Tiny Holiday Post

Dan always gets a bit miffy around the holidays because while he likes to take pictures, this causes him to miss out on a lot of stuff. So he boycotted photography this Thanksgiving (excluding family pics) and all other photos are on Facebook: graciously donated by Jessie and Matt!
But we did have a very nice Thanksgiving. Aidie didn't nap, but that was okay. She had a blast playing with everyone and I'm pretty sure made Uncle David's day by giving him a kiss! Lol!
She initially tried to hide all of her toys from Iroh and Xaeden, but ended up sharing toward the end. Way to grow, little girl! I'm so proud of you :-)


Of course we also had to put up our holiday decor. Aidie is a big helper!

And ornament breaker... oh but look at the wonder in her eyes and she contemplates ways to get the pretty dolly out of the tree...

And hangs up her ornaments

And of course the only photo with mommy, mommy is giving daddy a "is this really the picture you're choosing to take" look. Love you, Dan!

Wishing you all a happy holiday season. I can't wait to share more soon. Aidie is growing and getting smarter and busier by the second. Her potty training is going well. She is finally healthy. And I love being her mommy! It's the best!

And the Thanksgiving Survey. Just for you Hon

Where will you be eating this Thanksgiving?
-Dan's folks at 1p, then to Mum and Daddy's at 3p

Will you be watching a game this Thanksgiving?
-OF COURSE. FOOTBALL IS THE BEST!

How long will you spend eating your thanksgiving meal?
-As long as it fits, it goes in

Are you worried about putting on weight this Thanksgiving?
-Why worry. It will happen to everyone regardless.

What do you normally eat at Thanksgiving?
-Turkey, oyster dressing, mashed potatoes, oriental salad. Mmmm...

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?
-Oyster dressing and oriental salad

What will you be thankful for this Thanksgiving?
-So much. But to name a couple: A beautiful (baby) toddler girl and a wonderful husband!

What is your best Thanksgiving memory?
-Not sure... But probably Aunt Terry and Grandma having the Waldorf Salad contest, for lack of a better title. I can't help but think of the determination to perfect the Waldorf salad without a massive smile coming to my face!

Do you give cards or presents at Thanksgiving?
-Not unless people have plans to be gone at Christmas

Are you planning on going shopping the day after Thanksgiving?
-NEVER. I did it one year. Not worth it...

Will you be waking up early to hit the sales?
-Again, I have earned my break from the craziness of children. I don't need to enter the crazy world of adults on the craziest day of the year!

Holiday Survey Fun... Though Dan says I have to find a Thanksgiving one too...

Oh Rachel. How I love to steal fun stuff from you! Holiday Survey Fun!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? This question makes me sad. I can do hot chocolate any time, any day. Egg Nog is a yummy treat that I can no longer partake in. Boo allergies to egg :(

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? All presents are wrapped except for stocking gifts. Stocking gifts are mostly unwrapped... unless Santa gets wrapping happy :)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Those that know me, know I LOVE white lights. They are so classy and pretty and remind me of ice crystals. Of course Dan loves colored ones, so we put those outside.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Sometimes. We always hang something.

5. When do you put your decorations up? As soon as Dan lets me. So usually Thanksgiving day or earlier if I can!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Oh, toughy! I LOVE oriental salad and stuffing and mashed potatoes. All together. Yes. I'm a little strange.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Reading the Max Lucado Nativity Story. It was always my favorite.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I was 7. On the bus. Mindy Morris, you made me cry. But if you're reading this, it's really okay. I had to accept the truth at some point.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes. Christmas Jammies!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I'm a traditionalist. I would do all balls and old fashioned Christmas ornaments if I could. Dan likes to pack it full of everything. So it usually ends up a mix and match. Someday, I will have two trees!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?I love snow until New Years Day. Then, it should be spring.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes. Thank you Dan!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? It was definitely slicky slide (or was that a birthday present?) Regardless, it was awesome.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Getting together with family, even if you don't normally see them very often.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Grasshopper pie. MMMMMmmmm...

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I love that we open Christmas Jammies on Christmas Eve. Oh and the stockings. Homemade stockings for all in my family. From the same pattern. So they all kind of go together. It's sweet. My favorite!

17. What tops your tree? Depends on my mood, but I'm partial to stars.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? It's all about the giving :)

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? I don't eat hard candy. Nothing against candy canes... but they are lumped into that group.

20. Favorite Christmas show? Movie? Another something to make me hated. I HATE Christmas movies. Ellen used to make me watch "It's a Wonderful Life" EVERY YEAR (I love you anyway!). I wouldn't have done that for anyone else...

21. What is your favorite Christmas song? So many: Carol of the Bells, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, We Three Kings and Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel to name a few (If you can't tell, I love minor key music!)


