Christmas in Wingo

Okay, so I know Christmas is OVER!  It's officially gone.  The party guests have gone home, the straggling decorations have been stored away (even ours--you can actually see the top of our dining room table again), and the credit card bills have been received.  Here are a few pictures from our last Christmas stop.

Since Jackson was officially an adult this year (and thus didn't get to participate in the kid-present-opening mania) he got to help Sam with his stuff.

Izzy was looking very stylish in her new winter hat.

One of Elli's favorite parts of hanging out with cousins???  Girls are never in short supply.  Even better--OLDER girls are never in short supply.  Is there anything better to a 6 year old girl than a couple of teens and tweens?  (Looks like Alex had to sneak in the shot, too.)

Big surprise, you can always count on Shawn to find a ballgame on and sneak off to watch it.  Looks like he wasn't the only one, though.

And what's Christmas without a bedtime story? 

So there you have it--the final installment of the King Christmas Story!  (And, hey...it's only a month late!)

Ain't No Monkeyin' Around

A couple of weeks ago, we met up with some friends at Monkey Joe's.  I was excited to go because I thought Sam would just be all about the big inflatables.  It seems there's nothing more fun than jumping on Mom and Dad's bed, so a giant air-filled trampoline just had to be even better, right? 

Once again, Sam proved me wrong. 

In his defense, it was a VERY busy night.  Shawn dropped us off and was going to run a quick errand before joining us.  Sam and I walked in to a building that, no kidding, sounded like a rock concert for kids.  It was a little overwhelming.  As soon as we walked through the doors, Sam started shaking his head and saying, "No!"  We had a short meltdown that luckily ended as soon as Daddy came back.  But little man's mind was already made up--he wasn't going to be jumping on any inflatables that night.

So we tried to warm him up in the toddler area.  They had a little slide that he tried out, and the blocks were kinda cool.

We finally got him to actually crawl in one of the inflatables, but about all he would do was stand around and try to stay upright.  Absolutely no, repeat NO, sliding on the giant slide.

We did finally get a smile or two out of him.

But mostly we just stood around and watched all of those crazy...um, brave, kids go down the big, scary slide.

 

The only sliding we did was on this little plastic one.

But you know what else they have at Monkey Joe's?  Icee's.  Icee's are great at calming a little boy.  Instant courage in a plastic cup.  I had thought we would have Sam's 2nd birthday party at a bounce house, but now I'm reevaluating that idea.  We will have to try it out on a day that they're not quite so busy, but I'm thinking we may have to start making some other plans. 

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful for:

1) Crackers and cheese snacks.

Okay, so admittedly there is not even a hint of real cheese in these.  I'm sure it's more like "processed cheese product."  Sam is all about the dipping of the food lately, so I grabbed these at the grocery one day thinking he would be all over them for a snack.  Dude. won't. touch. them.  Don't even think about trying to get him to eat one of these.  So because there is something in my genetic makeup that won't allow me to waste food, I started taking them to work with me in my lunch.  And oh my goodness, my taste buds are so happy!  (I may or may not have scooped out the last little bit of orange, fake-cheesy deliciousness and eaten it even after I had polished off the crackers.) 

2)  House cleaning Thursdays.

I have talked about this before, but we have a wonderful angel from Heaven who comes and cleans our house twice a month.  It may not always be something we can afford, but for now it is such a blessing.  I love walking into our house every other Thursday night because it always smells like lemon Pledge and, if only for a moment, there is nothing sticky on the floor.  As a side note, Shawn has told me that we have to keep this luxury around no matter what because it makes me nicer.  And I'm okay with that.

3)  Longer days...FINALLY!!!

There's just something depressing about leaving for work when it's dark AND getting off work when it's dark.  YUCK!  I like sunshine.  It likes me.  We like each other.  It's a small victory, but I'm starting to watch the sunrise on my drive to work and I just get to see the last few minutes of the sunset when I leave. 

What are you thankful for this week?  I'm linking up to Black Tag Diaries.

Sam Stories

Sam is constantly saying and doing funny things these days.  I thought I'd share a couple of my most recent favorites:

Last Sunday night Shawn's mom spent the night at our house because she had a doctor's appointment in Lexington the next day.  Sam LOVES Nana, and he was attached to her all night.  Monday morning she got up to play with him for a few minutes before we had to leave, but when I told Sam it was time to go to work he had a meltdown.  So Mom had to be the bad guy and rip a screaming Sam from Nana's arms.  He expressed his displeasure with me all the way to the babysitter's that morning by periodically, out of the blue, saying, "No Momma.....No bye-bye."  Then, a few miles down the road, "Momma, no.  No Momma."  It was like he was just sitting back there stewing about it and he had to get the last word in again...and again...and again.

