Week in Review

Monday we spent time with my parents and brother and enjoyed dinner at the Texas Roadhouse (Paul & I had never been to one of those before). I can honestly say the "loaded" sweet potato I had there was the best sweet potato I've had in my life. I ate my side salad, rolls, and sweet potato and was so full I brought the rest of my meal home to eat the next day. Paul, my dad, and Maurice watched Prince Caspian that night. I went to bed at 8pm as I was pooped from going to bed so late the night before. My sister and her family arrived at my parents that night having spent all day in their car driving from IL. My mom commented that their driveway looked like a Corolla dealership as there were 4 Toyota Corollas out there as that's what we have, my sister's family has, my brother has, and what my mom has. The one from IL was the only one with snow on it though. :-)

Tuesday and Wednesday I had fun playing with Adam & Susie - reading books to them, painting Susie's finger and toenails red, etc. On Tuesday afternoon Paul, my dad, and Drayton went bowling, and that night Drayton, Wendy, my dad, and I played a game of Boggle. It came down to looking up one word in the dictionary to see who won. My dad had mispelled the word "reak" as "reek," but it turns out "reek" is a word meaning "prank." So our scores were tied. We suggested playing one more round to determine the winner, but he said he was happy to end with a tie (between he & I).

Wednesday morning we planned to open our gifts after breakfast. Susie & Adam were already up when Nadia got up, so I got them their cereal so we could open presents before Nadia went down for her nap. I did succeed in getting Susie, Nadia, and Adam fed, but unfortunately the other adults weren't ready so Nadia was asleep during the gift exchange. I really wanted to have her with me as my arms were empty plenty of other years at Christmas, but the contents of our gifts made it obvious that our arms are no longer empty. She's too little to really enjoy opening presents yet anyhow but NEXT year she'll be able to help open gifts and won't be taking naps in the morning so I am sure she can join in the festivities next year.

We drove back home Wednesday night, and aside from a brief crying spell when we stopped to get a snack and go to the bathroom, she slept the whole way home. Driving at night is definitely the way to go, and since we left at 6:30pm it didn't interfere with her normal sleeping schedule. One of her gifts from Grandma was a toy for her to look at in the car (has a mirror, three animals dangling down, and it plays music). We made use of that on Friday. When we got home I nursed her and then put her right to bed.

Thursday morning we exchanged gifts, and she was awake and in my arms for this one! I had purchased 8 gifts for Paul for Christmas & his birthday, so I said he could pick any 4 to open (I wrapped all of them in snowman paper). He opened his NY Giants lamp, valance, and light switch cover for his office as well as the mug with Nadia's photo all over it. I think the mug was his favorite as he washed it and started using it that very day. :-) I'm hoping today he can install the curtain rod, and then I can put his three gifts to use in his office (and take photos). Paul got a lot of NY Giants stuff this year as in addition to what I gave him , my parents gave him a leather Giants steering wheel cover for his car, his Gram gave him a Giants ornament, and his parents gave him a Giants onesie/bootie/hat set for Nadia. Paul gave me two calendars (Monet for the refrigerator at home and Steelers for my office at work). He said part of his present to me was to cook me lunch so Thursday and Friday he made me a cheese omlette each day, and today he's going to make me a grilled cheese sandwich.

Then we drove to Paul's parents house. It was Nadia's first time to be in their house. We were all supposed to gather at 12:30 to open presents before a 2:00 dinner, but Paul's brother's family was running a little behind so we ate lunch first. Around 2pm Nadia was ready for her nap, but unfortunately Paul & I forgot to bring the pack 'n play so sleeping was a challenge for her. Eventually after a LOT of screaming she fell asleep on a blanket on the floor. So she missed this gift exchange time also. She will still be taking an afternoon nap next year so we'll have to make sure the gift exchange isn't during her nap time next year. She slept well on the drive home and then enjoyed playing with her new toys before bedtime. After she went to bed, Paul & I watched "Meet Dave" which was a funny movie we both enjoyed.

Nadia made out like a bandit this year! Her favorite toys so far seem to be Dot the Musical Dragon, the stacking/nesting cups, and the stacking rings. I must add that her other favorite "toy" the last two days has been her feet. She has played with them FAR more than usual. It's so cute!

Since I hadn't purchased any toys for Nadia (aside from books) the past 6 months, yesterday we decided to buy her some toys as well now that she has gotten to the age where she can enjoy them. Yesterday I went grocery shopping and to the bank while Nadia napped. She seemed to really enjoy the snow globe my mom got her, so I got another one (50% off) at the grocery store so she can enjoy one in her bedroom and one in the family room next year. The one I bought for $6 plays 11 different songs and the snow is moved by a fan (no water inside). I also bought her some Christmas window clings that I think she'll have fun playing with next year. After she woke up and was fed, Paul & I went to Target to get a wreath for our front door. We got one for $15 that was originally $36. It looks much better than the one we had been using which was too small. I also got some Christmas paper, envelopes, and address labels for next year's letter (all 50% off). We also got Nadia a few more bottles (as the ones we had before weren't BPA free), diapers, and a toy - a Fisher Price shaper sorter that is in the shape of a cookie far. Last night I also ordered her four more toys online so Mommy & Daddy did buy her toys for Christmas after all. They are just coming a little late (not that she cares, LOL). She also received 2 sleepers, 4 dresses, and one pant outfit (the one she was wearing in the photos yesterday). Nadia is one very loved girl!!!

Today my main goals are to get back to work on the new course (haven't worked on it all week), and to keep drinking lots of water and pumping. I would appreciate prayers that my milk supply will get back up to the point that we can stop using formula. I really hope to achieve that goal. Paul has agreed for the next few days to feed her the bottles, and I am going to pump whenever she is drinking a bottle. If it doesn't work, at least I'll know I gave it my best shot! Paul has to go to school on Monday, but other than that I think he'll be home until January 5th. It's great to be able to spend more time with him!!!