Date: December 29, 2009
To: Baby Pom Pom
To the above tenant in possession of below described premises:
I am issuing a 1 day notice for EVICTION. You will have 1 day in which you can either gather your belongings and promptly vacate the premises or you will be physically removed from the property.
You are being evicted due to breech of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, within reasonable limits, were discussed. Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back of the house were also made!
Remodeling and gutting of the home was never approved, nor was changing the initial layout and base structure. And due to property damage, there are now leaks in both the upper AND lower levels of the home. On top of which, the landlord has received numerous complaints about nightly disturbances.
After 1 day from this day that you don't comply with the notice will result in immediate and forceful removal at my discretion.
Thank you for your cooperation
Love,
Mommy
12.29.2009
12.27.2009
The Right Side of the Bed
Not to be outdone by all of the improvements in the rest of the house, Amelia scored a new bed last week. The bed, designed and built by my dad, has been a long time coming and Amelia could not be happier with the way it turned out!
The space underneath the bed (where Amelia likes to hang out) will hopefully be fitted with some sort of storage bucket or tub to keep toys, books, etc.
We love the bed, BUT its placement gives her full access to the shelves in her room that she USED to not be able to reach. Immediately, her Pez Dispenser collection went from a shelf she couldn't reach to the built-in shelf on her bed. She likes to take books into her bed and match the characters from the book with various dispensers she owns. Then, she re-inacts the story using the dispensers. As you can see, she likes to have them all lined up. On Christmas Eve, she placed them in groups, each in the shape of a circle. She said they were making "wreaths" to "decorate for Christmas".
It certainly seems like she sleeps better in this bed than she did when her mattress was just on a frame (which is really the best part about this gift!). Thanks for that Papa John!
The space underneath the bed (where Amelia likes to hang out) will hopefully be fitted with some sort of storage bucket or tub to keep toys, books, etc.
We love the bed, BUT its placement gives her full access to the shelves in her room that she USED to not be able to reach. Immediately, her Pez Dispenser collection went from a shelf she couldn't reach to the built-in shelf on her bed. She likes to take books into her bed and match the characters from the book with various dispensers she owns. Then, she re-inacts the story using the dispensers. As you can see, she likes to have them all lined up. On Christmas Eve, she placed them in groups, each in the shape of a circle. She said they were making "wreaths" to "decorate for Christmas".
It certainly seems like she sleeps better in this bed than she did when her mattress was just on a frame (which is really the best part about this gift!). Thanks for that Papa John!
12.26.2009
101 Things--Almost 1 Year Down
101 Things to do in 1001 Days
Official Start Date: January 16, 2009
Official End Date: October 14, 2011
Official Progress Report: 19 items completed, 15 items started, 82 items to go
(Anything that has been completed is marked in bold, items in progress are pink)
Things have been moving along these last few months. I learned to use my sewing machine to make some Christmas presents, got my body checked by a dermatologist, and made a gingerbread house with the little one. My favorite Christmas gift was an amazing hard-bound book from Jason that documents the first 2 years of our blog. Any day now, I should be able to mark off "Have a Second Baby" and am contemplating getting a pedicure tomorrow to help with that whole process!
Learning Things
1. learn to Knit
2. Learn to sew on my new sewing machine 10/09
3. take a pottery class
4. take a yoga class
5. learn to make a scrabble tile pendants
6. knit Amelia a hat
7. make a painting for Amelia's room
Travel Things
8. Bet $20 on red in Vegas
9. Dress up and go somewhere fabulous for New Year's Eve (preferably out of town)
10. Take Amelia to Disneyworld (2/09)
11. Go to the Grand Canyon
12. Visit family in TX
13. Visit family in KC
14. Visit family in Spokane (7/09)
15. Take Amelia to the beach (7/09)
16. Take a family vacation to Chicago
17. Take Jason to Spa Shiki for a couple's spa day
Sport Things
18. Bike the entire Katy Trail
19. Attend a family member's school sporting event
20. Attend a local high school softball game 9/09
21. Run 5, 5K races (2/5) (St. Patrick's Day 7K 3/2009), (Hazelwood PTA Scholarship Run/Walk 5/2009)
For Other People Things
22. Send a 'just because' care package to someone
23. Pay for the car behind me in the drive thru lane
24. Give my parents an outstanding anniversary gift
25. Donate $5 to charity for every item not completed by day 1001
26. Get over my fear and donate blood again (anyone want to come hold my hand?)
27. Continue to support platoons by sending monthly care packages until the end of the war (I changed this to in-progress since it is ongoing).
