The Busy Season

I can think back on a time when I was baffled by people being grumpy about the holiday season because they were "so busy." Sure, it's a little busy coordinating a Christmas card and getting it mailed out, shopping for and wrapping gifts, picking out a party dress and going to a party, putting up the decorations and doing all the fun things around town. But, it never really seemed to cramp my style.

This year, although I'm definitely not grumpy about it, I feel like I've been on a Christmas race. The tree is up, the cards are out, and 92% of the gifts are purchased and wrapped. We've done a lot and seen a lot. (This year, we skipped the party.) I was on a mission to get my Christmas ducks in a row early just in case we had another family member joining us before the holiday. And if not, what a relaxing week we'll have in the week before Christmas!

Add to that weekly midwife and chiropractic appointments and a to-do list from the Inn a mile long to prepare for the baby. A pediatrician meet and greet, a birth plan (which I think is silly...there's not much about birth that can be planned), and getting the "birth team" down to the Inn to check things out and prepare for the big day. They think the baby is "really big." Great. Gavin joined us for that one, and while we talked to the midwife, he wandered around the office and made friends. No worries, they're super kid-cool there. Then there was that final project that had me up late every night last week preparing big display boards and a presentation, which I finally completed on Thursday. Dylan and I grabbed one last date night before scuttlebut hits the fan (thanks to my parents for taking Gavin), and there you have it. I have one paper left, a little bit of Christmas prep, and just a little bit of baby prep. I'm still putting off packing that bag...it just doesn't seem real yet. We're getting down to the final two weeks, though, so I guess it's time to face the music.

In terms of the fun stuff, I'll allow the photos to speak for themselves. Thanks to my SIL Kristin for capturing most of these! It's really inspired me to start carrying the big camera again when we go on adventures. We are so happy the weekend is here, and so far it looks like we'll have Dylan in our company.

Gingerbread houses with cousins!!

Christmas PJ and video game night.

HAHAHA

Mustaches for everyone!

Santa pajama party at the gym!

Aunt K captures a smile on Gavin yet again

It's been a wild ride, but all is well. What more could a person want? On tap for the weekend, we have more Christmas adventures, a birthday party and some holiday baking to prepare for a cookie exchange. I'm getting pretty ready to kick my feet up, though. And I know the little guy inhabiting my body would appreciate it if I would stop forgetting that I'm pregnant and running my belly into everything. All in due time...