Well, in case you hadn't noticed, I have been doing quite the lengthy blog updates lately. A lot has been happening in our little family, especially with our newest addition. I am really going to try to keep this entry relatively short (not likely :)...but with lots o' pictures. First a Caleb update: he is doing very, very well! He is finally off his nasal cannula, and has been for a few days now, which means no more oxygen assistance. He will be all set to come home most likely on Wednesday. Wahoo!!! The closer it gets and the more real it gets, the more my emotions are starting to run high. It's been such a waiting game with him, but the time is finally near. I'm so excited, and so scared at the same time. We can't wait for Caleb to meet the rest of his family, especially Anna and Benjamin, and have him home with us, but we're very nervous about protecting him from all the germs and sickness that is so typical during this season. Oh my goodness!
We went to our ward Christmas party on Saturday, and the kids thought it was just a little bit fun. Benjamin was just positive it would be like the Halloween party, and was a little disappointed there was no trick-or-treating. Anna was disappointed there weren't any games. However, they both had fun participating in the primary presentation of the Nativity. Anna took it very seriously, and was just the sweetest little Angel. She sang out beautifully, and kept "prayer hands" the whole time. At first, we told Benjamin he was too little (because he's still in nursery...not primary age yet). But then, one of the teachers gave Ben-Ben a costume and asked if he wanted to sing with them too. He was sooooo happy! After his costume was on, he ran up to Anna and loudly and excitedly said, "Do you see me, Anna? I'm not too little, I'm big too! I'm a shepherd." Ben knelt with the kids for most of the program and tried to figure out what it was all about, but then slowly crawled away toward the ending, before coming back for the last song. He added a little spunk and adorableness. Speaking of adorableness, Anna and Ben's cousins, Austyn and Hudson, played the part of Joseph and Baby Jesus. (See middle picture above.) So precious! When Andrew told Anna that Hudson was going to be Jesus for the program, Anna thought he was joking and asked him, "Oh, is he going to wear a beard and mustache?" Um, not the "grown-up Jesus," Anna. hehe.
Benjamin wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, but wanted to stand close to him the whole time he was there. He of course got close enough to accept the treat bag Santa was handing out. The pictures show Ben-Ben bringing a toy to Santa, Ethan trying to encourage cousin Rorie to see Santa, and Anna asking for a puppy. Sweet.
All dressed up for the Sunday before Christmas. These outfits were sent to the kids from Ethan's Grandma, or Granny to the kiddies. Anna loved the sparkly factor of the dress AND the shoes, and I think she just looks beautiful in cream. Ben-Ben loved that he was wearing a tie, and looked especially "fancy" too. Thanks, Lee! The primary kids sang at church, and Anna sung out beautifully. She holds the notes at the end of phrases and has a bit of vibrato to her voice. Anna again received so many compliments about her lovely voice, especially for a five year old girl. Ah, so sweet for a mommy to overhear. I sang in a group of eight, two on each part, and we heard that it sounded good. It was a challenging song, but we had a talented group (including my brother, Andrew, and bro-in-law, Stuart), and I loved participating. I was reminded how much I miss singing in choirs and singing in general.
Winter activities aren't complete without some SLEDDING!!! We've had so much snow lately, we of course had to go sledding. Let me just say, it was freezing! And I don't get cold too easily. Yes that is me sitting in the car (with no make-up on :) after I just couldn't take the stinging wind anymore. Meghan and Rorie came too, and poor Rorie was just freezing and miserable the whole time. At least she had a few fun trips down the hill before she just couldn't take it anymore. Anna, and surprisingly Ben-Ben too, had so much fun and we had to make them leave after we'd been out for over an hour. The rest of the evening they just wanted to snuggle together on the couch, how sweet! You can see their pink, chapped faces in the last picture. We'll have to go again when it's not so windy...and above 20 degrees!
The first picture shows Benjamin, all smiles that he got to have alone time with mommy and daddy. We just ran some errands, but tried to make it fun and special for him. And the second picture shows Anna's reindeer antlers, being silly while we decorated our gingerbread house.
