December Daily 2009: Days Ten & Eleven

A normal December day. We stayed inside all day since the weather was frigid cold in the single digits. Tonight was my last night of class (yippee!) and Uncle Mikey came over for pizza, a movie and to hang with Sean.

I didn't take very many pictures today, and glad I snapped this one of Sean and his uncaMikey!!

A busy day! We all had an appointment with Dr. Lewis this morning, and then off to go Christmas shopping. Sean loved the car cart at IKEA which made it easy on Santa’s elves. Next up, McDonald’s for a quick lunch. And then off to Grammy & Grampy’s to play with all the Christmas toys. On the way home we all wanted to nap...

I forgot my camera today. Ugh! And my cell phone. Double ugh! Luckily Jeff had his phone with him so I was able to snap a few pictures. I found it's ultra-shaky, so unfortunately a few of the shots are pretty blurry. Oh well. At least it's documented, right?

December Daily 2009: Day Nine

Our first major snowfall! Last night, more than six inches of snow blanketed our neighborhood. It was still snowing when we woke up this morning. We felt like we were in a snowglobe! Thank goodness we don’t have to go anywhere today. A day for Sean to play in the snow. Get stuck. Whine. Eat the snow. Fall down. Laugh. Pull off wet mittens. Eat more snow. Laugh. And cry when it was time to go inside. The snow will be here tomorrow, buddy!

Credits: Katie Pertiet's Santa Baby Papers

December Daily 2009: Day Eight

While we were on our honeymoon in 2002, Jeff & I decided we would buy an ornament on every vacation we would go on as a couple and, eventually, as a family. This has become a cherished tradition. Each Christmas when we decorate our tree we think back to those vacations and all the "stories" that go along with them. I wasn't able to snap pictures of every vacation, but most of them. From top to bottom, left to right -- Door County, WI, San Francisco, Ireland, Disney (we've been there 3 times since we married! so we have tons of Disney ornaments. This is Sean's first visit ornament), Kansas City, Jamaica, Hawaii, Shipshewanna, IN, and London.

Credits: Katie Pertiet's Santa Baby & Krafty Christmas papers; Katie Pertiet's Red Punched Chipboard Alpha.

December Daily 2009: Day Seven

December 7, 2009

Dear Sean, my sweet little buddy,

Ho! Ho! Hop! At twenty-three months you have quickly gotten to know Santa and what he says. I love how you add the “hop” at the end. Must be a subliminal longing for your favorite pop-pops (lollipops). You’re talking A LOT these days, and most of the time we have no idea what you’re saying. But you’re determined and repeat it over and over again until we understand.

All of the Christmas decorations and festivity makes you a little giddy. When we first put up the tree you danced all around and said, “pretty, pretty!” And you just can’t help yourself to not touch the ornaments and lights on the tree no matter how many times we say “don’t touch”. You also love the dancing and singing snowmen, turning them on and off over and over again. The other holiday decoration you love is your Little People nativity set. You’ve come to love baby Jesus, and have all of your friends -- such as Piglet, Mickey, a gorilla -- kiss him. Sadly baby Jesus has been thrown across the room a few times, but you’re learning!

Right now you’re into cars, trucks, and trains, trains, trains. Once Daddy put up the train tracks around the Christmas tree you immediately went to get your little Thomas the train and started pushing him around the tracks. Maybe you should ask Santa for your own train set?! You also love Woody and Buzz from Toy Story, and will quietly sit and watch the entire movie. Recently you really like watching Sesame Street. When it’s over you ask, “More? Ses-steet?”

Your birthday is right around the corner, and soon you will be TWO!! You’re growing so fast. Last week Daddy was getting you up from your nap, and I heard you talking & laughing. You were so happy. It made my heart smile. I quickly asked God to help me remember these moments and to cherish each and every stage of your childhood. I love your laugh, your bright eyes, your inquisitive nature, your naughty boyish charm, and your many kisses and hugs. I’m blessed to be your mommy.

Love, hugs, and lotsa tickles,
Mommy (age 39)

December Daily 2009: Day Six

Sean placed his boot outside his bedroom door last night in hopes that St.
Nicholas would drop off some goodies. He was thrilled this morning to find the
caring and generous saint left him his favorite pop-pops and cookies. Yummy!

December Daily 2009: Day Five

Today was a day for relaxing and catching up on grading papers. Only one more week of school and then December break... and a full session off in January. What bliss!! This evening we decorated the front room tree. Our decorating is going very slowly, but it’s nice not to rush. We’re really just enjoying the season and time together. A time for hope. A time to believe. Our Believe ornament was bought the year before we conceived Sean. This year we pray God blesses us with another little miracle.

December Daily 2009: Day Four

Today was our annual outlet mall shopping day. Sean and I joined Aunt Maureen, Aunt Shannon, Kari, Beanie and Annie for a day full of good conversation, great deals, and bitter cold weather. Baby, it’s cold outside! It’s funny, I rarely do Christmas shopping on this day but instead buy things for myself, the house or Sean. It’s more fun that way!

I picked up a pair of monkey slippers for Sean today. He's never worn slippers before, and he thought it was best. thing. ever. to happen in his young life! Couple this with the fact he ate a whole piece of chocolate cake for dessert, and he was bouncing off the walls. Literally. Ah, the joys of the season!