A Christmas to Remember

Hello Santa.......you are scary! After traumatizing Connor with a visit to see the man in red we thought it was only fitting to reward him with a visit to see the Mouse with red shorts. My family has made our annual Christmas voyage to Disney World for over 15 years. It is a tradition that is very important for us to keep. No matter how down you are, nothing brings you up better than a stroll down Main Street USA, especially bedazzled with Christmas ornamentation. This trip was especially fun because Connor really took it all in. He wanted to touch the big bouquets of balloons, and catch the "snow" falling from the air. He's still not sure about other dressed up characters, but he loved the rides. He very desperately wanted to ride the Race Cars on the Speedway but came up about 1/2 inch too short. We couldn't believe how close he was to the 32" mark. He is one tall boy for 14 months old. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day either, and it was just the icing on the cake.




Of course we took in the great lights at Hollywood Studios, and we ended our Disney adventure at Ohana which has now become another tradition. Every time we go I tell myself to take my time with the food, but then I just rush forward and eat until my heart is content. Each item they bring out seems to be more tasty than the last. Then one tends to go back for seconds, thirds, and sometimes fourths. Add to the list the dessert and you leave popping a button. Little Connor slept through the whole thing, even with our raucous laughter, the baby was content.

Christmas Eve was spent at our house again this year with a yummy roast and other fixings. I didn't decorate much this year because Connor has the innate ability to make anything into a toy. I figured if the tree was up and decorated, what else did we need? It was nice putting the table together to entertain for the evening. We watched Elf and then made our way to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at church. Connor wore his first tie, and I cannot get over what a big boy he is turning into. Again he found dreamland during the service, and we didn't have to worry about him burning down the building with lit candles.



Mommy and Daddy were very excited for this Christmas with Connor. Last year was special and he responded to the presents, but this year took on an entire new phase of gift opening. His squeals of delight, laughter, and facial expressions will forever remain in my heart. The little boy was on cloud nine!! His big gift waiting by the tree this year was a Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, complete with trailer. He could not contain his excitement! He knew just what to do to, and opened the door, got himself in, closed the door behind him and started turning the steering wheel back and forth. It was the most satisfying experience as a mother to watch him thoroughly enjoy himself. This is how a child gets spoiled. I love giving him things he truly appreciates. Luckily, he is far from being Veruca Salt. He was certainly on the Nice list this year. Santa brought him plenty of things that roll, especially cars and trucks which are his favorite right now.



This year we finally had our first taste of Monkey Bread, and boy was it good. I know, I know, who hasn't had monkey bread? Well, the people in this family could certainly raise their hand up until Christmas morning. I think it will be a Christmas staple, and a birthday staple, and an anniversary staple, and a fourth Saturday of the month staple (wait is that tomorrow)....etc


Christmas morning at Grandma Glenda's house was just as special. With getting his very own motorized Lightning McQueen, to his own Alarm Key Chain, each gift was an adventure. I will have to post the video Connor cracking up pushing buttons on his keys. It had the whole house laughing. He truly is a constant source of joy, and we are in such awe of him. I don't understand the people who aren't as thrilled with him as we are, but then again we are a little biased. Three days before Christmas marked the 3 month anniversary of Dad's accident. Some days are much harder than other days, but I can say that Connor is a constant reminder to "Keep moving forward". On the tough days I can almost hear dad saying come on Kristin, pull it together. He was very tender towards me though, and I know he would have wanted to be here with us to enjoy this Christmas like we did. I know though that he had a much better Christmas than we could ever imagine, but it doesn't make me miss him any less. I'm looking forward to a 2012 that holds more Joy and Laughter than Heartache and Tears. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Rush

It has been nearly a month since my last update. So much has been going on and we are constantly in the middle of something. Almost every day of December has a marking on our calendar. I really have to take the time to remember to slow down and enjoy the time we have with each other even if we are busy.

Thanksgiving was beautiful. We spent it at Grandma Glenda's and everything that we ate was absolutely mouth-wateringly delicious. You know how some years the casseroles are a little off, well we didn't have that problem this year. Everything was great. We spent it with loved ones, and it was very bitter sweet. I didn't have my "dad talk" that day, and it was just another reminder of how much I miss him. Connor spent the morning playing quarterback at Tim's annual Turkey Bowl, and then the Fisher's joined us for our supper at mom's. It was very memorable. We spent Black Friday taking our Christmas pictures, and I have to say my friend Anthony did an incredible job. We had fun, that's for sure!

December has been Christmas non-stop. With Kaitlyn being in the pageant at First Baptist of Ft. Lauderdale, and I running rehearsals for our Holiday Program at school, I feel a little Holi-dazed. We are never sure when we are going to get a free moment, and in a way that has been good. I can see why people get lonely around this time of year, but with our flurry of activity I keep my mind occupied.

Connor is growing daily. He loves to say vroom vroom when he is playing with his cars, and he has actually mastered dribbling a soccer ball with his feet as he walks (much to Tim's chagrin). He is enamored with animals even if they don't want him near them. He's been scratched a few times by Kaitlyn's kitten, and yet he keeps going back for more. I guess he'll learn one day. For our child that has still not mastered sleeping through the night, this week we've had a few gains. We had two nights where we only had to get up with him once, and we were able to put him back in his crib. He then woke up at 5am, but Hallelujah, it was amazing. I think we have forgotten what sleep is, and some days we still walk around like Zombies. He has a favorite book now too that he likes to open up and point at the pictures. He says his vroom vrooms when he sees the cars on the page, he holds his hand up to his ear when he sees the picture of the phone, and he kisses the big kitten page. Oh how I love those kisses. When he blows them, he starts with a great big build up of "mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (wait for it)mmmmm-uah". Solid foods have been interesting for us and he tends to stick with Mac and Cheese, and chicken nuggets. I know that is what he will eat. Everything else is a crap shoot and most of the time ends up all over him, the floor, and Roxy's mouth. Oh yes, he feeds Roxy straight from his high chair. He thinks it's hysterical. We now have to put Roxy away during dinner time. We had a bout the past few weeks of Connor having separation anxiety as we dropped him off in the nursery during church. It was terrible, I've never seen him so upset. He starts screaming before you even get to the door. I have to say it's one of the most heart wrenching things to have to do. I think we may be getting over the hump, but we will see once we get back after our Holiday traveling.

Traveling? Oh yes, we are heading to our Happy Place. Maybe this time Connor will like the characters. I won't bet on it though. After his meltdown with Santa, it might be a while before he is ready for big characters that don't look like normal people. We were so excited to get his picture taken with Santa, and our little man had other plans. He was not very happy being placed in a stranger's lap, and certainly one that doesn't look like someone he might know. The Santa was very nice though, and told me Connor was doing the right thing. He said it's what I would want my baby to do if a stranger was taking him, and how was this any different. Oh sweet Santa. My little boy has been very good this year!