Preparing to Meet the Baby

The big moment is almost here! We have a c-section scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:30am. Having a scheduled c-section has pros and cons, but since I wasn't a good candidate for a VBAC, we have been focusing on the pros. I have really enjoyed looking forward to a specific day and being able to plan accordingly, especially since all of our family is out of town. Of course, we also had a back up plan in case I went into labor, but now Dave and Gayle are here and everything is ready to go. We are looking forward to the big day tomorrow and finally meeting our new little one.

Adventure Children's Museum

Mary and I had a play date yesterday afternoon with another mom and her daughter from church. We met up at the Adventure Children's Museum and had fun exploring. Mary and I hadn't been there before, and it was pretty cool. They had all kinds of little areas set up for kids to play and explore, including a camping area, pirate ship, different areas of the world, and a garden. Mary and Mauve had fun playing with things together, although Mary was mostly interested in wandering around and looking at everything.

The bakery was one of my favorite parts, although there were a lot of things that were pretty cool. Mary seemed to like climbing around the pirate ship, walking over the Japanese bridge, and playing with the giant Lite Brite the most.

Hot Breakfast

Just a little morning fun eating oatmeal for breakfast.

New Year Celebration

It's been quite awhile since we missed the traditional New Year's Eve party at Mom and Dad's, but with the baby due at the beginning of February, we wanted to get home sooner rather than later and not travel too close to our due date. It was disappointing to miss celebrating with everyone, but Natalie and I still got to make our traditional muddy buddies over video chat.

Photo: Heather 

So tasty!

We had a nice little spread for the evening, but kept it low key. We celebrated the New Year on the first with a delicious dinner and sparkling cider. Welcome to 2020!

Christmas Round Two

Photo: Gayle

 We celebrated Christmas in Modesto on Friday. Gayle and I had fun putting together a festive cheese platter for lunch.

Photo: Gayle

 After a delicious dinner, we read the Christmas story and opened gifts, then enjoyed hot beverages and dessert.

Saturday was pretty low-key. Bethany and Laura spent Friday night, so we had breakfast together before they headed off. We got up early Sunday morning to head home ourselves. The drive was long, but went well.

Christmas Festivities

Photo: Heather

 We arrived in Visalia Saturday and kicked things off with a delicious lunch at the Nickell's house.

Photo: Heather

Photo: Heather

 Michelle and I helped Heather get the camera set up for a family photo.

 On Sunday, we took the kids out for our traditional holiday hot chocolate.

They also got their new pajamas from Grandma.

Photo: Heather

Photo: Heather

That evening we decorated gingerbread houses and made a little gingerbread village.

Photo: Heather

We met up with the Nickells for a Christmas Eve service at the Fox Theater, then kicked off Christmas day with the morning service at VCCC. It had been a number of years since I'd been to the Christmas morning service, and it's a nice way to start the day. 

Photo: Heather

 

We headed back to Mom and Dad's to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast followed by nap time. Everyone else arrived around lunch time. We had the traditional picture of the kids in front of the tree before opening gifts.

Mary got a personalized book from the person who drew her name; she really likes it.

Photo: Heather

She and Elias also had fun playing with his new coffee maker while the rest of us opened gifts.

Photo: Heather

Photo: Heather

 Part of Joshua's gift included a whiskey tasting, which the guys enjoyed while Mom, Heather, Michelle, Mary, and I went on a walk.

Photo: Heather

Photo: Heather

 The next day we had lunch at the Nickell's house again, followed by a walk to Walmart, before heading back to Modesto.

Photo: Heather

Aunt Michelle managed to squeeze in enough time to crochet a beanie for Mary so she could match the cousins who got beanies before their trip to Zion this fall.

Family Time

Photo: Gayle

We headed down to California for the holidays on December 17. Amari came over the next day, and he and Mary had fun playing together.

Photo: Gayle

 

Mary also had fun helping Grandpa make dinner.

On Thursday, Joshua and I left Mary with the grandparents and went on a lunch date. It was lovely.

 That evening Mary helped make the traditional Kerr family shortbread cookies.

Friday morning, Dave and Uncle Jimmy took the grandkids to the trampoline park. Mary was a little hesitant at first, but was soon exploring everything.

 These foam blocks were huge and it was difficult for her to move around in them, but she seemed to like the challenge because she kept going back.

The stairs were also a big hit.

After a nap and lunch, Gayle, Mary, and I took a walk by the river at a park in Ripon. It was a beautiful day and lovely to be outside.

Later that afternoon, Solace and Mary helped Grandma paint the window with a festive winter scene. We finished the day off with dinner together with the Kerr-Owens.