LIFE AS A LANKFORD

I was 28 weeks on Wednesday and had my check-up with glucose test.  I passed the test the first time with Avery, but I was still nervous.  This office does a meal test where you have 5 meals/snacks to choose from instead of drinking the drink.  Because several options invovle milk, both times I've chosen a pb&j, 15 potato chips, and a Coke.  With Avery, I'm sure I ate normal that day since I was a school, but this time I thought it would be good to eat mainly protein with just a few carbs thrown in.  My appointment was at 2:20 so I had to eat at 1:20.  I was pretty hungry when that time rolled around.

My efforts were in vain, because a not-good number popped up on the tester.  I was so bummed.  I was seeing the doctor who delivered Avery instead of my nurse practitioner, and after the stress of the finger prick and the test results, the bottom number of my BP was slightly elevated.  My nurse practitioner would have waited and done it again, but this nurse didn't.  So, the doctor just had great news in all areas!  She said my glucose reading was so high, so wasn't going to put me through the 3-hour test.  However, I've seen plenty of scores online that were higher, and many of those people passed the 3-hour.  Instead, they've given me a diet to follow, and I'll go back in 2 weeks, have my sugar checked while fasting, go get breakfast, and have it checked again.  Then supposedly I'll see a dietician if needed.  I say supposedly because I really got no guidance on any of this.  The doctor wanted to do some bloodwork because of my "elevated" BP, and it was then I realized that the doctor was done with me without giving me any instructions.  The nurse gave me a sheet for a 2,000 calorie diet, but I wasn't told whether to count calories or carbs, which seems to apply more to this.  My nurse practitioner is off until Tuesday, so I'm kind of winging it until then.

I know this has little to do with my lifestyle and all to do with what this particular pregnancy is doing to my body, but it's still frustrating.  The most frustrating part though has been the lack of help with what I'm supposed to do.  Today I've been hungry, and I know that's not good for the baby or a person my size.  The doctor is great in the delivery room, but she falls extremely short compared to the time my nurse practitioner takes with me.  I'm ready to talk to her on Tuesday and find out a little more before I go back the 10th.  I feel she'll say my BP was no issue, especially since it was just a tad higher than normal and my urine was clear.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Center says 2.25 pounds and about 14.5 inches long.

Total Weight Gain: I had gained 4 or 5 pounds (can't remember my weight last time), so I think that was good since we just went through Christmas.  I was measuring 27 weeks this time, where last time I measured on time.  Obviously neither I nor the baby are packing on too many pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes.  I'm still getting into some of my regular pants and wearing them with the band, but I feel that's coming to an end.  I'm thankful that I can still wear my coats and hopefully won't have to buy a new one.

Movement: We have another mover on our hands. In the last few weeks we've really transitions from kicks and flutters to movement where I can feel body parts pushing and moving against me.  Sometimes I'm not sure what's going on in there.  Hiccups occur several times each day.

Gender: It's a boy! His name is Samuel Vincent, and we'll call him Sam.

Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty well. I've been waking up again in the early mornings and then waking every 30 minutes or so in the last week.  Indigestion/reflux woke me up a few nights ago.

What I Miss: I miss being able to carry Avery comfortably.  It can even be a challenge to sit together or rock.  I also miss not worrying about how everything is going, if I'm over-doing it, etc.  I'm sure there will be some food added to this list next time.

Cravings: My cravings continue to come and go.  Something will be really good one week, but I won't want it the next.  I still really want a turkey sandwich and haven't let myself have one in awhile.  Once Sam comes, we may be making a trip to the Outer Banks to get my favorite turkey sandwich with apple slices.  I've really wanted chocolate pie for awhile, and my mom is making one this weekend.  Somehow it will get fit into that diet!

Symptoms: I'm feeling pretty good.  I had a sinus infection for about 2 weeks that was a pain.  Indigestion has come back some in the last few days, but I'm hoping that was holiday eating.  It's getting harder and harder to carry Avery up the steps without dying.  Sometimes I feel like I may have restless leg symptoms.  I only notice it at night when I lay on the couch, and it's only in which ever leg is on top when I'm laying on my side.

