Okay, so Christmas was at least as good as I had hoped it would be. And probably a bit better.
Hmm. Yeah. Definitely better.
Christmas Eve was hectic at the beginning. Trying to get little people up and dressed while getting myself showered and dressed and at least resembling presentable. And meanwhile getting my husband up (he had worked late the night before) and getting him motivated to get himself showered and dressed. Let me tell you, it was hectic. Very hectic.
Finally sent the hubby and Evie on ahead of me and Elly. I had discovered that we were out of creamer the day before so someone needed to go by Walmart and since they were ready and Evie was anxious to get out of the house, poor Josh braved the Christmas Eve insanity. Evie, as usual, was UBER excited to be going to Walmart. She probably loved it more since it was jam packed with people.
Thirty minutes AFTER I was supposed to have left the house, Elly and I finally were loaded and in the car. Have you ever done your make up with a 10 month old on one hip trying to wrestle concealer, eye liner, mascara, toothbrush, etc. from your hands? The only thing that would distract her was my Christmas ornament earrings. Which she ripped from my ears multiple times. But if I sat her down she was crying and wailing and pulling on my pants leg. It was easier on my blood pressure to just deal with her on my hip.
So, finally in the car, finally on the way to my mom's house. We were supposed to do presents for the girls so Josh could participate and then we would have lunch. Josh had to be at work at noon. Which kinda stank. But the upside was he would be home before bedtime. So he could participate in the Christmas Eve bed time festivities.
Better late than never, we all arrived at my mom's house. Family was greeted and the girls quickly dove into opening presents. Evie was zealous. Perhaps overly so. Since she started trying to take other people's presents away and a couple of us had to be very firm with our "no." She was good at helping Elly with her presents. Though Elly was happier wrestling discarded paper and empty packaging than actually opening the rest of her stuff.
The girls got a lot of great stuff and us grown ups got some goodies as well. Josh said his goodbyes and the rest of the family sat down for lunch. Elly was entertaining. She makes eating a full-sensory experience. Like, rubbing it over her arms, sniffing it, kneading it, dropping it, brushing it into her hair, etc. as well as eating it. Evie wasn't able to sit still long enough to eat but she had some drive-by bites of ham, mashed potatoes and rolls.
After lunch was more play time for the little people. Extended family left and not long after the girls and I headed home. Getting both of them to wind down and take a nap was difficult. Very difficult. Involving some yelling and screaming and crying on the part of both parent and toddler. Finally, all little people were snoozing and I was too exhausted to do much. The holidays can really take it out of ya! But I managed to get the house cleaned back up and most of the toys and things put away. Prepared myself for round two with the girls.
After supper and playtime and baths, we put on Christmas pjs and watched all of our animated Christmas movies. The Grinch, Rudolph, Santa, Frosty and more. They were stoked when their Daddy came home and we read all the Christmas books we could find. We sat out cookies and milk for Santa, put Santa's magic key outside and Evie told Bernard (our elf) goodbye and off to bed they went.
I know in future years I will probably have to go to bed and get back up later, but for now we're safe putting Santa stuff out before we go to bed. So we brought the girls' big presents up, rearranged presents under the tree, filled their stockings and placed their Santa gifts at their doors. Then we headed to bed.
The next morning, I was the first person to wake up. I woke up a little after 7 and after lying in the bed for a little while I went ahead and got up and put cinnamon rolls in the oven. I got coffee ready and got my robe on and made sure everything was ready for breakfast. Then I went back to bed. At about a quarter til 8, Elly woke up and went and got her and brought her to bed with me. A short while later I heard Evie opening her door and jumped up to see her reaction to her stocking and her presents at her door.
At first she just stood there gaping. Then she leaned around the corner to make eye contact with me, a puzzled look on her face. I explained that was what Santa brought her and her face just lit up! She brought her present into the bed room and I got her stocking down for her. She tore into the wrapping paper and when she saw what it was her mouth just DROPPED. She was so surprised! Simply couldn't believe it!
There was the doll she had pined for!
It was Rapunzel!
Evie didn't even know what to think.
Then she was ecstatic!
"My Rapunzel doll!"
Let me tell you. It was totally worth all the aggravation of trying to get that doll.
Then she wanted to open Elly's present, but we stopped her. Not that Elly would have minded.
The girls then got everything out of their stockings. Once Elly found goldfish she was happy. But Santa gave them each a dinosaur, some books, a movie, a couple of balls, some candy, some clothes, goldfish, and some others things. Like nail polish and bath salts.
After breakfast we let them open the rest of their gifts. It was a lot of fun. Elly of course was happy after the first toy and just wanted to be left alone to play with paper and boxes. Evie on the other hand wanted to take presents away from everyone else.
All in all it was a great day! We had a lot of fun. The girls absolutely loved it. Best Christmas yet!
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Santa Claus is Coming Momma!
Everybody knows all the classic Christmas songs..."Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "Silver Bells," "White Christmas," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." We've all sung them dozens of times. Learned the lyrics when we were little and have practiced every year since.
But Christmas music takes on a whole new dimension when you have kids. Toddlers and preschoolers are very literal people. The concept of metaphors and analogies is a bit beyond their linguistic grasp. They are new to the world of pretend and imaginary. And are still getting used to all the many layers of language. If you tell them to stop having a cow, they're going to look around and tell you they don't see a cow. It can lead to some really humorous exchanges.
Well, we have been listening to Christmas music all month. But only the last couple of weeks have we been listening to radio Christmas music. I usually listen to Trans-Siberian Orchestra through the Christmas season. But Evie didn't really get much out of that. So we switched to the radio and all the 'pop' Christmas music that you can really dance and sing along with.
So there we are in the car, when the song "Santa Claus is Coming Tonight" comes on the radio. I start singing along, not really thinking about it. Then, from the backseat, Evie yells "MOMMA!"
"What baby?"
"Santa's coming!"
"What?"
"Santa's coming Momma!"
Then it clicks. Oh yeah.
"Yeah baby, he is. But not right now. He's not coming for about 12 more days."
"Oh. But...Santa's coming?"
"Yes Evie. Santa is coming. Just not today. Next weekend."
Since that day, the incident has been repeated. With different songs. Or from conversations she's overheard. I told the assistant from my eye doctor's office that I hoped she had a merry Christmas and Evie spent the next 20 minutes yelling "Merry Christmas Mommy! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas Sissy! Merry Christmas Mushu! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas Evie!" It's adorable. And pretty entertaining. I
n an attempt to correct the mistake that I made with sitting on Santa's lap (It completely escaped me that I would need to explain to Evie that little kids sit on Santa's lap to tell him what they want. Duh! Evie was happy walking up and talking to him but she totally freaked when I tried to put her on his lap. You mean kids aren't born KNOWING these things? lol) I have been going through all of our Christmas rituals step by step for her.
The ritual of setting out cookies and spreading reindeer food on the lawn. Reading Christmas stories. Talking about how Santa brings all the good boys and girls presents. Talking about how Santa will fill her stocking with goodies. We found an old skeleton key and have it hanging in the kitchen to put out on Christmas Eve. I told Evie that usually Santa comes down the chimney but since we don't have one, we will leave Santa a magic key so that he can come into our house. Of course, she REALLY wanted to put the key out right then. But I had to explain that Santa wasn't coming until Christmas Eve, so we would just wait til then. We talk about our Elf Bernard and what all he tells Santa about Evie's behavior. We talk about Jesus and his birthday and how much he loved all of us, especially little children. I hope I'm not forgetting anything.
Things have changed so much since her first Christmas. I couldn't have dreamed how much fun this would all be three years ago when I found out I was pregnant.
This morning on the way to drop the girls off at my mom's Evie heard some Christmas jingles on the radio and yelled, "Momma, Santa's coming!" And I responded with, "That's right Evie. Tomorrow night he's coming." And a look of surprise crossed her face. She doesn't necessarily get next weekend or next week. But she TOTALLY gets tomorrow. So yep. Santa Claus is coming!
Happy Christmas Eve Eve to you all!
But Christmas music takes on a whole new dimension when you have kids. Toddlers and preschoolers are very literal people. The concept of metaphors and analogies is a bit beyond their linguistic grasp. They are new to the world of pretend and imaginary. And are still getting used to all the many layers of language. If you tell them to stop having a cow, they're going to look around and tell you they don't see a cow. It can lead to some really humorous exchanges.
Well, we have been listening to Christmas music all month. But only the last couple of weeks have we been listening to radio Christmas music. I usually listen to Trans-Siberian Orchestra through the Christmas season. But Evie didn't really get much out of that. So we switched to the radio and all the 'pop' Christmas music that you can really dance and sing along with.
So there we are in the car, when the song "Santa Claus is Coming Tonight" comes on the radio. I start singing along, not really thinking about it. Then, from the backseat, Evie yells "MOMMA!"
