...that everything clicked. Michael slept till 8:30 (ok, he woke up at 6 and ate and went right back to sleep) and Claire slept till 8:45, we all ate breakfast and went out for some shopping (basic necessities like Christmas ribbon and blue jeans) and had lunch with Daddy.
I was crossing my fingers about Michaels nap situation...I'm trying out this "he'll adapt" philosophy, and he did great falling asleep in his carseat and then sleeping for about an hour while we shopped. Claire is amazed by all the beautiful Christmas decorations up in all the stores. She's a girl after my own heart =).
So we ate the Chick-Fi-La, and then the kids played for a whole hour in the playplace. There were some really sweet little kids in there that played really well with Claire and Michael.
After that we came home and we all took naps...mine was the shortest, right at an hour. Ahhh, sweet rest!
So then, my brother, who now lives in Alabama came by and helped me cook dinner (aka cut up red and green peppers and butter the rolls) and played with the kiddo's. Adam got home late because he was bowling with his work group for a team-building. Yuck...who wants to hang out with work people on a Friday afternoon??? Anyway, Michael konked out about thirty minutes ago and Claire and Dad are singing and reading books right now, just about to call it a night.
Ever have these days, when things just seem perfect...I know, I know, knock on wood. But it just makes me so thankful for my quiet, peaceful life.
Ohh, a scavenger hunt sounds like fun! I have never been on one! I guess I will have to plan on for Jesse and Dee - when Dee can scavenge and not scamper away!
I did get those from Sally Foster - all but one of my kids were selling that I have more than enough paper and bags! I also got the black and white ones!
It was the absolute best to be able to surprise her! I think it was one of my favorite parenting moments!
I LOVE days like that! When everything runs as smooth as it possibly could and you just feel at peace and filled with happiness at life just the way it is! I am so glad you had such a wonderful day! Here's hoping you have a whole week that's just as fabulous!
Catching up---haven't spent much time on the computer lately. Cute pics below---love the comparison pics between Michael & Claire---who knew they were related ;>) Miss you all !
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I guess she's okay. No puke today, just washed the blankie and pillow again, just in case there were any lingering germies...She slept till 10:30, and has been up and happy and eating just fine ever
Aw yes the joys of Motherhood!!! And isn't it amazing how Daddies disappear when those things happen? Ben skipps town when our girls start! He has to avoid it or he's the next to go! I hope all is well now!!
Actually, Adam was the first one down to her room, and the one that was wiping the puke off her face and jammies with his bare hands...I don't think I could have stomached it without him!
^^^You are a very blessed woman with such a good husband!We are feeling much better,thanks for asking.Sounds like you are going out of town soon,have a safe trip and a good time.We'll get together soon.Love ya!
GLad that was all there was to it. K is NOT a first responder. He is a run-from-it-if-I-can-if-I-can't-I-sit-in-the-front-seat-of-the-car-not-moving-to-help-cause-if-I-move-to-help-I-may-lose-it-too kind of guy.
Poor little Claire. She was covered in it. So we had to wash her hair. And her blankie, and her pillow. All the screaming during the hair washing (due to it being almost midnight...exhaustion, scared, and not feeling well) woke Michael up. Thankfully the blankie and pillow washed and dried in record time, and she went right back to bed. Ahh, the joys of parenthood.
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The holidays (which you all know that I LOVE holidays) can be such a stressful time of year for me. I just got off the phone with a few people and am just going crazy thinking about all the places we have to be in such a short amount of time. We are planning on heading to Texas for a few days before Christmas to visit with my grandfather who is 94 years old. He has met Claire once, and this will be the first time to meet Michael. It is very important to me that we get together, I just don't know how much longer he'll be around. So anyway, throwing a trip to San Antonio into the mix, along with two sets of Adam's grandparents, both of our parents, and friends that we really want to visit with, there just isn't enough time. Don't get me wrong, getting to see all these family members is the WHOLE reason that this is my favorite time of year!!! I am such a worrier, though...about lots of things, but mostly my kids. I worry if they don't sleep well at other people's house, I worry if they miss a nap, or if they don't eat their dinner...all because I know what happens if they aren't in their routine. This is just my nature. I have ALWAYS tried to put our children first...and Adam is just the opposite...he says that they'll adapt. Ugh. How many times have we gone around about that??? So I guess we balance each other out pretty well. =)
It's just hard for me to look forward to dragging the kids all over creation and expecting them to have fun...but at the same time, I know that there will be *some* fun in the mix. Sigh.