Speaking of Nana, Sam has already figured out that she will pretty much let him get away with murder.  Sunday night I was taking care of a couple of things in the kitchen while Sam was playing with her in the living room.  He came into the kitchen and asked for Apple Jacks.  I got the box of Apple Jacks out of the pantry and told him to take them to Nana so she could help him get a snack.  A few minutes later he was back in the kitchen, this time digging in the pantry for the box of graham crackers.  I again helped him get them out and told him to take the box to Nana.  A few minutes after that he was back again, this time reaching for the cereal bars.  This time I stopped him and told him I didn't care for him having a snack but he needed to pick ONE snack, eat it and then be done.  Without missing a beat he snatched the cereal bar from my hands, very matter-of-factly said, "Nana," and took off into the living room. 

We have been trying to teach Sam how to say please.  He knows the sign for it and will do it when reminded, but he refuses to actually say the word.  Lately, if he is throwing a fit wanting something, Shawn will remind him to ask nicely.  So his new thing is to do the sign for please and then yell, "NICE!" (which usually sounds more like "nithe") to get whatever he thinks he should have.

Sam has become quite the condiment guy.  He will eat just about anything if it's dippable.  Chicken and barbeque sauce, chips and salsa, french fries and ketchup--somehow dipping your food in something messy makes it taste so much better.  A word to the wise, though:  Sam is a double dipper. 

Dear Baby,

I just realized the other day that you and I already through our first trimester.  Is that even possible?  July sounds like it's a long time away until I start thinking about everything that we need to do before you come, and then I'm afraid it will get here all too soon.  But I know that somehow it will all get done, and as a reward for our hard work we will get to kiss your chubby baby fingers and toes, to breath in your wonderful baby smell, to laugh at your delightful baby yawns...

I think I've already felt you moving around a couple of times.  The first time, I was a little unsure, but then a day or two later I was almost positive you had poked me.  I've missed those little flutters.  It's one of my favorite things about being pregnant.  I just love having that little something special that you and I share. 

I have started thinking about the future in terms of doing things with "the kids" as opposed to just with Sam.  It's such a strange transition--a few months ago I couldn't even imagine our lives with more than one child, but now it's starting to actually seem possible.  You're already a part of this family, even though we still know so little about you.  I can't wait to get to know you.

I love you already,
Mommy

Come To My Window

If you were to peek in my window right now, you would see...

...a dining room table covered with left-over Christmas decorations that are just waiting--begging, in fact--to be put back into storage.

...a little boy who is DAILY testing his limits.  Using the word "no" like a pro.  Walking directly toward something that I've told him at least a million times is off limits, all while looking over his shoulder to see if I'm watching.  Helping me put "trash" into the trashcan--trash like clean socks fresh from the laundry and possibly a house phone that has recently gone MIA. 

...a man who busts his butt to help us stay on top of laundry, cleaning, tidying up and every now and then gives a little boy a bath...just because he thinks I might be the one who needs a break.

...a woman whose wardrobe choices are getting more and more creative every day.  It's funny--when I was pregnant with Sam I could. not. wait. to start wearing maternity clothes.  I would jump up every morning and, with an inspector's eye, look for the bump that I longed to see.  This time, I'm putting off those maternity pants as long as I can.  Not because I'm not excited about the baby---probably more just because I'm too lazy to bring the maternity clothes out of storage and make room in my closet for them.  So for now I'm wearing long shirts and employing the ponytail holder trick to button my jeans. 

...a little boy who can be running circles around our living room and will randomly stop to pass out a hug and a kiss.  And it melts my heart every time he does it.

...a blogger who is having a harder and harder time finding time to blog.  And that makes me sad.  When I started this blog, I initially intended for it to just be a way to stay connected to our family and friends who live far away.  But it has turned into a journal of sorts for me to catalog our lives.  Because let's face it:  a scrapbooker I am not.  Blogging is a way for me to record memories--both happy and sad.  I enjoy going back and reading the posts that make me smile, but I have also enjoyed reading the posts that were written through tears.  They are reminders that bad times don't stick around.  It's like I have little post-it notes from God telling me His mercies are new every morning.

...a little boy who is growing up way too fast.

...a mom who still questions her parenting skills.  I know all of Sam's recent boundary testing is just part of him growing up, but it makes me constantly ask myself if I'm handling it right.  Am I striking the right balance of patience with firmness?  Am I expecting too much of him or should I push him?  Do I just take a deep breath and tell myself this too shall pass or do we need to take action now to avoid even bigger problems in the future?  Don't get me wrong--Sam is a great kid.  I can't brag on him enough.  He is a blessing...I get that.  But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad to see bedtime get here on some of our recent nights.

...a few empty plastic totes that are waiting to be filled with things that Sam no longer uses.  Things like bibs, burp cloths, receiving blankets...  But for some reason I just can't make myself empty those drawers in his chest.  I guess I think if I leave the baby things in his room he will stay a baby. 

...a mom and dad who cannot agree on a name for a new baby.  Sam's name had a lot of meaning for us.  So for baby #2, I don't want to just pick out a name that we like.  I'd love to come up with a name that is special to us.  But so far we have very few possibilities.    But we're going to have to get serious about it soon because I'm tired of just saying "the baby."

