Day 30: sick baby

Addysen isn't feeling too hot. Lets just say we have gone through more diapers then not. Her top two teeth are coming in and she's super uncomfortable. She is also super clingy to me. If I'm not around she's fine with who ever. But the second she sees me she starts to whimper and crawl towards me. I'm sad cause there's really not much I can do. We have teething tablets, Tylenol and lots of diaper cream. I just try to hold her and console her. Kaden is very loving and prays for her. I hope she feels better soon and is back to her normal super happy self. Right now she is just semi happy.

Day 28 & 29: I chose family time

Friday was our last full day in Seattle and we chose to fill it with family time! (Therefore not blogging). We went and hung out at Mill Creek Plaza. I had a coffee date with Kiki and the kids and Joel and Chi Mai walked around to the stores and ended up at the toy store. Trong met us there and we had lunch. We headed back home so the kids could nap. Raygie and TD came by with more gifts for the kids and we had a cousin's dinner... We took up half of the sushi restaurant. Haha! Our second annual cousins' Christmas gift exchange party went into the wee hours of the night. So many laughs. So many gifts. So many games! Then Saturday morning we had a photo shoot. We had so much fun with one of my former coworkers, Brooke. I can't wait to see her pictures. We are such a group of posers. Haha! We filled our tummies with breakfast at Edmonds beach and then met up with my parents and siblings for one last meal. We got Dim Sum for lunch. (I ate wayyyyyy too much this morning, forgot to include the bagel and coffee I had before the photo shoot.) Joel and I returned back to my parents house to TRY to get everything to fit in our Honda Fit. It was tight but we did it. We headed back to Portland and am thankful to be home. Good night blogging world.

Day 27: Not Girly

I'm not a girly girl. I didn't have many dolls growing up and what I had married my brother's GI Joe action figures. Today my niece wanted me to play with her castle and I really didn't know what to do. Here's hoping that Addysen won't be too much of a girly girl.

Day 26: Christmas Aftermath

This morning i woke up to kaden and his cousin Chloe fighting. Not over any one thing but over EVERYTHING. They both have been on less sleep than normal. The Christmas toys are everywhere. They have a love-hate relationship. They are best friends most of the times. We have had to get two of the same thing for gifts cause they want to be like each other. I love how much they love each other. But boy when they fight or whine it drives me crazy! I'm thankful that kaden has cousins around his age. I love having so many cousins and hanging out with all of them. I think my bro needs to have another so Addysen has a cousin around her age. :) We are having a cousins Christmas exchange on Friday. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my cousins.

Day 25: Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to friends and family near and far! We are very thankful to be surrounded with so much love. Even through the crazy family dynamics and drama... At the end of the day I know we have each other's backs. We are thankful for prayers and how much everyone loves on our kids. Hope you had a day to remember and be thankful for what you have. Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Day 24: Anticipation

I remember the Christmas I was pregnant with kaden... The anticipation of the birth of Jesus coming into the world seemed a little bit more real as I was anticipating the birth of my first born. The mixed feelings of excitement and wonder and of fear and shame.

I love watching the kids as they anticipate Christmas morning. What is under all the pretty paper? Inside those bags? The restlessness of trying to sleep so they can wake up in the morning. It's not about the presents but I do want my kids to know how to give and receive good gifts. And remember that Jesus is the best gift of all.

I love Christmas on many levels. I love that I get to teach my kids the reason why Jesus entered the world. And not just came into this darkness but as a kid like them. Jesus is not just for adults. He had to experience it all from birth to death.

May you find rest and comfort tonight. May you anticipate the return of Jesus to renew the world and make it right again. May you find a hope in a God that loves you more than our brains can comprehend. May you and your friends and family have a Merry Christmas.

Day 23: Words

Addysen got a beautiful gift today. It was a quilt made by Betty! At my baby shower everyone signed a quilt square and Betty put it together into a beautiful quilt. Today I got to read these blessings to Addysen. Words are very important to me. I think it's my love language. Thank you friends for your words over Addysen.