All is Calm

From Our Family to Yours

Merry Christmas, blog friends!





At this time in our life, our circle of friends is evolving. In some ways I think things like Facebook, blogs, texting, etc. allows friends to be more distant, because they can see what you're doing without actually checking in. At the same time, I'm so thankful for the friends I have and can keep in touch with because of these technologies. Many are friends who I rarely see or have never met, but are nonetheless quick to use these things to show that they are connected and interested in our life.

Merry, merry to you all! Thanks for loving us!

Week in Review ~12/11

This week seemed to slow to a crawl! By Thursday I told a fellow teacher that if time moved any slower it would go backwards, and I was very afraid I'd wakeup and it would be Wednesday again. I hate to wish my time away, especially at the holidays, but the 3rd grade can be a bit trying with holiday in the air.

Time certainly didn't move slowly due to lack of things to do. I've already written about our wonderful trip to see Santa on Sunday. We had conferences Tuesday, then I rushed home so that Ned could get to city council. On Wednesday, Avery and I rode to pick up our Christmas cards. It's a long trip from school to the photographer's to home, but Avery did well on the ride. The cards turned out beautifully, and I worked on addressing them that night.

Avery and I were a little late getting home again on Thursday, which I hated because it was the third day in a row. I quickly changed, laid out Avery's things for bed, packed her bag for Friday night, and fixed her dinner. Mimi came to stay with her while Ned and I met with our architect to draw our house plans. We have no idea whether we'll use the plans in 3 months or 3 years, but we want to have everything ready when the time is right. We were both very pleased at his work and got to see plans he had done for people we knew. We were also pleased to hear that we had picked a cost-effective house to build! I'm excited to go back in a few weeks and see the plans in a little more detail than was given in the plan book. We made it home just in time to put Avery to bed, then Ned picked up a Cheesy Bites pizza for us.

Lolli picked Avery up Friday because she was spending the night with them. I had a hair appointment then got crab legs and shrimp to take home for dinner. Ned and I hadn't had crab legs since before Avery was born, because both crab legs and Avery require a lot of hands. We enjoyed our yummy dinner then rode to look at Christmas lights. While riding in Ned's parents' neighborhood, his mom stopped us because his grandparents had a kitchen fire. Ned's grandfather had been able to put it out, but Ned went in to check everything out. Even though Mimi had said the house had been filled with smoke, I was surprised at the places that you could see smoke on the walls and soot laying around. Ned's grandfather and his wife were very lucky that the fire was contained to the stove and range hood, especially since they apparently had no smoke detectors or fire extinguisher. I think firefighter Ned is going to need to remedy that. House fires are one of my biggest fear, and I may be a tad paranoid in that department.

Ned got up Saturday and went hunting, and somehow I managed to be awake before 7 am on my morning off. I may have Felix to thank for that. I refused to get up though, and enjoyed the bed to myself in a quiet house. Once I did get up I got busy with laundry and straightening things up. By the time I got ready to go to Walmart, it was raining. I always seem to need the most in bad weather, and 25 lbs of litter, rolls of wrapping paper, etc. are zero fun in a cold rain. Our little elf arrived home a little after 4 and seemed happy to see us. I fixed an enchilada ring for Avery and I because Ned was going to a friend's to eat oysters. Avery and I passed on that invitation, and then Avery passed on the enchilada ring. She spent the majority of dinner transfering her meal around her bowls, utensils, and tray. Lolli and Poppa must have worn Avery out, because she went to bed early. Ned is still gone, and I'm enjoying the end of Christmas Vacation and waiting for Frosty and It's a Wonderful Life. I am LOVING all these Christmas movies and being home in our cozy house. Perhaps I'll find some motivation to do some wrapping also.

This should be a fun week at school as long as the students don't drive me totally crazy. It will also be busy with either Ned or I gone each night of the week. Friday is a half day at school (4 1/2 day week!) and Avery has her Christmas party at Jen-Jen's that afternoon. Saturday I'll finally set foot in a mall, more for a break with my mom than to do actual shopping. If there's ever a time that I wish time could speed up and slow down it certainly is now.

