Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas Recap

Today my sister, Lisa, kindly reminded me that I had neglected to upload the Christmas videos/pics she requested. So, without further ado, here you go, Lisa (and the rest of the fam who wants to watch a kid open presents).
Christmas Eve at around 11:00 we realized we still had to bring the train table from our friends' house across the street over. THANK GOODNESS Ben had already put it together. Fortunately, the Matthews's door was wide enough for the table to fit through. Unfortunately, our door was not wide enough. So, we put the table down in the front and took the door off. Lucas didn't even wake up with all the banging. Without the door, the table fit through perfectly. After that ordeal we hit the sack....



After we went to bed Santa came. Thanks so much to our wonderful family for your kindness and generosity. We love you!

Coming Downstairs:
Lucas woke up and came in our room like he does every day. We had some dry cereal, an orange, and a water bottle set out for him (Brenna's fine advice). So, he watched TV for a few minutes and crunched on his cereal. He thought it was so cool that we had Fruity Cheerios waiting for him. After a while he asked, "What we gonna do today?" like he does every day. We couldn't believe that he forgot it was Christmas, but thought it was pretty awesome... (Notice how he thinks the doll house is for Audrey & Kate - they have the same one, though).


The Airplane: For Nana & Grandpa
This year when we asked Lucas what he wanted for Christmas he asked for an airplane, a train, and a doll house. We were caught a little off guard by the doll house, but we delivered. Lucas LOVES his new airplane and goes on many adventures each day. Thanks Nana & Grandpa!



The Train Table: For Grandma, Grandpa, and of course, Lisa.
I saw this train table on craigslist and fell in love. Sadly it was sold by the time I emailed. BUT, the very next week it went on sale at Toys R Us. I went to pick one up to find that they were sold out, and apparently so were the other stores in town. But with the magic of the interweb (and my mom's persistence), I managed to find one at the Babies R Us a few miles away! They put it on hold for me right before they were going to send it to Toys R Us. We took Lucas to pick it up. I went to get the train table and the boys went to World Market. I covered the box in black trash bags and had to lower the seat right next to Lucas for it to fit. The kid drove home right next to it and never even asked what it was.
Ben worked hard on his first parental gift building project so it wouldn't be stressful on Christmas Eve. The Matthews were kind enough to let us store it at their house. Lucas loves his train table. We told him not to take the tracks apart, but alas he has almost every day (but not today!). Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!


Other fun things: I got Ben Pat the Husband with a promise to stop hiding his stuff. I bought it online for less than $1.50, but then it was on back order, so I spent $10 at Border's. Now we'll have another one for a gift someday... it's a great book though. So, is this video about a man cold.
Ben and Lucas got me a bracelet using the $10 off coupon (for a $10+ item) from JC Penney's. This has always been a fun game for us to try to find something worth exactly $10. Lucas told me right when they got home that he got me a bracelet. He did, however, manage to keep the tape measure a secret from Ben.
Ever since I've been pregnant I've been whining that I wanted a muu muu. You know how when you're fat, hot, and lazy, you don't want to put real clothes on? Well, that was me. Ben set out to find me the muu muu/nightgown of my lazy dreams. The thing is, it's basically impossible to find an attractive nightgown without a slit up to there, spaghetti straps, or lace hoo hoos. IMPOSSIBLE. Poor Ben found a semi-cute one... in an XL... and bought it. He thought, what's the difference if it already looks like a tent. Then his good sense kicked in and he exchanged it for a different style in a medium. It wasn't too ugly... We went back to see if they had it in a small, but ended up just returning it in hopes of making or finding something cool someday.

We had a big Christmas dinner with our friends at the Baldwin's house. I made a ham and almost spilled the gravy all over the car. This added to my tardiness, so I wasn't in the happiest mood when we got there, but hopefully I didn't ruin anyone's Christmas. I'd also like to apologize to the Baldwin's entry way for the drips of ham juice on its tile and the possible bad word it heard upon my arrival.

