Task Completed

A productive day, I've had! I am one of those who loves normalcy, and so, I have been staring at the Christmas decor and what seems like 1000s of toys in my living room for a week now thinking about how I must get everything down and in it's place. Clean and clutter free makes me a less-stressed wife and mommy, and so, today, I took on the task of taking town 3 trees, all wreaths and candles are on and in their specific hangers and boxes. I straightened the attic, and then, I got "on a roll." Once I start, I can't stop! This little momma took down the guest bed that has been in our loft since Mills' birth, moved it to the attic, boxed up the bedding, vacuumed, and moved EVERY toy upstairs. Mills is still too young to play in an upstairs "playroom," but not being able to walk in our living room because of all of the toys is enough to drive me insane. I plan on bringing down a few at a time and rotating them out, and then going upstairs with him to play at certain times during the day. I have always questioned the need for all of the playroom items and organizational furniture items that are on the market. I always thought that they were just an unnecessary way for parents to spend money on unnecessary rooms and toys. Welcome to the real world, Amy. If I had the cash in hand, I would be bringing this home tomorrow!

Christmas Day

After Santa, we headed to my dad's for breakfast and to exchange gifts. Mills got a lot more toys, and a new 4-wheeler.

Next, we headed to Nana's house for lunch and more gift exchanging. Mills got more toys, musical instruments, and clothes. He is now his own one-man-band! He was such a good boy all day, but I knew that nap-time was soon approaching, so, we headed home. He fell asleep in the car after going almost 7.5 hours without a nap, but I managed to transport him to his crib just fine.

Our last event of the night was yet again at Erik's grandparents. The Beasley Christmas dinner. All of us enjoy watching Mama & Daddy B open their gifts. Don't ask me where the pictures are. By this time, I was so exhausted, that I forgot that I even owned a camera! Mills was in his element. Even after napping, a semi-unfamiliar surrounding and a lot of people makes him go completely wild and uncooperative. Handling it by myself with out E, is a task in itself. Whew!

With that being said, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Santa!

There is only one thing that I dislike about my hubby's profession as a firefighter. If his shift falls on a holiday, birthday, etc. he has to work. Unfortunately, this year, E had to work Christmas day. He gets up very early, and so I planned to get up with him and wake Mills to see what Santa had brought. I kept my fingers crossed, because normally, if I have to wake him, he is NOT in a good mood. This morning, while E was getting dressed, I walked upstairs to get our sleeping little prince. He sat up as soon as I walked into his room and said, "Hey!" and so I knew all was good.
E waited at the bottom of the stairs and as we reached the bottom, Mills saw his load of gifts. He had the cutest confused look on his face, then threw his arms up and made the "huh?" sound. Setting him down he walked over, looked, and didn't know what to head to first. It was a great morning, and I am happy to say that all went smoothly.

Santa came to see Joey too!

Loving his little "ball pit."

Pre-Christmas/Christmas Eve Celebrations

Our first of many Christmas celebrations started on Sunday, with the annual "dirty santa" gathering.

This is what happens when Mills doesn't get his Sunday afternoon nap!

Cameron modeling the "bow" on one of my packages. I think it fits him quite nicely!

Christmas Eve, we started with lunch at Gammy and Pop's house. Mills and Lainey played until it was time to jet home for naptimes. We are finding out very quickly, that even Christmas requires a break for naps.

Every Christmas Eve night, we go to Mama B and Daddy B's for a gathering with the Mills side of the family. Erik's grandmother, Mama B, whose maiden name is Mills, has her family over for finger foods and fellowship. I always enjoy seeing them all, as usually, this is the only time we meet during the year. Some are from out-of-town, so we try not to miss it. This was my 11th Mills family Christmas gathering. Time has flown!

Mills and his buddy Tommy. I though he had fallen asleep on Tommy's lap.

But, I was wrong!
Giving Mills a small taste of cheesecake

Let Us Remember...