28. Make a blanket to donate to the Linus Project
29. Write a love letter to Jason
30. Write a love letter to Amelia
31. Inspire someone else to do a 101 things list (Hooray for Erin! 7/09)
32. Send someone flowers for no reason
33. Make Jason an amazing breakfast in bed
34. Plan and execute a fancy picnic for Jason and Amelia
Finance Things
35. Build up a 9 month emergency fund (in progress, but still have a ways to go)
36. Change our retirement contributions to be more aggressive (3/09)
37. Become debt free except for our mortgage (car and student loans)
38. Max out my Roth IRA one year (Hoping this will be the year).
39. Get a living will made
40. Rollover retirement money from state job
Organization Things
41. Organize laundry room closet (9/09)
42. Combine favorite recipes and compile into printed book
43. Print out and organize 2006 photos
44. Print out and organize 2007 photos
45. Print out and organize 2008 photos
46. Print out and organize 2009 photos
47. Add captions to 2006 photos
48. Add captions to 2007 photos
49. Add captions to 2008 photos
50. Add captions to 2009 photos
51. Bring Amelia's baby book up to date
52. Organize basement so that everything fits on two shelving units
53. Replace bathroom carpet with ceramic tile
54. Repaint Amelia's bathroom
55. Have a garage sale (CF Yard Sale-5/09)
Food and Drink Things
56. Host a fondue party
57. Host a dinner party (minimum 6 people)
58. Visit 5 new restaurants (3/5) (The Vine 3/09), (El Scorcho 4/09). (McGurks 11/09)
59. Try out the Melting Pot (9/09)
For Me Things
60. Contact my favorite teacher to thank her for her influence on my life
61. Identify 100 things that make me happy
62. Have a second baby (Should be marking this off 12/09).
63. Send a secret to postsecret.com
64. Read 100 books (27/100)
65. Attend Easter vigil
66. Attend Stations of the Cross during Lent
67. Apply to graduate school (1/09)
68. Take the GRE (2/09)
69. Go one week without logging in to Facebook
70. Give up TV for one week
71. Eat only at home for an entire month
72. Have my body checked by a dermatologist (12/09)
73. Get a manicure
74. Get a pedicure
75. Get a massage
76. Get a facial
77. Have 2006 blog entries made into a book (12/09)
78. Have 2007 blog entries made into a book (12/09)
79. Have 2008 blog entries made into a book
80. Have 2009 blog entries made into a book
81. Bring tree skirt project up to date
82. Finish an entire Sudoku book cover to cover
83. See all 5 Best Picture nominees either in theater or DVD (3/5)
84. See a local high school play
85. See Mason Jennings live again
86. See a Second City show in Chicago
87. Go to see a movie solo
88. Hand the camera over and get more pictures of Amelia and I together
89. Pick up trash around a local park we frequent
90. Finish a certain "craft project" I started in college (it was meant to be a Christmas present for someone who reads this blog)
Amelia Things
91. Start a garden with Amelia and grow flowers and/or vegetables (4/09)
92. Build Amelia a dollhouse (first step is done, hoping to have it completed by her birthday?).
93. Take Amelia camping
94. Introduce Amelia to the fun of a photo booth (6/09)
95. Play in the rain with Amelia
96. Fly a kite with Amelia
97. Get Amelia a passport (6/09)
98. Decorate a gingerbread house with Amelia (11/09)
99. Catch lightning bugs with Amelia.
100. Make a doll for Amelia
101. Work on the next 101 things to do! (3 ideas so far!)
12.22.2009
39 weeks and counting....
The highlights from my 39 week appt:
1. Despite my many hours of walking these last two months, for the 5th straight week, I was told that I am not at all dilated. And, although the baby's head is down, it is STILL not engaged. My cervix is "very soft" however.
