38 weeks

...and I'm quite large. The only reason you can see my toes here is because I'm bending forward!

Our Resident Elf

After several years of hearing about the "Elf on a Shelf," we were finally sucked into the tradition. Our elf showed up at our house as we were unpacking our Christmas decorations. Sam read the story and explained the rules he came with, and the girls named him Cecil. Cecil sits quietly watching us. At night he flies to the North Pole to report the day's behavior to Santa before he flies back to our house and finds a new place to watch from. The girls love to run down each morning to find where he is at. They've all left several wish lists for him to take to Santa, but they know not to touch him, or he will lose his magic and leave before Santa picks him up on Christmas Eve.

O Christmas Tree

Breathing Easier

Grace struggled with strep throat and mono this spring, and her tonsils have been huge ever since. After spending the summer and fall complaining of a sore throat, breathing loudly, snoring, choking, and gasping for breath in her sleep, we had her tonsils and adenoids removed 2 days before Thanksgiving. Her surgery went well, but she was in a lot of pain for 10 days after that...and many times didn't even want the milkshakes and smoothies I made her. She seems to be much happier now that she's completely healed and breathing quieter and sleeping better.

Finally a New Home

After over 3 months in a small furnished apartment, we're happy to be unpacking in our new home! The girls have never had a playroom before, and they were quickly able to make a mess of their new one. As soon as a toy box would come off the truck they would beg us to open it. It was an early Christmas for all of us!

Cheetah Charge

Cheering for Grace at her elementary school's fun run.
Grace's sweet Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Keeney.

32 weeks

Less than 2 months left as a family of 5! We're all really looking forward to when the baby gets here, but until then, I'm savoring this time with just our 3 girls. And since this WILL be my last pregnancy, I'm trying not to complain about the physical downsides of carrying my 4th healthy baby at the age of 35, but to enjoy and remember every kick, bump, and hiccup.