December 2008

December turned out to be very busy month to end our very busy year. Tyler started T-ball and it is about the cutest thing we have seen. He absolutely loves it!! Of course he is a natural and the best hitter on the team....we aren't the least bit biased. It is so much more fun that his two little buddies from his class at school, Michael and Lucas, are on his team too. Luke just hangs out with Meggie (Michael's sister). They are quite cute as well. The only downfall to the whole experience is that his team is the Longhorns. The boys don't seem to mind but Mommy refuses to wear the burnt orange parent shirt. There are just some things you can't do...even for your kids :)

T-BALL

TY'S FIRST TOOTH

Tyler also lost his first tooth this month. This picture cracks me up. He was just trying to smile so I could see the tooth he lost, instead he looks terrified! We thought the whole idea of the tooth fairy may scare him but he did just fine. The kid is motivated by money!

CHRISTMAS PLAY

Then came the boys Christmas play. Luke completely shocked us. You have to understand that Luke has been in the separation anxiety stage (only from me mind you) for pretty much his whole life. EVERY day I took him to school we would have a screaming fit because he didn't want to leave me. Luckily his teacher is an angel and just takes him and runs. So, we get to the Christmas play. I haven't taken him to school in two months because of my bed rest so we are a little worried how he is going to do separating from me and then have to stand in front of a sanctuary and sing Christmas carols. We had nothing to worry about...I have never seen such a ham in my entire life. I wish I could post a part of the video but that's way too complicated for me. Not only did he sing, he talked to us and all his friends from the stage the entire time. Then after he was sitting with us he continued to "coach" Tyler, Meghan and all their friends from our seats. You never know with him. It's a good thing he's so cute!

Left to Right: Michael, Tyler, Meghan and Luke

LUKE TURNS 3

Lukie turned 3 on the 21st of this month. It has been an eventful three years for our family and he has kept us laughing the whole way. Not only does he look like Ben he acts so much like him too. He has such a care free and happy personality...90% of the time at least. The other 10% he is about as determined to get his own way as they come. I'm afraid that part is from me...we just pray that Luke uses his power for good and not evil! He'll be able to move mountains if he puts his mind to it. He had a small speed racer party at the beginning of the month and then we went out to eat on his actual day.

CHRISTMAS

We had Christmas in Mission this year...just us. We didn't exactly plan for our first Christmas back in Texas to be alone but it worked out nice just the same. My doc said that traveling would not be a good idea in "my condition". The boys don't have a problem with it...they are celebrating Christmas four times over...with their cousins from Austin, our family, my family and then Ben's family. Christmas morning was fun for Ben and I. The boys were completely into Santa and we had the best time making cookies, reading the night before Christmas and waking up together.

UPDATE

There isn't much on Jake right now except that he is absolutely the most precious little boy. He started walking right before his first birthday (October 31st) and is so happy to be keeping up a little more with his brothers. He is such a content baby and loves to play. He talks all the time in the sweetest baby jabber. We can't get enough of him. It's hard to not pick him up and squeeze him....but he does weigh 27 lbs (5 less than Luke) so that's a tad risky for me at this point!

Ben and I are doing well. We are adjusting to life down in Mexico quite nicely. We still miss our family and friends from Georgia but the Lord is so good. I was convinced that it would take us a really long time to make new friends and then get close to them. God stepped right in and took care of that. The school the boys attend is just wonderful and the ladies I have met from MOPs are just priceless. We I got put on bed rest at the beginning of November, all of these people just stepped out of the woodwork and came to our rescue. I am especially indebted to two ladies here, Jodi and Laura. They think of our needs even before we do.

It has been quite a challenge to remain still. It is not in my nature to just sit without doing. We are hoping we have a light at the end of the tunnel. I am 26 weeks tomorrow. I had steroid shots for her lungs a couple weeks ago so if she did come now, her lungs would probably not be an issue. Our first goal is 28 weeks and then 32 weeks. I take medication every 4 hours right now to keep the contractions away. Right now, the doc says I can go off meds at 32 weeks and we'll see what happens. Knowing my luck I will probably go to term and have to be induced!! Of well, that is better than her being born now. My doctor here is just amazing. We are very close to my OB in Georgia and I have to say I had a hard time when I had to have someone else. The wonderful thing is that I still talk to Dr. Lonergan and he agrees 100% with everything Dr. Hernandez is doing. That alone is so reassuring. Dr. Hernandez has proven to be a God send. He has called everything that would happen every step of the way. He is very proactive and we have learned to trust him completely. He has her best interests at heart, as well as mine. Oh..if you didn't know that part...this is a girl. The drama has already begun and she's not even here yet!

The store is doing well and Ben is slowly adjusting to his different lifestyle. I don't know how many times I've heard him so that there are just not enough hours in the day! He is balancing everything so much better than I ever could. The word that comes to mind is selfless. When I went into labor the first time, that was all it took. He not only manages the store but our house and kids as well. Not to mention the care I need. I'm not used to being so high maintenance but I'm pathetic these days. Who knew that bed rest would exhaust you?

We hope that everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and year. There is has been so much excitement this year for us and we anticipate more when our daughter arrives. As of now we are naming her Kathleen Grace...Katie for short. The middle name may change but Katie is sticking quite well.

We love all of you so much and appreciate all of your love and support this year. Your prayers through all of our transitions have been felt and treasured.

Happy New Year!