Christmas, well, Christmas Part One

Merry Christmas everybody! I don't have much time to blog lately, but I figure I should probably mention the awesomeness that was Christmas this year. Having a 3-year-old has it's many challenges, but the night before Christmas trumps any other day. Connor was ridiculously excited. For those that know Connor very well, he is pretty cool, calm and collected. He is neither super excited, nor grumpy. He is always just content. So, when you see his eyebrows go up into his hairline, hear a squeaky voice, and don't get a word in edgewise, you know you are dealing with a very, very excited little boy. That's what happened Christmas Eve.

Now, we always try to not turn Christmas into a Santa-only thing. He knows it's "Mimi's birthday, Jesus's birthday, Papa's birthday," etc. BUT, geez! How can a 3-year-old NOT get excited about Santa? Honestly, it could have gone either way with Connor (scared or excited) and we were so happy with the emotion that took control.

As soon as we got home from my parents' house, he went straight to pick out a dish for cookies, carrots, and milk. He was running around like a lunatic. Connor decided to put the snacks right by the window near the tree since we don't have a fireplace. Then, it was right up to bed, after a few photos by the tree with Ellie.

 

Now, I have to tell you, Connor's bedtime ritual, well, it takes time...lots of time. Even after we brush teeth, read books, say prayers, and give kisses, Connor is usually (ok always) up for another 15-30 minutes reading books in bed before falling asleep (I know, cute right?). Well, let me just tell you, when Tom put him to bed Christmas Eve, Connor couldn't contain his excitement. He said to Tom, "Daddy, I'm going right to sleep, and if I hear Santa, I'll just close my eyes, and you can go see what's the matter" (like in "T'was the Night Before Christmas"). "Oh, and Daddy, make sure to put the Christmas pillow out on the couch in case Santa needs a nap...AND THE SNOWMAN BLANKET!" (as Tom exits the room) And what do you know? He didn't read one word of a book that night. His reading light was turned off and he was fast asleep. So funny...

After the kids were asleep, Tom and I did what we always do on Christmas Eve: drink champagne and set up the gifts!

Contemplation...

Many Faces of Elliebug...

She may only be 3-months-old, but Ellie is by far our chattiest of the two kids. She talks and smiles to anyone she sees. Ellie is very nosy about the world around her. Her expressions are also priceless. Connor had, and still has, many expressions too, but Ellie is already a ham, unlike her calm and obedient big brother. We are in trouble, I think...

At 3-months old, Eliana weighs 13 lbs. She has been sick this past week, so sleep has been pretty non existant. Feeding has also been tough. Hopefully, she's on the mend and will be back to normal soon! She's still happy though!

What?!? Time flies!

Really, Mom?

Now, that was funny!

Almost there!

Ellie is only 3-months old and trying so hard to sit up already. 

Any time she is sitting on any sort of incline, she uses those abs of steel to pull herself up. 

 Then...plop! Down she goes. 

I think she's getting anxious to sit up so she can play with her brother. I would also imagine she is getting bored of her playmat. I mean, there are only so many times a blinking sun and jingling red bird can amuse a person...

Man of the House

When Tom is away, Connor takes care of me. He doesn't even know it...

Mickey and Minnie

Happy Fall Y'all!

 Connor decided he wanted to be Mickey Mouse for Halloween this year, so that he was! And, what would Mickey be without Minnie by his side?

Connor also named our ever so creative Jack-o-lantern, Ralph. He needed to go say hi to Ralph everyday before we left for school. 

 Ellie's first Halloween: 

She sure gives the real Minnie a run for her money!

Friendship...

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.” 
― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

I spend a lot of time blogging about our kids because, well, they are pretty much the only people I hang out with these days! But, there are a few other people I would like to talk about: my Carolina friends. 

You know you have really great people around you when, at the end of the day, you look at yourself in the mirror and think, "You are doing ok. You are turning into a less cynical human being. You are more compassionate, a better listener, and a friend to turn to in hard times." 

As a child and teen, I grew up with lots of confidence, ability, drive, and heart, but somewhere along the way, I lost some of that. In it's place came cynicism, questions, and loneliness. A lot of this was due to moving away, trying for years for babies, and losing some friends along the way. I am lucky enough to have a husband to stand by me and lift me up, but sometimes you need strong friends too. I have found it down here. God and family in the heavens have been watching over me. They have led me down a path where I ran into many people who have changed me and my life forever. 

So, Boston friends, I hope that you can get down here to visit sometime so you can be graced by the presence of some pretty awesome, supportive, and uplifting people; people I call friends. 

XOXO to all who have made me stronger, happier, and overall pretty cool again...;)

P.S. I also would like to give a shout out to my true friends up North. You know who you are. You are just as important to me, and want you to know I am being taken care of down here too.