Sometimes the ups outnumber the downs

We've been here in California just about 2 weeks now. I think this is the longest break I've taken from blogging since I started back in Feb. 2006! Sorry to my faithful readers who've checked in to only be disappointed by my lack of new posts. I've been absolutely spoiled here. I haven't had to think about what to make for dinner. I've had no piano lessons to teach. I've had help with Dean all day long. It's been fabulous.

First off: The airplane situation went ok. Our plane was delayed 2 1/2 hours so we were in the airport forever! He would have done really well had we left on time. He cried about 1/2 hour before we boarded and about 10 min. or so on the plane. We had a few glares, and one person moved to avoid sitting in front of us, but overall he slept quite a bit and did well enough. Not bad for a 2 mo. old who's a fusser under normal circumstances.

He's really started behaving much better here. I guess it's due mostly to him getting older. He's starting to figure out the whole smiling thing and he has longer periods of awake contentment. Christmas day was probably his best day ever. He went down easily, was happy when he was awake, and had minimal fussiness. What more could I ask for? It was a Christmas miracle. His behavior modification has been a relief as I am getting a little burned out on the incessant crying sprees. Like the one he had tonight.

Jimmeny Christmas! He's been so much better the past two weeks I'd almost forgotten what it was like at home. He was out of control crying. You know, the kind where he holds his breath followed by a piercing scream. Three of us took turns trying our best tricks to calm him down and he'd have none of it. But he finally did go to sleep. I'm just hoping this is a mere bump in the road and that he'll continue to improve with age.

I forgot to bring my camera hook ups for the computer so no pictures yet.

But speaking of pictures here's a funny little ditty. While taking family pictures on Christmas day, I accidentally walked in front of the camera while Th. was taking a picture. That resulted in a nice close up bum shot. I'd quite forgotten about the bum shot until tonight. Th. said as they were looking at the family pictures with their son Big O, he kept asking "Where's Celia?" on the pictures I wasn't in. When they got to the bum shot he said, "Oh, there she is!" (He's 4 and probably right at the height to ID me by my bum.)

Perfect timing

Nothing like having to cancel your credit card right before you take a trip because there's been fraudulent activity on a crazy website that's not even in English.

What's worse is they had the 3 digit code on the back as well which means they hacked an online transaction somewhere along the way.

Why do people have to be such jerks? And at Christmas time nonetheless.

Over the river and through the clouds

To grandmother's house we go. Or to Dean's grandmother's that is. And luckily for us we don't have to rely on a horse and carriage to get us to northern CA.

But I am a bit worried to fly with an infant. I'm worried about being that passenger. You know. The one you dread to be seated next to.

At least we have a non-stop flight.

We're leaving tomorrow evening and will be gone until the 3rd. Hopefully I'll get a chance to post while I'm there. If not, Merry Christmas everyone! (And a Happy New Year.)

Could I have a big red bow for that?

Well, Merry Christmas to us.

Last night we signed all the papers and handed over a nice little (little?!?) check for a down payment on a new car. Unfortunately the car is not on the premises here in McKinney and has to be transported from another dealership. The expected arrival date is the day after we leave for CA, so unless it gets here early, we will pick up our silver 2008 Toyota Rav 4 (2 wheel drive and as basic as it comes) when we return in January. This is second only to our house in the way of $$. Sheesh. It's a good thing for financing.

It will make for a boring Christmas morning since we won't be unwrapping any presents, but really, I'll take the car.

You know you're tired when

You know you're tired when you fall asleep while actually saying the family prayer. It was pretty funny when Matt had to wake me up.

We had a really full week last week with my in-laws here. We had a lot of fun and almost bought a car. We would have bought it if they had been able to get their hands on what we wanted. Who knew it would be so difficult to get a 2007-2008 Toyota Rav-4 with a V6 engine without the bells and whistles (and in a decent color)? Apparently people who want a V6 don't want a basic car. I guess we'll try again after Christmas. Too bad since we're not sure our Neon will actually make it to the airport next Tuesday since it tends to almost over heat at freeway speeds.

And now I need to work like mad to get my Christmas/birth announcement cards done. It's much harder to do projects with a little baby who needs attention I must say.

Dean by the tree

I know he's still just a little guy and can't really do that much that's entertaining, but here's his first video debut by the Christmas tree. This was taken last Tuesday. Also, we took pictures for our Christmas cards last night. We're not using this picture, but I thought it was a great frowny face.

