More presents?! I LOVE this Santa guy!!

At least that’s what we *think* Katherine was saying on OC Christmas morning! We’re still debating whether it was “St. Nick” who delivered the presents on the 7th or whether it was Santa… I think we might have another year before we really have to have to figure that out!

In either case, Katherine again had quite a Christmas. There really were moments when I didn’t think it would all fit in the car to come home with us. And we packed light. (No, for real – we did! I swear!)

OC Christmas brought a giant art tables, another tricycle, a shopping cart, musical bathtub toys, stuffed animals, clothes, an old lady who swallowed a fly (among other things) and more toys. The girl cleaned UP!

Oh, um, pictures? Yeah… about that. You see… Remember Stephen gave me an iTouch at RC Christmas?! Well, I loved it soooooo much I bailed on my cell phone provider, of I think it was 13 years, and joined the AT&T bandwagon so I could live in iPhone heaven. What does all of this mean to you? Well… I kinda forgot I HAD a real camera and only used my cell phone camera. Good pictures when your “object” isn’t a crazy woman tearing open presents. I’m sure there’s an “app” to fix my incompetent ways – but alas, I haven’t really looked for it because I’ve been too busy playing skeeball. (SO fun!) So the pictures… a little lame. Stephen took some with his “real” camera but I haven’t seen those to be able to share them with you. Maybe someday (hint hint) I’ll get to copy them from his card so I can share them with you. Until then – you’ll have to view my blurfacedmesses.

We were in NJ for 3 days and it was a busy three days! We arrived on Christmas Eve – which made for a really long day for the whole family. Up at 3:30am and onto driving. I think we got back to the hotel around midnight. But it was a fun night for all. Katherine got to see all of her cousins and loved playing with her cousin Tasha – Girl power for sure! =)

Christmas Day we took Katherine to church. We didn’t go to Allentown this year – we decided to go with Stephen’s Mom and to see the Metropolitan – who came “home” for Christmas. For those of you who aren’t OC… Christmas+Metropolitan=LONG SERVICE. No wait, SERIOUSLY long service. Especially for a 19 month old. She did GREAT though. We did have a few moments of squealing but all in all for 2+ hours in church she was very very good. Partly due to the folks sitting/standing behind us keeping her entertained (Thanks Gerry!!!). Stephen was called away at the start of service to hold a candle or something for what seemed like 90 minutes. Katherine kept looking and calling for daddy – who I had to keep pointing out and saying he’ll be back. Fortunately, she didn’t take off down the aisle to go get him!!

After church we went to Stephen’s sister, Patty’s house for her annual Christmas party. Good food, great people & great fun! In addition to the siblings and nephews & niece we were able to spend some time with the Medvigy’s (Rose & Gerry and Nancy & Gerry) and Aunt Helen, Aunt Olga and Stephen’s Mom. It was a very nice day. We were still recovering from a long day before so we were back to the hotel by around 7:30-ish in time to put little miss to bed! She was quite sleepy!! =)

Friday was a day of food. For real. I thought I’d bust!!! We met our Best Man for lunch. He got to meet Ms. K for the first time! She loved her some Mr Kevin! Within minutes she was trying to “tickle” him. Quite the flirt my girl is. After a great lunch & long overdue catch up with Kevin we headed to Mastori’s to meet my brother and his girlfriend Amy for dinner. Yeah – meal to meal. That’s how we rolled… LITERALLY!!! Another great time catching up and of course – good food! (I’m not sure we’ve ever had anything BAD from Mastori’s!)

Saturday was our big trip home… We’ve now decided that leaving in the middle of the night does NOTHING to help us with regards to Katherine. If we leave at 3:30am – she’s awake at 3:30am and doesn’t go back to sleep. No matter how hard I beg. (and yes, I’ve been reduced to begging – and it doesn’t work.) I’ve even tried to “demonstrate” sleeping – all she does is yell “ma ma ma ma ma ma ma” until I open my eyes and look at her – then she waves. Delightful. (you may think it’s cute… at 4am when I’m sleepy – not so much so cute!!)