Ho Ho Hear We Come!

Today we set off bright and early to see the Legendary Santa in Richmond. It was a full car with Lolli, Poppa, and Mimi joining us. Avery slept late, and with us leaving way before nap time, I knew she wouldn't sleep. She did great in the car and seemed to enjoy me beside her and Lolli and Mimi behind her. The grandparents went in to hold our spot in line while Ned and I got Avery dressed. I knew she had gone to the bathroom and was very concerned when I felt a wet bottom, because she had on her tights under her pants. It wasn't the disaster that it could have been, and somehow the tights turned out better than the pants. After a quick cleanup on my folded down 3rd seat, she was in her dress and ready to go. When we joined everyone in line, the sign said an hour wait from that point. The line didn't look bad, and an hour sounded much better than the hour and a half we waited last year. And, I was happy to see on the TV that it was the "good" Santa that I saw for many years. While we waited, Avery got busy with a snack and some people watching.



Our wait was nowhere near and hour and soon it was time to go into Santa Land. Both years that we've taken Avery, I've gotten a little teary as we walked in. All I've ever wanted to do is be a mom, and this is one of the traditions I imagined carrying out long before Avery arrived. I visited the Legendary Santa each year until I was a senior in high school. Until 1990, he resided in the Miller and Rhoads department store and had been there since 1936. There you could see Santa come down the chimney and visit with the Snow Queen and Bruce the Spruce, a singing and talking tree. After sitting on Santa's lap, we ate in the Tea Room, where Santa would come in, drink a full glass of milk with no breaths but lots of load gulps, and eat reindeer cake. Things changed when the store closed in 1990, but Santa has been somewhere in Richmond each year. His permanent home is now in the Children's Museum, where he still comes down the chimney several times a day, feet just a swinging, after checking his reindeer on the roof. Tea with Santa is also offered in a downtown hotel. We missed him coming down the chimney this year but will definately be trying to catch him next year.

Here we are talking to the Snow Queen before Santa said, "Hi, Avery! Come on over!"



As you can see, we had no tears! Avery checked out Santa and all the pretty lights in the room.

They snapped the picture right away, then of course she smiled and smiled.

Lolli got a great picture of Avery giving Santa a sweet smile though. She didn't seem bothered in the least to be talking to him. I was shocked!

We finished so quickly that we checked out the train display. My dad had the neatest one set up in his farm office when I was little with buildings, roads, cars, and a sawmill that sawed logs. We used to go play with the trains on Sunday afternoon and I would drink a grape soda. I would love to think that Avery's interest today would cause Poppa to pull those trains back out.

We left and traveled to Short Pump mall for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. We all ate so much that we had no room for yummy cheesecake. We only visited one store after lunch because it's an outdoor mall and was too cold today. If I don't pop in Janie and Jack, it must be cold! Avery was falling asleep with her head up before we ever got on the highway and slept all the way home. What a wonderful day! My only complaint is that it went by too fast!

Week in Review ~ 12/4

It was so great to welcome December this week. The list of things we have to look forward to made the week go fast, but not quite fast enough. Sunday involved putting up the tree and buying groceries. We let Avery and Felix adjust to the tree for awhile with no ornaments since Avery was being a little too much help Sunday afternoon.

On Monday we went back to the pediatrician for an ear check since Avery had been off her medicine for about a month. We got there about 3:30 and the waiting room was packed. I always enjoy taking a healthy baby to the doctor because you are sure to pick up something terrible. Avery and I waited, and waited, then waited some more for a grand total of an hour. I managed to keep Avery in my lap for the first 30 minutes. We looked out the window for squirrels and kitties and told everyone who was leaving bye-bye. We also investigated all of the fun things in my purse and the diaper bag. Those tricks ran out and she spent the next 30 minutes touching everthing in the waiting room. The day after a holiday weekend is not the time to go apparently. Once we were called back it moved pretty quickly, but we did not receive the best news. Avery's ear is still not clear of fluid, so she is back on an antibiotic for a month. This will clear any infection and keep one from reoccuring. She's also on Claritin. She'll be checked again in a month to see if the fluid is gone. I have a feeling we'll be seeing an ENT at some point and may be introduced to the world of tubes. The examination of course involved lots of tears. Monday was a rude push back into the real world after Thanksgiving with a school observation and then the experience at the doctor's office. It was good to get home.

