This Christmas season snuck up on us so quickly! I can't believe that it is only a few days until Christmas and I still have a half dozen sewing projects to complete! We have been super busy this year and now are trying to sneak in a lot of overdue family and play time. (not to mention much needed sleep when we can!)
Layla-
This little girl is keeping up on our toes. She is about 7 going on 17 and thinks the world is against her on many days. But thankfully we are learning to apply all our learned parenting skills and can make it through most days without too much drama, (or at least on our end!) She is however doing fantastic in school this year. She is loved by all those that know her and received another award for being such a kind and caring friend. She really looks out to make others feel good and be happy. That is such an amazing trait to have. She is charitable to those around her. She thinks of others feelings and really has empathy for her classmates. It is fun to watch her grow.
She had her Christmas party Tuesday and of course Isa tagged along with me and joined her sister for the festivities. They are adorable in public together. They hold hands, whisper constantly in each others ear and giggle at who knows what at the same time. I know they fight at home and sometimes I think the drama might make me gray at 30 but you know they are the best of friends. Layla is loved by her teacher which always means a lot. She is loving school and really getting amazing at her spelling. She has been taking a test every week for about 5 weeks now and has only missed two words so far. She does not get her spelling ability from her mother that is for sure! We can thank daddy for that part of her brain!
Anyways here are a few pictures from her party that I just adore!
Isa-
Even though this little one is not the drama queen her sister is she does constantly keep us busy and ever so crazy in her own special way. Her night time drama continues and every night she ends up on the side of our bed on the floor by Brian. He is getting the hang of walking around her to get in to the closet, dresser, and bathroom with our squishing her, which is quite the task! We still don’t quiet know what to do with her but have learned that letting her sleep the last few hours on the night on our floor guarantees us least a few hours of sleep without interruption. And with medical school and pregnancy cutting into sleep those hours are precious!
Isa is totally in love with kindergarten. She is so serious when she talks about it and is very business like. When we get her in her element we see a side of her that we rarely see outside our home, She is confident and caring and looks for chances to help others. She is simply a doll and everyone just adores her. She has a bunch of friends and just lights up when she steps out of the car.
It was a touching moment for me when we left her Christmas party and walked past Layla’s class wall art. I said to Brian, “I wonder which one is Layla’s?” Isa quickly pointed out everything on the wall that belonged to her sister. I asked her how she knew and she told me that they show each other the work all the time when they walk to class. I know they see each other a bunch a school and chat at the water fountain at least once a week. And they still walk hand in hand most days to school. It just means so much to see them so close! I love it!
Brian-
Well our little doctor in training has finally reached the semester break and did fantastic in all his classes. He is doing so well and it is amazing to watch him light up when he talks about many of the things he learns. It might be hard, and takes more studying than I thought possible but he loves it so much. I am really glad he has found something he enjoys so much and doesn’t mind the work because he loves what he does so much.
Hopefully the next semester is even more exciting as we have heard it is quiet a bit easier and he has more time to study than before. Less labs is always a nice switch! And above all I am amazed at the time he finds to take care us his girls! He is home most nights for dinner and helps get the girls into bed after playing a bit, reading books, cleaning up, reading scriptures, and saying prayers. He is home for the routine and that means so much to all of us. There are weeks when he is gone until midnight for most of the week but he tries really hard to make that a rare occurrence. And he has learned how to drop the world to be there for us and it has only helped his grades.
There was one night when I simply sobbed after getting off the phone with him because I was so stressed and overwhelmed and didn’t want to burden him and just tried to keep it under wraps. 20 minutes later he walks in the door and takes over letting me hop into the bath. I sobbed a little bit more because it was just what I needed. I don’t know how he knew but he did. And then the next day when he took his test he didn’t study for as much as he hoped, he came out with a big smile and a 100% score. It reminded me that the Lord is definitely on our side helping us along this journey giving us little blessings for doing our best and putting the most important things first!
Marilee-
I am very grateful to say that the first semester back at school full time is over! And even more exciting is that I passed all my classes with a 4.0. that is huge for me! I was more proud of myself then I have been in a long time. Other than that I am just growing a very large little man. I am now at 26 weeks and 5 days today. Yesterday I took a little look at him again and found he is more adorable by the week and I am in love this his face! I mean really isn’t he cute!
Anyways he is now up to 2 pounds and 8 ounces which puts him in the 90th percentile. Normally doctors would be a bit concerned I am going to have a ten pound baby but in my case they are so excited he is growing so fast! They are really hopeful that he will do well no matter when he comes because he is on the fast track on growth. I think it is our little miracle and that he knows he has to prepare to come just a bit more than most babies!
He is very active though the keeps me waddling most of the time as he loves to snuggle down low. But with only 8 extra pounds on me and knowing at least five is him and his snuggle home I am not complaining. I think this might be the only pregnancy I feel cute! I think I do have a bit of that glow people talk about and I never had before. Hopefully it lasts two more weeks until we can go get our family photos taken. I wanted to be pregnant and CUTE for at least one photo in my life and this might just be the year!
Tomorrow I meet with my OB again and we set up our next plan for keeping little man cooking. The specialist wants me to go in every other week from here on out to keep a close watch as we are approaching the danger zone for me. I go back for another ultrasound in 4 weeks as long as everything is going well. If not I will sneak in a bit earlier. I think popping in to check up is my favorite part. This week our little guy put on a show during the 3D ultrasound. he blew little kisses and waved a bunch. It simply made me melt!
Other than all of this our life as been a bunch of usually things and we love the normal crazy moments when we get to be together as a family. Mostly we are loving this Christmas season and the chance we have to focus our nightly scripture study on the savior. We have been reading the full Christmas story from all the books it can be found in every night. We are teaching all about every land and every people that knew about the Lord. The girls just love reading the scriptures every night. And I don’t think life can get any better than that! I hope that this Christmas season brings lots of love and blessings to you all. I know that our Father in Heaven is very aware of us all. He knows the very depths of our hearts and looks out for us each day. He sent us his son to set the perfect example of how to live, love, and learn and for that I am eternally grateful. May the blessings of the spirit be found in each of your homes and hearts, is my Christmas wish. Much love to all of you!
