Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I just received one of the best Christmas presents today.  A full day of uninterrupted sleep!  A gal doesn't need much after working all night, sleep is always a sweet treat.  Marcus took the boys over to his dad's to spend the day with his family.  I'm soaking in the quite time before heading back to work tonight.

I feel I never have enough time to sit and post, so here are a few special things....

One of my favorite things this year was setting out my Papa and Nana's nativity set.  It sparks many loving memories.  I miss them.

 New Horizon's Academy had their holiday program and Jaymeson did well singing some holiday favorites.

Do you think he's a little tall compared to his classmates?

Showing us our Christmas present he made. 

A few days ago, Jaymeson wanted to make chocolate covered pretzels so we spent some Mommy/Son time in the kitchen.

Getting messy.

Always better with sprinkles.

Job well done!

Of course, Layla was a big help too, licking up anything that happened to drop.

We had such a fun day yesterday opening gifts with the boys.  It's an amazing time of magic and wonder as Santa made his stop at our house.  Jaymeson didn't waste any time waking up at 4am to see if the cookies were eaten!!  He was so excited and couldn't go back to sleep so impatiently had to wait until the rest of the family finally rolled out of bed.  

Santa left some goodies!

He got the CRANE!

Everyone has a gift pile.

Who needs toys when there's a bag full of wrapping paper?

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and hoping that your day is filled with family and friends!

9-1-1

Braxton had his first trial of peanut butter today.

I dialed 9-1-1 for the first time!

Then Braxton had his first ride in an ambulance!

Braxton tried a piece of toast with peanut butter, put it in his mouth, took it out and dropped it on the floor, and started wiping his tongue with his fingers.  He started to fuss so I took him out of the highchair and brought him up to the tub.  Didn't look at his face until I was putting him in the water.  Holy Sh**!!  His eyes were almost swollen shut, red and had hives on his face!  Took him out, called the pediatrician while yelling at Jaymeson to get dressed, hung up and called 9-1-1.  Before I know it, Braxton is in the ambulance, alone.  Marcus was down in Chaska and since there wasn't anyone to be with Jaymeson, we had to drive behind the ambulance.  To make a long story short, Braxton ended up getting a shot of Benadryl in the ambulance and then epinephrine once we were in the ER.  Marcus arrived and took Jaymeson home (since he has been sick all day vomiting) and I stayed another two hours making sure Braxton's symptoms were improving.  Marcus is now making a run to Walgreen's to get Benadryl which Braxton will take every 6 hours for the next 2 days.  He is now okay but, wow, that was scary!!

Splish-splash

 Splish-splash, splish-splash! (giggle)  Splish-splash (giggle) 

A wonderful sound when the baby is playing in the bath.  Not such a great sound when you realize it's little fingers inside the toilet!  So gross.  And, yes, it's happened more then once.  Chubba makes a mad dash crawl into the bathroom when the door has been left open.  Apparently, there are so many fun things to play with in there!  I heard him yesterday laughing, in the bathroom, and thought, "Oh, no!"  Ran in there and found him playing....

Hi, Mom!  This is SO fun!

Oh, I shouldn't be doing this?

Not so bad.  The toilet seat is covered.

The stockings are hung.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care....

 Well, almost all of them.

I ordered new stockings on the internet for the whole family this year.  Got the package yesterday and was beyond disappointed when Jaymeson's stocking was not included.  I immediately called customer service, only to be told that they normally would expedite the missing item out but all of the stockings in the style I purchased were sold out!  And, I couldn't return the others because they had been personalized with our names on them.  I was left with the option of ordering one that is the most like the others, which I reluctantly did, but it's not the same.  They're rushing the delivery of the substitute stocking  to get here on Friday, still holding a glimmer of hope that it may come a day early.  Santa is coming on Friday morning at our house since I am working all of this holiday weekend.  May not be a big deal, Santa will fill whatever stocking is available, but I will notice, and it will bother me. 

