Christmas Eve & Day

Christmas was not at all what I had planned this year.

Throughout the whole month of December, BG was out of her mind excited for all the Christmas festivities. She was finally at the age where doing different things was fun and got so excited to pick out the tree and see the lights and all that jazz. She was more than excited about Santa (and saw him four times) and absolutely could not wait for him to come. She also was excited for "baby Jesus' birthday" and couldn't wait to bake cookies and bake a birthday cake.

Truth be told, I was just as excited as she was.

I couldn't wait to bake cookies and make a cake and attend Christmas Eve service and put out cookies for Santa and.... well, the list goes on and on.

Then this happened. Which lead to an even higher fever which lead to us traipsing back up to the Emergency Room on Christmas Eve only to have BG diagnosed with the flu and pneumonia.

Awesome.

I was bummed out. Big time.

We skipped Christmas Eve service and picked up Chinese food on the way home. My Papa and Aunt were already in town for the holiday but we made the call to the brother and his family that they would need to stay home the next day. I was so bummed out.

We tried for a few Christmas activities but BG wasn't having it. When even a Princess ornament wouldn't crack a smile, we read the Christmas story and let her hit the hay. Without even putting on her special Christmas jammies and leaving me to put out cookies for Santa.

As soon as she went to bed, Mr. P started showing signs of the flu so I shooed him off to bed as well while I curled up with a tv show and some wine. Not what I had planned.

The next morning, BG woke up as foul as she'd gone to bed and her mood didn't lighten much during the day. She opened a few presents but she really was not interested. I felt awful for my grandfather and aunt who had come all this way, but I had no idea this was going to happen.
My poor baby felt AWFUL. I freaking loathe the flu.
The day wasn't all bad though. There were a few laughs and BG did enjoy herself at times. She was the most excited about her two FurReal animals (I so hope she always loves animals this much!) and her Princess dress up shoes. Oh. And that microphone. Whose idea was that thing?!?

Poor Mr. P never even made it out of bed and once my aunt and granddad headed to the beach for Christmas with the brothers' family, the little and I curled up for a nap in the chair.

I had built up Christmas so much in my head because I knew she would enjoy it this year and it did not turn out at all like I'd planned. Also, this was the first Christmas without my Grandma and truth be told, I just plain needed the activity to not miss her so much. All the quiet of this Christmas led to too much thinking and I ended the night in tears.

I know I sound like a spoiled brat, I realize that, but I'm really not. It wasn't about the gifts, it wasn't even really about the activity or the fact that she didn't get to wear her special outfits; it was just hard. Hard seeing my baby so sick, hard not being able to be around family (my aunt and grandfather stuck around since they had flu shots, which apparently didn't work as they both had the flu the next week), hard not even being with Mr. P, hard missing my Grandma.

So Christmas was quiet. I did sing Happy Birthday to Jesus while BG sat curled on my lap which was pretty much the most important part of the day anyway

RSV last Christmas, the flu and pneumonia this Christmas... would it be too much to ask for a healthy kiddo next year?!?

slowing down...

If there is one thing I've learned about kids, it's that they have a way to always get sick at the inopportune time. Or if there is something you are really looking forward to, your child will probably have a way to put a crimp in your plan. Every single time.

My kid is sick. At Christmas. For the second year in a row. Seriously.

The other night, her Dad and I made plans to pick her up from school early and then take her to the mall for a bit of shopping and then a visit to Santa. Then we were going to let her spend the night at her grandparents while we got some much overdue quiet non-parent time.

Ha.

The mall was packed and BG was riding a sugar high like no other after a day at school involving not one, but two Christmas parties. We were walking through the center of the mall when BG decided she wanted to be carried and turned around to reach for her Dad. Somehow while he was pulling her toward him to pick her up, she decided to jump away from him and twist away and all hell broke loose. Literally.

She was inconsolable. At first we thought she was pissed about being picked up but it was so much worse than that. I took her to the side to see if I could calm her down and noticed she wouldn't even stand up straight. And she was sobbing hysterically. Which BG does not do.

We decided to head back to the car so I carried a bent in half toddler screaming through the mall. Good times. By the time we got to the car, she wasn't moving her arm at all and was so terribly upset that I just knew she had dislocated her shoulder or elbow. It broke my Mama heart watching her in so much pain.