"What baby?"
"Santa's coming!"
"What?"
"Santa's coming Momma!"
Then it clicks. Oh yeah.
"Yeah baby, he is. But not right now. He's not coming for about 12 more days."
"Oh. But...Santa's coming?"
"Yes Evie. Santa is coming. Just not today. Next weekend."
Since that day, the incident has been repeated. With different songs. Or from conversations she's overheard. I told the assistant from my eye doctor's office that I hoped she had a merry Christmas and Evie spent the next 20 minutes yelling "Merry Christmas Mommy! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas Sissy! Merry Christmas Mushu! Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas Evie!" It's adorable. And pretty entertaining. I
n an attempt to correct the mistake that I made with sitting on Santa's lap (It completely escaped me that I would need to explain to Evie that little kids sit on Santa's lap to tell him what they want. Duh! Evie was happy walking up and talking to him but she totally freaked when I tried to put her on his lap. You mean kids aren't born KNOWING these things? lol) I have been going through all of our Christmas rituals step by step for her.
The ritual of setting out cookies and spreading reindeer food on the lawn. Reading Christmas stories. Talking about how Santa brings all the good boys and girls presents. Talking about how Santa will fill her stocking with goodies. We found an old skeleton key and have it hanging in the kitchen to put out on Christmas Eve. I told Evie that usually Santa comes down the chimney but since we don't have one, we will leave Santa a magic key so that he can come into our house. Of course, she REALLY wanted to put the key out right then. But I had to explain that Santa wasn't coming until Christmas Eve, so we would just wait til then. We talk about our Elf Bernard and what all he tells Santa about Evie's behavior. We talk about Jesus and his birthday and how much he loved all of us, especially little children. I hope I'm not forgetting anything.
Things have changed so much since her first Christmas. I couldn't have dreamed how much fun this would all be three years ago when I found out I was pregnant.
This morning on the way to drop the girls off at my mom's Evie heard some Christmas jingles on the radio and yelled, "Momma, Santa's coming!" And I responded with, "That's right Evie. Tomorrow night he's coming." And a look of surprise crossed her face. She doesn't necessarily get next weekend or next week. But she TOTALLY gets tomorrow. So yep. Santa Claus is coming!
Happy Christmas Eve Eve to you all!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Teething and the Terrible Twos
No one told me that teething during the two's was about three hundred times worse than during infancy.
Of course, no one else has to deal with Evie. She takes "no pain tolerance" to a whole different level.
This has been a tough week. After going to visit my in-laws this weekend, we discovered that both girls are teething. Elly has at least four teeth coming in and Evie is apparently cutting some new molars. Oh. Joy.
Evie, despite her daredevil attitude, has absolutely no ability to tolerate pain. The least little bump or scrape and she has a meltdown. And yeah, part of that is being two. And part of that is just who she is. So all week every couple of minutes she breaks down into tears and hysterics and screams "Teeth hurt! Evie's teeth hurt!" She will wail for a minute or two and then stop and resume her normal activities. Well, Sunday and Monday nights she woke up every hour or so through the night screaming and crying about her teeth. Of course, this woke me up.
Elly also woke up intermittently, crying for a lost paci or her fuzzy blanket. Which she only really does when something else is going on like teething or if she's sick.
To top all the fun teething business off, my mom tells me on Monday that she thinks she's getting sick. Panic ensues. What on earth will we do if my mom gets sick? I mean, she watches the kids every single day while we work. Oh my gosh.
On Tuesday morning, both girls wake up with coughs and runny noses, on top of the teething. And as disappointing as it is for them to get sick at any time, the week of Christmas just seems really unfair. They were miserable and after not sleeping for several days (Elly kept me up all night on Saturday too!) I was miserable. When we left the house Tuesday morning I just cried because I felt so overwhelmed and exhausted.
My mom was feeling better Tuesday night and volunteered to keep Evie so that maybe I could get a little more sleep. As fearful as I was that it would totally backfire for all of us, I agreed. Evie went to bed early and slept pretty good at my mom's. Elly actually slept really well too. Which means that I slept really well! Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep made me a much more pleasant person to be around. Though of course the teething is on going.
A couple of nights of good rest and both babies are much better. Evie seems to be completely over the cold and her teething seems to come and go. Elly still has a runny nose but seems to be feeling okay.
I was just so unprepared for how much awful teething could be at this point. I mean, instead of crying and getting a paci and some snuggles and just going to sleep like she did when she was little, Evie screams. She asks me to make it stop hurting. She asks for Tylenol and Orajel. Even if she just had them. She looks at me with those big blue eyes, tears pouring down her cheeks, and says "Mommy, teeth hurt!" and she expects me to fix it. And really, there's not a damn thing I can do. It's a horribly heartbreaking sort of feeling. Snuggles don't mend the pain and she can't just sleep through it. As her mother, I'm supposed to take care of her and she obviously considers pain management an aspect of that care. And she acts like I am being deliberately lazy and irresponsible by not taking that pain away.
Elly cries. I give her a paci. She cries some more and I give her some Orajel. If she keeps crying, she dozes off. It's a beautiful system. One that I didn't realize that I appreciated as much as I do until I discovered it gone. A coping mechanism that babies leave behind when they become children. And evidently coping with pain isn't something a two-year-old has developed.
I'm hoping we all continue to get sleep. It's amazing how quickly your emotional state erodes once you stop sleeping. I consider myself a fairly level-headed and intelligent human being but after two nights of not sleeping I felt broken. My brain was not functioning. I felt frayed and overly emotional. Irritable, cranky and grumpy. I don't want to be feeling that way this weekend. I'm far to excited about the holiday celebrations to want them polluted by lack of sleep.
Two more nights. One more day. And we'll be officially in the Christmas weekend. I am so very excited. We're ready for Santa at my house! Here's hoping we all stay well-rested and non-snotty so we can enjoy the weekend.
Of course, no one else has to deal with Evie. She takes "no pain tolerance" to a whole different level.
This has been a tough week. After going to visit my in-laws this weekend, we discovered that both girls are teething. Elly has at least four teeth coming in and Evie is apparently cutting some new molars. Oh. Joy.
Evie, despite her daredevil attitude, has absolutely no ability to tolerate pain. The least little bump or scrape and she has a meltdown. And yeah, part of that is being two. And part of that is just who she is. So all week every couple of minutes she breaks down into tears and hysterics and screams "Teeth hurt! Evie's teeth hurt!" She will wail for a minute or two and then stop and resume her normal activities. Well, Sunday and Monday nights she woke up every hour or so through the night screaming and crying about her teeth. Of course, this woke me up.
Elly also woke up intermittently, crying for a lost paci or her fuzzy blanket. Which she only really does when something else is going on like teething or if she's sick.
To top all the fun teething business off, my mom tells me on Monday that she thinks she's getting sick. Panic ensues. What on earth will we do if my mom gets sick? I mean, she watches the kids every single day while we work. Oh my gosh.
On Tuesday morning, both girls wake up with coughs and runny noses, on top of the teething. And as disappointing as it is for them to get sick at any time, the week of Christmas just seems really unfair. They were miserable and after not sleeping for several days (Elly kept me up all night on Saturday too!) I was miserable. When we left the house Tuesday morning I just cried because I felt so overwhelmed and exhausted.
My mom was feeling better Tuesday night and volunteered to keep Evie so that maybe I could get a little more sleep. As fearful as I was that it would totally backfire for all of us, I agreed. Evie went to bed early and slept pretty good at my mom's. Elly actually slept really well too. Which means that I slept really well! Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep made me a much more pleasant person to be around. Though of course the teething is on going.
A couple of nights of good rest and both babies are much better. Evie seems to be completely over the cold and her teething seems to come and go. Elly still has a runny nose but seems to be feeling okay.
I was just so unprepared for how much awful teething could be at this point. I mean, instead of crying and getting a paci and some snuggles and just going to sleep like she did when she was little, Evie screams. She asks me to make it stop hurting. She asks for Tylenol and Orajel. Even if she just had them. She looks at me with those big blue eyes, tears pouring down her cheeks, and says "Mommy, teeth hurt!" and she expects me to fix it. And really, there's not a damn thing I can do. It's a horribly heartbreaking sort of feeling. Snuggles don't mend the pain and she can't just sleep through it. As her mother, I'm supposed to take care of her and she obviously considers pain management an aspect of that care. And she acts like I am being deliberately lazy and irresponsible by not taking that pain away.
Elly cries. I give her a paci. She cries some more and I give her some Orajel. If she keeps crying, she dozes off. It's a beautiful system. One that I didn't realize that I appreciated as much as I do until I discovered it gone. A coping mechanism that babies leave behind when they become children. And evidently coping with pain isn't something a two-year-old has developed.