If there is one thing that I want anyone to know or remember on this blessed Christmas Eve, it is the wonderful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!!...and remember, Christmas is not a "HOLIDAY." It's a HOLY DAY! As we begin our busy running from one place to another, let us not forget why we are celebrating.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Matthew 1:20-21

Christmas Greetings

We would like to extend a special thank you to those of you who sent us the wonderful Christmas cards. Our refrigerator is completely covered. I smile everytime I go to the "fridge." Getting cards is one of my favorite things about Christmas. It is good to see how all of your children and families are growing each year, and we love seeing the highlights from the year. Thank you all!

Wheel...of...Fortune!!!

Growing up, Wheel of Fortune was a nightly ritual. Yep, I love it, and am pretty good at it. As a matter of fact, I have wanted to BE on Wheel of Fortune. Silly, but true! Erik and I still love watching it. I think its even a contest to see can out-smart the other and guess the puzzle first.

Tonight, I made a quick trip to Walgreen's and left Mills at home with Erik. He hasn't been feeling too well. We think it may be a combo of teething and sinus issues due to the change in weather. He has been very whiny and clingy all day and is experiencing a nasty nose and puffy eyes, and he hasn't had much of an appetite. Poor fella!

As I arrived home, Erik began to tell me that the little boy who hasn't felt good had suddenly began bouncing off the walls. I was surprised, but am glad that he is feeling better. Erik then proceeded to tell me that they had been watching Wheel of Fortune. Erik said that Mills was sitting on the couch, glued to the TV. He both feet in both hands, sitting in a "V" position, and was yelling at the TV, "O! T! G! E!" It looks like he may have inherited the likes of Wheel of Fortune. I'm so proud! ha! And THAT, my friends, is why you should always have your video camera ready and armed.

Peace, Love, and Pancakes!

There's nothing better than a cute little boy with bed-head eating his pancakes and saying, "UMMMMMMM Mama!"

Sixteen Months

Perfect example of a mischievous little boy "trying" his mommy when she says, No! Don't touch!

Sixteen months and counting, Mills! Time is flying too fast and I wish I could slow it down. You do something new every day. As of today, here's what keeps us smiling:

• You are a dancing machine. When you hear music, you bounce, bob your head, twist, stomp, and try to snap your fingers.


• New words: No, umm hmm (yes), car, light, book, look, shoe, that, "Ahheee" (Ollie your elf on the shelf), and hot. When I am cooking, you walk by the oven and say "HOT!", and keep walking. That's a good thing!


• You still in size 4 diaper, but we will be moving up soon. You are approximately 25lbs. 31" long, and are in a size 4-5 shoe.


• You are slowly getting back to our old routine of sitting still during story time. Actually, the only reason you did before, is because you weren't mobile. I just wanted to think that you were paying attention and enjoying the story, but I knew better. Now, you sit, look at the book, point to the pictures, and help me turn the pages.


• You love dragging and pushing things around the house including your cozy coupe, mama's coats, and whatever else you can find


• you like to try to brush your own hair and teeth


• You love giving kisses and hugs. Now, when I pick you up, you lay your head on my shoulder, hug me, and pat my back. It melts me! I love walking into your nursery in the mornings when you're already awake and hearing, "HEY!" in the cutest little high-pitch voice ever.


• Oh how you explore! I am still finding things in places they don't belong every day. Lesson learned: never empty the bathroom trash can without going through it first!


• You are starting the "separation anxiety" stage. You do pretty good, except for on Sunday mornings when we drop you off for Sunday school. That little lip is pitiful!


• We are still working on getting you to stop dropping your food and sippy on the floor when you are finished eating. When we tell you no, you look at us, hold your hand over your tray and look to see what we will do. Then drop it! You are really "trying" us. It's a phase, I know this, but nonetheless, a learning experience for us.


• You love to feed us pieces of your food, or pretend trying to give us a bite and then faking us out by sticking it in your mouth and saying "ummmm ummmm." (yummm yummm)


• Bedtimes are anywhere between 7:30 and 8:00 and most of the time you sleep until 7:30am, unless I have to wake you to take you to Mimi's.

We are so excited about every new little thing you do Mills O! Christmas will be here in 10 days, and we can't wait! I'm sure Santa has some nice things for sweet, little ole you. It is something for us to really look forward to. Keep growing, learning, and experiencing the world around you.

I'm Freezing!

