My Boys and Me

I hope that everyone had a nice Christmas.  I am not sure if I am glad that its FINALLY over or sad that its ALREADY over.  It seems like yesterday that we were pulling out the decorations and setting up the tree.  We decorated the house more than  ever this year and it all looked so pretty.  We also received some very nice decorations as gifts that we were able to add to our collection.  We took down the tree today and only have the lights outside left to put away.  It is a little sad packing everything up, but I think judging by the fact that I took down the decorations earlier this year than ever in the past (never before New Years Day) indicates that I was ready for it to all be over.  Don’t get me wrong, Mike, the boys and I had a great Christmas.  There is something amazing about Christmas with your own kids.  I feel like we can not spoil them enough this one time of the year.  Braeden was in absolute glory the whole week before Christmas and the few days after (he is now in FL with Aaron’s family).  Hearing the excitement in his voice and seeing it on his face Christmas morning when he came to tell us that Santa had in fact came, the amazement in his eyes when he looked outside and then at Mike and I when he discovered that the reindeer had eaten the oats we threw out back for them, and the anticipation I could sense him feeling as he un-wrapped each gift was all enough joy to last me until next Christmas when I get to experience it all in 2 boys.  Mikey was a little un sure of what was going on, but got a kick out of the fact that his big brother was so happy.  Braeden deserved every bit of fun and excitement because he is just such a precious little guy.  He was so thankful for everything and would have shared all of it if asked.  Believe me, the kid is not hurting for anything…..and his Birthday is only a little over a month away.  Mikey did enjoy the few gifts he got.  We asked for more practical gifts for him this year since he is a little young to really need toys.  No matter what new things we give him to entertain himself, he likes his package of wipes the most anyway. (WARNING- taking away wipes from baby can cause a serious melt-down).   Mike and I had a good Christmas too.  We were both just so exhausted, it was hard to really even focus on having fun.  (Next year we are paying more attention to the words in my previous blog entry).  Mike worked a lot of off-duty to make sure everyone could have a great Christmas and have everything they asked for (He did so much for everyone and there are no words to express how much we love him and just how wonderful he is.  I can’t thank him enough for all of his hard work and everything he does for our family).  Along with working so much, he had to take care of me. I developed a very strange and severe case of hives the Saturday before Christmas.  I was in the ER covered Saturday night and was in misery until they disappeared as quickly as they came, the day after Christmas.  Along with going to the ER, I went to my Dr. who seemed to give me the right combination of medicines.  I was taking 100 mg of benadryl 4 times a day as well as another medication equivalent to a triple dose of Zyrtec.  I pretty much sailed through Christmas on a cloud and don’t really remember many other details! I do remember eating a delicious dinner at Mike’s parents house, who as usual outdid themselves with food and gifts.  Mike’s Mom made a special batch of shortbread cookies just for me at my request and I think those were my favorite gift of all.  I hadn’t had true homemade shortbread cookies since we lived in Canada.  I requested another batch for my Birthday thats coming up.  Speaking of Canada, my brother bought me a new webcam for my Birthday (apparently something was wrong with the one my sister bought me for my Birthday two years ago-shamefully probably lack of use).  We got on it with my sister for a bit on Christmas day which was another favorite gift.  Again, I was a little groggy, but when she turned her camera to the window and showed me all of the snow, I decided then and there that we are going to Winnipeg for Christmas next year.  Mike’s parents are going on a cruise and we will have a true WHITE Christmas!  No matter how hard you try, you can not get in the Christmas spirit in 80 degree weather the way you can jumping in a pile of snow and making a snow angel. Maybe she will have a child of her own by then that we can add to Santa’s list!  I think my body is still recovering from all the drugs (or maybe all the shortbread cookies- they are gone). I am still not sure where the hives came from, but learned from a friend this week that it can happen to a Mother any time in the year after giving birth as hormones return to normal.  Good thing I already had my tubes tied because those hives were worse than giving or recovering from birth (and I did it twice- surgically)!  It was also so nice to see my brother.  Braeden adored him as much as he did when he saw him over the summer.  I hate that we didn’t get to spend as much time with him as I would have liked, but everyone kinda had their own agenda.  We’ll just have to plan to visit San Fransisco soon……add that to our list of New Years Resolutions.  I will save those for another entry 

In other brief news.  Mikey is still sleeing through the night.  I think we have also finally gotten him on a fairly regular nap schedule.  He has been so so fussy lately.  Every time time he fusses for no reason, we put him in his bed.  Most often, he falls asleep.  I am noticing that he sleeps longer stretches each time and the fussing lessens.  Our goal is 2 long naps a day and NO fussiness….. I’d like 2 long naps a day and I guarantee I would be a lot less fussy too! I think my over-worked husband deserves sleep more than any of us! I did get him a plane ticket to go see his Grand father and best friend in Philidelphia in a couple weeks.  I’m not sure he will choose to spend his 4 days away from wife and kids sleeping, but at least I gave him the chance!

Have a great weekend!