All in all we had a wonderful holiday. As for New Year's Eve, we have no big plans. We'd like to get Lucas to bed by 8:00 or so. Then I'd like to dine on chocolate fondue, strawberries, bananas, and cheesecake. But, we'll probably watch a movie and eat cereal instead.
Speaking of getting Lucas to bed, he gave up his binkies this week. Ben & Lucas have been saying that he'd ditch them after Christmas, and a couple days after Christmas he threw them away. I dug them out of the trash, of course. They are stored with the spare keys in the kitchen, FYI. He had a hard time the first couple of days, but we let him pick out a binky replacement at the store - he chose a cuddly Triceratops stuffed animal. They're cute together. He's been a trooper the past few days. Ben has done all the work in this area, I should say. I don't do bedtime anymore. Way to go Ben!!!
Happy Holidays! And have a super-fun 2010. We'll introduce you to the newest Harmanator in a few weeks. He'll be freakin' cute, I'm sure.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Today was a busy day! We made homemade marshmallows. Then we made Christmas cookies with my grandma's old cookie cutters, did some last minute shopping, fixed up the house for our Christmas Eve Mexican Fiesta, cooked (while Lucas napped), ate dinner with our friends, left treats out for Santa & his reindeer, read a Christmas story, and went to bed... Well, we're still working on the bed part. See, when a kid eats mostly marshmallows for dinner, it doesn't make for an easy bedtime. Lesson learned.

Zzzzzzzz...

A few nights ago I went in to check on Lucas before I went to bed, like I do every night (because I'm still crazy that way) and I nearly stepped on the kid. I don't know if he fell off the bed or wanted to sleep on the floor, but his head was all wrapped up in the blanket and his feet were out. I picked him up and put him back in bed without incident.
Tonight I was in on the computer and I heard his door open. I went and looked around the corner and he lied down on the floor and went to sleep in the hall. I picked him up expecting him to say something, but he was totally asleep. I put him back in bed and he was fine.
Let's hope I don't have a sleepwalker on my hands...

Saturday, December 19, 2009

'tis the season!

Ben has been off work this whole week! Except he actually worked every day, but he's been at home, which is what counts. SO, we finally had time to pick out a tree (a complete nightmare), decorate the tree, pick ornaments up from behind the couch multiple times, make popcorn balls, and do some Christmas errands. It's been pretty fun.



Lucas has had a pretty good week. He actually went on a trip to Toys R Us Wednesday night with Dad. Ben wanted to get some feelers for what Lucas really liked the most. Before they went Ben informed me on the phone, "I'm going on a suicide mission." I was worried, knowing that Lucas would for sure throw too many tantrums in the toy store, and have to be carried out kicking and screaming. Instead, Lucas was a good boy and didn't get in trouble at all. Unfortunately, his favorite toy is expensive and kind of lame, according to Ben - Thomas the Train. Honestly, these people want us to pay $15-$25 for a piece of a train? A piece? Well, okay, if it means we get to see this little kid smile on Christmas morning... (And we don't think trains are lame, we just don't understand how he can watch the Thomas movies/shows for hours and hours and not be bored. It's a miracle).

On another note, here is Lucas with his "Superhero Cleaning Glasses" on. At least that's what I called them the other day to get him to clean up toys so he could watch a movie. Chris wore these to our house last summer, paired with knee socks and sneakers for an intense game of badminton. That was the day we all realized exactly why Jamie married him. Then he left his broken goggles for Lucas (meaning he wanted to throw them away, and just left them here, but they haven't made the trash yet. Lucas loves those things!). He's in the zone... It's ok if you laugh. We did.


Monday, December 7, 2009

Flashback to July

My dad emailed me this picture the other day. It's from back in July when we bought the CR-V in ABQ and drove her home to Austin. I was 12 weeks pregnant and all I can think when I see this picture is "wow, what waist definition!" I forgot what it's like not to have a belly...

Speaking of the belly. The other night we had some friends over and I was lying on the floor. Lucas wanted me to get something off a shelf for him and I whined a little and told him to ask Dad. He went over to Ben and said, "Dad, are you fat?"
Apparently I've used the excuse, "I'm too fat!" a little too much lately. But it's true - things are harder with the belly!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Wise Words of Advice From Lucas:

As we pulled up to the farm a couple weeks ago, "If you see an animal, don't get in it's mouth!"

Last night in the kitchen after dinner, "Don't play with scorpions. Play with toys."

He's very wise for his age.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Some more from the trip...

After driving 2,677 miles we are back. Here are some highlights:




If you'd like to see a full slide show, go here. But, here are a few of my faves...