January 2017

Snow, snow, and more snow - that basically sums up January 2017.  I can't believe how much snow we have gotten.  I love it and hate it all at the same time.  Perhaps this year especially - with Baby Girl about to make her debut - I am ready for it to be gone.  I need a fence.  Desperately need a fence.  I have tried to be patient, but poor Stone is going stir crazy.  I can't blame him.  He has reached the point of way to big to control, but still not mature enough to stay.  He bolts any chance he gets, and so he has to be on a leash any time he is out of the kennel.  Poor thing....he just wants to run and play.  It breaks my heart.  But that is all we can do with him right now.  So until the weather decides to snap out of this winter....Stone will be leashed, and I will be desperately running behind him trying to keep up.  I'm sure its hilarious for our neighbors to watch this huge pregnant lady bouncing down the road "walking" the dog!

In kid news - Lyv and Jack both participated in an art contest at school and Lyv won for her age division.  It was so adorable to see the kids get recognized for their work - and she even scored a Toys R Us gift card.  She purchased a microscope - which I loved!  Jack drew a picture of the Twin Towers Memorial that he remembered visiting while we were in New York, and did a great job as well.

 Jack's class also put on a Martin Luther King Jr. play, and Jack had a speaking part, as Billy!  He was as adorable as ever - and did a super cute rap at the end.

 Of course  - the ever growing baby bump had to be documented.  38 weeks right here and scheduled to be induced on Thursday, Feb. 9th.  As crazy as this sounds with number five, I still get a little nervous about "having" the baby and even though I'm so so ready and so so excited to see this pretty little girl, I hesitate to say - Let's do this!  But Thursday will be the day ready or not.

This pregnancy has been so fast, and knowing that she is our last - for real this time - I've been trying to soak in all the kicks and bumps.  The kids love watching her move and feeling her kick.  They are all so excited to have her here, and I already feel so grateful to be blessed to have another sweet spirit in our home.  I think she will bring so much joy and love, especially from her older siblings - who I will dote on her and think everything she does is so cute.

We still cannot decide on a name, although we have several contenders.  So far top choices include Eva, Evy, Sophie, Lucy, Reagan, and Jane.  I feel like we will need to see her first, and then hopefully a name will feel just right.  I also am so excited to see what she looks like, if she favors one of the kids, or is her own little person.  Needless to say we are so happy to welcome this sweet girl into our lives in just a few days.

Some other fun happenings:  Sam gave himself a black eye with his newest favorite hobby - Kendama!  He was practicing tricks with it and accidentally jabbed himself in the eye with it.  It didn't take very long for it to turn black and blue...don't mess with the kendama!

 Skiing - all three older kids have been tearing up the slopes this season and loving every second of it.  It really is such a great family sport, and I'm so happy that they have all caught on so well, and seem to enjoy it.  Shawn has been amazing to take them up any free weekend we have, and has taught each one of them to ski!  I hope this is something we can continue to enjoy as a family.

Shawn had a conference in Chicago two weeks ago, so I splurged a bit and took the kids for donuts and did a little shopping.  They didn't seem to mind!

 I've also tried to squeeze in some last mother/daughter - mother/son outings before the baby comes, and have so enjoyed spending time with the kids.  Shawn and I really are blessed to have the four children we have.  Last night after having friends over for the Super bowl, all six of us pitched in and helped clean, vacuum, wash dishes, and tidy up before bed.  I know not every household is like that, but I really do appreciate how helpful they are - and mostly willing to help they are.

 Lyv & I went for pedicures and dinner with our besties.  They boys and I went to dinner and a movie!

Both Jack and Sam are playing basketball right now - and I have yet to get a great shot of either of them.  We love watching them be involved, win or lose.  Mostly lose this season, but they are having fun and continue to learn a lot.  

*This sweet blanket was sent to me by a childhood friend (Lindsay Powell) - who I haven't seen in over a decade.  She saw I was expecting my fifth and made me a quilt for her.  It was such a kind, thoughtful gift.  I am overwhelmed sometimes by how thoughtful people are.

Max's preschool class had special visitors - the Fire Station!  Max just told me he wants to be a firefighter when he grows up, so he was super excited to see the truck up close.  The loud siren he could have done without, but the hoses and helmets he thought were pretty cool!

2nd Annual Daddy/Daughter Date - this year they skipped the dance and opted for dinner, roller skating, and dessert!  I love how much these two love each other.  Hopefully Lyv will be ok to share the love with her baby sister!

 Finally - since the snow refuses to stop falling, we finally succumbed and built a snowman.  I have two more days of Max and Mom time, and so I'm determined to be a yes mom for the next 48 hours.  Meet Emmett, the best looking snowman this side of the Mississippi!  The funniest thing was after we built him, I tried to take Stone out for a walk, and he was terrified of him.  He kept barking at him like he was an imposter!  Stone usually loves people, but there is something about our snowman that is rubbing him the wrong way!