The Sabbath after Christmas

Last week's trip to Holiday Festival of Lights.  Jayden had a great time once we got out of the car.  He loved walking around and seeing the lights in the pavillion.  There was a set up of lights put to music.  Jayden was trying to conduct the music.  It was so adorable.  I guess he's been watching Momma on Sundays when she leads the music in church.

The decent on Christmas morning at 6:30 am! 

Very curious about what's cookin' in Mimi's oven.

Loving his new present.  Pop-up ball pit and lots of plastic balls.

Christmas was very low-key this year.  Jayden still wasn't too sure about the whole ripping thing.  He knew how to do it, but once he opened a toy he was interested in, he lost interest in opening any others. 

Today it snowed.  Jeremy was thrilled.  I loved it but was concerned about getting Jayden to the doctor first.  He has his first ear infection.  Poor little guy woke up with a fever this morning higher than he's ever had.  He was miserable until the fever reducer kicked in.  He did really well at the doctor right up until the doctor tried to look in his mouth.  He locked his lips together so tight that the doctor had to practically pry them apart.  But we got him some antibiotics so he'll be on the mend in no time.  Then we spent the rest of the day indoors watching the snow fall and snuggling our little bug.  So all's well that ends well! 

We hated missing church, but getting the fevers taken care of was priority one this morning.  Looking forward to next year's schedule at 1pm.  Never thought I'd say that but with a toddler, it will be nice being able to sleep in past 6am before having to try to get a shower in before Jayden wakes up in the morning.  And it will be a lot easier to not have to wrestle him right out of bed into church clothes.  This way we can wake up, get ready, eat breakfast, then wrestle.   Much easier on a full stomach! :)  For both Mom and Jayden.  Where's Dad during all this you might be asking?  Already at church for meetings.  It will be nice for Jeremy to have later meetings.

So far so good on keeping up with the blog.  Hope it continues!  Maybe it will inspire me to take more photos to share as well!  Happy Sabbath to all!

Day Two of My Commitment to Blog More Often

Looking cool in his Addidas soccer outfit and
 his sweatshirt from Uncle Christian

Tonight is Christmas Eve.  Jayden is tucked all snugly in bed.  I doubt sugar plums are dancing through his head, but clementines might be as that's his new favorite fruit.  Usually he's more of a banana man, but we haven't had any in the house this week.  But hey, he loves fruit.  Can't go wrong with that.

For bedtime, we rocked in my old rocking chair that my mom rocked me in.  I told him the story of Jesus' birth.  For a lullaby, tonight was "Silent Night".  Of all the Christmas Hymns, this one far and away is still my favorite.  So simple, so eloquent and such a great lullaby.  I couldn't help but think of how Mary felt that night that she held her newborn in her arms.  The phrase from another Christmas hymn kept repeating in my mind, "but tonight you are mine."  I cherish every minute I spend with Jayden.  I love rocking him to sleep every night, even on the less than successful nights.  I savour every second because I know that someday, he will belong to a lot more people than just his dad and me.  I know that before I know it, he'll be too big to rock, too old to need his mommy to tuck him in and too cool to get kisses from his mom.  I would love to believe that it'll never happen to me, but I know all to well that children grow up.

Today he had a ball at Grandpa and Mimi's house.  We ate dinner and as always, the bread was a huge hit.  He danced to all the many music-playing Christmas decorations.  He's so fun to watch as he discovers new things.  We're looking forward to presents tomorrow morning.  He should have fun with all the paper.  Not so sure about the Santa thing yet (see photo from previous post) but by next year he should get it a little more.

I'd like to say that tonight is a special night where I'm counting my blessings, but for me, that's every night.  Life is not always easy, but I am blessed well beyond what I deserve or have earned.  For that, I'm truly grateful.  Every day!

To anyone reading this, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and most of all I wish you gratitude.  Gratitude is what makes a life truly blessed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all, a good night!

Santa Visit

Everyone has to have at least one of these.  Last year's he was all smiles and giggles.  This year, was instant meltdown.  But smiles or not, this is just a darn cute picture.  And we are so impressed at how perfect this Santa is.  He's so "pretty" for lack of better word.  He looks like a greating card!

I have decided that I'm going to post more on the blog.  I don't think there's many that actually check it other than the followers, but I've decided this is one of the great ways to document Jayden's life without losing the piece of paper I write it down on.  Then when I go to scrapbook, I just have to remember where I put it.  Sounds easy enough.  But not sure how I'll do.  Maybe that will be my New Year's Resolution.  And since it's out there in cyberspace for others to read, it might make me more accountable in my brain.  Logical, right?

Today Jayden has been lots of fun.  We're wrapping last minute holiday loose ends up, making treats and watching Christmas movies to get us more in the spirit since it's not looking like we'll have another fluke snow storm.  At least it's chilly outside.  Not as cold as it can be, but at least it's not 80 degrees like it always seemed to be at Christmas in California when I was growing up.

We're still trying to institute holiday traditions.  If anyone is reading this, what are some of your family traditions?

Christmas is Coming

As Christmas approaches, I am eerily calm.  Makes me wonder what's about to hit the fan! 

But as Christmas approaches, I find myself counting my blessings.  I've always been one to be pretty grateful for what I've got but this year, I'm beyond grateful.  Life is trying sometimes, but all in all, I've got a great life.  Every time I look at Jayden I realize how blessed I am.  The other night he discovered fish smacks.  What's a fish smack?  It's when you suck your cheeks in to look like a fish then make a smacking noise.  And to me, it was the cutest thing ever.  He is such a cute kid and melts my heart on a daily basis.  He's so much fun!

And Jeremy.  He works hard, plays hard and always makes sure I feel loved and appreciated.

So whatever else the trials may be that come, it doesn't really matter.  The most important parts of my life are amazing!

Merry Christmas!  And wishes for an AMAZING new year!

New Discoveries

As any toddler, Jayden's newfound ability to walk has opened up a whole new world to him.  This week he rediscovered a few things and discovered some new things.  On Thursday, Daddy learned that Jayden can climb the whole set of stairs by himself with a swift, stealthy bound.  Tigger took a dip in the toilet (fortunately a clean bowl verses a pre-flush bowl).  Mom was interrupted in her dishwasher unloading duty by the phone (automated soliciter, thank you very much) to return to a Bug on dishwasher door.

He loves to point out facial features.  His first one was pointing out his nose.

Here he is as I found him, sitting on the door.

He's discovered a love of popsicles.  Also a big fan of ice cream.  But who could blame him?

How cute is he in his Tigger towel?  But this is not the Tigger that took a dip in the toilet.

Sitting in the same chair that his mom sat in at his age.

Showing us the sign for more since he wanted more food.

Every day is a new adventure and we're having a ball watching him discover new things...even when it means more clean up for us!

Little Drummer Boy