Week in Review ~ 12/29

Aside from Christmas, we had a pretty low-key week.  I was horrible with picture taking but made up for it with the hundreds I took Monday and Tuesday.

Avery and I went to Sunday School Sunday, then Ned and Sam joined us.  Both kids did fine in the nursery even though it was 2 dads with older kids keeping it.  That's a sure sign my big girl is growing up, seeing as she never batted an eye when we left or when she came in for the children's sermon.  We rushed home for lunch then hit the road to see Yaya.  Sam napped a little and Avery watched a movie.  She's going to love these frequent trips when Sam needs to nap, since that's the only time she gets a movie.  My mom was sleeping when we got there, and Avery really checked out her new haircut but did not seem bothered a bit.  We had a really good visit in a larger room where Avery could run around.  I was so, so happy that Sam was full of smiles for Yaya, since I didn't know if he would recognize her with short hair.  My aunt and uncle came for a visit too so we got to see them.  We left a little later than we had planned, so we ended up stopping at Panera so that Sam could eat dinner at his normal time.  No one complained about that stop.  Sam sat in a high chair for the first time and loved having access to the table.  He cried the last 20 minutes home, but that is nothing abnormal for a night ride.

You can read about our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here.

Ned was off Wednesday, and after he went hunting I went to see Mom.  They had let her sleep almost all day Tuesday since there was no therapy, and she was pretty slow.  I watched a little of some of her therapy, but she had to stop because her blood pressure was dropping.  Seeing her tired was kind of discouraging, but apparently fatigue is one of the most common symptoms post-stroke.  I left about 2 p.m., got some lunch, and headed home.  We had a regular night at home.

Thursday and Friday were very low-key days which involved staying home, lots of pajamas, and lots of playing.  I have no idea what we really did other than I was busy enjoying my time home.

Since Santa did not bring her own "iPad," Avery turned my iPad case into her own tablet.  Much cheaper and much more imagination.  I need to do some LeapPad/InnoTab investigation to see if it's something I think is worthwhile.

That imagination continued in the playroom, turning old storage bins into a train.  Poor Felix ended his ride when he started losing fur.

I had to be the caboose since, much to Avery's surprise, I didn't fit in the bins.

We met Ned at FoSho for dinner Friday night.  When I opened the door, we were informed that they were having a private party.  So, we headed across the road to Pino's and had a good dinner.  Avery wanted to ride through our old neighborhood to see the lights.  We did that and rode to the end of our street.  So many people had already taken their decorations down, so I thought it might be our last chance.  Ned and I watched The Vow after the kids went to bed.

Ned got up and hunted Saturday, and Sam slept until after 7 a.m.  Mimi came about 9:30 so that I could go visit Mom.  I had to get gas and then go to Walmart before I could even leave town, and I knew that was going to put me behind.  Halfway between gas and Walmart I remembered Sam's seat in the backseat.  Luckily it was halfway across town and not halfway to Newport News, but it was still a pain.  We keep saying it's time to order seats for him but that sealed the deal.  After all of that, I was extremely late leaving and it was raining.  I stopped for lunch and ran into three of Mom's best friends who were coming to visit.  Mom was up having her lunch when I got there and she seemed much stronger than Wednesday.  She had a good visit with her friends, and I walked with Daddy to get his lunch.  I visited some more with Mom then she took a nap, so I stayed awhile longer then left.  I had to get groceries once I got back to town, and I picked up Chinese for dinner since I was late.  It was good to be back home with everyone.  After the kids went to bed, I spent entirely too much time Googling planners.  I love my Erin Condren but it is too thick to be functional for me.  I am debating between a May Book and a momAgenda, and I just can't decide.  At one point Ned looked over and said, "Are you watching videos about planners?"  Guilty.  YouTube has some good videos if you find yourself in the same predicament.  All I know is that the new year is here, I have no planner, and something is going to be forgotten.

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning a tiny voice started calling over the monitor at 6 a.m.  She must have been concerned that Santa was still in the house {or close to her bedroom, which had been a real concern} because it was not her usual banter.  Sam surprised us by sleeping until almost 7, which was a nice treat after a late night Christmas Eve.  That's when we usually get Avery up anyway, so Ned went upstairs to feed Sam and get them up, and I got breakfast in the oven.  Then it was time to come down and see what Santa left.

Avery got a grill, dollhouse, donuts, and books.

