Christmas Day

Mid-morning we headed to Sand Harbor---where else to spend the perfect Christmas Day? The weather was beautiful and it was incredibly peaceful to walk along the boardwalk and play in the sand.

Christmas Morning

Last year, we thought that Laney was 'into' Christmas, but this year she really was 'into' Christmas and Elliot followed suit. I think that Christmas is one of those things that is just going to get better and better as the kids get older. On Christmas Eve, Laney kept running over to the door when she thought that she heard Santa. And about 30 minutes after putting her to bed, she came out of her room and asked if it was morning yet and if Santa had come!


Both Laney and Elliot were excited to open up their presents and loved EVERYTHING----it was a super rewarding Christmas-I am pretty sure that we could've wrapped up kitchen spoons and given them to the kids and they would've loved them.


It was wonderful because Laney and Elliot really loved the simple things about Christmas--the cookies, the Christmas lights and the tree.

Elliot loved his Thomas train set (Delaney did too!). We fully knew that anything that we bought Elliot would be for Delaney too---she has an unbelievable way of 'taking over' Elliot's toys. In a proactive attempt to ensure that Elliot would actually be able to play with his toys, we bought Elliot and Laney matching (and I mean identical-nothing else would be acceptable!) Tonka dump trucks---and yet still Laney yells at Elliot when he touches her truck. Amazing.

Laney loved her new dress up clothes---cutest little flapper I've ever seen!

My kids are so lucky that Dave is their daddy---I'm not a grinch per se, but I don't do the holiday thing well. I get overwhelmed by all of the Christmas 'stuff' and endless to do lists. Right now, it's hard enough to make it through the day---without cookies to bake and presents to wrap. And, I know that this is terrible, but I like my routines and Christmas doesn't mesh with routines. Luckily for my kids, Dave does the holiday thing very, very well and ensures that the house is festive, a great dinner is cooked and that everyone is in the holiday spirit. I always make Dave promise that should anything happen to me, he won't let the kids watch tv all day every day for the rest of their lives; Dave always makes me promise that should anything happen to him, I'll cook a turkey for Thanksgiving and decorate a Christmas tree! I promise.

Christmas Eve

What more can I say?

Siblings

I am so grateful that my children have each other. Our kids are very close in age, and it is really hard, but I love watching them grow up together. Delaney and Elliot are great buddies (when they aren't fighting!) and I love it that they always have a little playmate at home.

I can't wait to see how Louisa fits into the mix. For now, Laney and Elliot have been super accepting of Louisa---curious and loving. There's been very little jealousy--so far. Elliot always wants to 'hold that baby' and Laney enjoys her role as the big sister. Needless to say, Elliot can be a little rough with the baby, trying to climb into her swing with her or trying to pick her up by himself (not a good idea!); Laney is super gentle with the baby.

Louisa LOVES her older siblings---she watches them constantly and gives them her biggest smiles. No need to worry about whether or not Louisa gets enough stimulation---there's constant conversation, action and activity at our house!

The Little Things

Laney and Elliot say the cutest things right now; I love how their little minds work. And when I'm tired, frustrated and ready to lose it, I try to remind myself of how sweet and innocent they are.

Elliot says--'Nuggle me, 'nuggle me, mommy--when he wants to snuggle--which is often-which I really, really love. Nothing helps me recharge more than some snuggle time with Elliot.

Yesterday morning, while making french toast, Dave asked Laney to put a 'pinch of salt' in the bowl. Laney quickly informed her daddy that--'We DON'T pinch-it's not nice'. Sweet. Now only if she wouldn't pinch Elliot about 20 times a day....

Laney goes to a Christian preschool---and not because we're religious-but because it's a really good place for her. She comes home from school singing little songs about Jesus. One day I asked her who Jesus was---her response?--'I don't know mommy-He doesn't go to my school'. And after her class Christmas party, she told me--'It was some boy's birthday today'. Ummm... Would that be Jesus' birthday, Laney? So much for that Christian education--I don't think that it's sinking in quite yet.

At random moments throughout the day, Elliot walks up to me and points to a very specific spot on his cheek, or elbow or foot and instructs---'Mommy, kiss me rrriiiigggttt tttthhhheerree'. If my kiss happens to be slightly off target, he'll let me know it and give me another shot! Oh, if only he'll always want kisses from his mommy!

When Laney kisses me goodnight, she puts her little palms on my face---it's so precious.

And I've Lost It

My mom tells me that after my little sister was born (her fourth child), my dad would come home from work and she (my mom) would be in tears--totally exhausted and overwhelmed. I don't remember this. But I'm so glad that she told me. Because this is how I've been feeling. So-maybe Laney and Louisa will read this one day and know that their mom didn't have it all together either.

I lost it today. I'm not quite sure why. Maybe it was the solid two weeks of someone in our house having a nasty cold. Or maybe it was three months of not sleeping well. Or perhaps the thought of Laney being on Christmas break for two weeks did me in (do 3 year olds really need a two week 'vacation'???). Or maybe I'm just not cut out for being a mommy to three little ones---it's hard, really, really hard. Someone is always needing something. Always. Always. Always. And I'm not always sure that I'm doing a good job--or even an adequate job.

But I lost it. And if I would've been able to find a competent or even semi-competent babysitter (that wouldn't judge me!)-I would have got into my car and driven away. I might have taken Louisa with me-she's dependent on me for food and I'm not that bad of a mom. And besides she tends to sleep in the car. But I would've driven away--I don't know where to, but away. To clear my mind and just to get some peace and quiet.

So, yes, I'm overwhelmed and tired. I've learned that I can't do it all. My house it dirty, my kids are screaming and I'm a mess. I have three adorable, wonderful kids-who can drive me absolutely crazy. Not even close to it all.

New York Visitors

All of our family lives far away; however, we are so lucky that our family comes to visit us--because it sure isn't fun for us to haul it east! Last week Gramps, Mimi and Gigi came to visit us--just in time for Hanukkah. Gigi got to meet sweet Louisa and play with Laney and Elliot. And since I had a nasty cold--I got some much needed relief.

I think that Louisa enjoyed snuggling with her Great Grandma!

Gramps, Mimi and Daddy took the big kids on the Virginia City Christmas Train. They loved it!

....And Gramps played in the snow with Laney and Elliot---Elliot had been avoiding the snow since he 'got stuck in it', so it was great for him to get outside and play.

Three Months

My baby is three months old! Louisa is a delight---happy and mellow. Not the best nighttime sleeper but we're managing (well, she's doing just fine-I'm struggling!). She loves to be held and snuggled and LOVES to watch the big kids. She warms our hearts and completes our family. We love her to pieces.

First Big Snow

It started to snow last nite--I had been putting off buying their snowsuits for weeks, so I hurried to the store--in the snow, of course. When I arrived home, the kids were outside playing in the snow (sans snowsuits)--loving every minute of it. I can't say that I was thrilled to see the snow--in fact, I've been dreading it--associating the snow with endless days of being stuck inside with three little ones---ugh. But I loved watching Laney and Elliot in the snow and loved it when Laney yelled, 'It's finally wintertime!!!'.


By morning, there was tons of snow---16 inches or something like that. Laney was thrilled with the snow and went outside to play three times before 9:30 AM--oh, the attention span of a three year old.


Elliot ran right outside, didn't know what to make of all of the snow and just belly flopped into it--then got stuck and spent the better part of the rest of the day yelling at the snow, from the indoors--'Yucky snow, me fell and stuck in snow, yucky snow'.

The Gang

I can't believe that all three of them are mine!

Baby Sweetness

And this is why people keep having babies---because they're just too sweet.