Best Moment This Week: The Christmas holiday was wonderful, as was all the time at home to spend with family and rest.  Also, we've been reading a Christmas book that talks about Mary and Joseph having a lot to do to get ready for baby Jesus.  Each time we get to that part, Avery talks about getting ready for baby Sam.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to continuing to receive good reports at the doctor's office.  I'm looking forward to moving (hopefully) well before Sam's arrival, having everything settled, and having all my baby gear in one place.  And truthfully, I'm looking forward to saying good-bye to teaching for a bit.

After the way our night ended Christmas Eve, I was glad to wake up Christmas morning and have gotten a good night's sleep.  My alarm went off at 6:30 a.m. so that I could finish breakfast before Avery got up.  I also had to help Santa rearrange the gifts since he had left everything in the back of the Gator so that Sammy wouldn't pee on it during the night.


We got Avery up a little after 7 and she was excited to see what Santa had left.  Initially, she really wanted to get downstairs to play with her stroller.


Her Gator was a big hit for sitting, and Bitty's seat was equally exciting.  She was also ready to get into the kitchen with her ice cream set and felt pancakes.





Ned was adamant that we open presents before parents arrived, and I couldn't figure out why.  I unwrapped an Amazon box from Avery and was very surprised to find a Pandora box inside.  I had been mentioning that I wanted one, but it was not to be for Christmas since we have a lot coming up.  Avery was excited that my bracelet had a stroller on it just like she had gotten.  Ned was excited about his Keurig, and even I think it's pretty cool, though I'm not a coffee drinker.

Avery was excited for my parents to knock on the door and see what Santa left.  We started eating because my mom needed to get home and cook, and Ned's parents and brother arrived soon after.  It somehow came up that my parents have a squirrel trying to chew into their house, so my father-in-law went and found a BB gun.  I'm not sure why, but he felt the need to give a demonstration to my father, and he managed to shoot the floor with a stray BB.  This is my married life, people.  No one shot their eye out, and my parents left with their weapon so that we could open presents.  We took Avery's Gator outside and totally freaked her out by making it go.  So, for right now we have a fairly expensive Gator seat in our living room.





Everyone left and I decided it would be too rushed getting to church, so we all sat back to relax and play.  It was another one of those moments where things were too calm.  Ned's brother called to say that our lab (living with Ned's parents) had eaten 52 pieces of Russell Stover chocolate.  Dixie is living with them so that he would have a brick floor to his pen, but they have turned him into an inside dog which he has not.  He's gotten into some things...the turkey and ham at Thanksgiving...and I do not fault him at all.  Chocolate can be deadly though, so I called an emergency vet an hour away.  They said we needed to bring him in but put me in touch with animal poison control, who gave me instructions for making him vomit.  So, our calm morning turned into Ned spending two hours making Dixie vomit and checking in with the vet at poison control.  While I was handling that, Avery drew on the couch with an ink pen that yes, I gave her.  While I cleaned that, the poor child wet her pants which she never does.  I thought she could wait for one more hair spray treatment.  Frustration did get the best of me at one point, but I tried to enjoy some time with Avery.

Luckily, this is where the Christmas Vacation Part 2 ends.  After lunch and nap, we got ready to go back to Lolli and Poppa's.  We were able to visit before family arrived and then we sat down to a yummy dinner.  Avery loved singing Happy Birthday to Jesus but didn't care for either desserts.  She was sure the extra presents under the tree where for her, and entertained everyone with her excitement over them.  We had a fun time visiting and left after nine, later than we planned.









It wouldn't be a Lankford Christmas without the craziness, but overall it was a great, fairly calm holiday.  We are already anticipating what Christmas will be like next year.

