My Favorite Christmas Memory

Those who know me really well, know that I have this amazing Grandma. And, when I was growing up, we were fortunate enough to spend a lot of Christmases at her house. Every year at Christmas, she would go out of her way to play up Santa. There were always the leftover cookie crumbs on the plate, notes from Santa and even a phone call one year! So its no surprise that I owe my favorite Christmas memory all to her.

It was Christmas morning and Grandma was disappointed that no one had gotten me a doll for Christmas (she firmly believes that every little girl should get a doll for Christmas). So, off she went to the nearest and only store open on Christmas morning...the gas station and purchased a 3 ft tall doll with curly blonde hair, a plaid flannel shirt and blue jeans and brought it back home. Now, she had to get creative. You see, the presents had already been opened and all of Santa's surprises been revealed. So, she came up with a plan.

A few minutes later she came into where I was (enjoying my new toys and oblivious to the fact that I hadn't gotten a doll) and said, "Sarah, Sarah come look outside. I just saw Santa fly over the house and I think he dropped something out of his sleigh for you."

So we raced out into the backyard and discovered the doll. "He must have forgotten to leave it under the tree for you last night." I remember looking in the sky for a tiny glimpse of Santa's sleigh but there was no sign of him. I thought it was so wonderful to have had a near-encounter with Santa right there in broad daylight.

With a grandma like that, is it any wonder that I believed in Santa well into my middle school years? Anyway, today we hung up the beautiful stockings that she made for us and I got to revisit that Christmas memory.

"Thank You Grandma for the beautiful stockings! When I look at them I will always remember all of the wonderful Christmases at your house!"

Merry Christmas!

Its all a blur...

So Ethan is 6 months old now, and its hard to believe. He weighs just over 17 lbs and is 28 1/4 inches long. He officially has 2 teeth now and eats 3 "solid" meals a day in his highchair. And, while I don't think he is anywhere near being able to sit up on his own, he sure is trying hard to learn to crawl and will pull his knees up under him and push himself forward. He is a very smiley baby and good-natured especially for someone to whom I always seem to be saying, "Hang on a minute E, Mommy is coming!"

It occured to me today as I was watching the pediatrician give Ethan his 6 month check-up that the past 6 months have absolutely flown by and are really a blur. The blur is due in part to a lack of sleep (he still doesn't sleep through the night consistently) and in part to being busy with his sisters. But, another part is knowing that he is my last baby. I can remember that with Avery, I was so anxious for every milestone. I wanted so badly for her to have her first tooth, to eat solid foods, to learn to crawl, etc. But now, things are different. I am furious with Ethan for already having 2 teeth at only 6 months old! I want him to stay a baby for as long as possible. I know from experience that the next 6 months will only bring more change and with every milestone he will become a little less of a baby. But as a mom, I have learned that there are some things I just can't control. So, for now, I will cover his bald little head with kisses, enjoy his sweet baby laugh, and marvel at how quickly he is growing up.

Potty Training...Day whatever

Hannah: "Daddy, you wear big girl panties too?"
Jeff: "Yes, Daddy wears big girl panties too."

Mischief

Let me set the scene...Yesterday morning I left Ethan in his swing and Hannah watching TV in the living room to go and dry my hair in the bathroom. When I finished, about 5 minutes later, I heard Shelby chomping on something. So I chased her down and pulled a marker cap out of her mouth. "Hmmm, why are the markers out?" I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the worst as I headed into the living room. "Hannah, what are you doing?"

"I draw on Ethan!" she said proudly pointing to her work. The boy had black marker all over his bald little head, on his hands, and even some smeared on his face. And, he was just giggling through it all.

Mark my words, I'm in trouble with these two. He can't even crawl and already they are "thicker than thieves." To her, he is just an animated plaything. If he can't come with her to play across the room, she will just drag him over to where she wants him. If I put him in his swing, she thinks nothing of hanging on too. Ethan just giggles the whole time and thinks that she is great.