Christmas 2008

Wow. It's been a long week--good, but long. :)

Ryan was sick last week. First stomach bug of his life, and it was a doozy. He got sick Sunday, Chris got it on Monday, my mother-in-law got it Tuesday, my father-in-law got it Thursday (yep, that'd be Christmas, sick in a hotel room. Poor guy.)My parents got a mild case on Friday, then my grandparents both got it over the weekend. You might be thinking that I'm irresponsible that so many people got it. Possibly, but I promise I didn't mean to, it was just highly contagious. I mean, Chris and his mom got it from Ryan, but his dad got it from his mom...etc. OK.

We had fun with Chris' parents and seeing his brother, our sister in law and their kids. Anna-Kate especially enjoyed having so much family in town to play with her for the whole week!

Christmas day itself was wonderful (mostly). The kids woke up at normal time and Anna-Kate was WIDE EYED when she looked into the living room and saw her bike and stocking from Santa. (actually, a Barbie big wheels--it has a blinker and a little basket and a horn!). Ryan wasn't feeling amazing, so didn't care so much about his stocking and rocking horse. We had a big yummy breakfast, took pictures of the kids in their matching Christmas jammies, then began opening presents. We are so blessed by family that loves us! We were all given so many nice things. Anna-Kate's favorite's included her dress up clothes and her new doll house. She spends hours in her tu-tu playing with her new dolls in their house. Ryan's favorites are his little people train set and his new laptop. :)

On Saturday my in-laws headed back to St. Louis and we headed down to Macon to do Christmas with our extended family. It was so disappointing that Mana and Papa couldn't be there, but we had a good time seeing everyone anyway. Tonight we got together again with my grandparents who are feeling better.

Quotable from Christmas:

AK: "I Mary, Daddy Joseph, Mommy--you a sheep. Now, where's my son Jesus? Oh, excuse me sheep, I fell on you."
Her favorite thing is pretending to be the Holy family. I used to be Mary, I've been demoted to sheep. Ryan is a lamb usually. Her baby is usually baby Jesus (formerly known as "baby Kate" she keeps trying to rename baby Jesus. we are trying to not encourage that). She sometimes refers to me as sheep. Like, "sheep are you thirsty?"

I don't have pictures from Maon, or from my grandparents house tonight (I'm waiting on pictures from my Mom, and I'll post them later).

Anna-Kate on Ryan's rocking horse Christmas morning. She's trying to show him how to really jump on it:



Ryan opening his first tooth brush from his stocking:



Opening stockings--cute matching jammies: :)



Anna-Kate in her new dress up clothes:



Reading a new book with Mama:



Anna-Kate and Mimi reading a book:



Sweet Ryan trying to eat some dinner:

Christmas traditions and funnies

So this morning we embarked upon an Atlanta Christmas tradition: riding the Pink Pig at Macy's. My mom went as I child, I went as a child, and now, we took our kids. Somehow, it was way lamer this time around...but I digress, Anna-Kate had wide eyes and loved it! I documented our trip to visit the pig (not sure if the new one has a name. Since the 50's her name was Priscilla, but she was retired in 1996 to an Atlanta museum.

We waited over an hour (family with Chris' dad):



We were first to board and got to sit in front (Anna-Kate was loving all of the PINK...and OK, so was I):



Family shot on the pig (the pig you can see in the background was the orignal pig car that I rode in as a kid):



We had a great time, and are excited to be starting our own family Christmas traditions. I'll keep you posted with what else we come up with. :)

(I know you are sitting with baited breath on the edge of your seat)

***

We've been teaching Anna-Kate table manners. Like, to be excused she says, "may I be excused please, thank you for ____" (insert b'fast, lunch or dinner). So tonight she says the first part right but says....
AK: "thank you for lunch"
Me: "what meal did we just eat?"
AK: "uh-huh" (her answer when she doesn't know something)
Me: "we eat breakfast in the morning, lunch before nap and what at nighttime?"
AK: "pancakes!"
Me: "no..."
AK: "CHEERIOS!!"

