A year goes by fast sometimes

Same stocking, same baby, different sizes.

This will be funny some day

Every time we spend time with my parents, someone gets sick.  Last time, when we went to Michigan, O ended up in the ped's office with Reactive Airway Disease issues.  The time before that, O had an ear infection. Once, my mom had RSV.  Another, everyone got the stomach bug.

This visit- Isaac got croup on thursday night.  We avoided the ped's office friday, since they just called in his meds.  Friday night, he screamed a good portion of the night.  He and I ended up spending over 3 hours in the nearest Urgent Care for his ear infections on Christmas day. He screamed for hours on saturday night as well. Yesterday, he started running a fever. 

Christmas Eve, my mom threw up for a few hours.  Along with Isaac's fever yesterday, O woke up with croup, and I woke up with a cold as well.  My brother sounds like HE has croup, and my dad woke up today with a cold, too.

Its quite comical when I think back about how often we get sick when my parents are around.  I can almost see the humor in it all now.  Almost. 

I'm dreaming of seeing a white Christmas

We woke up to an amazing sight this Christmas day.  Snow!  Not just a little tiny "dusting", a LOT of snow!  Here in Alabama, its a pretty big deal to get any snow, much less a few inches.

Today, we delayed our gift opening and played in the snow before opening presents.  (we did open stockings and eat breakfast.)  The big kids had a blast.  Isaac, not so much.

He's sick. :(  Poor baby. 

Making a snow man

 making a snowman in the fire pit

our house

A boy and his boxes

Don't mind the quality (or lack of) of these pictures.  They are from my cell phone.

Over the course of just a few weeks, I've taken at least 10 different pictures of my boy in some type of box.  The kid loves boxes.  He, occasionally, tries to get in some that are a little too small, (Like the block bin at the dr.'s office.) or some he shouldn't be in (like the kitchen drawers).  He just loves to be in a box.

Happy birthday, Isaac!

Dear Isaac (aka. Zeke, Zekers, Zekester, Zekey)-

You're one year old today!  I can remember your birth, like it was yesterday.  The moment you came shooting out, (yes, that part was that fast!) and they placed you on my chest was one of the sweetest moments of my life.  You were all covered in vernix, peeing like crazy, and as mad as heck! But me?  I was in awe of this tiny little baby, a miracle, who was given to us by God.

You still steal your mamma's heart every day.  Try as we might, we could not get you attached to a lovey (I'm still trying, though!)  unless you count me, your momma.  You seem to always find those two fingers you suck anytime I pick you up.  Then, you almost always go in for the snuggle after those fingers are in.  Man, that's the best!

This past year, you've learned all kinds of new things.  From your frog hopping crawl, to your wild man walking.  You've learned to growl, screech, blow raspberries, and gurgle (that one is thanks to your big brother) and say "dada".  I'm still working on saying "mama" with you.  Soon, I hope.



You still wake up once in the middle of the night for a momma milk snack.  I've gotten over worrying about it.  I know you won't continue this until Kindergarten so I'm enjoying our night time nursing sessions while I can.  They'll be a thing of the past before I know it, and I'll be wishing you still wanted to snuggle.

You're still a pretty sober kid.  It takes a lot for you to laugh, but it also takes a lot for you to cry.  You are pretty generous with your smiles, though.

When left alone, for even a few minutes, you love to get into trouble.  One of your favorite activities is still unrolling the toilet paper, or climbing the stairs as fast as you can.  Your daddy joked, yesterday, that you single-handedly destroyed all of our Christmas ornaments in one year.  When you climbed up to the top of the piano yesterday, you knocked 2 of my manger animals over and broke them.  While we're on the topic of manger figures, you broke 3 of them the first day we got them out.  A few days ago, you got into the dishes and broke a Christmas plate.  You broke a snow globe, not to mention countless ornaments.  Its a good thing you're so cute and innocent.  Otherwise we might be mad. 

Happy Birthday, little one!  We love you!

My view last year

While in labor, sitting on the birthing ball, bouncing up and down, this is the view I had last year at this time.  It makes me laugh, now.  Last year- not so much...

Walker news

Isaac is walking.  He's been taking steps for a few months now, actually.  However, it wasn't until this week, when he realized how to stand up with out holding on, that he finally took off.  Today, he walked more than crawled.

The funny thing?  He only wants to walk if he has his pants off.  If his pants are on, he crawls.  I think its the wood floor in the winter.  I think its cold.

this is what happens when you don't blog for a long time

You end up with a bullet post.  Like this.

*I'm currently eating popcorn.  I'm starving, but I'm trying to "save myself" for all the goodies I'll be having later tonight at a Christmas party.  Popcorn (the low fat kind) is basically like eating air, caloric wise.  But, it gives my mouth something to do.

