Holidays in Ironwood

We got into Ironwood the evening of the 23rd. It wasn't too late, but the last couple hours of the drive felt very long. Some of the roads weren't plowed very well and driving conditions weren't great. Melanie was pretty upset for the last 15 or 20 minutes, but she calmed down when we pulled into the driveway.

I was so exciting to see everyone! I interrupted the night-time process for the Ferrell kids - it didn't sound like it was going that well anyway. ;) - to say hi and let them see Melanie for a minute. The kids all loved her and were really good with her, especially Katie! Aiden threw a toy at one point and it smacked Melanie right in the forehead, giving her a little goose egg. She was really unhappy about that. Jane asked to hold her every time she saw her. Jack and Aiden would sometimes come take a look, but they were mostly busy doing their own things.

Janny stopped by to visit a few times! Oh, we love Janny! We also went by the shop to visit Dad and to have Melanie's "first visit to Grandpa's shop" picture taken! She is officially on the wall!

Tyler, Katie, and Spencer went skiing one day. It was the first time Spencer had ever gone, so it was really fun for Katie to have someone to teach. It sounded like he had a really good time, but he was sore for a few days afterward. Especially since he let Tyler talk him into going down a black diamond.

Christmas was beautiful and magical and all that good stuff. Melanie was a little late to the party, but she joined in when she woke up. She got all sorts of fun toys and, my personal favorite, a set of Dr. Seuss books from James and Miranda! I got every kitchen thing needed to cook a turkey including a meat thermometer that gobbles, a roasting dome, and an electric knife! And a very sharp regular knife. Spencer got a fire safe, some choppers (mittens), and a drill. Among other things. Oh, and Dad bought us CMed sweatshirts and a polo for me. We got a CMed t-shirt for him. haha.

Breakfast was awesome, of course, and then we just had a nice day playing with our things, eating candy, and spending time as a family.

Spencer played a couple games of Monopoly with Katie and Jane, which is no small test of patience and endurance. They love him.

A few days after Christmas, AnnaMarie and Tyler went back home and a day later Michael and Caroline came up!

It was so fun to see them! Their kids were all great with Melanie. Hannah was very aware of her. Melanie got a pack of rattles, etc. for Christmas and Hannah liked to play with them. One time I asked her to give the little blue one to Melanie (It's the easiest one for her to hold.) and that she could play with the other three. Every time she'd get the rattles out, she'd see the blue one and run to find Melanie "Baby Meeaneee!"

A few days into Michael and Caroline's visit Melanie came down with a fever and congestion. It was very sad and the three of us had a few sleepless nights. Poor Melanie couldn't breathe through her nose, so she'd wake up crying every 30 minutes. Eventually her fever broke, but we ended up sleeping her in her car seat for the rest of the trip so her sinuses would drain better and we could all get some sleep.

New Years was fun. We had a variety of snacks and once the kids were in bed we watched had a Back to the Future marathon. The 2nd one takes place in 2015 and we finished it just before midnight. I tried staying up for the last one, but I just kept falling asleep. Michael and Spencer made it through. A couple nights later we did an Indiana Jones trilogy night (excluding the newest one - because it stinks.). Again, I couldn't quite make it through the last one. I was so disappointed with myself. By this point I had caught whatever Melanie had, so I wasn't feeling well anyway.

On the 3rd, we got the news that Marianne and Seth were heading to the hospital to have Ellowyn! Less than 2 hours later we got the news that she was here! It was so fast, but everything went smoothly and Ellowyn is one pretty baby. I can't wait to meet her and I wish so much that I could fly out there to help and visit.

We were going to head back the Monday before classes started for Spencer, but Christy had a snow day, so we decided to spend the day with her. I'm glad we did. She was always so busy with the other kids -- they love her SO much! -- that we didn't get to spend a whole lot of quality time with her. It was fun. We headed out Tuesday morning instead. Our drive went well. Melanie slept for the first half of it! Then we stopped for gas so I could change and feed her. I sat in the back with her after that stop and she'd play for a while and then sleep for a while the rest of the way home. She's a good little traveler. It makes me want to do it again someday.

Christy and Melanie having a good time. :)

That's a lot of presents!

Haha. I just really like that the dwarfs are shorter than the rest.

Thanks James and Miranda! We've been reading them at bedtime.

I love Christmas morning.

Melanie joining the party.

She didn't really get it, but next year she'll be all over that wrapping paper!

Merry Christmas!

I came down one morning to find these 4 like this, all watching TV together.

Brett and Sherry got this cute Dumbo toy for her. The day everyone went to visit them was the day that Melanie's fever was the worst, so we decided we should stay home with her. I was disappointed that we didn't get to see them this trip, but maybe next time. We did visit with Janet at a coffee shop one morning. That was nice to get caught up with her.

