December 14, 2009

  • Countdown to Christmas

    I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm shocked that there are only 11 days left until Christmas. In general, I'm not sure where this year went. This is the last holiday season of my 20s (boo-hoo! Goodbye, youth!), so I want to make sure I document it well.

    We've been having a wonderful time with my in-laws. Today was their last day here before their cross-country drive back East. We've enjoyed their company, and they've gotten to spend lots of time with their grandkids. Jack loves his Nana and Papa, and has even learned to watch football, thanks to their presence (Lord knows, he'd never be exposed to football if it weren't for Johnny's parents and brother. Johnny's not into it, and neither am I). While they were here, we celebrated my mother-in-law's upcoming retirement. She's had a wonderful career full of inspiring achievements. A couple of weekends ago, we had dinner at an amazing restaurant called Studio in Laguna Beach. It overlooked the ocean, and the food was the best any of us had had in California. It was a perfect place for a celebration.

    Johnny and his parents; Chris, Victoria and me in the back row

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    Jack's been getting into the holiday spirit. At preschool, he made and wrapped a gift for me and Johnny to open on Christmas morning. He's very excited by all the presents under the tree. I've been telling him repeatedly that not all of the gifts are for him, and that we'll have to take turns opening them on Christmas Day. Jack's response was, "OK, take turns. Jack turn, Jack turn!" Well, we have 11 more days to drive the message home. He also understands the concept of Santa now, and when the Torrance police department brought Santa to the neighborhood in a lit-up "sled," Jack eagerly sat on his lap and asked for an "Edward train, please." Since then he's added a James train to the wish list. We already have both of those for him under the tree, and we're milking the Santa leverage for all it's worth. Jack knows that Santa only brings Edward trains for good boys who share their toys and who behave, and that James trains are only for big boys who keep their underwear dry. It's effective, I tell you! I call Santa once a day to tell him to keep making the trains for Jack (if he's been good). Jack's always quick to remind me during these "conversations" that Santa should make two trains: Edward and James. He also likes to yell, "Wuv you, Santa!", as if this will buy him brownie points with Santa. It's really cute to see him getting into the holidays for the first time. We're counting down to Christmas with a little hand-drawn Advent calendar taped to Jack's door. Every day, we cross off one of the days until Christmas, and Jack counts the days that are left. Sometime this week, I'll also work with him to make a present for Derek, so he starts to get the idea that the holidays are also about giving to others. Oh, and Jack's new favorite song is "Jingle Bells." Sometimes he gets creative and sings "Jingle Jack" or "Jingle Milk" or "Jingle Atari."

    Here I am with both boys on my lap. Jack was engrossed in watching holiday-themed YouTube music videos

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    Look at Derek's grin!

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    Check out the hilarious expression on Derek's face. He's all, "Who IS this man?"

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    And here are a few photos just of my littlest munchkin. He's getting big! And he's teething, which has done ... interesting ... things to his nighttime sleeping. Let's just say I'm hoping he returns to sleeping through the night soon!

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    Such a cutie. He's started eating baby oatmeal; next month, we can start "real" foods. I can't wait!

    What's everyone else doing to prepare for the holidays?

Comments (13)

  • Awww, wonderful pictures! Sounds like you had a great time w/ Johny's side of the family. :o ) Your boys are too CUTE! I just want to eat Derek up with a spoon. Both him and Jack are so photogenic. Its so fun to see little ones get so excited this time of the year! I can't believe this will be our last Christmas in our twenties..I'm only a few days older than you I think. Where has the time gone? Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!! :o )

  • Oh.  My Gosh.  That whole paragraph about Jack and Christmas was just about the sweetest thing I've ever read.  And Derek!  What a little CUTIE PIE!  The expression he has in the picture with Johnny is awesome.  But holy cow, look at Atari in the first picture with you and the boys!  SCARY!  Happy Holidays to all of you!

  • How did Derek and Jack get so big all of a sudden?  I can't believe how fast time flies.  Glad to see the update!!!!

  • I dont know if its his hair line or what, but Derek reminds me of the pics I have seen of your dad!!! You have such cute kids!!!

  • @Ann - I KNEW you'd notice! :) Isn't it frightening? You'd think he was about to attack or something, but no, he's just yawning. LOL.

  • Wow!  How are those boys of your growing so fast???

    They are precious!!!

  • Jack and Derek are so cute!  I love Derek's expression in the picture with Johnny and I also noticed Atari in the background...I thought he was smiling :)  

    That's wonderful that you got to spend time with your in laws.  Does Chris and Victoria live in LA too?  I was thinking that they lived somewhere else?  I might have missed that post.

    We started our Christmas celebrations last week with a family dinner at my in law's house for my mother in laws side of the family- she has 11 sibling so that is always fun.  We have 2 more celebrations to attend for our family and then Christmas Day we just stay home and enjoy all the presents. 

    Have a Merry Christmas Beverly!

  • AWW! these are too cute! i am so glad that Jack is getting into the spirt. that is awesome. also i wanted to point out in the first pic of you, jack and Derek Atari looks like he is smiling to :) anyways i cant believe how big derek is. both him and jack are such cuties.

  • @sleepymommy2 - Thanks, Stacy! Chris and Victoria also live in Southern California, a bit south of us. It's definitely easier to see them now that they live only an hour away! You're also right, though -- they used to live in Michigan. Good memory! :)

  • @bevconeal - Stacy?  It's me...Julie :)  

  • @sleepymommy2 - Oh my gosh. So sorry. I KNEW it was you, Julie, but at the time I was also reading Stacy's (one of my other Xanga friends) blog in another window. MULTITASKING! So bad when you have baby brain. Trust me, I know who you are! That teaches me not to read one blog and try to respond to comments at the same time! LOL.

  • Aw sounds like a great time with family. You are lucky to be so close together, and well, close in general :) Derek is absolutely adorable. It must be a lot of fun to watch Jack enjoy Christmas. I bet you can't wait to see what he made you!

    We are wrapping up our Christmas shopping (pun intended!) and getting ready to fly to Boston next week. We're spending Christmas with my family, and hanging out with some old high school friends.

  • @bevconeal - That's ok Beverly...your brain is different after 2 kids but it slowly comes back :)

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