2. The dr. is unsure whether the baby's head is not engaged yet because the baby is not "ready" or because the baby is too big. yikes!
3. The dr. predicts that this baby will be larger than Amelia (7 lbs, 3 oz). He said, "in the 8's" which I think is kind of a broad statement. He said this, although I am no longer measuring large, but right where I should be.
4. My dr. (who claims to deliver 95% of his babies) will be out of town and unable to deliver baby Pom Pom should he/she decide to come December 24-27. I have never met his partner who is on call for those days. My doctor assures me he is good, as long as he's sober. Very funny.
5. The hospital where I plan to deliver is slammed for next week (apparently everyone wants that tax deduction!), but I was able to secure an induction date should that be necessary. Looks like December 30 will be the big day (well, the day I GO to the hospital anyway).
6. Because I am ZERO cm dilated, the dr. is planning on using Cervidil in the hopes of softening my cervix before the Pitocin is administered. This will have to be in place for 12 hours which means that the Pitocin won't start until late Weds. evening. It only took 4 hours of Cervidil to start labor with Amelia, no Pitocin necessary. It would be great if we could go that route again.
7. Early on, when thinking about possible dates this baby could arrive, I expressed an interest in having a child with a New Year's Eve birthday. After all, it will always be a party on his or her big day! Um, looks like that may come to fruition.
8. The very best thing to come from all of this is my Sister-in-Law's comment today that she can't see leaving St. Louis and heading back to DC until this baby is born (they were set to go back on the 29th)! Woo, I cannot tell you how happy this makes me!
9. And lastly, for the record, I also think I'm on to something with that whole stubborn Capricorn thing too....just sayin'.
1. Despite my many hours of walking these last two months, for the 5th straight week, I was told that I am not at all dilated. And, although the baby's head is down, it is STILL not engaged. My cervix is "very soft" however.
2. The dr. is unsure whether the baby's head is not engaged yet because the baby is not "ready" or because the baby is too big. yikes!
3. The dr. predicts that this baby will be larger than Amelia (7 lbs, 3 oz). He said, "in the 8's" which I think is kind of a broad statement. He said this, although I am no longer measuring large, but right where I should be.
4. My dr. (who claims to deliver 95% of his babies) will be out of town and unable to deliver baby Pom Pom should he/she decide to come December 24-27. I have never met his partner who is on call for those days. My doctor assures me he is good, as long as he's sober. Very funny.
5. The hospital where I plan to deliver is slammed for next week (apparently everyone wants that tax deduction!), but I was able to secure an induction date should that be necessary. Looks like December 30 will be the big day (well, the day I GO to the hospital anyway).
6. Because I am ZERO cm dilated, the dr. is planning on using Cervidil in the hopes of softening my cervix before the Pitocin is administered. This will have to be in place for 12 hours which means that the Pitocin won't start until late Weds. evening. It only took 4 hours of Cervidil to start labor with Amelia, no Pitocin necessary. It would be great if we could go that route again.
7. Early on, when thinking about possible dates this baby could arrive, I expressed an interest in having a child with a New Year's Eve birthday. After all, it will always be a party on his or her big day! Um, looks like that may come to fruition.
8. The very best thing to come from all of this is my Sister-in-Law's comment today that she can't see leaving St. Louis and heading back to DC until this baby is born (they were set to go back on the 29th)! Woo, I cannot tell you how happy this makes me!
9. And lastly, for the record, I also think I'm on to something with that whole stubborn Capricorn thing too....just sayin'.
12.21.2009
Holding the Baby
Amelia's version of herself holding the baby. Can you see it or maybe it is something only recognizable to a mother's eyes :)
Nursery is Finished!
The nursery is done--or more accurately--the nursery is as done as I hope to get it before the baby comes. Which is good since I'm due ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!
So, without further ado....
The paintings on the wall aren't quite finished, but I'm done badgering my husband to get them done. I mean, after all, he cleaned the ENTIRE house today and did lots of odd jobs to get ready for the big day. I actually think he may have a touch of the "nesting bug". But, interestingly enough, the paintings were the whole inspiration for the room and I'm glad they at least have a place on the wall for now (even if they are missing some details).