*We bought our first ever fake Christmas tree this year.  I didn't really want to fight with Isaac about eating pine needles.  It just isn't worth it.   I got a super deal on Black Friday on new tree at Home Depot. So super, that if we decide to throw it away after this year, we'll still be spending less then on a live Christmas tree. 

*O lost a tooth a few weeks ago, and is about ready to loose another!  She looks stinking cute.

*O is a woman after my own heart.  We sent her to school yesterday with $4 for the "penguin patch", a little store where they pick out gifts for family members.  She bought one for each of us, and 3 for herself.

*I've lost weight recently.  From running, or eating right- I'm not sure which.  But, I'm down to a weight I haven't been since before O.  Of course, it feels like it mostly came off my breasts and thighs.  Two places I was fine with before I lost weight.  Can I make a request for the next few pounds to be off my stomach, please? 

*I hate the cold.  Not new news, but still true.

*Isaac's birthday is in 6 days.  SIX DAYS!  oh.my.gosh. 

*E's 30th birthday is in 6 days!  Oh.my.gosh.  When did HE get so old?

*I's heading to the ENT at the end of this month from all of his ear infections and sinus infections.  Fun times.  I'm hoping they have answers for us about his speech. 

*A told his friend today, "I can run as fast as a hyena!"  Two nights ago, we were talking before bed.  He was rambling on and on about whatever was popping into his brain.  One minute, we were talking about God.  The next, he was talking about daddy growing a beard, and how he might not be able to talk if it was over his "wips".  He cracks me up.

*We didn't buy the big kids one toy this year for Christmas.  They don't use the ones they have, and they'll get plenty from the Grands.

*Can I just take a second to mention how happy I am that we will not be traveling to Michigan for Christmas?  I'm SO HAPPY!  My parents are coming down here, so we'll still get to see my family.  But, we won't have to do that drive, with that baby of ours who likes to scream in the car seat.  He still hates it.  Just as much as he did when he was 2 months old.  Except now, he can scream louder and longer.

*I don't think companies should require people to travel in the month of December.  Especially men with 3 children and a wife at home.  Just saying...

*I have the baby itch.  its bad.  Really bad.

Today, last year

Can you see Isaac?  He's that brown bulge on my stomach. He was kicking the baby we were visiting, like he was trying to get her off my tummy.  

Sometimes I miss being pregnant.  Like when I think about baby kicks in my belly. 

Memories of yester year

As I's birthday approaches, I've been feeling more and more nastolgic.  Remembering what was going on this day, last year, with him still in my belly.  Unaware that we would meet him oustide the womb in 13 short days.  Worrying about dialation, amniotic fluid levels, labor, and the birth itself.  Breathing in the fresh baby scent of my friend's newborn.

  I don't remember being this sad with the older two.  It could be because I was already pregnant with A one O's birthday.  As for A's first birthday, I knew we would have more children.  It didn't bother me as much. 

God willing, Isaac will not be our last child.  However, I now know the reality that our plans are just that: plans.  We have very little control over life and death.  Maybe just knowing that it is not in my control is what is making me sad.  Knowing that if I have to go through losses again for a 4th child, I don't know that we will. Knowing that Isaac could be my last, even if I don't want him to be.

I'm trying to trust in God.  Giving my plans up to him.  His will be done.  But, its quite hard to give up my ideals, and the picture in my head.  Its even harder when I feel like some one is missing from our family. I may always feel that way, though, because of the number of children not here with us. 

I'm sure this is all jumbled.  I'm sorry for that.  As I type it, I realize its not a very put-together post.  But, its a real-time post.  Things that are on my mind this minute, and for the last few days.

I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this Year

One of my friends sent me this poem.  She experienced a miscarriage not too long ago.  When I read it, I couldn't help but think of all of our precious babies up in heaven.  What a wonderful and encouraging thought to know that they are always with our Savior.

I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this Year

I see the countless Christmas trees,

Around the world below.

With tiny lights, like heaven's stars,

Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,

Please wipe away that tear.

For I'm spending Christmas,

With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs,

That people hold so dear.

But the sounds of music can't compare,

With the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you,

The joy their voices bring.

For it is beyond description,

To hear the angels sing.

I can't tell you of the splendor,

Or the peace here in this place.

Can you just imagine Christmas,

With our Savior, face to face?

I'll ask Him to light your spirit,

As I tell Him of your love.

So then pray for one another,

As I lift you eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful,

And let your spirit sing.

For I'm Spending Christmas in Heaven,

And I'm walking with the King.

 Poem written by Wanda Bencke