The Santa Debacle

It's getting into the holiday season (quite possibly my absolute least favourite time of year). Holden just turned two, so is naturally learning all about his world at an alarming pace. We go to church every Sunday, and he loves singing and playing with his friends. I'm not all together entirely confident in my faith, or fully "out there" as a Christian, but I am thinking about Christmas this year.

When I was growing up, Christmas was a huge deal, and I loved it, but I always wanted it to be about the real Christmas. Not all Santa and reindeer and presents (although I do love the idea of giving), and I am wondering how to treat Christmas this year, now that Holden will have some idea.

This week he spent a day with Grandma, and came home with a new movie, Wiggles Christmas. I wasn't too shocked about the fact that he had the movie, but I put it on for him, and decided as he was watching that this didn't need to be his idea of Christmas.

So, I decided then and there to ruin Santa for my little boy. And I told him all about the real Christmas. And I'm sure he listened to about 4 words I said, but that's besides the point. For the first time in a long time, I made a decision that will make me feel great as a person, and I hope turn my little boy into the adult I want him to be (giving and selfless and compassionate).

I decided that we will not be a household that makes Christmas about Santa. Sure, we will still go get pictures taken with the big guy in red, but he'll know Christmas for the real reasons, and not for getting presents.

The ups and downs of parenting...

Today has been a busy day in the life of H. Not for any particular reason, he has just been going non-stop all day.

Which is not normally an issue, except today was supposed to be my epic packing day. For the record, I move the day after tomorrow. And it's 5:30pm.

So, the business of toddlers got me thinking about what was my favourite stage thus far. And... I have no idea. So, I thought why not go through all I liked and disliked about each stage.

Newborn:

Pros: so easy to take anywhere (they just sleep). They are super snuggly.

Cons: So much crud needs to come with you (I never managed to pack a small diaper bag). Car seats are huge! No sleep.

Baby: (6 months- 1 year)

Pros: So fun to start to play with. Learning more, and more alert. They start to talk.

Cons: still so much crud. They cry louder. Teething!

Early Toddler: (1 year- 18 months)

Pros: So much fun to play with, now that they walk. You don't need to carry them absolutely everywhere. Forward-facing carseats mean you don't need to take the bucket seat everywhere! They start to talk.

Cons: Still teething. They get stubborn (or maybe that's just mine).

Big Babies: (18 months- 2 years)

Pros: They say the funniest things. They learn so quickly. You can easily take them anywhere (a diaper in your purse, and a toy and soother, and you're good).

Cons: They know more words than they say, so they can't express themselves as well as they want to, so they scream. They are still stubborn (again, maybe just mine). They stop napping, but still really need it. Walking is old news, and now want to be carried everywhere. You can easily pack up and take them anywhere... but you really can't take them anywhere.

Ok, so I have loved every stage for different reasons. They've all been good. But right now H. is hilarious. I love spending time with him.

I swear I'm still alive!

After a short hiatus from the blogging machine, I have decided that now is as good a time as ever to start blogging again. I'm back and better than ever.

I figured now was a good time to start because just about everything in my crazy life is changing!

To start, in just 3 short weeks, I will be moving. Little H. and I have found ourselves a very handy hole-in-the-ground (literally). The price is great, and the land lady seems very reasonable, and I am actually very excited.

Next, school is nearly done. With only 2 weeks left in class, and 4 in practical placement, we are in the home stretch! All the girls in my class are excited, and starting to admit they are nervous. (I admitted months ago that I was worrying).

Third, H. is almost 2. In about 6 weeks, he will turn 2, and I honestly have no idea where the time went. He is such a little man now, it's not even funny how much he has changed. He speaks in 3 or 4 word sentences for the most part, and has an astounding vocabulary. Although he is smart and articulate, he is a boy, and he is nearing his two's (As of right now, I feel like he is having a contest to see how far he can throw a truck across the living room... while wearing only a diaper and mismatched socks).

Now, there is really no time for a real update right now... it's Thanksgiving, and I have pies to make for my duck dinner with the boyfriend and his kids on Monday.

Right now, life is topsy-turvy, but it's starting to work out now!

New journey update!!

Just heard the word from my IPs (intended parents, the people I'm having the baby for), sperm sample being given tomorrow and the embryos are being made tomorrow morning. Around 9am spain time there will be tiny little people created, then shipped here! I am beyond over the moon that things are finally moving along!

Busy over here

Not busy blogging, of course. That would be too entertaining for you!

Busy making some pretty big choices. I wish I could give you more details, but I want to get all the kinks worked out, because there is still soooo much that could happen to make this fall through.

I'll update as soon as I can give more info, I promise!

The joy of toddlers

So far today (and it's just past 11:30 am), I have had to tell my toddler these things

"H., don't step on the kitty"
"Stop eating your book"
"No biting"
"Get out of my school-bag"
"Do not eat the pizza crust you found in the grass"
"Don't hit Momma with that DVD case"
"If you don't have a diaper on, you can't chase the kitty"

Maybe I'm not on the mend after all...

After my hysteroscopy on Friday, I felt fine (apparently, until about 8pm). Saturday was a little rough, and Sunday I faught exhaustion all day.

Well, Monday and today were write-offs. Yesterday I went to school, but was exhausted. I made an extra-strong coffee, and it had no effect whatsoever. I was trying so hard not to fall asleep in class and was trying to keep breakfast down all morning. I decided I was going to go to work and at least answer emails and do a quick clean.

That was a mistake. I had eaten lunch at it really wasn't sitting well at all. I did keep it down, but just barely. I ended up leaving early to go home and sleep. Sleep didn't come very easily as I was very sick feeling, and had started to experience some cramping.

This morning I got up feeling even worse than yesterday. I barely made it through the bus ride to school. I got there and tried to rest a little bit, but was feeling very warm. My friend came in and asked how I was doing, and then said I shouldn't have even come.

By the time my teacher got there, I was about the throw up, and I felt sick to my stomach. When she started her lecture, I ended up running out to be sick. I got back and my friend and I in whispers discussed what I should do. My teacher ended up in on the conversation, and said I really didn't look well and that, like it or not, I should be home resting. She also admitted that a fever was very worrisome, and that if it got worse or even stayed the same, I should see a doctor.

So, I came home and went right to bed. I slept for about 3 hours, which brought me to noon. After about 2 days of forcing myself to eat, I finally was actually hungry. I ate, and sat in the couch and watched a movie, curled up in a blanket.

At about 3 I was exhausted again, and went back to bed. I slept another two hours and am now just starting to feel better.

It's 5:30pm, so, almost exactly 4 days after my procedure. I'm still groggy feeling, and tire very easily. I'm sorry to admit that this knocked me on my ass. I'm usually a pretty bounce-back sort of person, and I think I took that for granted.

I think I may need to take the rest of the week easy... Which will be super challenging for me.