As I've already mentioned, I love my rain gutter shelves. I am still planning on adding one more shelf when time allows.
I have big plans for the window in the room, but would like to determine the baby's gender before committing to the fabric. For those of you who don't know, the crib was made by my dad and Jason's grandpa who worked together for many months to complete it in time for the arrival of Amelia.
Poor Baby Pom Pom's shelves are a little barren. I am still working on what I would like to put on them. Once we know the gender, I think things will come together a little better.
I knew I wanted to do some vinyl stickers in the room but was having a hard time committing to a specific one. I found a HUGE set at Target and got it on sale for $9. I have only used about 1/4 of the stickers in the set and we are still playing around with their placement.
The two owls are my favorite and I move them around pretty much on a weekly basis.
Amelia loves the squirrel under the window.
The little hedgehog is a popular addition to the room too!
Baby Pom Pom has some pretty special gifts in his or her room as well. My extremely talented friend, Erin, whipped up this super special mobile for the room. If you stop by to see Baby Pom Pom (assuming he or she eventually comes), you will have to see this mobile in person!
Another friend, Susie, MADE this diaper bag for me! Beautiful, isn't it? I am still in awe at the talent of my friends.
Of course, she didn't stop at the bag alone, she also made a matching burp cloth.
My mother in law made this adorable baby book for little Pom Pom, too!
It has a page inside designated to capture each month of the baby's first year. The months are coordinated to the holidays that will be taking place at that time. For example, the "2 month" page has a Valentine's Day theme.
Love the first birthday page--I'm sure it wasn't easy making the whole thing so gender neutral!
One of my favorite pages because it matches the room so well!
Amelia even got to design a special "Me and Amelia" page!
And lastly, I couldn't resist a picture of my diaper/wipe stockpile. It is a little bit out of control, but I know it will dwindle quickly....
So, I guess all we need is the baby!
All in all, I am so happy with the way the nursery has come together! It makes me so happy to walk by the room and catch a glimpse of one of the special touches that took so much time to complete. I would have been in big trouble without the help of my parents and Jason to get it all ready. I hope she or he will be very happy there and look forward to perfecting it completely once the baby arrives!
So, without further ado....
The paintings on the wall aren't quite finished, but I'm done badgering my husband to get them done. I mean, after all, he cleaned the ENTIRE house today and did lots of odd jobs to get ready for the big day. I actually think he may have a touch of the "nesting bug". But, interestingly enough, the paintings were the whole inspiration for the room and I'm glad they at least have a place on the wall for now (even if they are missing some details).
As I've already mentioned, I love my rain gutter shelves. I am still planning on adding one more shelf when time allows.
I have big plans for the window in the room, but would like to determine the baby's gender before committing to the fabric. For those of you who don't know, the crib was made by my dad and Jason's grandpa who worked together for many months to complete it in time for the arrival of Amelia.
Poor Baby Pom Pom's shelves are a little barren. I am still working on what I would like to put on them. Once we know the gender, I think things will come together a little better.
I knew I wanted to do some vinyl stickers in the room but was having a hard time committing to a specific one. I found a HUGE set at Target and got it on sale for $9. I have only used about 1/4 of the stickers in the set and we are still playing around with their placement.
The two owls are my favorite and I move them around pretty much on a weekly basis.
Amelia loves the squirrel under the window.
The little hedgehog is a popular addition to the room too!
Baby Pom Pom has some pretty special gifts in his or her room as well. My extremely talented friend, Erin, whipped up this super special mobile for the room. If you stop by to see Baby Pom Pom (assuming he or she eventually comes), you will have to see this mobile in person!
Another friend, Susie, MADE this diaper bag for me! Beautiful, isn't it? I am still in awe at the talent of my friends.
Of course, she didn't stop at the bag alone, she also made a matching burp cloth.
My mother in law made this adorable baby book for little Pom Pom, too!
It has a page inside designated to capture each month of the baby's first year. The months are coordinated to the holidays that will be taking place at that time. For example, the "2 month" page has a Valentine's Day theme.
Love the first birthday page--I'm sure it wasn't easy making the whole thing so gender neutral!
One of my favorite pages because it matches the room so well!
