So that was Christmas

Every year I talk about Christmas in passing but never get to the point of a complete post. This year will be different! And not even a month late!  Our Christmas celebrations were early and often this year, the first year Gobbles actually understood who Santa is and my Lil Lobster Roll's first  Christmas.

It began of course with the decorating- the morning after our "romantic" family anniversary dinner we  went to Terrain again this year for our tree and they did not disappoint. Gobbles enjoyed walking around the yard, petting people's dogs (which I was so proud when he did what we taught him- approach the owner first and ask if you can pet), throwing rocks, and finally selecting a tree. The  Lobster was just taking it all in, grinning and laughing from all the sights and sounds. We got home and set up the tree, and began our tradition taken from my family of a kid putting the star on the top. Gobbles had a ball, but I'm sure he's gonna be pissed next year when he learns it's not his turn.

The next week, as I talked about in Gobbles' birthday post, we rode the Santa train!  Sometime during that week, we started baking.  And baking, and just kept baking.  And went to the kids' Christmas show, which although only 30 seconds long, it was very impressive, my Gobbles sang his heart out.   At the end of the week, we were lucky to be invited to the neighborhood Christmas party. It's a little step-ford-y how much they all hang out with each other and how well they all get along, but I like it and I want in ;). We showed up to the moonbounce place where it was and were completely overwhelmed with the amount of people and the amount of kids! We were the youngest couple there by about 5-10 years, but there were kids there down to Gobbles' age plus a few on their way, so the Lobster won't be the youngest! It was a lot of fun getting to know everyone and and learning the ins and outs of our 'hood.

And then came Christmas. The 4 days of Christmas I should say. The Saturday before the holiday was Christmas brunch at my parents' house, complete with presents galore for the kids. They got a good haul as I encouraged my family to get summer toys since they're both winter birthdays. So now we're set with a sandbox and wagon among other things.

The next day we traveled to the Poconos to visit hubs family. First up was Nana, Who loooves pajamas, and gets then for the kids whatever chance she gets. Then we hung out with my sister in law, brother in law, and niece. Gobbles helped make strawberry santas- a pintrest idea from sisinlaw, and the girls played and bugged their big bro/ cousin. After we had a lovely pizza hut dinner (classic mutual love), Nana went to work and hubs and brother in law went out. I went to bed with the lobster roll and gobbles, bc three was no way the kids were going to have a good nights sleep in a strange room at Nana's.

Next morning Christmas eve, we had breakfast with the Poozers and presents with them, followed by gift exchange over at hubs bff's aka the lobster roll's godfather/ dad of our godson. So to our kids it's aunt b and uncle b. Much easier! (to make it more incestuous, my sister's husband (gobbles' godfather) also bff's with uncle b, and is his other son's godfather! Whew!

Anyway, after a full morning of gifts and "family" we retired to Nana's for naps. After everyone got some shut eye (and I got some mimosas next door with sister in law), it was time to get ready for Christmas eve dinner at father in law's house. This was the lobster Roll's first time meeting a lot of the cousins, and he of course was charming as anything smiling and waving and eating in her lil bumbo seat.

During dinner, snow had begun to fall and was coming down pretty heavily. I'd been pushing hubs to leave earlier but it's hard to get all the family stuff in. We eventually packed up to trek home, and what should have been a 2 hour ride ended up being over 4, and yes, in order to keep the overtired uncomfortable children calm, I was wedged in between the two car seats in the backseat. First, we got stuck on the turnpike behind a bunch of snowplows that weren't letting anyone through. Then, we managed to blow a tire, thankfully after we'd gotten off the highway. Shortly before midnight we made it home, slipped the kids into bed, and helped Santa put out his gifts.

The next morning, the kids awoke to the joy of Christmas, and even though they'd had 3 prior days of gifts, I could still see the excitement in their eyes that Santa had come! Gobbles had finally gotten the telescope he wished for, which paired perfectly with the planetarium from his uncle b the day prior. He also got the batman toys he'd been after, although I haven't seen him touch them since, I fear that, even at 3, he really only wanted them to say he had them when his friend at school asked him. The Lobster Roll got her first "big" toy that is all her own- the little people Disney princess castle, naturally.

