Merry Christmas!

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We did! It was so much fun. We got up and everyone gathered at my mother's to open presents. We decided not to do our own Christmas here since Eli and I already knew what Brayden was getting and he's just not old enough this year to be excited. Plus I love having a big get-together. It's tons of fun to pass out the presents one-by-one and watch everyone open things. By far my favorite part about Christmas is giving gifts. I really do love it. I spend a lot of time and thought on each present and I love watching people's faces as they open their gift. This year I made a recipe box for all the adult women (and by proxy, the men) complete with over 100 recipes. They all loved it. I knitted my brother a beanie in his high school's colors - blue and gold - and had it say Panthers across the front. I put bricks in the box with it to throw him off. It was really fun to watch his face when he went to pick it up! For my sister, I am arranging a Glamour Shots-style photo shoot with my father-in-law. She found the pictures from the Glamour Shots Mom and I did ten years ago and wanted her own.
My great-grandmother came back this year to give a gift from Beyond. She does that every few years. There is this beautiful, heavy glass unicorn bust nightlight that always sat on her nightstand when I was little. And all her kids and the grandkids and I slept over and fell asleep to its glow at some point when we were little. It was given to me at Christmas years ago when I was in high school. I found it in a box a few weeks ago and I don't really have anywhere to put it that's safe from destructo-baby, so I passed it on.
Brayden, of course, got positively showered with gifts, both from us and from my mother. There will be no bored baby in my house any longer! In fact, he got so many, I'm going to have to rotate them so I don't overwhelm him. But I'm really excited about all the things he got. Eli and I got some cool stuff, too. Eli got lots of books and book-related items. I guess everyone got the message he likes to read. :) I got a slowcooker and a cheese grater and a sweep & vac and a few other odds and ends. I'm really excited about the sweep & vac...now I can clean my floors while the baby is asleep! And I want to be buried with my cheese grater. Seriuosly. I'm telling you, there's a whole narrative about my trials and tribulations with cheese graters. I was given one when I got married, but I didn't really start to cook until we moved back to Mobile. Since then, I've made lots of things that required shredded cheddar cheese. This cheese grater bites. It's just a little flat grater on a handle and was really meant for harder cheeses...the holes are tiny! So grating cheese takes for bloody ever! I complain every time I use the dern thing. Well, my cousin got wind of my disgust for the cheese grater. She's a distributor for Pampered Chef, so she bought me their cheese grater for my last anniversary. You're thinking "how wonderful!" right? I thought so, too, until I used the thing. It's one of those kinds they use at Olive Garden to grate Parmesan onto your salad. Great for hard cheeses, but still, I complain every time I grate cheddar. It hurts your hand to use and the cheese gets stuck in the barrel and it's nigh on impossible to clean. I have grown to hate it. So I asked for a plain, old fashioned, four-sided, stand-up cheese grater. I know, it's like a $5 utensil, but you have to understand that it's just not an expense I could justify seeing as how I already had two cheese graters that by all accounts do the job necessary. (I really must get better at indulging myself in small items that will make my life easier and happier.) Anyway, long story short, I got one!!! YAY!!! I very nearly cried. Seriously. It's my favorite Christmas present! (Kind of pathetic, I know...but it makes me happy.) Erin told me that my Christmas list sucked, what with it all consisting of practical items and no fun stuff, but really, I'm just tickled pink with all my new practical gadgets. And next week, Mom is giving me the money to go out and buy my diaper bag that I've been eyeing for months! (Yet another $30 I couldn't justify spending on myself but that will make my life easier. Plus, it is too darn cute!!!)
After presents we all sat and chatted and played around until lunch was finished. My mother loves to cook and she always makes a huge Christmas dinner. This year was certainly no exception. We spent the whole day over there eating good food and goofing off. It was just a really nice day all around. I hope you all had a great day, and I was thinking about every one of you today. Merry Christmas!

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas...

...around here. I finally have all of my holiday shopping done (well, short of one present for Brayden, but that's it). And I just finished wrapping all the presents I have here at the house. I still have a couple that won't be delivered until Christmas eve. I was forced to order them since none of the stores had them in stock. Wouldn't you know it, I went out last night and they were all in stock again. So I hate that I'm paying shipping for things that I could go buy right now, but oh well. I wanted to make sure he got them. He's getting a ton of stuff. Well, a ton of stuff by our standards considering he hasn't had new toys since the few he got on his birthday, and before that, none since last Christmas. So I'm really excited to be able to get him some new things. He has been getting so frustrated around here lately. He's played with all his toys so much he's just downright bored with them. Well, he won't be bored for many months now, at least. I am amazed at how hard it is for Santa to find stocking stuffers for a toddler. I mean, I can't just fill it up with candy (although I...I mean Santa...will be supplementing with candy...I figure Mom & Dad can eat it :) ). But I managed to find several little things that should do the trick. I wish I had more money to spend on family. We only spent money on the kids. I spent time on the adults' presents. Everyone's getting the same thing and I hope they like it. Well, Brayden and I are headed out to return some things. I overspent and bought some stuff I didn't need, so it's all going back today. After that I'm putting up my tree! Yes, I'm just now putting up a tree. But I figured I'd rather have it up longer on the back end of the holiday than put it up too soon and go crazy trying to keep Brayden away from it before Christmas. That and buying late in the season means a huge discount on the price of the tree!

