Christmas 2013

I can't quite believe Christmas is over! We had a really nice Christmas and loved having everyone over to celebrate with us. The kiddos were so so excited. Their reactions are my very favorite part about Christmas---they have such an excitement and wonder about the whole day. It's so fun seeing it through their eyes. We had to wait on Ms. Lazy Ava to wake up before we headed out to see if Santa came. 

spotted the presents

 We started with stockings per usual.The kids were excited about their new power toothbrushes. It's the little things.

Cole noticing our Santa & reindeer did not finish everything

 And then the presents began. We say every year we are going to cut back. I think we did pretty well this year---we did a big family/kiddo present and then got them smaller things. Steve & I gave each other practical things with some fun thrown in there too. It was perfect. After this year, there was really nothing I wanted more than all of us together.

Cole's reactions had us cracking up

baby bean got some goodies too

 

the girls---soon to be outnumbered by the boys

ok so maybe this wasn't exactly practical but third baby and a
broken rib earns a Kate Spade in our book :)

hubs is going to be styling in his new running gear pushing the BOB

loves

 We had our families over for dinner and more presents. It was so great celebrating with everyone and having a relaxing day. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always busy around here! We kicked off the day with emails from Santa. They were so cute and the kids were so excited about them. 

 We headed out to a packed mass and then Christmas Eve dinner.

oh the leg pop already

 Once we were home, we discovered the elves had headed back to the North Pole and left some pjs for Christmas. The kiddos were so sad the elves had left and kept asking if they could come back. Also next year they are convinced they are bringing an extra friend for Bean.

 We spread out our magic reindeer food...

 ...read 'Twas...

 ...and set out milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer and headed to bed. Santa had a lot of work to do!

Christmas Cookies

Obviously it's not Christmas around here without making a batch of Christmas cookies. We got new cookie cutters this year that were much easier for little hands to use {and much easier for mama to clean}. They mapped out which ones they wanted to use and got to work. 

 

They are definitely the best cookie makers around---they were delicious!

Bump Watch #3:: 38 weeks! {and 38 week appointment}

black is slimming right?

Weeks: 38 weeks! {which is REALLY close to being done}

Movement: The usual slowing down of movement makes mama panic, chug water, lay on side, do kick counts and jiggle belly. Obviously he's running out of room but let's not give mama any gray hairs yet ok? Then sometimes he moves like he's trying to kick his way out of my belly and it definitely hurts a bit.

Symptoms: The usual end of pregnancy complaints---uncomfortable, feeling completely stretched to the max, not sleeping, etc etc. I'm super thankful that everything is going well---a healthy baby & mama are always top on my list but sometimes I just want to whine and complain about being in pain & uncomfortable. Steve said he feels like I was never in this much pain with the other two. Also? Can't quite believe we're having a baby so soon. We know our date so this is our last full week as a family of 4. Insert some slight hyperventilating and freaking out. 

Cravings:  eh don't really want food except when I do but then I never know what I want. My only real cravings are milk, water and apple slices. 

New: I think we are ready. Bags are packed, car seat is in, everything is washed, ready and all set up. We put all the Christmas stuff away the day after Christmas and got all the baby gear out to set up and wash. The kiddos have loved playing with all the baby toys which makes me think we could have totally skipped Christmas gifts this year and just brought out the baby toys. Ava has a habit of sticking her babies into the swing or bouncer and has stopped us in our tracks quite a few times. 

Sleep: If you sleep more than 3 hours a night I don't want to talk to you. Suddenly there is no sleep going on for me. I'm so uncomfortable and once I do find an ok spot I have to pee or move or have heartburn and then I have to readjust. I think I usually get about 3ish hours. 

Appointment: Everything looks good {yay!} I'm measuring two weeks ahead but blood pressure is fantastic and everything else is great. Just have to chug along to the end.

Gingerbread House

The gingerbread house came thisclose to not happening this year. A 9 month pregnant mama with a broken rib and two excited kiddos has no patience for a house that keeps sliding apart---even with a glue gun. {yes I attempted to use a glue gun with the kids gingerbread house}. It finally decided to harden and was finally ready for the kids to decorate. They love doing this. We'll definitely never win any awards but I love that it is all them working together to decorate this little house. They were so sweet together discussing where the candy canes should go and attempting to make windows and doors together. Once the house is all together it's one of my favorite activities.

I love his concentration on spreading the frosting

Winter Concert

Two weeks ago, Ava had her Winter Concert at school. She was so excited about it and was super secretive about the songs she'd be singing. I think it took more time to get there & get settled than the actual concert but it was still so cute and we loved watching her. They did excerpts from the book Snowmen at Night {a favorite!} and sang songs to go with it. Ava was so proud to be up there with her class & we were pretty proud watching her too.