We started off our Christmas Eve at home with pancakes and eggs cooked by Ned.  Once breakfast was over, I got busy since Ned was able to entertain Avery and still get a few things done for me.  I assembled Jesus's birthday cake and made the icing.  I can do many things in the kitchen, but layered cakes and icing are not my strengths, especially when the icing is a mousse consistency.  I also got my crab dip made and mixed the dry ingredients for cinnamon roll cake for the morning.

We took a little break while Avery napped, but I decided to get even more ahead and prepare my breakfast casserole for the morning.  When Avery woke up, we got ready to head to Lolli and Poppa's to go to church.  Church starts at 5:00 p.m. but we get there about 4:30 to get a seat.  I wasn't sure how Avery would do, and the only trick I brought was her inkless pen.  She was happy to watch people come in, and she was happy to see her buddies Gage and Aubrie.  Once church started, she did her "work" with her pen, bulletin, and hymnal, and frequent singing broke things up.  We are still working on an inside voice, and she repeated words that she knew and the preacher said like "six," "sun (Son)," and "Jesus."  By 5:30 she was tired and requesting lunch.  Luckily, by sitting (and sweating) with me, we made it to the end at 6:15.

We went to Lolli and Poppa's and enjoyed hot crab dip while Avery and Lolli had ham sandwiches.  After dinner Avery made sure everyone knew it was time for presents.


Avery was excited to receive a John Deere ornament from Lolli and Poppa.



Then there was a fun Thomas set that immediately had to be opened.


Avery was sure this last big box was for her.


There was lots of anticipation as Poppa pulled the gift from the box.


And it was a stroller for Bitty!  Luckily she had come for the Christmas Eve festivities and was able to take a ride.

We've had a fun but quick first week of vacation.

We had some fun in a box.


Avery also spent a great deal of time primping.  It looks like the attention should have been redirected to her hair.




There was a little craft time that involved a lot of eating.  Crafts were in the living room because that's where my best light is.  It was cloudy so that was kind of a fail, but no green icing landed on the carpet.





There was also some cleaning with her rags and tangle spray.  Bitty's diaper also gets changed with the tangle spray.


Avery's Mickey reader has been low on batteries for awhile, and she's been asking us to "swick its" (fix it).  She concentrated hard on her reading while I practiced using my flash diffuser.


Times were a little tough by Thursday, resulting in a very early lunch and a requested nap at 12 p.m.



No need to cry if Mama isn't looking.


Aside from all the above fun, we had lots of other things going on as well.  Ned left Sunday morning to go body booting (a type of waterfowl hunting) in Havre de Grace, Maryland.  This was the lucky trip he bid on back in February.  Avery and I went to Lolli and Poppa's for dinner to have a little entertainment.

Our main goal Monday was getting to the store to get all we needed for our Christmas baking and cooking.  Our day wasn't too long despite it being just us.  Once Avery went to bed, I got some of my wrapping done.  Ned got home after 8 with reports of great hunting and almost losing his toes standing in ice cold water for hours.

Avery and I met Kristin and Emerson for lunch at the Mexican restaurant on Tuesday, and other than that, we had low-key days Tuesday and Wednesday.

I had a dreaded dentist appointment Thursday morning, so even though Avery wanted to "stay home," she went to work with Ned.  I got a good report (minus x-rays) and then ran a few errands before picking Avery up.  Several days this week, she was tired by 11 a.m., and this day was the worst (see above).  She wanted an early lunch and nap, so I gave it to her.  I hope it's the molars and nothing else.  When she woke up, I took her to my parents' to stay the night.  She hasn't stayed in quite awhile, and it's been even longer since I've had time at home to get things done.  Ned and I had Chinese for dinner and then watched Christmas Vacation.  Sadly, we were both asleep before the end of the movie.

