Weeks in Review ~ 11/23 & 11/30

So another 2 weeks have come and gone...But, we're just busy enough, having fun, and doing well, so that's all that matters.

Last week I went to our state Kindergarten conference on Monday and Tuesday.  I left early Monday morning to get to Richmond on time and spent both days in lots of sessions that were mostly really good.  Sherri Sloane and Jack Hartmann were our morning speakers, and I attended several sessions with them as well.  Ned treated me to a night away, so I stayed where the conference was being held.  Monday night I shopped, had dinner at Panera, and was back in my comfortable clothes by 6 p.m.  I of course squeezed in some FaceTime too.  This was my first time away from home by myself since I had kids.

The rest of the week was normal, just very busy at school.  That Friday, we thought it would be a good decision to go out to eat.  We hadn't been out in several Fridays because I was more interested in picking something up and eating in.  We picked a restaurant we know to be slow, and as they sat the pizza on the table 40 minutes later I was on my way out the door with Sam.  He was not interested in eating and had gotten very upset when I took Avery to the bathroom.  He said he was ready to go home and I was happy to oblige.  Ned and Avery finished their dinner with Mimi and Vincent.

This past week was a busy holiday week.  Avery has been working hard at Bible Zone practicing her songs for the Christmas play.  I doubt she'll be using a wand there, though.

Avery's preschool had a Thanksgiving feast Tuesday at lunch.  I was unable to attend with it being a day before a holiday and since I'm trying to save days for Disney.  Ned went and had lunch with Avery, who was proudly in costume.

Ned was very willing to help decorate this year, so we did the Santas Tuesday night, set the trees up Wednesday night, and decorated them Thursday.  Last year I felt like I decorated all season, so I'm at least off to a better start.

We had our first Thanksgiving feast Wednesday night at Ned's parents' house.  Everyone behaved, no one was hurt, and nothing was broken, so it goes down as a win in my book.  On Thursday night we traveled to my dad's sister's house.  I was nervous that my mom would decide she didn't want to go since getting out and being around a lot of people still makes her uneasy.  They came though and we had a great, boisterous night.

Ned hunted most of the day Friday.  I got busy shopping via the Internet that morning and finished the Santa shopping.  We ventured out to the kids' Sunday School teacher's store for some bows and new garland.  I lost a few years off of my life trying to keep Avery still and navigate Sam's stroller in a very full little store.  Sam was also letting us know he wasn't having any fun.  Other than that, we stayed home and the kids played together very well.  I fed the kids early and Ned brought home Chinese for the two of us.

Saturday was a special day.  After Ned hunted in the morning, Mimi and her friend Nan came to keep Sam, and we took Avery to lunch at Panera and to see Frozen.  This was Avery's first theater experience, and she was just the right age.  She had lots of questions about the "commercials" (previews) but was pretty quiet through the movie unless there was something funny.

We got home about 5 p.m. and gathered up some odds and ends for dinner since I haven't been to the store.  Sam has a cough and congestion with a little fever.  I'm praying for a silent night.  We welcome December tomorrow, my most favorite month.  We have so much to look forward to, and while I do it with a little apprehension in my heart after last holiday season, I know there are wonderful things ahead....and what seems like less time to enjoy with the late Thanksgiving!  I'm being very intentional with my time this month so that I can enjoy every last minute.

Catching Up

Popping back in to catch up on all that we've been up to since the week of Halloween.  Yikes!  I've never been that behind before, although I did blog about Halloween and do Sam's 20 month post.

In those weeks, we've celebrated Austyn's and Kellan's birthday, bringing out total birthday celebration in about a month to 4, and there was one party we didn't attend.  Thank goodness for so many friends!

We carved pumpkins and enjoyed the fall weather.

The fall weather gave Sam croup, which of course was nothing but a fever until he left the doctor.  A quick call to the on-call pediatrician at 8:30 p.m. plus a check-in with our pediatrician confirmed my diagnosis and provided steroids for Sam.  He was up every 45 minutes or so until midnight, when I gave him his pacifier, helping him to sleep all night.  After our scare last year, croup is a bad word to me, and I think Sam got more sleep than I did in the guest room across the hall.  His croup cough disappeared quickly but left a congested cough and fever that kept him home for a full week.