Getting to know you: Christmas Edition

My aunt sent this in an email so I thought I'd put my responses up here.

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

• Gift bags are nice because they're reusable. However, I do use both. One thing that's fun is using plain brown wrapping (like you'd use to cover a book to keep it from getting damaged) and then doing different things with the bows and tags.

Real or Fake tree?

• We always cut our trees fresh from the forest growing up, and those were some great memories. We have a $10 tree from IKEA in our house now. It works.
  

When do you put up the tree?

• I would love to put it up the day after Thanksgiving, but I have a feeling that we won't put it up until Dec. 1st as a martial compromise.
  

When do you take down the tree?

• New Year's day? Or whenever we get back from our parents' house after Christmas/ the New Year.
  

Favorite gift received as a child?

• Not sure. I know I really liked the dolls and pound puppies my mom made. Can't think of anything else that sticks out in my mind.
  

Do you have a nativity scene?

• One. I got it in Guatemala. I love it. They're in brightly colored traditional Guatemalan dress. I wouldn't mind getting others. My mother-in-law collects nativities and I think it would be a fun collection.
  

Hardest person to buy for?

• My brother Eric.
  

Easiest person to buy for?

• Me. Just kidding! Um. Matt, however, his wanted items are usually some pricey computer part like a new processor or video card or something.
  

Worst present you ever received?

• Is any present a bad present? I mean, seriously, you shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. (Is that the phrase? It sounds really weird once I type it.)
  

Mail or email Christmas Cards?

• Both. I love making Christmas cards, but it's hard make enough/ get them out to EVERYONE I want to. Good heavens it's expensive to mail cards now a days.
  

Favorite Christmas movie?

• Best Christmas Pageant Ever. A Christmas Story. How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (Depending on my mood.)
  

When do you start Christmas shopping?

• Whenever I see something that screams "CHRISTMAS PRESENT!" but usually it's sometime between late November and mid-December.
  

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

• Hmmm...I wouldn't put it past me, though I can't recall a specific time.
  

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

• At my parents' house I love to eat: our traditional shredded wheat breakfast on Christmas morning. Also, my mom's date balls are good. And in the stockings I always like the malt balls the best. Oh, and cheese balls are good too.
  
• At Matt's parents' house I love to eat: homemade chex mix. And burritos from El Gran. It's not a Christmas thing, really, but we're only there at Christmas time and boy are they good.
  

Clear or colored lights on the tree?

• Colored for sure. Unless it's an angel tree. But for a regular tree, colored.
  

Favorite Christmas song?

• I like "What Child is this?" a lot. Silent night is great. And for a secular song, Ella Fitzgerald's version of Jingle Bells.
  

Travel or stay home for Christmas?

• Right now it's travel. We've yet to spend a Christmas on our own. We're on the "every-other-year" Christmas schedule with our parents. Once Dean hits 2 and we have to buy him a plane ticket, we might start reconsidering.
  

Can you name all the reindeer?

• Heck yes.
  

Angel or star on top of the tree?

• I don't have either, but I'd probably say star.
  

Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

• Christmas morning for sure.
  

Most annoying thing about this time of year?

• TV commercials that use tweaked Christmas songs to sell their products
  

What do you love most about Christmas?

• Time off of normal life to spend with family.
  

The Blessing

On Sunday Matt blessed Dean. It was very nice. My in-laws were able to come so that's been fun. The outfit we blessed him in was my father-in-law's christening outfit. Matt, his brother, and Lady Steed & Th.'s two boys were blessed in it. So we kept the tradition going.

Here are the promised pictures.

Possible disaster.

well, last week at my check up my doctor spoke with me about birth control and put me back on the pill. i was told that it could temporarily decrease my milk supply but that it should come back after a little bit. i've been on it a week and I've noticed a definite change in my milk supply for the worse. up until now i've had ample. now i feel like he never gets enough to eat and he sucks me dry quickly. i'm starting to get cracked and i hurt.

i'm angry at myself that i didn't research it more than my dr's word. after looking at things on the internet tonight, i've decided it was the wrong decision to start at all. hopefully i can get back to my normal supply by stopping now. it's only been 1 week.

i am angry and sore and i hope this isn't a horrible disaster.

on a totally unrelated side note, we blessed him today at church. I'll post pics and write about that later though. my in-laws are in town, so it's a little harder to find time to post at the moment.