Now A Family of *gulp* Six.

During bath tonight, I let Roman play while I went to the bathroom. His comment? "I hope you don't pee Skippy out!" Now, I thought this was actually pretty smart of him. I told him that it wouldn't happen, but before I could explain he says, "because Skippy comes from your privates." I then decided to explain that in a girl's body, there are 2 parts right next to each other - one that holds pee, and one that holds Charlie. And although they both come out near each other, there's no way Charlie would come out when I go to the bathroom. Roman still needed confirmation, however - "and he comes from your private area." And I agreed, yes, he does. Can you tell what he's learning about at preschool? We did sign him up for a sibling class at the hospital in January, and it includes a tour of the hospital. So we kill two birds with one visit, so to speak. Roman is pretty thoughtful about Skippy now, sometimes bringing me water "for you...

It's a couple days post-Christmas, and here's what the family is happy about: Doug: The book "Roadshow" from Steinmans and all the new shirts he got from his parents. Amy : The new nightgown from my parents (SO COZY!) and the gift cert. to JCP from VEs. And Santa's early present of a new digital camera! (I've been using my mom's almost-10-years-old one). Roman : Lego Star Wars II (Playstation) from Mama & Daddy, his "bendy guys" box hand-decorated by Baba, and the Criss-Cross-Crash Hot Wheels from VEs. Rebekka : Is so pleased with everyone's generosity that she talks about everything in turn. Her mom got her a digital camera so she's over the moon with excitement. Baby : Lots of newborn socks and a cute little hat to wear home from the hospital from Santa. Also a jack-in-the-box, which Roman never had. Extended family is probably pleased to finally know the winning name of Skippy, although Roman continues to call him Skippy. We don...

We arrived back home today, thankful for once that we only had to drive to our destinations for Christmas. Everyone we know of that had to fly, ran into mishaps. My own brother-in-law and wife spent 8 hours at the Atlanta airport Saturday when their flight was canceled; I called another friend who was supposed to be in the area from Colorado, and they had gotten hung up in Chicago. I had also hoped to see that friend's niece and family from Oregon-way... who knows if they made it on time. So in the end, it was just family to see, which is busy enough in itself. By night 3 of the 4-night excursion, Roman was pleading to come home because he missed his "cozy bed." I hear you, buddy. But the visits were great, we saw all the extended family (except my brother, who made it to New Mexico, and Doug's brother, who stayed put in South Dakota). Roman reports he had a happy Christmas, although the excitement just wasn't this year like there was last year; maybe because w...

I read the book "Where the Wild Things Are" to Roman tonight. It has been a long time since he picked that book, and I was very pleased. And what other phrase could be more appropriate for the 4-day slide toward Christmas Day? Roman already can't sleep, he's so excited. He knows that going to Grandma & Papa's (VE) is the start of presents, and Santa's visit isn't too far off now. Even Rebekka is as excited as she can be - the "law" came down that she has to be with us through the holidays and can't visit her own family until the 26th. But she's interested in checking out our parents' homes; especially mine, since it's also where I grew up. Our shopping is done, our packing is almost done, and we head out tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great celebration of the birthday of Jesus!

Hit with quite a snowstorm last night, we woke up to about 5 inches this morning, with probably another 2"since then. Sunday School was canceled, but we still attempted church - only about 50 of us managed to get there. It was kind of fun, nonetheless. Yesterday we did get a little bit more shopping done, but there are still about three more stores I have to hit to be fully done. I hate shopping after work, but it looks like that's my fate since we can't really get out today! Roman has been quite a challenge the past week or so. He has turned into quite a clingy boy; mostly with me, but sometimes with his Daddy. There are a variety of reasons for this - it's pretty normal at his age to do this again, we've had to spend a lot of time with Rebekka recently in meetings, and the obviousness of a new brother on the way has all combined to make Roman want our undivided attention. This has led to some really cozy moments - lots more cuddling, holding hands, sitting on o...