This past week, something was going on as well, as he was fussy at bedtime and waking early in the morning., then had a very fussy day for Jennifer on Wednesday.  I took him to the doctor Thursday (3rd visit in a week and a half) expecting and ear infection, but everything was clear.  The doctor and I then suspected possible molars and almost 2 itis.  I think the latter proved true as Sam cried for an hour at bedtime that night, was up at 9:45, then was up from 12:30-3 a.m.  This was after he had started his day at 4:30 a.m.  We let him cry and he just stood and shook the sides of his bed.  We rocked him and he would cry as soon as we stood up.  Finally we gave him the pacifier and all went to sleep.  He cried at nap time for the sitter Friday, but I think he was just totally overtired.  Bedtime Friday night was about 40 minutes of tears, but after that we were good, and that's all I'll say to not ruin tonight.

Everyone else has been doing good and doing our regular things.  I did have a nice cold/laryngitis thing going on the same day we had conferences from 4:00-6:30 p.m.

Yesterday I hosted my Premier Jewelry party after rescheduling when Ned was sick.  We had a fun time and I'm getting far too much in free jewelry.  Here are a few of my favorite moments from the last few weeks.  I have good intentions of getting back on track.

20 Months

Dear Sam,

You turned 20 months old on the 7th, and I'm a little late since croup got the best of you last week.  It is unbelievable that you are in the twenties for months and that in 4 short months I will have a 2-year-old. Since you've been under the weather this week, I used a few of your pictures that we did recently with Lexi.

You are a big boy.  At the doctor last week you were 27.6 pounds.  You are rapidly gaining on Avery in weight and height.  You wear 24m or 2T clothing and are still a 6.5 shoe.  We are moving to size 5 diapers.

You're still waking between 6 and 6:30 a.m., napping at 1 p.m. for 1.5 to 2 hours, and going to bed at 7 p.m.  While I'm pleased that your sleep schedule has remained the same, I am slightly sad that your eating preferences haven't changed either.  This month you even slimmed down your breakfast choices, refusing pancakes or waffles many times before settling on a Nutrigrain bar.  You continue to get what we have for dinner, but we have mainly curbed the dinnertime tears by always having a yogurt, cheese, and fruit on your plate.  Usually that's all you eat.  Obviously you are growing, and I try to be confident that they way we are handling things will one day result in you having a more varied palate.

You continue to be busy, as evident in these pictures.  You like balls and trucks, climbing, jumping, and being outside.  Avery can usually rope you into some of her playing, and while I usually don't know what y'all are doing, you both seem to.  You think you are big, and if you can do it, you think you should be doing it.  From the rock wall on the swing set to the dining room table, not much can stand in your way.  You still like to read, but you also like to watch TV.  We can't quite figure out what you're telling us, and often you need a new show every 10 minutes.  Mickey, Caillou, and Toy Story (Buh!) are always hits.

"No" and "mine" are heard frequently now, but overall (aside from the steroids and being sick) you are pretty good-natured.  You are quick to tell Avery when you do not need her love and are quick to tell Mama when you need some cuddling.  You are not a kisser or hugger unless someone asks, but you are happy to climb right into a lap to rock and snuggle.  New words are popping out all the time, and I'm amazed by all the things you're putting together in your mind these days.

Sam, you are such a joy in our lives.  You love your family and love life, and that makes every day with you wonderful and exciting.  While I'm sad that my baby boy is steadily growing bigger, I look forward to seeing what fun and adventure we find with you as a sweet little boy.  We love you to bits and pieces!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Trips and Treats

Yesterday both classes from Avery's preschool attended Farm Day, and I was lucky enough to go with them.  Farm Day is held on local farms and features booths with everything from beef cattle knowledge to bee keepers.  It is done for 3rd graders, but they let the Y preschool come and enjoy a few of the exhibits before the school kids get there.  We visited the animals, learned what comes from cows, listened to the bee keeper, and took a hayride.  It was a fun morning and so special to see Avery interacting with her friends and teachers.  I even got to take her to school, since she of course had to ride the bus on the trip.

And who could forget that yesterday was Halloween.  After a quick dinner it was time to head down the Yellow Brick Road for some trick-or-treating.  Posed pictures were hard to come by so we had some help from lollipops.  We forgot to bring Toto (Sammy dog) out for pictures.

We walked around the block in Ned's parents' neighborhood then stopped in at some of our neighbors before clicking our heels to return home.  The weather was just right for a night full of fun and treats.