So we ended up in the ER. Where she finally tired herself out enough to sleep on my chest only to be woken up in pain anytime she moved her arm. It was awful.

After about an hour, the doctor came in and told us that he thought she had a radial subluxation
, aka, Nursemaids elbow. To treat it he would just snap it back in place and if that was it, she would be back to normal in about five minutes.

Y'all. Holding her down for that just about did me in. I know there are Mamas out there that daily watch their children go through far worse and my heart goes out to you. My Mama heart could not stand watching my baby go through that. But the doctor was right; not even five minutes later, she was absolutely fine. And could not quit telling the doctor "thank you" because "he made my arm feel so much better".

The next day, we decided to attempt the Santa visit again. Mr. P had some errands to run in town so he left early and then the little and I headed in a bit later. We ran to a couple of shops first and then headed to see Santa. By the time we got there, BG was slowing down a bit and was saying how tired she was. We decided to see the big man and then reevaluate.

She climbed right up there and chatted Santa's ear off but it's obvious in the picture that she just plain out was not feeling well. A quick temperature check when we got home confirmed it; a fever. Fantastic.

Then this morning, an even higher fever causing her and I to miss the Christmas service at church and spend a very quiet day at home.

Today was supposed to be church and then lots of crafts. Yesterday was supposed to be lots of family shopping. Obviously neither day went at all like I had planned. But to be honest, I'm completely okay with it.

Now I'm not okay with my girl feeling so bad and I really, really want her better like ten minutes ago, but it has been kind of nice to spend a couple of days doing absolutely nothing. I usually have us so go go go that it's been nice to just slow it down.

Though two days is enough. I've got things to do. ;)

So that's where we are. We're buckled down and just praying BG keeps her fever down and stays out of the ER. And that we don't get sick. Family is starting to arrive and we've got a trip planned next week and I really need my girl feeling better.

Until then though, you can find me on the couch curled up next to the cutest two year old on the planet. Hope y'all are all enjoying your holidays.

Merry Christmas :)

Christmas program: cute video included

There are certain events that happen in parenthood that, to me, sort of define parenthood.

There tons of big ones and then there are little ones. Different ones to each parent. To me, there are a few things that happen that make me stop in my tracks and it hits me; "whoa.. I'm like a real parent now".

The first time I took her to get fitted for shoes was one. Buying her pair of shoes as a necessity and not because they were cute was an eye opener. Real Moms do this. The first day I sent her off to daycare was another. Packing her bag was another hit to the "real" mom category.

When we signed the list saying what we would bring to her first school party was another. And then making her Valentine's last year.

I became a Mom the minute I heard BG's heartbeat but sometimes I still get hit with the reminder when I'm doing little things with her and I get all choked up and I can't believe that I'm actually a Mom. Her Mom.

She made me a sap. I can't help it.

BG had her Christmas program Tuesday night and it was, yep, another one of those times. As Mr. P and I, Uncle Marine, Aunt Kiki, AK, and BG's Granddaddy shuffled to find seats for her program, I got that feeling again. Good grief I love being her Mom.
*she's in the center, grinning from ear to ear*

BG played an angel in the live nativity and though her part was small (minute really), she managed to steal the show pretty early on by being the only angel dancing and clapping along with the music. Watch about 20 seconds in to this video and then about 45 seconds in and then a minute in; you'll see.

She gets her inability to sit still from her Mama. Also, I got a tripod for Christmas. Mr. P's video skills will be thankful for that.

She was adorable though. And a little cheerleader for those singing. I freaking love her. She is such a special child. As she jumped around and sang along and even as she had to be reined back in over and over by her teacher's steadying hand, I was sitting there so proud I thought my heart would swell. I just plain adore that kid.

Then it was over and she couldn't wait to find us all and see how we liked her program. She knew she did good. :)

After snacks and chats with her teachers (they all LOVE BG), we headed home to let the girls play and hang out for a bit. And since the girls were rocking similar smocked dresses, we had to do a little photo shoot. These two girls in matching smocked dresses does something to my heart. I love them so.

After a while, the others left and while Mr. P got BG in bed, I looked through the videos and pictures from the night. I can't believe she's big enough to be in a Christmas program. Sigh...

Also, I sort of already can't wait for next years when she'll be old enough to sing!

