Christmas in January?

Hello All!

I apologize for my absence.  The month of January has KICKED. MY. TAIL.  First off, the kiddos got the stomach flu.  As in vomiting, no appetite, limited interest in drinking, crankiness, sleeplessness, etc. etc.

And then, I got the stomach flu.  And then, the au pairs caught the bug.  I'll tell you--the whole situation was rough.  The aches, the icky-ness, the fevers.  Wow.  It was a long stretch of unpleasantness.  I'll spare you the details.

Luckily, I have a husband who powered through (and avoided the sickness!). I was able to rest up and get my body back on track JUUUUST in time for the flu to hit our house.  First Millie got it, then Luke, and then Ava.  Then both au pairs got it along with Michael and me.  We were lucky to be able to give the kiddos Tamiflu, but it has just been a long stretch of sleeplessness, hopelessness, and just overall malaise.  I really hope things smooth out soon.

Sick babies are just pitiful!

With all of that behind us, let me catch you up on Christmas.    Christmas has always been one of my favorite seasons, especially as Michael's wife.  Michael LOVES Christmas.  He sings Christmas carols in the shower.  He sets up the nativity scene every year, carefully placing each figurine in the "appropriate" place. He loves decorating the tree, riding around and looking at Christmas lights, and on and on.  He relishes all things Christmas.   It warms my heart each and every year.

Here we are taking the kids to see their first Christmas light display.  Just imagine for a second trying to get gloves, hats, scarves, jackets on all five kids (and keeping them on!).  It was a challenge to say the least.

Millie

We were also grateful for a very generous and kind photographer in Charlottesville, Amy Yang.  Amy and I met in Mom Mecca (ie Target).  She offered to use her amazing photography skills to capture our family's first Christmas out of the NICU.  Take a look at her amazing work.

I also asked Amy to take a photo of the kids wearing the Christmas hats they were given last year in the NICU (yes, I save things like this).

Christmas morning was a bit of blur.  I don't think I can remember ever feeling so VERY, VERY TIRED.

The original Baudinet family on Christmas Eve (Dad, Ellie, and Mom)

Clara

After Christmas, I was so grateful to Michael's family for coming down to help with the kids while I got to visit my family in Alabama.  I had a SPLENDID time with my parents, sister, her husband, and their kids.  Here is my favorite (and only) niece, Emma Kate.  She's an absolute delight and I'm honored to call her my friend.

Bath time has also become such a fun time.  Here is Clara belly-laughing as Luke splashes around.

Millie and Isabelle have also found a new way to do some cardio and practice their walking skills.

We also took the kids to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate New Years.  That was an adventure!

The most beautiful development is that the kids really do love to play together (most of the time when they aren't stealing each others' toys). 

 And most exciting of all, we have walkers!!  Let the fun begin!!