In our home we have celebrated the day each year a bit differently. 2012 we had a big group of friends over and really enjoyed it. Last year we felt like a smaller group would be fun so we invited a few friends we thought might really enjoy the chance to eat borscht and planned for a group of 10. One by one through out the day all but one couple cancelled. We had mountains of food and only four people to feed. No worries, we would eat anyways. Then the clincher - I started throwing up. At first I thought it was morning sickness. And it was only an hour before dinner. I thought it was better to let our friends in on our pregnancy news than to cancel their Sunday dinner plans at the last minute so they came over, we explained why I was prone on the couch and the three of them proceeded to eat. And I threw up and threw up and threw up.
By the time they left I was really bad off and we decided a trip to the ER was needed. So we dropped Hannah off at our friends the Stucki's (thank heaven for great ward members and friends!) and made our way to the busy ER where we waited and waited. When they finally go to us I got three doses of IV nausea meds and 4 liters of fluids to stabilize my heart rate. We did get to peek at baby BeBo and all looked good so far - which was a huge relief! Hours later we return home and I head to bed to sleep off my medication. Next morning, Sasha is sick. Hannah is sick, and I am panicked. "Oh heaven help me, I hope our friends aren't sick!" I thought it was morning sickness gone awry. I had no idea we were bringing them into a flu fest. So much for good intentions.
In light of the epic failure of last year's celebration, we decided to keep it simple this year. We made crepes, invited a few good friends, and filled, rolled, ate, chatted the night away. What a pleasant difference from last year! And so this year, I can truly say Happy Ukrainian Christmas!
