Christmas Traditions- Lights/Santa

FAIL.

Yep, this tradition FAILED miserably this year. 

It was about 38 degrees outside, but a decent night.  I had been told about a small children's park that was lit up nicely and Santa would be there Fri and Sat's.  So, Sat night... after an extremely long day for everyone... we headed out, bundled up.  Caylee in her coveralls, puffy jacket and hat... Matt in his coveralls, jacket and hat... Me in a mixture of whatever would fit to stay warm! 

**Sidenote: Back up to a few days prior.... Caylee and I had been to the mall and the Santa wasn't busy.  He came over and chatted with us, even gave Caylee a candy cane.  She LOVED him, thought he was funny, smiled etc.  I didn't put her in his lap, but I'm almost certain she would have gone with him. 

Back to the lights.... it was a very small park, but perfect for kids.  They did a nice job with the lights, blow-up things and even had a candy cane garden where you could pick your own candy cane.  Very cute. 

However, it was dark, Caylee was a little fussy and it was cold... so we have now officially become THOSE parents.  Yep, the ones who try to get their kid to sit on Santa's lap and they scream.  The very parents I SWORE we'd NEVER be!  Well, such is life and now we have the picture to prove it...


Here it is... the picture many parents swear they'll never take, but many end up getting.... .

I couldn't figure out my camera with the lights, so these aren't great... but the park was very cute.

Not enjoying Frosty so much...

 Cute idea!

She liked walking on her own, until she fell.  Let me tell you... I HATE winter clothing and small children.  They just can't walk well in all the gear and they need to be bundled up... I even chose not to put her boots on and gave her regular shoes (which leave her feet a little colder) thinking it would help.  Nope.. still fell and we still left the park with a screaming 1 yr old after just 20 minutes.  Like I said... FAIL this year.... maybe next year :)

Modiefied "BIG" Bed!

We finally did it!  We moved Caylee to a twin bed!  It's modified though to fit her needs and our comfort level....


Matt putting it together... Caylee helping of course... **These are twin bunk beds that Cass and I had as kids, really nice beds, obviously we just needed one bed right now. 

Frame together.... we flipped the outside boards bc we weren't planning to use the slats and I didn't want her rolling into the sharper edges.

Testing out the video camera to see where to best put the bed and camera so that there are no cords around should she get out.  She liked using the remote and thought she was actually turning it on and off.  Pretty funny :)

Big bed!  Basically, instead of the mattress going on wood slats and being raised off the ground we opted not to use the slats and dropped the bed to the floor.  We still put the bunk bed railings on, which gave it even a little more height protection/crib feel to it.  Eventually, we'll raise the mattress to the slats and then get rid of the rails.... when she is tall enough to get in and out of bed on her own. 

For now, we were glad we did it this way bc she hugs the rails at night and would have never stayed in her bed all night without them.  She has slept great last night and for nap today... she still doesn't know how to get out, although I know she could because it's not that tall or that far to the ground.  She isn't much of a climber though and still likes to be put in and picked up out.  We did use the bumper pad bc there were a few gaps that were bigger than we thought.

All in all, we're loving the transition so far and I'm really glad we stuck with some sort of rail, and that we skipped the toddler bed altogether.  She'll easily grow into this!! 

Next step... adding a pillow and sheets.... hmmm... still unsure about this and how it will work.  She just doesn't stay in one spot and moves all over the place. 

Encouragement

Lately, I've been struggling with being a stay-at-home mom.  I think it's the weather to be honest.  It's been chilly (though thankfully not as bad as it probably should be) and rainy (ugh).  Sometimes I just feel like I'm not doing enough for Caylee or keeping her entertained enough.  It can get pretty boring at our house... I especially feel bad that she has no little friends for playdates.  We go to kindermusik and that helps, plus I leave her in the nursery during the mom's group 2x a month at church, but I guess I just want to have more kids her age around more often.  (Micah will help give her a little playmate soon enough I guess!!)  We'll get more friends as we continue to meet people and make friends... it all takes time, I realize that.  I also know that she is happy and healthy and we're very, very blessed... so I shouldn't worry about her so much. 

But today, I was very encouraged to read this verse:

 

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

How great is that?!  Just when I felt like maybe I wasn't doing enough or doing the right things for her, God reminded me that HE is gently leading me so that I can lead her....that was so encouraging.  I know I am exactly where I need to be, at home with Caylee, I've always wanted that and am thankful that Matt has given that too me (I know so many that can't stay at home and would trade me in a heartbeat, I am VERY thankful that I can).  I also know that I wouldn't trade it for anything because I have LOVED watching her grow.  Now I know that I'm doing a fine job because it's God who's leading me.... whew.... can't mess up too much with that right?!

