A sweet and sour Thanksgiving

No, we didn't eat Chinese for Thanksgiving. We spent it with my side of the family, but we spent it with half of us fighting colds... including me, which is totally unfair! Pregnant women shouldn't have to fight illnesses that they can't take medications for. But I digress. Christopher was fine when he woke up in the morning, but by the time we were headed out to Grandma and Grandpa's house he was burning with fever. He went from bouncing off the walls with excitement to see his cousins and eat pumpkin pie to lying listless in bed and refusing all food and company. As crappy as I felt my heart ached for my little man. It broke when he told me how unfair it was that he was sick on such a special day. Bret has been fighting his cold for almost 2 weeks now. It's pretty much gone, but when Bret gets a cough it hangs on forever. I've been sick since about Tuesday. It's hard enough to sleep when pregnant, but harder when you are congested and coughing. That's the sour. THE SWEET... All of my siblings and their families were able to come for Thanksgiving. Despite distances and tight financial situations we were able to all be together. As a lot of Thanksgivings are... it was all about the food. My sister-in-law, Carrie, makes THE most fantastic dips and appetizers, and Lindsey makes a very yummy cheese ball. We spend much of the day munching and grazing on these delectable foods while the big bird cooks. The cousins all played so well together and had a blast. The boys played lots of basketball and football. Lindsey's baby sister and her boyfriend, Kurt, joined us for the chaos. Ali is so sweet and funny and she is so cute with all the kids. They were a great addition to the day. In the middle of the day I started to feel pretty lousy and Lindsey had a medicine suggestion for me (she's due with a little boy 2 weeks before me). And my mom suggested taking a long soak in her jacuzzi tub. It may seem very silly, but I am so thankful for them and their suggestions. The tub was a piece of heaven and the medicine helped me get through the day. Dinner rolled around, and as we always do we went down the line and listed what we are thankful for. My family is known for being a bunch of bawl-baby-boobs and we didn't disappoint. We are all so thankful for our tight knit family unit that is sealed for eternity. For our wonderful and supportive spouses and our beautiful children. For my mom and dad at the head of this family that lead by example and with strength. One of the things I listed last night was how grateful I am for forever families. I told everyone around me that if our family is this great in this earth life imagine how amazing and cool it is going to be in the eternities!!! I am truly grateful and thankful for my wonderful family. Those within the walls of my home and those that are extended. My sweet husband is the very best to be found. He is my very best friend, biggest support, lover, and amazing father. We are equals and partners and companions. He is patient and kind (almost to a fault). My children are the best. I don't have to tell you that. 99% of this blog is dedicated to bragging and telling everyone about them. My mom and dad are my heroes. My brothers and their wives are such great friends and examples. And for it all I only have my Heavenly Father and his only begotten son, Jesus the Christ, to thank for ALL the blessings in my life. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!

A sweet surprise

I had my regular 16 week check up with my obstetrician today. It's one that I look forward to with much anxiety since Xander. Before we had Xander I went to this appointment (a week late because of the holidays) and discovered our baby had died. My body hadn't registered that fact and wouldn't go into labor on its own. I delivered and held and mourned that sweet little boy and ever since have lots of fear as that particular time in each pregnancy rolls around. So, we had a long wait in the office. It's a holiday week and things were crazy. After waiting a little over an hour they got us back and Dr. B came in and said, "Should we find out whether this is a boy or girl today?" Ummmm... this appointment usually consist of a quick check of the baby's heart beat and they send you on your way. A bonus ultrasound, whether they can tell the gender or not, is always a treat. He takes us to his ultrasound room and zooms right in. I could tell immediately and so could Dr. B... IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!! Now, it's kind of early to be able to tell for certain. It's possible that we'll get to our big ultrasound, that checks the baby for everything under the sun, and we'll find a little something that wasn't there before. But I've been feeling that this baby is a girl for awhile now and the fact that I was able to point out her little parts says something about how clear our view was. So, for now we are celebrating having a little sister for Darci and snuggling another little pink bundle. Naming is currently in the works.

"I'm gonna be a man!"

