The big reveal ain't so big

The day has not started as we had expected. We had mint hot tea, Christmas classics playing in the background, sweet, cinnamon buns baking, and the camera on the ready to capture the excitement of the discovery of the BIG gift! Santa left a new plasma riding car under the tree for our son and usually he wakes up and comes downstairs to greet our Christmas tree. This morning, it was straight to the kitchen for some milk and bananas. Tending to a runny nose and a ruddy faced toddler who was hungry (probably b/c he didn't eat much for dinner at our Christmas Eve party). So finally, the necessities taken care of, we are ready to capture the big moment on camera. Only...after a few seconds of video the memory card is full. Michael runs down to download the card and capture the big reveal, but the computer crashes. Luckily in the meantime, I've distracted Payton with the treasures tucked inside of his stocking. Hot wheels & tractors. And somehow thirty minutes later, the BIG gift still sits undiscovered under the Christmas Tree. The camera is emptied and we actually capture the first moments of Payton's discovery of his new yellow and black riding car. All is well.

It's a boy...again!

Relief washed over me as we watched a tiny hand wave to us on the monitor. The baby on the sonogram was communicating to us for the first time. The technician then moved down to show him playing with his hands. He was lacing his little hands together and moving his fingers back and forth. After enduring months of pain with this pregnancy, it was so rewarding to see a little life moving around inside of me. We were shown images of a healthy brain, heart, limbs and face. When asked about the gender we agreed we wanted to know. On, Monday, Dec 6th we found out we were adding another son to our family. I'm elated to have another son! I can't wait to meet you in April little one.

Countdown to Christmas

As I ponder the meaning of Christmas this year, I'm reminded that it's not about presents. For the first time in our marriage my husband and I have not purchased the first gift of the season. This last fall we have been hit with health issues and mounting medical bills. Add to that a house move around Thanksgiving and we haven't recovered yet. I am so happy to be pregnant with my second child, due in April, but this pregnancy has been difficult. I've been dealing with sciatica since September and until November constant nausea. My husband has been working full time as our sole provider and then coming home to take care of me and my son. As we enter the Christmas season, and Michael has logged almost 4 months of nursing me back to health, the gifts don't seem as important to us. This Christmas, it's about surviving and team work. I love my husband. He has been such a trooper and this year the countdown to Christmas is about being together and having grace to make it through each day.

First Snow

We had a long morning, missing our Christmas party because mommy has been sick with little brother. So the guilt of watching the snow falling and knowing Payton was missing out on his fun play date gave me enough energy to wrestle him into his new blue snowsuit and face the cold to bring joy to his day! It was worth each ache and pain to get out into the cold and see wonder and amazement in his eyes. As the snow trickled down slowly, I watched my curious boy running in circles around a tree. He was amazed at this white mystery coating his little head and shoulders. Payton's first snow of the season brought lots of smiles and cold red hands as he tested the snow, wondering what this cold powdery fun could be. We captured some cute photos of him as he explored. It was the bright spot to our day.