Goody Bag

Okay, so I've totally been ignoring my blog. But there's lots been going on around here, so I've got lots to post about. Here goes.

First and most exciting, little man is walking!!! He'll only take a couple steps at a time and then only when he's forced to, but he's doing it so well! We've only had a couple episodes where he's fallen on his knees. Now I wish I had a third hand so I could take pictures while I hold my arms out for him. Next thing I know he's going to be running around the house getting into things faster than I can clean up the last mess he made. *sigh* My little man is growing up so fast!

Brayden is also starting to night wean himself! Yay! I can't tell you how excited I am. And it's mostly excitement for myself! :) He's nursing less at night in general. And he's not needing to nurse back to sleep every time he wakes up. In fact, I find myself just snuggling him, or even rolling away all together. Sometimes that stops his squirming and lets him settle back into sleep better. And other times he needs to nurse and that's fine, too. I'm just glad he's doing it in his own time...and that that time has finally come. I can now visualize at the end of the ever shortening tunnel the day I can lay him down in his crib and know that he'll sleep there at least most of the night. Eli's about ready to throw a party to celebrate. Although I admit I'll really miss waking up in the night and seeing his sweet little head resting on my shoulder with that look of total contentment on his face. And the feel of his breath on my face. *sigh* Sometimes I think this baby thing is ending way too fast. I'm already figuring how many months/years of decent sleep I need before I can work on number 2!

On a me note, I have volunteered to coordinate our church's annual White Christmas reception. Every year about a week before Christmas we have a White Christmas program, which is always just spectacular. It's a big celebration involving all the adult, youth, and children's choirs, both adult bell choirs, a mini orchestra, and lots of scripture and Christmas carols. And following the program is always a big reception full of holiday decorations and more finger foods and sweets than you can even imagine. It always felt like a really special night to me growing up and this year I'm there to help plan it all out. We had our first logistical meeting for it this morning and I'm really excited.

I hated that I didn't make a Thanksgiving post. But I took my four day holiday and enjoyed the bejesus out of it. Both our families abandoned us this year (well, abandoned is a strong word...they just went off to Tennessee and Texas and we couldn't really afford to go I suppose, so we were left at home). So I cooked dinner for just the two-and-a-half of us. Although you would never know it by the amount of food on my table come 5 o'clock! I made ham, turkey, homemade mashed potatoes, stuffing, giblet gravy, green been casserole, Pumpkin Gooey Butter cake (OMG Amazing!), and deviled eggs and I bought a chocolate pie and a pecan pie. Needless to say I still have half of it in my fridge! I spent the whole day cooking, but it was tons of fun. I may do it again next year, but I'll be sure to have people over to enjoy it since anyone who knows us knows Eli hardly touched any of it. Brayden on the other hand had a blast! I gave him ham, stuffing, and mashed potatoes and he ate it like it was going out of style. In fact, he grabbed a huge handful of the potatoes and spent ten minutes just nibbling off it! It was too cute.

I guess there's not a whole lot else happening over here. Brayden's a little fussy after his shots on Tuesday. We're going tromping through the woods this weekend to find a Christmas tree and I'll spent the weekend decorating. And then come next Thursday, Eli reports to Biloxi for a week and a half for their ORI. Heaven help them all if they don't pass. Cause if they fail, the General doesn't get his promotion from one star to two and everyone knows that [misery] rolls downhill.

Well, that's about it. I'll make an effort to not wait so long to post again.

Zoobie Pets

So we went to Fairhope for a few hours today. We had a lot of fun walking around and going in stores. We found the seriously cutest toy store over there. It's called Fantasy Island Toys. I remember when they had a store here in Mobile many years ago. They're one of those toy stores that just has all the coolest, neatest toys. Eli and I enjoyed playing with what they had more than Brayden did. I found some really neat stuff and Brayden picked out a Christmas present for himself. But by far the coolest thing there was this thing called a Zoobie. I so have to get one for Brayden and one for every kid I know. It's a plush animal in the shape of an alligator or a hippotomus or a giraffe etc. that flattens out to make a pillow and then zips open and reveals a blanket. But it's not a tiny blanket like those things that are half blanket half animal. We're talking about a 5 foot by 3 foot blanket! How cool is that?! I'd post pictures of them, but you can't download them from the site. But here...go check it out. www.zoobiepets.com

That's One Small Step For Baby

Yes, you're hearing it here first. My baby took his first unassisted step!!! It was quick, but he did it! We were at my mom's and he was going from one couch to the other. Normally he reaches out to grab the next couch before stepping over. But this time, he took a step before he grabbed on - hands in the air! I'm so proud of him! I scooped him up and kissed him all over. I'm sure he thought I was nuts, but I don't care. Go little man!

Hoof and Mouth Disease?

