Daddy the Doctor

Emma asked to see the pictures from when William was born the other day. When we asked her why, she said "I want to see Daddy taking the baby out." (I had a c-section, and no, we don't have photos of him coming out.) I said that no, the doctor takes the baby out, and she insisted it must have been Daddy because he was wearing one of those masks. I told her that everyone - doctors, nurses, Daddy - all wear a mask in the operating room, except Mommy. Patrick chimes in from the back seat "And the baby. The baby doesn't wear one either." I have to admit that we all got the giggles imagining the baby wearing one too.

Christmas Fun

What's a Reynolds family holiday without a little dancing?

Christmas

Christmas Eve Mass, and the only photo I could get of the kids.

Then we put the kids to bed too late after reading lots of Christmas stories. Patrick was up very early the next morning (he admitted the clock had a "3" on it!), and tried to wake us ("I'm lonely downstairs") a few hours later, which should have given us the first clue. What woke me was the noise of the toys that I had just wrapped the night before. He decided he had been up long enough - during which he made piles for everyone of their gifts - and unwrapped all his presents. I will say that was not my finest hour - of the morning or of my motherhood - and poor Patrick will never do that again, I'm pretty sure. We did try to salvage the day, and we started all over.

William put baby Jesus in the manger after giving him a kiss, which I missed.

William would ask with each present when we started, before anyone opened it, "Do you know what it is?"

This he made at school for us. It's a really big tile!

William had a theme for his gifts: All about Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story. He didn't seem to mind very much. We had a great day, full of family and fun, and most especially a nap for Patrick and some time with family, a new Disney sing-along game, and some more Just Dance.

ETA: We found out later that Tommy's brother's girls got up and opened all the presents in the morning. Apparently, it runs on the Reynolds side.

Christmas Joy

It's been a long time since I was in school, or even at the age where we would see a Christmas pageant. I had forgotten the beauty of such sweet children, telling the story of Jesus and singing the beautiful Christmas and Advent carols. Emma was part of the pageant at school the other night and I had such a wonderful time seeing all the sweet children sharing with us the true meaning of Christmas, ans preparing us for the exciting days ahead. I was so full of emotion, and if the room had been a bit darker, I think I would have let the tears stream a bit easier. There were some silly reasons I was emotional, and one was how happy I am that we DO an Christmas pageant, not a "holiday show." I didn't get a chance to talk to Tommy about it, but was so happy that he had the same feelings. He had never seen a Christmas pageant before (public schools all his life) and he really loved it. He was so happy that our children are part of such a wonderful school, that keeps bringing us back to Jesus.

Still here!

Thank you to those who have not given up on me and my blog. I am still here, and crawling toward the second trimester (IOW, where I hope to feel better) so I can be my usual posting self. I have been spending most of my days in bed and napping at each chance possible, as my house, laundry and dishes have reached the toppling point. My excuse? I'm too short to reach the top, so someone else has to help me. Yeah, I wish. My Tommy has been helping as much as he can, but he is so busy himself, and sounds like a big bear with a whopper of a sinus infection, that he is just as tired. We did invest in Costco-sized paper products for the house, but we can't seem to convince the kids to use them. For some reason, they only want cereal in a "real" bowl. Speaking of the kids, they are really excited about the baby coming. When we told them, it was actually during night prayers, just like the post, and Emma said "WHAT??" and Patrick said "that's a small belly for a baby." Emma keeps hoping it's a girl, and I am just hoping that we can find out soon so we can start planning the room situation for the kids, and prepare.


While we are on the subject of preparation, are you as stunned as I am that we are in December, and CHRISTMAS is right around the corner? I have barely done Advent, and it took me 3 days to get the wreath out. Our candles are from years past, so it looks like we have been using them, but in reality, we are squeaking along. Oh, and not just Christmas is this month. We have a birthday. My social butterfly's big day is the end of the month, and she is gung ho on having a "friend party" and all I can think of is PLEASE not at my house! We will have to limit the number, I'm pretty sure, but we will do something for her, and invite some of her BFFs and best BFFs (apparently there's a difference). My mother reminded me today of another 6yo child who - on her own - planned a party at the house and called and invited as many people as she could, and didn't even tell her mother. I guess Emma comes by it honestly. I do remember it being a really great party.

Thanks for the kind wishes and all the prayers. I keep hoping *today* is the day that I will actually get up and take my kids to school in clothes other than pajamas (let me tell you, a coat will hide those cute penguins) so I can start my day right.