winding down

We've had a wonderful holiday. It will culminate in our Romanian family traditional New Year's dinner tomorrow with my extended family. Our holiday began the Monday before Christmas when some special out of town visitors made their way back to the Midwest.

My brother and his wife somehow managed to escape the fierce weather in Seattle on a plane while enumerable others were stranded in the messy Northwest.




Ben loved hanging out with his uncle Michael - but it makes me sad that he can't experience that relationship consistently since miles and miles separate our busy lives. Everyday over the holiday Ben would ask if he was going to get to see his uncle that day. He also asked everyday for about 5 mornings in a row after Christmas if he was going to get to open presents that day.


His question wasn't altogether self-indulgent since we had occasion to open presents on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and evening, and the day after Christmas. He was used to the surprises but quickly caught on that this was something special for only a few days. And having Uncle Michael and Aunt Susan in town was a quick something special too.

I am so excited for New Year's Eve tonight. We are doing the same thing we've done for the two previous years... STAYING HOME! I didn't know how much I would love doing it until we tried it a couple years ago. We make a special dinner, get a movie or plan something special at home for just us, make some (or buy some) special drinks. Last year I made this really yummy bourbon slush to go with our awesome steak dinner and movie. This year I won't be enjoying the wonderful Pinot Noir with our steak dinner like my husband will. I will instead indulge in Sparkling Blueberry Italian Soda from Trader Joe's. Don't get me wrong - its yummy but its no Pinot. There's always next year. :) I will leave you with a picture that captures the sweet temperament that is my son's.

I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas season and will usher in the New Year tonight with all happiness and joy (and safety)!

nesting

We have had an extremely busy weekend staying at home. That's right. We barely left our doorstep and yet managed to work non-stop and well into the evenings. Why? We have been switching our whole house around; moving the office downstairs, Ben's old room changing over into the baby girl's new room, old office now Ben's room, kitchen cabinets switched around to make room for bottles and other baby stuff, going through old baby clothes and pulling out the gender neutral or girly looking stuff... I have admittedly been a crazy woman who is mirroring mania by DSM-IV standards. I know its my nesting burst of energy before I can't stand for very long, sit for very long, lay in one position very long, and yet take V E R Y L O N G to simply move. I know I'm hitting the nesting period a little early this pregnancy, but I'm at home with my toddler who is excited about all the changes he is getting to experience too, which makes it all the more fun. He is now in his big boy bed! Granted, he falls out of it. But nonetheless, he is "in" the big bed. (note to self: get rails)

My sweet husband has worked so hard these past few days, doing all the manly stuff for me (heavy lifting, moving, etc.). He has been so sweet and supportive of my nesting - and by nesting I mean my crazy mania - even though its happening early and right before a very busy week for us (Christmas week). Well, my baby girl just decided to either or shove an elbow or a foot into my bladder, so its time for me to go... and by go, I mean, you know... go.

makes me smile

It cracks me up that my son's favorite book to read while on the pot dropping a deuce is "My Daddy and Me."

He told me yesterday that I was a "sweet mama."

We were in a public and crowded bathroom Saturday while out shopping (because that's what I do all day now... no, not shop... pee) and I hauled my almost 3-year old, newly potty trained son with me in the stall. At midstream relief he said, "You're doing a great job, mommy!" I tried not to make eye contact with the people who were smiling at us as he confidently led the way out of the stall. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of my great job and all... its just... well, you know.

I love it when I have these mature sounding conversations with my little guy. I ask him about something he's doing and he says, "Well actually, mommy, I'm..." (as he corrects what I've stated).

I love it that he can tell a difference when I'm in my usual comfortable sweats, tennis shoes, no make-up and ponytail to when I get dressed up. "You look beautiful, mommy," he'll say when I'm dressed up with make-up on. If I'm wearing something other than sweats during the week, he usually asks, "Where are we going, mommy?"

I love it that we can be watching cartoons together and he teases me. I was laying down with my head next to his lap and in my not yet fully awake state I realized he was putting Cheerios in my hair.

I love having a little guy - he is so much fun and I just love watching him grow and mature into this precious, silly, clever, fun boy. I am also so ecstatic that I'll get to experience raising a girl too. Yep, we are going to welcome a little girl into the world in the coming months! Ben is also excited, talking about how he is going to play with his baby sister and share his toys (I'll let you know how that turns out!) In the meantime, bring on the pink!