More importantly than Dr. Phil, Nora giggled for the first time on Friday. She's been giggling in her sleep so we know she can do it but haven't heard her do it awake. I spent so much time interacting with her on Friday and trying to make her laugh. No luck. Joel comes home and of course she starts beaming. He then lifts her up in the air and the cutest giggles ensue. He did it a few more times and luckily I was able to capture a video of it. It was so amazing to hear what her laugh will likely sound like. (We've tried to recreate this scenario for the last couple of days with no such luck). It was so precious and I can't wait to hear more laughs. I'm working on my delivery to see if that might help her find me funny.
We've wanted to decorate for Christmas for the last several weekends but for a variety of reasons this has not been possible. I was resolved on Monday that we HAD to decorate that night. I made a nice big dinner and we set-up the tree. Even though Nora won't know the difference I felt like I was getting an F in parenthood for not decorating this year. We finally have hung the stockings and put up the tree and it's really helped to put me more in the holiday spirit (that and a Phil Spector Christmas album). I still need to take her to see Santa but I'm really hesitant to hang out in a germ-filled mall. I got a secret tip about free photos and no lines at Bass Pro Shop (which I HATE) but I might have to suck it up so that I can have a First Christmas photo of Nora. I'm going to put that on the docket for tomorrow.
I'm feeling really overwhelmed this holiday season. I think it's just because everything takes a little bit longer with baby. It's also reminding me that my maternity leave is quickly coming to an end. I feel like there is so much to prep for. My sister is coming into town Sunday (hooray!) and Nora is being baptized on December 27. I have realized I haven't invited anyone to the baptism yet, which is problematic since it's right after Christmas and in a little over a week. (If you are reading this and would like to attend, consider yourself invited).
I still have our Christmas cards sitting on my coffee table and desperately need to get those sent out as well. I'm so nervous for going back to work. I can barely get everything done now so I can't really imagine what it's going to be like when I go back to work. Yikes!!! One day at a time. Deep breaths...
To end on a positive note- Nora really couldn't be cuter right now kicking around in her bouncy chair chatting with me and my darling husband made me a pretty fabulous latte this morning (good thing- there's a lot to do on this Santa's list).
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I feel overwhelmed myself and I think a lot has to do with going back to work...I look forward to going back but as the days inch closer I feel more anxiety. Your tree and stockings are lovely. This is the first year in I don't know how many that I only sent out just a handful of cards. It was just to hard to send 70 Christmas cards this year lol!!!
ReplyDeleteThe holidays are stressful enough without the addition of a new baby and the pressure of having to go back to work soon, so you definitely have my sympathies! Maybe it would help to just let some things go temporarily (you can pick them back up next year if you want). Like with the Santa pic, on the one hand it probably wouldn't be that bad to take Nora during a less-busy time, especially if she can still be carried in the sling, but it also wouldn't be that bad to skip the picture entirely. Same with the cards - send fewer (or none), and don't feel like you have to write individual notes to everyone. Good luck, and as you said, deep breaths!
ReplyDeleteShe is the most precious thing. Skip the cards this year...get to the santa/picture about 15 minutes before they start taking pictures and you will be golden! Enjoy the kiddo!
ReplyDeleteWell, Kali is four today, and I still need to get those Christmas cards out!! Hahaha. Wont happen today because we have our homestudy visit tomorrow, and I still have a lot of cleaning, and also need to spend some birthday time with her before hubby comes home early, and we take her out.
ReplyDeleteI'm in a little different boat. I am looking for a job, even though I hate the idea of being away from her. She thankfully, will be with family when I do work so I am not stressed about her quality of care, but I just hate being away from her. I have worked off and on while she was little but more like subbing at a school and things like that. This time, it needs to be as full-time as possible. I know I would be better with this if it was part-time. Since I am having no luck though, maybe part-time will suit my hubby for a while. We just really need to start putting some money up. We are not getting any younger, and we so want to adopt another baby, and having the extra money would be so helpful.
Believe it or not, Kali had her first Christmas picture with Santa, last year! I just could not deal with taking her to sit on the big guy's lap knowing how many kids were on his lap, and in our case, she did not have any prenatal care, which worried me. Also, she was a week old her first Christmas and since we were not taking her really anywhere in public that first month, there was really no way to do it. Then when she was around one, and I thought about it, we went to a birthday party and there was someone in a character suit, and she freaked out. I just didnt want the crying santa picture so I held off another year. Then she was 2, and I ask her if she wanted to see him, and she made it clear, NO. Even when we were in the mall and she saw him from a distance, no, mommy, dont want to see him, but she would smile at him from a distance. So last year was so special, and this year even more. Funny, last year, she jumped on his lap, grabbed his neck, and looked into his eyes, and exclaimed that she wanted presents, smiled for the picture and was off, hahah. The Bass Pro experience was so nice for us. Just make sure you go on Saturday or Sunday to get your pass so you do not have to wait in line so long. We went during the week, when there was no pass. Take turns holding her or put her in the buggy with a toy even if you do not buy it for her to play with, and one of you walk around in sight, and the experience will be better. There is so much to see there.
Thanks for updating on Dr. Phil. I had been wondering.
The giggles!! Aw, you will not forget those giggles!
Your house is so cute! Glad you decorated, you will be too, later when you see the pictures, and enjoy it throughout the rest of the season.
Praying that the work situation will be easier than you think. Sorry for the long post, and thanks for the nice comments on my blog.
That little girl is too precious!
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas last year was a blur, and not all that fun. This year, though, has been so much better. Christmas with a one-year old is more motivating than Christmas with a newborn. You get an A+ for effort:-D