A Weekend Away

For Christmas this year, Josh got me a night away.  I have never been away from Mara since her birth so it was a much needed getaway before we do this whole newborn thing again.   Hopefully with this one we'll do it sooner rather than wait over two years :)

Josh got us a room at the Hotel Batoni in the Signahi region.  We left late Friday afternoon and made the 2.5 hour drive quickly.  The hotel was a beautiful old castle that had been renovated.  All meals were included so shortly after arriving we went downstairs to eat.

A feast is what we had!  The menu was so expansive and it felt like they kept bringing dish after dish despite us telling them we didn't need it all.  With full stomachs we retired upstairs after being upgraded to a larger room.

We did what every parent does on a night away...SLEEP!  I think we rolled out of bed around 9 with little to no wake ups during the night (My pregnant self had to get up twice to pee).  Since we are entering the winter season here we managed to still catch sunrise and watched as the sun peaked over the mist.  It was just beautiful!

After a quick breakfast we headed out to explore two monasteries in the area.  The first, Nekresi, was the smaller of the two.  It was located on a large hill above the cloud line.  Thankfully we talked the gate guard into letting us drive our own car up the hill rather than making the massive hike.  At the top we walked around the area and listened to some polyphonic singing coming from the church.

Our second stop was a cathedral called Gremi. Here we were able to actually go in and tour the church as well as the grounds.  There wasn't a ton to see again but it had a great view of the city below and the riverbed.

From there it was back to the hotel for a late lunch and then on to Tbilisi.  Overall it was a quick but much needed trip.  We were so thankful for Josh's parents taking Mara for the night.  Our time together is so precious and it was a great reminder that our marriage comes first.

37 Weeks with Baby #2

Not much has changed this week.  I feel it's redundant to say but I'm just feeling really pregnant at this point.  My stomach is huge and everything just takes more time.  I feel like this little one is really between my legs and just right there.  I've been getting a few contractions here and there but nothing regular and nothing real.

Josh's parents arrived on Wednesday which was a huge blessing.  They are going to be here through the birth staying with Mara when we are unable to.  I am so thankful that they were willing to head our way and are staying for as long as they are.  Mara has been in heaven having them around.

On Friday Josh gave me an early Christmas present of a night away.  It was so needed and relaxing.  I haven't been away from Mara since she's been born and it was just time.  Especially with this little one bound to make her appearance soon.  We stayed at a beautiful hotel for a night and explored the area.

I'm hoping there won't be too many of these updates left.  I'd love for her to come soon.  Maybe she could wait till after Christmas but anytime after that is good with me.  

For comparison Mara at 37 weeks!

A Letter to My Girls

I can't believe in a matter of a month I'll have two daughters.  Two little girls running around.  This means twice the bows, twice the dresses, twice the shoes.  Your daddy is in for it with all of us around but he can handle it.  He's the best girl daddy.

I can't wait for you to meet, to watch your relationship grow and develop.  I never had a sister and always wondered what that relationship was like.  I can't wait to see you two love on each other,  to be each other's best friends, to live life together.

I can't believe what we have in store for us down the road.  Dances, proms, weddings....So many little girl things to look forward to.  I never imagined our little family with two girls but now I can't think of it any other way.

To my girls, you both will always have a piece of my heart.  I love you more than words can express.  I hope you grow up to be Godly women, to have a heart for our Lord and seek Him out daily.  I hope you follow your dreams whether that be educational, travel, service, etc.  I hope you find a man like your daddy who is kind and caring.  Who will lead your families with strength and presence.  I hope you will always have each other to lean on and rely on.  That you always are close.

I love you little girls.

Mommy

Tot School-Winter

This week our theme was winter.  I went back and forth whether to do a straight winter theme or try to fit in some Christmas activities as well.  I decided to do the later and we had a great week of activities and crafting!  Of course we still have a few Christmas crafts (Pinterest Christmas :) to do but it was a great start.

On Monday we started with a play dough Christmas tree.  We made ornaments for the tree and garland.  Mara decorated the star and had fun rolling the balls for the ornaments.  

The play dough was forgotten about mid day when she discovered these stickers in her Christmas goodie bag from Santa.  She loves stickers and always want to put them everywhere!  I wasn't planning this activity but it quickly evolved to avoid stickers all over our furniture.  I drew a quick tree outline and let her put the ornaments on it.  I guess it was also good reinforcement from our earlier activity.