I'm hoping we all continue to get sleep. It's amazing how quickly your emotional state erodes once you stop sleeping. I consider myself a fairly level-headed and intelligent human being but after two nights of not sleeping I felt broken. My brain was not functioning. I felt frayed and overly emotional. Irritable, cranky and grumpy. I don't want to be feeling that way this weekend. I'm far to excited about the holiday celebrations to want them polluted by lack of sleep.
Two more nights. One more day. And we'll be officially in the Christmas weekend. I am so very excited. We're ready for Santa at my house! Here's hoping we all stay well-rested and non-snotty so we can enjoy the weekend.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Our Christmas Disaster...Averted
I realized that I haven't blogged in a week. And when I don't blog for a few days my inner monologue gets to be a bit obnoxious. Writing out my thoughts, tapping away on the keyboard, somehow helps to flush out my brain. I sleep better. And I don't sit around gnawing over thoughts and events quite so much.
Needless to say, mentally, I really need to blog more often. So I'm sorry if I subject you, the innocent reader, to some crappy blogs. But some days I feel the need to blog even though I don't have much to blog about. Today however isn't one of those days.
I realized while I was stalking around Facebook that I have never posted anything aside from two status updates about our Christmas disaster. If you happen to be one of those weird people who manage to get by day to day without Facebook, then you might not know anything about my disaster.
Last Monday, (after my post about how in the holiday spirit I was, of course) we come home to find our Christmas tree collapsed in the floor. I had my hands full of bags and babies and Evie rushes into the living room and starts yelling "Santa's coming! Santa! Santa!" And at first, it is hilarious. No really. I laughed. Out loud. Evie probably doesn't remember last Christmas. And she certainly didn't get the whole Santa-Jesus-Christmas tree-presents thing then either way. This year she totally does. But she's a newbie to this whole thing so she will be the first to tell you that she doesn't necessarily get all the details.
She didn't know she was supposed to sit on Santa's lap (oops! my bad) so meeting Santa kinda threw her. She doesn't really understand the circumstances under which Santa arrives (we don't have a chimney and she doesn't know what a sugarplum is or why it would dance). She's never seen a reindeer nor does she remember any snowmen (be they magical talking ones or just plain stand alone ones) but she has danced around the Christmas tree. And she can tell you why we give gifts on Christmas (Jesus' birthday!) and name several of Santa's deer. This whole thing is still really new to her.
So for all Evie knew, coming home to find the Christmas tree laid out meant it was time to open presents. So Evie was excited. And her jumping up and down and running around the tree was pretty funny. Then I realized that the tree hadn't just fallen over, the tree had actually BROKEN. And I cried.
Here I was home alone with two babies, with a Christmas tree that weighs as much as me laid out across the living room, ornaments and decorations strewn everywhere, and I couldn't even pick the tree back up. What was I going to do??
Well, first I cried. Then I called my mom. Yeah. I guess you never get too old, right? My mom didn't really know what to do either. But she stayed on the phone with me while I wrestled the tree back into an upright position, straining something in my back and muttering bad words while loudly reminding my two-year-old to stay in the kitchen with her sister.
With the tree propped up in the corner, I could survey the damage. And cried again. Evie patted my shoulder, upset that I was upset. I tried to explain that I was sad because the tree was broken. She told me it would be okay. That Daddy would buy us a new one. I took a deep breath and tried to decide what to do to get us through the night at least.
Initially I thought that the tree was pretty much beyond saving. The stand itself was shattered (hence the falling). Decorations were everywhere and I figured there were several broken. Branches appeared to have broken off. More were bent and seriously disfigured. Lights were hanging helter skelter.
Did I mention that I cried? Yeah. This whole thing just broke my heart! Less than two weeks before Christmas and our tree was done. Dead. Broken and unusable. I was just so sad! Such a centerpiece in holiday festivities and our home would be without one. This year feels like the beginning of all of our Christmases. You know what I mean? This is the first year there are all four of us. Odds are good this is all of the Dowd children so this year everyone can start learning what our holiday traditions are going to be. This is when we are really starting holiday traditions as far as they're concerned. Making Jesus a birthday cake. Finding our elf every day. Writing letters to Santa. Christmas Eve at their grandparents. Spreading reindeer food. Making cookies for Santa. Waking up to all the presents on Christmas. This is the beginning of all those traditions for them. This year, it'll all be new. But in a few more years, these activities will be what they look forward to. The only way they will remember. How sad that one year we wouldn't have a tree! Elly's first Christmas and there would be no tree in the background of our pictures.
So yeah, I was upset.
As we picked up all the pieces of the tree and started gathering up all the ornaments I was relieved to learn that none of the ornaments were broken. And in fact none of the branches were broken either. All we needed was an artificial tree stand. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any of those. We checked around online and the local stores said they'd never even seen one.
Even if we wanted to buy a new one, all the local stores were pretty much down to bare pickings. I didn't really know what the best decision would be. Get a real tree? Borrow a friend's spare? Go without?
The next morning was a sad morning. We all felt really disappointed about the tree. Seemed like all four of us were grouchy and ill.
My husband made a last ditch effort to find a tree stand by checking ALL the local stores. And in a discount store that I didn't even know carried Christmas tree stuff, he found a tree stand. A durable, heavy duty tree stand for an artificial tree. An hour later he had the tree back up and all the ornaments were back on it. By the next day holiday joy had returned to our home.
So that is how our Christmas was ruined and saved...all in a 24 hour period.
So 5 days left until the OFFICIAL Christmas day. Are you ready?
Needless to say, mentally, I really need to blog more often. So I'm sorry if I subject you, the innocent reader, to some crappy blogs. But some days I feel the need to blog even though I don't have much to blog about. Today however isn't one of those days.
I realized while I was stalking around Facebook that I have never posted anything aside from two status updates about our Christmas disaster. If you happen to be one of those weird people who manage to get by day to day without Facebook, then you might not know anything about my disaster.
Last Monday, (after my post about how in the holiday spirit I was, of course) we come home to find our Christmas tree collapsed in the floor. I had my hands full of bags and babies and Evie rushes into the living room and starts yelling "Santa's coming! Santa! Santa!" And at first, it is hilarious. No really. I laughed. Out loud. Evie probably doesn't remember last Christmas. And she certainly didn't get the whole Santa-Jesus-Christmas tree-presents thing then either way. This year she totally does. But she's a newbie to this whole thing so she will be the first to tell you that she doesn't necessarily get all the details.
She didn't know she was supposed to sit on Santa's lap (oops! my bad) so meeting Santa kinda threw her. She doesn't really understand the circumstances under which Santa arrives (we don't have a chimney and she doesn't know what a sugarplum is or why it would dance). She's never seen a reindeer nor does she remember any snowmen (be they magical talking ones or just plain stand alone ones) but she has danced around the Christmas tree. And she can tell you why we give gifts on Christmas (Jesus' birthday!) and name several of Santa's deer. This whole thing is still really new to her.
So for all Evie knew, coming home to find the Christmas tree laid out meant it was time to open presents. So Evie was excited. And her jumping up and down and running around the tree was pretty funny. Then I realized that the tree hadn't just fallen over, the tree had actually BROKEN. And I cried.
Here I was home alone with two babies, with a Christmas tree that weighs as much as me laid out across the living room, ornaments and decorations strewn everywhere, and I couldn't even pick the tree back up. What was I going to do??
Well, first I cried. Then I called my mom. Yeah. I guess you never get too old, right? My mom didn't really know what to do either. But she stayed on the phone with me while I wrestled the tree back into an upright position, straining something in my back and muttering bad words while loudly reminding my two-year-old to stay in the kitchen with her sister.
With the tree propped up in the corner, I could survey the damage. And cried again. Evie patted my shoulder, upset that I was upset. I tried to explain that I was sad because the tree was broken. She told me it would be okay. That Daddy would buy us a new one. I took a deep breath and tried to decide what to do to get us through the night at least.
Initially I thought that the tree was pretty much beyond saving. The stand itself was shattered (hence the falling). Decorations were everywhere and I figured there were several broken. Branches appeared to have broken off. More were bent and seriously disfigured. Lights were hanging helter skelter.
Did I mention that I cried? Yeah. This whole thing just broke my heart! Less than two weeks before Christmas and our tree was done. Dead. Broken and unusable. I was just so sad! Such a centerpiece in holiday festivities and our home would be without one. This year feels like the beginning of all of our Christmases. You know what I mean? This is the first year there are all four of us. Odds are good this is all of the Dowd children so this year everyone can start learning what our holiday traditions are going to be. This is when we are really starting holiday traditions as far as they're concerned. Making Jesus a birthday cake. Finding our elf every day. Writing letters to Santa. Christmas Eve at their grandparents. Spreading reindeer food. Making cookies for Santa. Waking up to all the presents on Christmas. This is the beginning of all those traditions for them. This year, it'll all be new. But in a few more years, these activities will be what they look forward to. The only way they will remember. How sad that one year we wouldn't have a tree! Elly's first Christmas and there would be no tree in the background of our pictures.
