The Twelve Posts of Christmas...Part 3

This one is so funny, it deserved its own post...

The Twelve Posts of Christmas...Part 2

The Twelve Posts of Christmas...Part 1

Well, maybe not twelve exactly, but it sure seems like we've done enough already for twelve posts! Here are some photos. Lots of them.

Baking Christmas cookies with Carter. They really just wanted to eat the icing...

At the Punta Gorda Isles Boat Parade

Telling all of the boats 'Merry Christmas!'

Snuggling with Kel Kel

Christmas Pajama Party at school

So excited!

Papa's winning card at Christmas Card Lane!

Dinner with Santa at school!

With my little Rudolph

Listening intently...

After Brixon's Christmas Program

At the Christmas Parade...LOVE this one!

Ahh, My Favorite Sound!

Halfway to 30...

Since most of my posts these days are about my kids, I've decided that since I am rapidly approaching 30 (less than 6 months away), it's the perfect time to get philosophical :). I feel like the decade that makes up your 20's is when you grow and develop the most as an individual (although I only have two others to compare it to so far!), so I'm taking a little time to reflect. Here is what I have learned so far (and what I still need to work on):

1. My relationship with God has matured in the last two years. I have always believed, but I have taken a much more active role in my faith, and the encouragement of faith in my family. We have a fantastic church home, and unlike as a child and teenager, I actually look forward to Sunday service.

2. Pick my battles. This is a relatively recent lesson that I have learned. I have always been the type of person that doesn't keep anything inside. I take things to heart, and if you have hurt my feelings in any way, you will definitely know about it. I have always advocated open communication, and avoided gossiping (it literally makes my stomach hurt), but I have learned the hard way that some things don't even need to be addressed at all. Not everything is intentional, or a personal attack, and some things just need to be 'let go.' This is a work-in-progress :D

3. Patience. This is another work-in-progress, especially with a toddler! I am very type-A, and have a tendency to want immediate results. I am slowly learning that many good things come in time, so we'll get there!

4. Embrace what I can't change. This builds off of #3; typically, when I get bored, things change iimmediately (take a sample of photos from the last ten years, and look at my hair if you need proof). But some of the things that I am seeking to change (moving, for example!) just aren't feasible at this point. So I am learning that instead of focusing on the outcome, I will enjoy the process of getting there.

5. Appreciation of family and friends. I have always been very close with my family, but since I have been away from everyone other than my parents for the last 9 years, I truly savor the 2 or 3 times a year that we do have together. I would love to have more time than that, but that would bring me right back to #4. I am also very thankful that I have married into a family that is so similar to my own, and have embraced not only me, but my parents as well. I am also so very grateful that I have two beautiful children, and I remind myself each and every day just how precious these days are. Even in the midst of a tantrum, I tell myself to remember this, because someday, when he is begging for the car keys, I will be wishing for the moment he was clinging to my leg. Not only do I have a wonderful family, but I have a close set of friends not only here in Florida, but in Michigan as well. And we are fortunate enough to realize that whether we speak multiple times in a day, or only a handful of times a year, our friendships remain steadfast.

6. Stop making so many 'to-do' lists, and focus on lists to remind me of what I have done. Like this one.

The Power of the Paci

Forgive me if I repeat myself on these blog posts. It's a little hectic around here, but we are getting into somewhat of a routine. Hudson is getting better at sleeping. He absolutely hated the bassinet, and only wanted to sleep cuddled up in my arms. I love the idea; the American Academy of Pediatricians does not. So we had to endure a few restless and fussy nights, but he's getting used to it; with the help of the pacifier! Overall, we are very lucky! He is very laid-back, and only fusses when he is hungry or needs his diaper changed. Did I just jinx myself?!?! ;) Brixon is doing great with him as well. He is always telling Hudson how much he loves him, and likes to sing to him. Now how Brixon is doing with US is another story. He is in full-on attention-seeking mode, whether it be negative or positive. He follows me absolutely everywhere, and if he can't get what he wants, especially if he is tired, he will yell in this crazy, Linda Blair 'Exorcist'-like voice; Nick calls him 'Chucky!' It is a good test of my patience, but I know it is just a phase, so I'm just doing the best I can to overpower the outbursts with extra affection! Nevertheless, he has his funny, natural Brixon moments. I have always thought of Brixon as a little adult in a toddler body; an old soul. Just in the past month, I have had two people also mention that to me proactively. Since the day he was born, he has made such adult-like expressions, and now that he is speaking so well, I really notice it in his style of conversation and in his ability to rationalize (save for the moments in which he won't take 'no fruit snacks for breakfast' as an answer). As much as I am enjoying watching him grow and develop, I miss my baby already!! I just made reservations at Disney for his THIRD birthday! I can't believe it! But I am very much looking forward to seeing his face when he finds out we're surprising him with breakfast with 'Handy Manny!' Moments like that make the insanity worth it :)

Leafblowing. Indoors. Might want to check those safety goggles :)

First bath!

Brrr.....terrible cold, mom!

Tummy time under Brixon's watchful eye ;)

Sleeping

Sleeping again...

Oh, here's one where he's........sleeping.

On my due date, October 23

Well, THIS is a first!

As most of you know, Halloween is kind of our thing. We plan our costumes almost a year in advance, and spend months perfecting them. Seriously, we go crazy (see past Halloween blog posts). This year was obviously a little different, with Hudson joining us! This was the first year we didn't have some sort of adult celebration or festivity to attend, but we had fun nonetheless! We started by carving pumpkins last week. They turned out great! Then Saturday, Brixon had his cousin Amber's birthday party, which was Halloween-themed, so we got to wear our costumes! My mom helped me a ton this year with Brixon's (he wanted to be a pirate. A knife through his unique and creative costume-loving mother's heart), and I managed to pull something together at the last minute (and it cost me $8!). Monday morning, Joyful Noise had their annual Character Parade. Each teacher picks a story book, and then the class makes their costumes. This year, they were all characters from 'Little Bo Peep,' and it was way too cute! Then finally it was time to Trick-or-Treat! We headed to Downtown Punta Gorda, where we started with a Halloween Party at our friends Julie and Ryan's house. We braved the insanely busy streets for about an hour-and-a-half before my little pirate sighed 'I'm tired' from the safety of grandpa's shoulders :) Can't wait 'til next year!