It also didn't hurt today that I received a package in the mail from my dad with a 1lb Reese's Cup!  Nothing helps more than chocolate and peanut butter, unless maybe it's a brownie with ice cream :)

Christmas Traditions- Nativity



Well, it's finally time!... Time that is to begin our own family traditions!  I am SO excited and have been waiting all year (last year, Caylee was no where near old enough).  This year, even though she's super young it's definitely time.  There are so many things she understands and so many things I'm sure we don't even know she understands. 

 

One thing Matt and I talked about was making sure Jesus stays center to Christmas.  In doing this, we felt that seeing a live nativity each year (or something like it) would be a fun thing to start.  I looked and looked and found this one Christmas tree light path that claimed to be a live nativity.  The one problem was that this was only offered this past weekend... the one and only time Matt has had to be out of town working!  Bummer.... but Caylee and I went anyways :)  I have plenty of other Christmas things planned this month that he'll be able to join us for.

 

 

I bathed Caylee before we left and put her in Christmas pj's... we went to McDonald's and had a yogurt parfait and then headed over to the nativity.  It was not at all what I expected.... I guess I had a very grand image in my mind and this was VERY small..... AND, to my disappointment, no animals!  I thought at this point in her life she would have enjoyed the animals very much because at home we can say, "What does a cow say?" and she says "Mooooo" and then we can say "What does a sheep say?" and she says "BaBaBaBa"...... she even recognizes cows on tv and will moo when she sees them. 

 

Anyways, no animals.... this was a brief walking path and the actors told the story along the way-- great for kids a little older who understand lots of words, not great for little ones who only recognize animals at this point :) But, she DID hear the birth of Christ and they DID end with the cross, so they didn't leave the story unfinished-- a very nice way of reaching out to people and telling them the entire gospel in a fun way. 



 

Mary and Joseph at the stable with the shepherds worshipping baby Jesus....

 Ending with the story of the cross and Jesus' death and resurrection for our sins....

 Church it was at with the Christmas tree lighted path... (they donate the trees to families after the event who can't afford trees)

 Our picture of the night!  She is holding her baby doll.... :)  

Even without the animals it was a fun night and I'm glad we were able to go.  Matt has a client who hosts a live nativity later in the month that we may try to go to... I think he has real animals!... The next few weeks and weekends will be tons of fun as we get to do more things as a family and start these traditions with our kids! 

30 Days of Thanksgiving- Week 4

Mon Nov 26th- I'm thankful for being at home and for naps when I can hold Caylee. 
  **Caylee has never been a baby that likes to be held close for long periods.  I know people think we're mean parents because we don't put her in bed with us during a fitful night, but she kicks and rolls and constantly moves... she thinks it's play time!  When she sits with us on the couch she likes her own spot and own space.  I'm completely fine with that, because I like her independence.  However, there are days when she wakes up from a nap very upset and I can go in and sit with her quietly for another hour or so.  Those times are very special and I'm so thankful I get to be home to do that with her!!

Tues Nov 27th- I'm thankful for Caylee's helpfulness!
  **Caylee is such a good little helper.  Even at a young age she is learning how to do things around the house.  She'll shut the dryer door for me when I load the clothes and even pick up clothes if I drop some and put them in.  She'll help stir when I make food and she is getting much better at putting her toys away (although they usually come out if you aren't quick enough!).  It's important for me to remember to keep showing her how to do things and teaching her, because she really enjoys helping!  The funniest thing is that she'll bring me my slippers if I am not wearing them.  She's also great at getting her socks and shoes and handing them to me when we have to leave. 

Wed Nov 28th- I'm thankful for "rough" playtime!
  ** Being this pregnant, or really, being pregnant at all, it's difficult for me to play hard with Caylee.  However, she loves being chased right now and chasing us back.  She needs that time to get out some energy and I love that Matt comes home and immediately plays with her.  He's so good with her!  It's so funny to watch him tackle her and she just runs back for more!  Their new thing is him throwing her on the couch and her rolling back off.  She goes head first into his arms and he throws her back- so funny and she just cracks up the whole time!

Thurs Nov 29th- I'm thankful for sleeping in!
 **It seems like November has been a LOOOONG month.  Between Caylee getting 3 new teeth and having a double ear infection our nights have not been very peaceful.  That being said, this week she has been sleeping in just about 30 minutes longer than normal.  I'm so very thankful for the extra rest, especially since I never know if naptime will work out or not! 