Amelia even got to design a special "Me and Amelia" page!
And lastly, I couldn't resist a picture of my diaper/wipe stockpile. It is a little bit out of control, but I know it will dwindle quickly....
So, I guess all we need is the baby!
All in all, I am so happy with the way the nursery has come together! It makes me so happy to walk by the room and catch a glimpse of one of the special touches that took so much time to complete. I would have been in big trouble without the help of my parents and Jason to get it all ready. I hope she or he will be very happy there and look forward to perfecting it completely once the baby arrives!
12.16.2009
The Craziness of Christmas!
In the midst of trying to get ready for Baby Pom Pom and Christmas simultaneously, I was afraid we would have to miss out on all of the fun activities to do this time of year. Surprisingly, we've gotten the opportunity to do TONS of things. My goal was to do a different activity each night for Advent (although some nights involved watching a Christmas special on TV). What I haven't had time to do is blog about each one. So, here I will just make a quick note of each one for future reference.
We actually started with this activity before we had even made it into the month of December. I bought a gingerbread house making kit at 75% off last year after Christmas and decided to give it a try with Amelia. It was perfect! So easy to assemble and she was really into doing it. An added bonus was using our own candy to supplement what the kit came with--no more Halloween candy in these parts!
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I got my turn a couple of nights later at a Gingerbread House making party given by one of the moms in my playgroup. I had a blast making it and used the entire 3 hours allotted to complete my house.
Early on in December, Amelia's friend Natalie invited us to her school to have breakfast with Santa. Much to our delight breakfast was "catered" by McDonalds and was enjoyed by all. Amelia was determined to have me sit on Santa's lap and then decided she would sit on my lap. She was in mid-sentence telling Santa what she wanted when he said, "I'm having trouble hearing you, come closer" while grabbing for her at the same time. She wanted nothing to do with sitting on his lap after that, but he did talk her into holding his hand while Jason snapped a quick pic.
There were lots of cute crafts to make at Breakfast with Santa and even an opportunity for the kids to shop for family and friends without their parents. Amelia decided to pick out gifts for Jason and I as well as both grandmas, a friend, and our dog. Should be interesting come Christmas morning. The helper that took her to shop commented that Amelia "knew exactly what she wanted" and was finished shopping very quickly. I will say she must have done a good job picking out the dog's gift. Truman has attempted to open the gift (and only HER gift) on multiple occasions and it had to be put up from under the tree.
Also in early December, my dad got us tickets to see The Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox. Although Amelia was familiar with the story, I was concerned she would be too young to last through an entire production. Turns out, I was wrong! She, Jason, Jason's mom, and I all got dressed up (which she loved, of course), had dinner, and headed to the show. She was pretty engrossed throughout the whole thing and told us her favorite part was watching the fight between the Nutcracker and the Mice King.
We also took a trip to Main Street St. Charles for their "Christmas Traditions" celebration. Unfortunately, the minute we stepped from the car it began to pour. We had to duck into the first shop we came to and luckily for Amelia it was a candy store. We somehow managed to kill some time in there until the weather let up. We strolled for a little while and went down to check out the ice skating rink, but the rain wouldn't stay away. We found a little cafe to get some hot chocolate, apple cider, and dessert. Even though the night didn't go quite as planned, it was still a really fun time!
Of course, we put up our tree as well. Amelia took the job of keeping the tree on the roof of our car very, very seriously. She did not let go of the string the entire 15 minute drive home.
Of course, we had to decorate our tree too. Yikes, look at that belly!
Amelia putting the finishing touch on our tree!
We checked out a very impressive Christmas lights display near our house. All of the lights were set to music that plays on a radio station. The owner of the home broadcasts the station from his house.
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After walking by the giving tree numerous times at the mall during Stroller Aerobics, we decided to snag a few tags and grant some wishes. I was so proud of Amelia for taking the job of finding gifts for the kids we picked so seriously. In fact, after dropping off our first round of gifts, she talked me into picking up another tag because she was concerned that there were still so many left on the tree. I will definitely have to be more organized next year and start a little earlier in the charity giving process.
