It has been a busy Holiday Season around here. I took the boys (Owen and Donovan) with me to Colorado to spend Christmas with my family. I would have loved it if Chris could have come with us, but with his new job, he didn't have much in the way of vacation time and well what he did have left, he wanted to use for when his kids were here.
They got here the 28th and we had them until this morning. It was nice to have them around. I wish I could say that the dynamic is different, in some ways it is, but Katie is still Katie and Connor has had several weeks of uninterrupted influence from his mom's family, so he is a little bit more stand offish than we are used to him being. He is still the very affectionate boy who has no issue displaying his love for us. I am going to really miss him.
Chris' long time friend Chong came over for a few days from California and let the kids play with his guitar hero game, they are all hooked. In Fact, we went and bought one..even I am hooked.

Chris' parents came over Friday night to exchange gifts, and then Saturday we spent the evening at Chris' cousins house for yet another Christmas exchange and celebration.
It's weird, New Years has come and gone and I have no, well feeling, whatsoever about the new year to come.
I think my biggest thought/worry about 2009 is having a girl baby. I am so acclimated to having boys, that I am scared about having a girl. I have heard so many different opinions about girls being easier, versus boys, and vice versa, but when it really comes down to it, I don't know if I will have a clue!!
I think 2009 will be a better year, we are more settled, Chris has a job he really likes, I am finally a SAHM, and loving it. The only thing I wish is that we could get more time with Chris' kids. It shows so much when they are here that they would do so much better to have more time around our family. I will work harder to get Donovan more time with his dad too. Over the past years, I have seen how important it is for the kids to have time with both parents, no matter what.

In the end, we will have to see what comes for us regarding Katie and Connor when we have the arbitration in Feb. Fingers crossed the arbitrator sees what is right for the kids...
Sorry that I have not been better at posting.. being pregnant takes a large toll on me, and add to that the toddler who demands so much of my time, and then the boys.. Donovan and Chris.. well, I have plenty to keep me busy.
Speaking of the pregnancy, things are going well. Julianna is sitting very high up right about now, which means my heart is in my throat, my stomach is somewhere up in the left side of my rib cage, causing me A LOT of heartburn. And if I am correct in her position, her feet are inside my right rib cage, hmmmm, maybe I have a gymnast growing inside of me. I have only gained about 20 pounds, which is a far cry from the 30 + I gained with D and the nearly 40 I gained with Owen.
I am what they call " all baby" all out in front, and with 5 weeks maybe 6 to go, I am more ready now. I am getting to the point where tying my shoes is difficult, sleeping is nearly impossible. I do my best to get what sleep I can at night, but most days I need to rest during the day.
As much as I love being pregnant, I am relieved that this will be the last time I will go through this.
I honestly don't know how other women do it. But I give them much credit.

Anyway, a new year is here and we all have new ideas for how we want this year to go. I just want less stress...if I can achieve that, then it will be a good year!!