A Chistmas Story

I have a special Christmas story I'd like to share. (I do realize it's January, but indulge me...)

One day just before Christmas, while hubby was out of the country and Island Boy and I had just returned from the emergency room, we received a package. I didn't recognize the return address, so I set it aside to open upon hubby's return.

Hubby didn't recognize the return address either, so we once again checked to be sure it was addressed to us, then eagerly opened the package, having no idea what to expect. It turns out the package was from someone whom we've never met! Although our gift giving angel is extended family of a sort, the gift was far from expected and really made our day (and possibly our entire month).

The contents of the package were as special as the idea of the gift itself. You see, our gift giving angel is a children's librarian who clearly loves her work so much that she is passionate about sharing, even outside her workplace. She shared with us a variety of books that will feed Island Boy's curiosity and development. We were thrilled to have some guidance in wading through the incredible number of children's book offerings out there (some are good, some less so and it's not easy to tell without spending hours and hours researching the darn things).

We are as grateful as can be and figure that one of the best things we can do to demonstrate our gratitude is to pass along the message:

Read to your babies and children! Visit your local library and talk to your librarians! They can open the world up for your children (and possibly even for you!).

Enjoy!
p.s. And go send a gift to someone who isn't expecting it! :-)

Suiteless in Columbus

Another "highlight" of our holiday trip was that we got a spectacular deal on a hotel through Priceline. Really, it was an unbelievable deal for a very nice hotel for our two nights in Ohio's capital city.

Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me that we might want - nay, NEED to have a suite. An easy enough mistake to make I suppose since we have never needed one before (other than for those few nights in Taiwan and that particular detail slipped my mind completely as I scored the sweet (not suite) deal). We quickly learned that a suite will now be essential for any future travel lest we all want an 8:30 bedtime complete with lights out. It's either that or lights on, normal bedtime, grumpy baby.

In the future, we'll take the suite, thanks!

Back!

Like many Americans, we spent New Year's Day in bed. However, we weren't nursing a hangover. No, we are busy battling a bug picked up as a reward for holiday travel. (It continues to amaze me that we can travel the world for weeks or even months at a time in good health, but take a domestic trip over the holidays and, in the words of Emeril, "BAM!")

In any case, we're finally well along on the road to recovery and we have some catching up to do! Island Boy had a great time in the Midwest over the holidays, playing with his cousins and spending time with his family there. It's difficult to choose just a few highlights from the trip, but I'll give it a shot.

Island Boy loved meeting his cousins. It was so sweet to see them giving each other a hug! He was also delighted with the flying pig ornament. Who wouldn't be?

Island Boy learned to navigate stairs in both directions (his previous practical experience was limited to the upward direction) since Grandma has 2 very nice easy carpeted steps separating the giant Bucket O' Toys (which doubles as a drum) from the remainder of the house. Early attempts involved a logical, yet slightly alarming head first maneuver. Since most stairs are not so head first friendly, we were pleased to see his technique evolve into a feet first method by the end of our visit.

Island Boy picked up a new part trick! I don't actually have a shot of that particular maneuver in the Christmas collection, but I promise to post one soon.

We were a little sad that we didn't have snow on Christmas Day (I LOVE a white Christmas and we almost always have one), but the weather was beautiful (although cold).

Cows!! Oh, my goodness, we saw cows!! Island Boy was SOOOO excited to see cows! He also loved crawling through the leaves (don't worry, these were not within the bovine zone).

So, there you have it...a few highlights from our holidays and Island Boy's very first Christmas.

Strangest Stranger

How weird is this?

Today hubby and I took Island Boy to the local Farmer's Market, as we often do (shockingly, our first outing of this year!). After a pleasant visit with our local farmers, we paused to enjoy the adjacent park. We all sat on the grass for a bit, Island Boy crawled around and we generally had a good time.

Until...a stranger approached. There we were sitting quietly: I, relaxing near the stroller; Island Boy not far away sitting peacefully on the grass while Daddy stood next to him. Odd Lady approached, knelt down next to Island Boy and made some little playing with baby gestures to see if she could get him to smile at her (she could not), then she reached out and...PICKED HIM UP!!! WHAT?!! What on earth could she have been thinking?! A perfect demonstration of the fact that not everyone's head works the same as mine. Daddy rapidly intervened and made it very clear that was NOT OK. Odd Lady walked away without saying a word.

We were floored. Simply floored. I mean I really cannot think of a time when anyone approached our DOGS without saying something to us and people would typically ask if they could pet our dogs. How could you possibly think it was ok to even TOUCH someone else's baby, let along PICK THEM UP?!

You just never know what to expect, do you?

Quiet

If it seems like things have been a little quieter than usual over here at Island Boy, that's because we've been very very sick. Fear not, Island Boy is somehow managing far better than Mommy and Daddy. Hopefully, we'll be back to our normal chatty selves soon.

All I Want for Christmas...

Have you heard the tune "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"? Apparently, Island Boy had been singing it, because seemingly overnight, we noticed two adorable little crunchers popping through under his upper lip!

Oh, how thrilled we are to see him doubling his dental count yet we are simultaneously painfully aware of how quickly time passes. Before we know it, he'll have a mouth full of pearly whites and not long after that, he'll be asking for the car keys. We're trying to savor every moment.

Happy New Year!

We're back from a holiday trip to the Midwest to introduce Island Boy to his family there. Island Boy had a great time playing with his cousins, aunts, uncles, Grandma and Grandpa and extended family. (more on that later...)

Although we're not big on resolutions, the New Year is always a time of reflection. Thoughts often turn to the kinds of things we hope for in the coming year with family and friends always foremost on our minds and a variety of thoughts around fitness, fun and finance always in the mix. This year, I am humbled by knowing that the way I choose to spend my time will help to shape the life and future of this small child.

As intimidating as that is, we'll do our best with our choices as all parents do.

More than anything this year, we hope for good health for our families and friends including you dear readers whom we've never met. Happy New Year!