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Over the weekend, Amelia and I joined our friends Natalie and Susie to visit Journey to Bethlehem at a nearby church. I have heard about this each Christmas season for the last several years and have been meaning to check it out. One year Jason and I even drove around aimlessly looking for it before giving up and returning home. It is essentially a live performance that starts inside on the stage. There they tell the story of Mary and Joseph. After about 45 minutes, you start an outdoor journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted for the census (basically you are following Mary and Joseph). You encounter characters along the journey including angels and the 3 Wisemen. There are also live animals and a fire at most stops to help keep warm. At the end of the journey, you arrive in the barn where you see Mary and Joseph rocking Baby Jesus. Afterwards, they even give you hot chocolate and cookies! I read somewhere that over 100 members of the church participate each year to make the event happen (I would imagine its more, though) and 14,000 took the "Journey" during its 4 day run. Amelia was a bit young (or was it the 45 minute wait outside to start the program?) and I'd have to think awhile before deciding to take her again next year. But, it will surely become a tradition for our family at some point--it was really beautiful.
Today we had the chance to bake lots and lots of cookies with GG. Amelia actually told me during the process that I "filled her bucket" because I let her crack an egg on her own while we were mixing up the chocolate chip batter. It really is the little things!
And lastly, one of my favorite holiday traditions happens each December with Jason's family. They hold a progressive dinner where we visit and admire each other's decorated homes for Christmas. And, of course, there is always a plethora of wonderful food at each location. I have no photos from this year, but it was wonderful as usual!
We actually started with this activity before we had even made it into the month of December. I bought a gingerbread house making kit at 75% off last year after Christmas and decided to give it a try with Amelia. It was perfect! So easy to assemble and she was really into doing it. An added bonus was using our own candy to supplement what the kit came with--no more Halloween candy in these parts!
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I got my turn a couple of nights later at a Gingerbread House making party given by one of the moms in my playgroup. I had a blast making it and used the entire 3 hours allotted to complete my house.
Early on in December, Amelia's friend Natalie invited us to her school to have breakfast with Santa. Much to our delight breakfast was "catered" by McDonalds and was enjoyed by all. Amelia was determined to have me sit on Santa's lap and then decided she would sit on my lap. She was in mid-sentence telling Santa what she wanted when he said, "I'm having trouble hearing you, come closer" while grabbing for her at the same time. She wanted nothing to do with sitting on his lap after that, but he did talk her into holding his hand while Jason snapped a quick pic.
There were lots of cute crafts to make at Breakfast with Santa and even an opportunity for the kids to shop for family and friends without their parents. Amelia decided to pick out gifts for Jason and I as well as both grandmas, a friend, and our dog. Should be interesting come Christmas morning. The helper that took her to shop commented that Amelia "knew exactly what she wanted" and was finished shopping very quickly. I will say she must have done a good job picking out the dog's gift. Truman has attempted to open the gift (and only HER gift) on multiple occasions and it had to be put up from under the tree.
Also in early December, my dad got us tickets to see The Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox. Although Amelia was familiar with the story, I was concerned she would be too young to last through an entire production. Turns out, I was wrong! She, Jason, Jason's mom, and I all got dressed up (which she loved, of course), had dinner, and headed to the show. She was pretty engrossed throughout the whole thing and told us her favorite part was watching the fight between the Nutcracker and the Mice King.
We also took a trip to Main Street St. Charles for their "Christmas Traditions" celebration. Unfortunately, the minute we stepped from the car it began to pour. We had to duck into the first shop we came to and luckily for Amelia it was a candy store. We somehow managed to kill some time in there until the weather let up. We strolled for a little while and went down to check out the ice skating rink, but the rain wouldn't stay away. We found a little cafe to get some hot chocolate, apple cider, and dessert. Even though the night didn't go quite as planned, it was still a really fun time!
Of course, we put up our tree as well. Amelia took the job of keeping the tree on the roof of our car very, very seriously. She did not let go of the string the entire 15 minute drive home.
Of course, we had to decorate our tree too. Yikes, look at that belly!
Amelia putting the finishing touch on our tree!
We checked out a very impressive Christmas lights display near our house. All of the lights were set to music that plays on a radio station. The owner of the home broadcasts the station from his house.