***

So, Ryan's been sick. Anna-Kate is missing her friends and so asked me to invite a friend over this afternoon. I told her we couldn't because they might get Ryan's germs and get sick.
Me: "you sure dont' want your friends to come over and get sick do you?"
AK: "yes, I do want them to come over and get sick!"

Always thinking of others... :)

***

So a few minutes ago we were all playing in the family room. Chris is always making cool structures out of pillows and blankets for her to play in/hide under. So she said, "my bed is broken, fix it Mama". I didn't know she was referring to the pretend pillow bed. Once that was all sorted out, I tried my best to build a bed of pillows (though more a fort, but whatever). Anna-Kate's heart-warming response? "That's not right Mama". Ahem. I've created a monster, and she's only 2 1/2 years old...I tried again, and she repeated above statement. Then followed it up with, "daddy builds it better."

Fine, I didn't want to build a pillow fort anyway.

First hair cut and other catch-up pictures

Ryan is a champ! On Thursday we got his 9 month pictures taken (too bad he'll be 10 months tomorrow.....) and then (during his nap time) I took him to get his first hair cut. He did great! No tears, sat still and talked to me and watched Little Mermaid. (even when she did the razor!!) Super. Then we went to Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby (you know, my favorite store in the world, well, that and Target. :)). All of this, and no fussing! I love having a laid back kid!

Sitting in the car awaiting the cut:



The first cut:



The after--what a handsome little man!



I absolutely teared up when I was in there. He looks so much older with his hair cut and all of his little curls gone.

***

The other day Anna-Kate walked up to me holding the camera and said, "Mommy, you take picture of me holding Ryan". Well friends, here it is:



***

Here is a picture of the craft we did at Jesus' birthday party--Joseph, Mary and Jesus all laying in the manger :)



It's the old-school clothes pins cut in 3 lengths and with fabric glued on for clothes. The kids got to put moss in their boxes (manger) and then wrap baby Jesus in swaddling cloth (I put velcro on white fabric so they could swaddle and unswaddle--genious, right? :)

Weekend wrap-up

Well, I guess the weekend isn't technically over, but it's time for a wrap up anyway. :)

Friday we had a birthday party for Jesus. I'll post pics when I get them from my friend Andria--she always gets great pictures, and, I couldn't find my camera until the very end. The ELEVEN 2 and 3 year olds (and their younger siblings and Moms) had a great time doing a craft, eating lunch, playing and singing the birthday song to Jesus. Such a sweet time--though, I was kinda stressed out at once point. :) I'll post more about it when I get pics.

That evening we got Bruster's icecream with the Crabbs and played cards. Depressing. In our 2008 championship the girls, of late, are getting creamed. So sad. $50 "blow money" and an entire Saturday free of kid responsibility is on the line--I know I need that more than Chris. :) (though, I"m sure he would disagree).

This morning was spent monogramming for friends while Ryan napped and Anna-Kate and Chris went Christmas shopping. We grilled burgers and hotdogs with our friends Drew and Ashley (in the 70 degree Christmas weather...)then had a Christmas party with our home group from church tonight. There are so many great people in our church--and we have been blessed to have so many live close to us! What fun we had talking, eating and then ending the evening with carols, praise songs and a time of prayer. Anna-Kate had a ball playing with the other little girls her age and singing "away in the manger"--her current fav.

Tomorrow we have another birthday party for Jesus at church. Should be fun. Then, after the kids' naps, my in-laws will be here. I think after they arrive it will "feel real" that Christmas is really here and the festivities are beginning. :)

Anna-Kate's pocket

Chris: "Anna-Kate, where'd my phone go?"
AK: "It's in my pocket"
Chris: "But you don't have a pocket." (she was wearing a smocked dress)
AK: "Yes I do, in here." Then points at her crouch. Ya, she had stuck the phone in her tights and was squeezing her legs together to keep it from sliding down and out of her "pocket".

She's a resourceful one, that girl. :) Ha!