Here's the thing. I'd be overwhelmed anyway with the stuff going on this week, even if there was no religious holiday fast approaching. And throw in the fact I don't think I'll be done with that shopping until, oh, December 24, and you've got one stressed out pregnant lady. Ankles began swelling yesterday, fingers too - I don't have an ankle bone in the evening anymore. I actually flat-out couldn't fit into my shoes today. I think I'm going to buy a pair of soled "mocs" from K-Mart to wear at school. They'll go with everything. So I made a list of all the things I needed to get done before December 22nd, which is when my vacation officially begins. Two of the things - major things, in my opinion - that I really wanted to get done, are going to be put off. I guess this is God's way of teaching me how to prioritize. And a lot of the things I need to do are quick - a couple phone calls, a letter - but I have to organize my thoughts befo...

In the week since I had the stomach virus, things have been fine physically. Well, Rebekka has a cold, but we figure that's better than the other. Emotionally, we have found Roman to be more and more clingy. He spent the weekend at my parents but apparently day 2 brought lots of crying and wanting his Mama. He keeps asking to go with Daddy or I to work just so he can "keep our company." Sweet boy. For Rebekka, this week brought a couple issues crashing down upon her. Apparently she was up to her old tricks on the last few home passes, going out drinking with her brother after her mom went to bed. Mom finally lost it, calling the social worker and telling her she no longer wants Rebekka coming home. So not only is Bekka caught in lying & having possibly some pretty bad consequences come down on her again (boot camp, or worse - back in front of a judge), her mom doesn't want her at the house. This week will bring some interesting consequences and decisions, I think...

Right. I no longer have to live in fear, seeing that I was sick today with the nasty vomiting bug. Woke up around 3am and 4am with what I thought to be heartburn, seeing as I've never had it but am expecting to eventually. I made it out of bed at 6:40, took a shower, and then... the ol' tell-tale got hot and sweaty, then really shivery. I knew I was going to be in trouble. There must have been divine intervention, however, because I did not actually vomit until Roman was out of the house. So luckily he's not experienced his parents being sick yet, which I can imagine would be a scary thing. And, just like Roman, I was spot on, on the hour, the second time. But unlike previous times, we had filled Roman's prescription of Zofran, this neat little dissolvable tablet which is also safe for pregnant women. I took it and have not been sick since, although crampy, achey, and tired? - you bet. I'm having water and applesauce for dinner. The boys are going to McDonald's....

Last night's festivities were great. I even chanced a polka with my loving husband, but had to quit before it was over - an extra 15 pounds or so can really put a cramp in your polka-ing. We did go to the bookstore first, but only after we tried a movie (and I got the theaters confused, and we went to the wrong one). Ah well, good intentions. We got home, tired but happy. Rebekka thought she'd sleep with her door open because of needing heat in her room (first time she's tried this since she joined us). And then... 3:10am. Roman screaming, crying hysterically - he had thrown up in bed. I took boy duty, Doug took sheets duty, and we quickly closed Rebekka's door - nice try with the open door! We put Roman in bed with me for comfort, and Doug slept in Roman's bed. And then... 4:05am. I awoke to the sound of Roman getting sick again. He actually threw up two times in our bed before I could get him out and into the bathroom. I took boy duty, Doug took sheets duty again,...

Roman went to sleep last night with visions of decorating the house for Christmas. He kept telling me in what order we were going to do everything... "tree, then the train, then the ornaments!" Doug went out first thing this morning to get our Christmas decorations from the storage unit. When he got home, Roman raced to the window and watched as each box came in. It turns out we need a new train around the Christmas tree. Forgot that the pistons on the main engine broke last year (too much weight from a little boy pushing it around on the carpet). So now the debate is, another big generic one or a Thomas one? Roman is wanting a Thomas one. I told Daddy I'd leave it up to him and Roman to work out. As we were decorating the tree, Roman was getting all "Norman Rockwell" on us. That's what we call it when anyone is trying to plan the "perfect" day. (Myself included in that, by the way.) Anyway, Roman told us that after the tree was decorated, it was...