Christmas Recap

Christmas, as usual, was a whirlwind of travel and family.  We have family spread out all over the state, so we do Christmas in phases.  Here are a few shots for now...still getting the last stragglers uploaded--or downloaded--whatever. 

First up:  Christmas in Eastern Kentucky.

Remember how I mentioned that Sam is all about the iPad right now?  At least he shared with his cousins...as long as he got to hold the iPad.  It still counts as sharing, right??

When we were at Shawn's mom's, Sam LITERALLY ate. all.  night.  long.  Seriously, every time I saw that kid he was taking a bite of someone's food.  No plate was safe.  If he spotted someone eating he would bee-line it for them with his mouth open like a little bird waiting for them to deposit some food in it.  (Also, notice that his shirt is up over his belly.  This is our standard way to wear a shirt these days.  Very proud of our belly button, we are.)

I think the biggest hit of the evening in the toy department was the toy vacuum cleaner.  (In all honesty, it was pretty cool.)  My mother-in-law's floors were shining when the kids finally got finished.

Sam finally snuck off with the broom and dustpan for a little turn.  If I had known cleaning was this much fun for him, I would have put him to work long ago.

We attempted a picture with Nana, Bap and the grandkids.

FAIL.

Our niece, Layla, had this really cute skirt on Saturday night.  After she put her pj's on, Sam grabbed the skirt and insisted on putting it on.  Much to Shawn's dismay, I just let him wear it.  Personally, I think he has an eye for accessorizing.

Sam passed out LOTS of kisses while we were there.  Actually, he did really well with Baby Clara.  I can only hope that he continues to be as thrilled with babies come July.

On Christmas Eve, we spent the evening with my sister and her family.  We went to church with them, which was...eventful.  Sam decided during the Lord's Supper that he was completely done with being quiet so we got up and walked to the back of the church (we were sitting in the front) so we wouldn't be as much of a distraction.  In the back, he continued to fuss and yell "DADA!" despite my best efforts to keep him quiet.  Then, when they turned the lights out for the candlelight portion of the service he had a complete meltdown so we finished the service in the lobby.  (Always nice to have the loudest kid in a service...especially nice when you are a guest at that church.)

Anyway, after a pretty much disastrous church service, we headed back to the house for dinner and presents.  Luckily, our group picture went slightly better this time.

Well...at least we got one good shot.

Christmas Day we just had a quiet, relaxing day at home.

Santa left Sam a tent with a tunnel on it.  At first, he wanted nothing to do with it, but the cats sure were glad he got it. 

Finally, after LOTS of persuasion we got him to try it out.

He also got a basketball goal.  He and Daddy spent the majority of the morning playing a little one-on-one.

The dark horse--a cookie monster that actually eats the cookies you feed him.  This one was a BIG hit.

After the excitement had died down, we decided since it was a special day we would watch a Pooh movie.  My son, who generally doesn't watch TV and couldn't care less if it was on, was enthralled.  Every time Pooh would come on the screen, he would scream, "Boo!" and dance around the room.

We finally got him to settle down enough to actually watch the movie from a more reasonable location.

We had a great Christmas.  Mostly, I was just thankful that we were all able to spend it together.  Every year I SWEAR that I will slow down and enjoy the season, but despite my best efforts things always seem to get hectic.  This year was no different, but I do think we at least did a better job of remembering the real reason for Christmas. 

Still to come, a recap from our Western Kentucky Christmas.

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful for:

1)  Chicken Noodle Soup.

Some women crave pickles when they are pregnant.  Others want chocolate.  When I was pregnant with Sam, I had a serious thing for soft serve ice cream.  It was bad news, folks.  But lately all I have wanted is chicken noodle soup.  Seriously.  I think about it all the time.  I wonder what that says about this baby.

2)  My Journey magazine.

If you are a woman and you aren't familiar with Journey magazine, you should change that right away.  It's a devotional magazine for women.  Every day there is a quick devotion and a few scripture verses to accompany it.  There are also a few extra articles in there for some added study, along with beauty tips, shopping advice, health facts, and random other things that I always find useful and interesting.  I have no idea how many times I have read the daily devotion and thought, "That was put there today just for me."  Somehow, it's always exactly what I need to read.  My subscription lapsed for a while but I recently renewed it, and I'm trying to get back in the habit of spending a few minutes with it every night. 

Which brings me to a little sidebar:  I'm interested in hearing other women's thoughts on how and when they do their devotional times.  I'm not loving bedtime because it's so easy to just skip it and go right to sleep.  Mornings aren't great for me because, honestly, I'm not the most alert first thing in the morning.  I find if I try to get up earlier to study I don't really focus.  I've thought about my lunch break, but I'm not sure about that either.  Would love to have some feedback, here, ladies!

3)  Clean sheets.

Is there anything better than snuggling into bed on that first night after you change your sheets?  I always sleep better on those nights.  It's almost enough to make me change them every day....if it weren't for that whole laundry thing. 

I'm linking up my thankful post to Black Tag Diaries.