Santa Claus is coming to town, and, a funny

Here are some pictures from last weekend's visit to Santa. Our neighborhood had a breakfast with Santa. So much fun, and a lot of yummy food! Unfortunately, our girl is petrified of Santa in person. At home she talks about him, told us that she was going to ask him for a baby (that looked like her) and a Nemo fish (lucky for her, my parents just got back from a business trip in Orlando and brought her back a Nemo!). One of my best friends, Allison, was up for the weekend while her husband, Matt, was interviewing at Emory for the residence program (YAY!!).

Here is precious Ryan chillin' in Santa's lap waiting for big sister to get it together:



Here is their together shot with Santa (pitiful):



A family shot with Santa:



Our family (eating, it's what we do best--"we're eaters") with Allison:



***

We've been teaching Anna-Kate about sincere apologies. Not just saying "I'm sorry", but to include the reason she is sorry, and also, when someone apologizes to her to tell them they "are forgiven" (and move on...).

She and I were playing this morning and she accidently poked me in the eye. I said ouch that she had hurt me.

AK: "I sorry Mommy"
I was about to prompt her with "for what?", and to include that it was an accident, but before I could say it, she said...
AK: "But it's OK, I forgive you Mommy".

Tears. I was so tickled.

Tag (x2)

Here's my latest "tag". I tag Kelly, Jenny, and Emily(always looking for good blog fodder, right?). Choose one or both.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper unless it's an odd shaped gift. I'm also really into color coordinating so everything looks good under the tree. And, of course, big bows. :)

2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake. I like my tree to look perfect, and perfection doesn't shed needles. Also, I like bending my branches to perfectly accomodate my ornaments.

3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Early January. What? I love Christmas.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes! Especially with nutmeg.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My first American girl doll.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My in-laws.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Anna-Kate--I want to buy her everything!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. This is a tradition that should not ever be replaced by technology.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A cat shaped door holder (to keep the door from closing). I was like 12.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Probably during the summer....when I see a good gift I go ahead a buy it. I like being done with gifts wrapped by Thanksgiving so my tree looks pretty and I get to enjoy December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm not gonna deny it, though I can't think of something off the top of my head.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Japanese fruit cake

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, small white ones.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "O Holy Night" or "What child is this" if we are talking carols.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We have always traveled but this year we are staying home to begin our own traditions. I AM SO EXCITED to host!!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think so?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. It's gold.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commercialism. People being so stressed they can't enjoy Christmas.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I am blessed with many beautiful ornaments that have been given to me over my life time. Current colors are a deep red and gold for manel/tree skirt etc.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Sweet potatos, rolls, green beans, either ham or a tenderloin, JAPANESE FRUIT CAKE. (a Southern tradition that I LOVE).

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Money for new clothes. I have nothing that fits me.

****

Five names you go by:
1. Janelle
2. Mommy
3. Ma-ma
4. Babe
5. J

Three things you are wearing right now…not necessarily in any order
1. turtleneck
2. necklace
3. jeans

Two things you want very badly at the moment.
1. a nap
2. more hershey's with caramel in the middle (YUM).

Two things you did last night:
1. Beat the boys in some cards with my partner, Leigh-Ann
2. Ate yummy pizza at St. Angelo's

Two things you ate today
1. a turkey dog with mustard
2. Umm, hershey's with caramel (YUM). :)

Two people you last talked to on the phone
1. Ashley
2. Wendi (YAY FOR BABY!!)

Two things you are going to do tomorrow
1. Take Anna-Kate to MMO
2. Bake for bunco and our party over the weekend.

Three of your favorite beverages:
1. water
2. wine
3. diet dr. pepper

Bath time

I love bathtime. Honestly, usually because it's 20 minutes where Chris has both of the kids. But, last night I was bathing the kids....

Anna-Kate had a booger hanging from her nose so she wiped her nose and then put her hand in the water (so it floats away...)

AK: "OH NO! My booger, it's gone!"
Me: "It's ok, we're getting out now."
AK: "Come back booger, come back! Please come back booger?"

Can I file this under "things I thought I'd never hear"?

