Christmas Eve, Christmas, 31 Weeks & U/S

What a crazy week! Christmas Eve was on Tuesday and we had a full day of fun. The boys all decorated Gingerbread Houses. Henry and Mike took it very seriously while Gabe was just angry we wouldn't let him eat the frosting and sprinkles from the containers. He did watch nicely from his high chair as the rest of us tried to make our houses look pretty. We didn't follow the directions entirely because you are apparently supposed to let the frosting that holds the houses together sit for awhile to really hold together well. Since we didn't plan to display our houses, that step didn't happen. We were all a frosting mess by the time we were done!

Christmas Eve was also the last day for our elf, Fred. He left a nice message for the boys and a little treat to say good bye. He's on his way back to the North Pole to be with his family until next year. Henry is very sad he will be leaving. He would like Fred to stay all year. I can't say I'll miss him that much! =)

In the afternoon it was off to church. I need to remember or next year NOT to go to the first mass of the day. It was completely packed. The boys in general were well behaved but there were so many people there it was ridiculous. We did end up sitting next to some friends so that was nice. Especially when our children are rolling around on the floor when there was standing room only. Ugh. Not a fun year. Not sure we could do that with four next year! At least not without family help =P

Christmas Eve night we followed the tradition from my family of opening one gift which is always a new pair of PJs. The boys really loved their PJs. Henry got Avengers and Gabe got Spiderman. They were a little slap happy by the time they needed to go to bed. Luckily they did go to sleep and slept all night.

Christmas morning was very fun. Henry was so excited to see what Santa brought and poor Gabe was confused by all the excitement. Especially considering his breakfast was delayed because of presents =) Gabe is usually one to follow routine daily to be happy but luckily the presents were enough of a distraction he went with the flow. Both boys got a variety of neat gifts. Henry's top favorites were his new Batman Cave and more Batman characters. Gabe was really excited to have new balls (although next year Santa should NOT buy Nerf brand... they already have teeth marks and bits of ball removed) and his basketball hoop. The crowning glory of the morning was definitely the new play house though! Both grandparents and us pitched in for it and the kids love it. Mike did a great job setting it all up the night before so the kids could really see what they got the next morning.

Christmas afternoon we went to my moms house for an early dinner. The boys were so excited to talk about their new things and to see everyone at Grandma's house. It was a full house of family and everyone had a nice time. We even got to Skype with my sister and her family on the Isle of Man. Gabe was more interested in causing trouble the entire time but it was nice to see most of them (who were still awake!) on Christmas. The boys were almost on toy overload by the time we were opening gifts again from Grandma. Henry is thrilled with his new costumes and super hero shirts. Gabe loves the doctor kit and a little camera that has superheroes on it. Mike and I are on sugar overload with the huge candy basket mom got us! I've already taken about 90% of the candy from Christmas and hid it away from the family. Shockingly, I'm the only one with any control over overeating sweets!

We got Grandma a new vacuum which is really unglamorous but I've mentioned a few times to her to try this Shark vacuum and she hasn't done it yet. Made it a great Christmas present for us =) Or at least a very practical one. Although the vacuum was cool (in my opinion), I think Mom was more excited to get the calendar from all the grandkids. She was so excited to see the photos and I think it turned out really well. Thanks to all the family who contributed!

By the time dinner was over and it was time to go home, the boys were done. Another lesson for next year - bring PJs to Grandmas! Poor Gabe was ready to go straight to bed but by the time I got his diaper changed and into bed, he was awake again. Both boys played a little longer and then it was a challenge to get them to settle down to go to bed. It was just such an excited and exhausting day!

The next day we had my 31 week growth ultrasound and check up. The ultrasound went very well. Both babies are 3 lbs 12 oz and about 16 inches long. They have strong heartbeats and are pretty active in there. They are on track for growth of a singleton so it's very possible I'll have two 7 pound babies by the time I have my C-section in February! I have no idea how that's going to work with my belly continuing to crack now but I guess nature will find a way =) The ultrasound photos at this point aren't worth posting. The babies are so large you can't really get a profile photo anymore. We have pictures of hands or feet but nothing new. I'm continuing to feel huge and uncomfortable but any of my complaints are completely normal for a pregnant woman with twins.

