Here comes Christmas!





Autumn and Mere laughing it up



ugly sweater party at Untangled Salon



uncomfortable is an understatement



learning tortilla making from Lala





awkward hug but at least they are hugging!

Autumn is taking to her big girl bed and sleeping until 3 or 4 a.m. Our usual routine when we hear her is to go and get her, tell her great job, and then bring her to our bed. Last night, or this morning sometime I watched Dana throw the covers back, heard him sigh and stagger out to her cries. I assumed Littles was coming to join us. When I woke up alone I figured he had fallen asleep in the living room with her. Walking by her room I see two figures in a single bed with railings and both sawing logs. They look pretty cozy! It's amazing the places you can sleep and the things you will do to make sure the babe gets her rest...or the things you will drop when she rubs her eyes because you know this is the best time to nap yourself!
After a couple weeks of watching Autumns diet and no new rashes we feel like we are in the safe zone again and have brought back some of her favorite foods like bread and crackers, fideo, and stuffing. Today I hope she is as excited as we are when we give her blueberries, her favorite of all!
At our last doctor appointment all went well and great. I was comfortable with being 35 weeks and ready to set the date to meet Dominic who will be a C section. When I heard "How about Monday the 3rd?" My heart shook a bit and my armpits started to burn. (My pits go on fire when I'm nervous). I laughed or maybe snorted to get some air to my lungs and said "one of his grandpas has a birthday on the 4th" I thought maybe she forgot that I was only 35 weeks. The 3rd would be too soon. Anyway, we were off a week and Dr. Comes showed us that I am at 36 weeks. Seven days is really not that big of a deal but in my mind the world went into over drive and my list of to do's before baby flashed in my mind and a small voice said "PANIC!" I looked at Dana and his calm face and glow in his eyes, I wasn't sharing his enthusiasm! So, after a drive to GreatFalls and a visit with my mother I realized there really is nothing I can do about it and Dominic is going to come if I am ready or not. He just happens to be in someones appointment book already...HA! So now I am hopeful that he comes before the C section and that it is on his own time not ours. It also brought me down a peg or two since I was looking forward to scheduling his birth date on 1/11/11. Another tap from God letting me know just how much control I possess.
I am as ready as I am going to be for the holidays. After small freak out moments I've come to the conclusion that it's all going to be okay. Most of our running is done, cookies have been baked, decorations are up (above Autumns reach) and plans are made of where we need to be and when. Now to sit back and watch it all fall into place.
Last night we enjoyed some time with our great friends the Bruchez. We sat around the table laughing and eating and I couldn't help but think how cozy and fun our time must have looked through the window.  It reminded me of  hallmark card commercial with snow falling, boys playing video games, little girls bouncing off furniture and the adults at the "big table" laughing at things from the past that once were not laughable. It is the much needed sharing and laughing that Dana and I love. We get to say "hey we're human and this parenting thing is scary, and omg someone else has been through the exact same thing!"
And so we go...family starts to arrive  today and the festivities begin. It has been snowing all night long. (I can testify to it as I have been up every hour to make sure the cookies are still good). I hope that the roads are clear for Papa Bob and the flights are smooth for my brother and sister in law and their kiddos. I hope that you all have a wonderful time with your families! I'm looking forward to being with the other half of my family after Christmas and one more trip (or two) before we become 4.:) We shall see about that. Autumn has been a great teacher for compromise, I'm sure her brother has a few lessons up his sleeve as well!
Merry Christmas!