The rest of the day we spent as a family, going to church then going to my Aunt's house and hanging out with my big fat Italian family.  Somehow, Gobbles stayed in a good mood with no nap and the rough previous night, and the Lobster Roll was still meeting some family members for the first time, where she of course charmed everyone.  It's neat to hang out with my baby cousins, some of whose diapers I used to change, all grown up, in college or even finished.  It seems like it's come full circle when they are the ones cooing over my and my other cousins' kids.  I know my kids will never have the 28 first cousins that I was lucky enough to have, but they can still experience my giant family for years to come in all our craziness.

The days following Christmas were pretty quiet around our house, as the kids spent time with Grandma & Grandpa while hubs and I worked.  We had a little playdate with our old pals Lil Buddy and Mooshman the next weekend, though I only got about 2 pictures before the lights went out (I REALLY don't get why we always lose power when we're hosting friends!  regardless of the house!), but the kids still had fun playing by flashlight and running around like little nuts.

Our New Year's Eve was to be low key as well, with the Poozer family coming down for the night, but the Princess Poozers (my niece), had other plans.  After we had dinner, we put the kids to bed, but the poor lil girl could not get comfortable in the pack n play, so she ended up basically staying up until midnight with us.  We drearily toasted and hubs and I passed out pretty quickly, while my poor sister in law was worn out, rocking her toddler eventually to sleep.  She reminded me a lot of Gobbles and the way he just would not sleep sometimes, and felt a calm relief realizing that so far, the Lobster has been a dream Dreamer.  Even if she is an early bird.

And so that was Christmas.

one of the Christmas card attempts... FAIL!

Gobbles is perfecting the choke-hold

Ginger child!

Seriously mom?  I think these are for dogs?

Cannoli - move!

Thanks mom & dad for choosing a kid-friendly anniversary dinner this year.  We know we keep things romantic for you!

And by romantic we mean chewing on our placemats and cracking up about it!

This one looks nice!

Rocks and puppies - this is like Christmas!

 

High in the sky!

I helped decorate by taking all the ornaments out of the box

Let's go for a ride!

Mom - it's the WINTER SHOW.  not the CHRISTMAS show!

 

Penguins penguins, snow... anything nondenominational!

Mmmm! Icing and sprinkles!

When it's time to decorate cookies at home I'm an expert now - check these sprinkles mom!

Oatmeal craisin

Mrs. Cook's cookies.  Who the eff is that?

YUM more sprinkles!

And a few chocolate chip!

Seriously?  All those pictures of cookies and I get a puff?

Allright Gobbles, on the count of three - lift!

Listen to the band!

Love my annual Hess gift!

When the ponytails come out I totally look like ace ventura!

Seriously - a little help with the hair?

Much better - now let's get to the gifts!

I've got this present thing down!

Thanks nana for letting me bring my dog!

Squeeze the whipped cream, then eat!

Let's go Poozers - let's bust this joint!

We are not twins, but you guys aren't going to stop with these outfits are ya?

Very concerned children

What did these girls do to me?

Hahaha let the chaos ensue!

Love my bow!

My parents are his Godparents, his dad is my Godfather, and my brother's Godfather is the other one's Godfather.  WHAT???

Pretty with our bows!

Gigi loves us - we're no trouble!

Santa came, a nice simple christmas!

And he left these dollar store hats that the dog chewed!

I love my brother's gift the best!

I won't lie, I feel like a princess in this dress!

Telescope - score!

 

Mommy - you talked all about Christmas break - but not about the snow!

My first time sledding and I LOVE it!

C'mon lobster, let's go!

Snowman break! MWAAA!

Peek a Boo!  Happy New Year!

New year's kiss.  Or shoulder chew.

My girl!

 

So I just hit the publish button yesterday on gobbles three year letter, which contained tidbits of his imagination from happenings many weeks ago.  I think we figured out last night that though yes, he does have a creative mind, it may be influenced by his ridiculous power of observation and inference morese than where does he come up with this stuff.

