WEEKEND UPDATE

I asked the kids tonight what their favorite part of our weekend was.  (Considering that A was gone all weekend and we really had no plans, I think we did pretty well!).  

Was it the sleepover in JP's room (AA and JP in their sleeping bags on the floor) that lasted thirty minutes before they both decided to bail and head for their own beds?  No.

Was it playing outside in the nearly 50 degree weather?  No.

Was it sleeping in? No. (oh, wait, that never happens!)

Was it baking cookies and getting to eat the dough (even with raw eggs)?  No.

Was it watching Santa Claus get rescued by a big fire truck on top of Old City Hall?  No.

 Was it waiting patiently for Santa to arrive with our friends?  No.

 Was it sitting on Santa's lap?  No.

 Was it making Christmas cards? No.

 Was it attending the Festival of Trees?  No.

 Was it decorating gingerbread cookies (and eating the extra frosting)?  No.

Was it being asked for an interview by the ABC News Anchor and then later seeing ourselves on the news?  YES!

GREAT AUNT N

For as long as I can remember, our Thanksgiving Day tradition has been to invade my Aunt N's house. I think I've only missed one or two Thanksgiving celebrations over the years.  It's my favorite holiday.  I LOVE the relaxed atmosphere, the potluck style DELICIOUS feast (is it okay to admit that I've never made a turkey?),  and the completely non-commercialized/non-gift precedence.  But mostly I love this holiday because it's the one time that almost ALL of us … aunts, uncles, cousins get together.  Our family has exploded over the last few years … the spouses and babies nearly outnumber the original gang.  

I didn't think twice about making the nearly 3 hour trek back any forth in one day with 3 kiddos (and without A) … how could I miss out?

 The kids played and played and played (mostly with toys that I  used to play with!)

 Even Baby J got in on the fun:

 And AA held down the fort with all of these second cousin boys.

 This first cousin photo makes me smile:

I sure hope Aunt N invites us back next year!

FIRST TOOTH

Although JP and AA didn't sprout their first teeth until after their first birthday, Baby J met another milestone on Thanksgiving day.  He's been drooling for weeks and chewing on everything; I've felt some thickening along his gums over the last week.  But today (after feeling a very painful BITE while nursing), I swept my finger along his bottom gums … and I felt a tooth!  

THANKFUL

I am so very grateful for many things … including these three little turkeys!

Happy Thanksgiving!

PRECIOUS

TIS THE SEASON

Let it be known that I've never pulled out the Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving. 

Until today.

Since A won't be home another weekend day until Mid December, we thought we'd capitalize on our family time.  Plus, the Big Kids have been begging to play with the manger scene for months.  It's just so heartwarming to see them so excited about these characters that are really meant for 1-2 year olds.  I don't want JP or AA to ever grow up and lose their innocence.

What a fun day!  We completed our decorating … except for the big Christmas tree!  We'll wait on that for now.

KELLEN

Today was cousin Kellen's FIRST birthday party!

And, boy did we celebrate!  This little guy's entrance into the world scared us all, but now he is full of life and love!  

BABY BOOT CAMP

Baby J endured a little Baby Boot Camp this week.  (That actually sounds worse than it really was!).  Although he was my first baby to sleep through the night - and so long - he's also been the most inconsistent.  For the last month or two, his sleep patterns have been unpredictable.  I tried to pinpoint what was causing him to wake 1-3 times some nights and why other nights he could go 13 hours without making a sound.  I found myself making excuses for him … he needs to poop, he ate mangoes for the first time today, he didn't get enough milk, he just had his flu shot, it's cold in his room  … sure, maybe some of these things contributed, but I finally figured out the main reason for his inconsistent sleep schedule:  he's smart.  