.jpg)
After walking by the giving tree numerous times at the mall during Stroller Aerobics, we decided to snag a few tags and grant some wishes. I was so proud of Amelia for taking the job of finding gifts for the kids we picked so seriously. In fact, after dropping off our first round of gifts, she talked me into picking up another tag because she was concerned that there were still so many left on the tree. I will definitely have to be more organized next year and start a little earlier in the charity giving process.
.jpg)
Over the weekend, Amelia and I joined our friends Natalie and Susie to visit Journey to Bethlehem at a nearby church. I have heard about this each Christmas season for the last several years and have been meaning to check it out. One year Jason and I even drove around aimlessly looking for it before giving up and returning home. It is essentially a live performance that starts inside on the stage. There they tell the story of Mary and Joseph. After about 45 minutes, you start an outdoor journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted for the census (basically you are following Mary and Joseph). You encounter characters along the journey including angels and the 3 Wisemen. There are also live animals and a fire at most stops to help keep warm. At the end of the journey, you arrive in the barn where you see Mary and Joseph rocking Baby Jesus. Afterwards, they even give you hot chocolate and cookies! I read somewhere that over 100 members of the church participate each year to make the event happen (I would imagine its more, though) and 14,000 took the "Journey" during its 4 day run. Amelia was a bit young (or was it the 45 minute wait outside to start the program?) and I'd have to think awhile before deciding to take her again next year. But, it will surely become a tradition for our family at some point--it was really beautiful.
Today we had the chance to bake lots and lots of cookies with GG. Amelia actually told me during the process that I "filled her bucket" because I let her crack an egg on her own while we were mixing up the chocolate chip batter. It really is the little things!
And lastly, one of my favorite holiday traditions happens each December with Jason's family. They hold a progressive dinner where we visit and admire each other's decorated homes for Christmas. And, of course, there is always a plethora of wonderful food at each location. I have no photos from this year, but it was wonderful as usual!
Last Minute Big Sister Stuff
So, wwwwaaaayyyy back in September (I believe), I attended a "Preparing for the New Baby" Parents as Teachers class. They gave some great handouts and lots of ideas for ways to involve your child in the preparations for the new baby.
We've done many of the suggestions so far, but the PAT class also gave us a few projects to work on with our children and I decided I better get them out! The first is a birthday cake coloring page--you know, since its the baby's "birth day". Amelia decorated it the way she wanted and I told her that it would go with us to the hospital to hang near the baby's bed so he or she could see it. She thought that was a great idea!
After I took this picture, she even added a little drawing of herself next to the cake. At some point, we will be putting the baby's name on the cake.
The next project is supposed to help the baby enjoy "tummy time" a little more. Amelia put all of the pieces together and glued them on with great precision.
The finished project! It stands up and gives the baby something to look at while they are on their tummy. It is also done in the black, white, and red hues that babies apparently love.
PAT also gave us some black/white drawings to mount on black paper and hang near the changing table so that the baby has something to look at during diaper changes. I decided to add to the creepy guy they provided with a few simple drawings of my own. Amelia liked coloring in the "pattern".
We've done many of the suggestions so far, but the PAT class also gave us a few projects to work on with our children and I decided I better get them out! The first is a birthday cake coloring page--you know, since its the baby's "birth day". Amelia decorated it the way she wanted and I told her that it would go with us to the hospital to hang near the baby's bed so he or she could see it. She thought that was a great idea!
After I took this picture, she even added a little drawing of herself next to the cake. At some point, we will be putting the baby's name on the cake.
The next project is supposed to help the baby enjoy "tummy time" a little more. Amelia put all of the pieces together and glued them on with great precision.
The finished project! It stands up and gives the baby something to look at while they are on their tummy. It is also done in the black, white, and red hues that babies apparently love.
PAT also gave us some black/white drawings to mount on black paper and hang near the changing table so that the baby has something to look at during diaper changes. I decided to add to the creepy guy they provided with a few simple drawings of my own. Amelia liked coloring in the "pattern".
Hopefully these things will make Baby Pom Pom super calm and content (one can dream, no?)! If nothing else, we really enjoyed making them together as a family!
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