Pre-Christmas Fun

December was a rough month, but we made it through. I didn't put up all the Christmas decorations, didn't do any Christmas baking at all, and felt terrible about all that I wanted to do with the kids in terms of service, etc. but just couldn't with being morning (all-day) sick and feeling overwhelmed and tired. Still, I was grateful for the things we were able to do.

 Robbie's snowflake-making abilities significantly improved since last year, and he made lots this year. Even though the messes drive me nuts, I absolutely love that he likes to create things. One day we snuck over to our neighbor Shirley's house and decorated her door with snowflakes when she was gone.

 We enjoyed a little dusting of snow. The kids really wanted to sled in it, but it just wasn't quite deep enough.

 We played with lots of Play-doh (I did make gingerbread play-doh, which was fun). It's one of the few activities that all the kids can do and enjoy together.

 I didn't bake, but Michael did, taking the time to make gingerbread cookies with the boys. (Sadly, we never gave any out and ended up tossing them. Another fail, I guess, but I tried not to feel too badly about it.)

 Robbie was Joseph in the preschool Christmas presentation and did a smashing job.

They were all so cute! Robbie was excited to sing "Go Tell It on the Mountain" at home.

 A homeschooling friend had set up a Domino's pizza demonstration activity, which the boys really enjoyed.

 We played a lot with Magnatiles, read lots of books, watched some Christmas movies, and just basically hung out.

We did make the journey to Washington, D.C. one evening to the see the lights--this year they were spectacular. Sadly, I threw up as soon as we got home (too long without eating), but I was glad the kids got to see them.

We did do a few visits with the kids, caroling to neighbors and members of the ward, which definitely brought the spirit of Christmas into our hearts. The kids enjoyed watching the Light the World movies from the Church as well.

Baby #4

We learned the beginning of November that we are expecting another a baby! Due July 18th. At first I was very concerned that I was going to miscarry because I didn't feel any morning sickness, but it shortly thereafter kicked in and I have been miserable ever since, with morning sickness the entire day and especially in the evening. After trying one medication (Diclegis) with no improvement, I have gone back to Zofran. It is helping with the vomiting, although I still feel nausea for a lot of the day, and I have to take a second dose which I didn't have to with Henry. I have been in lots of tears, lots of lying on the couch in a fetal position, lots of wondering what I was thinking and lots of worry about how I can handle the next couple of months of morning sickness as well as the rest of pregnancy and then actually having a fourth child. I was talking with Michael in bed this morning, and I realized I am definitely operating beyond what I feel is my capacity. I am beyond my borders of comfort and ability into a realm that is overwhelming and unknown and stressful. I know I have felt stress with each birth, but


. . .

(three weeks (?) later 1/13/2018)

I thought I would keep the post I originally began writing above to remind myself that things do improve, feelings change, and outlooks brighten. Now at 13 weeks, I am still feeling morning sick (especially first thing in the morning until I take Zofran and then in the evening from about 5 to 8pm--8 is when I am in bed!), but I don't feel the overwhelming nausea and fatigue that I felt previously. I am grateful that I feel more hopeful and less fearful than I did in the first weeks of pregnancy. I am especially grateful for Michael, who has done so much to help me--cleaning up the kitchen after I am in bed, helping Clara with homework and putting her to bed, putting the boys down, helping cook when he can, etc. etc. (these are things he has always done, but the past couple of months has been a definite increase!!).

At my twelve-week appointment, the midwife couldn't hear the heartbeat (which of course was a bit nervewracking), so I got to have another ultrasound.

Everything looks good, and I was grateful to have an excuse to catch a glimpse of the baby, wiggling and moving at just a few inches long. So incredible.

I have very mixed feelings about boy or girl--I am just glad I don't have to decide! We won't find out until March.

Michael's birthday and Thanksgiving at Williamsburg

For Thanksgiving this year, we decided to take a couple of days and go down to Williamsburg with the kids. It was a pretty stressful time with the office renovation and Michael being overloaded at work, but Michael still wanted to go and so we went.

 However, the morning we left we had to celebrate Daddy's birthday with a few presents, which Robbie expertly hid for him to find.

 Not the best picture in low-light conditions, but we celebrated Michael's birthday at Chowning's Tavern that evening. It was a fun atmosphere and we enjoyed playing an old-fashioned game with dice and a number board (the name escapes me) that the server provided while we waited.

 An oral surgeon in town, Dr. Ramsey, gave Michael a dozen cupcakes from the Cupcake Company for his birthday. We brought them with us and enjoyed sampling several for his birthday that evening in the hotel. So good!

 Normally the pool is a highlight, but we only stayed briefly there because Robbie's cast (which was covered in a bread bag) made the experience a bit of a downer. The kids really enjoyed watching cartoons in bed, as always.

 The next morning we drove into Colonial Williamsburg. The gardens outside the Governor's Mansion were beautiful, even in the late fall. (Robbie took this pic of us--good job, buddy!)

 Perfect spot for a seat.

 It was fun to hear about food preparations for the mansion.

