Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’

A week ago I took our two year old, Heron, to the emergency room. So far, we've been three times and all those visits were for him. This kid has me worried! This time, our trip was because he chewed on a glass Christmas ornament.

It wasn't an ornament I was especially worried about. I had moved all the other glass balls out of his reach. This was a cat holding on to an ornament, similar to this one:

He popped the ball off the cat and stuck it in his mouth. I saw he had it in there, told him to spit it out, but instead he chomped down on it and it shattered. I rushed to him and started sweeping little pieces of red glass out. I had my sights on two more pieces, but before I could get my fingers in his mouth, he closed and swallowed. I searched, but those two pieces were no where to be found. He sliced up the inside of his mouth a little bit and was pretty upset. Of course, I was nervous about what those little shards could do to his digestive system and called the emergency room. Calling was a silly idea because they can't dispense any medical advice over the phone, nor could they tell me whether or not I should come in. So I woke up Raven, packed everyone up, couldn't find Matt's new work phone number, left a panicky message with his orderly room, and headed for the emergency room.

He didn't seem to have any difficulty breathing, so it didn't appear to be lodged in his throat. The doctor squished Heron's belly and it didn't seem to bother him. He had some x-rays done (and was such a good boy in there!) The doctor told me that modern glass made in the US is coated and would show up on an x-ray. They didn't detect anything on film, so I guess ours didn't fall into that category or they just couldn't see it. I know that they were in his mouth one second, and gone the next though! So we were sent home and told to keep an eye on him for blood or vomit.

It's been over a week and so far he seems just fine, thank God! I think it's safe to say that everything passed without a hitch. Since Heron's notorious for putting everything in his mouth, and who knows what sort of trouble Raven will get into, I think we'll just pack away all the dangerous ornaments for a few years. In the meantime, I'm knitting up a bunch of cute, soft ornaments for our decorations.

This is my first stocking ornament:

I have quite a bit of red and white yarn and will just make a ton of these in different patterns until I run out. I'll also try some stuffed knitted balls, mittens, sweaters, etc. I saw some cute ice skates but I'd be afraid of what might happen with those paper clip skate blades!

Hello, sweet Heron!

You're now a year and a half and definitely a full-blown toddler! You're running around (clumsily, as always), climbing up on every surface you can find, messily trying to eat with a spoon and drink from a real cup, picking silly fights and throwing ridiculous tantrums, copying everything your we do (especially your big brother!), sleeping in your own big boy toddler bed, and always craving attention. It is fun but you tire me out so much!

You've started saying a few new words and phrases this month. You'll now say (and point to) eye, nose, mouth, & ear and also started saying no, nite-nite, down, baby, eat, upstairs, and I'm sure I've left out a few others. I think you're a little ahead of where Rhino was at this age, but I'm sure it's because he just blabs to you all day long! I'm pretty sure your big brother is your favorite person, though. If he's doing something silly, like sucking on his toes, you'll join right in and laugh and laugh! You love to chase him (and be chased) around the train table or race your hobby horses. He is sweet to you and always makes sure to share snacks with you (even though usually he expects you to share back and you don't!) I'm so glad that the two of you are close in age because now we can see that you'll have so much fun playing together!

Your month was very exciting: we had Christmas! This year was much more fun for you than last year. You didn't care too much about ripping open the wrapping paper, but you really did love what was hidden underneath! You received a Woody (cowboy sheriff) doll that I think was your favorite gift. You think putting his hat on his head is so funny! You also have played out in the snow for the first time (last year you were just too little.) You're not too thrilled about the cold stuff, so I guess I have more fun than you when we go out! You've also attended a lot of playgroups lately. You've been to plenty in the past, but never did participate much. Now you enjoy dancing to the songs, painting (a little bit), munching on snacks, listening to stories and, most of all, watching all the other kids.

We can tell that you're developing some favorites. Baby dolls are a big hit (we got you a cute little baby that you're always asking for, in preparation for the real little baby in a few months!) You seem to like underwater scenes and will choose fishy books more often than anything else. You love anything sweet (no surprise!), bananas, oatmeal, any and noodles (mostly long noodles like yakisoba and udon, though.) You like to play with instruments and are tons of fun with a xylophone or some maracas! You also like to sing for us! It's fun now that you're developing your own little personality more. You're such a character and so much fun to play with!

As always, I'm looking forward to another fun month with you!

Love,

Mommy

Hello, Rhino!

You're 35 months old today — almost three!! You're just barely answering the "how old are you?" question correctly now and I wonder how long it will take you to learn a new answer.