Sam got a musical train, IncrediBlock, a push/ride puppy, and books.

Avery's stocking contained Finding Nemo, a Cinderella watch, an activity book, and candy.  Sam's had a Tiny Diner mat and new pacifiers.  A new sleep sack didn't fit.  Both stockings had an apple and an orange.

We spent awhile just playing with the toys Santa brought.

We opened stockings then enjoyed breakfast casserole and cinnamon roll cake.

After breakfast, we opened gifts from each other.  Avery was so surprised and pleased that Sam had chosen the exact phone she had picked out in the store.

Sam was excited to find that Avery had given him a remote just for him.

Then the kids opened gifts from us.  Both got ornaments and Sam got clothes.  Ned and I decided that Santa shouldn't get all the glory and chose to give Avery her Dream Lite.  What an excited little girl.

We had to run right off to my closet to check it out.

Then we noticed a note from Toes.

We took off upstairs to see what the surprise could be.

Toes and Santa brought shelves and storage baskets and must have spent lots of time cleaning and organizing.  What a treat for the whole family!

By that time it was time for Sam's nap, so Avery helped Ned and I open presents from each other.  Ned got new chest waders, a book, and K cups.  He outdid himself again for me, helping to fill my Pandora bracelet, remembering the Stella and Dot earrings I mentioned once, and working hard to find a new North Face fleece for me.  One year hopefully Ned will not ask for such big items so that he can have a few more things under the tree, but he's especially excited not to have any wet places after hunting now.

Once Sam got up from his nap, Ned's parents and his brother and girlfriend came over to exchange presents.  We hope to be back to hosting breakfast for both sets of grandparents and family next year.

The presents continued with Sam getting clothes and a farm and Avery getting Bitty's snowsuit, a Madame Alexander doll, and a Play Dough set.  Ned and I got more gifts as well.

They left before lunch, and we got busy feeding the kids.  Once everyone ate, I left to take leftovers from Christmas Eve to my dad so that he would have something better than a sandwich to eat that night.  The kids were still resting when I got home, so I was able to take a little break.  Once they got up, I made a Coca Cola cake for dinner at Ned's parents'.  We had a good dinner there, and luckily by the time Dixie knocked the main entree off the counter, we had all filled our plates.

We were home in time for normal bedtimes, and then I took on the monumental task of finding a place for all the new treasures.

It was a different Christmas for sure but was still wonderful in many ways.  I can't imagine Avery being any more excited in the years to come, but I hear that excitement only increases.  Sweet Sam will understand a little more next year as well.  Avery is already talking about Toes and Ho Ho coming back, and I may have pinned a possible gift for next year.

We hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas this year, being two weeks after my mom's stroke, was obviously very different for us.  Since we live close to each other and are close to each other, both days always involved a lot of time with my parents.  My mom is now in rehab, and while she knew it was Christmas, she didn't say a whole lot about missing it, so we decided we would visit with her the Sunday before and not put a great deal of focus on the holiday around her.  We filled the holes on Christmas Eve as best we could and had lots of time with just the four of us.

We always open presents with my parents on Christmas Eve, so that was one tradition we kept even though we were not together.  My dad insisted that we let the kids open their presents.  We took lots of video and pictures to share with them.  Avery was more than willing to help Sam with his presents.  He got a dump truck with Peek-a-Blocks and a fun ball tower.  He loves to chase balls and is even happy picking them up and dropping them repeatedly.

I knew Avery was going to be so excited about her presents, especially because we hadn't talked about it or seen pictures of it in awhile.  Her face was priceless.

My parents gave her Jake's pirate ship with all the characters.  She was in heaven.

She had picked out the ship along time ago and of course is in love with the pirate show.  They also gave her a treasure chest with coins to put in.  While she played, Sam had fun dumping the blocks out of his truck.

We decided not to attend Christmas Eve service at my hometown church and instead had dinner together at home.  We had pork loin, ranch potatoes, and asparagus.  It was a "fancy" dinner in the dining room, and the only one who made a mess was Ned.

After dinner it was time for baths and bed so that we could await the arrival of Ho Ho!

