The Girls - December 2013

December was a huge month for our family. After moving into our new home and celebrating Harlie’s 5^th birthday, next on the agenda was our big Disneyland trip with Mom, Dan, Florence and Blair. It was exhausting and amazing, beautiful and chaotic, sunny and pleasant during the day and freeeeezing at night …. just a blast. We had surprised Harlie about the trip on her birthday with a recordable Teddy Bear who revealed the surprise with a few trial and error squeezes of his belly. Then leading up to the morning we left, Harlie opened a card hidden under her pillow each night with a note from Mom and Dad and a little gift for the trip ( a princess book, Mickey handwarmers, socks, etc.). It kept her excited without constantly asking  “Are we leaving today?” Then December 5^th at 4:30 am , we hit the road, stopping first at Florence’s to pick up Blair. Everyone did great in the car especially little Ashlynne, and it was fun running into Grandma and Papa on our first pit stop in Santa Nella.  We spent 2 1/2 days in the park and successfully fulfilled all of Harlie’s princess dreams, giving her a make-over at the Bippidi Boppidi Boutique and having lunch with all the Disney Princesses at Ariel’s Grotto. One of my favorite moments was watching Harlie meet Ariel. I got choked up as I saw the wonder in Harlie’s face and listened to her sweet conversation with her most favorite princess. Another highlight was taking both girls on It’s a Small World with Grandma and Papa for the first time. Harlie was so excited by everything she saw and Ashlynne was transfixed, staring at all the sights and kicking her feet.

 

I think my very favorite memory of the trip happened the first night we were there, though. We were watching the fireworks in Frontierland and as the fireworks ended the sweetest Christmas music started playing and snow started falling. As my eyes filled with tears, Ashlynne stuck her little tongue out to taste the sweet “snow” and Harlie danced around, her eyes shining with excitement and wonder. It was absolute magic. It would not have been nearly as special without the wonderful company, support and  love of the grandparents. They are THE best. XOXO

 

As soon as we got home it was time to cut down a tree and get ready for Christmas. The girls and Scott and I had a wonderful time at Billy’s farm. Being the second weekend in December, we about had the place to ourselves and the weather was gorgeous. We got a late start, arriving about an hour before sunset which it made for some pretty pictures with my new spiffy camera (Thank’s Ali!). It was a special day-- Ashlynne’s first tree hunt and she had a good time on Daddy’s shoulders, in the wagon with Sissy, and on the hayride through the farm.

 

Next up in our Whirlwind December was Santa’s Secret adventure. Papa Dan was so excited to treat us all to the experience and was thankfully sprung out of the hospital (where he had been treated for pneumonia for 3 days) just in time to join us! The kids met Mr. and Mrs. Claus and enjoyed the pony rides, carriage rides, petting zoo, hot chocolate by the bonfire and numerous carnival games.  We had cold hands, but very warm hearts! J

 

When Christmas finally arrived, it was a welcome relief. All the hurried preparation was done and it was time to enjoy our new home and awesome family. Christmas Eve was spent at Florence’s, where we feasted on lasagna and the ridiculous treat spread we can always count on her for. Everyone (ahem, the teenagers) miraculously had their phones away and I especially enjoyed relaxing and laughing and watching my kids and niece enjoy the holiday at Nana G’s.

 

Now, I’m not gonna lie, November and December have been extremely stressful months. There was so much good stuff but it was weighted down with the heavy burden of big decisions, huge responsibility and very little time. So waking up Christmas morning in a house we love, with the sun shining through all the windows and a real fire crackling in the fake fireplace was the best. It was the cherry on the sundae and the reward for all our hard work. Scott poured the egg nog, Austin and Killian cozied up on the loveseat and Ash and Harlie sat on the floor in their matching Santa jammies. I always wish Christmas morning could last just a little bit longer, but I guess I’ll just have to make due with the 80 billion photos I took. J

 

Last on the agenda was spending the rest of Christmas Day up the hill with Mom and Dan and the Creegers. It’s always a good time when we go up there and the kids had a blast! Dan made a delicious Crown Roast served with Mom’s scalloped potatoes…and lots of bread! Heavenly.

 

Aside from all the festivities, Ashlynne had a pretty big month developmentally. Her personality has just exploded. She is so vocal now, almost too much as she’s learned to shriek and scream her little heart out. She is saying dada all the time and loves to repeat “Uh Oh!” At the end of the month she started doing the army crawl and gets a little stronger with that every day. She still mostly rolls everywhere and has started exploring the kitchen cabinets and cat food bowl! She loves to bounce to the music of her toys, especially her little toy piano (we call her Linus!) and is obsessed with light switches and turning the fan off and on with Daddy’s help. Her appetitie for solid foods is off the charts and she has become more distracted during nursing sessions. She now weighs about 20 pounds and is chunkalicious!

 

She did fall ill in the middle of the month and ended up in the ER with pneumonia.  The antibiotics took care of it quickly and she was back to her energetic self again in no time. However, she did come down with hives from the Amoxicillin. Luckily her allergic reaction was no-where near as bad as Harlie’s had been and Benadryl got rid of the rash fast. Kids are so resilient.

 

My heart broke a little when an infant spot opened up at Sunshine and we decided to take Ashlynne out of Goddard. The brightside was that both girls could be together during the day and the cost savings would be HUGE, but I have loved Ashlynne’s teachers at Goddard and this change also meant an end to my lunchtime visits.

 

2013 was a pivotal year for us… beginning with new life, seeing us through big changes and ending with hope for an even brighter 2014.