On the bright side, Jaymeson has his program tonight at New Horizon's and I am excited to hear all the beautiful and sweet voices of tots and pre-schoolers.  Maybe a few loud and yelling ones too.

Our first "real" tree!

Marcus finally agreed to getting a "real" tree this year! Yay!  So glad that the fake one is staying in the box this year.
We decided to start a new tradition and go to a tree farm to cut down our own.  We gathered up the boys and ventured out to find the perfect tree. 

Jaymeson picked out the tree.  A bit small but perfect. 

I think there's a little boy somewhere in that orange and blue snow suit!?!  :)

We have the tree.
Later to be named "Pickle-Pickle" by Jaymeson.

A sweet moment. 

Big brother pulling little brother back to the truck.

The next step this year was figuring out where we were going to put the tree.

We decided to have it on the main level, where we could still see it from the family room upstairs but it would be away from little fingers grabbing at the ornaments.

Not sure that idea worked so well....still no fingers but that big black spoon can do some damage!

My Baby

Today, while cuddling with my baby, I have been reflecting on this past year.  Tomorrow my baby turns one!  Wow, how did that go by so fast?!  I remember telling myself through out this past year to just pause, take in the moment, and remember the small things.  I was so determined to put those small, delicate moments into my memory bank to stay forever.  And now, as I look back, I barely remember those first days home with him and all the details of this past year.  Sleep deprivation may be a big part of that, or maybe it's trying to balance the attention needed from the baby, his big brother, the dog and the hubby!  If my head could literally spin around and around on my neck, I think I would be propelling myself off the floor most days!  And through it all, I would still love to have a pause button to make things last a little longer.  There have been so many "perfect" days, just at home, spending it in the chaos within these rooms.  Life has been so much greater with my second son here.

Just some things about my baby:
My baby, named Braxton Richard, also is called Chubba Bubba, Budha, Bubbs, Brother.
My baby has been so mild-mannered and is now finding his voice by screaming at his brother.
My baby had refused the bottle for WAY too long, and kept me limited for time away from him, is now drinking from a sippy cup.
My baby at birth weighed 8lbs 7oz  and is now 24lbs+.
My baby is crawling all over but not quite confident in taking those first steps on his own.
My baby loves bath time and splashing and bubbles.
My baby now has 4 teeth and has 2 more just under the gums.
My baby has a head full of loose curls.
My baby has big brown eyes and long "snuffleupagus" eye lashes.
My baby pats my back with his chubby hands while he gives me a hug.
My baby is now saying, "mama" after "dada" and "dah" (dog) and learning simple words through sign language.

My sweet baby boy,
The first time I saw your precious face I cried with joy.  There are days when I watch you sleep and still get tears in my eyes because I am so blessed to be your Mommy.  You are an amazing little boy and it has been so fun watching you learn and grow.  On your 1st birthday, it looks like we will be snuggling and trying to get rid of the sick bug.  I will cherish this day, like all others, just because you're my beautiful son and I'm your very lucky Mommy.  Love you to the moon and back.

Potato Turkeys

Potato Turkeys!!

Made on Thanksgiving.

 A fun family tradition.

Shared by my sister-in-law, Whitney.

 And there are prizes!

 

Wherever my brother and his wife are during Thanksgiving you can bet there are Potato Turkeys.  For years, I've heard about and seen pictures of them but this is the first year that we all got to share in the fun!  

Directions:

Take a potato.

Use the craft materials supplied.

Use your imagination.

And make a turkey.

The only rule is that it has to have a feather, to show that it is a turkey.

 Katy Perry, Harry Potter, Slash

 Mickey Mouse, Sumo wrestler

 Dog the bounty hunter

 Christmas tree

Rambo

A dog, flute player, Jessica Rabbit, a pole dancer ( yep, a "dancer" made by my cousin, Tracy, an elementary teacher. ), and the Christmas tree.

 This is the grand prize winner, "Slash".  Made by my cousin, Tara. :)

 Red Hat Society, a turkey and the dog.

And I had to put a picture of my grandma making her Red Hat Society Turkey.  She's so darn cute.