December 26th, 2010
How was everyone’s Christmas?
We had a lovely couple of days spent with family and delicious food – and I even got to sneak in a few cookies!
Happy moments of this year’s celebrations:
The Christmas pageant at church. Every year we go to the same service on Christmas Eve afternoon to see the story of the birth of Jesus put on by the littlest members of the church. If Ella Faye or little Poppy ever express interest in being a part of it, I will be so excited.
I made Ella Faye’s skirt and headpiece this year. I envisioned a little sugarplum and I think we pulled it off. Ella picked out the fabric – PINK was her one requirement – and I drafted it and sewed it in a couple of nights. I fancied up a section of lace with seed beads and sequins and sewed it onto a string of elastic for her headband. The best part of it all is that she actually agreed to wear both pieces. I was so thrilled!!
I was hoping Santa would bring my voice back (and take away my lingering cold symptoms). He almost delivered. I was a little hoarse but felt a lot better than a week ago.
Opening gifts with my sweet little family. We found out that Ella is just as meticulous when opening presents as she is with everything else. All items must be unpackaged and inspected before we can move onto the next. We had a long Christmas morning and savored every moment.
Ant and I finally watched “It’s a Wonderful Life” all the way through. Now I know how much I love that movie.
Ella Faye received her first trike from her Yaya and Papa. She was thrilled. I can’t wait for her to master it and we can take family bike rides, with Baby Poppy along for the ride on my bike with me.
Spending the days with our families. That was definitely the best part of all.
Some photos of Christmas Eve:
And some of our Christmas Day:
Hope you had a beautiful holiday. What was your favorite moment?
Sweetest Wishes, Katy
I thought this was a party...LET’S DANCE!
December 21st, 2010
It’s been quiet around here.
The past few days have been just horrible. I know that sounds dramatic but I have been sick with the worst cold I have ever had, and drama has rolled itself up nicely and made a home there. It’s like layers upon layers of sickness in my body. It started with aches in every joint, then head congestion and the following evening, pink eye. How gross do I feel, being a 26 year old with pink eye? It’s like the grade school illness. By the next morning it was practically gone but we went to Urgent Care to get checked out just in case…only there to find I had an ear infection as well.
Yesterday I lost my voice. My eyes started looking bad again so at 10 last night Ant called the triage department and the nurse urged us to go to the birthing center for drops. So we went, I changed into the lovely gown and had the straps placed around my belly to monitor the baby. We hung out in that room for about an hour until they directed us to the ER for meds.
Oh my gosh, by this time it was 11:30 and I still had a few more hours to sit in the waiting room with flaming red, itchy eyes. When we were finally called back, we got about the most self-assured physician’s assistant that could have been working last night. He looks me over and asks me, “So what do you want? Other than to get better?”
I didn’t answer him.
“Because you’re going to get better.”
Oh, some hope! Just give me those drops everyone’s been telling me I’m going to get.
“All I can give you for your eyes is time.” And then he went on to explain how basically I have the same cold in my eye that has been in my head and chest and it will clear up in five to seven days.
In my head I’m hearing “everything’s hopeless.” My eyes had already cleared up once, then gotten worse. I thought I was on the upswing the day before and then everything plummeted down again. And now this guy seems to be getting a kick out of denying me the one thing I was clinging to for relief. So I cried. I really bawled. And I tried to explain, “I just want to be better by Christmas!!” but all my tiny raspy voice could muster was “Juh-better-Chri-mahh…”
It was just miserable.
And then the guy agreed to write me a prescription for eye drops, with the guarantee that they won’t really do anything to help my eyes. Well. Thank. You.
I won’t comment on my status now, because I don’t want to jinx things again. I’ve started taking some cold medicine, which I’ve always stayed away from during pregnancy. Everyone is so cautious about what’s okay to take, especially being almost full-term. I’ve been sick a lot of this pregnancy and I’ve just let it run its course each time. But I think I need some help with this one. Heading into day six of this layered infection and I am so ready for it to leave me alone.