{almost} wordless wednesday

We busted out the gingerbread house for a fun Christmas activity Sunday night. We might have eaten as much as we put together. Who cares though. It was a blast and the little one absolutely loved getting to help. Such a fun activity for her at this age!

Oh. And that thing is still hanging out on our kitchen counter. My Mama heart might tear up a bit when I finally throw it away.

Christmas Card 2012

I'm a little bit late, but linking up with Faith for her Christmas Card Carousel is one of my favorite link ups so I'm joining in anyway. Better late than never right?

Christmas cards are a total blast to send and no lie, I love racing home this time of year to check the mail. The mailbox is a much happier place during the holidays!

I frame our Christmas card each year and then pull them out during the holidays for decoration. I love seeing how things change from year to year.


I wish I could send one to every one of you guys but this will have to do for now. Someday I'll win that lottery thing.

Ha.

Be sure and link up with Faith so I can see y'alls too! :)

in memory.

the one with another christmas activity.

A few weeks ago, my SIL and I decided to meet up in their town about an hour away to check out a Christmas lights display they had there. So this past Saturday, Mr. P and I packed up the little and hit the road to the beach.

The Internet talked this "light display" up big time; Santa's Village, live animals, lights galore, "snow" to play in, and so much more, and since everything on the Internet is true, I was beyond excited to take BG.

Ha. In their defense, it was ridiculously cold and sort of rainy, but the display was nothing like I was expecting. As in, I could see more Christmas lights driving home from work. But all for the experience right?

In true BG form, she took off for the animals immediately. They were her favorite part of course. There were also characters to see (you won't see pictures of BG with them as she literally took off running when they came near), crafts to do, and the "snow" to play in which was a few white flecks of something on a tarp which BG promptly through herself down into and had a blast.

Oh to be two.

We had a good time though. There was music to dance too and corn (?) to roll around in. Plus, BG's face as we drove through the lights? made it all worth it. Even though she almost jumped off the hay ride through the light display when the Rudolph character climbed on and sat beside her. He was pretty dang scary.

As fun as it was to get together with the brother and his crew, I think we might skip this one next year. Oh well, chalk it up to memory making.

12/14

There is this funny thing that happens when you become a Mother. Suddenly, the things that would have made you sad before that child came, now, absolutely break your heart. Things change when you see things through the eyes of a parent.

And Friday, my heart absolutely broke for those affected in Connecticut.

They were children. Babies. Some other Mothers' Ella. And oh my gracious I cannot even imagine. And the adults were still children. And Mothers.

When something like that happens, I think we all take a second and hug our kids a bit tighter. We all get a bit angry and scream things like "gun control" and "where was God?!" (He was there for sure). We get all hot and bothered and demand things like stricter security at schools and harsher laws.

I laid in bed last night just begging my God to spare my child from anything like that. Often I beg Him to keep her safe and to keep her from harm and to keep her well. I never, ever want anything bad to happen to her.

If I could, I would walk beside her every single step for the rest of her life. I'd push away sickness and I'd protect her from anything ever causing her harm.

But I can't.

What I can do is pray for her. And teach her at home things that are good. Teach her to be nice to people, to be kind, to be empathetic to those around her.

I can teach her to love. To accept others who are different from her. To not ostracize people but instead to show them the love that God would. I can do my best to teach her to be a good person.

I wish we lived in a different world but we don't. It's scary and it's awful and it breaks my heart that someday she is going to realize that.

Praying for all those affected by the shooting yesterday. Praying that God surrounds them in comfort and that He holds them tight as they sort through this. Praying that the good of the world will shine again through and around this somehow. Praying for understanding that can only come through Him.


Also, there will be a blog day of silence on Tuesday in honor of these that lost their lives. I pulled the details from Kelly's blog and am posting them below if you'd like to join in.

From Kelly's blog:
On Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button and that's it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible.

We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.

ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."


Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.

We can't imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let's make a difference and use blogging in a positive way. Thank you in advance for participating.

Love,
The Blog World

p.s. If you would like to, copy-paste and repost any part of this, please do. Share on.

the tree.

I grew up in an artificial tree family. Every single year we unpacked the tree from the attic, unfolded the branches, fluffed to our heart's content, and then decorated that sucker Griswold style. And it was awesome.

