Today...

Went to the park this morning. I hate to admit it - but I was COLD. It doesn't help that I am still wearing flip-flops. It also doesn't help that it's eighty degrees one day and fifty-four the next. It was good to get out in the fresh air, though - because I stayed inside most of the weekend, expecting this baby to make an appearance.

After the park, we had a quick lunch and went to our last OT appointment of the year. Then the bank and a very looonnngg drive home. What should have taken about ten minutes took over thirty. All of the inept Florida drivers getting their last minute shopping done on US1. Luca and I were both jumping out of our skin in frustration - but, luckily, we bonded over our traffic angst instead of further irritating each other.

Debbie took off today just in case. But - we left her on her own for most of the day. After we finally made it home, we went right in to nap and she had some much-deserved alone time until about five o'clock. She surprised us with a delicious meal that she was preparing when we woke up. So good, in fact, that Luca didn't even need to be convinced to eats his greens.

Tonight saw present-wrapping and Christmas cookie eating (c/o my mother, my sister and the United States Postal Service). Now, we are off to bed and - for me anyway - continuing THE WAIT.

Lila

I just remembered - that was what her name was going to be when and if we found out she was a girl. I had completely forgotten that sometime in the last four months - until just now.

Tree and stuff...

We got our tree yesterday and decorated it this morning. This is a pretty big deal for us because it's our first tree in seven years. Because we've moved around so often, we always go home to Philadelphia for the holidays and never bother getting a tree. But, this year, because of the baby, we had no choice except to stay put - so a tree was definitely in order. Even though I am going to REALLY miss going home, the timing works out well because Luca is now at an age where we can begin some traditions that he'll remember. Plus - because of the big change on the horizon, it will be nice for him to be in his own house with his own tree and, of course, his own gifts.

After the three of us hung ornaments, did a quick snowman craft and putzed around into the afternoon...





...our friend Kathleen and her daughter Lauren came over with take-out pizza. Luca was enamored with Lauren, as usual, and stuck by her most of the evening. They decorated some gift wrap together, we ate and then we all exchanged gifts.





Debbie is off until after Christmas - unless the baby comes and then she'll be off until after New Years. I really thought this baby would be here by now - but alas...

I am seriously ready - even though there are technically almost two weeks left. I am hoping he arrives soon so we can all enjoy our brand new present on Christmas.

Santa

On Saturday, we finally made it to see Santa. While waiting our turn - about third in line- Luca suddenly broke free and ran right up onto Santa's lap. In his excitement and frenzy, he seemed completely oblivious to the fact that there was already another little boy on Santa's lap at the time.

Debbie retrieved him and he went back to waiting his turn. I think he was a bit embarrassed by what had happened, though because - when it finally was his turn - he had an attack of SHY...





He finally warmed up and - despite the fact that Santa repeatedly referred to him as "she" and "her", even after being corrected - he settled into St. Nick's lap in time to tell him his Christmas wishes and to get his picture taken.

Waiting

Still waiting for Segundo. I had dreamt that he would arrive on the 15th, but that date has obviously come and gone. The newest prediction is Saturday. Although, I am not sure which one. This information came from a two-year old at the park the other day, when her mother and I asked her when the baby would be born. Considering I am convinced that this baby will be a Sagittarius (as predicted by a psychic long ago) I am placing bets on this coming Saturday the 20th. In the meantime, we are in a race against time to get the holiday wrapping done, packages mailed and the baby's room in some semblance of functional order. Otherwise - the birthing supplies are packed and ready to go, Primo's bag of fun is ready for potential hours in waiting, Junior II's clothes are washed (and will eventually find their way into drawers) and we are ready to welcome him whenever he chooses to arrive. Been thinking about his twin a lot lately and how all of that will go. But, again - what will be, will be.

Sing-along night at school

There was a holiday Family Sing-along at Luca's school last night.



Jean made elf hats for all of the kids.

















Maya's dad led us in song.
























Micah's dad strummed along.


















The kids performed some sort of unruly circle dance.

















Dave read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Jan Brett's illustrated version).













And Baby Sophia slept through most of it.

Last Sunday

Pancakes, of the buckwheat variety...



...prepared on the new griddle - Debbie's Christmas gift from her Secret Santa (a.k.a - my mother).



While it's technically not Christmas yet, we felt the need to test it's griddle-ing properties.





After breakfast, Luca donned his new dinosaur work gloves and convinced Debbie to break out her tools. I think some sort of lesson ensued.



Then, they both left me alone to NEST IN PEACE. I started with the dining room chaos.



While I obsessed over small details at home, Debbie and Luca went off to visit Santa. Unfortunately, he wasn't there. Taking it well, Luca tried out St. Nick's chair...



...and then tampered with his mail.



After that, they strolled around the Elf Village.











Having seen all there was to see, but not yet wanting to go home - Luca took a little nature break.









The Day of Rest ended with Chinese take-out and an early bedtime for all.

Last Saturday night

Debbie went to her holiday work party last Saturday and - not only did I not have anything to wear in my extremely pregnant state - I just wasn't up to it. Instead, Luca and I went to a little neighborhood French bistro for dinner with our friend Ama. After not napping all day, doing his best to behave in the restaurant, taking a walk around town and braving a near meltdown or two - Luca fell asleep on Ama as they watched "It's a Wonderful Life".

HOPE

Thirty six weeks, four days.

I am betting that this baby is a Sagittarius. I can't imagine that I will make it to forty weeks. My coochie hurts too much. Plus - because of nursing issues from the last time (due to a twenty-three year old surgery) I am going to start pumping on Monday - and that might induce contractions. We'll see. For now, though - I need to get my butt to bed. I am having a hard time with that. I am dead tired by 3pm and I'll nap with Luca, but then I can't sleep at night. I am sure this is only a taste of what's to come...

Waiting for Dinner

I broke out some oil pastels to keep Junior busy while I made dinner last night.



We're working on some fine-motor skills stuff - one of the biggies being a proper pencil grasp. He has a tendency to hold crayons and pencils with his whole fist, so we've been breaking all of them in half to make them smaller - which forces him to use his fingers. The pastels are naturally smaller in size than most things he writes with, so they were perfect for this kind of exercise.



It was his first time using them and he loved how "soft" they were.



We still have lots of work to do in this area, but I love when he can (unknowingly) work on something and have fun at the same time.

Preparing for Segundo or N*ked Baby Wearing

Friends threw us a baby shower this past weekend and - among our favorite gifts - Luca received a play pouch/sling like the one we'll carry the baby in when he arrives.





Thanks Grace, KT and Ryan!

This past Sunday...

We went to an annual pottery sale put on by two local potters. It's not just a sale, really - it's an event. Complete with live music, a bonfire and an amazing array of beautifully prepared foods to snack on while you mingle and browse. Its something we looked forward to every year when we lived here before and - this time around - it's better than ever.



Since most of our holiday shopping is done, we chose pieces for ourselves - mostly bowls and mugs for everyday use. Luca was happy to help.



Then he performed some sort of ritual over them.









After a dispute about god knows what, he had a mini-tantrum.





But someone handed him a cookie...



...and all became right in his world.