It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like X-Mas

I'm almost afraid to say it out of fear of jinxing myself (and the entire family) but I "think" that the sickness has FINALLY left our home. Wesley still has a runny nose, but hey I'll take it! Last weekend was the "official" kick-off to Christmas for our family. Brian hung the lights on the outside of the house on Saturday before the rain started in again. Then, on Sunday we headed over to the club house in the community where my parents live for a Santa Brunch. My brother, his family and his mother-in-law were meeting up with Brian, Wesley, me and my parents. Unfortunately, his wife Kelli and my nephew had to stay home because my nephew was sick. The rest of us stuffed ourselves silly with yummy food, mimosas and had a good time catching up. Then, it was time to meet Santa! Jaden (Kelli's son) was a pro at this so he went first to show Wesley "the ropes." When it came time for Wesley to step up, I pretty much knew what was coming. I told Brian to get the camera ready and then placed Wesley on Santa's lap.

He looked up at the strange man with the red suit and white fluffy beard and got this panicked expression on his face. And then, the tears came. We took a few pictures and then I had to go and get him before he was too traumatized.

Here's the group at the brunch. Note the candy cane antlers (courtesy of myself).

Mom, Dad & Wesley - poor kid had no idea his parents were such geeks.

Dad & Wesley "working" the antlers.

Jaden giving Santa an ear-full.

Wesley's first impression of Old St. Nick

And, here come the tears. . .

Umm, Mom are you going to come and get me off this guy's lap or what?

The last couple of years when it came to our Christmas tree, we would head to the Sierra Foothills with my parents to one of the local tree farms to cut down our tree. It had become a tradition that we really looked forward to each year. Well, this year with Wesley being so young and all of us not being in the best of health, we decided against it. As I've come to realize these past few months, there are just some things that we're going to have to let go. This was one of them. In fact we didn't even go pick out a tree together as a family. After Wesley woke up from his nap Sunday, he was coughing quite a bit and the nose was runny. He was cranky and the weather was starting to turn and it would soon rain. I just couldn't justify taking him out in the cold for a memory that would only serve us. So, I told Brian to just go down to Home Depot and pick out a tree.

Now, obviously most of you haven't gone tree hunting with me before, but let's just say I'm not easy to please. So for me to let him go without me and to the Home Depot versus a local tree farmer was HUGE. Can I just say that this year we have one of the prettiest trees we've ever had? It goes to show. . . Anyway, letting things go. Work in progress. We didn't get to decorate the tree until last night and we quickly realized that we had to adjust with an 18 month old in the room that is incredibly active and very curious. So, I made a suggestion. Brian said, "Are you serious?" And I said, "Absolutely. Do you have any better ideas?" And, here's how the first part of our decorating went. . .



Wesley eventually had enough and started getting crabby. So, we got him out and he and I went in the other room for some calm time before bed. Brian kept putting ornaments on the tree (without me). Again, me letting go. Once Wesley was asleep, I picked up where Brian left off and we had a lovely tree. I couldn't wait to show Wesley in the morning. And, I can't wait to get some presents underneath for our little peanut. It's going to be a great holiday.

18 Months Old, 4 Months Home & More. . .

We're still playing catch up at our house on EVERYTHING. Just when I thought we were on the upswing, the "house of sickness" went into week 5 with Brian on antibiotics and Wesley on the tail end of a double ear infection. By the end of the week, we all were feeling better and I thought to myself, "Ok, this is it." Then today, both Wesley and I have bad coughs and he's got a runny nose. NOOOOOOOOOOOO! We will NOT succumb to another sickness. We just can't!

Well, in the midst of playing catch up, Wesley turned 18 months last Sunday and this Saturday we've been home from South Korea 4 months. I can't believe how fast time is flying by and how much he is growing up. We are really seeing some changes in him. Physically, he's really grown. We've been to the doctor's office quite a bit lately and the nurses have even commented on how he's really stretched out these past few months.

The two big things we've been waiting for and that most people ask about - walking and talking. We make a little progress and then, not so much. We pretty much have figured out that both of these are things that are going to be on Wesley's terms. It's going to be just like when he went off his bottle. He just decided one day that he was done. And, that was that. One day in November when Wesley was home sick, he decided to take a few steps on his own. Since then he hasn't done it again. He practices with us and at daycare, but he's definitely on his own schedule. Same goes with talking. He babbles and babbles and babbles, but hasn't said any solid "words" since September.

Sleeping has gotten much better. We still have struggles everyone once in awhile, but for the most part we've got a routine down and it works for us. Feeding is a work in progress. Food is not an issue - the kid eats anything. He's been on a sippy cup since October, but we're working on him feeding himself with the spoon. I fear the mess. I know it's stupid. We even have a splat mat. We just need to do it and let him have at it. Daycare puts the entire meal in front of the kids and it's a free-for-all. You should see him when he comes home - OMG!

He is so smart and understands everything we are telling him. And, he is in full-blown toddler mode. He's testing us at every chance he gets. He has what we call "mini-meltdowns" on occasion when things don't go his way. And, he is into EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. So very curious. It's funny and scary all at the same time. And then he's unbelievably lovable and his personality is really coming out now. He has a funny sense of humor and loves to laugh. He's all boy in that EVERYTHING must be thrown, banged, pounded when he's playing (similar to "Bam Bam" from the Flintstone's). It's just amazing to watch him sometimes. He really fits in well to our little family.
Here is our little "ham."

He doesn't go anywhere without his hammer.

Hanging out in his rocking chair

He LOVES books!

One of his favorites - Dr. Seuss's "The Foot Book"

Cracking up at "The Foot Book"

I haven't posted about daycare since I went back to work full-time at the end of October. The first few weeks, I honestly couldn't post or even talk about it. It was very difficult. Difficult on Wesley and difficult on me. The first week was the worst. Lots of tears. Both Wesley and myself. Despite the fact that we "eased into it" with 1/2 days for part of the week, he was confused and understandably so. Naps were either non-existent or very short for awhile. But, once we got through week 2, we started to get into a grove and he realized that he wasn't being left. We still have tough days here and there - especially when he's missed days like he has these past few weeks with being sick. However, I think in the end, he really enjoys himself and the interaction with the other children and teachers.

It makes us surely appreciate the time we have with him even more. Weekends are precious and the time we have during the week with him is very special. And to be honest, I think I'm a better parent with the balance of work and personal life and he's probably happier. He is the light of my life and I couldn't imagine my world without him. I look forward to coming home to him each day and seeing his smiling face each and every morning. He is my sunshine.