Ned got up today (Friday) and hunted.  Sammy ruined my chances of sleeping in with his barking.  So I got up and got busy.  I made the cheesecake layers for Jesus's birthday cake, made sugar cookies, and wrapped the last few presents.  (A note about the cake: I wanted to start the tradition of doing a birthday cake for Jesus at my parents' Christmas night, and I also wanted to try this cake.  We may not always be as fancy, but this will serve as one of our desserts.  It better be DELICIOUS!)  Avery came home after her nap and had had a great time at Lolli and Poppa's.  Cheeseburgers from Wendy's are the dinner choice tonight, which is fine by me because a) the new ones are delicious and b) I still have a hot crab dip to make tonight.

I'm wrapping up this week a little early so that we can give Christmas Eve and Christmas Day their own posts.  It's almost here!

I thought about doing a Christmas Confessional, where I admit that I'm already over the scheduling Christmas entails and that I'm wishing I was going to get Jesus's birthday cake from Walmart instead of making the one I'm attempting.  But, I thought this would be a little more fun.

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate...though I rarely fix it.  I did pick up some mix so that I could introduce Avery to it.  I liked eggnog as a child, I just haven't had it in forever and don't have a taste for it.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Santa does not wrap.  At some point when everyone is older, he may start.  My parents did this for me, because when the days of cool toys are over, if it's not wrapped, the excitement comes and goes pretty quickly.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Our tree is pre-lit white.  When we've done outside lights on bushes, they've been white as well.  Avery will probably have a tree in her room next year, and I'll let her decide.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Nope.

5. When do you put decorations up?
We decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving.  It was a drawn-out process this year, though.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
I love dressing.  It's not necessarily my favorite, but it's something I only have at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
I have a ton.  Santa left a note on wrapping paper one year telling me he thought I was too young for a Nintendo, so he had chosen a special surprise for me.  It even had soot fingerprints on it.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I don't remember.  I also don't remember telling my parents I didn't believe.  They were not the ones who broke the news.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
I did a few years, but it was not a tradition.  We haven't done that with Avery and probably won't.  I had thought about doing pajamas, but the Elf on the Shelf will be bringing those each year.

10. How do you decorate your tree?
I have a large collection of Hallmark ornanments along with ones we've picked up as we've travelled and ones we've been given.  On top of the tree, I have a tatted(?) angel that was my grandmother's and is the same that my parents have used since before I was born.

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
I like the idea of snow, and I like when it results in snow days.  I dislike making the days up, and I don't drive in it, so after a day or so I'm ready for it to go.

12. Can you ice skate?
I've never tried.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Again, there were, and still will be, many.  As a child, I wanted Barbie's motor home, which was evidently a hit that year.  My parents could not find one, and it was the only thing I asked for.  Our neighbor's daughter finally found one on Christmas Eve that someone had not picked up from layaway.

14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Remembering the reason for the day and spending time with family.

15.What is your favorite holiday dessert?
I am a fan of most desserts, and we usually change it up each year.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
All of our traditions are favorites.

17. What tops your tree?
See above.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
These days, giving.  My list for myself was so boring this year that Ned refused to use it.  The gifts are not what makes the holidays or the reason for them, but I'm thankful that we are able to give special gifts to our friends and family.  I am most excited about this Christmas with Avery.  She is not getting a ton, but she will be thrilled with what she does receive.

19. Candy canes: yuck or yum?
I'm not a mint person so they've never been something I ate a lot of .

20. Favorite Christmas show?
I love Christmas Vacation, Home Alone 1 & 2, both Miracle on 34th Street movies, Elf, It's a Wonderful Life, and for TV I love Charlie Brown, The Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman.

21. Saddest Christmas song?
I think an instrumental version of The First Noel sounds so sad.  Really beautiful, but sad.



Jingle Bells could be sad this year, and I'm slightly worried that I could cry right through Christmas.

22. What's your favorite Christmas song?
This is an all-time favorite.



And this became a favorite 3 Christmas ago when it took Avery a week to decide to make an appearance on our 2nd ultrasound.  I know it's not about my children, but I'm good for tears at least the first ten times I listen to it each year.

