Random thoughts...

-Today is the 6th day in a row that I've been sick. Seriously cold...go away! I've now lost my voice and I look a hot mess--probably because that is how I feel.
-Listening to my daugther sing Christmas carols is one of my favorite memories so far this year. It is absolutely precious. Her favorites are Rudolph and Feliz Navidad. I'm pretty convinced we should be Mexican. I love Mexican food, she loves Dora, and we both love Feliz Navidad.
-Paxton gave me the biggest hug last night and patted me on the back. Oh my gosh, melt.my.heart! That little man is so incredibly sweet. For every temper tantrum he throws (which are many), he does something so sweet and cute, you almost forget about everything else.
-This week, my Dad finds out if his colon cancer is back. They think the polyp is probably benign, but the Dr is still recommending surgery to remove more of his colon. Why is it that men refuse things that are important? Of course, my Dad is refusing unless the biopsy comes back indicating that the cancer is back. Don't they know how important it is to listen to the Doctor?
-Today is Day 17 that my husband has been doing P90X. I'm so impressed and proud of him for sticking with it. If I haven't mentioned it lately, he is amazing.
-This week sucks at work. I have a major report due on telework. This is a report that will ultimately go to Congress so --extremely important. It's due today. Am I ready/prepared?? No. Guess I should get back to work now.

Today I am thankful...

that we finally got an appointment for Paxton with the Calvert County Infants and Toddlers Program. Woo hoo!!! Now, he can finally be evaluated and they can teach us how to help him with his eating issues and hopefully...he'll even start talking more! Our home evaluation is Dec. 7th. I am really looking forward to getting started and so thankful that we got an appointment.

Today, I am thankful...

for my healthy children. So many people are going through so much. I was reminded of that this morning as I was typing up my report for my latest Make a Wish kid. This girl is so incrediably sweet and she has such a big heart. I can't imagine the pain that she has been through and the pain that her family has been through. I am just so grateful that I do not have to watch my children suffer and that they are healthy and happy.

Today, I am thankful for...

-Slobbery Paxton kisses!!! He is finally becoming more generous with his hugs and kisses and I am loving every minute of it.
-the opportunity to help with Mia's sunday school class and influence the kids in a positive way (this came about as she would not stay in class alone without throwing a tantrum, but worked out in the long run).
-a loving and easy going husband. I am not the easiest person to live with and he is so laid back, he is able to go with the flow, despite my craziness and OCD tendencies.

Today

I am thankful that I made it to work safely! One of the guys in my carpool drove today and I was terrified. It was rainy and he tailgates. I was so nervous my palms were sweating.
I'm also thankful that Mia did GREAT at school yesterday during nap. Yesterday was the first day that she slept on a cot (she had been in a pack and play). She does not like change so I was surprised to hear that she did so well.

Today I am thankful ....

-that Mia still loves to be rocked before bed. Though I get annoyed with her delaying bedtime antics, I -secretly LOVE holding her and snuggling with her before bed.
-for Paxton's contagious and adorable smile. He is so happy. His smile is like the sun, it brightens your day and fills you with warmth and happiness.
-for Iheart Radio. I get to listen to my favorite morning radio show now at work. It makes my day go by so much faster.

Today I am thankful

-That I can (barely) afford to have a cleaning lady come to our house every 3 weeks. It is so nice to come home to a clean house, even if it does only last for 2 minutes.
-My gorgeous drive into work. Ok, minus going through SE DC, I also get to ride by the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial daily. It is really beautiful, especially when it is still dark.

Today, I'm thankful for.....

-The huge hugs from my kids. They give the best hugs ever. I never knew I could love anyone as much as I love them.
-My job. Yes, I'm crazy busy and overwhelmed with open season and telework stuff, but that's job security, right?
-Fountain cokes and chocolate covered donuts. I don't do coffee, but I do love my soda every morning.
-For pinterest. As ridculous as that sounds, I'm using it this week to find photo ideas for our family pictures Saturday. So much easier to find so many ideas in one spot!
-That black Friday ads are out early so I can plan my shopping. I just wish the leappad was onsale this year.

In honor of Thanksgiving....

I seem to always find things to complain about so this month, I am going to post at least 1 thing daily that I am thankful for.
Today, I am thankful that Paxton will eat a banana that is mashed up! This is a huge accomplishment for him and I am so happy.
I am also thankful for having friends over for dinner and hanging out. It was nice to be able to
talk to other adults and have our kids play together last night. I so need to do that more often.
Lastly, today I am thankful for rewards points on my credit card. I just cashed them in for $200, which I can use towards Christmas gifts. Cha-ching. Yay me!

Christmas

I love Christmas. It is my favorite time of year. I love everything about it. I love shopping, I love the decorations, the food, the excitement, the traditions, everything. Every year, I pressure my husband to put the tree up (or bring it down so I can put it up) earlier and earlier. It is such a pain to put it, I feel like I want to enjoy it as long as possible. The kids absolutely love it. We did have to put a gate around it this year as Paxton kept whacking it with Mia's magic wants and baby stroller. Here's a picture of Mia right after we put our tree up.

Paxton's new haircut

I asked for a fo hawk, but we got an older lady this time and she didn't know what that was. Oh well. I can work with this cut and he seems to like it.

I don't wanna nap

I'd rather play with a fork and watch the Young and the Restless with mommy

Cheese

Do-able bucket list

My ultimate bucket list involves a lot of time and money--neither of which we have. It also involves a lot of travel, which is not fun with a 3 year old and 16 month old. So, this is my short-term, do-able bucket list.

1. Get my hair and make-up done by the girls of Jerseylicious (specifically Gigi and Olivia). I'm totally hooked on that show and I love them. I just want to sit, drink wine, and gossip with them.

2. Eat at Bobby Flay's restaurant in Atlantic City. I'm obsessed with Bobby Flay. I don't think he's hot or even really attractive, but I love his personality. He's humble and gracious and really funny. Plus, his food looks amazing.

3. Go up in the Washington Monument. I'm asshamed to say I've lived in MD/VA my entire life and I work within walking distance of the monument and have never been inside.

4. Go up in the Statue of Liberty. Again, been to NYC so many times, yet I never make the time.

5. Host a girls night out soon at the local winery with wine and the new fondue set that Santa had better bring me for Christmas.

work

I never used to want to be a stay at home mom. I like my job. I like interacting with adults and feeling like I'm doing something useful and accomplishing something. I like helping people, but recently, I've been really wishing I could stay home with the kids. I miss them. Mia is in "preschool", but I feel like I could do so much with Paxton. I'm grateful that he is with my mom, but there are so many things I need to work on with him, especially with his food/texture issues. It is so frustrating that I don't have the time to really put into helping him they way that I would like. I get home just in time to make dinner. Sometimes, my mom has already fed him because it's late and he is hungry. I'm jealous of those moms who get to have play dates during the day. I guess on the flip side, maybe they are jealous too? I work so that I can afford to do things with my kids and take them places. I work so that we can afford our house. Hopefully, this tradeoff will pay off someday.