Wednesday of last week Josh and Lia were both in town so we got up and did some housework and then headed over to the Bush's house. They gave Tyler his birthday presents and got something for Grace too so the kids had a blast with new stuff. I love to watch them play together. Of course after a couple hours Tyler was dressing the princess and Grace was driving the monster truck. *sigh* They only switched for awhile but it was funny still. I got to be in on some wedding conversation which was so fun. I love weddings. That evening my mom came down and stayed the night. It was great to get the extra time with her to visit. Thanksgiving morning we tried to watch the parade but I really had to wash all the dishes i'd left and I also had to get us ready and do usual morning stuff so it was a bit chaotic. The kids and Gary enjoyed the parade which was ironic since it was my mom and I who actually wanted to see it. I caught the cheerleaders and a few balloons and the kids enjoyed what they watched too. We got to the Bush's around noon for Thanksgiving with them and Josh (Lia went to Pittsburgh). It's so exciting to think about them being married next year!! My mom left to not have to drive home in too much darkness but we stayed. Uncle Dan, Aunt Tami and their kids came in the early evening so we got to visit with them as well.
Friday we got up and loaded up the van for a day up North. We made good time to my dad's house. I'm sure all the black Friday shoppers were back in bed by the time we hit the road. :) WE had lunch with my dad and he took the kids down to the lake for a little bit. It was absolutely FREEZING! The kids nap/rested there and then we got into our Christmas outfits and headed off to the Cline's for Christmas! Michaela and Bonni couldn't come because Michaela could not travel. I think her knee was still bothering her. It was such a bummer not to have the whole family there but it was great to get to see Uncle Steward and Lauren. I'm glad they got to meet Esther when she's still a baby. We had dinner and then presents. Like everyone else in the world we get stressed about the traveling and the planning and the disturbance to the kids routine, but in the end we're so thankful to the Lord that he's provided us with family and allowed our family members to enjoy long healthy lives. Grandpa will be going to the Cleveland Clinic next week for his back pain so they are not headed to Florida quite yet. If they don't go I think we'll get to see them around actual Christmas which would be the first time in several years. Either way I pray they can do something for my Grandpa's pain. We got home pretty late that night and slept in Saturday.
Esther did really well for the week but she took all her naps those three days in someone's arms so getting home and trying to get her to sleep in her bed during the day did not go over well. SHe was pretty fussy at night that week and all weekend and was having a hard time nursing. Monday Tyler had his first therapy appointment for his legs/feet. Our pediatrician is practically across the street and Gary was off work that day so we decided I would take Esther to the Dr. and he would take the older two to therapy. Esther checked out just fine. It's taken some work but we seem to have gotten her back to eating better. She's certainly not malnourished because she weighed in Monday at 10 pounds even! She was not even 7 lbs at 2 weeks and now at 5 weeks 3 days she'd gained 3 pounds! It helped my anxiety to know she was fine and her ears were fine and I'm sure my being relaxed helped her settle back into real life. I hope being a few weeks older helps when Christmas comes. I remember being insanely stressed about Tyler eating and sleeping over Christmas and I almost quit nursing him because it got so difficult. I think having done it before i'll be better prepared to have an infant for the holiday madness! :)
Tyler's therapy went well. He went Monday and Wednesday and we have to do exercises regularly here at home. he'll go for 3 weeks and we'll continue to work at home and hopefully things will be improved when we see the Dr. again in February.
Today is Gary's Pap's surgery on his carotid artery. He did qualify for the stint after all which was a huge praise. Stephanie went with him this morning and they had to be there super early. I've been praying things will go perfectly! What a comfort to have the Lord to go to in times of stress and worry over our loved ones.
Our Preschool curriculum came last Friday so we waited until Saturday to open it and we've enjoyed it daily ever since. It's truly just reading aloud to the kids but we're enjoying it and i'm enjoying that I can make the discussion about our reading as long or short as I want based on my knowledge and the kids' interest. I do wish it had questions to ask and a little more guidance ... but i also like the freedom to ask what I want. :)
Wednesday after Therapy we finally made it out the Neely homestead so Jenn could meet Esther. I wish we could have made it on an evening so Aubrey could meet her too but hopefully soon. Jen made us the most adorable little onsie dress and crib sheet! I so admire her sewing talent... but not enough to invest in a sewing machine and learn. :) It's so great to have friends to visit (and great that our kids get along so well!) and I'm glad we went even if the kids were insanely crabby when we got home. :) They would stay there all day and night if I let them. Yesterday was also the first day of Sue's last chemo treatment. November was a good month for her and I truly hope December will be too... i pray the Lord will choose to heal her.
SO that brings us to today! The Christmas stuff is finally up which means I can go back to tackling organization, routine cleaning and the mass of laundry I've let accumulate... why do I do this to myself?!?! Tomorrow hopefully we'll be having friends to visit!!!!
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