I can't believe I didn't include letters to Santa in our traditions.  I have loved reading the letters in my local paper for a long time, much longer than I've been sending Avery's letter in.  They came out in the paper today, and I just may have to take a little drive since the paper does not include our city.  Avery is going to love spotting all her buddies this year.


Dear Ho Ho,

Thank you so much for the gifts you left last year. I am still enjoying them all, but since I've done a lot of growing, I've thought of a few more things I would really enjoy. If there is room in the sleigh, I would really like a John Deere Gator, new items for Bitty Baby and my kitchen, Barney or Mickey DVDs, and some new books.

I am a lucky girl to have so many people who love me. Please leave treats for Mama and Daddy, Lolli and Poppa, and Mimi and Grandaddy. Jen-Jen deserves a great big present for taking good care of me each day, and all my buddies that stay at her house need something special, too. Finally, please remember my pets Sammy, Dixie, and Felix. They really are good guys, even when they're being pesky.

I am so ready to see you in Richmond this year, and I'm trying hard to be a good little girl. Mama and Daddy say I do a great job, but I did tell that elf Toes to turn his head if he sees anything questionable. Don't forget I'm in a different house this year! We'll leave cookies and Pepsi for you to snack on and some treats to share with the reindeer. Have a safe trip!

Love,
Avery Lankford, 2

I've been planning to do this post since the end of November, but I've been lacking on the holiday spirit this year.  I hated to even admit that, but many others have blogged similar thoughts.  So, I don't feel bad anymore.  Sad that I'm lacking some spirit, but not bad.  There could be a zillion reasons for this or none, but starting Christmas break from school did help.  Christmas is coming regardless of my cheer, and I have a little girl who's excitement is contagious, so I did want to share some of the ways we welcome and celebrate Christmas.

Decorations:
I put the tree up Thanksgiving weekend.  I love ornaments and love the story they tell.  I have several of the Hallmark series, including the Nostalgic Houses and Shops.  I started this series after it had been going for about 10 years and had to go to eBay to find ones I was missing.  I have almost 30 in this collection, and they were a little much for our tree this year, so I had to pick and choose.  Avery gets several Hallmark ornaments each year, and I also add any that have significance to what we've done during that year or where we've travelled.


I also collect Possible Dreams Santas and probably have about 30 of those.  My parents have quite a collection as well, some that were passed down from my grandmother.  My Santas were slow to come out this year, and again, I did only have to keep little hands away from them.


I haven't done much more than this this year, and I haven't even decorated the mantle.  I'm looking forward to decorating the new house and purchasing some new things.  I'm not one to go over the top, though.  We will have a 2nd tree next year with my silver bells along with Avery's that my parents started for her.

Christmas Cards:
I love to send and receive Christmas cards.  I took Avery's picture the first year but have since turned to my trusted Conway Photo to take the pictures and create the cards.  Carol always does a fantastic job.  I have several ideas for how to display my cards next year.

Visiting Santa:
We visit the Legendary Santa each year in Richmond.  I went until I was a senior, and it's the same Santa my father saw as a child.  Ned and his brother went occasionally too as they grew up.

Elf on the Shelf:
The Elf on the Shelf was a new tradition this year.  We've had him for awhile and used him as decoration, but this is the first year we actually carried it out with Avery.  Toes, as Avery named him, arrived after the Christmas tree was put up and brought Christmas pajamas with him.  Avery knows that each night he goes to tell Santa she's been nice (hopefully), and she loves getting up in the morning to find him.  The mention of Toes has no impact on crying, though, so I don't think she's got the whole concept yet.  Toes is running out of places to sit since Avery can't touch him and Felix wants to carry him around.  Toes is pretty boring compared to some of the elves I've seen on Facebook, but Avery knows no difference.


