Part Two/ Christmas 2010

Morning sky (with something very bright that left Chris trying to find out what it was while he waited for Josiah to wake up)...



Stockings...



Smartie bulbs= music shakers...



Opening presents (yes, before breakfast!)...





Josiah liked 'helping' everyone open presents...



Chris' new hat...



Josiah finally looking for real food...



Grammie and Grampie came for presents and breakfast...





Supper with the Chris' family...



Trip on boxing day to visit my mom/family...







(I missed some really great pictures of Josiah sledding down big hills with my mom, and visits with other family members too).

Sleigh ride with Chris' family (those who could make it...it was a bad week for being sick!)...











Playing in the snow...



Oh and this was my baby's first Christmas (2008)...



And next Christmas, we'll have another little one (coming to us on July 7th, 2011!)...

Part One/Christmas 2010

First candy cane...



Cutting down the Christmas tree...







Setting up the tree...



Watching mommy decorate the tree and then pulling everything off...



Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus at music class...



Gift exchanges...



Reading Christmas stories and Bible stories...



Unwrapping a Christmas Eve gift...



Ready for the Christmas Eve service...

Two

Today, we had Josiah's two-year-old check up. Even though he turned two at the end of September, our doctor was overbooked this fall, so we were late getting in.

Here are some highlights:

- In the examination room, before the doctor came in, Josiah was into everything. I always find this the most stressful time, trying to keep him out of cupboards, etc...

- Josiah took it upon himself to inform the doctor of everything that has been going on with him, including that his ears hurt last week (because he had an ear infection).

- He has a mild heart murmur that does not seem to be of concern, but it was the first time it was detected.

- I mentioned his ongoing difficulties with dairy products, so we are having him tested for food allergies in the new year. It will be great to know for sure whether it is an allergy or maybe just a lactose intolerance.

- The doctor said he was very strong and healthy. He measured at 38.5 inches tall and 40 pounds. This puts him off the charts (he was so far above the 100th percentile that he didn't even register on the graph at all). But he is very proportionate, so there is no concern about his size even though he is more like a three-and-a-half/four year old. The doctor said he may be very athletic based on his size and muscle mass (Daddy will be happy about this!).

- The doctor also commented on his vocabulary and said that he seemed like a very intelligent little guy. This is always nice to hear from someone other than a grandparent (who may or may not be a little biased at times!).

- Since he was two months old, this same doctor warned us that we would have our hands full with Josiah's activeness and strong-willed temperament. He commented again on this today, and talked to me about the phases of this in childhood. He also assured me that it does not mean he will be an unruly teenager, but that it is just a lot of work to parent him right now. (Our doctor had a child with a similar temperament, so I always appreciate his observations and advice in this area.)

- At the end, Josiah cleaned up all the toys, marched out to the waiting room and said good-bye to every person who was waiting. He then proceeded into the secretary's office to say good-bye and Merry Christmas, and she gave him a sticker.

- When we got home, he was telling Daddy about the appointment and he said he was going to fight the doctor (this means wrestle).

- And that's my two-year-old.

Update

- I have been dealing with a sick kid...thankfully he was able to tell us that his ears were hurting for the first time, so we caught the ear infection early.

- I caught a cold, and have been feeling miserable (the reason for no new posts lately). I continue to struggle with some other health issues, and am seeing a specialist tomorrow morning.

- I attended the Christmas celebration banquet at my mom's group last week. It was wonderful as usual!

- I went to breakfast with a friend, and then shopping with no kids. What a relaxing and enjoyable morning!

- Josiah went to play at his grammie and grampie's house so I could have some shopping time last week (so nice to have space to think and wander and browse without digging in my purse every minute for a toy or snack or drink or bribe or distraction...I have a big purse!).

- I overdid it at the mall on Saturday (yes, THE Saturday before Christmas), where I spent four hours squeezing through crowds. Thankfully, I am almost finished...now for the wrapping part (you may be getting your present in a grocery bag this year if things don't pick up around here!).

- I attended my Christmas staff party, which was held at a swanky little French restaurant. And I spent my Christmas bonus on a new mattress and protector for Josiah (oh, to be selfish again!).

- Chris missed his staff party the following night because he was sick (and I was too).

- Josiah has done a great job of ignoring the wrapped gifts under the tree. He has, however, decided that his shopping cart causes a huge stir when it is rammed into the Christmas tree after a good running start...the shopping cart will be banned until after the holidays. Hopefully this year, he does not remember that the broom makes a great whacking stick for the 'pinata' tree (sorry mom!).

- Despite feeling sick and busy and overwhelmed, I have felt peace. Not because things are great, but because God is.

Last Weekend

Last weekend, my sister and I went to Quebec City.

Here are some highlights from the trip:

I was sent off at the airport at 5:30 on Friday morning by Chris and Josiah.



I flew into Montreal and met up with Andrea there. We arrived at the hotel around 10:30 and we took a quick break before starting the day.