 Outside the governor's mansion. Even though it was chilly, it was clear and relatively dry.

 My favorite part was the children's area where they taught the kids how to play old-fashioned games. Didn't know that tug-of-war had been around that long.

 Stool ball was a fun game as well.

Of course we had to put the kids in the stocks (for stealing candy, Michael said). Shortly after this, Clara fell in the mud near that platform in the background and got mud all the way through her leggings onto her underwear. Poor kid! 

I failed to get a photo of dinner that night--we ended up eating at a Japanese steakhouse for dinner that evening. It was fun, although Robbie later was dismayed to realize that we didn't have any turkey on Thanksgiving! Sorry, kiddo. Maybe next year!

Halloween

Halloween this year was not super eventful. We have just had so much going on with the office renovation that I was just not into Halloween as much.

 The kids were excited for the ward Halloween party. Robbie went as a cowboy because I couldn't find his Batman costume anywhere. (Mercifully, after I humbled myself and prayed, I found it on Halloween in a place I had already looked.) Henry didn't want to dress up, which was fine. Clara a stunning Cleopatra.

This pic of Michael eating a doughnut on a string at the ward party makes me smile.

On Halloween, the kids were ready to go as Cleopatra, Batman, and Robin. Sadly, Michael had to stay at the office because they were opening the following morning to see patients. He was there until midnight. But I had fun taking the kids around to trick-or-treat.

 Sorting candy--my favorite part of Halloween.

I had to take a picture of our mantel--Robbie's pumpkin drawings made it extra-awesome.

2017 Couple Getaway

Michael and I enjoyed our annual getaway closer to home this year--we drove to Luray, which is about 45 minutes north.

On Monday, we hiked to Kennedy Peak, which was a little over five miles and was beautiful.

 The fall colors were late this year in the Valley but absolutely lovely when we were up there.

 At the fire tower.

 Monday evening we enjoyed a delicious meal at the Gathering Grounds--the pie was amazing.

 The next morning, we woke early and drove to the base of Old Rag, which was a challenging (to me!) 9+ hike in Shenandoah National Park. At the base, it was misty.

 Then we began to hike above the clouds.

But the mist clung to Michael's backside! Hahaha!

 It was pretty precarious as the rock scramble continued.

 How on earth is that rock balanced there??

 Onward and upward.

 The view from the top was beautiful. I was mostly so proud of myself for accomplishing the challenge.

We enjoyed traveling this path as we finished the hike.

I think we ate out again at the Gathering Grounds that evening (not a lot of options in Luray!), enjoyed watching Return to Me, which I hadn't seen in years, having a couple council/planning meeting, swimming in the hotel hot tub and jumping into the frigid pool, and overall just enjoying each other's company. It was a fun getaway despite the stresses that awaited as at home with the office remodel. We were so grateful for Michael's parents watching the kids so we could have some time away. Such a blessing.

A visit from Grandma, Grandpa, and Melody

We were so happy that Michael's parents and Melody could come visit us before Melody left on her mission in Ukraine. Grandma was so helpful around the house with chores and Melody was so kind with the boys and Clara, reading loads of Harry Potter to Clara, keeping Henry entertained, and just being awesome overall.

Grandpa (and everyone, but especially Grandpa) spent HOURS helping Michael with his ceiling project for the office. We surely feel blessed to have such supportive and faithful parents.

We didn't do anything really epic with them--mostly just hung around the house while they worked on Michael's ceiling project (more pics on on that to come), but we did have some fun, too.

 Michael's parents are big bicyclists (riding about 15 miles each day), so we wanted to go on a bike ride with them. Robbie did well on his bike, and Henry enjoyed being in his seat on mine (although he got tired of it after about twenty minutes).

 I tried to get a good picture of Grandma and Grandpa on their tandem bike but failed. Grandma actually reads a book in the back while Grandpa sits in front. This blows my mind, even more so after Michael and I tried out the tandem going around the park briefly. Super challenging being in the back as you feel helpless to do anything!

 Henry told Michael, "I ride bike now!" He had also gotten on Robbie's bike in the garage earlier and was telling Grandma who was holding it steady, "Let go! Let go!"

 We enjoyed some dinner al fresco on Friday evening--the weather has been lovely.

 Devotional and dessert by the fire pit.

 Robbie got an ear infection (the boys had gotten colds) and Grandma distracted Robbie by writing the alphabet on his back, having him guess what the letters were, which he really enjoyed.

 On Saturday afternoon, we went to the North River Pumpkin Patch--super fun and well done.

 Of course Henry had to sit on one.

 None of us had ever done a corn maze before--it was really fun, although the kids lost interest after about twenty minutes (again). We didn't do the whole thing--it would be a fun double date where you race to get all the clues, etc.

 Melody is such a kind aunt to Clara.

 She even helped her with her math homework on Thursday.

 We had fun helping Grandma celebrate her birthday with an apple pie (that she made herself while Michael and I were on our getaway--more on that in a different post) and going out to Outback Steakhouse.

We were so grateful for their visit!