So yeah, I was upset.
As we picked up all the pieces of the tree and started gathering up all the ornaments I was relieved to learn that none of the ornaments were broken. And in fact none of the branches were broken either. All we needed was an artificial tree stand. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any of those. We checked around online and the local stores said they'd never even seen one.
Even if we wanted to buy a new one, all the local stores were pretty much down to bare pickings. I didn't really know what the best decision would be. Get a real tree? Borrow a friend's spare? Go without?
The next morning was a sad morning. We all felt really disappointed about the tree. Seemed like all four of us were grouchy and ill.
My husband made a last ditch effort to find a tree stand by checking ALL the local stores. And in a discount store that I didn't even know carried Christmas tree stuff, he found a tree stand. A durable, heavy duty tree stand for an artificial tree. An hour later he had the tree back up and all the ornaments were back on it. By the next day holiday joy had returned to our home.
So that is how our Christmas was ruined and saved...all in a 24 hour period.
So 5 days left until the OFFICIAL Christmas day. Are you ready?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Totally Gettin Into the Holidays
If you know me you would probably argue that I have been into the holiday spirit for sometime now. Months even.
And you'd be correct. I have been totally obsessed with Christmas for quite awhile. I am always a little nuts for Christmas, but this year has been much more severe due to the kids. This year Evie really "gets" Christmas and that makes it so much more exciting.
But this weekend really marked the start to the holiday season for me. I mean, I've had my Christmas tree up for weeks, had the Christmas music in the car, have been watching Christmas movies, etc. But as excited as I have been about Christmas I didn't really feel like I was in the Christmas spirit. I hadn't caught myself humming Christmas music. Or been really into the Christmas movies.
This weekend that all changed.
It started Friday morning. A quick shopping trip with Evie to get some peppermint oil, Christmas ornaments and pick up the Christmas pictures. Strolling around Main Street all bundled up with Evie was just perfect. Her asking lots of questions and giggling and talking away. Then picking our Christmas ornaments, while not the cheapest endeavor (that girl has EXPENSIVE taste!), was a blast. Evie was so excited to put the new ornaments on the tree when we got home so we did that and showed off the pictures. They turned out great!
After work finished I up the Christmas cards, which isn't nearly the chore I'm always afraid it will be.
Saturday morning we had a fun family morning just hanging out around the house. We cleaned up and made a mess. Then had pizza for lunch. Then Evie and I made red and white play clay (a.k.a play dough), added peppermint oil and glitter. After naps, we packaged the peppermint play dough as gifts for each of Evie's friends. Then I let Evie use all of our cookie cutters to play with the left over play dough. Which there was a TON of. It was so much fun!
Sunday we went to see Santa and watched Christmas movies. Also we completed our annual tradition of making sugar cookies. Despite my fears, Evie did a great job with all of it. No tantrums. No screaming. No crying.
It was an awesome weekend! And I am so much into the holiday spirit now!
I'm so counting down the days until Christmas.
And Evie was so funny this morning. Listening to Christmas music on the way into work, "Santa Claus is coming to town" and Evie yells "Momma! Santa Claus is coming!"
And you'd be correct. I have been totally obsessed with Christmas for quite awhile. I am always a little nuts for Christmas, but this year has been much more severe due to the kids. This year Evie really "gets" Christmas and that makes it so much more exciting.
But this weekend really marked the start to the holiday season for me. I mean, I've had my Christmas tree up for weeks, had the Christmas music in the car, have been watching Christmas movies, etc. But as excited as I have been about Christmas I didn't really feel like I was in the Christmas spirit. I hadn't caught myself humming Christmas music. Or been really into the Christmas movies.
This weekend that all changed.
It started Friday morning. A quick shopping trip with Evie to get some peppermint oil, Christmas ornaments and pick up the Christmas pictures. Strolling around Main Street all bundled up with Evie was just perfect. Her asking lots of questions and giggling and talking away. Then picking our Christmas ornaments, while not the cheapest endeavor (that girl has EXPENSIVE taste!), was a blast. Evie was so excited to put the new ornaments on the tree when we got home so we did that and showed off the pictures. They turned out great!
After work finished I up the Christmas cards, which isn't nearly the chore I'm always afraid it will be.
Saturday morning we had a fun family morning just hanging out around the house. We cleaned up and made a mess. Then had pizza for lunch. Then Evie and I made red and white play clay (a.k.a play dough), added peppermint oil and glitter. After naps, we packaged the peppermint play dough as gifts for each of Evie's friends. Then I let Evie use all of our cookie cutters to play with the left over play dough. Which there was a TON of. It was so much fun!
Sunday we went to see Santa and watched Christmas movies. Also we completed our annual tradition of making sugar cookies. Despite my fears, Evie did a great job with all of it. No tantrums. No screaming. No crying.
It was an awesome weekend! And I am so much into the holiday spirit now!
I'm so counting down the days until Christmas.
And Evie was so funny this morning. Listening to Christmas music on the way into work, "Santa Claus is coming to town" and Evie yells "Momma! Santa Claus is coming!"
Friday, December 9, 2011
Pinterest for the Holidays
Okay, so Pinterest is like the COOLEST thing ever.
It's also awful. I repeat, awful. It is so terribly addictive!
However, it has a lot of potential to seriously enrich the lives of my children. And maybe me. I've found the best cookie recipe ever. And my children have made their very first handmade Christmas decorations. I'm currently trying to talk my mom (a.k.a their daycare) into making some more ornaments that I just found when they are there next week. Wish me luck.
Tomorrow, Evie and I have a Pinterest project planned. I plan on taking pictures and doing a post because this will be our first lil project in awhile. We're both stoked.
So, I dunno about you guys but my December has been really busy.
Have you guys been busy? The hectic busy or just plenty to do?
Mine has actually been the good kind. The no-bored-but-not-stressed kind. You know that kind? I've been doing some baking. The previously mentioned Cookie recipe was delicious and is going to be absolutely perfect for my work Christmas party (whenever that may be...probably mid January lol). I hate taking an untried recipe to a party. You never know what you might end up with.
When I was little, every year around Christmas my mom would make sugar dough cookies from scratch and roll out the dough for us to cut out cookies. I always loved the tradition and it's one I want to continue with my girls. However last year I made the from-scratch cookies, and it was a HUGE pain with a little person running around. I can't imagine doing it with TWO little people. So we're going to hold off on the from-scratch cookies and go with the recipe-in-a-bag Betty Crocker ones. Way simpler when you have impatient little helpers pulling on your pants leg. Evie will still get to cut out cookies. I have plans for laying down some wax paper on the table and letting her have at it. That event will be NEXT weekend. Probably. If tomorrow's project goes really well, it might be this weekend.
Sorry to be so secret about tomorrow's project. But it a surprise for some people who actually (reportedly, lol) read this blog! So I will have to wait a little bit before revealing tomorrow's project. Hopefully by next weekend I will get to post about it though.
I'm really done with Christmas shopping now. Stocking stuffers are packed in the closet. The last Santa gift arrived yesterday. And yes, I was FINALLY able to get Rapunzel. I cannot wait to see Evie's face when she tears open that box on Christmas morning! It will be so worth the countless hours spent scouring the internet and stalking the Disney website.
I think all of the Christmas arrangements have been finalized. As far as when we're going where and with whom. With two grandbabies we do have a little bit of negotiating power. We have finangled our way into getting Christmas Eve at my mom's house. And moved it to lunchtime to allow for happier babies and make it possible for their Daddy to be there. Though his presence may be short-lived since he will have to work. The girls will be more comfortable in the familiar location so they won't require that warming up time that is necessary if you take them to a strange house and surround them with strange people. Plus there won't be rushing home to get girls into bed. If necessary, they can nap there!
For those who don't know, usually my Christmas Eve routine is supper at my grandparents house followed by opening their presents to us. It is a blast and we get to see some family members that we don't see very often. But with the girls it was going to be difficult to get up there for supper, with their late naps. And we would have had to rush home for Elly's bottle and bed.
This will be much much easier on me. And my kids. Then Christmas Day will be at our house. My parents will probably come over and do a leftovers sort of lunch.
I'm excited. Can you tell?
So, are you ready for Christmas? What do you have left?
Wish us luck tomorrow. Any arts and crafts with a two-year-old can be touch and go.
It's also awful. I repeat, awful. It is so terribly addictive!
