The Christmas Cleanup

Alas, Christmas is over and while I am usually sad, this year I am oddly relieved. I know, who is ever happy that Christmas has passed and we have to wait a whole 'nother year for lights, cookies and the smell of fresh pine from a beautiful tree. But truth be told, I am worn out this year! I think being in my first trimester of pregnancy in the months leading up to this holiday season put me so far behind, and then when I finally got back in gear I had to cram in all the planning, shopping and baking for not only Christmas, but for a two year old birthday party as well. So, sigh of relief, I am glad to get things "back to normal"!

Some of the highlights from our Christmas season:

Serious about decoration the "Critmus Tree"

 Meeting with Santa went surprisingly well. Conor was happy to sit & "take a picta"

Baking Critmus cookies with daddy

So excited!

Peanut Butter blossoms ... wouldn't be Christmas without them

Decorating cookies for Santa at Aunt Jenna's with Jillian & Olivia

And then Santa himself showed up!!

Conor remembered that we were decorating cookies for Santa so once he saw him, he ran off saying "Santa I have cookies" and came bag with his Santa bag of cookies right then! So cute!

Christmas Eve in Munn Park. Conor loved all the lights!

One of my favorite traditions is driving around and looking at all the lights, especially on Christmas Eve (not that we didn't drive around almost EVERY night before that with Delilah's Christmas music blaring on the radio and Elmo's Christmas video playing on Conor's TV in the back seat). But something about seeing all those lights and "cheer" on Christmas Eve really gets me.

And then ... it is Christmas morning. Santa ate almost all of his cookies and finished all the milk that we put out for him!

We had a delicious breakfast of eggs, bacon, french toast, home made (by Aunt Jenna) home fries, monkey bread & mimosas (for everyone but me!).

The kids had a blast ripping open presents and riding around in Jillian's brand new PINK Cadillac Escalade.

Conor opening his stocking from Santa

The xylophone from Pop-Pop was a hit

Playing stickers with Zayde, Jilli & Mimi 

New chairs from Mimi... perfect cup holders!
"Is everybody watching us?"

Our present from Ren's mom. New sofa to match our chairs. Love it! 

Oh, and my belly. Just about 18 weeks ... hello baby!

Day after Christmas we headed out for a little bit of shopping and to the new toddler park in front of Hollis Gardens. My kind of day. Check out my new bag, sweater, earrings & shoes (even though you can't see them!) Thanks to Momma, Mimi & Ren!

Happy New Year's Eve! Can't wait to relax with my little family. Great things to come in 2011, I just know it!

TWO

Another year has gone by and my baby is no longer a baby. He is a full fledged walking/running, talking, reasoning, thinking, singing, dancing, climbing, drawing toddler. The clothes we buy now are 2T and he is officially two, no more counting by months. He is sweet and he is emotional, fiery... certainly his is is own little person. A leader for sure, he doesn't always want to do what the crowd is doing. He has his own ideas and he will let you know about them. I could never have imagined loving anyone so much. It is a cliche, but it is so true.

Happy 2nd Birthday to our wonderful, bubbly, hilarious, wild, big brown-eyed BOY!

Oh, and did I mention opinionated? We celebrated his actual birthday on Friday, December 17th at our usual Friday night spot... Gosh. Our server, Kelly (who Conor is in love with) brought out a cake with a glowing number two candle. The look on his face was priceless. He was delighted as we all sang and he blew his candle out. Then, it was time to cut the cake... big mistake. As I sunk the white plastic cake server into the butter cream frosting, Conor let out a shriek, bursting into tears, screaming "you broke it!" Huge crocodile tears streamed down his face, and I was, of course, mortified... you don't want to make your kid cry in the middle of a crowded restaurant, especially on his birthday. But never fear, Aunt Jenna to the rescue. Twirling the cake around to face the "unbroken" side toward my wailing boy, he saw this, dramatically wiped both eyes with both fists simultaneously and declared with a sigh "you fixed it" ... crisis averted.

Then it was happy laughs and cake licking for the rest of the night. Conor prefers to lick icing off of any sweet treat he may be eating and since it was his birthday he was allowed to lick it right off the cake itself. The best part, as Kelly informed us the next day, is that after we left the servers at the restaurant all ate the leftover cake, Conor licks and all!

The next morning was Conor's Elmo party. He was so excited for all of the festivities of his party and bouncy house (which unfortunately was cancelled due to the uncooperative weather). None the less, the party was a hit and everyone had a blast. I made home made mac 'n cheese (thanks for the recipe Sarah) and we ordered food and cake from Publix. The sun finally came out and the kids ran around on the golf course, splashing in the puddles. I think the balloons were a favorite and Ren tossed them up in the air and all the kids when running after them.

Conor had to warm up at first and had to play with this ice for about twenty minutes. Thanks to my friend Sarah from work for taking over for me :)

This makes me happy

Baby #2 definitely made his/her appearance for the birthday party

Nat, Seth and little A.J.

Loren and Teresa

Jimmy, Kristen & Tripp (2 months)

Nothing warms my heart like a proud papa.

Jimmy with Tripp and Loren with a sleepy Bella.

Among all of the wonderful gifts Conor received (several Elmo dolls, books, cars, clothes, shoes) was the biggest hit of the day, his brand new BMX bike courtesy of Grandpa. I never thought a two year old would be able to ride a real bike (with training wheels of course) but man, he tears it up! Don't worry, he even wears his helmet!

And then there was cake.

Anticipation...

Delivery...

Cutting the cake is obviously NOT an option at this stage...

So, we gave it back. Yes, the whole thing.

Nothing like a naked baby digging into some delicious cream cheese frosted, strawberry filled, white Publix cake to make for a great ending to a birthday party. And yes, even though he is a toddler without exception, he will ALWAYS be my BABY.

Catch Up

Six months. Well, I have not posted in six months and I think it is time I get back to it. I have been very busy, but that is not the reason for me not updating this little time capsule. The real reason is because I started messing with the background and layout one day to make it bigger, better, whatever... anyway, I got frustrated with it and just avoided coming back to it. Lame, I know. However, lately I have had the pleasure of waking up at five am with my body of having NO intention of falling back asleep. So here I am, reviving my blog. Back on course. Whew.

Catch Up.

Over the last six months we have moved (not an easy task with an almost two year old!) & found out we are having another baby (hooray!). There, caught up. Oh and there were a few fun moments sprinkled in between...

Visit from Aunt "Daydine" on Labor Day Weekend

Last minute beach trip to St. Pete Beach in October... love that Florida weather

Paddle boat around Tradewinds Resort

Baseball with daddy

Our new casa

HALLOWEEN TIME

Little Golfer


AJ's First Birthday/Trick or Treat Party

Silly time before bed. I love this boy!

Saw Sir Elton John live. AMAZING!

THANKSGIVING... yes, this is the only picture I got, bad mommy.

Ok, that about sums it up for now. More to come on birthday number TWO and Christmas time.