Christmas Cheer From the Norman Boys

Christmas is not always an easy time when you have little ones. In fact, when your used to Christmas a certain way, it can be frustrating. Decorating for Christmas looks very different. Anything breakable goes really high and even then your praying your toddler doesn't push a chair over, climb up and try and throw the pretty Christmas plate across the room. Christmas baking is non-existent this year, both because I definitely don't need to eat all the extra Christmas treats when I'm still trying to lose baby weight and baking is not so easy when both the littles are running around and are not old enough to enjoy helping. Traditions like Christmas parties and Christmas Eve services are really not possible when bedtime is between 6 and 7 and keeping them up later would not be a good thing, and babysitters are just too expensive. And pretty much all Christmas shopping happens online because I have no desire to go searching for gifts with the littles in the cart. Although, that one, I don't mind so much because I can avoid all the crowds. 

This Christmas, I am learning that stuff doesn't matter. I haven't really missed all the Christmas treats, and definitely don't miss the extra pounds. Decorating was fun, and Curtis loves the little soft snowmen that I put where he can play with them. And the joy on his face when I tell him we can go touch the lights and the ornament is priceless, he gets so excited. And we get to spend Christmas with family, 2 years in a row. Isaac gets to be home and go with us to visit my family. That part, I am very excited for. I've been trying to teach Curtis how to say "Happy Birthday Jesus!" He's not gotten it quite yet, but I think it's coming. And he is definitely excited about Christmas presents. He likes to look at the gifts under the tree. I'm excited for him to give the ornaments he made. I'm looking forward to teaching him the joy in giving and not just getting presents. So while this year has been different, it's been fun. I am looking forward to how each year will be different as we adjust for growing kids and hopefully one day a growing family. I'm looking forward to when Curtis and Judah do understand that Christmas is about Jesus, not gifts. But this year, I'm just really looking forward to being with all my family for the first time in 5 years. 

I love Christmas tree pictures, both the boys love the tree

A little blurry but I couldn't get Curtis to do it again, so I'll take it

Curtis was dancing in front of the tree while Judah ate the lights

Each of the boys contribution to the tree this year

And a bath picture because it's just too cute. We began unrestraining him last week and he just loves the bath, although he is definitely not stable and has face planted a few times.

Judah is 7 months

Judah is 7 months today. This past month has been the month that I think we've had the most changes, especially in the last week.

It seems like all within the last week he's started crawling all over the place and pulling up to standing. It totally changes things with him being mobile. I can no longer just put him down in Curtis' room when I'm reading to Curtis before nap or bed, or changing Curtis' diaper in the morning without him trying to climb to the shelf and climb on the shelf. I can't just put him down in the hallway after his bath while I'm doing Curtis' bath or while I'm doing laundry. I can't just put him down in the living room while I'm doing something in the kitchen without him trying to break in to the dog's crate or crawling in the kitchen, standing up and then falling on the tile.

And with movement comes him trying to play with Curtis some. That part has been fun. Last night, as Curtis was driving his lawn mower all over the living room and kitchen, Judah would try and chase after him. Curtis would change directions, then Judah would. It's fun to watch their little relationship develop. Judah is also really starting to eat some, which is so helpful to give me a little extra time at the clinic every week to finish my charting and hopefully not have to bring it home with me.

It has been a fun month. And I'm really looking forward to this next one as he gets more sure of his footing and more used to crawling. It means a little more independence and a little less time in my arms, which is good and a little sad. But I like the independence. I like my boys being able to do for themselves. It's something I'm really trying to work on with Curtis, to take his own shoes off, to put his dishes either in the sink or the dishwasher, to put his shoes in the basket. Anything that I know he can do, I'm working on that with him and most of the time, he's actually doing it. 

In the world of Curtis, he is starting to talk more, or at least parroting things, which is cute. He learned how to say "I got you!" and goes around saying it all the time. I heard him repeating it over and over in the car today. He's still an incredibly picky eater, with some days his entire diet consisting of PB and crackers, but we are working on it. Some days are good, some are very frustrating. He's a typical, moody, bipolar toddler, happy and laughing one minute and screaming the next, but those minutes he's happy, he has the biggest, brightest smile ever and a laugh that just makes my heart happy. That kid is hilarious with some of the things he does, and he knows it and laughs at himself, which cracks me up that he thinks he's funny. But it's so entertaining!

In family news...I finally got an iphone!! Or at least I will once I get it activated tomorrow. It will be nice to not get lost in downtown Norfolk, to be able to facetime instead of talking, to take music with me on a run or to the gym, and to have kid entertainers at the doctor's office. That one might be my favorite.

And, I started kickboxing. If you've never done it, you should, because it's a ton of fun. Who knew punching and kicking a bag could be so much fun? Sadly, it's too expensive for me to do all the time, but luckily, they have Groupon's so I will still get to go some, but we joined a gym, so I will at least get to work out, more than just running. And by myself, not with little ones. That is something I'm really looking forward to :)

Here's some pictures from the last few days.

Judah's 7 month pictures. This was fun to do. I'm going to try to do both the boys in front of the tree sometime soon.

Curtis learned to sword fight. This happened for over half and hour last Sunday. He had so much fun!

He's also learning to play tigers. Isaac had a few scratch injuries from this. He better be prepared for some black eyes and stitches like our brother-in-law, Ronnie

Judah planking, or downward facing dog. He likes to do both.

This may be my favorite. I love that little face!