The Month I Forgot

December is almost over and only 3 posts. Yes, it has been that kind of month. A stomach virus laid almost all of us low for a weekend, but knocked Holly out for 2 weeks. I think she is just now recovering. It's a good thing I don't get wrapped up in the pressures of a commercial Christmas, because, honestly, no energy for that at all.

(Although, I must admit, I am already planning the Christmas tree for next year's Festival of Trees!) Pictures are few from Christmas Day. Yes, its been that kind of month. But here's what I do have:

Sous-Chef ready to help bake cookies
The final product. Neiman Marcus Cookies, Iced Sugar Cookies, Toll House,
Peanut Butter No Bake, Peanut Butter Balls, and Butter Spritz Cookies.
I didn't think this was "enough". However, Martha Stewart gave out cookie boxes with only 4 gingerbread trees. FOUR cookies in the whole box! I need to redefine "enough".

Just before our guests arrive a floor board came lose! Santa's helper was on the job.

This box smells yummy! Where the beef?

The Christmas Card!

To cap off the whole month of sleeplessness due to reflux and the virus, Holly had another leaf in her cleft. Sometime during the week before Christmas, but after our last doctor's appointment, she got a leaf in her mouth, up through the gumline into her nose. A good size leaf too. She coughed and refused to sleep for the entire week before Christmas. I found it on the 27th. After she bumped her mouth on a toy. Now three days later, I think, I think, she is going to be really well. No surgery in sight, no virus or cold and no leaf.

Hopes are high for a very Merry New Year and Wishing Peace on Earth to Men of Good Will!

I've still got it!

I thought that my children had outgrown me, but no, I've still got it! They are no longer impressed by the cookies, cupcakes or crafts. And lately dinner has met with lukewarm enthusiasm. Sigh.

But today....we made Peanut Butter Balls. Butter, Peanut Butter, Powdered Sugar and crushed Ritz crackers covered in chocolate! All three came up to me and said, quietly and seriously, "Mom, these... are... good."

Yep, I've still got it. Good thing Holly hasn't seen any of this stuff yet.

Note: I substituted Ritz for Graham, CandiQuik (Food Lion) for chocolate chips and chilled the peanut butter balls before dipping.

w'ONE'derful!

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. .

Jerimiah 29:11-12

Happy Birthday Holly Marie!

Ever hopeful, just after you were born I signed up for an automatic "what your baby is doing at this age" email. Little could I have known that the milestones marking your first year would never make the list. Of course, you have hit many regular baby milestones, holding your head up, following a toy when it is moved, sitting up, first tooth, first word (ma-ma, second word is "ba" for Bill). Still the other events that have marked the time this year have been so much larger.

When I look back, however, after years have past, I hope I won't remember your first year of surgeries, medicine refills, ear infections or bottle orders. Instead here's what I want to really remember:

This is your second day! The stuffed animals are from Bill and Anna.

Lee Allison picked a nice peppermint candle to smell.

Aunt Teresa got your your first pair of Mary Janes.

This is Valentine's Day, I always want to remember this beautiful sleeping baby.
A few minutes peace at the Triad Catholic Co-op Valentine's Day Party.
(Can you see all the baby hair that has rubbed off on the sides?)
Daddy so loves giving you a bath. He calls this your "spa treatment"!
Big brother loves it when you sit with him for a minute or two.
Here we are at Oak Island.
Anna and I counted the number of seats either given or purchased for you this year. Including the most recent high chair, the count is 13. Car seats, bouncy seats, excersaucers, walkers, strollers and high chairs. Surely there is ONE place you will sit still :-)
Drama Queen!
(No, Holly you can not eat leaves.)

Beautiful, smiling, happy

You all time favorite songs are "Patty Cake" and "Isty Bisty Spider". Honorable Mention goes to the "Prayer Before Meals" (not technically a song, but you should see the grin when we begin to pray that together!)

Happy Birthday Big Girl!

The Best Thing Ever

happened today. Holly got the all clear yesterday to begin eating regular food. Not wasting anytime, I sat Holly in her chair, got out the only baby friendly solid thing in the house: Corn Pops. (Main ingredient: corn syrup, always a bonus for Holly Marie!)

I almost heard the angels sing, when she ate the pops without choking and gasping, no gagging or stopped up nose. It was so beautiful! Bill and I sat beside her at the table and worked on fractions and spelling.

And if that weren't exciting enough, Lee Allison completed his math assignment in the most legible, unbelievably neat handwriting I have ever seen. Ever.

Oh yes, I am grateful today.