However, it has a lot of potential to seriously enrich the lives of my children. And maybe me. I've found the best cookie recipe ever. And my children have made their very first handmade Christmas decorations. I'm currently trying to talk my mom (a.k.a their daycare) into making some more ornaments that I just found when they are there next week. Wish me luck.
Tomorrow, Evie and I have a Pinterest project planned. I plan on taking pictures and doing a post because this will be our first lil project in awhile. We're both stoked.
So, I dunno about you guys but my December has been really busy.
Have you guys been busy? The hectic busy or just plenty to do?
Mine has actually been the good kind. The no-bored-but-not-stressed kind. You know that kind? I've been doing some baking. The previously mentioned Cookie recipe was delicious and is going to be absolutely perfect for my work Christmas party (whenever that may be...probably mid January lol). I hate taking an untried recipe to a party. You never know what you might end up with.
When I was little, every year around Christmas my mom would make sugar dough cookies from scratch and roll out the dough for us to cut out cookies. I always loved the tradition and it's one I want to continue with my girls. However last year I made the from-scratch cookies, and it was a HUGE pain with a little person running around. I can't imagine doing it with TWO little people. So we're going to hold off on the from-scratch cookies and go with the recipe-in-a-bag Betty Crocker ones. Way simpler when you have impatient little helpers pulling on your pants leg. Evie will still get to cut out cookies. I have plans for laying down some wax paper on the table and letting her have at it. That event will be NEXT weekend. Probably. If tomorrow's project goes really well, it might be this weekend.
Sorry to be so secret about tomorrow's project. But it a surprise for some people who actually (reportedly, lol) read this blog! So I will have to wait a little bit before revealing tomorrow's project. Hopefully by next weekend I will get to post about it though.
I'm really done with Christmas shopping now. Stocking stuffers are packed in the closet. The last Santa gift arrived yesterday. And yes, I was FINALLY able to get Rapunzel. I cannot wait to see Evie's face when she tears open that box on Christmas morning! It will be so worth the countless hours spent scouring the internet and stalking the Disney website.
I think all of the Christmas arrangements have been finalized. As far as when we're going where and with whom. With two grandbabies we do have a little bit of negotiating power. We have finangled our way into getting Christmas Eve at my mom's house. And moved it to lunchtime to allow for happier babies and make it possible for their Daddy to be there. Though his presence may be short-lived since he will have to work. The girls will be more comfortable in the familiar location so they won't require that warming up time that is necessary if you take them to a strange house and surround them with strange people. Plus there won't be rushing home to get girls into bed. If necessary, they can nap there!
For those who don't know, usually my Christmas Eve routine is supper at my grandparents house followed by opening their presents to us. It is a blast and we get to see some family members that we don't see very often. But with the girls it was going to be difficult to get up there for supper, with their late naps. And we would have had to rush home for Elly's bottle and bed.
This will be much much easier on me. And my kids. Then Christmas Day will be at our house. My parents will probably come over and do a leftovers sort of lunch.
I'm excited. Can you tell?
So, are you ready for Christmas? What do you have left?
Wish us luck tomorrow. Any arts and crafts with a two-year-old can be touch and go.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Thin Line
I think there is an incredibly fine line between indulging your children and spoiling them. When I was younger I scoffed at parents who got their kids sooo much stuff. Because they were so obviously just giving their kid anything and everything they asked for. The kids knew no limits. Never heard "no."
I still scoff at those parents but now that I have kids of my own I can totally understand how it's so easy to do. Getting your kids things they want is pretty difficult to resist. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't have kids how much love you feel for those lil people. But other parents totally know what I'm saying. Even when they're destroying your house and peeing in the floor and chewing on the window sills. You love your kids SOOO much. You may want to throttle them, but it's because you love them that you're able to resist.
Then when they get old enough to ask for stuff, you have this overwhelming urge to make them happy by getting them what they want. To express your love by indulging their whims. You love them and you want them to be happy. And watching their face light up when they get something they want just absolutely makes your day.
I think I do a really good job January through November as far not spoiling Evie and Elly. Typically we get them a small plush and some candy for Valentine's. They get a small gift on Easter and their Easter baskets. Birthdays are one big toy, some clothes and some books. That's it for our gift giving 11 months of the year. Evie isn't one of those kids who expects to get something every time we go into Walmart. Every once in a blue moon we see a movie that we really love and pick that up. Or a cute book. Or Carter's is having a good sale and I get them a couple of outfits.
By and large, we don't really get them a lot of toys during the year. I can't vouch for their grandparents, who have a tendency to get them little things here and there through the year of course. But isn't that what grand parents are SUPPOSED to do?
As far as Josh and I go, the kids don't get toys except on holidays. Granted, I don't think they're lacking for play things as a result. And I know as they get older and start really asking for things it will be more of a challenge.
With the exception of clothes, which were on an "as needed" basis usually, I don't remember getting things from my parents except on Christmas on birthdays. It's not that we did without or anything. And we could save up our allowances and report card money and buy things for ourselves during the year. But we didn't expect to get something for no reason during the year.
I really hope to continue that sort of thinking with my kids. I don't want them to be spoiled. I don't want them to expect something for nothing on a regular basis. But I can understand how so many parents get sucked into the cycle early on and just can't get out. And I can totally see the reasoning behind wanting to get your kids things they ask for. Especially when it starts off as a Dora movie here or a Princess doll there. Next thing you know you're in too deep and up to your eyeballs in debt trying to keep your little princess happy.
When it comes to Christmas, I'm absolutely horrible about going all out on presents. I mean, nothing ridiculous. I don't spend beyond my means or anything. But even though I said I was done Christmas shopping a month ago, I've bought a couple more things that I've come across and thought the girls would just love. Nothing over the top or outrageously priced. And not because I think they'll be devastated if they don't get it. Realistically I know Elly will be WAY more thrilled with the paper than the toys this year. But I get them toys because I really enjoy giving them things. And it's really the one time of year that I do really go all out. I mean, I'm giving them toys, but I'm also giving them both clothes that they need and books to grow their lil brains.
So that's not spoiling them...is it? Or is it?
I still scoff at those parents but now that I have kids of my own I can totally understand how it's so easy to do. Getting your kids things they want is pretty difficult to resist. It's hard to explain to someone who doesn't have kids how much love you feel for those lil people. But other parents totally know what I'm saying. Even when they're destroying your house and peeing in the floor and chewing on the window sills. You love your kids SOOO much. You may want to throttle them, but it's because you love them that you're able to resist.
Then when they get old enough to ask for stuff, you have this overwhelming urge to make them happy by getting them what they want. To express your love by indulging their whims. You love them and you want them to be happy. And watching their face light up when they get something they want just absolutely makes your day.
I think I do a really good job January through November as far not spoiling Evie and Elly. Typically we get them a small plush and some candy for Valentine's. They get a small gift on Easter and their Easter baskets. Birthdays are one big toy, some clothes and some books. That's it for our gift giving 11 months of the year. Evie isn't one of those kids who expects to get something every time we go into Walmart. Every once in a blue moon we see a movie that we really love and pick that up. Or a cute book. Or Carter's is having a good sale and I get them a couple of outfits.
By and large, we don't really get them a lot of toys during the year. I can't vouch for their grandparents, who have a tendency to get them little things here and there through the year of course. But isn't that what grand parents are SUPPOSED to do?
As far as Josh and I go, the kids don't get toys except on holidays. Granted, I don't think they're lacking for play things as a result. And I know as they get older and start really asking for things it will be more of a challenge.
With the exception of clothes, which were on an "as needed" basis usually, I don't remember getting things from my parents except on Christmas on birthdays. It's not that we did without or anything. And we could save up our allowances and report card money and buy things for ourselves during the year. But we didn't expect to get something for no reason during the year.
I really hope to continue that sort of thinking with my kids. I don't want them to be spoiled. I don't want them to expect something for nothing on a regular basis. But I can understand how so many parents get sucked into the cycle early on and just can't get out. And I can totally see the reasoning behind wanting to get your kids things they ask for. Especially when it starts off as a Dora movie here or a Princess doll there. Next thing you know you're in too deep and up to your eyeballs in debt trying to keep your little princess happy.
When it comes to Christmas, I'm absolutely horrible about going all out on presents. I mean, nothing ridiculous. I don't spend beyond my means or anything. But even though I said I was done Christmas shopping a month ago, I've bought a couple more things that I've come across and thought the girls would just love. Nothing over the top or outrageously priced. And not because I think they'll be devastated if they don't get it. Realistically I know Elly will be WAY more thrilled with the paper than the toys this year. But I get them toys because I really enjoy giving them things. And it's really the one time of year that I do really go all out. I mean, I'm giving them toys, but I'm also giving them both clothes that they need and books to grow their lil brains.
