The School Family: Maranatha & 2 Months

What a week. I started back to work on Tuesday and it was bittersweet. I missed my baby boy, but my UVA family made the transition pretty sweet. Literally. I was surprised with an early birthday cake from Albemarle Baking Company and chocolates from Gearharts and Feast. I think they intend to ruin checkout aisle chocolate for me.

MFS is also out of town for John's bachelor party trip on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Yep. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Everyday I'm convinced that I should be not be driving in Charlottesville holiday traffic. Appointments, shopping at Sam's and school pick-up times had us in town all day. In times such as these, I wish I had the calling to home school my children. Or a personal driver. While traffic this time of year in our quaint town does make for a more challenging Advent season, I was happy to see our pediatrician to talk about Max's growth. At 2 months old, Max is trying to roll over, smiling, cooing and following familiar voices and faces. He almost has his head control down pat. We are close to a regular schedule and he has lengthen periods of being awake and alert. Max still can be fussy, timing it perfectly in the evening when I'm trying fix dinner or settle the others for bed.

Stats at 2 months:

Height: 23 in (75%)

Weight: 12 lb 7 oz (75%)

HC: 40.5 cm (75%)

Every week in December has the promise of getting out of hand, but I am reminded that this is a time of preparing our hearts for the Christ Child. If something needs to be eliminated, then so be it. So when I sent to email to Julia's teacher telling her that she won't be participating in the Friday night Christmas Concert (as well as the rehearsal tonight), I only felt a smidgen guilty and a lot free. The freedom to enjoy the evening with my children building a gingerbread village, watching Christmas movies and doing our daily Advent activity. For the record, Jujube joyfully gave up the concert. Between you, me and the rest of the blogging world, the First Baptist Preschool Christmas program is way more enjoyable and I don't have to sign a contract promising good concert etiquette. Plus we get cookies afterwards.

Advent is a miraculous time if we slow down to enjoy it. MFS recently gave a talk at Ignite242 and told the group about our Christmas elf, Elmer. He posed the question, what if Elmer was reporting back to Jesus every night, instead of Santa? Would our behaviors please Him? How would He feel if we did or did not take time out of our day to spend time with Him? I have loved this new phase of the children growing with excitement in their faith and being an example of true Maranatha spirit. I am happy that while they can't wait to see the gifts that Santa will bring, they are more excited for Jesus' birthday.

To practice celebrating the birth of our King, they have been planning some festivities for my own birthday. Here is our conversation today.

Jujube: Mama, I can't wait for your surprise tomorrow. There's going to be food!

Cazin: CUPCAKES!

Jujube: CAZIN!!!

Me: Yum! Have you been hiding them?

Ella: IN DA BASEMENT!

Jujube: ELLA!!!

Note to self. Don't include these 3 in surprise planning any time soon.