Thanksgiving Fun with the Baker's

I am in a shopping frenzy and I love every minute of it, but before I get to that I need to post a little about our Thanksgiving with the Baker's.

We were so excited to see the Baker family because it had been way too long. I was also super excited to see how Julia and Henry would play together. It was so much fun watching them, they were like best friends from the morning they woke up until she left on Saturday.

On Thanksgivng we got up and watched the Macy's Day Parade. After that we pretty much feasted all day and watched football. The turkey was delish and so were all the sides. Henry was on his no napping streak so he was a little cranky by dinner but he did great and of course we had Julia there to keep him entertained.

On Friday, we helped Grandpa put up the Christmas tree and decorate the whole house. Henry loves the tree but I think he may love the train at the fireplace a little more. Although every morning, since the tree has been up he goes "WHOA" when he walks out of his bedroom and sees it.

Later that night we headed out to Reston to see the tree lighting at the Town Center. We have gone for the past couple years and wanted to share the fun with the rest of the family. Santa and Mrs.Claus are brought in to light the tree. They ride into town on a horse drawn carriage and wave to everyone as they are coming in. Julia's face lit up when she saw them. Henry was pretty excited too!

After Santa and Mrs.Claus lit the tree we took Julia ice skating. Her and Grandpa had a blast on the rink. I think they only fell once but it didn't seem to bother her one bit!

Finally we rounded out our day with a little dinner and probably one of my favorite photos taken from their visit. It just captures there expressions so well!

The next morning the Bakers got in the car and rode away. Henry cried for a good five minutes after they left. He missed his Oulia, his Deenie and his Steve but we told him that he would see them for Christmas! Can't wait to see you all - Miss you!!!

Giving Thanks

This post has been open on my computer for over an hour. It's not that I don't have anything to give thanks for, it's just that we have so much and I don't know where to start.

We have been blessed with the most amazing and supporting family anyone could ask for. They are always there to help us, they listen when we need them, they laugh with us, they encourage us and heck they even let us live with them. The past few months they have been the best support system. It is crazy trying to sell a house, especially with all the stuff we went through, but our family stuck by us and kept things positive.

I also am very thankful for Charlie. I don't know where I would be without him. Yes, like any couple there are times we want to strangle eachother but you know what we didn't. We learned from those moments and grew as a couple. We had no idea how to take care of a one year old but we figured it out and supported each other. We also had no idea what we were getting into when we put our house on the market - boy did we learn a few things there too. I love that I can count on him and he is alwasy standing beside me.

There are so many other reasons I am thankful this season and I could list 100 of them but I am going to end with one of my biggest blessings.....Henry.

Everyday I am thankful for him because everyday he teaches me something new. Some days it is patience, some days it is laughter and other days it is peacefulness. Watching your child grow is the most amazing experience. I never thought I would love or learn so much from such a little person. Thank you, Henry for showing us that life should be fun and we should sit back and enjoy it.

Bam - I got hit!

Hit with the Holiday Spirit!

This morning there was something in the air and I could feel it. Could it have been that I put Frosty and Twas the Night Before Christmas on in the car for Henry? Maybe it was the fact that when I pulled out of daycare there were Christmas songs on the local radio station? I don't know what it is but I am a buzzing today with good cheer. My office should be lucky ;)

I have been racking my brain for weeks on what to get Henry for Christmas. I know that we are getting him a train table for his Birthday but for Christmas I am drawing a blank. I thought maybe we would get him some kind of art easel. I like this one by Step 2 but I think Charlie wants a wood one.

The only other gift I have for him is the Little People Airport from Target. What do you get a 2 year old for Christmas?

I should say I have given some ideas out to family and created a wish list for them to use. I have the Little Tykes Grill and the Little People Stand and Play Rampway. I also put puzzles on there. He will be getting a tractor to pedal too!

Maybe I will wander around Toys R Us tonight and see what I can find.

We're Back!

Well actually we have been back since Saturday afternoon. We had an amazing time on the cruise and fun was had by all! The Islands were beautiful, the weather was not so sunny but still very nice and the food was fantastic. I zip lined across the ship, Charlie rode the wave pool and Diggs well he rode the carousel about 25 times a day.

I think St. Marteen was my favorite island. We just got off the ship, walked around and the beach was right there. We rented jet skis that day and all the "kids" had a blast. We had Henry in daycare that morning, but then we went and got him so he could put his feet in the Caribbean. He loved it!

There are just way too many stories and wonderful pictures I could blog about, so to sum it up, everyone had a blast and I hope we can do it again soon!

We Made It!

We finally made it to the day before vacation! I thought today would never come. We knew about this vacation since last Christmas and we have had a lot go on in the past year.

Let's recap......1st Birthday, Snowstorm after snowstorm, friends having babies, mini vacations, Henry talking, house hunting, deciding to put our house up, almost getting on HGTV, selling our house, engagement parties, packing our house, not selling our house, unpacking our house, moving in with Dad, family getting engaged, family getting pregnant, selling our house, watching a new house be built, seeing Henry grow into a big boy, and locking the door to our townhouse one last time.

Phew, I'm exhausted from this past year. It is has been a crazy one but I don't think we would have had it any other way.

VACATION ALL I EVER WANTED, VACATION ALL I EVER NEEDED........

Be jealous, be very jealous.......We are cruising on the one of the largest ships built, we are headed to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Marteen. My whole family is going, you know all 10 of us ;) I can even zipline across the ship or ride the carousel with Digg or drink fruity drinks by the pool.

Now if I only I was packed and ready to go - eeeek!

Potty Time, It's Potty Time!

Have you seen the Elmo potty training video - It's a Must See - ha! I shutter everytime the kid yells out "I call it urinate" - GROSS!

I went and got Henry a potty a few weeks ago. I just put it in our bathroom to see if he would even notice it. Well he does notice it, when he is tripping over it to get into the bath tub.

In the mornings when we are all in the bathroom getting ready, he will say potty. So I strip him down and he sits on it and sits on it. He also has to have his shirt off when sitting on the potty, not quite sure why. After he is on the potty, he asks where the water is. I tell him that he has to put the water in it. He laughs, gets up and runs naked around the rooms.

The other morning, I thought we were going to have success. He ran into the bathroom, screamed potty and was pointing at it all while pulling on his diaper. I hurried got him naked and he sat down and he sat and sat.........He got up, said potty and then went to read his books. No success, so I hurried to get a diaper on him. He continued to sit on his chair and read naked. I was finally close enough to wrestle him down, when he got out of the chair and peed right in front of me. He then stated laughing and said "Funny, mommy."

I guess I will just keep trying and having him watch the Elmo video. I hope this works sooner than later but it looks like we are a ways away from success.