Ned stayed home with Avery Tuesday because our sitter had the day off. There was lots of playing and not much napping. When I picked her up at Ned's office she was helping a customer with some paperwork but had to leave her position to show me the fish.

Avery has been off of her bathroom medicine for awhile, and it caught up with all of us Wednesday night. We knew she needed to start it again but were trying to wait and see how she would do on the antibiotic. I'll spare the details, but poor baby tried for an hour and a half to use the bathroom. She was such a trooper and only cried when we sat her in the highchair and when we tried to remedy the problem. I held her for the longest time and she just rested her little head on me. As bedtime approached I finally called the pediatrician on call. We got her straight and finally got some dinner in her. It was so good to put a happy baby to bed since she had been so pitiful. I got around to getting some ornaments on the tree after she went to bed. Felix has only chewed the lights 5 or 6 times, and Ned has been able to repair each each strand. The bottom portion of the tree is filled with cord protectors, and what isn't covered has been sprayed with bitter spray. Soon Avery and I will be off to Lowe's to pick out a tree to purchase on sale after Christmas. Ned has had this one since he moved into the house, and even without Felix's damage it had seen better days.

Avery and I hurried home Thursday to get a picture to send in to the paper with her letter to Santa. Earlier in the week when I realized I should try to get a Christmas-like picture, her eyes were a bit of a mess from her ear infection. So, it was get something good on Thursday our use a Halloween picture. I started her in her little rocking chair, but she kept wiggling her little feet to the floor, so we moved to her room. I got a pretty good one to send in, and here are a few that didn't make the cut.





Friday was a crazy day at school, so a night out was needed. We met the Vaughans at the oyster bar and had a yummy dinner. Avery enjoyed sweet potato fries, watching baby Emerson, telling people who were leaving "bye," and sneaking cole slaw from my bowl. We had a hard time containing her as her first highchair had no buckle or piece between the legs. The second had a buckle that popped open each time she moved. I was happy to hold Emerson after dinner and offered to take him home. I got lots of little smiles and also got baby fever! Avery tried her best to put her finger into some type of opening on his face but we kept her hands away. We did let her get in a kiss/sniff on his back. Avery grew tired of either her chair or the baby show and was not happy until Mama took her. We left the restaurant after bedtime, but I'm not sure that she slept on the way home. Ned checked when we got off 95 and she was looking around. She has not napped as well this week, and I'm hoping it's the bottom molar that's breaking through instead of all the medicine she's on. We got home while the Christmas parade was still going on, and shortly after I got Avery in bed, the fireworks began. Fireworks are not usually associated with Christmas, even in Emporia, but they were unable to have them on the 4th of July or for the Peanut Festival, so they broke them all out for the parade. There are advantages and disadvantages to living this.close to the shoot-off spot. The main disadvantage is the fact that it sounds and feels like your house is exploding. Since there are few leaves on the trees, I was able to enjoy the whole show from out kitchen window, all warm and toasty. It was very spectacular and patriotic. Avery miraculously slept the whole time. It was so strange to think back to September 2009 when I sat on the same kitchen stool and watched the fireworks through the trees holding a very tiny Avery Grace.

Avery and I stayed home this morning while Ned hunted. He came home before lunch and put together Avery's new carseat for Lolli and Poppa's car. She's still been riding in her infant carrier with them but is about to reach the height limit. Since we'll be turing her around in the next month or so, she got a front-facing carseat for their car. She looked so grown as we got the straps adjusted. I may just have to take the first ride with them to see what she thinks about her new view of the world.