Today we had a pre-op appointment for Gabe. His ears are currently clear but that changes with the wind. We feel a bit better about everything after talking with the surgeon. She thinks what we're doing is the right thing and that it will help Gabe out a lot in the long term. Fingers crossed everything goes well on January 2!!

Tomorrow we have one more Christmas celebration with the Dozeman side of the family. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and not having to cook dinner! Mike is off of work now for a week so that will be really nice to have him around to help out and spend some time with the family. I'm sure we'll be busy finding things to do!

30 weeks, Presents and Baking, Parties and Meeting Santa Claus

I feel like I missed a week here but honestly, not a lot happened the week of the 15th. Henry is off preschool and the weather has been snowy so we've stayed in quite a bit. I did have my 30 week appointment and the babies are continuing to do well. Both heartbeats are strong and I'll have a growth u/s on December 26. My belly is starting to get big enough it's cracking. I have never heard of this before but I guess it does happen. I'm trying to moisturize regularly but I imagine this will be a continued issue until they are born!

Wednesday was Henry's last day of school before break so we worked hard on Monday and Tuesday to get the holiday gifts done for his eight teachers. We did cookies in a jar this year. With so many teachers it's hard to do something unique but cost effective! =) Henry was pretty helpful with the ingredients but I made them "pretty". We put them in some bags and Henry was so thrilled to give them away on Wednesday at school.

Henry enjoyed helping so much with the cookies in a jar that he wanted to help me when I was making cookies for other people for the holidays. His favorite task was putting the Hersey Kiss on the peanut butter blossoms. I had to remind him quite a few times though that they are "cookies" and not "rocks" because the force he was using to put them on the cookie was breaking them more than placing them nicely on the cookie. He did eventually get it and I laughed a lot when he was would repeat, "Cookies.. not rocks."

On Thursday Janell came again to do Mom and my hair. We had a really nice time with her and her kids. Our kids always enjoy playing together and by the time everyone leaves, my kids are wiped out. It makes bedtime so much easier!! I wish Janell lived closer so we could get together more often =( We had a little celebration for Jayden who would turn two on December 22. We couldn't make the party on Saturday because we had another party we previously agreed to attend to go to instead. We got Jayden a John Deer tractor that would rear up and roll across the floor. Gabe especially liked it although he likes just about any toy car that moves and makes noise!

 

 

On Saturday we were supposed to go to an Ugly Sweater party but the minute we arrived, Henry threw up on Mike. Henry had complained a bit throughout the day that his tummy hurt but he was acting normal and playing hard. I didn't think anything was seriously wrong. Even after we left the party, he didn't throw up again. I don't think he felt well but thankfully it seemed to pass pretty quick the next day. Unfortunately we did miss a great party though!

Speaking of the Ugly Sweater party, I bought a few choices from the resale shop for the boys to try for their ugly sweaters. One of the choices I got Henry loved so much he thought it was great I bought him a "Santa costume!" It's not of course but he ran around the house wearing the sweater and asking everyone what they wanted for Christmas and chanting "Ho Ho Ho." It was pretty funny.

On Sunday when Henry was feeling better we took him and Gabe to see Santa at the mall. It was a ridiculous line but we survived. Henry was very star struck with Santa and kept staring at him the entire time. It was difficult to get him to finally look over at us for the photo. When he finally did, he seemed a bit annoyed we were bothering him. Gabe just laughed at all the funny noises we were making to get Henry's attention. In the end, poor Henry was so star struck he couldn't remember the very long list of things he wanted to tell Santa of things he wanted. Luckily Santa was prepared for such a situation and told Henry he was sure he would think of something to bring him in time for Christmas =)

 In other random news, we have started to have to duck tape Gabe's diapers on to him. He just won't keep his clothes on and if he can get it, he'll take off his diaper. He takes anything I do to stop him as a challenge to keep trying. We have tried potty training a few times and although he shows a lot of interest, he's not quite there yet. I think I'll try harder after the twins are here while I have a few girls here to help out.

Our elf is continuing to move around the house. Henry still loves looking for him each morning. I have to say, his creativity has gone down quite a bit. He used to do some neat things. Now he just moves around the house =)