Having a baby in the NICU, we have been trying to keep things especially simple this holiday season. One way to do this was to get the gingerbread house kit, instead of making it all ourselves. :) It was surprisingly tasty, and the kids had so much fun. Benjamin kept saying, "This is going to be so fun!" the whole time we were working on the house. We ate it for a bed time snack that same night (but not all of it). Ooops! So unhealthy, and Anna was sure to let us know it...as she ate her fair share. hehe.
We went to our ward Christmas party on Saturday, and the kids thought it was just a little bit fun. Benjamin was just positive it would be like the Halloween party, and was a little disappointed there was no trick-or-treating. Anna was disappointed there weren't any games. However, they both had fun participating in the primary presentation of the Nativity. Anna took it very seriously, and was just the sweetest little Angel. She sang out beautifully, and kept "prayer hands" the whole time. At first, we told Benjamin he was too little (because he's still in nursery...not primary age yet). But then, one of the teachers gave Ben-Ben a costume and asked if he wanted to sing with them too. He was sooooo happy! After his costume was on, he ran up to Anna and loudly and excitedly said, "Do you see me, Anna? I'm not too little, I'm big too! I'm a shepherd." Ben knelt with the kids for most of the program and tried to figure out what it was all about, but then slowly crawled away toward the ending, before coming back for the last song. He added a little spunk and adorableness. Speaking of adorableness, Anna and Ben's cousins, Austyn and Hudson, played the part of Joseph and Baby Jesus. (See middle picture above.) So precious! When Andrew told Anna that Hudson was going to be Jesus for the program, Anna thought he was joking and asked him, "Oh, is he going to wear a beard and mustache?" Um, not the "grown-up Jesus," Anna. hehe.
Love this picture of Anna pretending to be shy with Santa. I know she was pretending because she hopped right up on his lap and said hello, and one second after this she was enthusiastically asking Santa for a real puppy for Christmas. And, no, she's not getting one. We told her that Santa and parents are close, and have to agree on presents. We've also told her over and over, that we can talk about getting a puppy when Caleb is five.
Benjamin wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, but wanted to stand close to him the whole time he was there. He of course got close enough to accept the treat bag Santa was handing out. The pictures show Ben-Ben bringing a toy to Santa, Ethan trying to encourage cousin Rorie to see Santa, and Anna asking for a puppy. Sweet.
All dressed up for the Sunday before Christmas. These outfits were sent to the kids from Ethan's Grandma, or Granny to the kiddies. Anna loved the sparkly factor of the dress AND the shoes, and I think she just looks beautiful in cream. Ben-Ben loved that he was wearing a tie, and looked especially "fancy" too. Thanks, Lee! The primary kids sang at church, and Anna sung out beautifully. She holds the notes at the end of phrases and has a bit of vibrato to her voice. Anna again received so many compliments about her lovely voice, especially for a five year old girl. Ah, so sweet for a mommy to overhear. I sang in a group of eight, two on each part, and we heard that it sounded good. It was a challenging song, but we had a talented group (including my brother, Andrew, and bro-in-law, Stuart), and I loved participating. I was reminded how much I miss singing in choirs and singing in general.
Winter activities aren't complete without some SLEDDING!!! We've had so much snow lately, we of course had to go sledding. Let me just say, it was freezing! And I don't get cold too easily. Yes that is me sitting in the car (with no make-up on :) after I just couldn't take the stinging wind anymore. Meghan and Rorie came too, and poor Rorie was just freezing and miserable the whole time. At least she had a few fun trips down the hill before she just couldn't take it anymore. Anna, and surprisingly Ben-Ben too, had so much fun and we had to make them leave after we'd been out for over an hour. The rest of the evening they just wanted to snuggle together on the couch, how sweet! You can see their pink, chapped faces in the last picture. We'll have to go again when it's not so windy...and above 20 degrees!
Well, that's all the Christmas fun I have time to journal about now. Hopefully I'll be able to do a post in a few days to journal about Caleb's HOMECOMING!!!
2 comments:
I love your stories! They always make me smile! I'm so glad your little guy gets to come home soon! Merry Christmas to your sweet family!
Fun times! Good luck with Caleb meeting Anna and Ben. I am sure that will be wonderful! Merry Christmas!
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