A Very Merry Christmas

On the couch with B laying next to me and Dave laying across.  B and I are putting in a movie post treatment of Albuterol & Budesonide.  Tonight was a bit of disaster over at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  We have all been taking turns fighting a nasty cold, but B has a nasty cough which made itself not be ignored at dinner this evening.  Mid family dinner B was changed into pj's and put to bed.  Felt bad for him, but so glad he got some sleep.  We opened gifts and had dessert and got a chance to enjoy things from a very different perspective with Ainsley getting 100% attention.  This is also fun because Braeden still has all of his gifts from G/G and Uncle Mike to open tomorrow.  He woke up when we took him to the car to leave and hasn't even mentioned missing out on anything.  Called the pediatrician to see if I should give him his good old medicine, but feel so thankful that we are just shy of going a whole year!  It was an instant reminder to be thankful for the good health 2012 brought us.  Smile on his face as he is "cozy" on the couch having a slumber party.  I told him "I love you so much" and got a heart melting "I love you so much too mommy" in return.  Best Christmas gift ever!  These last few weeks have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for B.  Guessing this is our ramp up to the fun that 3 will bring?

Ainsley and I went to Christmas Eve mass last night.  She was a rock star!  The gentleman sitting next to me told me what a good job she did at the end of mass.  For some odd reason during a very beautiful song of which I can not remember I thought about all the families who lost their little ones in Connecticut and I almost completely lost it.  I have been instantly brought to tears so many times since the shooting happened and can not imagine sending my child to school and finding out they had been shot to death.  As a parent all I want to do is protect my kids and hearing things like this makes me wonder what kind of world I have brought them into.  During mass I just felt overwhelmed and thankful that I was able to be there with Ainsley and then leave to go home to the boys.  So easy to get caught up in wanting things to be different, have more etc.  Was nice to have a moment to reflect and just be thankful.

The holidays have been very good to us.  Here are some pics to recap the fun month we have had...

 Kicked it off down in Portland with a visit to Kacie, Costa and Bella.  So hard to believe tomorrow is her 3rd birthday!

The birthday party was a big hit and the kids had such a blast (helped us forget that Dave accidentally locked our keys in the car causing a bit of a scramble to get to the party on time).

 Lighting the Christmas tree or wrestling, I had about twenty or more pictures of them wrestling.

 Gracie and Oscar wanted in on the fun too!

Ainsley had fun rolling in the lights.

 

Oh toothpaste why must you be so fun.

Our first attempt at potty training was to have B start going into the bathroom to poop(in his diaper).  It has led to a lot of good stories, but now we actually need to start potty training.

Had a fun visit from Papa, Nina and Uncle Joe.  Caught B and A snuggling which is a nice change from the wrestling!

All ready for Christmas Eve Mass

Christmas Eve

 Christmas morning brought lots of gifts and a yummy breakfast

Dinner and lots of gifts opening over at Grandma and Grandpas.

Before I end this post I just have to list a few things I don't want to forget...

-Both kids starting to learn Christmas songs.  In particular tonight Ainsley was getting the "all the way" part of jingle bells.  Hilarious!

-One day we had a knock and the door and Braeden with all the excitement in the world shouted "SANTAS HERE!!!!"

-Ainsley LOVES to go in Braeden's room and today I caught here putting her blankets in his bed to get cozy, which she pronounces dozy

-Braeden bringing the stool into the kitchen to help with anything and everything you name it

-Skyped with the Spokane side of the family last night which mainly consisted of Braeden saying "one more thing" and then dancing around like a lunatic

 

Now for a glass of wine and enjoying Dumbo. Merry Christmas!