6 Miles

I decided to let Will pick out one of the gifts I was going to give James, in an effort to talk about how Christmas is about giving, not just getting. So we went to Target. We talked about how Daddy's slippers were falling apart and looked at the slippers. Then I mentioned we could get Daddy a movie. Will liked that idea a great deal, so off to the DVD section we went. I started to show Will a few movie options James would like…when Will saw the new Superman movie. He picked that up and insisted that we had to get that for Daddy.

"But Will, I don't think Daddy will want that movie."
"Mommy, we HAVE to get this movie for him!"

So, I pushed the cart out of the asile and bent down to talk with Will. "Will, Christmas is about getting people what THEY want–not what you want. I think you want that movie, but I don't think Daddy will." Meanwhile, Will is clutching Superman, telling me "No, we have to get this one!"

I glanced over to see a man a few feet away trying to keep from laughing. At that point I gave up, and we got James Superman Returns.  I figured he could return it if he wanted, but once he heard that story, he decided to keep it. 

That child size chair was put in front of the light to keep Alex from pulling on the cord to the light or shaking the light (that black pole he's holding on to). Now that he's figured out how to climb up on that chair I don't know what we're going to do.

I do know he's figuring out how to climb rather quickly and seems much more determined to climb things around the house then his brother.

Belated Merry Christmas to everyone! (Oh, all the bolded things below are links to pictures taken during our Christmas weekend.)

Our house in Jonesboro is rented!!! A GREAT Christmas present for us! We had been waiting to say anything about the possibility until the papers were signed, and Saturday we met the people, signed the papers, and got the first check. 

We had a great time in Upland for Christmas. My brother was in from AZ and my sister from St. Louis. Will had fun playing with them and we had fun hanging out and catching up with them.

Some more highlights:

• Alex loved pulling the bows off all the gifts and chewing on them. Even when it came to opening gifts, he'd rather have the bow then even the box. (In case you were wondering he was feeling & acting better the last few days. But Will woke up sick Christmas Day and is still not doing well.) Alex actually napped through most of the gift opening–which made it a much nicer time for us! Once he woke up, he had fun playing in boxes & bows while we cleaned up.
• Will's favorite gift? The Shake & Go Racetrack. He played with it so much yesterday, he ran the batteries out in both cars.
• One really good gift James got was the Colts jersey for Edgerrin James (yes, he was traded last year). I'd been saying we should get him one so he would have his own "personalized" jersey (because it says James on the back).  My dad and brother were able to find one and got it for him.
• I got lots of scrapbook paper, candles and games. Fun things I can't wait to use!

I'd love to tell you more, but Will wants me to come play with him. And yes, we're playing with his racetrack again!

This is a conversation I had with The Tort as I was heading back to work after lunch:

Me: See you later, I will be back in a couple of hours.

TT: Okay.

Me: After I get back we will go to Grandpa's house.

TT: Okay.  I don't know when that is.

Me: I know, because you have No concept of time.

TT: No, I don't. (He says this as if he understands what "Concept" and "time" mean.)

Me: Bye, I love you.

All I want for Christmas is are…healthy kids!

Doesn't look like it's going to happen.

I ended up taking Alex into the doctor today (Thursday afternoon). He's had a runny nose & cough, started pulling on his ear and crying, and was beginning to wheeze more and more. The wheezing was concerning me the most. We went in and were told he has a virus (what I figured), or Bronchiolitis, an infection in his lungs caused by a virus (RSV is one example that most have heard of…we don't know if he has that specific virus and didn't really want to test just so we would know). So, nothing can be done for it right now and I was warned he'd probably get worse before he gets better.  At this point he's eating/drinking fine so we continue what we're doing. The Doctor said they call kids like him "Happy Wheezers". If he becomes not happy (or larthargic for an extended period of time, not just unhappy when Will won't share) or starts not drinking well, we'll go back. And we got antibiotics for the infection in his left ear.  The doctor told me to expect this to last 7-10…if that's the case, friends in Upland/Marion, you will not be seeing Alex at church on Christmas Eve.  The site I linked to said 3-4 days. If that's the case, he might be better by then since he's been sick the last few days. We shall see–but don't worry, we won't expose your kids to him if he's not better! Just my family.  And Tessa, we're trying hard to get this out of our systems so we'll all be healthy before we come visit you and the new baby! Later this evening Will eyes started to water (his first "starting to get sick" symptom). So I have upped our dosages of vitamens & we're washing our hands like crazy! 