Perhaps I am parenting him differently than the Big Kids; I'm sure it's inevitable as he's my third.  In retrospect, I haven't held him to the same level of discipline that I did to JP or AA.  JP was on a schedule.  I mean a tight schedule.  It was easy.  There were no other kids.  If he woke up early or late in the morning, I was able to modify the rest of the day so that JP went to bed at the exact same time and he'd then wake up at the exact same time.  But with Baby J … the poor* kid (*in full sarcasm) must adapt his schedule to whatever the Big Kids are doing …. preschool pick up, drop off, soccer, dance, park trips, errands, and noise, NOISE.  So in response, I feel guilty and I comfort him the first moment I hear him squabble.  And at night.  I'd hear him make one noise, and I'd rush in to swoop him out of the crib, rock him and/or feed him back to sleep.  Easy at the time, but painful, PAINFUL in the morning before a full day of work.

So this week it was time.  When he hollered out for me on Sunday night, I just laid in bed and watched him on the baby monitor.  He wasn't crying …. he was shouting.  I knew what he was saying … Mom!  Come and get me!  I know you are out there!  You feel guilty!  I'm not in pain.  I'm not hungry.  I'm perfectly fine … but I know will come in here!  After about 10 minutes of shouting he'd stop and pick up his blanket - play with it, roll around, babble and then … shouting.  This cycled for about one hour that first night.  But I never went in.  The second night it happened on a few occasions.  But I never went in.  (Let it be known that this did not result in more sleep for me … I was still awake watching Baby J on the monitor). The third night was less.  And by Wednesday night, I never heard him.

Okay, so we're only going on a three night great sleep streak here … and really anything is possible … but I think, at least this week:

Baby Boot Camp =1; Baby J= 0.

STRONG

Not only does this lil' guy know how to crawl,

but he's pulling himself up and very interested on being upright.

BED TIME ROUTINE

No matter how exhausted I am at the end of the day, I try to pull it together for just twenty minutes more.  

 The first half of our bedtime routine … potty, jammies, brush teeth (or gums!) really challenges me (especially when A is gone!).   

 But the second half … story time and prayers really fills my soul at the end of the day!

SNOW

What?  It's snowing again?!?!

 Baby J didn't know what to think about his first* encounter with the white stuff.  

(* He was actually born during an April snowstorm, though today was the first time he actually sat in snow)

I wonder how long the Big Kids will want to help me shovel.

And, yes … I know it's horrible … but I don't have the heart to tell them to not eat the snow!

I think we're in for a long winter!

AFRAID

JP is going through a phase.  He's afraid of the dark.  And being alone.

I'm certain it stemmed from the monsters and scary costumes around Halloween.

Yet, he's becoming self aware and won't actually say that he's afraid.

JP runs into AA's room the first second he wakes up, so as to not be alone in the morning.  And at night … he sneaks out of his bed (despite being reassured that we are in the house, nothing or no one will get him, our house is very strong and sturdy, Jesus is in his heart when he is afraid, the list could go on and on). Last night after A and I turned off the TV and shut off the lights downstairs, we saw this little guy snoring on the middle step.

Good thing he didn't roll.

I hope this phase ends soon.

WINTER WONDERLAND

As I quietly tiptoed downstairs to grab a cup of coffee before the sunrise, I noticed a white cast to the ground.  Although it's only early November, I actually let out a gasp - an excited gasp - this white surprise was surely going to be magical for JP and AA.  I couldn't wait for the Big Kids to awake before I needed to leave for work.

And their reactions were just as I had hoped.  JP strolled into my bedroom first.  "Mornin' Mamma,"  he whispered.  I told him to peek outside.  Puzzled, he followed my command and shouted, "SNOW!"

And shortly thereafter, AA was instructed the same.  Her response?  "WINTER!  Now we can go Drift-Bustin'!"  (let it be known, that drift bustin' is a common word in our home- originated by Daddy referring to sledding through uncharted large snow drifts).

JP and A shoveled, built a snowman, and 

already went drift bustin'

while Baby J watched from the warm and cozy inside.