As we were getting dinner together, feeding the lil lobster roll (she's on a cereal kick this week bc she's cutting an entire grill up top), and bugging gobbles to come sit at the table while he was playing in the family room, the following conversation happened:

Me: So it was the wierdest think when I got home, I was outside with the dogs and the lobster and I heard all these sirens, and these wierd popping sounds in the distance, like firecrackers but not, maybe like gunshots- what do they sound like far away?
(cue 5 minute convo on sounds of gunshots and echos and movies vs real life)
Hubs: (concluding): they probably were not gunshots
Me: well anyway it freaked me out and the dogs were acting wierd, so I just thought what would I do of someone was at the shopping center then was coming through the woods and I decided I'd run off the wall and hide down there with the baby.
Hubs: What wall?
Me: The little retaining wall by the swingset. But then I thought I'd have to come in and get Gobbles so I'd rush back in, lock the door from the sunporch to give us some extra seconds, then run out the front door and down the lawn.
Hubs: You are nuts, you know that, right?
Me: I know, but it was a lot of sirens I heard on the pike, my mind just went wild.
Gobbles: (wandering into the room and crawling into my lap at the dinner table) What man is coming thru the woods? Why is the man coming through the woods? We have to run out the front door?
Me and hubs: (oh shit!  plus a LOOK from hubs) No, no of course not! (cue long drawn out explanation on imagination vs reality)

15 minutes and 5 topics later, after reading the kids' daily reports from school and discussing other calm topics, I caught Gobbles looking down the darkened hall off the kitchen tentatively.
Me: whatcha lookin at buddy?
Gobbles: there's nobody coming to get us?
Hubs just looks at me. Way to go.

Parenting FAIL.

Tonight's lesson- even when the kids look ad act preoccupied, they are always, ALWAYS listening. CRAP.

By the way, this conversation isn't verbatum - apparently I use like as my filler word, and Gobbles has picked up on that.  Every other sentence out of his mouth is like this or like that.  How in the world do I get him to stop when I don't even realize I do it!

Nothing will get by me Momma, my salamander and I are ready to take on the world!  One scary guy at a time!

37 Months. Aka THREE fashionably late...

Tic Toc on the clock but the party don't stop, no

- Gobbles' lady of the moment.... KeSha

Dear Mr. Gobbles,

Well buddy, this has been a big year for you. Your world was turned upside down at the arrival of your baby sister, and again when we left the only home you've ever known. You transitioned from the toddler room downstairs at school to upstairs at preschool with the big kids. You're potty trained, you rode a train, and you trained the dogs to listen to you when you feed them- your first ever steady chore. 

Gobbles you are growing up so quickly in front if my misty momma eyes, every day something new comes out of your mouth that I cannot believe. Most of the time you are a kind, empathetic, affectionate little boy. A bit bossy, but always making sure everybody wins out in a given scenario. There is peace in your little Gobbles world as long as everything goes how you think it should.  On the other hand, when your routine is disrupted, or when you are not in control of a situation, a conflict arises in your head and usually comes out by way of tantrum, tears, or pure defiance.   I often see exactly when the turning point is in your head when things aren't going your way and you get upset. Trust me buddy, it's hard, I know. You are your momma thru and thru. I am here for you anytime you need, but since mommy is still working on getting ahold of herself in stressful times, it seems we both know that daddy is a much more calming influence to seek.

Gobbles, not to worry, you have picked up on what I consider some of my good traits too. Your overwhelming need to make sure everyone around you is having as much fun as you and your desire to be social are so cute to watch. The other day as we were gathering your sister from the baby room at school, I cracked up as I hear you chatting with a classmate "Diana to you want to come to my house? I have two trucks that we can play with in my sunporch?". This just a few days after you invited Michael home to play on the swingset.  Your grandmother can't get over how excited you were to hand out the goodie bags at your birthday party as the guests were leaving "oh thank you for coming! Here this is for you!" You even gave one to your pop... Not sure what he'd do with an air rocket or a parachute man, but we had extras so it was ok.

Oh yea, another trait of mine you seem to have grabbed - my taste in crap-tacular music.  Now, I enjoy good, quality music too, but more so when I'm on my own.  When I'm driving with you and your sister, or running, or dancing around the house, I'm usually singing whatever top-40 pop superhit is in my head.  Lately you've gleaned to Rihanna and Ke$ha, but still hold tight to Enrique.  Then suddenly, I guess somewhere (school?) you picked up some likes of your own not influenced by me in the least.  One night, the TV was on in the background the sounds of Taylor Swift floated into the room.  Your eyes light up and you exclaim Oh Mom!  It's We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together!  We love that one!  I look at you and respond - "who loves that? did you hear it with Daddy?" because I'd never played that song for you since I don't like her.  You go I like it! and start singing along.  I asked your father later and our only guess is that you heard it at school or something, because he doesn't remember playing it for you either.  I cannot believe that you're at the point where your forming your own opinions about things without our influence.  You're so big buddy - first step Taylor Swift, next step a college on the west coast (oh dear God I hope not!).

