Christmas Reflections

I haven't yet posted anything about Christmas because I left my camera at my parents' house so I have no pictures to show. We had a great time, though. Little Sissy got over her "pukes" by Friday morning. I was so glad because Saturday we got together with Hubby's family. His brother has 4 children, and I didn't want to pass them anything. Everything was going well, we had presents opened, sweets eaten, and were starting a game of Canasta (family tradition) when Big Sissy started her round of the pukes. She tried to warn me in her 3-year-old way. She said she had a baby in her belly moving all around. I just thought it was cute since we had just been watching my belly move all around. She said that if I picked her up to wash her hands it would hurt the baby and then *kaboom*. It happened. After I got the bathroom all cleaned up, I emerged covered in vomit (again). Thankfully that was the end of that. I went to church briefly Sunday morning. Hubby kept the girls home just in case, but everyone was fine.

We spent all day Sunday packing our stuff and all our groceries for baking the entire weekend and went to IL for my mom's family party on Sunday night. Monday night we had Hubby's dad's family party, then Tuesday morning we did Christmas with my family. In the afternoon we met with my dad's family. It was busy and we were all exhausted, but it was good to celebrate with everyone. Wednesday I literally didn't get out of my pajamas all day (neither did the girls). We all had a nap, thankfully, and today I feel kind of back to normal. I spent last night at Target trying to figure out a way to organize all the girls' new stuff. I'm not sure I'm happy with the outcome, but at least it mostly all has a home.

On another note, I had a doctor appt. today. I'll be 33 weeks on Saturday. Of course I gained too much weight. I fully expected that at a visit 2 days after Christmas. My nephew got a new "Green Machine" toy that has a weight limit of 180. Let's just say it's a good thing I didn't get on. Wearing shoes might have put me over the limit. Yikes!!! I've gained as much weight already as I gained by the end with the girls. Hopefully the next 6 weeks will be minimal in that area. I'm very ready to have this child. Of course seeing every family member possible in the last few days, I had lots of reminders of how big I am. Let me just say....I KNOW!!!! My grandma even called me the next day to say she just hates to see me so big. Not sure what I can do about it now, Grandma. :) I purposely haven't taken any belly pictures, but I'm thinking I should just to remember this. Every time I went Christmas shopping I wondered if security thought I was smuggling basketballs or something. Oh, well. It's all good. In the end it will be a beautiful child and my belly will be forgotten (or at least faded from the limelight). I thought a lot this season about Mary and Joseph. Mary must have been a very strong woman! And I think I have things to complain about, like the nursery not being ready. Mary puts it into perspective for me.

I'm not trying to switch the focus from Baby Jesus to Mary. We all know who the key player is in that story, but I'm thankful this year that Mary is favored by God for the part she played. It's an encouragement to me. I hope you all had a blessed holiday and that your New Year is full of hope for the future and thankfulness for blessings past.