So, we're a bunch of pathetic people around here. After much going back and forth (is it strep? an allergic reaction to amoxicillin?) we now know that Brayden has Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease. (Not hoof and mouth disease like my brother asked.) And guess what? I've caught it. And it's miserable. I know why the ped thought it was strep. I looked in my mouth and it's scary. I have little sores and blisters all over the place. No wonder little man had trouble sleeping. At least he's acting like he feels better. They're keeping him on the amoxil just in case, but he's smiling and playful again. Just in time for me to feel miserable. I spent all day yesterday on the couch sleeping. I just kept putting in movies for Brayden. Around 5 he finally demanded company, so I went to my mother's and let my brother and sister play with him while I curled up on their couch. The worst part of this is the headache. It's debilitating and it won't go away. Motrin will keep it down for a while, but it insists on coming back. We're just all sick and pathetic around here. I talked to my sister-in-law this morning and their whole house is sick, too. Anyway, I'm going to lay back down. I promise I'll post something more interesting next time.

Yucky pink stuff...

So, my little man is sick. He woke up at 3 this morning with a fever of 103º and it's been pretty persistent since. I finally got in to see the doctor at 5:50 this evening and found out he has strep throat. My poor baby! His throat is so raw that when she swabbed it, the swab came out with a drop of blood on it. She said it's pretty rare for a baby this young to get strep. I just feel so bad for him. He's been burning up all day. Even his toes have been hot. He was like a little heater in my bed all night last night. I hope the antibiotics clear it up soon.

Hickory Dickory Dock...

I finally got the pictures of Halloween today from Brandon. Isn't Brayden the cutest little mouse?!







And I love Eli as the Big Cheese. =) I can't believe he let me put that on him. He didn't actually wear it out of the house, but hey, at least I got cute pictures. I wish you could see his full costume. The bottom had a corner cut out to look like Brayden had nibbled off it.





Michelle and I had tons of fun doing her makeup. I wish I had gotten a good picture at the beginning of the night when her makeup was fresh. By the time this one was taken, most of her glitter had worn off.



Anyway, we had tons of fun. Brayden did really well wearing his ears. And he loved the candy he got to eat later that night.

Hotglue and Handsaws

Lots happening around here. I've finished my Halloween centerpiece for my dining room table. I got the idea from Parents magazine and they were a lot of fun to make. Here's a pic.



Aren't they too cute! And I love that they'll last longer than a carved pumpkin.

I've also been working on the nursery. I've been sitting around and waiting for the men to get it done. I'm old-fashioned in that I feel like anything that involves tools is a man's job. Well, it's been four months and I'm finally fed up with waiting. So I even though I've never done anything like this, grabbed my tape measure and my pencil and my saw and I rolled up my sleeves and I started cutting chair rail. The walls measure roughly 30 feet and I ordered 32 feet of chair rail. Everyone said I didn't have enough. That I needed EIGHT extra feet. That I would have to place an order and pay $25 for eight more feet. Well, I'd like you all to know that I cut all my chair rail and it fits perfectly and I had OVER A FOOT left over! I am all that is über! I rock! I am a carpentry god! (Can you tell I'm really proud of myself?) So here's pics of my chair rail, waiting to be hung.





I'll have this baby his own room by the weekend!

I realized that I should have added more details about Brayden's first word. Eli and I were still laying in bed and Brayden was making his way around it from one nightstand to the other, thoroughly enjoying playing with the things on them. Unfortunately, on Daddy's nightstand was a can of soda. Which, of course, little man had spilled. I pulled him away from it and wiped his hand off and proceeded to start sopping it up. When he reached out to try and play in the puddle I pushed his hand away and told him 'no, sir'. And he told me 'no'. Very breathy. I didn't even realize he had said it. It was Eli who said Brayden had said his first word. I just shrugged it off. After all, what does Eli really know? But I returned from getting Brayden clothes from the laundry room and Eli said he tried to take something from Brayden and he said it to him three times. So there it is, the story of my baby's first word. It's very cute. He says it in such a way it's almost like he doesn't even realize he's saying it.

No, Mommy!

I've become one of those parents. The ones I used to look down on when I heard them say it. And now it has happened to me. My son said his first word! YAY! But I have to say that my reaction to this glorious event is rather selfish in nature. I was hoping his first word would be Dada, or maybe Mama. But alas, this is not to be. No, Brayden's first word was 'no'. This is understandable from a logical point of view. After all, it is very much the word that he hears most. And for that, I am embarrassed. I've been working on disciplining myself to say 'not for Brayden' more and 'no' less. But hey, at least the kid is talking! This is a huge relief to Eli and me. We've been vaguely concerned about why Brayden has waited so long to talk. And he's been so into his own made-up language we thought perhaps something was wrong. Maybe he wasn't comprehending what he hears properly or perhaps not making the link between sounds he hears and sounds he makes. But this fear has now been put to rest. So I imagine I can get over my selfish need for his first word to have been something more meaningful and sentimental long enough to toss him in the air and tell him how wonderful he is and rejoice in all the excitement that should rightfully go along with such an event. My baby said his first word!!!!!