Avery again appears to be giving up her morning nap, and I know it's getting close to that time. After a long morning nap she didn't sleep a bit this afternoon. I made her stay in her crib for an hour and a half, and there was LOTS of singing. Snow was beginning to fall when I got her up, so we had to bundle up to head to Walmart. I had to get a picture of her in her little hat because it's just too funny. We may have to add another hat to the mix.



Avery didn't eat much today and that continued at dinner. I didn't want my dinner either because of the large amount of Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark I ate after picking it up at Walmart. Avery and I both highly recommend it. She got a bath and went to bed early to be rested for her big day tomorrow. We're off to see the Legendary Santa (snow permitting) and I'm as excited as I ever was when I sat on his lap. They've posted the times that he'll come down the chimney and we may just be there for one. The week is also filled with parent-teacher conference, city council, a hair appointment, and a meeting to get our plans drawn. I also hope to do some Christmas card addressing if they come in. Avery is planning a sleepover at Lolli and Poppa's Friday night and I'm planning on sleeping in and having the house to myself for the first morning in a long time.

Welcome December

Press your face to your computer screen. Can you feel my excitement? The season from Thanksgiving to New Year's is my absolute favorite time of the year, and the month of December falls squarely in the middle.

Here are a few things that make me feel like a kid waiting for Santa:

*Decorating the house and enjoying the Christmas tree with the house lights off. Avery is loving waving to my Santas and also her Elf on the Shelf. He's hanging out this year but will be busy reporting to Santa next year.

*Yankee Candle's Home for the Holidays.

*Taking Avery to Richmond to see the Legenary Santa.

*Seeing Conway Photo Shop's magic touch on our Christmas cards and getting them mailed out.

*Receiving Christmas cards.

*Christmas music, Christmas movies, Christmas commercials, etc. It's been such a thrill to find them on TV and the radio already. We've caught Christmas Vacation, Elf, and the first two Home Alone movies several times. Avery and I have been jamming to Christmas music for awhile, and who doesn't love the Hershey Kisses bells commercial?

*Finding Frosty the Snowman, Charlie Brown, and The Grinch on TV. Next year sweet Avery gets to watch too!

*Fires in the downstairs fireplace.

*Writing Avery's letter to Santa for our local papers and reading all the letters when they appear in the paper.

*Buying for family and close friends, and trying to not to buy anything else for Avery.

*Participating in a toy drive and Angel Tree.

*Enjoying Christmas decorations, from stores to tacky house displays.

*TWO WHOLE WEEKS OF CHRISTMAS VACATION!

*Christmas baking.

*Christmas Eve Service and singing Silent Night by candelight.

*Avery Grace in Christmas jammies and seeing her face Christmas morning. What will she play with first?

*Family visits, family meals, family all season long.

May you have a delightful December as well!

Week in Review ~ 11/27

What a week! It was very busy, which led to very tiring, but also very fun. You know you're awfully thankful when you celebrate Thanksgiving three times!

Sunday morning I got up and fixed a pumpkin roll. I hadn't fixed one since Avery was born and am always nervous as to how they will turn out. I think this was the first one that had no cracks, so I guess it turned out pretty good. We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents' with my mom's family that night. Of course we had to go a little early so that Lolli and Poppa could get in some play time.



Avery looked super-cute in her turkey ensamble. Ned and Poppa, practical male shoppers, were pleased to hear that it reverses to plaid to be worn more than once.

A little storytime with Poppa...

...and some singing with Lolli.

The rest of the week moved right along with not much going on. Our realtor showed up at 6 pm sharp Monday night for the appointment that we thought was the following week. We were enjoying leftovers, Avery was covered in applesauce, and I was in my sweats. Ned did a quick sweep while I chatted with her, picking up things like the tampons Avery had dumped out all over the bathroom floor for the 2nd time that night. She stayed for about an hour and probably left thinking that she'll have her work cut out for her. I like predictability, calendars, schedules, and routines, so Ned and I were both very proud that I didn't break out in hives when the doorbell rang.

