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.