Monday was Katherine’s first day in a her new classroom. The blog post picture is from her first day. Daddy wasn’t able to join us at school that day so we took a picture to show him… That was her waving to Daddy!! She’s doing okay in the new room, but I’m eagerly awaiting our invite to go to the new school!!

Christmas photos… (if I get some more I’ll post them later!)

Make a Smilebox photobook

Other January photos:

Make a Smilebox photobook

Katherine's 3rd Christmas

Yes, third. She had December 25, 2008; January 7, 2009 and now December 25, 2009. The girl’s got a good gig going on. To say she makes out well would be an understatement.

This year, like last, we took a trip to Spring Hill, Florida to spend the 25th with my family. The whole crew was together: Tootsie & Pop (AKA Mom & Dad), MomMom, Nicole & Sofia, Jacki and Stephen, Katherine and I. We were missing one person (Chris / AKA Tio). We were sad he wasn’t with us this year (again- ahem) but know he was having a great time with his family. (We missed you Tio!)

We drove down on the 23rd. As we have the last couple of times we’ve driven down, we left in the middle of the night. This lets us get a couple of hours of sleep and Katherine sleeps for a good part of the drive. Or at least used to. We’re not quite sure what happened this time. She was up for nearly the WHOLE drive. I’m pretty sure she was convinced if she slept she’d miss something. We played (a lot) and I’ll admit, we did turn on the Baby Einstein DVD. She watches sans sound and I continue to narrate – on occasion. I can’t take my own voice for that long let alone subject everyone in the car to it. She clearly has “favorite parts” as she claps and gets excited during certain sections. Particularly when the little boy pops out of the camera. I’m not sure what that’s about.

During the drive down we made an experimental stop at Krystal Burger. We’d “heard” that is the southern version of White Castle. I’m here to tell you – not so much so. First, the burgers have mustard on them. Second, they don’t have ketchup on them. Third, they don’t have onion rings. This makes me give the award to worst/best mini burger to (drum roll): White Castle. I haven’t had a White Castle burger in probably 5 years but as I recall they were better than this Krystal thing was. Katherine doesn’t have the same prejudice so she ate her one mini burger and was pretty happy with herself. Yeah, I know. Mom of the year, I probably just took a year off of her life – but it was all part of the Christmas experience this year. =)

For Christmas Eve the whole family took a drive to Orlando to SeaWorld! YAY!!! It was a beautiful day – in fact hot enough that we were all eating ice cream at the end of our day in the park. We saw Shamoo and a Sesame Street Christmas Show. The Shamoo show, as always, was lots of fun. Katherine really digs “the moo” as Stephen calls him. She gets soooo excited when the whales first come out. Little squeals and all. F.U.N. We sat pretty high up to avoid the “splash zone” however MomMom, Nicole & Sofia were right in the splash zone. Apparently wheelchair (or Rascal) zone is also designated splash zone. We were thinking this was kinda wrong – but didn’t want to get wet so we hightailed it up the stands. Fortunately (for them) they didn’t get wet. Although I did hear my Dad yell a few times (more tail Shamoo more tail!!! GET HER!!!) I don’t know what that was about. Hehehe

The Sesame Street show… I’d never been to a character show before. It was what I expected, but apparently a little different than what Stephen expected. He spent most of the show with his hands over his mouth (and occasionally over his eyes) saying something like “oh my goodness – what has happened to my life?” hehehe Katherine was fascinated by the giant characters although she had no idea who they were.

We had a great time at the park and I’m so glad everyone came with us!
Friday was Christmas Day!! As tradition goes we all stay in our PJs for the day. Yep – the whole day!! It’s glorious!! This year was no exception. We were shuffled outside during the unloading of the presents. We didn’t quite understand the need but once we came inside we understood…

In Katherine’s “pile” there were two very special presents that were too big to wrap. One was a rocking chair. The rocking chair was from Aunt Nikki & Aunt Sofi. The chair had been Nicole’s when she was little, so it’s 25+ years old. She had it refinished for Katherine. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. So sweet – and so special. She loves sitting & rocking in it.

