Getting Ready

 The past few weeks we've been getting ready for a couple things - one being, obviously, Mei mei's arrival. Some dear friends here at the Seminary threw a baby shower for me and my friend Kelsey (who's expecting a boy very soon... yes, we have the wedding of our babies already planned.) We had so much fun decorating bibs and enjoying tea and sweets! Thanks Megan and Lindsey!!

And then of course, we've been getting ready for Christmas! We actually took care of a lot of things like shopping pretty early this year, because we know that once Mei mei comes time will be limited. It has been fun to involve Matthias in the decorating and different holiday events. 

The year I was pregnant with Matthias my grandma Sauer got all of her great-grandchildren a nativity set from the Holy Land. This year Matthias gets to start playing with it. He was pretty excited to discover all of the figures and spends much of his time these days standing on his stool playing with them. 

He likes to stand and play with them... and then take them down to play on his stool... and then put them back up again... (and then occasionally a car drives through the creche... )

And he helped daddy get the advent wreath ready. And then took all the candles out again... and then put them back in. I see a theme.

We got Matthias a couple ornaments this year, one being a digger. He thought it was pretty neat, until he realized that the wheels didn't turn AND he had to leave it on the tree. I think he's figured out the ornament thing by now, but the first couple days were rough.

So, when you are 19 months and you see something with two large, roundish things protruding from a head accompanied by a long snout looking thing... obviously, it is not an angel, but rather a CHRISTMAS ELEPHANT! We kept driving past these decorations on campus and Matthias kept repeating Elephant, Elephant... and we quickly realized that yes, these do indeed look like elephants. So, Luke 2 will never quite be the same... "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly [Elephants] appeared with the [Elephant], praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 

Finally, last night we visited historic Saint Charles to participate in their Las Posadas procession to the manger. It was a really neat way to begin Advent... it was just a little weird to be outside without jackets. While we were waiting for the procession, we saw a few of the different Santas that were walking around. Matthias wasn't too sure about them and some of the other decorations, but he did like the snowmen :)

And yes, in case you were wondering... it is Mei mei's due date. And no, she is not here yet. Apparently I have very stubborn children. Hopefully we'll be updating the blog with an announcement of her arrival! Prayers that she comes quickly!!