I got a great deal on a Little Touch Leappad with 4 books on the Facebook group Whatcha Got and met that mom Tuesday to pick it up. Another mom saw that I was purchasing this and had 3 more books and a carrying case. I'd say $20 for all of this is wonderful, especially since it isn't sold anymore. I'm still trying to decide if it's appropriate for Santa to leave used gifts, but these are in excellent condition. Santa is all about a deal!

On Wednesday we had early release from school, so I ran errands and went home to cook. Ned picked up Avery at the sitter's and then we headed to his parents' for Thanksgiving. I thought I would solve Avery's eating issues by feeding her before dinner and then giving her a little as we ate, but we didn't sit down at the table until after 7, and Avery's light meal had worn off. She gave Uncle Rob some smiles and had fun with his dog Toby. Lolli and Poppa came too which is always a good time. Avery is used to a 7:30 bedtime and we didn't make it. She did fairly well but was ready for bed after a day at Jen-Jen's. It was almost 8:30 before she got to bed. I didn't get any pictures as I stayed busy keeping Avery away from all of Mimi's treasures.

Even after her late night, she was up by 6:45 Thanksgiving morning. We enjoyed the parade, and Avery enjoyed it so much that she didn't need much morning nap. We did lots of playing with books and markers and battled a runny nose for much of the morning.

Always something fun under the couch. Sometimes it's that Doodie cat!

Can you spot Giraffi? She's using her camouflage.

Thanksgiving night we went to my dad's sister's house. It's always a fun gathering since my uncle's side of the family comes also. Neither Ned or I come from big families so this meal with about 17 people is as large as it gets. With all the people, it took Avery awhile to warm up, but she enjoyed the two sets of steps, the Christmas tree, and playing with Lawson who's a few months older. Dinner was again after 7 so Avery had many small meals. A snack trap of Cheerios provided distraction while I could eat, and Avery provided entertainment for those at our table. At some point she got her 2nd wind and was doing well when we changed in jammies and headed home a little before nine. While late bedtimes make me nervous, we are so lucky that our immediate family can be reached in about 30 minutes. We can do all the visiting we'd like and then go home to our own beds, and so many don't have that luxury.

Friday morning we had Christmas pictures scheduled. I was more than nervous about how they would go after 2 late nights. Avery saw no need in sleeping on the way there but did seem to get a good rest. We simplified and only did her Christmas dress, and the pictures Carol got are wonderful as usual. I can't wait to share once my Christmas cards have arrived at their destinations. Lolli took Avery home so that I could do some decorating and so that Ned and I could shop.

This is what the men in my house did while I put up the Santas.

And this is the Avery version of the Santas this year. The bookcase isn't big enough to hold them if I put all of them out, but since the bottom three shelves are within Avery's reach, I simplified. I absolutely made the right decision as these jolly figurines caught Avery's eye quickly. She knows exactly where to look if you ask her where the Ho Hos are. Now, whether or not we'll only decorate the top of the tree is another question.

Ned and I headed out to fill Santa's sleigh Friday night. Toys R Us was still busy but nothing we were wanted was on sale. Luckily we didn't need much because we both lost our patience. We found the last item we were looking for at Target where the atmosphere was a little more appealing. Avery is now done with the exception of a shirt from Etsy and another Giraffi for her stocking. I haven't started ANYONE else though! We enjoyed a delicous meal at Olive Garden before returning home. Lolli and Poppa brought Avery home and put her to bed.

I had a horrible headache today and stayed on the couch from mid-morning until early afternoon. Luckily Ned was home in between hunts and was able to take care of Avery. I was so upset that part of my vacation was spent on the couch feeling bad. After Avery's afternoon nap we pulled out some more things for Christmas and tried to do some toy rearranging so that we'll have a space for the tree. She and I had pizza for dinner, and Ned got home in time to kiss her goodnight. I have some more decorating to get to, but a warm Ghirardelli brownie is calling my name.

We're putting up the tree tomorrow and holding our breath that Felix doesn't reenact the fried cat scene in Christmas Vacation. Then, unfortunately it will be back to school and work. Thanksgiving break has gone by too fast, but we've got lots to look forward to and keep us busy.