So that's not spoiling them...is it? Or is it?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Season for Giving
I have always loved Christmas. I loved all of my family's little traditions and holiday festivities. I looked forward to the holiday, not just for the presents, but for the time spent with family and being together. And of course the fabulous food!
Now that I have kids, I look forward to Christmas even more. I remember how excited my mom was about Christmas and I totally get it now. Picking out gifts for the kids and wrapping them and waiting a month (or two in my case!) for them to open them. Getting to see their excitement and wonder. It is just so much fun!
I was so excited about Christmas and so worried that I would be overwhelmed with other things that I did pretty much all of my Christmas shopping early. That worked out pretty well because there's no way that I could have time and brain power to do all that now.
Now that Elly is really, REALLY crawling I am ready to pull my hair out. She is into everything. I'm not sure what the difference is for her mentally between her scooting around on her butt and getting into stuff and crawling across the floor to get into stuff. But either way, when she was scooting around the living room she would get out toys that she found but she wasn't getting into much. Now it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with her. She's crawling down the hall and following me around the house. She's trying to climb the Christmas tree, pulling out all of my baking pans and tupperware, rearranging the kitchen furniture, dragging bath towels into the living room, pinning Evie down to steal HER toys...it's insane.
I'm loving her mobility. Not so much her new found love for destruction and danger. I guess she tries to make up for it by crawling into my lap and laying her head on my knee. That just melts my heart! It's too precious.
Either way, I'm really glad that I did all the Christmas shopping last month. I am, however, having a REALLY hard time not buying them four or five more things. I am getting ONE more thing for each of them. Because I had never really found anything that I was just in love with giving them from Santa. But now I have. So one more purchase. And of course stocking stuffers. But I've already got a decent list made for those so I'm not worried.
But I absolutely love giving gifts. If I were rich I would buy extravagant things for everyone I know. Since I'm not rich, I'm having a hard time not spoiling my kids rotten and ruining our finances. It's so hard! Especially since Evie is old enough to want things and enjoy getting stuff without being so old that she's asking for 14000 things and driving me insane about it.
When I was growing up we always got one thing from Santa and our stockings. The stockings were gifts to keep us busy until my parents got up and the present was usually one medium sized or priced item that we had really wanted. The biggest and best gifts always came from my parents. So I never had this expectation that Santa was this magical person who got me extravagant gifts just because I asked for them. He was magical, sure. And he got me cool presents, sure. But I recognized that my parents BOUGHT me the really cool stuff with money they had worked hard to earn. I really like that idea. So that's what I plan to continue on with my children.
So Evie has figured out the one thing that she NEEDS from Santa. It's so precious. We saw a commercial for the princess dolls last night and she comes up and climbs in my lap.
"Momma, Evie NEED princess. Sissy need too!"
"Well, baby, maybe you should ask for one from Santa."
"Yes, yes Momma. Need princess."
She has since specified that the Rapunzel doll is her favorite. And that Sissy wants Snow White. Though in all honesty, I like the Belle one better so it just depends on what's available. Because now that my sweet daughter has decided that she and her little sister NEED this doll, of course they're all sold out. *sigh*
So now I will spend my time stalking the Disney website. Yep. I'm one of THOSE parents now. haha.
But I'm so excited for Christmas. Even if my kids are trying to pull all my ornaments off my tree and chew on the packages. Ah well! Tis the season, right?
Now that I have kids, I look forward to Christmas even more. I remember how excited my mom was about Christmas and I totally get it now. Picking out gifts for the kids and wrapping them and waiting a month (or two in my case!) for them to open them. Getting to see their excitement and wonder. It is just so much fun!
I was so excited about Christmas and so worried that I would be overwhelmed with other things that I did pretty much all of my Christmas shopping early. That worked out pretty well because there's no way that I could have time and brain power to do all that now.
Now that Elly is really, REALLY crawling I am ready to pull my hair out. She is into everything. I'm not sure what the difference is for her mentally between her scooting around on her butt and getting into stuff and crawling across the floor to get into stuff. But either way, when she was scooting around the living room she would get out toys that she found but she wasn't getting into much. Now it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep up with her. She's crawling down the hall and following me around the house. She's trying to climb the Christmas tree, pulling out all of my baking pans and tupperware, rearranging the kitchen furniture, dragging bath towels into the living room, pinning Evie down to steal HER toys...it's insane.
I'm loving her mobility. Not so much her new found love for destruction and danger. I guess she tries to make up for it by crawling into my lap and laying her head on my knee. That just melts my heart! It's too precious.
Either way, I'm really glad that I did all the Christmas shopping last month. I am, however, having a REALLY hard time not buying them four or five more things. I am getting ONE more thing for each of them. Because I had never really found anything that I was just in love with giving them from Santa. But now I have. So one more purchase. And of course stocking stuffers. But I've already got a decent list made for those so I'm not worried.
But I absolutely love giving gifts. If I were rich I would buy extravagant things for everyone I know. Since I'm not rich, I'm having a hard time not spoiling my kids rotten and ruining our finances. It's so hard! Especially since Evie is old enough to want things and enjoy getting stuff without being so old that she's asking for 14000 things and driving me insane about it.
When I was growing up we always got one thing from Santa and our stockings. The stockings were gifts to keep us busy until my parents got up and the present was usually one medium sized or priced item that we had really wanted. The biggest and best gifts always came from my parents. So I never had this expectation that Santa was this magical person who got me extravagant gifts just because I asked for them. He was magical, sure. And he got me cool presents, sure. But I recognized that my parents BOUGHT me the really cool stuff with money they had worked hard to earn. I really like that idea. So that's what I plan to continue on with my children.
So Evie has figured out the one thing that she NEEDS from Santa. It's so precious. We saw a commercial for the princess dolls last night and she comes up and climbs in my lap.
"Momma, Evie NEED princess. Sissy need too!"
"Well, baby, maybe you should ask for one from Santa."
"Yes, yes Momma. Need princess."
She has since specified that the Rapunzel doll is her favorite. And that Sissy wants Snow White. Though in all honesty, I like the Belle one better so it just depends on what's available. Because now that my sweet daughter has decided that she and her little sister NEED this doll, of course they're all sold out. *sigh*
So now I will spend my time stalking the Disney website. Yep. I'm one of THOSE parents now. haha.
But I'm so excited for Christmas. Even if my kids are trying to pull all my ornaments off my tree and chew on the packages. Ah well! Tis the season, right?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Sitting here thinking, I'm trying to come up with something astounding and philosophical and beautiful to write. Something to really express the depth of gratitude and how overwhelmingly humbled I am by the multitude of things I have to be thankful for.
My two beautiful healthy little girls. Who both astound me on a daily basis. Each of them grows and changes so much. They're such wonderful and special little people. I am just amazed that I helped make them. That they're MY children. That I am THEIR mother. It's just mind blowing at times.
My job. Which I am so fortunate to have in these tough economic times. And even more fortunate that is a job that I absolutely love and which allows me to help others and give back to the community.
My house. Which isn't the biggest, newest or nicest. It's got a lot of "quirks" and "personality." But we've put a lot of time and work into it and made it our home. It keeps us warm and dry in the winter and cool in the summer. It's where my babies are growing up and becoming little girls.
My family. My friends. Who support me and love me, regardless of my flaws and faults. They laugh with me, cry with me. Listen when I need it. Give advice and condolences and help.
My husband. Who tolerates all of my quirks and my personality. Helps me out with the house and works as hard as he can to provide for us.
My co-workers. My health. My food and my clothes and my everything. I am just so blessed! And so thankful!
I hope everyone has a safe and happy and wonderful Thanksgiving!
My two beautiful healthy little girls. Who both astound me on a daily basis. Each of them grows and changes so much. They're such wonderful and special little people. I am just amazed that I helped make them. That they're MY children. That I am THEIR mother. It's just mind blowing at times.
My job. Which I am so fortunate to have in these tough economic times. And even more fortunate that is a job that I absolutely love and which allows me to help others and give back to the community.
My house. Which isn't the biggest, newest or nicest. It's got a lot of "quirks" and "personality." But we've put a lot of time and work into it and made it our home. It keeps us warm and dry in the winter and cool in the summer. It's where my babies are growing up and becoming little girls.
My family. My friends. Who support me and love me, regardless of my flaws and faults. They laugh with me, cry with me. Listen when I need it. Give advice and condolences and help.
My husband. Who tolerates all of my quirks and my personality. Helps me out with the house and works as hard as he can to provide for us.
My co-workers. My health. My food and my clothes and my everything. I am just so blessed! And so thankful!
I hope everyone has a safe and happy and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
What. A. Day.
Yesterday was an awful day.
Honestly. Like God awful. Terrible. It was such a crazy busy day at work that I spent the day feeling like I was drowning in calls. I was so exhausted when I got home.
I was really hoping that today would be better but no such luck.
