A Very Prairie Christmas

We had a very merry little Christmas.  We had plans for all of us to go to Christmas Eve Candle Light service, but Annabel hadn't been feeling well and seemed to be not doing great right before 6 o'clock.  I went by myself, as I had to read a poem and, unlike most Sundays, I didn't get emotional once!  I sat by a single lady so I wasn't completely surrounded by large families, but it was definitely a first to go to a Christmas Eve service solo.  Eric and Annabel were able to call June and discuss her family's recent holiday gathering. When I returned we were able to Skype with my parents as Annabel opened her presents sent by them, including her favorite--a little Lightning McQueen car.

Annabel was really fun this year, as she really seemed to "get" the Santa idea.  (She can identify baby Jesus and she thinks the Pastor is adult Jesus, so we got the messages across the best we could). Christmas morning she walked out to the tree, paused, looked at the partially eaten cookie left for Santa and the chewed carrot stick, and stood with a grin.  She removed the sheet from the play kitchen and got a bit hyper.   She then said, "where'd all those red presents come from?"  She noticed right away that Lightning and Mater were on the wrapping paper.  Recently Eric said something about going to play with the kitchen and she said, "no, Santa brought that kitchen for ME." 

She has used the phone on the kitchen to 'call' all her favorite engines.  We've had many conversations with Thomas, Henry, Emily, Percy, and James.

Last minute, a friend graciously picked up this easel for Santa during his trip to Edmonton.  She has been using it a lot.  I'm glad to have a few more toys that can spark imagination and role play to keep Annabel busy this winter, especially when I attend to the new baby.  

It was wonderful to attend a nice dinner with our pastor's family. 

Our day care is closed this week, so Eric has been having some good days with Annabel while I've been at work.  They've enjoyed lunch out, a trip to Target, a library story time and indoor playgrounds.  My last day of work is this Friday.  At my last appointment, we decided to go ahead with an elective c-section, as Annabel's birth was such a long labor and there was no specific reason why I didn't progress.  My doctor let me debate on my options, so I spoke with a lot of friends and read a lot.  When I told her my decision, she said she truly feels I'm making the right decision as she (and I) have a feeling I may end up doing a c-section anyway.  January 12th at 1:30 is the set time.  Now, I'm just hoping to make it that far, as it's only four days prior to my due date.  I went into labor with Annabel 8 days early, she was born 5 days early.  If I go early, they just won't let me wait and will take me to the operating room, but now that it's organized, it would be nice to stay that way.  It should work great to have Annabel go to her regular day care, have a baby, and have Eric go pick her up!   

Eric and Annabel put the bassinet together while I was resting. Next, we hope to find the sheets and get out a few neutral colored outfits from the bins in the garage.  We don't have a nursery ready (or a bag packed, or car seat ready, etc., etc.) as we have a spare room set-up now, but we can work on that later and transition Annabel into a more big girl room after the baby grows too large for the bassinet.  

Annabel has fleeting moments where she seems interested in the tiny baby in mommy's tummy.  Just the other night, she was showing more interest than normal by rubbing, kissing, and hugging my stomach. So sweet.    

We are working on some name choices.  It's just as difficult as last time.  Annabel goes back and forth between boy or girl, but usually still says we should name the baby Percy.  Lately she's also said Rosie.  (both characters from Thomas...go figure).  Happy New Year!!