In the afternoon we did two more activities making some jingle bell shakers and a reindeer ornament.  The shakers were a hit as she loves music.  The reindeer was again a craft kit that came with her Santa goodie bag.  We used glue to adhere all the pieces together and eventually hung it on the tree once it dried.

Tuesday we got back to our bible verses.  This one was a snow craft where I gave her a sheet of paper with some contact paper in the middle of it.  I also gave her cotton balls and cut up Q-tips.  We read the verse and then I let her create her own snow scene.  She did really good with this and got very precise with the Q-tips lining them all up.

In the afternoon we baked Christmas cookie bars.  Mara has really turned into a little baker and loves helping in the kitchen.  She gets out her stool and likes to help stir.

On Wednesday we decorated gingerbread houses.  My mom sent these sticker kits.  They were pretty neat despite the massive amounts of glitter on them.  I mean glitter was everywhere.  I'm not sure if they were cleaner than the traditional houses in that sense, but it was much better for Mara as she is really good with sticking stickers.  

In the afternoon we did a few do a dots.  I printed a Christmas tree and a wreath.  I saw a ton of improvement with her dots this time.  She was very exact with her placement and was adamant about filling in the entire dot.  

Thursday was a little slower and all we did was a hand print tree.  I traced her hands five times and then cut them out.  We then used paste to assemble the tree.  Red markers were used for decorations and we even added some glitter for adornment.

Friday we finished our week of stickers with you guessed it...more stickers!  Again my mom had sent Mara some snowflake stickers so I just grabbed a sheet of paper and let her design her own snow scene.  She loves this simple type of activity and has recently gotten really good at peeling the backing off the stickers herself, another testament in fine motor skills.

Next week we're on to music.  I don't have a ton planned.  Heck I only have two days of activities down but that's ok.  Josh's parents come into town so we're going to take it slow.  Music is also a part of our everyday lives.  Mara has her own basket of instruments that is played with daily and recently was given a mp3 player that she adores.   

36 Weeks with Baby #2

Well folks that's 9 months.  Gosh I can't even believe we're here and yet I'm so ready to be done.  I really hate wishing this pregnancy away but it is hard to be pregnant with a toddler!  Everything just aches.  I'm still getting the rib pain occasionally and most nights.  Getting around is getting harder and harder especially with Mara not understanding that I can't carry her everywhere.

This week I went to my first and last doctors appointment.  Yes I said last.  I totally thought I would be seeing my delivery doctor a few more times like they do in the states but apparently not.  I went in they took my pulse and blood pressure, looked at my labs and ultrasounds and deemed me good to go :)

I will go back after Christmas and get some blood work done but that is it.  I just call her when I am in labor and we'll go from there.  I kind of appreciate this hand's off approach and I was dreading getting to and from appointments with Mara and no car.  It's hard dragging her to and from in a taxi.

I was a little disappointed with my doctor's response to getting out of the hospital early after I have the baby.  They usually make their patients wait THREE days in the hospital before they discharge them.  I have no idea why but I asked if I could leave after a day or so if both me and the baby were doing well.  I was politely told no.  WELL....we'll see :)  Frankly I'd rather be recovering at my own home than in the hospital.  Also I really don't want to be away from Mara for that long.  I think it would be hard on her and Josh.  I don't think it's the best transition to having a new sibling.

For comparison 36 weeks with Mara!

 

Maternity Pictures

Josh and his amazing camera skills came through again with my maternity photos!  I love the fall theme!  Mara wasn't too interested in a being a part of them but popped in and out :)

Visiting Santa

Mara has never been a fan of Santa.  Even at 3 months (her first Christmas) she screamed when we put her on his lap.  I'm not sure in the future we will continue to torture her but this year we made the trek once again.

Santa was at the ambassador's house this year along with his Georgian counterpart, Tovolis Papa.  Josh was roped into taking pictures for all the embassy families so it was just Mara and I for most of the party.

We ate cookies and grabbed some crafts to do at home.  We also took lots of pictures with the festive decor.  Mara's favorite part was probably just running around with her buddies, Noey and Emmaline.
As soon as it was our turn, Mara did exactly what I expected.  She froze.  She wouldn't move even though she clearly saw Daddy in the room with the two other guys.  I took a few pictures with her and then we just went for it.  I threw her on Santa's lap and Josh snapped away.

Gosh she was traumatized.  Didn't want to go near the room for the rest of the time.  So that being said we may have to rethink next year's Santa visit.

For a peak at past Santa encounters check out last years visit and her first Christmas.