My nesting and some pictures

So, it's time. I call it "my" nesting because it's not what you typically get. With every pregnancy I have felt the need to get down on my hands and knees and scrub the kitchen floor about a month before I'm due. As of last Saturday, that one is checked off of the list. It feels nice - both just to have done it and nice on my feet.
Also, yesterday I made tater tot casserole for dinner and was able to make enough to get two of those in the freezer. I've decided to do freezer meals that way rather than what I did before Lilia was born. That time I just had a marathon day and made a whole bunch of stuff. I don't feel like having a marathon. I'll do it this way this time. And I'm so grateful to know that if I don't get made all that I'd like, my mom is planning on coming and stocking our freezer with dinners after the baby is born. I've got such a good mom.

Things are going well. The kids are great and I'm feeling pretty good - for being a few days shy of 37 weeks pregnant (picture forthcoming for those interested). Spencer has been absolutely wonderful and picks up any and all of my slack (which at times has been quite considerable). We've gotten into a good routine again since Spencer started a normal schedule (December was absolutely wonderful with him working maybe 20 hrs/wk during his Psychiatry rotation). Amazingly enough I've been keeping on top of laundry and dishes. Often it's one or the other, but, boy, things have been good lately! (I realize this may or may not continue at any given point. I'll just take things as they come. I'm okay with that.)

Today I had an appointment with my OB. He's taken to giving me hugs fairly regularly lately. I really enjoy this doctor. He's very supportive and very happy with how my pregnancies/deliveries have gone. Today he asked me how supermom was doing. I said that I didn't know as I haven't seen her. He told me he thinks I'm doing an excellent job. I responded that I try every day. I think that's all anyone can really do: truly put forth an effort at the responsibilities we have been given. I'm trying. Some days are better than others. Some days I'm sure I don't try as hard as I could. But I am trying. I often think of a quote from December 2009's Visiting Teaching message from President Gordon B. Hinckley: "You have not failed as long as you have tried." I am so grateful for that.

The appointment ended well finding out that although I'm not at all effaced, I am at a 2! Where I think this is a wonderful start, I'm not thinking I'm going to go into labor all that soon because I think it's entirely possible that because our kids are so close together, I may not have gotten smaller than a 2 after Lilia was born. :)
I'm am really happy about this, though, because I think it means that I won't have any problem going into labor on my own. If nothing else, we will have the baby four weeks from tomorrow. We have a c-section scheduled for 10 February. Unfortunately, the latest they could schedule the c-section is for three days after the due date. I was hoping for at least the week they gave me with Lilia, but insurance guidelines are always changing. But I am confident we have nothing to worry about.


I'm not blogging much about Thanksgiving or Christmas. We have thoroughly enjoyed the Thanksgivings and Christmases we have been able to celebrate with our own little family. So much so that we think we're going to let our experiences here shape how we celebrate these holidays for the rest of our lives. For this most recent Thanksgiving we were able to enjoy Spencer's brother Grant's company for just over two days. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed some great food together. And Spencer enjoyed his help putting up our Christmas lights. We also got to decorate our Christmas tree with him. We also had a wonderful Christmas. The kids are at such a fun age to enjoy the magic of Christmas. It made it so fun to enjoy it with them.

On to some pictures.

Thanksgiving with Grant.




Story time with Grant. Lilia warmed up to him just before he left. We hope for a longer visit next time!





Santa comes to story time at the library.



Andy was hesitant this year.





Getting ready to see the lights at Rhema Bible College.
A fun place with lots of lights! It really made me miss the lights at temple square. I wish we had gone the last two years. We'll definitely go back next year.











Candy cane reindeer. The boys loved them for the short time theirs survived!






Christmas Eve Pajamas.


Lilia got a separate picture because she slept through dinner and the boys opening their PJs.



Christmas morning

Andy loves his horse!


Benny was thrilled to get his "bike with pedals" from Santa. Spencer took him out first thing so he could try it out.


Despite what it looks like, Lilia really enjoys her stroller. She also loves her new church shoes. She wore those all day!





The boys in their new church clothes.



Gingerbread houses!

Andy and I worked together.




Spencer and Benny made one together.





Enjoying the beautiful weather between Christmas and the New Year.



Benny has been doing really well riding his bike. He can get started all on his own, ride down the street, turn around and make his way back. And no training wheels!


Lilia hasn't figured out yet that "cheese" is supposed to get you to smile!