So, Christmas. It Happened.

Oh, you guys. December was not a good month in our house. Neither was November, come to think of it.

There was a LOT of sickness in our house. Plans got ruined, and there was very little fun to be had. We were supposed to go up north to the North Pole Experience and help the elves make toys and meet Santa. Sounds fun, right? So exciting! We booked those tickets a whole year ago! But then, the day before we were supposed to leave, both Asher and Hunter came down with high fevers and were feeling awful. There was just no way we could go. That was followed by several brutal days in which Hunter was a miserable, crying mess who wanted me to stand up and hold him 24/7, and Ava became sick...and then a few days after that, it was my turn. I'm certain it was the flu. Hunter was tested at the doctor, and it was negative. But once I had it, all my symptoms were the same and classic flu-like - fever, chills, headache, cough and runny nose, felt like I'd been hit by a truck. The kids had stomachaches, too. My own sickness saga didn't end for two weeks later, when after numerous (numerous, I say!) proddings from Eric for me to get myself to the doctor already, I was diagnosed with a sinus and ear infection. Good times!

So, that plan was canceled, and then once I got sick, any other plans we'd hoped to have happen all fell to pieces as well. And I felt completely awful up until a few days ago. And although Hunter had been doing better, on Christmas, once again he was feverish and miserable, as was Ava. Ear infections for all!

Basically, by the time Christmas hit, I felt like I'd been crawling to the finish line. The shopping and wrapping was just SO hard this year, with everyone being sick. I love the Christmas season so much, but all the joy melted into a pile of sickness. The kids didn't even get to see Santa! Oh the injustice!

On Christmas, I got only one picture, and Hunter wasn't even in it because he was sick and attached to me like a leech. It made getting anything done very hard. We went to my parents' house to celebrate with the family, and we were there briefly before coming back home with our sick kiddos. Eric had to go to work the next day, and I was really dreading doing the solo bit with the sickies. I haven't felt that depressed on Christmas in a long time!

The lone picture of Asher and Ava on Christmas

The one bright spot was that Asher and Ava loved their presents and had a fun morning. Asher was over the moon! Their excitement really made the day special.

And here we are in January, no worse for wear and mostly healthy-ish, so I'll take it. It could have been a much better Christmas, but it also could have been much worse.