Christmas Eve:
On Christmas Eve we go to a candlelight service at my church.  It was one tradition that I was not willing to budge on when we got married.  There is lots of singing and Scripture reading, and at the end we each hold candles and sing Silent Night.  Avery has done well the past two years and I hope she continues.  We take her out of places if she becomes a problem, but I much prefer we be together for this special time.

After church we go to my parents' and have hot crab dip for dinner.  Lolli fixes something for herself since she's allergic, and Avery hasn't tried shellfish yet, so I guess it's only a yummy tradition for Ned, Poppa, and me.

We come home and put Avery to bed so that we can prepare for Santa.  We watch It's a Wonderful Life while we get everything ready.  Santa's snack of cookies and Pepsi with some carrots for the reindeer get set out as well.


Christmas Morning:
We get up Christmas morning and see what Santa has brought.  Santa doesn't wrap, so it's a quick process.  I'd like to think that Santa has been holding it together pretty well lately and not going overboard.  I quickly realized as a parent that kids just don't need a bunch of stuff.  Santa brings things that Avery will just love, and that makes it even more special to see.  My parents come early to see what he has brought, and usually Ned's will too.

In the past, we've done brunch at Mimi's house.  Things got a little crazy with schedules, timing, and trying to get presents done before extended family arrived.  This year Mimi, Vincent, and Rob will come to our house around the time my parents do.  I'll fix a breakfast casserole, and that may be it so I'm not in the kitchen Christmas morning.  Once my parents leave, we'll do presents with them.  Christmas falling on a Sunday changes things a bit this year, and we're trying to decide if we'll make it to church.  Even though this means more people in my house and more to do, I think it will work much better for us in the long run.

At some point, the three of us will do our gifts to each other before Avery's nap.  Once she wakes up we go back to my parents'.  We have dinner that night with my dad's sister and her family and my great-uncle.  My parents now live in the house my grandparents built, so it's where I've had most of my Christmas dinners.  We return home to a mess and are usually too tired to take care of it.

It was a busy week, but thankfully that made it go somewhat quickly.  Sunday morning I woke up feeling terrible.  When the weather changed from hot to cold the week before, my sinuses went crazy.  Even though I was feeling my worst, we went to church.  I sat in Sunday School and got hotter and hotter, making me feel even worse.  I finally went and sat in the car, so we didn't stay for preaching.  We all took afternoon naps, and I woke up with a terrible headache.  We were supposed to go to my parents' for dinner, and when I told them I wasn't feeling well, they said they would come to us.  Avery was beside herself waiting for them to get here and then put on quite the show.  When they left, Ned took her to his parents' to see his aunt who was here for the night.

I felt better during the week but was still stopped up.  I seem to skip colds and go right to sinus infections.  I'm trying to avoid taking something OTC and trying to stay out of the doctor's office.  Ned did go to the doctor and got an antibiotic for a sinus infection.  We continued the Claritin for Avery's cough, but with all that was going around the sitter's, I was really afraid it was more than allergies.  In the past 2 weeks, the kids have had bronchitis, walking pneumonia, RSV, and ear infections.  Luckily, by the end of the week the cough had disappeared.  She's still in a funny mode, which I'm hoping is coming from cutting molars.

We were busy in the afternoons, which I'm not a fan of.  I had an eye doctor appointment Monday, but it was moved to Tuesday.  Wednesday, we dropped my car off in hopes of them finally fixing the tire noise, picked up a loaner, and went and looked at carpet and tile.  It was dinnertime before we got home, and even Avery was asking to go home.  I had my Christmas party for school Thursday afternoon, so I quickly picked up Avery and took her to Lolli and Poppa's.  Ned had his Christmas party for the fire department, so when my dinner was done, we stayed until Poppa got home from getting a haircut.

School got out early Friday so I went and ran errands and priced Avery's furniture for her big girl room.  Avery had her Christmas party at Jennifer's, so I went back for that.  She wasn't interested at all in leaving my lap to get anywhere close to Santa, but we stayed and watched her buddies that visited with him.  The kids exchanged gifts, and they gave the parents the hand print ornaments they made for us.  We got home in time to change clothes and wait for Ned to get us to go eat Mexican.  We rode and looked at some Christmas lights until Avery requested to go home.  Lately when she's tired, she wants to be home.