I had high hopes for this week before Christmas. I wanted to plan lunch and shopping dates with girlfriends, take Ella out for some Christmas events around town, do some baking…now I think I’ve finally surrendered to the fact that the holidays this year just aren’t the same. I’ve tried like mad to make them feel the way I always anticipate but with diet restrictions and unending colds, it’s just not feeling right. It makes me so sad! Who knew my holiday happiness was deeply based in hot cocoa and cider and baked goodies? It’s where I store my holiday joy.
Anyway, I didn’t mean for this to turn into a long complaint. All I can hope is that I am cleared up by Christmas Eve so I can spend those couple days with family.
On a positive note, I have fabric for Ella’s Christmas skirt here in front of me and I’m working on matching headpieces for she and I to wear at Christmas Mass. I’ve got all of our gifts stashed down the hall so I know a giant wrapping session awaits, which is a task I love. There are still Christmas movies waiting for their yearly viewing.
I wish I could have this weekend back. But something seems determined to make me slow down this year and look at Christmas differently. So I am going to try and do just that.
I know I’ve already got what’s most important around me. I just need to get my health back on track.
*Up there, how I feel. Giant head, bulging eyes, and a big red nose. And Ant looking at me, startled.
I thought this was a party...LET’S DANCE!
December 16th, 2010
Almost there! Where have the past nine months gone?? This pregnancy has progressed unbelievably fast…
We’ve started our twice weekly ultrasounds of baby Poppy. Now that we’re near the end, my doctor wants to keep an eye on the amount of amniotic fluid and Baby’s size. Along with those bi-weekly visits, we have our weekly exams, and somehow managed to schedule each of those appointments on different days, so half of our weekly afternoons are spent at the doctor’s office. We’re getting quite cozy there. In fact just yesterday afternoon I felt completely comfortable enough to close my eyes and doze off for a few moments.
Anyway, I am grateful for the technology and advancements that allow us to keep such a close eye on our babe. The numerous visits aren’t even a bother, just to know she’s doing well in there in the home stretch. And we’re rewarded with seeing her sweet little face twice a week!!
Yesterday I had the exciting anticipation planted in me that this little girl could come before the new year! I am already one centimeter dilated (is that too much to share? I’m not sure…) and my doctor doesn’t think we’ll make it to my January 5th due date. I told her that I keep telling Ant I have this strong urge to buy a “Baby’s First Christmas” onesie just in case. But Christmas being only 8 days away, I suppose that’s a little rushed. All these glimpses of her is only making it harder to wait. The house may not be ready for her arrival, but I sure am.
I thought this was a party...LET’S DANCE!
December 14th, 2010
Who can believe it’s the middle of December already?! Whether we’re ready or not, Christmas has arrived!
We’ve wintered our home up for the holidays and of course The Tree is my favorite part.
He stands sturdy in the center of the front room window, a spot that was a definite selling point when we were house hunting. We needed to have a Christmas Tree Window.
Every morning when I walk down the hall with my sleepy head and jumbled thoughts, I veer first for The Tree.
Lights! And the day has begun.
Ella Faye is infatuated with The Tree too. First thing out of bed in the morning, she starts exploring the lights and talking to the ornaments.
I make our breakfast while she chatters in the next room.
She breaks from toys and playtime to circle The Tree in admiration.
The Tree has our Christmas-loving hearts.
Here are a few of my very favorite ornaments:
Vintage ornaments…my mother grew up with these hanging on her childhood tree.
Sentimental…Ella’s First Christmas. Tiny hand and foot.
New favorites decorated by my favorite.
My kindergarten crafted star…this is my absolute favorite of all time, so simple but the loveliest on the tree. I think an Ella replication is in order.
I will be back soon to share more holiday cheer from around our home. For now, Goodnight Goodnight.
Sweetest Wishes, Katy
I thought this was a party...LET’S DANCE!
recent posts
archives
subscribe