Eyes

The window to the soul....and yet, for my boy, often clouded by tears that just won't drain. My poor Ryan-boy.

Today, Chris came with me, and we took Ryan to the opthamologist about his clogged tear duct. Basically, most of the time it unclogs itself by 6 months, but his hasn't. (Actually, at 4 months it went away in both eyes, but at 6 months came back in only his right eyt). Soooo. The doctor said that's definately what it is, and that it will require surgery to fix it.

[In my head: "WHAT??? SURGERY ON MY LITTLE BABY...HE'LL BE PUT TO SLEEP?!?!?!?!ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!].

In reality I said, "so it won't fix itself?". His answer was probably not, and waiting until after their birthday is a bad thing because the effectiveness of the surgery goes down after age 1. If done before 12 months it is 90% effective, after 12 months, 60% effective. So, surgery it is--first thing in January. The real problem, apart from the constant gunk, is that the constant gunk signifies infection. Continual infection in the eye can lead to scaring.

Other than the annoyance of his eyes being dilated, he's been in good spirits today (even though we were there for 2 hours through his nap time). He is so sweet. We also found out he's a little near-sighted, but nothing they're are worried about yet. Geesh. If it's not one thing it's another....

Please pray for peace in my heart, even though I know this is "no big deal" and "so minor", I am still worried and know I will be so upset seeing him in the hospital and put under.

I've heard it before and it's so true..."To be a mother is to forever have your heart walking around outside of your body".

Holiday weekend wrap-up and catch up

So I heard there were those missing my kids' hilarious take on life. To my loyal readers, even though few post (ahem, yes, I'm talking to you)my sincerest apologies for not blogging. Thankfully, (though, I'm TIRED!) I've been swamped with business and that, coupled with the holidays has made me crazy busy!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent the whole day at my grandparents' house with the whole family and ate great food. A perfect holiday. Not only did we not have to travel out of town, I didn't even have to clean my house. How much better can it get? :) And, as I've been totally slack on posting, (ahem)I never got around to listing the things I"m thankful for. Obvious would be my family...both my husband and kids as well as our extended family. As well would be the Lord for providing for me in so many ways and the daily blessings He bestows.

***

Out of the blue Anna-Kate walked up to me today and said, "Mommy. That sweater is sooo cute on you". "Why, thank you", I responded. "Oh, you welcome Mommy". Seriously? Sounds like I'm talking to a peer. Ha! That kid cracks me up.

When she fell down after running in circles around the house, instead of crying she said, "I fell Mommy. That such a bummer."

We've been teaching Anna-Kate not to flip out if someone takes something or does something ugly to her, but to say "No thank-you", "I'm playing with it right now you can have a turn in a minute", or something of the like. So Ryan's new thing is pulling her hair (Not that it's OK, but it's where we're at.) His favorite time to pull her hair is when they are strapped in next to each other in the "buggy car" at Publix. So today I hear, "No thank you. NO THANK YOU RYAN. It's my hair right now". Classic.

***

Ryan is up on all fours crawling now. He is a man with a mission....and that mission would be to change locations as often as possible, you know, keep me guessing. His favorite place to go, you may be wondering? Ahh, Copper's pillow under the end table. Of course. The most disgusting thing that leaves my precious boy covered in dog hair. Super.

As much as he loves his new-found freedom of crawling, he prefers walking. Preferably holding my fingers, but almost as good is cruising alone. He's getting pretty quick. So here's a question. What do you do when they both start going in two different directions? Hmmm. I guess use Super-Mommy-Power to, in a split second, decide who needs help most and first. Ahh, the challenges. :)

***

Ryan's 9 month well baby appt was today. While his head is growing nicely (in the 97%, seriously??), he has lost a little weight and dropped into just under the 25%. Now, I know Chris and I aren't huge people, but we also aren't 25%'ers either. :) His doctor is making us come back in a few weeks for a weight check to see if this is his new percentile, or if he keeps dropping weight. Why is it never me who gets told to gain weight? That'll be the day.....