I set out for Raleigh Saturday morning to visit Courtney and meet baby Davis.  We had a good visit, with Davis waking up in time for me to hold him.  My plan all along had been to go to the mall when I left.  I've done all my shopping online and locally, so I haven't had to go to a mall.  I thought it would be nice to go since there was nothing I had to have.  I should have rethought my timing.  Parking was crazy, and I was quickly ready to give up but did find a space.  The line was long at Panera and it was crowded.  The mall was crazy.  People were everywhere and they seemed to be lacking holiday cheer.  I couldn't find the ornament I needed for Avery and left with just a candle.  Getting out of the parking lot was also an adventure.  I stopped at another Hallmark before coming home.  Avery and Ned had a fun day eating Bo Rounds and visiting the fire trucks while I was gone.  I got in a little time with Avery before Mimi arrived to watch her while we went to Kristin and Tori's birthday party.  I was pretty tired by that point and was thrilled when Brandon and Brittany arrived.  Brittany saw no need to stand in the cold and eat oysters either, so we spent our night talking on the couch.  I pulled Ned home about 9:30 p.m. which sounds pathetic but I was pooped.

My holiday spirit improved immensely when I started my two-week break on Friday.  I'm looking forward to time home and getting ready for Christmas.  I plan to be a better photographer and blogger this week as well.

First of all, I know it's not still autumn.  I went to upload my cute header with Avery's three Santa photos, and Blogger said I had reached my upload total.  But, I can upload regular pictures.  It seems to be the size of what I'm doing maybe (?)  but any help would be appreciated before I pay or go back to a regular header.

Now back to the week.  Sunday was our visit to the Legendary Santa.

We didn't have much going on during the week, or either I've just forgotten.  It was a LONG week to me.  Ned had a few meetings, I met with our cabinet man, and we had my car serviced because it picked up a funny noise when we had the tires rotated last time.

Ned kept Avery on Thursday and Friday in hopes of getting rid of her cough.  She wasn't contagious, I don't think, but she didn't need to be running around outside all day.  She went to work with him in the mornings and then they came home for naps.  They were very productive.


I picked Avery up at work Friday afternoon, and we ordered pizza for dinner.  I was a little nervous about trying to make it to the Christmas parade after dinner.  I knew we needed a spot where we could stay in the truck, and I figured we were too late to get one.  We braved it anyway and found a spot close to home.  Avery was excited just to see the cars going by on Main Street before it started.



Avery loved all the firetrucks and was especially excited about Santa on the ladder truck.  Ned had a house fire once we got back, and as my Facebook friends have seen, young boys went in my car while he was gone.  We live on a corner and have no driveway.  I usually park in front, but Ned had driven my car to be serviced and parked on the side.  I heard doors slamming and looked out the window, thinking it was Ned.  I saw the boys running off but didn't quite know what was going on.  When Ned came home the lights were on in the car and one of my consoles was open.  They took my gas card for our local station (which needs a PIN to be used) so Ned called the police.  Three police cars came rolling up, and I was a bit embarrassed.  There were lots of issues after the parade, so I'm glad it was no worse.  I'm glad I didn't have my school bag in there, because I'm sure they would have grabbed the bag just to see if there was anything good.  And, I'm glad Ned's the one who didn't lock it!

Ned hunted early Saturday morning, and when he returned, I went and ran errands and bought groceries.  It was a big trip so it was nice not to have my helper.  After nap, we went to Mason's fun Thomas the Train birthday party.  Avery loves a birthday party, and usually I try not to tell her until we're on our way.  I had been telling her about the party all week, so there was a party in her bed before a nap ever took place.




Here's the birthday boy!

Avery had a great time, and we came home to eat taco soup and tell Ned about the party.