Kelly in NC

Well, we made it through Christmas!
~Through 20+ people at my house on Christmas eve.
~Through guests (who we love and are very glad came to visit) in my home for 5 days.
~Through an over abundance of toys and candy
~Through 2 days of after-Christmas shopping

I has been fun… and tiring. While I love Christmas and having the time to visit with my family, it is exhausting! After eveyone left my house on Thursday, I spent 1.5 hours in my jacuzzi tub reading a book. I then went to bed and spent the entire next day finishing the book. I was LAZY and in my opinion- I deserved it. Tim didn’t complain- so I guess that I must be right. Because if anyone is going to complain about me reading a book- it’s him! Anyhow, I feel as if I have finally relaxed- and now it is time to get ready for New Year’s Eve. We are hosting a party/open house. I have lots to do and would like to get most of it finished by tomorrow.

So why am I blogging right now? Good question.
Here’s a link to my photos from Christmas if you want to check them out!
Hope all of you had a great Christmas too!

Grayson,
I think the word “no” best sums up this month of your life. You have now decided that “No” is the correct answer to any question we ask you…and I do mean any question!
Do want Milk? No.
Juice? No.
Will you kiss mommy? No.
Let daddy hold you? No.
Time for bed? No.
Want candy? ummmm (almost got you on that one!)
No, no, no. It is your favorite thing to say and it is taking alot of patience on the part of mommy and daddy to understand that you are learning your independence as well as the meaning of this very important word. You see you will say No even though you really mean yes. For example: I ask you if you want Milk and you say no and then I say Ok- no milk, but you really want milk…Well then you proceed to throw a tantrum on the floor complete with screaming and kicking yourself in a circle. There is a part of me that laughs at this behavior, but there is another part of me that is waiting for you to learn that by saying “yes”- you aren’t giving into us- you are making a decision for yourself. Maybe next month will be the month of “yes”! Now, I do not mean to make it sound as if all of the “No” stuff is bad. There is a funny side to it. See on the occasions when we ask for a kiss or ask if you love us- you will say no- but then you will throw your head back in extreme laughter- chuckling at yourself. I guess that you know how rediculous it is to answer no to questions like that!
Besides the word no, you have really started working on some of your other language skills too. You are now babbling unintelligible sentences- usually while you are playing by yourself or when you are talking to Ozzy. You now recognize and say the names of almost all of you family members- even those that live in Florida and that we do not get to see very often, and you have begun to use 2 word combinations. Now the last feat takes some prodding- but you will do it. You have learned to say please (”peas”)when you really, really want something (although you will pitch a fit if we require you to say it) and will often say thank you (”day-doo”) when reminded. One of the things I appreciate the most this month is that you have learned to tell us when you have gone #2. You will walk up to us, grab you bottom, and say “poop, poop, poop” until we agree to change the diaper.
This month you have fallen in love with Christmas lights (which you call “tee”- as in christmas tree) and get excited anytime you see a picture of Santa. No matter how tiny the ornament or photo- you will point at it, jump up and down, and shout “ho,ho, ho”. You didn’t mind sitting on Santa’s lap this year- at least not until you go a good look at him and even then you didn’t cry. You just gave a look that said- “You’d better get me NOW or I am really going to embarass you!” As for presents, it took a couple before you fully understood the paper ripping tradition. But once you opened a few, you really got into it. Of course, it was rather unfair that we would let you open a present and then take the new toy away so that you could open another. You recieved so many presents this year (thank you everyone) that by Christmas morning you were finally tired of opening gifts. On the very last gift from mommy and daddy, you refused to rip the paper and instead threw one of those affore described tantrums…definitely gift overload.
Other highlights of this month include losing the tube in your left ear, receiving a kitchen set from Santa, visiting with all of your family (including a bunch from Florida) at Christmas, re-learning to sleep late on the weekends (thank you, thank you, thank you), and no longer resisting the brushing of your teeth. My favorite part has been spending last 8 days with you and daddy. It isn’t very often that both Daddy and I have this much time off from work and getting to spend it together with you has been amazing. We have gone shopping, chased each other around the house, spent numerous hours tickling each other, built towers out of blocks, raced cars around the floor, watched your favortie Noggin TV shows…the fun has gone on and on. It is on occasions like this that I sometime regret that I work and that every week isn’t spent like this. But about the time I begin thinking those thoughts, you make it obvious how much you miss the routine of being at school, and learning to socialize with your friends. You love your teachers and all of the boys and girls in your class, and even if I didn’t work, I am not sure that I could rob you of those experiences without a guilty conscious. I guess the truth is that the last 8 days have felt so special because it isn’t our normal routine. It has felt like a wonderful gift and I am thankful for it. I know I say this often, but it is true! Grayson, you are the most amazing part of my life and I love you more and more each day.
Love Always-
Mommy

As my friend Jacqueline posted on her blog…. I have complete a few of the Christmas quizzes from blogthings. It was fun and easy…and it’s been so long since i have posted that I had to post something!! Thanks Jacq! And Merry Christmas everyone!

