We survived Jack's First Christmas!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Jack's first Christmas was a huge success and we have the continous stream of toys throughout the house to prove it! It truly was a wonderful day and considering all of the activity, Jack did surprisingly well. He definitely napped harder than usual. We broke the day up into stages so that he could slowly take in all the excitement. He woke up around 7am and encountered Santa Drop #1....

Santas Nana, Poppa, Great Poppa, Great Aunt Anne Marie, and Willy filled our living room with wonderful gifts.

After breakfast and a nap, we moved on to Santa Drop #2...and the present opening with Santas Grandmama, Grandpapa, Uncle Dan, Uncle Andrew, Aunt Kelly & George.

Brian made a wonderful dinner of roast pork and we enjoyed a full day of playing, lazying and all that other stuff you do on Christmas.

The Most Beautiful Sound Ever

Written Dec. 15, 2011...

Last week, Michelle Dugger, reality star and super-mom to 19 kids made the heart-breaking announcement that she suffered a miscarriage. While I usually steer clear of the "comments" section of online articles, I was compelled to read the general publics reaction. I was expecting some negative comments but wow, I was blown away by the level if insensitivity I came across. After my initial shock (and yes, I should know better then to be shocked), I realized a deeper truth. The mean spirited comments or the empathy/sympathy, had very little to do with Michelle Dugger. It had everything to do with us, our own stories, our own pain or fears. In the interest of honesty, I can admit that after reading of her loss my mind did not immediately think of the heartbreak of the family. No, instead my hand immediately touched my stomach and I could only wonder if my baby's heart was still beating. It was no longer her miscarriage but mine. I then went back to the comments and realized that everyone else had done the same. It wasn't about her....it was about the heartache of a woman who dreamed of having just one child or the thought of "what ifs" by mothers that felt blessed or the fear of those that are expecting. While I know my insight isn't some great revelation, I found comfort in knowing I wasn't alone. Do we often take tragic news and twist it inwards to make it about us and not the real victims?

Today I was able to hear our baby's heartbeat and it sounded more beautiful than before. It was no longer my heartbreak...the tragic story was given back to its rightful owner. The medical community considers any pregnant woman over the age of 35 to be "at risk." It makes no difference of how young I feel or how good my health is, I will spend my entire pregnancy with a underlying feeling of fear. Thankfully I am running around in circles so much that I only have sporadic moments here and there where I focus on it.

For the most part I am so amazed by Lil Man Jack that I have little time to think of anything else.Jack is truly becoming a little boy. Each morning he looks just a tiny bit bigger. Each day I notice something new in his development. He has started getting a little snuggly which is like a slice of heaven on a buttered croissant. His attention span is increasing and he is diligently working on his fine motor skills. Today he had his first real attempt of building with blocks.

He is also started to put more syllables together but has really only mastered "Da-Da" which is fine with daddy.As for the house...well...we are anxiously awaiting the new flooring. Brian managed to paint 70% of the house during his week off which is insanely impressive. I actually completed a major project...kitchen cabinet refinishing...and now just have the rest of the kitchen to work on. Before and after pics coming next week!With most of our major projects out of the way I have been able to focus on Christmas. Jack's 1st Christmas! Since we aren't in the new house and all of our holiday stuff is in storage we have improvised. Thankfully, my mother is the queen of holiday decorating and spread the holiday cheer to us while we were busy with the house. I am starting to step up and did manage to hang some stockings. :).

Times Flies When Your Are Having Fun!

It was been far too long since I have updated our blog but it's not my fault....soo much has happened! Since Jack is peacefully napping, I thought it might be the perfect time to catch you up. Thank goodness that I have the energy to do so because of a little vice called Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte. Unlike my first pregnancy where I gave up caffeine completely, I have decided that I can believe the doctors and have just a little bit. I swear if it wasn't for caffeine, most of us would be without brothers and sisters because no way in hell can you survive with a child and not have it...only a daily basis.

So, what's new? Well...Jack has been busy. He is walking now...and not just a few steps here and there, he is practically running around! He started perfecting his stride over the Thanksgiving holiday much to the delight of Nana, Poppa, Uncle Tommy, Great Aunt Eileen and Cousin Kit. Our visit to Pinehurst was wonderful and I am not just saying that because I got to spend a day lazying in bed. Jack was an absolute star and showed everyone all of his new tricks. As for his first Thanksgiving dinner, well...Molly was the very happy recipient of his habit of throwing more food on the ground than in his mouth.

In addition to Jack's weekly My Gym class, he is now enjoying swimming lessons one day a week. He absolutely loves the water and while he doesn't have the fine motor skills to even mimic swimming, it is just about being in the water. He does enjoy sitting on the edge and jumping in.

In new baby news, I am now at 15 weeks. Our anatomy/gender ultrasound is scheduled for December 27th and we can't wait! My energy has come back and I am feeling great. Since I have made the concious decision to not eat with wild abandonment, I haven't gained much weight (which my doctor says is fine) and physically feel much better than I had when I was at this point with Jack. Thank goodness because I have needed all of my energy to keep up with a walking Jack and OUR NEW HOME!

We closed on our house November 29th and we have been busy since. We are VERY fortunate in that we are currently living at my parents and can take some time getting the house ready for move-in. It is a luxury that many people don't have and one that we are taking advantage of! Brian took time off work for what my brother calls a "Paintapoolza". We are painting most of the rooms, installing new flooring, refinishing kitchen cabinets, updating lighting, and whew....well, suffice it to say there is a whole list! We are on Day 4 of our undertaking and it is exhausting but we are already able to see the benefits of the hard work. We have had such amazing help. You know what they say, the family that home improves together, stays together....lol! Here are a few pics of the progress thus far...

Family Room Before

Family Room Progress