Fri Nov 30th- I'm thankful for a healthy pregnancy!
 **Today was my 30 week check-up for Micah!  30 weeks!! We are getting SO close, I can't believe it!  My blood pressure is doing great, his heartbeat was wonderful and all is going well... I'm so excited to see our little boy in just 9 short weeks.... so glad all is going well so far :)

Christmas Decorating!

I was so excited to decorate for Christmas this year because I thought Caylee might have fun playing with all the "new" things.  She didn't even care!  I pulled out tons of ornaments that she was allowed to play with and stockings and such, but she just went back to playing with her normal toys.  As a few days have gone by she is more interested in the tree and we have some lower ornaments specifically for her to take on and off that she is starting to notice.  But the entire time we put the tree up, nothing... she just walked around and laughed and played with her things!  It is a HUGE tree too!  This is the first year we've put it up bc we have never had the room... well, we don't quite have the room this year, but we made it work and I love it!  Matt did some lights on the outside of the house too.  The mantle is the only thing I can't figure out.... it's so deep and really needs a lot of "stuff" that we don't have.  I may take a trip to Hobby Lobby soon....  or just leave it alone, who knows.  For now, here's what I have :)


Watching Daddy hang lights... it was SUPER cold, so she has on her new coveralls, snow coat and awesome hat! 

Finished!

She didn't like the tree much, but LOVED the step ladder... and yes, the top of the tree hits the ceiling... no angel this year.  But the angel is very special, so it IS sitting on the mantle!

 Wouldn't smile...

Finally smiled, but had taken the bow out! Bummer...

 Completed house... he didn't go all the way to the top, but we had nothing to reach up there, plus it was SOO cold! Very pretty though!

I'll get more family pics in front of the tree and house later....

I am so excited for this Christmas! I know she's young, but we have a full advent calendar complete with short verses each day to read and activities I came up with (more on all that later).  It's going to be a great month!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving- Week 3

Sat Nov 17- Thankful for a FREE day!
  **On this day, Matt was able to watch Caylee ALL day while I went to Ft Wayne to do some shopping, have lunch and get my hair cut.  I LOVE being able to stay home with Caylee and RARELY let anyone watch her.  However, it's nice that they could spend the day together and that I could have some time to myself.  I think everyone had a good day!!

Sun Nov 18- Thankful for a NEW bed!
  **That's right... FINALLY... we were able to get a new mattress.  Not just any mattress either, a KING mattress.  At first I was worried because it's memory foam with an extra plush pillow top.  I don't usually like memory foam, but I LOVE this bed.  My back has been feeling SO much better when I wake up- and a KING bed is awesome!!

Mon Nov 19- Thankful for sunrises!
  **Our bedroom window isn't facing directly East, but it's enough so that I can see the sunrise each morning.  Sunrises are great because often times that is the only sun you get to see all day.  It's deceiving because they are so pretty, but by mid-morning/afternoon-ish the sun has disappeared behind the clouds and the sky is grey again.  But the sunrises are GORGEOUS!

Tues Nov 20- Thankful for flu shots.
  **Yep, I know, it's weird.  But my mom always made us get our flu shot and now I am very thankful for that.  I can't imagine being that sick with a little one, so at least I can be protected now and hopefully not get anything!!

Wed Nov 21- Thankful for Caylee's Dr's.
  **Caylee had another ear infection-- this time a double ear infection.  We kinda figured something was up when she stopped sleeping well and was just super fussy during the day.  (She never pulls on her ears like they say she should).  But thankfully, they were able to get me in that day AND give us meds before the holiday weekend!  Whew... they sure do help-- and we ALL needed sleep again.

Thurs Nov 22- Thankful that Matt will listen to Christmas music on Thanksgiving!
 **Matt is not a fan of month-long Christmas music, but he indulges me and beginning Thanksgiving Day we get to listen to it ALL the time!  I LOVE it!  We had a long drive this Thanksgiving anyways, so it was fun finding the Christmas stations.

Fri Nov 23- Thankful for pj days!
 **Some days, Caylee and I do a whole lot of nothing.... that's ok.  On these days, it's nice just to be in our pj's and play a lot.  She's getting SO smart and SO much fun to play with.  These days can be long, but when she's in a great mood we have lots of fun.  Plus, it's great to snuggle on the couch and relax a lot... especially after a few very long days of little sleep, not feeling well and traveling. 

Sat Nov 24- Thankful Matt can work on our dogs!
 **Today Sammy was neutered.  I'm so glad Matt could do it and save money... plus knowing that he knows what he's doing and can take care of him after surgery is nice too. 

Sun Nov 25- Thankful for God's love!
 **Today's sermon was simple.  God Loves You.  It was a nice break from normal "preaching" and a good reminder to remember the great love God has for us, even though we don't deserve it.