Getting there

So here's to catching up(the shortest versions I can give). Thanksgiving was stressful but fun. My older sister and her family and my family all met at my paerent's home. My older sister and I were cooking dinner this time instead of mom. It turned out great. We had everything, stuffing, jello,of course turkey, candied sweet potatos and regular mashed potatoes and gravy,green bean casserol, dinner dolls, cranberry sauce,......I'm sure there were others but I can't remember all the list. It was a great feast and I was glad to spend time with my family. Haydan did have to work that night though. Ok so he didn't have to, but he chose to because he wanted to get in some Holiday pay so we could have a good Christmas. What a wonderful husband I have.
December 11th was my baby shower. Out of 70 something to 80 invites only 6 (not including both my sisters, my mother, and my friend who was the host of the party)showed up. Eventhough so few were there, I still had a blast. The games were fun, the decorations were cute, the food was good, and the cake looked devine (almost too cute to cut into and eat)

and I especially enjoyed the company of all who attended.
Christmas was jsut around the corner. Family members near and far wanted us to come over and do gift exchanges. I decided not to make any plans to go anywhere this year. I was too tired to have to pack up kids and gifts, shuffle around to everyone's homes, the pack everyone and everything back up and back home. Too much for an 8 months preggo. So mostly everyone came to our home and spent a few hours with Haydan, me, and the kids. Thank you so much to those family members and friends who made the trip out here. This kids didn't get a lot from their Christmas lists but I don't think they really noticed nor did they care. They still got a bunch of stuff that they seem to enjoy. I was so excited for Haydan to get his colf clubs that I had ordered for him. He was beaming when he opened that gift from me. My two most fave gifts from Haydan are a big jewlerey armwar and a pomegranite bath set. Of which I have decided to wait to use after Gracelyn arrives for that rare moment that I get to have time to myself and just relax.
Now that all the chaos of the major holidays are passed, I am 36 weeks along. I have one month till the due date of arrivaal of our much awaited baby girl. Olivia and Alex are anious as well as I. THey have been helping me get the baby's things organixed and out away this last week while Haydan has been at work. I am excited and yet apprehensive and I know I already have my hands full with two chikdrena ndn now I am soon going to be adding another one to the mix. One that will need more of my attention than the older two. I am hoping that Olivia and Alex will be as big of helpers ad They say they want to be. Olivia is very nurturing with babies and very protective. She also can be too. . .what's the word im looking for????? I don't know what the word is but she sometimes had a hard time just letting the baby be. Alex . . . now I really haven't seen him interact with a baby besides my nephew and he seems to be okay. So far he seems to already be very protective of Gracelyn. He talks to her and he he loves to feel her move around. You will hear him say a lot to her as she is moving around "stop moving so much you are hurting Mommy". Besides getting in the baby's face a lot so it can see what is in his hands. I think Alex does okay with just observing the baby and making sure the baby is out of harms way. I know, if Olivia and Alex are so great with babies then I am worrying about nothing right now.
Anyway, sicne Gracelyn is going to be our final child sterilization is our choice of birth control. Haydn's doctor said he can't get a vasectomy becaue of the blood thinners he is on. So looks like ti's me that's going under the knife. Not sure if it'll be done, but it'll get done. The only hting is I am not looking forward to the pain of giving birth AND having minor surgery to my abdomnial area. Oh well, guess it's time once again to take one for the team.
Wish us luck. the next time you will hear from me on here is probably a few weeks after all this excitement.