Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you all got to have a nice and relaxing day. Hopefully you got to spend it with loved ones. I guess I'm lucky to have my birthday today because Doug will never have to go to work on my birthday and I get to be with my family. Around here it is Christmas until noon, and then we do away with the Christmas wrapping paper and bring out the candles and happy birthday paper. A friend of mine made me a yummy chocolate cheesecake with a sour cream topping dusted with cocoa. It was really good. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I wanted to let you know about our Christmas.

We told the boys that they were not allowed to come out of their room until 8:00 AM. Promptly at 8 we heard the door open and Matt said, "It's Christmas! Now we can open ALL the presents!" and there was much rejoicing and they bounded down the stairs. I suggested to Doug that he better get up to make sure that they don't really tear into all of them without us. (It's my birthday and therefore I get to sleep in). Apparently he wasn't fast enough and the boys already got into one gift. There's a reason that I stuck all the wrapped up clothes at the front of the pile of presents. I'm so sneaky-eh?

I couldn't really sleep with the the shouts of glee and the yells from below. Plus Santa brought them balloons to blow up and let loose around the living room and they made a very high pitched noise. So I went downstairs and the ripping of wrapping paper commences. Santa brought the boys remote control trucks and he brought Timmy an exersaucer- which he LOVES!

The day started out very nice and I started my food preparations (as usual I went overboard with food). Then I heard Thomas starting to cough alot (he's getting over a cold) and then that cough turned into wheezing. So, needless to say, Thomas spent a bit of time today getting breathing treatments. (We let him wear sunglasses so the mist doesn't get in to his eyes. He also gets to play a video game of his choice-it distracts him so he's not too bothered) I guess that he just got so worked up and excited over his new stuff that the cold (which I thought he was over) went straight to his lungs. To make the day even better, he ended the day by throwing up a couple times (which might have had something to do with the junk that he ate.)

So the day wasn't nearly as relaxed as we had hoped for, but we can look forward to the weekend. Doug took off a few days so we can all relax and play together. (Before I attempt the dreaded winter break with 3 kids at home).

I'm going to set up my Mii on the Wii fit (also from Santa) and then go to bed. Hopefully everyone will be more calm and tomorrow we can relax. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

A few Christmas thoughts

I was thinking today of all the cute Christmas stories out there and of all the music that helps with the spirit of the day. And I thought I'd share some of my favorite Christmas stories and lyrics from different songs.

I love the songs and the stories from "The Forgotten Carols". One of my favorite songs is "Homeless". I love the words as they remind me of the humble entrance of Christ into this world. I love the words that say "He showed us it's how we live, Not where."

One of my favorite Christmas movies is "The Muppet's Christmas Carol", and I love the message that Tiny Tim sings. "Bless us all that as we live we always comfort and forgive. We have so much that we can share with those in need we see around us everywhere, Let us always love each other, lead us to the light. Let us hear the voice of reason singing in the night. Let us run from anger and catch us when we fall. Teach us in our dreams. And please, yes, please bless us all"

There are many different versions of mary's Lullaby that I love and I heard a new one recently that really touched me. Here are the lyrics:

All mine in your loveliness baby, all mine. All mine in your holiness baby divine. Sing on herald angels in chorus sublime; Sing on and adore, for tonight you are mine.

The wise men are coming to worship their King, The shepherds are kneeling their homage to bring. Out yonder the star over Judah will keep. No harm will befall thee, then sleep baby sleep. O let me enfold thee, my baby tonight, While legions are singing in joyous delight. A new star has risen to hail thee divine, For you are a king, but tonight you are mine.

Away spectered future of sorrow and plight, Away to the years that must follow tonight. The pangs of Gethsemane, let them be dim, The red drops on Calvary, not Lord, for Him! O let me enfold thee, my baby tonight, While legions are singing in joyous delight. A new star has risen to hail thee divine, For you are a king, but tonight you are mine.

Sing on herald angels in chorus sublime; Sing on and adore, for tonight you are mine.

by Jamie Gibson

I can not even imagine Mary's thoughts the night she gave birth to the Savior. Perhaps she did think some of these words. She knew the importance of her baby's life and all that He would do for us. Can you imagine having a brand new baby and know how his life would end? (I'm sure she knew the scriptures from Isaiah). Wouldn't you just want to hold him and protect him from all the bad things of the world? That's a mom's job.

As the Grinch said, "Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more." I hope that we all remember the true meaning of Christmas. I hope that we all remember Christ and all that He did for us to be truely happy. I know that He has shown us the way to live and to be happy. I hope that we can all try to be more like Christ our Savior, and be more loving and selfless towards others. Merry Christmas!

5 months old!

Time continues to fly by with Timmy. Of course this past month has really gone quickly because of the holiday stuff. He continues to put his hands into his mouth. If you're lucky enough to get your finger stuck in his little fist, it will immediately go into his mouth (at lightning speed!). He has actually slept in his a crib a few times for a hour or 2 at a time, so we're getting there. When on his stomach, he can tuck his legs up underneath him, although he has no arm strength so he buries his face into the floor when he does this. He's growing each day. He's a joy to have around. When I am frustrated with different things going on, it is such a blessing to have him on my lap and smiling at me. I guess it took the 3rd one to really appreciate the new baby phase and have fun with it. Here are some pictures from this past month.

Weeeee!

I know it's been a while since I've done anything here, and I will eventually get around to blogging about what's been going on (just holiday busyness), but I HAD to share this with you. It makes me chuckle.

So I was at Babies R Us tonite and I saw the most ridiculous thing you would ever need for a baby. Here's a picture from online:

Introducing...Wee Block for a mere $9.99 from Babies R Us and even more expensive at some other places. Here's what Amazon has to say about it:

"Another diaper change, another shower? You need a Wee Block! Just cover baby before diapering, and let the soft, absorbent dome catch your little guy's geysers. 100% cotton, machine wash. (Buy two, so you're never caught without.). Imported. Colors may vary. "

How ridiculous is that? Then I saw this:What in the world is that, you might ask? Well it's "The Peepee Teepee for the Sprinkling WeeWee". Say that 5 times fast! Hee hee. No joke. Check it out on Amazon.

I just have to say one thing. Washcloths people! Go to Walmart and buy a 12 pack of washcloths for under $5. I have been using them for 5+ years. You just need to make sure you always have 2 at your diapering station. I have been sprayed on only once or twice with 3 boys. You cover the little guy with a washcloth just as soon as you remove the dirty diaper. If he pees, it's absorbant.

I can't believe people are making money on that. And here's another one that is a waste of money:Ta da... Tinkle Targets! Or "Piddlers" Or "Toilet Time Targets" Yes, there are many versions out there, all ranging from $3-$8 for a 15-30 pack. They help your little boy aim in the toilet and are completely safe for the septic tank. First of all we have never had to use any target practice for our boys. Second of all, two words..."Froot Loops". If you get the generic version you have hundreds of little colorful circles for your child to aim into and you've only spent $2. You just have to make sure that he doesn't try to get it out of the toilet and try to eat it afterwards.