seriously cute ...

Was she NOT the cutest baby in the history of the whole entire world?????

Christmas Day

Well we've made it through Christmas. Lucy has consistently shown that she could care less about opening gifts. It's so funny, she's been noticably absent during three different gift opening sessions. She's really not that into toys. She does love her new flashlight and her paints. I love all her new clothes especially the ones that are the next size up. I rarely have to buy her clothes and when I do it's normally just the add-ons (turtle necks, socks). Occasionally I can't resist a little Hanna A. and random pirate shirts but for the most part I don't blow any budget on Lucy's clothes.

Lucy had a very hard drop off at daycare this morning. I felt so sad for her, it was about the hardest drop off ever. Sometimes she cries but I can tell it's more of the "this situation is not under the control of Lucy the Queen" type of cry. This morning it was very sad crying. Hopefully once we get back into a post-holiday routine she'll readjust.

Christmas Eve

The party continued this afternoon. As you can see from the photos, Lucy's energy would not be contained.

Christmas Eve Eve Eve

We started the festivities early this year. The J family normal celebrates Christmas on Christmas day. In order to spread out the cheer and exhaustion, someone suggested we celebrate on Saturday instead. Lucy was all decked out in her fancy Christmas dress (thanks to Bennett's family). She was adorable. She handled her altered nap very well.

People person

My kid loves people so much. She remembers people the way a lot of 3 yr old boys remember Thomas the Tank Engine character names. She's crazy smart. She has her favorite people and some folks that she doesn't care much for and if she can't get her fix of people she's a real bear and a half. I on the other hand, would love to spend a week holed up in a cabin somewhere with no one else. I enjoy solitude. I rarely experience it anymore.

Seeing that it's the holiday season we will undoubtedly be surrounded by loads of people most days. Since I really didn't buy anything for Lucy for Christmas, she can consider rides to the parties my gift to her.

Just a (somewhat) random question to my readers: If you had the opportunity to ask questions to your child's first family what would you ask? What information would you send?

Twas the week before holiday break ...

The haunting of Lucy seems to be drawing to an end (and I am cursing myself because EVERYTIME I blog about something great she is doing, she does the opposite the next day ... it's like she can read). Sleep helped both of us a great deal. Lucy slept until after 7:30 this morning! I slept until 6:30, we both slept through the night. The wonders never cease. I only have two more days of work then I have two weeks and one day off!!!!

Finding Lucy

For a couple of days it seems as if Lucy disappeared. The toddler imposter that was living at my house was excessively demanding, whiney, cryie, and well lets say that she made me question my ability to parent sanely. She made me cry! This morning I think I found her. I hope I didn't screw things up by putting the "good' Lucy to bed. I fear that what may emerge is that imposter Lucy. It's about the only time I HOPED she was getting sick (the other option being new "stage"). Please please please let good ol'Happy girl emerge from the nap room. The photos are from yesterday's attempt to find Happy Lucy somewhere outdoors. She wasn't there. We didn't actually make it to the sledding hill because imposter Lucy spent about 10 minutes sitting on a snow bank about 4 corners from our house. She refused to walk, ride in the sled or be carried. So there we sat. We also celebrated Christmas with Lucy's "boys". Their mother and I think that Nathan and Lucy might actually end up as a couple one day. I hope the photo of Lucy and Isaac snuggling doesn't cause any problems in the future.

La Posada de la Hispanidad

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An evening of fun with our friends

We are starting our New Year's resolutions early ... making time to appreciate the people in our lives! Of course we had to start with two of the most important people...

Home Wrecker

This is my mother's 2nd failed attempt at a Gingerbread House. Apparently "it's not as easy as it looks".

Having Fun ...

It's party time and Lucy is definately up for a party! I might be shy but my daughter is all about people. She knows who's who and has a memory like an elephant when it comes to people. We went to my agency's holiday Party (for the clients ... the staff one comes in January and will definately involve wine and a babysitter). Lucy loved the crafts and of course Santa. Morgan loved seeing his mommy and since it's her BIRTHDAY we had to go visit. Tonight is normally the night I watch Morgan so I bundled the kids up and took them to work (if you all don't know Morgan's momma and I work together).

Random

Well the weekend is over. Lucy is sleeping and when she wakes up it will be another work week. With the holidays approaching work is crazy. We do a holiday store where our clients can shop for gifts for their family. It's an important event and it means a lot to our clients and their children. You'd think it would be fun to go shopping with a couple thousand dollars to spend on toys and gifts ... running through Target with cart after cart of merchandise. It is fun in a way but it's exhausting and a little stressful. Holidays at home mean visits with Santa, turning on the pretty lights in our house and oohhhing and aaahhing over the lights as we drive by.

I should find out this week or next whether I will be the person who donates a kidney to my uncle. I am sure we both just want to know the answer and want to get it over with as soon as possible (for his health and my sanity).

Photos are random shots from the weekend.

Congratulations!!!

I am beyond excited for the Baker family! They followed their hearts and their hearts are very blessed. I saw the waiting children's e-mail too and felt the pull towards these amazing little boys.

Different Year Different Santa

Last year at this time we (I) was being traumatized by the Santa Experience. I was traumatized more then once. In fact I was traumatized a lot! So finally I just decided that at least we'll get to see Santa during my work Christmas party ... well we saw him for several hours as we were both Santa's helpers and well Lucy ended up being the traumatized one. This year was different. My cousin Terri called me early on to let me in on a "secret". You can make an appointment to see Santa at the Mall of America. I was so excited. I made an appointment for Lucy AND Morgan to see Santa. Santa was right on time. Neither kid was freaked out. It was a joyful and positive experience. Lucy asked for candies (where on earth does she get that, I told her to say mini-van, baby brother/sister, daddy, anything ... but candy???) We had the kids photos taken together. It was a lot of fun and possibly the start of a new tradition for our families. I think the photo turned out cute too.

Loving the present ... wanting the future

disclaimer: I am feeling the effects of nighttime cough medicine.

I am so happy with what I have in my life. I have this beautiful daughter to raise. She is beautiful in every way and is a joy. I have a good job that is fulfilling, demanding, utilizes my degree and is flexible, allowing me to have lots of time with my daughter. I have supportive and loving family. I have lots of amazing friends. I have a home. I have my health. I have a lot.

I want more.

I can't help it. I want to adopt another child. I am afraid Ethiopia will close to singles before I can get it together financially. My wonderful job is hard on the pocketbook. I keep thinking ... once I pay off the credit card and the student loan ... I could afford the monthly increase for health and child care and the adoption expenses.

I think Lucy would be an awesome big sister (or even little sister).

I had to say it ...

Winter

It's WAY to early to start whining. It's only December 1st and we haven't even left Christmas break yet but still ... still ... I am left here wondering how we're going to make it through. I think snow is beautiful but winter is so limiting. The days turn to night before the work day ends. It's cold outside. Parks are not the friend of a 2 yr old who doesn't like cold wind. It's limits my energetic 2 yr olds physical energy to stay home. Malls offer some relief but my independant girl hates holding hands and is quick as lighting. Maybe some of you know what I am talking about but keeping an eye on a little kid who is not attached by a stroller, sling or hand is nauseating. It's like trying to watch two things at the same time; her and the rest of the world. We tried to get some relief on Friday night by going to an indoor playland. Lucy had a lot of fun and she definately released energy. I hope the germfield didn't plant one in her!

Goofball

Lucy is hysterical. She loves being funny and quirky. She loves dress-up and she loves "doing the dishes".