Ornament 2009

Originally uploaded by Kate Treap

This year Nana brought a snowman on a bell. Combining your father's love of snowmen and our devotion to the Polar Express theme. To hear you recount the Christmas story Nana told you in your own consolidated version was precious.

The magic, it's inside, and it comes down... put your head down and laugh.

Amazing.

A Very Merry...

DSC07939
Originally uploaded by Kate Treap

So far you have a very long, extended Christmas. Lucky kid that you are. So many people who love you. You've done so well with learning about opening presents and that it means lots of fun, exciting things for you. Still, your main concern is having us all together and sharing. Weather that means you lead us all hand in hand around the house or that you feed us all from your kitchen. When out and about dinning leading us all in raising our arms, clapping, cheering... whatever it may be everyone says "I see who runs the show". Happily we all do so though as we puff up our chests, oh-so-proud at how smart you are. Truly, this has been the best Christmas yet. Seeing you with snow, lights, Santa, decorations, helping with sugar cookies makes my heart so full of joy. This is the season for gratitude, family, home, festivities and I feel blessed to have you at the heart of it all.

Winter walk when we were excited to have snow... before the power loss! ;)

Winter walk when we were excited to have snow... before the power loss! ;)
Originally uploaded by Kate Treap

Oh sweet Haydin. Of course Dad and I were way more excited to see you in the snow than you were to be in it. It's too bad your winter hat didn't have a visor to keep it outta your face. That would have minimized some of the annoyance with it. You also were very tentative to walk on it. But Daddy made a sled to pull you around a bit and after the storm you and I had a fun time going for a walk in the melted tracks on the road. We spent most of the time cooped up at a friends and not playing outside since the joy of the storm was quickly gone after loosing power and having to get off the mountain. I'm sure next year it will be a big hit though.

Kiddos were too sleepy to do their part of the play. Had to stay wagon bound.

Kiddos were too sleepy to do their part of the play. Had to stay wagon bound.
Originally uploaded by Kate Treap

It was not what we expected but yet it was so great. You were too tired to be out there without the wagon or to do the songs you learned. It was wonderful to see the older kids and think of you singing like that in the future.

I'm hiding!

I'm hiding!
Originally uploaded by Kate Treap

I know this is something you'll never want to read about but I'm going to write about it anyway. You've just been weaned and our special moments of nutrition with nurture have ended. i was ready for it to happen, I'm just so physically tired of producing and waking so much in the night. Emotionally though it feels like I'm just an ordinary person now, nothing special. For the past 28 months my body has provided for you in such a way that no one else could. I prayed each time I held you in the quiet, don't let me forget this moment, sniffing your head, stroking your back, belly, legs, arms, marveling in your sweet independent-of-me thriving self. The weight of you in my arms changing, the silly and sweet things you would do in those moments, so many little things between you and I.

You already are sleeping longer and stronger. Ditto for me. I miss you though. Thanks for making the transition easy. You adapted so well. Not too many tears and kind understanding as we both sway, hum and pat each other's backs. The new routine of placing your sippy in a particular corner of your crib seems to be all you needed. That and Bear to cuddle.

Hanging Daddy's ornaments

Hanging Daddy's ornaments
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

We went to the farmer's market as usual to get the tree. Uncle Christopher and Aunt Colleen met us there. We had a great time decorating it and you've done so well with the ornaments. Only one swing of the golf club to the tree. So far lots of oohhs and ahhhs about lights inside and out. We've already watched the Polar Express three times! Took you today to sit on Santa's lap... that did not go over well! What DID go over well was the little train you got to ride on. Oh my you could have ridden that forever! Your presents have been ordered and I can't wait to get them and personally check them out! Cook, cook, cook!

Signing bathtime

Signing bathtime
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

Mr. Smartypants... that's you. Signing, speaking, just listening to what we say and responding in your own ways. Daddy came home the other night, played with you for a bit and looked at me in earnest saying "He's different today, he got smarter today, I can't explain it but what have you two been doing?" hehe....

You and me pal o' mine no one is the wiser of all our antics just the two of us are they?

The look of love and admiration

The look of love and admiration
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

I'm so thankful for your Aunt Colleen. It's taken me awhile as a new Momma to leave you with others. I feel blessed she has always offered and been gracious when I haven't taken her up on it. It's never been about the person watching you, more that I'm not, and how silly it makes a Mom feel guilty to not be able to do it all or even to want a break. However, now that I've gotten past that and been open to involving family (because really that's so important to my heart that you have these great trusting relationships with the other people in your life that love you) it's felt so wonderful. The other day Daddy and I needed to run errands and Auntie was so nice to come over and spend time with you. I think her heart is just full of so much love... maybe more than she even realizes. I love seeing you two together though since it's evident you mean a lot to her. So... we are lucky to have family, eh?

Tell them to push the meeting til 3 o' clock

Tell them to push the meeting til 3 o' clock
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

We don't want to forget your sign for drink/thirsty which is "mumb mumb" with your mouth open and closing and tongue flying in and out.

Poke!

Poke!
Originally uploaded by appalachianwomyn

I'm so excited your Auntie and Uncle are going to watch you tonight and Daddy and I are going out to play. I have no idea what we will do or where we will go but I know your U & A will have a blast with you and keep you safe, sound, happy.