm going to miss them all at Christmas, we are getting really excited about having our very first ever Christmas at home! It's the first time we are home all December and the first Christmas home to start new family traditions and the last Christmas as a family of three. I'm going to soak up this month and make lots of memories! 

Family Pictures & Updates

I haven't been posting much (I think I blogged about that last time) - In my tiredness, comes un-creativeness in what to write; in my crazy stress of so much to do in only 10 weeks, comes me making to-do lists and online shopping instead of blogging.

We had such a sweet weekend together as a family last weekend that I had to stop and share. I'm sure you've seen lots of pictures on facebook, but there's more! ;)

Last Saturday we woke up and braved the cold, rainy weather to snap some last pictures as a family of three. I'm so thrilled with how they turned out and captured my energetic and loving two year old! The overcast was perfect, even if we were freezing. But the cold was worth it to get get pancakes and hot chocolate after! I'm sure you've seen them already - but Grayson LOVED the hot chocolate, and it was such a fun memory maker!

The closer to baby's arrival the more intentional and emotional I have gotten about making memories with Grayson and as a family of three. I cannot believe that we will be a family of four soon and Grayson will be a big brother!

Without further babbling... Here are some more of our favorites :)

  

I think the last two are my favorites right now! I love seeing the personalities of Tony and Grayson playing together - It's completely authentic of what I see everyday. Sweet moments captured... So thankful! It only makes me more and more excited for little one to get here and see how Grayson is with her.

Speaking of - I had my 30 week appointment today (I'm technically 30 weeks next week)... Which means we only have 9-10 weeks to go!! :) I'm so excited, and the weeks with all the holiday fun are going to fly by! So now I'm just hoping we can get stuff done!  Monday we are leaving for an Illinois Thanksgiving and I am praying for safe travels and not too much swelling. Looking forward to relax with family one last time before we have to travel with two kids! I will update you after Thanksgiving! :)

Let's Get Real Thursday

Let's get real... you know you're a mom when it takes you an hour to find the keys in your purse because you have to dig through the cars, crayons, diapers, pacifiers, and a million other toddler related items.

You know you're a mom when you have mastered the talent of brushing your teeth, putting on makeup or doing your hair all the while having another hand to stop the toddler from reaching everything on your bathroom counter ... or stopping them from throwing everything from said counter into bathroom trash or toilet.

You know you're a mom when going pee-pee in the potty is the single most exciting thing of your day when you are in the throes of potty training.

You know you're a mom when you know all the songs to Daniel Tiger, Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins, or any other toddler related show.. and can sing them on command by memory. (Side note - on the way to the doctors Grayson always makes me sing Doc McStuffins Time for your Check-Up song over and over.)

You know you're a working mom when sitting at your desk with a cup of coffee on Monday morning is the first time you've sat still and sighed and breathed in that glorious smell in two days.

You know you're a mom when planning outfits for family pictures you are thinking of the cute and matching outfits for your kids and you the very last.

You know you're a mom when you see daycare/school on the caller id on your phone and you have a small panic attack before answering it.

You know you're a mom when your idea of a date or a big night out is going to the grocery store or Target and strolling the aisles.

You know you're a mom when you go to work sick just so that you can get some rest from your toddler.


Let's get real... if you're a momma, you are a super hero. :)

Today's post was inspired by this post from Today Parents. It's funny, check it out!