Play along friends! Fill out your own Holiday survey and let me know so I can check out your answers! =)

Why is this kid smiling? (A TMI Post)

Do you know why this kid's smiling? BECAUSE SHE JUST POOPED IN THE POTTY! That's right. You heard it here first. This kid is on the potty training wagon and gung ho about the ride. Yee Haw!

Being sick doesn't mean we can't have a little fun

My poor baby girl is sick, yet again, with another ear infection- plus pink eye, and is also developing very evident hemorrhoid issues. I'm kind of at the end of my rope here with all of the health issues. Beginning with the ear infections (we didn't see her regular physician), we are being suggested to begin discussing a possibility of tubes. Yelling fit begins: NO! NO! NO! NO! I do NOT want to ever do that! She is TOO LITTLE to have surgery! SOMETHING has to be causing this! Let us figure out the cause, not just deal with the symptoms!!!
Moving on to the pink eye: Yuck, but healing SUPER quick! Thank you, thank you God! Can't even hardly tell she has it and she just started her meds last night!
As for the digestive issues (Be aware TMI): She has always had chronic constipation. Always. Ever since birth. She didn't even pass the Meconium stool in a timely fashion. Thus, she has periodically had some blood tinged stool. Well, a couple of nights ago, it was heavily bloodied with mucus. Just a bad deal. So the doctor checked her out and simply said "Well, there are no external ones. She looks good for now." Good grief! Do these people not have any kind of suggestion for figuring out these issues. It seems like no matter how much mineral oil we give her, she always goes through spurts of major constipation. Does a toddler having hemorrhoids only bother me?
Any way... since we are stuck inside for another day. I thought we would do some holiday cheer painting. Out came the cookie cutters (don't worry, smooth sided) and some kid friendly paints. Though I think next time I will make some pudding paint and see if it doesn't come up easier! She had a blast and did not want to stop painting. Love this kid :-)


(Warning: Potty Time) She has also been toting around her babies everywhere. We are now beginning potty training days and the babies all have to go to the potty too. It's so cute. "baby, potty". I just love it. She also came up to me yesterday, pointed to her diaper, and said "Mama, I poo poo". And she DID! She is doing so well with the beginning parts of this. Just want to get her bowels under control so that can go smoothly for the training too.

Surprise Party

So my super sweet husband threw a surprise party for me to celebrate the 1/4century I've successfully completed. I was VERY surprised! I never thought that was something Dan would put together. Goes to prove I can be wrong once in a while and it's okay ;-)
It was so great to see everyone. Thanks for everyone who came out and made my birthday the best ever!

Halloween and Pear Picking

This is going a be a picture post. Enjoy :-)Aiden has been so funny lately. She is developing all of these hysterical quirks like demanding to take her hat collection to daycare and eating grilled cheese with a spoon!


Pear picking day was awesome! She carried this pear around the entire time and munched away...mmmm...


My brave brave husband, picking our bountiful produce.


All the helpers. Aidie REALLY wanted to climb the ladder. She couldn't understand why we wouldn't let her....


Halloween was spent at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. My adorable little butterfly!


Our family photo. Got to love the faces this kid comes up with...



Proud Daddy with his newly blossomed caterpillar


This was definitely Aidie favorite part of the children's museum. Sand! Woohoo! We couldn't get her to even consider anything else for at least 20min. She was very devoted to this place!


Here we are planting flowers. This place has really improved since I was a kid. There is SO much to do even for toddlers.


"boo"


It may be the most common toy ever, but Aidie loves beads and insisted that we play for a while on these doctor office favorites.


Here is part of the "Barbie Experience" Aidie is walking the runway and checking out the DJ equipment. Way to multi-task Aidie!


I loved this Egypt tour. Of course Aidie only wanted to climb on and off of all the statues. LOL


And here she is wrestling a giant crocodile at the finale of our trip. The next Steve Irwin replacement.
Anyway for quick updates. Aidie had a great 18month check up. She is still a tiny tot. Only weighing in at 22lbs not much over the 10%, but her length is up to 35in and her head is actually in the 75% this time around. Really boosting up there! She is really enjoying daycare now and never wants to leave. Too much fun! I'm glad we decided to stay. She is definitely feeling comfortable now. She is in full swing of the terrible twos: full body tantrums and power struggles. But also wonderful personality development, new words and lots of hugs and kisses. She really is a sweet and thoughtful child 70% of the time ;-) We have just hit major emotional development. Those hormones are pumping it all up a notch. Teenagedom is going to a nightmare...
As for Dan and I, all is well. Work is great. I love school and love going in every day (except for not being able to be with Aidie of course). So glad I have a job I love- can't wait to find a certified position though.