Christmas Photos

We had a wonderful Christmas. My parents were able to come the day before Christmas eve to stay with us and spend some extra time with River. My sister and her family came for Christmas day. We had our neighbors come to join us for dinner on Christmas eve.

River was overwhelmed with the whole idea of Christmas. He did enjoy himself, but I don't think he knew what to make of it all. He didn't know what do when he saw the tree in the morning. We gave him his stocking and after getting a candy cane, first thing in the morning, he started to figure out it was a special day. He opened all his presents himself (mostly). We had to open all his toys as he unwrapped them. He REALLY loved getting his new trike. It was sent from Grandpa and Grandma Fields. They had told us it was a nice trike, but we did not know what to expect. We were so surprised to see it. River wanted to get on and never get off. We had to push him on it all around the house. Eventually we had to hide it for a while so we could move on. River's Nama and Papa sent him some books and a cool Thomas Trian. River loves trains. He also has a neat spring horse from my parents. It is plush and it sings and talks.

It was so nice to have family together and to see River experience the holiday, but I am happy to be moving on to the New Year. Something about the end of the year makes me want to clean and get reorganized. Needless to say, Brian and I will be busy beaver's around the house this weekend. After the new year I want to find some time to take River to the snow and find some fun things we can do outside, even if it is raining. Also the days should start to get a little longer by the end of January. That is definitely something to look forward to!

Good News

Our truck was returned to us this morning. We had to go pick it up from downtown at 3:30. Nothing was missing and there was NO damage to the truck at all. Weird. We are relieved to have our truck back and our life back to normal. Stay posted for Christmas photos.

Brian's Work Day

Today Brian went on the Army ships to check some stuff out. It was a clear, cold day. A nice change from the grey, stormy weather.

A Great Morning

Today I took River to the mall. I had one quick Christmas present to buy and I wanted Starbucks. River was a perfect angel!! He walked on his own (no hand holding) through JC Penny's with me. He did not touch, grab or break anything. We then went to Starbucks and he walked the whole way ON HIS OWN. He waited right by me while I ordered, paid and waited for my drink. He then walked all the way back to the play area to content himself with paying IN the play area and did not try to escape. This is NOT what usually happens when we go to the mall. Usually there is hand holding, carrying and tantrums. We also went to look at Santa and get snacks from Subway. River let me carry him and even snuggled me. I just can't believe that was my son behaving so well at the mall. I had a great time with him and felt like I was out with my little buddy. Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel, can it be that all the battles we have had over behaving are begining to pay off? Most likely River just decided to take it easy on his Mom today. I won't hold my breath, but maybe I will hope a bit. Either way it was a great morning and for now I am gonna take all the credit for it.

TAKEN

After shopping with friends last night , we decided to head into Downtown Olympia for a bite to eat and some fun. I parked my truck in front on the street and when we returned to leave it was GONE!!! Another car was parked in it's place. It was not towed, it was stolen. It was very shocking to all of us, this kind of stuff does not happen in Olympia. Oh well, what can we do but deal with it. I will be getting a rental car on Monday. My sister is lending me an extra car seat until we figure out what else to do. I am happy that me and my family and friends are all safe. I will miss my big truck.

SNOW!!!!!!!

Although not officailly our first snow this year, it is the first snow that both stuck and River got to play in. (even with a cold)

Playgroup

Friday we went with our group to the Nisqually Wildlife Delta. The weather was cold!!! We walked probably 2 miles or so and then the kids got to play. River couldn't have been happier. He loves to be around other kids and is always happiest outside. It is so great to see him really interacting and becoming independent. The Nisqually Delta is a protected habitat for birds and ducks. It is a very pretty place and all flat walking. I love to take River there. Since then, he has developed a cold. That really is a bummer since he just got over a big sickness from last weekend. I really don't mind him getting sick but I hate when it happens so close together. So far he seems to be weathering this new cold well. He has energy and an appetite. We do have more frequent tantrums but River has really gotten me used to that!!

What a Weekend

We have been busy over the weekend. Friday evening was all about River and his fever. We were in full on Mom and Dad mode and camped out in the living room all night. Poor River was so sick and was running a high fever. It took doses of both Tylenol and Ibuprofen to get it down. I had taken him to the Doctor earlier in the day and he was diagnosed with an ear infection and possible stomach bug. He still has not been eating much at all, but the fever is gone. I panic just a little when he runs fever because I am so scared he will have another seizure. Brian was great and brought home pizza and brought me all the things I needed to take care of River. Most of my time was spent just holding River.



After making it through the night we attempted to have a normal weekend. Today was the day to put up lights. It had started snowing and River seemed well enough to go out for a short time. I was excited about getting lights up and having it snow seemd even better to me, however, Brian did not find it as great. He was stuck putting up the lights in bare hands! River was not at all impressed by the snow and the effort of getting ready to go out seemed to be enuf to tire him out. He was quickly back inside for a nap. Whew!!!! After lunch, Brian decided to try to finish the floors downstairs. Everything was going along just fine when a lamp tipped over and we lost power to an entire circuit. We checked the breaker box, checked ground fault interrupters, made a late evening trip to the hardware store to replace a breaker and still nothing. As a matter of fact, it got worse. We now had breakers popping and new breakers tripping. My Dad came up and took a look at things and after checking for shorts and more of the same we are still right where we started.....having to call an electrician. I guess this stuff is part of the "character" of having an older home. Fortunately, we have power to all of our major appliances and hot water. An extension cord makes the computer usable again so we are not to bad off. It could be much worse. I hate having to call some one out, wait, wait, wait and then hope they really know what they are doing. Oh well.



I have a good handle on Christmas shopping, so I am looking forward to wrapping presents and finishing decorating and shopping. I plan to get a gift for the giving tree. Even through all of the events I think the Christmas spirit is sneaking up on me. Hope everyone had good weekends and has a great week to come.

Pictures to come.......