Since Friday was the longest day we had to tour, shop, etc...we wanted to make the most of it. Being the highly organized person she is, Andrea had a walking map already plotted. It was so beautiful walking around downtown. The buildings are so old, and it does have a European flair.





There was a little difficulty reading some of the signs...and everything there is French. Although I do not speak French well at all, reading and understanding came alright to me.



We asked one of the locals where we could find authentic poutine, and this was the spot! A very unassuming and BUSY little spot.



It was all decked out for Christmas and looked so beautiful, especially in the evenings when everything was lit up.





The market was one of my favorite places to visit. It featured hundreds of local products. I liked it so much, that I went back the next day.



The streets in the lower part of the city looked like sidewalks. People walked right up the middle of the streets until cars came. Here is a picture that we took, as a car swerved around us!



These are some random pictures of downtown:















On Saturday, I did some shopping and sight seeing in the morning by myself, because Andrea attended a work conference for the day. I did not bring my camera, because it was very wet and snowy. I relaxed for a while in the afternoon, before getting ready to go out that evening. When Andrea got off at 5, we headed out to do some more shopping and then met her co-workers at a beautiful Italian restaurant.

Sunday morning, we set out in search of crepes. We found them!



We did a little more sight seeing before we headed to the airport. Then, we flew into Montreal together before getting on our own flights.



Thoughts about the weekend:
- I love shopping!
- It was so great to only think about myself for three whole days.
- I have a wonderful husband who not only encourages me to go away, but gives me extra spending money :).
- Quebec is a beautiful city with so much heritage. We are definitely lacking that kind of architectural integrity in other parts of the country.
- The food, although expensive, was amazing. I loved not having to cook or meal plan.
- The quality of air travel has declined since the last time I flew, and I'm glad I don't have to fly very often.
- I love spending time with my sister, and wish that we still lived in the same city.
- Although the break was amazing, I missed my guys and was very thankful to have them both to come home to. Josiah ran to greet me at the airport, and yelled, "Mommy!" He dragged my little suitcase all the way from the luggage belt to the truck.
- I need to plan more times like this!

Self-Esteem

I read this article
(http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=234437) today, and found it to be quite interesting. As a professional who worked with troubled kids in school, I always had difficulty rewarding for behavior that every other kid was doing, or giving special privileges to the undisciplined kids.

The other night, I was talking with a friend who teaches high school. It was the first that I have heard of a 'no-zero' policy, which prohibits teachers from giving out zeros. I was astounded by the extra work this has placed on teachers, and the lack of character and responsibility it is instilling in kids. It connects with what the author of this article is saying too, that it is unacceptable for a kid to feel like their work is sub-par even when it is.

As I parent, I am searching for the best way to raise my child. I know that I don't want him to end up like the kids mentioned in the article; however, I also know from experience what it is like to grow up in a house that offered little praise and too much comparison. So I am trying to find a balance...so hard. Anyway, just some thoughts!

This Week...

- I am getting ready for my trip! So excited!

- I had a whole morning to myself, when my sister-in-law offered to take Josiah so I could do some Christmas shopping. This was such a nice gift! I had a very enjoyable and productive morning. It is amazing how clear and efficient one can be without kids.

- Josiah has been fighting something. He slept until 7:40 this morning. Those of you who know him understand what a big deal this is! He's pale and quiet and just not himself. (Really hoping we don't get sick before my trip and that he is able to get rid of this soon too!)

- I found a pretty Christmas centerpiece for the table. I had been looking for the right thing for a while...something simple. I will try to post a picture of it after my decorating is done.

- I prepared my advent calendar. It was fun to find verses for each day, pick special candies to fit behind the doors, and include some fun activities/challenges.

- Chris has been in a sorting mood. Several garbage bags have left our house. It feels great to have reduced our clutter, especially before trying to decorate for Christmas.

- In lieu of coffee/tea, I have been enjoying chai and apple cider.

- I participated in a cookie exchange this week, so my freezer is ready for holiday company!

- I still don't have Christmas cards done! If you don't get one this year, you'll know why!

- We went to the Christmas parade on the weekend. Josiah was in awe. It was all of his favorite things...thousands of people, action, lights, and snow. What a beautiful night! It was cute to watch his expressions. He waved frantically at the people on the floats. The only things he wasn't crazy about was one of the marching bands (very loud) and a Sponge Bob float- I don't think he's ever seen this character before, but he didn't look impressed.

- We are going to try out a new teen babysitter for some of our Christmas parties/activities. Hoping that goes well, and that it can possibly lead to more outings in the future! It would be very exciting to think that Chris and I might be able to go shopping for Josiah together instead of alone as we have always had to do!

- We went bed shopping for Josiah this week, just to get some prices, etc...I can't believe it is almost time for my baby to leave his crib! I can't believe how much twin beds and bedding cost!

- I have not been cleaning...

- I've been wanting to move.

- Have I mentioned that I leave tomorrow for my trip:)! I'll post some pics next week when I get back!