Merry Christmas from the Kenyons!

If you didn't get a Christmas card from us, don't feel slighted. No one did. We decided that since our family portrait would so soon be outdated we'd save our postage for a birth announcement soon after the new year. Plus, we didn't get this picture taken until Sunday. But really, it's the first reason. This photo should also satisfy those wanting to see a profile pregnancy shot. This is my most form-fitting sweater and since there is ZERO chance of me in a (insert pregnant celebrity here) bare-belly pose, this is as close as you'll get to seeing it all. People are generally surprised when I say I have two weeks left, but I'm not always in the mood to explain that it's two weeks until a forced 36-week delivery. Some things are just on a need-to-know basis. I already find the "why a C-section" questions intrusive and occasionally judgemental.

As John noted, our Christmas/birthday celebration started early with a visit from my parents and sister Saturday and Sunday. Nora was also supposed to come, but she was home-bound recovering from her doctor's first documented case of the flu this year. It was quite a knock-out, but luckily she's recovering well. This will just make her even more eager (if such a thing is possible) to come after the baby arrives.

We continued celebrating with John's parents on Christmas Eve--a wonderfully delicious meal, which Ed absolutely inhaled and demanded "MORE" of (why doesn't he do that at home?) followed by some spectacular presents. Ed's personal highlight was his new wagon--he didn't even care that it didn't have the wheels or handle attached. He climbed in and out over and over and practically had to be forced to open the rest of his pile of presents. He put on a cheerful face, but our gift of mittens and slippers really doesn't even register in comparison. The wagon stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's though--they have more room for indoor use until spring, when we can bring it home. It's a two-seater, but I'm guessing he won't need to share until fall or even next year. We'll have to see how squirmy his sibling is and whether the seat belts can contain either of them.

The downer came when we got home and got stuck in the alley behind our house--mere feet from the safety of our garage, but still in a position to block alley access, so we couldn't just leave it for the light of day. We tried having John push with me at the wheel, but got nowhere. Ed kept asking to get out, and I explained that we were stuck in the snow. This became his phrase of the evening, along with "Help!" Then, to distract him, I had him sing "Row, row, row your boat" since it went with the rocking motion we were trying to create with the car. We eventually took him out and put him to bed so we could call for professional assistance. We were blessed by a kind-hearted tow guy who, in the spirit of the holiday, did not charge extra when the job grew more complicated as he worked. We only had five inches of snow, but the layer of ice from our previous storms made things more difficult. All told, John was outside digging, waiting for the tow truck, and working with the tow guy for about three hours. Brutal! He is sore today and opted to stay home from church while Grandpa, Ed and I went.

Santa "arrived" while we were at church (anyone think I'll ever get away with this again?) so we had more presents when we got home. Given his insistence on opening each box and fully exploring each new item, I knew we'd never get out the door if we did presents before church. Santa brought Ed his first Brio train set (homage to Uncle Joe.) He is quite enthralled, though he doesn't fully understand that pulling the track apart inhibits train movement. He is used to the train at the library, which is glued to the table.

The festivities will end this evening with birthday dinner and presents with Grandma and Grandpa. I'm not sure what Ed will think tomorrow when there's nothing more to unwrap. Then again, he'll probably be thrilled to get back to his daily routine, a break from constant Mom and Dad.