I loved that tree. I can still remember exactly how you put it together. It was color coded (true story). I guarantee my parents still have it. Those things last forever.

Mr. P also grew up in an artificial tree family. Of the pre-lit variety. You know. But somehow the two of us became a real tree family. And we haven't looked back since.

Lest you think we are of the cut it down ourselves variety, we aren't. I wish we were but we're more of the $30 tree outside of Food Lion variety. Or Lowes. Who has turned into our Christmas tree go to.

Anyways. I also like to drag the whole family out to the tree farm to take lots of family pictures and pretend we went on this big hunt to find the tree, but that didn't happen. A toddler running around Lowes did. We do what we want.

We packed it up one afternoon and hit up Lowes in our Christmas finest to find the perfect tree for our little family. BG is so into Christmas this year and I am flat out loving it. She was all about getting dressed to pick out her tree. She did lose interest after looking at about two but we did manage to reel her back in to finally pick one out.

The next day (Mr. P is a stickler for letting the tree "fall" for 24 hours or some such nonsense), it was finally time to decorate! We pulled out all of the decorations and got to work. BG's favorite decoration by far is this old sucker tree that Mr. P actually made when he was younger. We probably should have put this thing up last. Like on Christmas Day. The kid is obsessed.

Then, it was tree time. Mr. P and I have always jointly put on the first ornament (cue awww..) but lost that right to the little one this year. She was out of her mind excited to decorate. I'd like to paint a pretty picture of family decorating with Christmas music in the background, but that's only half true. This girl was an anxiety ridden mess over my stuff getting broken and constantly yelling "BG! Be careful!". I might have threatened to pack it all back up a couple hundred times and Mr. P might have a running bet going to see if I even make it til Christmas. Still going strong...

Other than that, it was perfect. And nothing was broken. Total win.

When all was said and done, little miss was beyond proud of her tree and I was beyond proud of how it all turned out. Christmas is so fun this year. I am absolutely loving this time with my crazy kid. Cheerleader skirt and all.

a heart so full moment.

Last night one of my nearest and dearest friends was in town for some work stuff. We quickly decided that we were going to make a night of it and have one of our old school sleepovers that we were so fond of in high school.

We did however, skip the all night fashion show we had when we were fifteen. Having to work the next morning will kill that buzz. Oh grown up stuff...

Anyways, after hanging out at the house for a bit, we headed off for a girls' night of good pizza and fantastic beer in town. It was just what the doctor ordered. We had an absolute blast. We caught up on so much and spent the evening in hysterics as we reminisced and swapped stories of our kiddos.

At one point I received a text from Mr. P with a video of the little. As I watched it with one of my oldest friends next to me, my heart was close to bursting with just how fantastic my life is and how lucky I am that I have these people in my life.

We headed home after that where we managed to kill a bottle of wine and stay up a bit too late chatting. But it was totally worth it. Even if I did almost fall asleep at my desk this morning. Oops.

the one with the live nativity.

I'm a sucker for a fun Christmas activity.

Drive thru lights? Check. Multiple Santa visits? Check. Christmas Eve service? Check.

I love it all.

So when Anna alerted me to a drive-thru Nativity in the area, I immediately told Mr. P that we were going the next weekend and plans were set.

This past weekend, we went to check things out. You had the option to walk thru or drive-thru, but since the drive-thru was kind of hands on, we went with that option. Also BG started howling about how she had to, ahem, use the restroom that very second as we were pulling up and the line to walk thru was much shorter so.... walking it was.

BG kind of loved it. They had all kinds of live animals and all the different scenes of the weeks leading up to Christ's birth played out. BG was fascinated by it all.

Plus, she scored a leather bracelet and free hot chocolate. She was golden.
Seriously worth going back too. Didn't take us long to walk through and BG loved it and loved getting to hear the Christmas story. We'll be adding it to our "must do" list next year.

our anderson christmas

This past weekend, BG and I went down to Anderson for a weekend with our best friends.

Other than almost losing her at a rest station and the endless "are we there yet??" questions, the trip down was actually pretty uneventful. We met up with Stacy and Zo at the mall in Greenville to just look around some before heading on down to Anderson.

BG and I got there first and perused the kids' clothing section for a bit while we waited on the girls. We also avoided the Santa hanging out in the department like the plague. That was fun.