Today has to be one of the coldest days I remember. Now, I know we've had colder, but last night, it took me what seemed like hours to go to sleep. The wind was whistling and blowing extremely hard, and our Christmas front door piece was clanging against the window, or so I thought. I kept hearing "clang, clang, clang!" In my head, I kept thinking, "It will stop, just go to sleep." An hour later, "clang, clang, clang!" On top of my dog licking his his itchy dry skin, Erik's heavy breathing, and that door wreath, I had had enough. Throwing back the covers, (*insert a "huff") imagine me...

• getting out of bed


• tripping over the dog


• stomping through the bedroom to the front door


• opening the door and nearly getting knocked down by high forced winds


• jerking the Christmas wreath off the door


• Using my entire body weight to close the door


• Stomping back through the bedroom


• Tripping over the dog


• Getting back in bed


• Hearing "clang, clang, clang!"


• *insert huff*


• Getting BACK out of bed


• Telling Joey, "MOVE!"


• stomping through the bedroom


• Opening the door only to find that it was not the wreath, but a small Christmas decoration, that I had forgotten about, hanging from the door handle that was making all of that racket.

I couldn't get the thing off! It is wired around the door handle, and I tugged and twisted and finally managed to get into a position where it was immovable.

I have no idea what time I actually got to sleep last night, but this morning I woke to the whistling wind and snow flurries. They were so fine, but kept coming faster and faster, and as the hour went on, they turned into bigger flakes.

Mills and I made it to church. I bundled him up in his coat and hat, and for the first time today, he wore mittens. I expected him to take them off, but he wore them well. Running through freezing temperatures and snow with two bags and a 25lb. baby was not an easy task, but hey, we made it.

It was, and still is frigid out. Temperatures are still dropping and the wind is still blowing. Our bedroom is cold and the bedsheets feel like ice. I grew up with electric heat instead of gas, so I always slept with an electric blanket in the winter. For the last 8 years, I haven't needed that blanket, because Erik and I are like two human heaters. I have threatened putting the blanket on my bed on several occasions when it was REALLY cold out, but have resisted due to E's protest. Tonight, I gave in. Mom had to stop by, and so I questioned whether or not my blanket was still at home, and it was. My dual-control electric blanket is now on my bed and ready for little ole' me stay warm tonight. Actually, my goal: Warming the bedsheets before I get in the bed and then I'll probably turn it down on low. Erik isn't going to like it, but that is what's good about "dual-control."

Stay Warm!!!

Sleepytime Tonic

It is quite funny what you'll run in to while "googling" certain products on the Internet. Joey is experiencing extremely itchy dry skin as a result of using the heat during the cold winter. I have been looking to see if there is anything we can do for him. So, if any of you has any advice at all as to what we can use (shampoo, supplements etc.) please let us know. We are afraid of hot-spots. If your dog has ever had one treated at the vet, you know how costly it is...crazy expensive!
While searching and reading through several sites, I stumbled upon this...
No, it has nothing to do with dry, itchy, uncomfortable skin, but I couldn't help but laugh. We have no need for it, but I am wondering if it really works?! What will they think of next? This is almost as crazy as the dog shampoo that contains glitter!

Christmas Classics

I am loving the fact that we finally (yes, finally) have DVR and I can record anything weeks before it comes on. So far, I've managed to record all of my favorite Christmas movies for Mills. We have covered a lot in the past two weeks. Tonight, he and I enjoyed cuddle time with nothing but Christmas lights and A Charlie Brown Christmas.Mills actually watched it, and so I am excited to introduce him into the world of the classics. I always look forward to seeing that Charlie Brown tree every year, along with Rudolph, Frosty's Winter Wonderland, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, The Grinch,The Santa Claus, and many more. We can't leave out A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation, but we will save those for later.

I don't remember ever missing an episode as each Christmas season arrived. Those movies, like all of my other Christmas traditions, are fond memories that I want to pass down to Mills. I can't wait until the day when he can enjoy hot chocolate and red-hot cider with us as we enjoy these movies by the fire. I found a new movie this year that I was completely unaware of. Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas. This movie and The Grinch have really kept his attention. You should see him dancing to the "Christmas Monkey" song. He bounces, twists, and "bangs" his head like no other. As Erik quoted last night, "he was jamming!" I can't imagine where he gets it from.