January 1st night, after everyone else was in bed, Melanie was in a silly mood. She kept sticking her tongue out like this and she didn't stop for a few days! It was pretty funny. Anyway, she was happy and giggly and the three of us had a happy time together in our room.

 On the way home. Thanks for the great stay, everyone!

Melanie at 4 Months

On the 23rd we got up bright and early to say our goodbyes and drive to Mt. Pleasant for Melanie's 4 month check-up. The appointment went well. She's healthy and on track with all of her skills, so that's all good news. She got her second round of vaccines, which I am grateful for even though her crying makes me want to cry. She really only cried for like 30 seconds, but the look of betrayal in her eyes is heartbreaking!

I was going to add her measurements, but I threw away the paper without thinking about it. I'll get them at her next appointment and add them then. She is still in the 90th percentile for length and is sitting at the 75th for weight. She's big, but she's so long that she doesn't look too chunky, unless you are looking at her thighs. :)

After her appointment, we loaded her back into the car and hit the road to Ironwood. She did really well on the long drive up north. The shots make her tired, and as long as we kept up with her tylenol, she was happy to snooze and ride. We stopped a few times for gas and to feed her and change her diaper, and when she got upset I sat in the back to play with her. She lost it for the last 15 minutes of the drive, but she was happy once we got her out.

My 4-month-old Melanie.

• She brings so much happiness to everyone around her. 
• She is beautiful and silly and so attentive. She's always craning her neck to get a better view of whoever is walking by or to figure out where a noise is coming from. 
• Her fingers and hands seem more coordinated each day, but she's not very quick or sneaky yet. You can tell exactly what she's thinking about when she's deciding to reach for something.
• She is generous with her smiles and if you're lucky, she'll give you a good laugh. 
• She is strong and loves to be standing up (with a little help, of course). 
• She can't sit up on her own yet, but she's getting more stable. 
• She LOVES her daddy. Her eyes just light up when she sees Spencer and she gives him an excited wiggle. 
• Our wiggler is still very wiggly. 
• She just has a happy, content, and easy-going disposition. 

Grand Haven

The semester ended well for Spencer. He studied a LOT the week or so leading up to his final exam, and I did my best to leave him to his studies. That's really hard for me, in case you were wondering. After his lecture final on Monday and his anatomy final on Tuesday, he had lectures (on things like ethics and physician burnout - stuff that's not really curriculum, but good for med students to learn about) for the rest of the week. On Friday, we took off for Grand Haven and got there in time for dinner. It always takes longer than I think to get everything packed and ready to go for a trip.

Our stay in Grand Haven was so nice. It was fun to relax all together. I should have blogged while I was there, but I didn't so I'll just add all the pictures and mention a few things we did. :) The pictures are the best part anyway. 

Melanie helped Spencer study for his finals.

She was very impressed by the Christmas tree, and started at it every time we were in that room.

Choir practice at church.

When Melanie needed to be walked around, Sister Finkley volunteered. I'm not sure who was more pleased. :)

Listening attentively to Grandma.

As a Christmas gift to mom and dad, we un-wallpapered, primed, and painted their bathroom. I didn't take a before or an after, just this during. It had pink and green floral wallpaper, which I am sure was the height of interior design fashion at one point. ;) Now it has a lovely light purple (almost white) coat of painERoIt looked so fresh and clean when we were done!

Melanie had a bath in the sink because the upstairs bathroom was being repainted.

We also made some salt dough ornaments using her little hand and footprints. they turned out really well. I'll have to get the picture off my phone.

Rocking out to some Jack Johnson.

We made a gingerbread house.

The Sunday prior to Christmas Melanie wore the dress that Grandma made for her. It was very cute and fit her perfectly.

on Sunday night we open Christmas presents that were to or from us.

Melanie's gift from us was this little giraffe. She seems to like it.

we got all sorts of stuff including a new car seat for Melanie when she outgrows her carrier. We also got some movies, some toys for Melanie, some reusable hand warmers, and sweaters. Oh, and socks! I love getting socks for Christmas.

 Melanie got this awesome minion hat. I absolutely love it and everyone comments on it.

Patrick got her this adorable brown teddy bear which she loves. She loved Patrick too.

Isn't the sweater grandma got for Melanie just so adorable?

One night, we had a family night where we talked about the life of Christ and the important things that he's done for us. It was really nice.

Josh, Katy, Carrina, and Collin came in a day early so we got to see them for a few minutes at night before everyone went to bed. I was so glad we had some overlap with them and I hope we get to see them in February when Mikayla gets off of her mission.

Grandma and Grandpa with all three of their grandbabies. Melanie, Carrina, and Collin.

We even got a big group shot. We used the timer on my camera. :)

Collin is much faster than Melanie. It was fun to see them together, though she didn't stand a chance of not being clobbered. :)