Tidbits from T

***I'm typing on a wonderful lap top that was given to me by very special family members, who shall for this purpose, remain nameless. They are so generous to think of our family when they get new things. Let's see, we've acquired a flat screen television for our bedroom, a printer/copier/scanner/fax machine, and now a lap top. I know we've gotten more nice things from them, but my brain is failing me. They knew our computer bit the dust and offered us this one that they were getting rid of. You know who you are...thank you! It works wonderfully!

***I started my post on expectations Monday and still haven't finished it. It's kind of long.

***Wrapped presents this morning and the girls can't wait to open them. And the anticipation of what Santa will bring is about to kill them. They asked for lots of expensive electronic gadgets, like an iPad, iPod touch, lap top, blackberry, television, etc. Even Santa chuckled when we went to see him. They also asked for a trampoline, new bike for Jess and new scooter for Emma Grace. Santa often knows what they need, so we'll see what they end up with...

Jessica was very sweet one night this week. When we were talking about what Santa would bring, I asked her if she would be really upset if she didn't get everything on her list. Her reply: "No. It's the thought that counts, so if Santa brings me anything, at least he thought of me". Sweet girl!

***The girls and I made yummy pretzel treats tonight. We put a Rolo candy on top of a small square pretzel and melted it in the oven for about 5 minutes. Then we gently placed half of a pecan on top of the Rolo while it was warm and soft. YUM!!!

Tomorrow we are making red velvet cake balls and chocolate chip cookies for Santa.

***We are still undecided about going to church tomorrow evening. One local church has a 4pm service, another at 6pm. I think we will do the 4pm, if we go.

***Much to my dismay, I decided not to send out Christmas cards this year after all. I found a card on smilebox.com that I'm going to email out for Christmas. I'm planning to take the kids' picture tomorrow and if I can, I will post the card here. Not exactly sure how that works yet.

***I heard from my friend who is working on Matthew's pictures, and they are almost ready. I'm trying hard to come up with a creative way to still send out an announcement of him, even though by the time I do, he will be at least 6 months old!

***Yesterday, we put together the exersaucer that has been in Matthew's closet for the last two years. It was another full circle moment for me. It was put together for Grady and has been sitting, unused, until now. He likes it but doesn't tolerate it for long. I have to put a blanket around his torso to help support him a little. I know it is making him use muscles that he hasn't used before. I think with time and practice he is going to love it.

***I'm worried that Matthew might be too fat. Babies are chubby, and most of the time, they work off that fat when they start becoming more mobile. I never worried about Jessica, who was almost as chubby as he is. And I wouldn't be worried about Matthew either if it weren't for Suzanne. She is a nutrition guru when it comes to preemies. She has told me that too fast of catch-up growth in preemies has been linked to diabetes and heart disease in those babies as adults. I don't know what's too fast and how much is too much. I also don't know if the same applies to Matthew since he was so big when he was born. What I do know is that he does love to eat!

***We actually might see some snow on Christmas here in GA. That hasn't happened in a very long time! It won't be big, and it probably won't even stick, but just to see some snowflakes will be nice on Christmas day.

***My stepdad put up a small tree this year. My mom was a big angel collector. He said he put an angel around his tree for each of his grandchildren. And he included Grady. That meant a lot to me.

***I've been thinking back to this time last year when I had the flu (pretty sure it was the swine flu), and I felt like I was going to die. I had just found out I was pregnant with Matthew and couldn't take much of anything. I took the bare minimum of Tylenol, Benadryl and Sudafed to feel like I might live. I'm so thankful to be healthy and well this year.

***I went to the store today and got things for our traditional Christmas breakfast. We will have bacon, eggs, biscuits, homemade chocolate syrup, and hash brown casserole. I only make chocolate syrup on Christmas morning to go with the biscuits. My step dad, brother and his family will come over to feast with us. We will all crash by early afternoon and need a nap from all those carbs!

***I got Matthew's stocking today, and I'm not happy with it. I thought his name would be monogrammed in white like the rest of ours. It appeared that way online and I was never given a choice to choose a color. I think I'm going to try to send it back. The only stocking that is different is Grady's. It is white and his name is monogrammed in red.

***I'm so behind on laundry it isn't even funny. And cleaning, too. Gib and I aren't giving one another gifts this year. I told him that a great gift to me would be for him to take on kiddie duty for two days. All I want to be responsible for is pumping milk and cleaning my house. I know it sounds crazy, but a clean house would do me a world of good!

***Can't think of much more to bore you with tonight. So long for now!