The Final Trimester

The fun and crazy month of December is here, and it is doing its thing. I am doing my best to stay on the ball and keep my joyful spirit. In years past, the stress has gotten to me, and I have worked hard in recent years to avoid that Scrooge attitude. So far, so good. Lots of Advent activities and Christmas preparation. Another birthday party is in the works, too, as Eli is closing in on his 6th birthday.

Amidst all of this, Blueberry continues to grow and do his thing. He says hello each day with his crazy kicks, somersaults, and way too many Braxton Hicks contractions....up to 20 a day...and some kinda hurt. Ouch! I have also begun to feel some swelling in my ankles and lower legs. Yuck! Last week, we hit the third trimester, and that means we are in the home stretch. Definitely starting to feel a dip in my energy level, but my hit-or-miss sleep schedule may also be a contributing factor. Overall, I'm feeling OK and hanging in there.

The bump is getting bigger every day, and I think my belly button may even pop out this time. Fun! 

A funny story from a few weeks ago when I went to take do my Glucose Test. I brought Jude along, and he was being an angel in the waiting room. Then it came time to drink the "juice," and Jude had an all out, throw down fit in front of the entire waiting room because I wouldn't share my juice with him. All I could do was laugh....and chug. I drank that bottle down faster than ever before to try to end the dramatic scene. Thankfully, he calmed quickly and was a sweet boy the rest of the time. And even more thankfully, I passed my test. 

Crazy, crazy, crazy. And I'm OK with that. And that's a good thing 'cause it is bound to get crazier come February. 

Thank You

Thanksgiving is up there as a favorite day for me, and for Matt too. So much has changed for our family in the past 6 or 7 years. The holidays come on quickly and are a bit of a whirlwind with children. Add a bunch a birthdays to this time of year and the loss of precious loved ones, and it is one big giant roller coaster of emotions. Incredible highs and some pretty serious lows.

But I can say one thing without any doubt. I love taking a "Time Out" on Thanksgiving. Taking time to be with family. Taking time to be thankful for all the big and not-so-big things in our lives. Taking time to just BE. And for those reasons, I say, "Thank You."

Thank you for quality {crafty} time with the boys.

Eli was thrilled about the idea of sewing each of the leaves onto the garland.

Jude was not a very good helper when it came to making the pilgrim hats.

Thank you for our health.

We got up early and head out for the Turkey Trot with Aunt Kristi, Uncle Steve, Aunt Z, and Uncle Matt B. It was Eli's first 5K, and he did it! He ran the first mile in about 10 minutes and walk/jogged the rest.

Endurance Imaging captured this awesome shot of him running...not sure I'm allowed to post a copy here, but I'm giving them all the credit!!!

Thank you, Aunt Kiki and Uncle Steve for keeping up with him/sticking with his pace. He was beyond proud of himself and kept saying all day that he was so proud to have finished.

Thank you for time with amazing family. 

Such genuine love and real fun.

Both Eli and Jude love spending time with the extended family out at their lake property. 

Cousins! It is all Jude could talk about on the drive home as he was exhausted from the fun day. Over and over he would say, "cousins."

Thank you for God and His beautiful reminders of goodness and grace.

Thank you for family traditions.

We put up the tree and decorated it the Friday after Thanksgiving. Both boys were excited to be in on the action this year.

Now, if we can just keep Jude's hands off of it. I think he is starting to understand as he told me today, with a wag of his finger, "No, no touch."

Thank you for the Gators pulling off a win in that crazy, intense game.

Ok, maybe that one didn't deserve to go on such a thoughtful list, but it sure will make living in enemy territory a lot easier this year.

The boys and I watched it with Grandma and Grandpa while Daddy and the rest of the gang went to the game. We took advantage of halftime and got outside just before sunset for some much needed wiggle time.

So glad when it was finally over and we could safely celebrate the victory. Go Gators!

As usual, so much to be thankful for this time of year....and all year long. When days are long and I'm feeling ragged, I need a little nudge to take the time and realize that I am truly thankful. For the big things and the little things. 

Paint & Celebrate

After planning and preparing for the big day, it was finally time for Jude's birthday party.

It was a beautiful fall morning to celebrate our big 2 year old, and he was ready. We were thrilled to have friends and family come out to paint and play with Jude.  Even Pap Pap and Lil surprised us by driving up for the big day. What a treat!

Everyone seemed to enjoy the painting and the spin art (via our almost-never-used salad spinner....awesome!)

The snacks and decorations were perfect touches to the beautiful day.

The playground got a lot of use when the kids were not creating.

My attempt at a rainbow cake was a success! It turned out just as I had hoped.

Jude loved his party....and only had two melt downs. Hey....it's his party....he can cry if he wants to. Thankfully, there was plenty of juice for him to double fist and get back in the party groove.

What a big day for a boy who is ready to take on the world. No matter what.

He's been sassier than ever. Ever since he turned 2.

Are those pesky 2 year molars to blame? 

Or his crazy big brother? 

Either way, his is still as cute as can be and no matter how sassy he may get, I am still a puddle of mush as soon as he flashes me one of his many smiles.

We all love you, Jude! And once again, Happy Birthday to YOU!