What do you do to make the holidays a time of enjoyment, and not stress? And how do you do it without hurting anyone's feelings??? I guess that's the most important thing, we want to be everywhere, and not make anyone feel like they are less important, but somethimes, that's just life...there are things that you have to do for your family that are more important than others. Anyone feel how much I am stressing over this???
Okay, onto pictures...they always help with stress =)
Claire is really into putting her socks and shoes on "all by herself". Check out this outfit!
And this is where you can find her most days...making huge messes at her art desk. She loves to paint, glue, cut and color, and stamp...Aunt Micah would be so proud! =)
What a helper
Me and my girl
This boy...who can resist that smile?
And this is Claire at the same age...do you see a family resemblance?
His new crawling stance. He does it mostly on hard wood and tile floors, but he's starting to do it all the time. It looks ridiculous with his little hiney up in the air like that.
So sad b/c I won't let him eat the camera...
He's doing steps now...this is at the Discovery Center on Saturday and just a few minutes ago I found him on the 5th stair at home. Yikes!
This is Claire's signature face. She just cracks me up, looking so interested in what I'm doing.
Fun on the zoo animals.
And this video is kind of long, and unless you're family, you probably don't care about what is on it. It's just a glimpse of a few minutes of a night at our house. Don't feel obligated to watch it, but I promise you'll be smiling at the end if you do. And it's sideways for about half the video until I remember that I'm doing it wrong.
Haha, that video was hilarious at the end when she went down the hall with her voice about 5 octaves higher yelling for Michael. So cute! It was fun to hear your accent (you probably don't think you have one) :)
When we were little we went on trips all of the time with my parents and/or grandparents. I mean they took us all over creation and I hate to say it but Adam's right - we adjusted :) I know all kids are different but I wanted to tell you that to ease your worry maybe a little bit. I'm sure it's a struggle but you're giving them really fun memories (and those you visit, too!).
Oh, and when Caleb was little (probably around 1 or a little after) Carrie took him to a children's museum where they had steps like that. Soon after, we were all sitting in the living room and someone said "WHere's Caleb?" and I spotted him at least 8 stairs up on my parents stairs. I ran as fast as I could and grabbed him...I think all the women were in tears. Poor baby got a spanking for that but I think he learned his lesson!
HAHAHA!!! Loved it!! Those pictures are great. Sorry A isn't feeling well... I'm pretty much where you are with the holidays. From now to T-giving is pretty packed up for me. After that I thought I was doing fine, but now people are starting to ask me to commit to things and AHHH!!! I couldn't get to sleep last night worrying about all I had to do. I'm pretty much over the kid thing - it's me I worry about now ;)
There's a word I think youtwo should learn when people ask you to do something. It's a little word I like to call 'NO!' *grin*
It's pretty easy for us right now since we don't have any kids and we can just drop the dog off at my parents' on our way to Joshua's parents' house. But, I know it's going to be a pain to do the holiday traveling thing with kids. Especially when I want my kids to be able to open their Christmas presents at their own house and have their own family traditions and Joshua wants to see his parents, grandmother, and other family during the holidays. I think we might end up going round and round about that. Right now we only go one round and then I drop it because it doesn't really matter for the present time.
Cute video, by the way. Claire cleaning her shoes with a baby wipe for two whole minutes cracked me up!
I understand your worries,but,as I'm sure you can guess,I'm with Adam on this one,they will adjust.Don't feel bad about turning some down,no matter how hard you try,you are never going to please everyone.You should enjoy yourself during the holidays not stress over them.On that note,we really,really,really miss you guys.Hope Adam feels better.P.S. don't stress about us missing you,we love you all so much.
Had a comment typed... but i logged out - after being interupted several times. Now it's gone. Short and sweet - kids will adjust. Mom will have the hardest time with the traveling, cause you are the glue that holds the fam together, along with their misc toys, socks, belongings, etc, etc. Hang in there!!
I'm with Adam, the kids will adapt. Holidays are for being with family. Over the years, your kids will come away with great experiences and wonderful memories of the family holiday trips.
