The Aftermath

I always enjoy the holiday season...until the aftermath. Since we have a lot of holiday activities at our house between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I admit to putting out quite a few decorations. Today began "the take down". My dining room usually ends up as a staging area for all the stuff before it gets packed up and put away. I have learned that if I pack it all away on the first day of "take down", I usually find holiday things around the house the next few days. So now I usually spend a couple of days gathering up everything and then pack it.

Yes, I have nothing better to blog about tonight, but it's been a few days so I wanted to post something. More pictures of Stella soon to come. Happy New Year...we are headed to bed...hours before Dick Clark...is he really still hosting the countdown???

Photo Mania

I just spent an hour at the computer trying to upload and organize all of our holiday photos so far. They are now all posted on our Shutterfly site. (http://thewadesphotos.shutterfly.com/) If you need the password, email me! Here's a sneak peek:

Christmas weekend with the Wades in Owensboro.

Christmas Eve at Grandma Bucher's house with Papa Kenny. Yes, Adam prefers beer and Stella prefers tea parties.

Christmas Day at our house.

The Children's Museum.

For Kay and Howard

Stella loves her new bear! THANKS

Cozy Coupe

It's always interesting to hear everyone's traditions for Christmas gifts for the kids. We stole a gift-giving "model" from some friends that seems to have worked for them and their three kids. We'll see how it goes as the years go by and our family grows. At our house, mommy and daddy will buy 3 presents for each child and they will be wrapped under the tree Christmas morning. (My friend tells her kids that Baby Jesus got three gifts and so do they...makes sense to me and my frugal budget loves it!) These gifts are toys...not socks, not a new shirt...TOYS. And then Santa will bring one unwrapped larger gift.

From us Stella got an animal puzzle that makes the animal's sounds, a Little People Thanksgiving set, and a baby doll high chair. Stella's gift from Santa was a Cozy Coupe. You will see that she LOVED it. She also got tons of other fun things from aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and friends. More photos to come on our Shutterfly site once I get a few minutes to sit back down at the computer.

And...Andy had a great birthday yesterday as well! Chocolate cake with chocolate icing and a side dish of vanilla bean ice cream...how could you not be happy?

We hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Red Velvet Christmas Dress on Clearance Last Season - $4.00

Black Stride Rite Patent Leather Shoes at Once Upon a Child - $2.50

Being a Parent on Christmas Eve and Seeing Your Baby All Dressed Up Like a Big Girl - PRICELESS!

Stella Lou Who

We dropped off "Stella" at daycare yesterday morning and picked up "Stella Lou Who".

Big Girl Bed

Stella did great last night in her new big-girl bed...a twin mattress on the floor of her new room. She was unsure at first, but after I got her in the bed and quickly rushed out the door and the lights were out...she didn't try to get up. Not sure she knew she could. She did wake up coughing around 1:30 and I found her on the floor a few feet from the mattress. There was a trail from the mattress to her...first her baby, then her pacifier, then the blanket and finally her. She woke up during the transition back to the mattress, had some water for the coughing fit and went right back to bed!

This morning she woke up and laid there until I came and got her. She was in a great mood! She looks so little again on the "big" mattress.

Still loves to sleep with her soft baby and twirl its hair.

Happy Girl!

The New Baby...

...doll. We celebrated Christmas with the Wades over the weekend. Stella got a new baby doll. She was thrilled. We were so glad she had one to unwrap. Cousin Callie got 2 new babies before Stella opened hers, and Stella kept pointing at Callie's boxes going "BABY!! BABY!!" So we were very thankful she soon opened her own new baby. She carried it everywhere and gave it tons of hugs and kisses.

Still holding onto the baby in the car on the way home.

Even has one hand on it and her eye cracked while she slept in the car...don't touch her baby!

Bubbles!

We took Stella to Holiday in Lights last weekend. For those of you out-of-towners, it is a drive-thru light display at a park down the street from our neighborhood. Despite the heavy traffic and long line, she actually liked it. She kept saying, "Bubbles! Bubbles!!" She REALLY liked the fact that I got her out of her car seat and she rode in front with us...at 5 mph. About 3/4 of the way through, she was suddenly more interested in the front seat gadgets and displays and less interested in the outdoor lights. (She was safely put back into her seat before we left...safely, but not quietly!!)

Bittersweet

http://www.gotrcincinnati.org/

Last night was my last Girls on the Run board meeting. My 2-year term was up. I considered renewing for one year. However, then I met another HR woman looking for this type of non-profit to become involved with...and her kids are older and she has a lot more time to devote to the organization. Although we were interviewing her for a committee member position, she was very interested in joining the board when an opening occurred. I took that as a sign that my time was up! Although I will still be involved in our two 5ks every year and other volunteer activities, it is a relief to know that the other woman will bring so much to the board as I leave. And with baby #2 on the way...it's nice to get something off of my plate for now. But I have a feeling I'll be more involved with the organization again some day.

Cookie Exchange

The 2008 Cookie Exchange was a success! The ladies out-did themselves this year...lots of yummy creations. All the pictures are posted on our Shutterfly link.

Monkey See, Monkey Do Part 3

This morning Stella and I went to see Renee, James & Adam. Grandma Jude was there too. James wanted to show us how he plays his video games. Soon enough Stella and Adam found controllers of their own and were "playing" as well. The mimic phase is definitely in full swing!

The Big Red Dog

I wasn't sure how this would go...but Stella met Clifford this morning. I got an email from one of our local bookstores that Storytime today would be all about Clifford and that he would be visiting the store. Since it was my day off, I decided to take Stella and see what happened. She LOVED him. Not what I expected. Especially since she freaked out when we arrived due to the number of kids running around, etc. and he wasn't even there yet. (I think she thought I was going to drop her at some new daycare and run for it.) I finally got her to sit quietly on my lap for the story and then he appeared. She was in awe. She wanted down and wanted near him. Who would have guessed?

Sweet Reward

Stella went with me to Kohl's on Sunday afternoon. She was great in the store the entire time. Since she was so good and sat in the cart for so long...we visited the indoor playground at the mall before we left. She has no fear. She goes right up the steps and around the top to the slide. Stella doesn't like to go down on her bottom...it's all belly all the time.

A Sweet Treat

I'd say the chocolate-covered pretzel was a hit!

Visit from St. Nick

Stella enjoyed getting her stocking filled by St. Nick over the weekend. Based upon the next picture, I'd guess that above she's thinking..."A new phone???" Her favorite these days. Not a phone no matter how hard she tried. She wasn't as thrilled by the "My 2nd Christmas" ornament as I was. Although it did have a kitten on it so she kept saying "meow".

She also got some winter/holiday pjs and some Christmas-themed board books.