Week in Review ~ 12/22

We had a good, fairly busy week as we prepared for Christmas.  Mimi took Avery to church Sunday since Sam had to nap. I left before Avery went to church to visit with my mom. She was in good spirits and we were able to talk a lot.  I made the mistake of thinking I could run into the mall to get the kids' ornaments and something for Ned.  The mall was a madhouse, reminding me why I ordered Santa online awhile ago.  I was trying to just get out of the parking garage when I finally found a space.  I was not able to find Ned's present but did get the ornaments.  I thought I'd treat myself to an Auntie Ann's pretzel but the line was too long.  I was home in time for dinner, play time, and bed for the kids.

Monday was a regular school day with lots of excitement in the air.  Avery did not have Bible Zone, so it was nice to be home at night.

Tuesday was an easy day at school with movies and early release.  I went to my parents' once I left school and wrapped their gifts for the kids.  Luckily, my mom had that done because I knew she would be worried about that otherwise.  I picked the kids up, and we went to do Sam's 9-month portraits.  Avery just could not understand why Yaya was not there to meet us since she is usually our picture helper.  We are planning on her being back soon, though.  Pictures went well and they are super-cute as always.

Avery had a follow-up with the ENT Wednesday afternoon.  We took Sam to Jennifer's then headed to Babies R Us to fill Sam's stocking.  Avery picked out a present for Sam and picked out what she hoped Sam would get her.  That involved me hiding in the store until they had checked out so that I could purchase it.  I'm sure it will be one of the favorite gifts, along with several others that aren't really the highlights of what Santa will be bringing.  We left there and went to the mall, which was much calmer than it had been Sunday.  I tried to get the kids a few things on sale at Gymboree but didn't have much luck.  Avery got in a wave to Santa and then we had an early lunch at California Pizza Kitchen.  I was sad that their fried mac and cheese was gone, but the avocado chicken club appetizer is just as delicious.  We left the mall to have a visit with Yaya.  We have been explaining to Avery that she's in the hospital because she had a boo boo on her head.  I had been telling her that Yaya would be wearing a pirate scarf on her head, but she was actually just wearing a surgical hat.  She had been moved out of ICU Tuesday so we found her in her new room.  We had a good but quick visit.  Avery was very observant but didn't seem bothered by anything.  She noticed Mom's foot boo boo also.  The day before her stroke, she turned her foot over and ended up fracturing a bone.  After that, it was a fast stop in the ENT.  Her ears checked out perfectly so it was time to pick up Sam.

After all of that, we had Avery's dance Christmas performance.  Mimi kept Sam so we could focus just on Avery.  They showed off some of the steps they had learned and then did a little dance to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Avery has come a long way since September.

The kids and I stayed home Thursday.  I thought about running a few errands but decided staying in comfortable clothes sounded much better.  We had a really good day at home, then we were all home for dinner and some play time.

I had planned for the kids to go to Jennifer's Friday so that I could go see my mom, but we found out Thursday that she would be transferred to a rehab hospital Friday.  I had to be back home by 3 p.m., and because no one could tell us when she would be transferred, my dad told me to stay home.  Several people encouraged me to take a day "off," so Ned took the kids to Jennifer's.  I did a few things around the house and also got in some relaxing.  Ned and I had lunch at The Palm Tree, then I did a few more things at home before going to Jennifer's for the kids' Christmas party.  Avery was full of excitement when I got there, as was everyone else.  They exchanged gifts, and Avery could not have been more thrilled with her My Little Pony, even though she didn't really know what it was.   Avery and Sam had made us an apron with their hand prints, and Avery was excited about that too.  She was all excited about Santa and gave him a little wave when he came in, but she wouldn't talk to him.  I reached my party fun limit and realized I needed several more hands to get coats and shoes on and bags, kids, and gifts out the door.  Santa needed to leave about the same time, and the hallway we were in was too small for Avery and Santa.  Jennifer's half bath provided the perfect hiding spot until Santa got out the door.  We came home for Sam's dinner then met Ned at Applebee's.

Ned got up Saturday and went hunting, so I got up with the kids.  I let Avery watch the beginning of Home Alone 2 because she loves to see "Ork City" on the evening news.  We've told her that's where the Bitty store is.  Avery was interested in a lot more than just the city and would not let me turn off "Kevin."  I'm sure it's not quite appropriate at 3-years-old, but I haven't seen where she picked up anything terrible...yet.  Once Ned got home, Avery and I did some shopping at The Whimzy Tree and picked up lunch.  Sam took a good nap...Avery did not.  I made a massive Food Lion, Walmart, Cracker Barrel run and got home just in time to cook dinner.  We rode and looked at Christmas lights again after dinner then came home to get everyone into bed.