Anyway back to your party, you had a heck of a time at your big Oh-Three bash this year.  You had friends from all sides - school, momma's friend's kids, daddy's friend's kids, and family.  You decided to bounce it up at a local moon bounce party place, similar to some of your friends from school.  I made a giant cake with Rocket from Little Einsteins (your favorite) on it that you're still talking about (and I am too, it looked pretty good for a first-time caker).  The party was a wonderful blur and you were opening presents for days afterwards.  But the most important part is that you were so happy you kept asking if you could go back, and the fact that you had fun was all that mattered to us.

On your actual birthday, we took a ride on the Santa train - a nice way to transition your December birthday right into Christmas time.  You gripped my hand as the train pulled out of the station - Here we go mom! And we discussed the scenery the whole was.  You weren't scared of Santa at all when it was your turn to sit with him, probably because you HAD make sure to tell him what you wanted, and you were so excited about the train that you hadn't time to be scared.  Besides, you have enough fears with dinosaurs and such that some freak in a white beard who watches your every move day and night shouldn't freak you out at all.

So, we've discussed your personality, your fears, your faves, but I don't even know where to start when I get into your intellect.  You are so incredibly smart.  Or maybe you're just growing to quickly for my liking.  You can spell and write your name.  You can identify what letter a word starts with by the way it sounds.  And you have these simple problem solving skills that boggle my mind.  For show and tell, on J week, we couldn't find anything we had starting with J that you could bring in.  So you said you could bring in your magnadoodle.  When I told you that it began with an M you responded I know mom, but I could bring the magnadoodle and DRAW a J on it! (basically in a DUH tone of voice). 

You have a wild imagination too, complete with nighttime phobias.  One night, you told Daddy you didn't want to go to sleep because of that little man that sneaks in your room to steal your glasses.  The next night you got a little braver and told me that if anyone came in to steal your glasses you'd throw your teddy bear at them.  Besides being imaginative, you have a way of telling things just like they are.  Mommy, we stacked the stackers as tall as we could, but I'm not that tall.   Or.   We got in trouble because Aiden and Carter weren't listening - They weren't listening? - Nope, all 3 of us weren't listening.

And finally, your interest in math and science makes me sure (well not 100% sure, but I've got a feeling, Daddy too) that you're going to go into something technical.  Maybe an engineer like Mommy?  Right now you're on a space kick, you want to be an astronaut, and even requested a telescope for Christmas just so you can see Mars.  If not either of those, than you could likely be an accountant.  You're already figuring out how to crunch the numbers, adding and subtracting m&ms or figuring out how many more times we have left after using up 3 of 9 hugs.  And yes, it's up to 9 hugs now when I drop you off, because you know 9 is bigger than 5, what you used to be getting (and granted, you did ask for 20, but I have to draw the line somewhere, as much as I love hugging you).

Well buddy, this letter was a month in the making, my apologies if it seems a bit choppy, but I need to cut it off at some point.  I love you soo soo much Mr. Gobbles.  Happy 3rd Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Wow Mom, you left put my name on the internetz.  Yes Gobbles, I'm so proud of your cake that it appears I did.  But it's really not searchable within the image so only the 5 people who read this who already know your name anyway would know!

Happy Lil Birthday Crew! (minus a half dozen already lining up for pizza!)

Make a wish!

Don't forget meeeee!

Here Lobstah!  Let's play with my new road mat!

Awww Birthday hugs from my Spoonsie Bear!

I know I already feed the dogs, but if you need me to take them out, I think the flashlight fits!

Wow!  Twice in one post, Mom?  Getting brazen!  I guess that's what blogging everything a month late does to you!

On our way to the SANTA TRAIN!

'Scuse me lobstah!  We are movin on out!

Thanks mr. conductor for your hat!  Tickets please?

Cheeese!  What a great Birthday, ok santa, now onto Christmas...

Resolve

To do better.  To try harder.  To live life to the fullest.  To make my family the happiest they can be.

2012 was probably most stressful, most complicated, most eventful year of my life.  New baby, new job (for me), we sold a house, bought a house, and are finally trying to settle in and just enjoy all of these things in 2013.  Hubs requested no life changes for the next 12 months, and my tired old self is feeling very inclined to agree with him.  We will relax and enjoy all of the blessings we have been given, because time is going by way to fast.