When they showed up and the two littles locked eyes, it was over. They both gave each other shy smiles and then it was like no time had even passed. They giggled, they chased each other, they wrestled around the mall play place. It was fantastic.

We had to separate them for the drive back to Anderson and I basically had to swear on my life to BG that they would be back together soon. They were not okay with being apart again. Thank goodness we had a weekend of fun planned for them.

S and her husband planned a little cookout for that night so we got to see a few more old friends and have a few laughs over drinks and football before we girls decided to pack up the kiddos and head into town to check out the Lights of Hope. We drove through twice as the kiddos "oohed" and "aahed" over every single light and we girls managed to continue to catch up over the squeals of joy and the sounds of Christmas music on the radio. It was fantastic.

After the second loop through the lights, we decided to park and check out Santa's Village. Based on the girls' reaction to Santa at the mall earlier that day (they were fine to wave from afar but there would be NO lap sitting apparently), I was a bit nervous to see how this Santa trip would go. I needn't have worried.

Zo wanted zero to do with him, but BG? BG loved him. And even though she had an accident in my perfectly planned out Christmas outfit before even leaving the house, leaving her in a less than "Christmasey" outfit, I had to oblige her getting to sit with him. And then I had to oblige my "Mom needs every picture ever" and had to buy one. Because duh. And also because that smile. Duh.

After letting the kids run out a bit of their rambunctiousness in Santa's Village, we packed it back up and headed home. S and I did everything we could to get the girls calm and ready for bed, but it was all for naught. They weren't having it. They were too, too excited to be together.

They wanted to sleep together, but that was a hot mess of disaster that we finally had to split up when Zo's crying was frustrating BG so bad that she tried to make it stop with a pillow. True story. They got separated.

Finally, they hit the hay and S and I got some much needed catch up time over a couple of bottles of wine. It was good for my soul. I so miss my friend.

Way too few hours later, the girls were up. And raring to go. S and Zo spoiled us and BG had a few presents to open that morning. Ms. Stacy knows my girl. You can't fake that kind of smile.

That afternoon, we all packed up and headed downtown for the annual Christmas parade. BG and I have been to this parade every year she's been alive and I was so thrilled we were able to make it this year. This year was also the best one yet as most of BG's favorite people (family not included) were there. She was literally giddy with excitement when she laid eyes on "Miss Bitme" and MK.

The parade was amazing. BG and Zo danced and clapped and had an absolute blast. They managed to climb into Britt's lap for a good portion of the show leaving her almost immobile with a lap full of babies, but they weren't stepping more than two inches from her. They sure do love that lady.

We had an absolute blast. I was so sad when the parade was over.

But Britt had another surprise in store. She took us to one of the town's spas that was holding an "afterparty" of sorts full of cupcakes and face painting and yep, even Santa! MK and BG climbed up their together, but once again, Zo was not having it. No Santa picture for that girl this year!

After cupcakes, we made our way to the face painting where B managed to convince BG that she needed a reindeer on her face. Since my child pretty much adores Britt, that didn't take too much convincing. So she climbed right on up. Only the lady didn't do a tiny, little reindeer on her cheek like we were expecting. Oh no. The lady painted my sweet girl's entire face into a reindeer (or a Cats cast member, you be the judge), and while we adults were absolutely crying with laughter, my sweet girl sat as still as a stone while she got her face painted for "Miss Bitme".

Seriously. Sometimes this child is so sweet I can literally feel my heart aching.

When it was done, she took off to go show Britt how it looked. She was a little proud I would say.

I'm telling you, if you manage to find friends that love your children as you do, you are beyond blessed. Mr. P and I? we are beyond blessed in that department.

All too soon, it was time to wrap it up. The last thing I wanted to do was get in that car and drive away from that town. From these people.

Coming home to Mr. P was amazing, but I'd be lying if a little piece of my heart isn't back with these people in Anderson.

And clearly so is BG's. When I picked her up from school the next day, I asked her how her day was and if she liked her class.

She responded "yep" to which I said "Oh good! So you want to go back to school tomorrow?".

To which she responded "I'll go back to school tomorrow. But it's going to be Miss Bitme's school".

Ouch. Sigh.

Guess we'll be putting another trip on the calendar soon.