This was Christopher's declaration to us on Saturday morning. Trying to suppress giggles I asked him what he meant. "Well, Mom, first I think I need to start taking showers instead of baths. Also, instead of calling you guys Mommy and Daddy I'm going to just say Mom and Dad. AND I'm going to start wearing a watch." Hmmmmm...ok... I can handle this being a man stuff. Bret then told him some other things he could do to "be a man". Like, helping mommy when she isn't feeling well and being more patient with Xander and Darci, and helping mommy get dinner going on nights he isn't home. Christopher thought on this for a few seconds and then agreed. Christopher gets bigger everyday and it is mind boggling sometimes. He's such a sweet boy and you can tell he thinks deeply about things. So, as hard as it is for Mommy... Christopher is on his way to being a man.

Danika Leigh

Dustin and Crystal, We just think she is absolutely precious and can't wait to spoil her with lots of love.

Me and little Danika. She is sooo alert and interested in everything around her. Bret holds Danika as Darci moves in for a kiss. Hopefully she'll react this well to the new one joining our family in May.

Xander singing to Danika. He has been waiting and waiting for "the baby to come out of Crystal's tummy". He can't wait to play Star Wars with her. ;)

Christopher was a little nervous holding her, but was determined to do it. They were so excited about our trip to see their new cousin, and disappointed when the trip was so short. But Danika was hungry and "Mom and Dad" looked tired.

MORE BABIES!

I love babies... especially teeny, tiny new babies. I love their smell; I love their cry; I love how they stay all curled up when you hold them. The worst part is that they just don't stay that way long enough. A lot of people think I'm crazy or lying when I say that I love the newborn stage the best. I don't mind getting up 4 or 5 times a night to feed my babies. I think I like it more with each child, because I know I'm closer to having my last. Yesterday around 9:15am I had a new little niece come into this world. Her parents, Crystal and Dustin, are some of my very favorite people. Crystal is one of the most genuine people I know and is truly kind. She had a rough labor with 3 hours of pushing at the end. They hadn't found out the gender previously so the first declaration was that they had a girl. Next bit of news we found out was that she was 7lbs 10oz with brownish-red hair. She was bruised from being face up and needing a vaccum extraction. Finally, after waiting all day, we discovered that her name is Danika Leigh. I'm excited. I've actually had a strong suspicion that this baby would be a girl and that her mommy would get her way with the name Danika. So, in my mind that is what I've been calling her. Tonight my family is going to see Dustin, Crystal, and Danika. I want to take lots of pictures. Christopher and Xander are so excited for a new cousin. Even Bret is excited to see Dustin and Crystal's first baby. I'm hoping to add those pictures to the blog later. I have this picture in my mind and it is so sweet. I know we don't KNOW what the gender is of the baby I'm carrying, but I've been feeling very strongly that it is a girl. I have this vision of about 3 years from now... Darci is the leader of this little pack of girls. Danika and our baby are following her around and they are doing fun girly things. Hopefully with minimal intervention from parents to calm disputes. I'm hoping another SIL of mine isn't far behind in adding to this group of girls and that cousin will be a part of the group, too. Ahhhhh... I love babies.

Loved or Liked

Is it better to be loved or to be liked? Most people would say loved.

Some of you know that Xander's preferred way to express affection is to say, "I like you". His Grandma Armstrong is often trying to tell him that she loves him and that's even better. But, Xander being Xander, you can't convince him otherwise.

So, I've been thinking... is it really better to be liked or loved. Well, the way Xander says it... it's better to be liked. His young, innocent explanation was way too deep for his age.

Xander: I like you, Mommy.

Me: I like you, too.

Xander: But will you always like me?

Me: Xander, Mommy always loves you not matter what!!!

Xander: MOMMY, I KNOW you'll always love me. Even when I'm being very bad. But will you always LIKE me?

This pulled me up short. How often do we have days where we dislike someone that we will always love. I know I have.

So, I truly believe it is the greatest compliment when Xander comes up to me, wraps his arms around my neck, and exclaims, "Mommy, I LIKE you!".