The 2nd special present was a baby cradle. Pink and white and oh so cute. Katherine loves rocking her baby in the cradle. I didn’t realize until after all of the presents were opened and everyone was cleaning up that the cradle was made by Pop and painted & decorated by Tootsie. A hand-made baby cradle for their grandbaby. Another sweet, and special present. Both I’m sure will be treasured for a long time to come!

The presents, of course, didn’t end there. Aunt Jacki & Tio got her a new VTech laptop (that has a keyboard AND mouse) and MomMom got her a lego table. Lots of other clothes, toys, etc. complimented her day! She is quite a lucky little girl. All this, and Santa hasn’t even come yet!!!

The rest of the day we spent hanging out together. Some slept on the floor (Nikki, Sofi & Jacki) – others found their way to a bed (Dad) some played with our presents (Stephen & I) while Mom did what she always does – and took care of everyone’s food needs!! (THANK YOU!!!) and MomMom called the family to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Great day!!

On Saturday we decided to go on an adventure. (Stephen’s idea.) It’s orange season you see. At first he wanted to go “pick oranges”. And we had several suggestions from friends to hit up this or that abandon yard where there was an orange tree. I contemplated those suggestions but figured he’d catch on to it not being an “orange farm”. He’s quick like that. Instead we found a place where he couldn’t pick – but it was an orange farm. Quite an eclectic place we found. It’s been around for decades – and I do think some of the “stuff” in the place has been there since it opened. Stephen coaxed me there with the advertisement of ice cream. They may have had ice cream there in 1928 but none that day. =( We did get some delicious oranges. One week later we have two left – and we came home with about 15!

Sunday we made the trip home… it was long, but worth it since we got to spend three days with the family. It’s during these family times that I’m reminded how blessed I am. I have a wonderful husband, happy, sweet little girl and a loving family… What more could a girl ask for?
 
Lots of pictures…

Holiday Photos 2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

General December Photos

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

 
Christmas Eve at SeaWorld

Make a Smilebox photobook

December 25th Pictures

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

My lil lovey

Our daughter is SUCH a lovable kid. I know. I may be a little biased. But seriously, she is! I promise! Just a couple of stories… I’m “documenting” so I can remember them later when she’s terrorizing me. :P (And then I can say something like… “remember when you XXX” *big sigh*)

First story: Stephen was sick a few weeks ago. Not all that shocking – tis the season and all. When Stephen’s not feeling well he’s… well… a lil bit mopey. (Sorry honey.) Katherine was awake and I needed to take a shower – so I asked Stephen if he could watch her for a few minutes. He said “sure”. (Very verbal when he’s sick… ) So there he was laying on her bedroom floor while she was playing. I’m pretty sure he was doing a little “ooohhhh my head” as he was laying there. Our darling daughter (such a nurturer) sees him laying there all mopey and realized her Daddy needed some luvin. So what did she do?? She went to her crib and pulled out her lovey, a baby and a blanket and brought them to her Daddy. Made a Mommy melt… and a Daddy say “oooohhh honey thank you so much!!”

Second Story: I went into daycare one day and as I was walking in I see Katherine and one of her friends (who’s moved up to the next room) sitting in the front two seats of the “buggy” (Buggy = giant stroller type thing that holds 10 kids) She and her friend were sitting peacefully, looking around – holding hands!!! Sooooo sweet. One of the teachers from her Waddler room (the room before her current room) came out and heard the story of the girls holding hands, and said – she is the sweetest kid!! Apparently earlier in the day a little boy from the Waddler class was visiting Katherine’s classroom. (He’s getting ready to move up to her room.) He was sitting on the floor looking around. He isn’t walking yet so he just sat there. Katherine went over to him and gave him a hug. Then she went and got him a toy and set it on his lap so he could play too. Too sweet.

This concludes my mush moment (for now). =)