You Are Eggnog

Rich, sweet, and probably a little drunk. Everyone who knows you tends to get a little fatter.

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Very Brady Christmas

For you, it’s all about sharing times with family. Even if you all get a bit cheesy at times.

You Were Nice This Year!

You’re an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa’s list. You probably didn’t even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you’re a Mormon, you’ve probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?

You Are a Practical Gift Giver


Your gifts are useful, appropriate, and custom tailored to each person.
In your opinion, the best gifts are gifts that someone will actually use.
Your gifts may not be the most glamourous, but they are always appreciated.

What Kind of Gift Giver Are You?

*Tim and I took Grayson to the mall to see Santa today. We got there as soon as they opened and avoided all the long lines! Grayson didn’t seem to mind Santa- but he wasn’t too sure of him either. Once Grayson got a good look at him, that was when he finally looked back to me and Tim with a look that said, “You had better get me now, before I start to scream.” We got a few photos and avoided any melt downs!
*After spending three weeks looking for office furniture, we finally bit the bullet and purchased a set. We purchased an executives desk for Tim and I have an enitre wall unit to house all of the hobbies and crafts that I get busy working on.
*Speaking of crafts, I am considering switching to digital scrapbooking. Anyone else out there made the switch? My biggest questions are: What program do you use? How do you print your pages/scrapbooks? I am so sick of all the clutter that comes with scrapbooking. And going digital seems like it would be less time consuming too. Any suggestions out there?
* I have finally put up my Christmas Tree. I am only 2 weeks late, but hey- at least it’s up. It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes before Grayson attacks my tree. Maybe he’ll do better than I expect?
* I have completed all of my Christmas cards. I sealed all the envelopes and have placed them in the mailbox for pickup. I am ahead of schedule on those this year!
I started my Christmas shopping this weekend with Renee’. This is a bit later than I usually start, but I am hoping to get alot more done later this week. I bought a few things on-line this year and liked it so much that I hope to do most of next year’s shopping that way!
* I am totally addicted to Craig’s List. I love to search it everyday. Looking for furniture, toys for Grayson… Anyone else addicted?
*Last, but not least, this week Grayson has begun telling us when he has gone #2. He will walk up to us, grab his butt and say “poop”. Too funny.

Thanks to my friend Katie- I have a new Meme…or at least one that I have never completed before. Check it out and if you feel like playing along, be sure to leave a comment! Don’t be a scrooge!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love to wrap and am very particular about creasing the paper and where tape goes!

2. Real tree or artificial? Fake for the past three years- just becuase of convinience. I am considering making a different choice for next year though. My friend Carri got me thinking about a real tree and then I thought that since I live in NC, it would be a cool family tradition to go to the mountains and cut down our tree each year.

3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving- or at least that is what I usually do. This year, with the move and all, I have put up my fake tree- but haven’t yet decorated it. so sad!

4. When do you take the tree down? The weekend after New Years. Isn’t it bad luck to do it before then?

5. Do you like eggnog? I did a long time ago. It has been a while since I tried it last. Maybe I’ll give it another try this season.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I loved all my cabbage patch dolls!

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, A small one given to me by my mom. I’ve yet to unpack all my decorations yet though.

8. Hardest person to buy for? my dad

9. Easiest person to buy for? Grayson! He’s too young to ask for anything and is happy with anything that is new!

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmmmm in an effort to save the feelings of some of my bloggers, I decide to not answer this question! Lord knows I’ve hurt enough feelings through this blog this month!

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail - I’ve ordered them and am waiting their arrival

12. Favorite Christmas movie? How the Grinch Stole Christmas
>
>
> 13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually, sometime after thanksgiving. Like everything else to do with the holidays this year- I’m a bit behind!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? all those christmas cookies!

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? I use white and red only!

17. Favorite Christmas song? I have a few- Chestnuts Roasting on an Openfire, Jingle Bells, Walking in a Winter Wonderland (although that one isn’t really a Christmas song!)

18. Travel for Christmas or stay at home? Stay home. Howelse will Santa find Grayson!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? yes

20. Angel on the tree top or star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Some on each.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? All those people shopping! It has never bothered me much in the past, but this year I am dreading going to the mall. Unbelievable!

23. What I love most about Christmas? spending time with my family, creating my own family traditions, all the food, and the general happy spirit of everyone (except for those shopping!)

So there you have it! Hope you all have a Merry Christmas. Doing this meme has made me realize that I have GOT to get busy! Christmas is going to be here before I know it!