Christmas now

Christmas is growing on me, thanks to my growing boys.  I do revel in the festivities that surround the Advent season--the family time, the music, the Christmas cookies, the parties, the special church services, the Christmas cookies, the smells, the lights, the Christmas cookies.  But, there's the scheduling and the shopping that loom over it all that tend to make my moods drop down below acceptable levels.  According to the drivers around my daily commute, especially the ones exiting from the church parking lot in front of our home, I'm not the only one who gets a little bah humbug-y.  Plus, being a counselor, I see how the holiday season can be more than just troublesome, and for many people, the holidays aren't a time of joy but something to make it through.

Enter Henry.  I love that he is confused about why there are two Christmas stories--the one about baby Jesus being born and the one about everyone being tucked in their beds.  I love that, last year, he wanted Santa to bring him a toy Christmas tree.  I love that, this year, he got excited about doing his Advent wreath each Sunday, which caused us to have to look up scripture and talk to our curious little guy about what Jesus meant and continues to mean to the world.   I love that he's inclusive and speaks about Kwanzaa and Hanukkah while he colors in his Rudolph activity book.  I love that he was so excited to shop for "stationary for a teenage girl" after attending St. Nicholas night at our church, where he sat with our friends and numbered the exit signs in case we needed to know.  I also love that he was beyond satisfied with his Christmas gifts, taking time to enjoy each one before moving to the next.  It takes a long time, but the gift giving isn't empty.  It's treasured.  I also love that Henry got just as excited about each one of Elgin's gifts.  I love, love that he's a dancing fool when it comes to Christmas music.

Christmas was as busy as ever even though we keep it as simple as possible.  I joked with one friend that I felt like I should wake Henry in the middle of the night when I realize that we forgot to let H eat a candy piece from his Advent calendar.  At this point, he thinks the idea is to eat 2-3 pieces every few days.  I ended up having to shop on Christmas Eve morning, and you know I don't enjoy shopping.  But, when we attended the Christmas Eve service and Elgin insisted on nursing in the cry room while Daddy and Henry stayed for the Christmas story, my heart and my soul settled when I smelled the top of my little baby's head.  A child was born.  The world changed forever.  Christmas is good, indeed.

Roper Mountain Christmas Lights:

 Dancing Fool

 (Sleepy) Santa Baby

 More dancing

 Before Christmas Eve Service

 After

 H's letter to Santa

Christmas morning

Santa used to bring me green olives and pickles each year.  H gets Kalamata olives.  He eats them at breakfast and relishes them.

 Ever see a kid so thrilled about his clementines?

 EW's Santa spread

 Talking... maybe telling us it's time to eat?

 Fishing rod and accessories from Grandjoe who knows to teach a man to fish...

Our boys... our favorite gifts ever

It was on Christmas day that I could swear EW was saying "booger."  Looking back at pictures, I'm pretty sure he did say it.

Handsome and Silly

4 Months

Christmas Eve wasn't just Christmas Eve, it also marked Elgin's fourth month, and we managed to take time to duly note the passage of moments that lead to this ripe old age.  At four months, our boy already experienced a rough respiratory virus and the secondary ear infection, but neither dampened his spirits.  We have us a happy, jolly, charming boy who rarely complains.  The completion of his third month also marked a very vocal baby boy who delights in our faces--especially when they are expressive of surprise or feigned fright.  It's not hard to get a laugh from him.  Just wiggle your eyebrows or make your mouth into an O.  The saddest thing, though, was that for a few weeks, his voice was too hoarse to make the loud squeals and shouts he so longed to use to impress us.  Elgin, we were impressed with you.  Your body shouted your delight, despite the lack of sound.

Now, my personal favorite thing that EW does is to suddenly stop nursing, turn his head to look right into my eyes, and crinkle his body with sheer ecstasy and start cooing and chatting, almost like he's telling me how happy he is to be my baby.

The pleasure is mine, Elgin.

He's a drooley boy.  We go through several bibs and a few outfits a day just trying to keep the boy dry.  His hand is in his mouth except for when he's nursing or gumming a toy or a bib (which is just between his hand and mouth).  The prominent drool doesn't prevent others from remarking on his size--mainly his length.  Elgin is a long baby, much like his older brother was, and I'm anxious to learn his measurements on Monday at his four month well check.  No one is looking forward to the shots.

And, of course, to truly note the start of Elgin's fourth month, the camera was in full force:

Elgin, you are so loved.

What's Happening!!

Way back on November 28th, I returned to my full time employment, and it was also the day that Granddaddy passed away, so my work week was cut short.  It was an incredibly tough week, but it was also the prelude for Elgin's first week of school. So, on December 5th, Elgin started school just down the hall from his big brother.  Considering we already did a trial separation period, the transition was fairly smooth, and since he was sound asleep when we parted, it added to our ease at departure time.

Within his first week of school, EW contracted a virus that led to bronchiolitis, and breathing treatments ensued.  On a very positive note,  Dr. Song checked Elgin's diaper while we were there for our visit, and, to my delight, the mess was blood free!  Thank you, TED.

Breathing treatments helped with, well, breathing, and we still do about three a day.  Unfortunately, though, a secondary double ear infection was diagnosed on EW's follow up visit on Wednesday.  Grandjane is our more-than-willing sitter/ baby holder who cared for both boys while school is out for a two week Christmas break, and I feel so grateful that her schedule allows Elgin a chance to recuperate away from general germs.  Next week, Nana will have her turn.

In the midst of the return to work, the breathing treatments, the antibiotics, the early mornings, the interrupted sleep patterns, and the general chaos, we seek small moments of peace with our boys.  It's then that I remember that I'm surrounded by love, adorableness, spunk, humor, and lots and lots of drool.

I'll upload pics to this post soon... got to get some snuggling done now.

Making me smile

We took these pictures about a month ago, and I'm not sure what it says about me as a mother that the awkward poses, the goofy smiles, and the perilous blades of grass brought my biggest smiles when I looked back on them today.

And I love the spit bubble.