Brandee's Blessings: February 2012

Have you noticed my ticker???

At the top of my blog, I have a LilyPie ticker. Have you noticed that is says 12 days until our baby girl is due??? We actually have a scheduled induction for next Monday, which is only 8 days away. If she doesn't come before then, next Monday we will get to meet our sweet Greenlee. We are so excited to see who she'll look like. My prediction is that she'll be a redhead like me. Jack goes back and forth about whether he's excited or not. I know he'll love her, but there'll be a lot of change to his little life. That part makes me sad. I know in the long run, he'll be so thankful he has a sister.
I've gained a total of 16 lbs. I had a little scare 2 weeks ago with preterm labor. It was the same night as the Birmingham tornadoes. We're gonna blame it on the drop in barometric pressure. Since then, I've been uncomfortable but I haven't had any major contractions.
At 35 weeks, my family gave me a baby shower. It was very special and I'm so thankful for the love they have for us and for Greenlee. She now has so many beautiful clothes to wear and things for her room. Thank you!!!

Christmas Morning 2011

Jack was so excited for Santa to come this year. He had given specific requests for train tracks and tractors-n-wagons (??? we have no idea where this came from). After a busy, busy Christmas Eve. We got Jack in bed kind of late. Santa then spent several hours assembling toys and putting batteries into 897 trains, one of which required a C battery. Thankfully, the Shell was open for Santa to pick up said battery and a crisis was averted. Mrs. Claus didn't hold up too well and began begging Santa to call it a night around 11. Santa then informed Mrs. Claus that it was her duty to be up and help and he didn't have much compassion for a 34 week pregnant woman. :) The next morning was great. Jack had time to open all his gifts and then we were able to go to Church and celebrate our Lord's birth. I love when Christmas is on Sunday. It just seems perfect.

Christmas PJ's

Christmas morning hair :)

He finally got his train tracks.

He was so excited about his playdough ice cream shop.

We had to open it ASAP.

Before church, we tried to get a family picture. The following ensued...

Maybe a keeper???

Christmas 2011

This year we started round 1 at my mom and dad's for Christmas Eve morning. We celebrated with a wonderful breakfast (my favorite part) and of course presents. Jack hit the jackpot (no pun intended) of course.

Round 2 was at my Pop and Grandmother's for Christmas Eve dinner. This gathering is very special to me because Pop and Grandmother are my only living grandparents. I try to cherish each holiday because I know they are too soon to end. Jack had a fabulous time playing with all his cousins.

Me, Grandmother, and Maggee

Jack and Brannon wrestling with my cousin Jeremy

Brannon giving "Big Boy", the doll, a ride

More Thomas gear

Granna and Jack

Not considering Christmas morning, which will be its own post, Round 3 was my mom's house for the Brand family Christmas lunch. Both of my grandparents have passed away, but it's so wonderful that their 7, yes SEVEN, children still get together for every holiday. It's loud and chaotic, but the love is certainly present. The best part was when my mom played the piano and the whole family sang some Christmas songs. My mom's family grew up singing in church (my pawpaw was a pastor) and it's amazing how their voices harmonize.

Round 4 was Andy's parents for Christmas Day dinner. We celebrated with Andy's parents and his brother and sister-in-law. Jack got another ridiculous amount of toys. He's loved and very spoiled. :)

Not too impressed with clothes, although they were very appreciated

Jack's drum set that stays at Mawmaw and Pawpaw's house :)

Greenlee got some cute things too!

Santa's Express

For a special treat we decided to take Jack on Santa's Express. I've always wanted to do the Polar Express, but it sold out before I could get tickets. Santa's Express probably worked out better for us anyway because it was at 11 in the morning. Jack is MUCH more of a morning person. On the Santa Express, we basically rode on a train for about 20 minutes, Santa got on and visited all the children, and then we rode backwards to the station for another 20 minutes or so. The Santa on the train was excellent. He stopped and spoke to each child, posed for pictures, listened to request, then gave each child a little gift (a Ty snowman ornament). Jack loved Santa and we were so glad. I could just imagine him screaming from fear. The only issue that we had was the slight confusion on Jack's part about when Santa would deliver his toys. He thought when he requested a train table, tractors, and wagons that he would pull them out of that giant bag right there. Makes sense really...So after he received his very cute, yet disappointing, snowman ornament he proceeded to stomp his foot, point, and say (in a rather loud voice), "No Santa Claus!" overrrrrrrrr and overrrrrr. Andy and I agree we probably have the only child in America that feels entitled to reprimand Santa. We don't know where he gets it...