Happy New Year!

...and we're back. We've been quite busy these last couple of weeks. My mom was here for a week helping keep our house on track and letting me spend time with Jax and Des, as well as put my feet up. She went back to Montana and Marc has had this time off for Christmas break. We had the goal of getting a schedule for me (and Jax and Des) by the time he went back to school so that the transition wouldn't be all that difficult for me as mommy to two little boys but it is becoming increasingly obvious that Monday will be a shock and a "schedule" will just have to evolve as we wade through the next month or so. With that realization we have just focussed on keeping Des happy (within reason) and spending time as a family.

We jetted up to Montana for Christmas - one day with Marc's family and one day with my family. We also went to the Christmas Eve service as a family of 4 and it was good. I personally love Christmas Eve services as a way to refocussed the "reason for the season." As well as the "magic" in a candle lit sanctuary with the traditional acapella Silent Night. We had a hard time getting back home - the first time we set out for home the roads were questionable and a friend called and informed us that our house was inaccessible (if you remember we had the same problem last year). The second time we set out Marc noticed some car trouble (minor) and we were detained once again but we did eventually make it home and breathed a sigh of relief as we all settled into our own beds that night. (We very much enjoyed our time with families but sleeping with two babies in your room at close proximity can make for two tired parents.) Although I will say that Des did remarkable despite a few night time awakenings. He shared a smile with every one and found fun around every corner.

Like I said, we enjoyed our family time and were very blessed with generous gifts from all members. We have since been trying to get our Christmas letter and packages mailed that we weren't able to before the holidays (due to waiting for Jax's arrival to put in the letter). So keep an eye on your mailboxes.... we'll get the letters in them sooner than later!

We have no big plans for the New Year tonight - I doubt that we'll stay up but I'm sure we'll be up with Jax around that time. =) Happy 2009!

Jax just hangin'

Spending time with Dad.

Taking a Christmas walk.

A cup of Christmas joe ( its water in my coffee cup). Pretty amazing that my coffee was a third the size of a toddler.... too much?

Opening gifts with Dad.

It's a boy! (Take 2)

Hard to believe that just over a year ago I was making a similar post - that's why it says "take 2."

Jaxter Everett was born on Friday, December 12 at a whopping 8 pounds 5 ounces (exact same as Des), and 20 and 1/4 inches (only 3/4 inches taller than Des). After an exhausting and truly difficult day we were glad to welcome the new addition to our family. Other than a severely bruised forehead Jax's resemblance to Des is remarkable - even Marc and I were taken back when we compared the newborn pics of each. See below for an example.

We are home now and slowly trying to figure out this family of four business. For those of you that know me you will not be surprised at my secret satisfaction that our family is "even." 6 members - 2 girls, 4 boys - 2 adults, 2 boys, and 2 cats. =) My mom is here helping and I am *so* thankful as Des has transitioned from curiously interested to "I want my mommy." =)

One of the following pics is Des - see if you can guess which. The other 2 are of our new guy.

Anxiously Waiting......

When Des was born I thought I knew what the "best" timing would be. Fortunately God saw fit to give us perfect timing. It truly worked out well. And so, this time, even though I know what would be "good" timing - I pray again for perfect timing, trusting that God knows what is best despite what my scheduling says.

That said: I'm going crazy with this "any day" business! I feel like I am at the start of a race and the starter has called Ready, Set............ Ack! I don't remember being this anxious when it was Des's "any day" time but perhaps I was and time has lessened the memory.

Thanksgiving weekend was BUSY, by our own doing. We attended the church potluck which was a nice "small" (in comparison to the usual potluck) gathering with good food and desserts. Then we jumped into making our environment 2 kid friendly as well as want-the-world friendly for Des. We have quite the conundrum between cats and kids. Any considerations taken to keep Des out of the cat dishes also seems to keep the cats out - problematic. We finally came up with a solution which will work for another 2 inches or so - ie when Des grows another 2 inches we will have to put on our thinking caps for something new.

Poor Marc did all the hard work, which ended up being a lot because we entirely switched two bedrooms of furniture:

• a wooden guest bed frame that had to be disassembled, moved and reassembled
• lazyboy
• dresser/changing table
• unloaded, moved and reloaded 3 big bookshelves
• 2 dressers
• toy shelves
• toys
• disassembled, moved and reassembled crib
• vanity shelving unit
• end table
• lamps
• card table
• plants
• 2 closets full of 'stuff'
• all the boxes that are kept under the guest bed
  

And then there was all the little tasks that went inbetween those big tasks - our house was a mess for a couple days but everything is settled now and we *think* that we are physically ready for baby #2. Although I still have to do the remaining little things: laundry, dishes, pack, etc.

Des had a good time with both mom and dad at home for a few days. It whet our appetite for a longer vacation - only 3 weeks left till Christmas vacation and we are looking forward to it already! Marc, of course, is busy at school till then - a couple of concerts and end of semester items.

Helping Dad move furniture.

All dressed up.

THE belly. 37 weeks and counting.