Merry Christmas!

We made our way out to California for Christmas this year but not before we had a wonderful Christmas celebration at home with my side of the family. We made special arrangements with Santa on Monday and he came early. Joshua wrote a note Monday night and left out cookies and milk. We were able to help him add manners but he really only wanted to say, 'Dear Santa, Bring me presents'. He was thrilled and really understood the Santa concept this year. So, Tuesday we had Christmas morning and Aunt Jill & Aunt Tara were in town to see the kids rip into their presents. Joshua got a 'rocket jet plane with a control and two wheels.' He remarked that Santa got it just right. Mira received a wooden shape sorter. Other gift highlights were LOTS of books, fleece pillow case and bath robe for Joshua, magnetic animal matching game for Mira.

Throughout the day more family arrived and we opened and shared more gifts until dinner time when the house was full. We had a wonderful ham dinner where everyone brought something and then the madness began. We had to clean up and finish packing for our trip.

Wednesday we left the house at 4:30 am for the airport. The roads were ice but there were no delays so we set out. Mira did better on the flight than I expected but still only slept 1 hour of the 6 hour trip. Joshua watched movies and played and also did well. But there was NO FOOD on the plane and by the time we got off Joshua was more tired and more hungry than we realized. He flipped out trying to get in the carseat and then proceeded to fall asleep. At the house, once we got some food and a nap/rest in him he was a whole different boy.

Thursday, we celebrated Christmas in California and Santa came AGAIN. Kirra and Mir both got doll houses and Joshua got a building table. Mira also received a music table and Joshua a scooter. They loved those presents and the MANY others they received. After our Christmas with Grandma and Papa we made our way to Aunt Donna's house for the BIG family Christmas. The party was chaos but the kids did great. Mira was exhausted and finally passed out. She slept through an amazing amount of noise. Joshua was asleep pretty much as soon as he hit the car seat.

Today was much more laid back. We relaxed, playing with the kids new toys and had a Christmas dinner here.

Mira has been having a language explosion. She now says, 'Papa, dog, arf, up, and star'. She knows 'nose and mouth' if you ask her to point to them. She is just loving having Kirra around again to play with as is Joshua. It is really cute to see them toddling around after each other. They are all playing very nicely together.

The children are in bed and I think I am going to relax as well. I uploaded photos from here but not from home yet. I will get to them... Tara :-D

Almost Christmas

Every day (many times a day) Joshua asks, 'Is it Christmas?' or 'Are we to the big box yet?' (referring to the calendar with Christmas circled on it). To which I answer, 'This is Christmas Season but it is not yet Christmas Day' and 'No, we are not to the big box yet but we can count the days.' Joshua is so excited about Christmas this year. He has asked Santa for a "Rocket Jet Plan" and I think Santa will be delivering just what Joshua wants. He has successfully NOT opened the presents that are starting to accumulate under the tree and loves all the signing and crafts and other merriment that go along with the holiday. Tomorrow is his preschool party and we are making cookies. Memaw and Grandad will be watching baby girl so that I can give my full attention to Joshua.

We have had several breakthroughs in preschool recently. He has started singing and participating in circle time and I am ecstatic! He is still having a hard time sitting still and keeping his body parts to himself but I think it goes along with feeling more comfortable and opening up to his class. I think it will improve, we are working on it anyway. So it looks like he has come out from behind the bookcase.

Mira is an excellent walker now. She has started climbing as well. So now we have to be extra careful with the stairs. She has also had a sign language explosion and can use the words, 'more', 'all done', 'bye-bye', 'clap' and 'excitement' successfully. She has some more sounds and words as well including meow, arf and pat. She loves to jabber on while sitting in her high chair, car seat or while toddling around the room. She is a lot more emphatic about her needs too she will come to me if she is tired, hungry or wet and put her arms up to be picked up. She leans over if she wants to nurse. It is awesome to be able to interact with her in a more meaningful way.

We are working on getting Mira to sleep for naps and bed time. She still requires a lot of interaction but I guess it will come in time. She mostly goes down at 7:30 and wakes up between 2-4 then she is up for the day at 6. She has a nap in the morning that is short and one in the afternoon with Joshua that is longer. She reverted a bit food wise while she was sick but we are getting back on the wagon slowly now.

Lots going on for Christmas so I hope to post again soon but certainly after the festivities I will try and make a few comments about it all. Check out my page on facebook to see videos of the kids.

what do you want from Santa?

We took the kids downtown tonight for the Christmas Tree lighting and to see Santa. There was also a little parade. I was so proud of Joshua. I knew that he would not sit on Santa's lap but I asked him if he would stand next to Santa and he said, 'Yes'. AND he did it! He stood next to Santa and told him he wanted a "race jet plane". He was very clear on this point. Mira, since she is already not feeling well, did not take kindly to Santa holding her and screamed. She has an ear infection though so she is just unhappy right now, period.

I can't wait until we are all healthy again!

Sickness

Mira had her 9 mos checkup today. She weighed in at 18 lb (50%) and 26 inches (10-15%) The Dr. commented that she had really thinned out and I pointed out that it was probably because she was walking. She just shook her head at my crazy early walking children. In every way Mira is doing great and the Dr. was pleased with her development.

I kept Joshua out of school today due to his ongoing sickness and had him checked out as well. The Dr. diagnosed either bronchitis or pnuemonia and rather than have him (US) suffer through an x-ray, sent him home with antibiotics that should take care of either and a prescription for using his nebulizer 2x a day. I also talked to her at length about his extreme shyness. She recommended that he see a pediatric behavioral psychologist and we are going to look into doing so. Even if, as she pointed out, it is only to give us new skills to help him in difficult situations. She didn't think that taking him out of preschool was a good solution. I am going to talk to his preschool teacher still but I tend to agree. He likes going to school, I think he needs that kind of interaction or we will not be addressing the issue. So we will see.

Now it is on to naps and such. I hope that Joshua takes another 3 hour nap like he did yesterday. He truly needs it!