Claire and Michael look like TWINS at the same age! Cute!! I loved going to see my grandparents at the holidays when I was younger, it was great. Even if it did mean a 2 day car ride. :)
claire is soooooooo funny.... i just can not believe that micheal is going up stairs. ughhhhh he just looks so grown up. tell adam i hope he feels better. i LOVE and MISS you guys!!!!!!!:::::))))))♥
Hey - I will call you!!! And I've been traveling with kids for nearly 22 years now. That hurts just to think about!! It hit me this weekend that my kid is getting to the age where traveling is at least partially fun again. Ems and I have had some good times this year traveling. Well, some not so good times too, what with her throwing up in the car however many times!!! It will get easier - I had forgotten much easier it gets as they get older... up to a certain age anyway. Talk to you soon!!!!
My husband and I spent many years running around exhausted at the holidays trying to see every one. When the kids were born, we did that for a couple of years and then decided that we wanted our kids to have memories of Christmas at their home, too. To accommodate that we stay home on Christmas Eve and have a Christmas later with my family. His family lives in CA so that is not an issue for us right now unless they come here (which has only happened once). When we all lived in the same place we tried to alternate years for the actual days but still saw the other family either before or after. It's hard to make these decisions but sometimes you just have to do what is best for your family and ask others to help you with the adjustment! Good luck and try not to stress!
The video is cute! I have to say that you sound a lot like me! My daughter's name is Claire and my kids are close in age, too. There are so many videos of them where I'm talking to them. I don't hear an accent at all!
Yes, that is so true. I'm worried about me - that I'll kill the kids when they start acting like b-r-a-t-s after being spoiled rotten, had no sleep, and have eaten all the candy they want for two weeks straight.
UGH!!! NOTHING like it. Hope she is feeling better today. That stuff must be making its rounds South to North. Makes me want to stay in and keep Ems home.
We just had to pick my Claire up from school - feeling sick to the stomach. Nothing has come of it yet and hope it doesn't! Her birthday is this weekend and that would just stink!
Ugh, throwng up is the WORST! So sorry. Is she still sick, or was it just a one time deal? Hope she's feeling better and that the rest of you stay well. Miss you!
Hey. I get so terribly stressed with the holidays too. So... my Monday Night Bible study group is doing a new study called Can Martha Have a Mary Christmas? Clever, no? Anyways, it's at my house on monday nights from 6-7:30 and I'd love for you to come down. It's all about putting Jesus back as the main focus of Christmas and having are Martha selves calm down a bit. It'll be fun fun fun. Plus, you can see the inside of my never clean house!:) -Jill
that Michael was a better sleeper, but I'm thankful for his sweet disposition when he is awake.
that my best friends lived closer so they could watch my children grow up and I theirs, but I'm thankful that my parents and in-laws can.
that I would remember to avoid Kroger on Wednesdays because it's Senior Discount Days, but I'm thankful they give you free cookies to keep your two year old happy when she'e tired and hungry and you have GOT to get some shopping done.
that I could afford to shop at White House|Black Market, but I'm thankful for NY&Co, especially when they have a full 60% off rack
that time didn't fly by so quickly, but I'm thankful when the day is over and the house is quiet and I get to lay my head down.
John McCain were our Pres-elect, but I'm thankful for our wonderful Country.
After I left Kroger today, I decided to eat my lunch (I bought a deli sandwich and potato wedges) driving around in the car. I knew that as soon as I got home, M would want to nurse, and Claire would be a little grump, so I decided to take the "scenic" route home from Kroger and enjoy a peaceful lunch in the car =)
Probably only one more day of 70 degree weather...we've been at the park ALL morning, and probably heading there tomorrow. Join me if you want =)!
So you're no "Obama Mama" either ;>) The park sounded wonderful----I took the boys, snot and all, to the back of the backyard to sit/lay in the grass and watch the leaves fall all around. It is beautiful. And ditto that first comment with Ben.
I feel the same way about the first part of the second wish!
I think I'm going to have to try shopping at NY&Co...I ended up wearing those pants on Halloween and I liked being able to fit into that size again!
I wish I could give that Claire a big thank you hug for her birthday song, but I'm thankful that she sent me a video so I can watch it over and over and over again. Thank you so much!! It made my day.
I guess it's a good thing that is a Halloween shirt. We won't need it until the next little one! We'll get them the next time we see you. I still have your sandals that you left here last time. We'll have to get together and trade.
How did I miss this post?!? Probably came over and when I saw there weren't any pics, didn't read - ha! True, true. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't think how much fun our kiddos would be having if we hadn't ruined it all =(. And yes, Wed at Kroger is awful. I made that mistake more than a few times. Were they playing Bingo? Do I need to say that I'm lovin' the cold weather? I'm so ready to decorate for X-mas!! (for the first time in three years!)
