January so far

January has been busy so far, and I didn't really expect it to be so. That's better than boring, right?

Rolin had a really runny nose for about three weeks -- I mean really runny. We'd wipe it, turn around to throw away the tissue and then within seconds it'd be running past his chin again. I tried to pretend it was no biggie for a while, but when it showed no sign of clearing up, and he spiked a 101+ fever for a few days, we went to the doc. I had my suspicions of a sinus infection, and the doc agreed. I went home with a prescription for amoxicillin...Rolin barfed up the first dose -- I mean really barfed it and all of his lunch. Wheee! 

The next day his nose stopped running. Hummm. Would it have cleared up on it's own the next day anyway? Probably, considering my luck.

The rest of the dots are hard to see on his torso and legs, but they're there :(

Anyway, a few days later he started getting red spots on his torso, then legs and then his face. I asked a couple friends and my neighbor for their thoughts and expert parent thoughts, and then called the doc to see what they thought. By the time we went to the doc his "rash" was all over his body. It didn't appear to bother him and he was acting normal, but the poor thing had red blotches and dots all over :( We stopped the medicine and gave him some Benedryl, which seemed to help clear things up in about three days. He more than likely has an allergy to amoxicillin/penicillin. I also suspect roseola. But I'm no doctor.

He's fine now!

I've also been to a doctor or two myself because my body is building another baby! Yes, I'm pregnant; about three months along. Holy moley!

Best BIG Brother Ever, it should say... couldn't find a shirt that just said Big Brother. 

"B2T2" about 12.5 weeks baked.

This new little peanut is due July 27. For those of you who need a reminder, Rolin's birthday is July 24; our wedding anniversary is July 26; Joe and Brianna's anniversary is July 23; two other family birthdays are July 22. We always thought it would be nice to space our children about two years apart, but we did not intentionally plan them to be exactly two years apart! Nor did I really intend on spending another Christmas season laid up on the couch with the first-trimester ickies. All the same, I'd do it again, of course. I mean, look at that adorable profile:

All in all, this pregnancy has felt much the same as the first. I've been starving out of my mind, felt blergy from the moment I woke up until about 1 p.m. and I lacked energy or desire to do much of anything. Thank goodness for "Dinosaur Train," granola bars, apples & cheese, Costco trail mix and a husband who is happy to help. I'm in the second trimester now and things are much better. It really is almost like flipping a switch...I'm still hungry most of the time, but feel much better and have a bit more energy. 

In more doctor-related news, some of our friends in California have also seen their fair share of doctors after a series the triple Bs: blood clots, back surgeries and babies. After a long period of extreme back pain, our friend ended up in the hospital with blood clots; just days later, the need for emergency back surgery became apparent. A few days into recovery, his wife found herself in labor and soon delivered a precious baby boy. There has since been a second round of back surgery, and the recovery continues.

Team Thompson against painful and troublesome backs.

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For their family, it's been a scary, emotional and trying time -- but it has been accompanied by the elation and pure joy a new baby brings a family. We thank God for watching over our friends and for his continued healing. We thank all of you who joined us in praying for their family, too!

In other January news, Rolin had his first haircut. If it were up to me we would have waited another couple months or so to cut it, but others beside just Justin thought it was looking a little shaggy. It was just hard to say ok to cutting off his baby curls!

Flowing locks.

Justin we tried to give him one at home, but we didn't have any hair scissors to give it a finished look (plus, it was a bit crooked, but that's just my opinion):

Then we ended up at a kids' hair cutting salon to make it look a little better:

Afterward, Rolin had his very first ice-cream cone that was all his own. He's had ice cream before, but never his own cone to eat by himself:

He looks like such a big kid with his new 'do.

Eating the entire cone himself proved to be a bit much as he vomited half of it up after gulping down a cup of milk at dinner. Ha! Gross.

As for the rest of January, we look forward to welcoming a lot of family visitors! Some are now in the vicinity in their motorhome, others are coming at the end of the month. Then my mom and dad come in early February. We're going to host a Super Bowl party at our house for everyone because the Seahawks made it! I can't wait to see everyone, even if it's really the 77 degree weather in Phoenix that was more of a reason for their a vacations than the Thompsons ;) (just kidding!). 

Christmas

We were joined by Justin's parents for Christmas. It was nice to have some family around for the holiday!

I left nearly all the grocery shopping to do until the 23rd, the Monday before Christmas, you know, like any sane person would do. I had a plan. I had different lists for different stores. Rolin and I were going to gobble breakfast and get out of the house by 9:30 a.m.; we got out by 10 a.m., but I was still happy with the time knowing I could get it all done and be back for lunch and nap time.

Well, the car wouldn't start.

I popped the hood, shook some wires, checked the oil, looked at the filter, jiggled the battery...

Just kidding, I didn't do any of that.

I called Justin and told him what was going on with the car. Then I texted my mom to complain that I was a fool for leaving shopping until that day anyway and then the car wouldn't start. Then dad called and we covered a list of possibilities. Everyone involved suspected the battery, but it was odd the car would sound like it wanted to start, it just wouldn't finish turning over. Thankfully, Justin was able to rework his schedule a bit and came home to my rescue. We got a new battery, even though the battery people told us there was nothing wrong with the old one.

They were right -- the new battery didn't fix the problem. We had the car towed to a repair shop where we learned it was the fuel pump and that they could get it fixed by Friday. I'm grateful we have Justin's work car as a backup!

Team Thompson against faulty fuel pumps. 

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Anyway, we got errands done, naps taken and Christmas dishes were started after bedtime. The Thompsons arrived that night around 10 p.m., just as the cheese ball was chilling, the rolls were rising, the eggs were boiling, the twice-baked potatoes had completed their first baking rotation, the fudge was cooling and I was finishing the clam chowder we'd have Christmas Eve.

Rolin greeted his grandparents in the morning, who quickly swept him off to the park to play. Justin worked for a bit on Christmas Eve day, but was home in time for the candlelight service at church. After dinner, at which was served the traditional clam chowder, spinach salad and rolls, we all opened one gift and then got everyone to bed.

If I'm being realistic, this was probably the last Christmas, for about 17 or so years, or at least until my children are teenagers, where I'll have an opportunity to sleep past six in the morning. We all took advantage of the extra sleep time, but were ready to hop downstairs once Rolly was awake. No one wanted to miss seeing Rolin's face when he spotted his presents.

Lots of playing with toys was done after breakfast, and the Thompsons each took pajama-clad strolls around our cul de sac, pushing Rolin in his little car. He was quite insistent in going outside every 10 minutes or so.

Rolin also received the moon for Christmas.  

Dinner was the Team Thompson tradition of surf-n-turf. We had crab legs and flank steak, accompanied by twice-baked potatoes, salad, rolls and a few other small delights.We played games, watched Christmas movies, FaceTimed with other family members and overall enjoyed our day.

The following day, the Thompsons, Rolin and I went to the Phoenix Zoo while Justin went to work. Rolin cruised in style in his new car, was enthralled with the lizards, lions and a duck that he and Grammy fed Cheetos. He and Grammy even got to go feed the giraffes! He didn't fall asleep or get cranky -- I was very impressed, especially since we were there from 11a.m. - 4 p.m.; he had a great time!

Headed to the zoo with Grandpa Lee and Grammy Karen!

 Grammy Karen and Rolin got to get up close and personal with the giraffes. 

Rolly wasn't much of a fan.

Before the Thompsons left that Friday, we met Justin for lunch and then hit up the train park in Scottsdale. I'm glad Rolin got to spend a few action-packed days with his Grandpa and Grammy, I know they were glad about it too!

Watching the trains pass by overhead at the train park.