Edited to add:  The worst part about Alex being sick? We had JUST gotten him sleeping through the night! And he's waking up to eat at night again!  ARGGGG!

Whenever Alex walks, his hands are in the air like that. Cracks us up everytime.

:::

Remember me saying I'd made a Christmas Count down chain for Will, with activites on it for each day until Christmas?  It's a good think he keeps forgetting about it & can't read since EVERY activity I'd planned has not happened the day I planned it on.  This is why I don't plan things!  Alex has been sick and I have been trying to keep from infecting the rest of the world so we've been staying home a bit more then I had anticipated (no Children's Museum, no Library trip). And now we've changed when we're going to visit my parents so I'm not sure when we're going to be able to go look at Christmas lights.  I guess tonight in the rain.

:::

Last week I had a few things left on my "Holidays To Do List" (once again I'm too lazy to look up that post to link to it. I'm sorry. Maybe I'll get it done later).  I managed to get them all done last weekend except for the most time sensitive thing–finishing the family calendars.  Nevermind they need to get in the mail for the people we won't be seeing over the New Year (for some reason I'd forgotten that. I kept thinking "Oh, I don't need them done until before leave for PA"). Guess what I am going to be working on tonight?  See if they ever let me do calendars again! (Really, that wasn't my plan. Though it sure sounds good! )

Alex enjoyed eating whole blueberries (that were a bit mushy from being microwaved to speed up the thawing process).

Here is our tree! Note the large gifts in front in an attempt to keep Alex away. It doesn't work that well because he can streach pretty far. I think the tree looks much nicer in person–you can see the lights, ordaments and garland a bit better. 

We are now entering into the "fun" part of the season. With the exception of two cookie exchanges (also fun) all our social obligations are done and now it's just family time. So maybe I mean the "relaxing time".  I enjoy the social parts (parties & open houses I was going to tell you all about but just got to busy) but it's a bit of a relief they are done. Last weekend we went up to Marion for our first open house.  My parents watched the boys so we were able to have fun talking with friends and the boys had fun with Grandpa & Grandma.  Sunday night was open house #2, but I stayed home with Alex–he needed his sleep after the late night before and missing his morning nap for church.  Monday night we hosted some people here, so I had spent Sunday and Monday cleaning like crazy. Tuesday night was our only date night of the month (usually we get two) so we HAD to take advantage of that.  The next few days were spent recovering from all the late nights.  Then, last night was the big one: the company party. Lots of good food, free booze (for those who like that kind of thing) and a good band made for a fun time. 

Now, my plans for this week? Bake cookies (for the above mentioned cookie exchanges).  Wrap presents (just having the shopping done isn't enough at this point!). OH! And finish up the family calendars–the ones I started in October!  Yikes!  I've had these last 2 steps to do for awhile now!

Mainly though, my plans are to enjoy Christmas activites with Will.  Will & I were talking about how many days until Christmas–we made a Christmas count down chain. (Each day has a small thing we'll do together on it.)  He said "That's lots of days, Mommy!"  Remember how long those days seemed when you were a kid?  Now all I can do is think about how fast they go and try to enjoy them with the boys.

Will was playing with the Nativity yesterday and I overhead him having the angle say (in a DEEP voice):

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news! You have a baby in your tummy!"

Will was playing with the Nativity yesterday and I overhead him having the angle say (in a DEEP voice):

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news! You have a baby in your tummy!"