I am in dire need of a hug.
And a cookie.
And a glass of wine.
Wait. Make that two glasses of wine.
The holidays bring out the worst in people. Just ask anyone in the emergency services or health care field. I'm sure hospitals experience the same amount of craziness that we do. It's crazy! So tomorrow is going to be so much worse.
I am planning on posting tomorrow, but if things are bad then this may be the last you hear from me. Well, until after the holiday.
I will be working tomorrow. Then our Thanksgiving will be on Friday. Then on Saturday my little family is driving to Boone to spend some time with my husband's family. We will be coming back Saturday night. But then we'll spend all day Sunday recuperating and it'll be back to work Monday!
Everyone be safe this weekend! Try to be nice on Friday!
Honestly. Like God awful. Terrible. It was such a crazy busy day at work that I spent the day feeling like I was drowning in calls. I was so exhausted when I got home.
I was really hoping that today would be better but no such luck.
I am in dire need of a hug.
And a cookie.
And a glass of wine.
Wait. Make that two glasses of wine.
The holidays bring out the worst in people. Just ask anyone in the emergency services or health care field. I'm sure hospitals experience the same amount of craziness that we do. It's crazy! So tomorrow is going to be so much worse.
I am planning on posting tomorrow, but if things are bad then this may be the last you hear from me. Well, until after the holiday.
I will be working tomorrow. Then our Thanksgiving will be on Friday. Then on Saturday my little family is driving to Boone to spend some time with my husband's family. We will be coming back Saturday night. But then we'll spend all day Sunday recuperating and it'll be back to work Monday!
Everyone be safe this weekend! Try to be nice on Friday!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Trick-Treat!
Halloween this year was a big success.
Evie got to really trick-or-treat for the first time. And she seemed to really get the whole concept. She would say "Trick-treat!" and hold up her bucket. Pretty simple I guess. She loved getting candy and was pretty bummed when the "more candy" part was over and it was time to take off the costume and get ready for bed.
This year Evie dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood. She loved her costume and I was really pleased by how good it looked and how well it fit. I ordered it like two months ago from the website, Costume Express. I had been warned by a friend to order a size larger than I needed in order to have a fitting costume and she was right. I originally wanted to get the girls costumes that sort of went together but I just couldn't find any that I liked that worked.
So Elly was a cat. But a really cute cat I thought! Evie liked Elly's costume too. She ran up to Sissy and patted her head and went on and on about Sissy's tail and Sissy's ears and how cute she was. Of course, Evie was even more excited to learn that Sissy couldn't eat any of her candy. More candy! Yay!
Evie and I talked a lot about Halloween before the day. I'm still disappointed that she wants nothing to do with gutting a pumpkin. But oh well. All last week, Disney and Nick were running their Halloween episodes. So Evie watched a few episodes of Dora celebrating Halloween and Mickey Mouse and Handy Manny, etc. And she and I talked about putting on costumes and going trick-or-treating. So she was ready!
Her excitement over Halloween makes me excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We've already been talking about Santa and her asking him for things that she wants. I want to order the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie to watch and talk about Thanksgiving. It might be silly, but holidays are really important to me. Ways to mark and celebrate the changing seasons, the passing years. Reasons to come together with family and participate in annual traditions. I feel like it's important to learn about all holidays. Not just ones that our family necessarily practices. Helps you to learn about different cultures and religions. Expands your horizons and exposes you to completely different ways of life and thinking.
Watching Evie and Josh trod down the road together, going door to door for "More Candy!" was absolutely adorable. This was Josh's first year getting to be home with Evie on Halloween. And he definitely enjoyed it. Keeping up with Evie and Elly next year will be interesting. I will definitely have to come up with something cute for the two of them to wear though!
Evie got to really trick-or-treat for the first time. And she seemed to really get the whole concept. She would say "Trick-treat!" and hold up her bucket. Pretty simple I guess. She loved getting candy and was pretty bummed when the "more candy" part was over and it was time to take off the costume and get ready for bed.
This year Evie dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood. She loved her costume and I was really pleased by how good it looked and how well it fit. I ordered it like two months ago from the website, Costume Express. I had been warned by a friend to order a size larger than I needed in order to have a fitting costume and she was right. I originally wanted to get the girls costumes that sort of went together but I just couldn't find any that I liked that worked.
So Elly was a cat. But a really cute cat I thought! Evie liked Elly's costume too. She ran up to Sissy and patted her head and went on and on about Sissy's tail and Sissy's ears and how cute she was. Of course, Evie was even more excited to learn that Sissy couldn't eat any of her candy. More candy! Yay!
Evie and I talked a lot about Halloween before the day. I'm still disappointed that she wants nothing to do with gutting a pumpkin. But oh well. All last week, Disney and Nick were running their Halloween episodes. So Evie watched a few episodes of Dora celebrating Halloween and Mickey Mouse and Handy Manny, etc. And she and I talked about putting on costumes and going trick-or-treating. So she was ready!
Her excitement over Halloween makes me excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We've already been talking about Santa and her asking him for things that she wants. I want to order the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving movie to watch and talk about Thanksgiving. It might be silly, but holidays are really important to me. Ways to mark and celebrate the changing seasons, the passing years. Reasons to come together with family and participate in annual traditions. I feel like it's important to learn about all holidays. Not just ones that our family necessarily practices. Helps you to learn about different cultures and religions. Expands your horizons and exposes you to completely different ways of life and thinking.
Watching Evie and Josh trod down the road together, going door to door for "More Candy!" was absolutely adorable. This was Josh's first year getting to be home with Evie on Halloween. And he definitely enjoyed it. Keeping up with Evie and Elly next year will be interesting. I will definitely have to come up with something cute for the two of them to wear though!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Seriously Sensitive to the Ick Factor
Today, we here at the Dowd household participated in that fun-filled and kinda disgusting tradition of carving pumpkins.
I was very excited...I imagined Evie digging in to the pumpkin and getting icky. In fact, I made her strip down, fearing the potential stain factor of pumpkin guts. Lemme just say that was a waste of time.
Yeah...last year, 14 month old Evie was really creeped out by the icky, sticky, stringy gunk. After sticking her hand quite briefly into her pumpkin she refused any further contact. But a year has come and gone since then. Evie has acquired all sorts of new skills and experienced a lot of things. The kid can totally get into making a mess! I really envisioned her loving gutting a pumpkin.
Apparently she just has too much of a personal attachment to the veggie.
Fortunately though, my lil punkin' headed youngin', my lil Elly-Belle got totally into the pumpkin gutting experience. She ripped goop from the insides. She chewed on the pumpkin lid. She sampled a pumpkin seed. She stretched strings of pumpkin viscera between her chubby little fingers and cackled manically. She got orange goop in her hair, on the cabinets, the trash can, Evie's hair and even MY hair.
It was a lot of fun.
Evie threw a couple of fits though. Of course. She didn't want to touch the guts. She didn't want to touch the seeds. She was mad that Sissy threw guts on her. Lots of drama, as usual.
Evie was pretty tickled by the end result.
Her face was just in complete awe when she got to see the jack-o-lanterns all lit up on the front porch after it got dark. She just loved it! On and on about her pumpkin and her sister's pumpkin.
Sissy cried when we picked all the seeds up. Cried again when I took the giant spoon we used to help scrape out the innards away from her. Chased the pan full of seeds. Then couldn't care less about the silly pumpkins once I gave her a sippy cup and a toy.
I'm still kinda bummed that Evie didn't particularly care for gutting the pumpkins. But hey, there's always next year.
I was very excited...I imagined Evie digging in to the pumpkin and getting icky. In fact, I made her strip down, fearing the potential stain factor of pumpkin guts. Lemme just say that was a waste of time.
Yeah...last year, 14 month old Evie was really creeped out by the icky, sticky, stringy gunk. After sticking her hand quite briefly into her pumpkin she refused any further contact. But a year has come and gone since then. Evie has acquired all sorts of new skills and experienced a lot of things. The kid can totally get into making a mess! I really envisioned her loving gutting a pumpkin.
Apparently she just has too much of a personal attachment to the veggie.
Fortunately though, my lil punkin' headed youngin', my lil Elly-Belle got totally into the pumpkin gutting experience. She ripped goop from the insides. She chewed on the pumpkin lid. She sampled a pumpkin seed. She stretched strings of pumpkin viscera between her chubby little fingers and cackled manically. She got orange goop in her hair, on the cabinets, the trash can, Evie's hair and even MY hair.
It was a lot of fun.
Evie threw a couple of fits though. Of course. She didn't want to touch the guts. She didn't want to touch the seeds. She was mad that Sissy threw guts on her. Lots of drama, as usual.
Evie was pretty tickled by the end result.
