Big Happenings

Another holiday season has come and gone. This one was particularly nice, as it was the first year Kaya was fully aware of and excited about what was going on. After the whirlwind of gifts from Hanukkah, Santa took center stage and was much talked about. And Christmas movies (Rudolph and Frosty, especially) were big hits. She, of course, cleaned up at Christmas, her main gift from us being a Fisher Price Loving Family doll house with all of the furniture. I think I may be even more excited about that gift than Kaya! A few days before Christmas, we celebrated with my dad's family (my grandmother was even home for Christmas, though she is now back in rehab after another setback), and again with then the next week when my aunt Jean and her family were in town from Arizona. We celebrated Christmas day at home first, then at my parents', then in Delaware with my mom's extended family. It was a great day filled with family and fun.

There was a major damper on the day, however, when we learned Bruce's oldest son Max and his girlfriend broke up. Bruce was so upset he opted out of going to Delaware with the rest of us. Max, unfortunately, will now be dealing with custody and child support issues at the tender age of 20. As he is still attending college in Florida, Bruce feels rather powerless to help and lend support to his son and grandson in the way he would like, and Max is determined to stay the course in Florida and to finish his degree by May 2009.

New Year's Eve was no big thing, because I had to be at work bright and early on New Year's Day. We did fix ourselves a delicious meal of lobster tails and juicy steaks, complete with champagne, so that was nice.

This past Saturday, January 5, was Kaya's third birthday! We had a small family party at our house. It was a princess party, and Kaya and Nyla wore princess gowns and drank Princess Punch (Hawaiian Punch, ginger ale and rainbow sherbet, served in a "real" -- plastic -- wine glass). It was very girly and adorable, and I loved every minute of it! Once again, my child was spoiled with wonderful gifts. I actually had to go through her room and toy box to clear out toys and books that she no longer looks at to make way for the new loot, but it was time for that to be done anyhow. I cleared out four bins full!

But the biggest event of all happened on Sunday, January 6 when I had a positive home pregnancy test. My pregnancy was confirmed yesterday by a blood test, and so now I can officially announce that I am expecting a second child! We have been trying, but it was still a shock. I am really happy and excited, but my head is spinning. We have told our immediate family members, and today I am going to send out the email announcement. I know it is really early on to be telling everybody, but I never have been good at keeping secrets. This, of course, will have major repercussions on our plans to buy a house, change jobs, etc. I don't know what is going to happen with all of that, but we have some time to figure it all out.