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We had a lovely, low-key Thanksgiving holiday this year. Our first ever in Chicago. Normally, we travel to Ohio to be with family, but this year, keeping my 26 week baby bump safe in town (and close to our doctors) felt much less stressful. At first, the thought of not traveling “home” for the holidays was really depressing. Every year we look forward to piling into the car, stopping for a fast food break on the way, driving into our familiar stomping grounds, breathing the clean, fresh air, and feeling our shoulders relax just by being in that comforting environment. But you know what? It was wonderful hosting. I decorated to my heart’s content. My parents came over, we watched the Macy’s parade and the dog show on TV, ate way too much food, had a ton of laughs, and put up our tree. All the normal Soares family traditions under a different roof. Our house felt like HOME more than it ever had before. It was simple, peaceful, relaxing, just right.
I can’t begin to describe how good it feels to enjoy the holidays this year. This time last year, Mike and I were in the depths of the darkest, scariest, most depressing time of our life. We wanted nothing to do with the holidays…we just couldn’t handle cheer. We went through the motions only for Ellie’s sake, and were immeasurably relieved when it was all over and we could flip the calendar to January 1. I sincerely wondered if we would ever feel warm and fuzzy about the holidays again. But, despite the hell we walked through last year, and the nerves and fears surrounding the pregnancy this year, it is happening. The cheer is coming back. I’m not going to lie…we have tough, very emotional moments. But in general…it has been really nice. I’ve taken great comfort in finding ways to include Hannah and the littlest sister in this highly sentimental, special time, and of course, Ellie’s merriment is contagious. She’s at a magical age for Christmas.
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*Family. Many thanks to my mom and dad, Mike, and Eloise for making the Thanksgiving weekend so much fun and so very special. We are still enjoying leftovers! We had a blast starting our Christmas shopping together. And it was lovely to be able to leisurely decorate our house for Christmas.
*Happy Birthday, Vu! My Dad celebrated a milestone birthday this week, and Mike, Eloise, and I were so excited to be able to celebrate with him. Eloise, especially, was pumped for Vu’s party, and insisted that in addition to pie and ice-cream, that he join her in eating a popsicle. “I never thought I would be eating a popsicle on my 60th birthday!” See Dad? 60 is the new…um…3 🙂
* “Mommy, when baby comes out, can you buy us jump ropes? And bunk beds?!” Not possible to love this kiddo more.
*Fixer Upper. ‘Tis the season for editing, editing, and more editing! And my new favorite obsession for background noise? Fixer Upper. Can JoJo and Chip please travel from Texas to fix up our next home in Chicagoland, please?! They’ve never done a house I don’t love.
I always have the best time with this family! They are filled with so much joy and have a great time together. It definitely shows in each photo. Jack and Delaney…you’re getting so big! It was great to hang out with you guys again. Thanks for all of the fun and smiles. Happy holidays!