Her face was just in complete awe when she got to see the jack-o-lanterns all lit up on the front porch after it got dark. She just loved it! On and on about her pumpkin and her sister's pumpkin.
Sissy cried when we picked all the seeds up. Cried again when I took the giant spoon we used to help scrape out the innards away from her. Chased the pan full of seeds. Then couldn't care less about the silly pumpkins once I gave her a sippy cup and a toy.
I'm still kinda bummed that Evie didn't particularly care for gutting the pumpkins. But hey, there's always next year.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Christmas in July
Well, I have officially started Christmas shopping.
I've already gotten a couple of things for Evie. One thing for Elly. I feel bad that I don't really have much purchased for Elly yet. But I will. Trust me. I have a list made of EVERYTHING I want to get for them both. Just haven't actually gotten it all yet. I already have my budget made. I've gotten Josh's approval on all of it. All that remains is to purchase it.
And I've already ordered the clothes for the girls for Christmas. I hope Elly doesn't have a HUGE growth spurt between now and Christmas. I was kinda guessing based on her growth so far and what size Evie was in at 10 months old. Elly has stayed a little smaller than Evie so far. So unless Elly gains more than 7 lbs in less than 5 months we should be fine. Evie could wear a size 12 month up until about 12 months. Though we put her in a 12-18 month size before her first birthday and it wasn't too big by any means.
I've even ordered Evie's Halloween outfit. I know what Elly is going to be. My mom is actually making most of Elly's costume. It's going to be adorable and I'm SOOO excited.
So, you can safely say I'm ready for the end of summer. I was thinking this morning while I got the babies dressed that I wish when I stepped outside I was greeted by crisp autumn air, orange leaves and the smells of fall. But I wasn't. Instead I was greeted by hot, humid air. Ugh. Well, it won't be too much longer, I know.
I am so excited!
I've already gotten a couple of things for Evie. One thing for Elly. I feel bad that I don't really have much purchased for Elly yet. But I will. Trust me. I have a list made of EVERYTHING I want to get for them both. Just haven't actually gotten it all yet. I already have my budget made. I've gotten Josh's approval on all of it. All that remains is to purchase it.
And I've already ordered the clothes for the girls for Christmas. I hope Elly doesn't have a HUGE growth spurt between now and Christmas. I was kinda guessing based on her growth so far and what size Evie was in at 10 months old. Elly has stayed a little smaller than Evie so far. So unless Elly gains more than 7 lbs in less than 5 months we should be fine. Evie could wear a size 12 month up until about 12 months. Though we put her in a 12-18 month size before her first birthday and it wasn't too big by any means.
I've even ordered Evie's Halloween outfit. I know what Elly is going to be. My mom is actually making most of Elly's costume. It's going to be adorable and I'm SOOO excited.
So, you can safely say I'm ready for the end of summer. I was thinking this morning while I got the babies dressed that I wish when I stepped outside I was greeted by crisp autumn air, orange leaves and the smells of fall. But I wasn't. Instead I was greeted by hot, humid air. Ugh. Well, it won't be too much longer, I know.
I am so excited!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Preparing for Christmas
My husband was not in the least bit surprised when I called to tell him I had bought Evie a Christmas present. I don't think he'd be surprised if he came home tomorrow to find that the Christmas tree had already been put up. Though he would be VERY unhappy. In fact, unhappy is a serious understatement. But he wouldn't be surprised.
It's because I am an absolute NUT for Christmas.
I cannot explain exactly why, but I absolutely love the holiday. And since I've had children, my love has become a bit of an obsession. As spectacular as the holiday is, it is even more magical when you have children.
And now that I have two I feel like I really need to get started with the shopping aspect NOW.
How ridiculous right? I know. I do. But at the same time, financially speaking it will be much easier to spend $20 here or $50 there several times over the course of the next several months instead of spending a couple hundred all at once in December. And as far as time management, spreading out the shopping over several months will make it much easier as well. While I do a lot of shopping online, eliminating that pesky process of finding someone to watch the babies so I can go into a store, I do a lot of research on prices and sales and finding EXACTLY what I want to get.
And a big reason for getting it done early? I want to really SAVOR the holiday season. I know that Christmas isn't about the gifts that they get or anything else with a price tag. But I LOVE to give presents. So giving other people things is a great joy for me. And I do invest some time in figuring out exactly what I want to give everyone. So I want to get that out of the way because I want to make sure I get to spend LOTS and LOTS of time in December with family and friends. Especially my kids. Little Elly will be mobile by then. Maybe even walking. And Evie will be old enough that we can really get her into the Christmas thing. Talk to her about Jesus' birthday and Santa . We can go to Christmas plays, watch Christmas movies, read books and color pictures involving Christmas, bake cookies together and make crafts.
See, I have such high hopes and ambitions for the holiday! Is there any wonder that I'm excited 5 months early?
When I was little Christmas was always a big deal. I have always loved family get-togethers and family traditions and Christmas was kinda the only holiday that we always did the EXACT same thing every year. We always had supper at my grandparents' on Christmas Eve and then (until they passed away) lunch at my great grandparents' on Christmas Day. I loved it! My mom would make sugar cookies during the Christmas season and she always let me do the cookie cutter part and while we baked Christmas tunes would play from the stereo. We always decorated the tree as a family, listening to the same Christmas tapes every year.
And every year we would watch the same Christmas movies over and over between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. A Christmas Story. Rudolph. Frosty. It's a Wonderful Life. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Oh my gosh. I just love those movies. And of course, you don't watch those movies except for that one month of the year. It'd be weird to drag them out and watch them in February. Or August. No matter how much you like watching them, you don't really want to see them the rest of the year. Maybe because you watch them repeatedly during the holiday season. Who knows. Either way. I relished it the repeats and the all day marathons and the encore presentations.
I have such warm, fuzzy memories from the holidays of my childhood I want my children to have the same. And honestly, no other holiday means as much to me as Christmas. It's really the only one I get into and the only one I love. So of course I get excited about it. And heck, Christmas only comes once a year. This year I get to shop for THREE kids. My two girls and my wonderful nephew. Boy oh boy!
It's because I am an absolute NUT for Christmas.
I cannot explain exactly why, but I absolutely love the holiday. And since I've had children, my love has become a bit of an obsession. As spectacular as the holiday is, it is even more magical when you have children.
And now that I have two I feel like I really need to get started with the shopping aspect NOW.
How ridiculous right? I know. I do. But at the same time, financially speaking it will be much easier to spend $20 here or $50 there several times over the course of the next several months instead of spending a couple hundred all at once in December. And as far as time management, spreading out the shopping over several months will make it much easier as well. While I do a lot of shopping online, eliminating that pesky process of finding someone to watch the babies so I can go into a store, I do a lot of research on prices and sales and finding EXACTLY what I want to get.
And a big reason for getting it done early? I want to really SAVOR the holiday season. I know that Christmas isn't about the gifts that they get or anything else with a price tag. But I LOVE to give presents. So giving other people things is a great joy for me. And I do invest some time in figuring out exactly what I want to give everyone. So I want to get that out of the way because I want to make sure I get to spend LOTS and LOTS of time in December with family and friends. Especially my kids. Little Elly will be mobile by then. Maybe even walking. And Evie will be old enough that we can really get her into the Christmas thing. Talk to her about Jesus' birthday and Santa . We can go to Christmas plays, watch Christmas movies, read books and color pictures involving Christmas, bake cookies together and make crafts.
See, I have such high hopes and ambitions for the holiday! Is there any wonder that I'm excited 5 months early?
When I was little Christmas was always a big deal. I have always loved family get-togethers and family traditions and Christmas was kinda the only holiday that we always did the EXACT same thing every year. We always had supper at my grandparents' on Christmas Eve and then (until they passed away) lunch at my great grandparents' on Christmas Day. I loved it! My mom would make sugar cookies during the Christmas season and she always let me do the cookie cutter part and while we baked Christmas tunes would play from the stereo. We always decorated the tree as a family, listening to the same Christmas tapes every year.
And every year we would watch the same Christmas movies over and over between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. A Christmas Story. Rudolph. Frosty. It's a Wonderful Life. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Oh my gosh. I just love those movies. And of course, you don't watch those movies except for that one month of the year. It'd be weird to drag them out and watch them in February. Or August. No matter how much you like watching them, you don't really want to see them the rest of the year. Maybe because you watch them repeatedly during the holiday season. Who knows. Either way. I relished it the repeats and the all day marathons and the encore presentations.
I have such warm, fuzzy memories from the holidays of my childhood I want my children to have the same. And honestly, no other holiday means as much to me as Christmas. It's really the only one I get into and the only one I love. So of course I get excited about it. And heck, Christmas only comes once a year. This year I get to shop for THREE kids. My two girls and my wonderful nephew. Boy oh boy!
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