When I worked for a large company, we had so many strict rules with our annual reviews and goals.  They HAD to be specific in that these goals were quantitative and measurable.  In order for me to actually meet my new years resolutions, I think I need to do just that.  Maybe I'll do a 6 month review in July to see how I'm doing. So, here goes, in no particular order:

Short Term Goals (to be completed by the end of January):

1) Blogging:  Finish 3 of the drafts that are in my Post List, and complete two new posts.  This current post does not count.  If in order to achieve this I do posts without pictures it doesn't matter, just post the darn thoughts before they're outdated and irrelevant.  As the Lil Lobster Roll is getting bigger, I keep looking back at Gobbles' posts from that age for comparison and reminders.  It makes me so happy that I documented a lot of his milestones because I wouldn't remember otherwise.  I owe the same to my baby girl.
2) Home:  Get the basement set up and in order.  In order means able to exercise down there in the morning and host a party that afternoon.  Anything not "unpacked" will be sorted and stored properly.  After the boxes in the basement are done, we will have opened up every box that moved with us and made some kind of decision about its contents and I'll have the ability to say we are officially complete with unpacking.  Also, install permanent miniblinds in the hall bathroom and our bedroom.
3) Health: Get back to it with weight watchers - start tracking again on the 7th and hit a meeting by the 15th.  Make it to two meetings before the month is over and stay for the duration of each.  Exercise in some form at least 2x a week for this month.  Yes I'm setting the bar low considering I haven't worked out a single muscle since August.  No more weeknight beer after the 7th and wine is limited to 4oz / night at the most. 
4) Family:  Keep the momentum of this family high I have going throughout the month of January.  We spent so much time with our kiddos over their break (we alternated working, but they just went back to school today), that I've felt more settled and happy than ever.  The kids are starting swim lessons on Saturday morning so there's at least an hour each week of structured family time.  Church is another that I'm trying to convince hubs to follow through with after the holidays are over.


Long term Goals (over 2013):

1) Blogging:  5 Posts every two months.  3 with pictures.  This is beyond doable and there aren't any more excuses.
2) Home:  Cut down the birch that's too close to the house and the pine back by the fence.  Stain the swingset.  Paint the dining room.  Get curtains for the kitchen, master bedroom, and hall bath.  Buy a grill.
3) Health:  Continue attending weight watchers meetings even beyond when I get back to goal.  That's where I always slip up - hit goal then eat my face off.  2 meetings / month all year.  No excuses.  Dye my hair, for the first time ever.
4) Family:  1 date night per month with hubs.  Even if it's a night in without the kiddos, we need to take time for our relationship too.  Schedule at least 1 activity per weekend as a family, as small as a dog walk or as big as a trip to the zoo (especially with our new membership - thanks mom!).  Now that the stress of moving is behind us we don't need to sit inside and play all weekend.
5) Friends: Attend at least 2 social engagements per month to see my girls. This can be as simple as a playdate or worktime lunch or as big as a party.
6) Neighborhood:  Accept at least 4 social invitations this year to participate in neighborhood activities.  I'm loving our little stepford neighborhood and the Christmas party, although odd because we knew nobody, turned out to be a lot of fun.  This will benefit Gobbles and the Lobster Roll in the long run to have friends within walking distance of the house.
7) Finances:  Begin rebuilding a healthy savings again after the home downpayment took most of it as well as establish regular substantial contributions to the kids' college funds.  Pay off my car and hubs' student loans.  Use a budget program to track our spending and limit our "fun" money until daycare costs get lower or we win the lottery. 
8) Parenting:  Foster relationships for Gobbles that he wishes to pursue.  If there is a kid in his class he wants to invite over, let him.  Accept invitations from his classmates (which we've been good at doing so far, just need to keep up).  Establish more Lobster Roll / Momma time, or at least more age appropriate activities for her so that she isn't watching her brother develop and trying to keep up with things beyond her grasp.  At least 1 hour a day on nonwork days, the fun will be geared towards a 12-24 month old, not a 3 year old.  The rest of the time I'm sure she'll be very content following her big brother around, her current little role model.
9) Happiness:  Gratitude, once a day, every day.  No need to publish, but during my drive or before bed, just take a minute and be thankful and happy.