It's been a busy month! You've had another Christmas and started a new year. Merry Christmas and Happy 2011! You loved Christmas so much and are still talking about Christmas lights, presents, and Santa. It was a ton of fun! You got so many great toys from our families and are enjoying playing with the new train table Daddy and I got you.

You've seen a lot of snow lately and think it's just the best thing! This past week we've seen more than 3 feet fall. We have gotten out to play in it a little and you really like to climb up on the mounds of snow, toss snowballs, and help Daddy shovel. I think the best part is coming inside and being warmed up by a "very yummy" mug of hot cocoa. Often when we go out driving somewhere you comment that everything is "so beautiful" or "so pretty" and really like the snow-covered trees. Winter is definitely a fun time with you!

You're playing more and more with Heron lately. You boys have silly dance parties, play preschool games on the iPad together, peek-a-boo through the pop-up tunnel, and chase each other around the living room giggling. I love it! You're having more fun with him now that he's not a baby and will laugh at you and copy you!

We've had a lot of fun this month at playgroups. It's nice for you to be around little people about your age. You get so riled up around other kids and run and scream and bounce off the walls just because you're with your friends! We've started going to a preschool playgroup where there is a lesson every week and so far you seem pretty interested. I think you're one of the younger ones in the group, but enjoy listening to the lessons and doing the activities (even if you don't answer all the questions correctly, at least you attempt an answer!)

You're getting very independent and sometimes a little pushy. You don't want me to help you with your shoes or zipping up your jacket and always declare "I can do it!" You can unbutton your shirt, but not button it up yet. You also like to lace boots and try to tie them, but you don't quite get it yet (it will be a while!) You want to brush your own teeth and make your own bed and sometimes pick up after yourself (you like to help if I'm cleaning but won't pick up your toys if I just tell you to!) You've started bossing Heron around, too. You'll tell him not to eat in the living room ("No! Eat in kitchen!") or yell at him to pick something up or stop banging or screaming ("Too loud!!") I know you think you're helping and it is cute, but sometimes you don't need to be a mini-parent right now! I do like that you appreciate rules and are upset when people break them (even if that's you sometimes.)

I know this past year has been named the "terrible twos" — and you've had your days! — but two has been a great age for you and I definitely wouldn't call it terrible! I shouldn't speak too soon though, you do have one more month left!

I love you lots, sweetie!

Love, Mommy

Merry Christmas!

We had a great one this year and I hope you did as well! Matt and I got up early Saturday morning to prepared for the boys. I put on hot cocoa and Matt turned on the lights. As I prepped some batter for the Belgian waffles, Matt set up the boys' tunnel from Grandma and Grandpa and a blanket. That way, when they came down the stairs, they wouldn't see the living room but have to venture through the tunnel first. Usually the boys wake us up, but they had an exciting Christmas Eve and decided to sleep in. By 7:15 we were too anxious and went to wake them up!

We usually read Luke 2 on our bed before heading downstairs to open gifts. We have a sweet Usborne book about the first Christmas that tells the story well and has pictures, so we decided to do that with the boys this year instead. They both paid attention to the whole story and then we prayed together and headed downstairs. They loved the tunnel and were excited to see the gifts under the tree. On the 24th we found a train table for sale through the Misawa Virtual Yard Sale along with a ton of tracks and different Thomas trains at an extremely reasonable price and had to jump at it. We had planned to do a big joint gift for the boys for Christmas each year, but hadn't found what we wanted this time. This train table was perfect because Rhino is obsessed with trains and our living room is always mess of tracks and engines! That was the first thing he saw when he came through the tunnel and loved it!

We did stocking first, which were filled with Japanese treats and Thomas the Train candies, tissues and other vehicle themed items. Heron opened the first gift under the tree and then wasn't too interested in unwrapping things anymore. He just wanted to play with all the unwrapped toys so I helped him through his pile. He received some cute clothes, tons of Duplos, a shaggy alpaca puppet, a Woody doll, a cute Learn-to-Dress doll, some building blocks, and lots of other goodies. Rhino got tons of trains and tracks (he is in train heaven!), a Buzz doll (err, action figure?), a cool remote control robot, and a few other toys. We have such generous family and the boys love every toy they've gotten!

I decided not to do a big, traditional feast this year. It was just our family (and the boys just pick at mashed potatoes and rolls anyway) and I've been pregnant and tired and didn't want to spend the whole day in the kitchen. It was nice to just play with the boys and read and relax and enjoy Christmas! We had our waffle and egg breakfast with coco and I did bake homemade cinnamon rolls (using Pioneer Woman's amazing recipe, but substituting in some copycat Cinnabon frosting). We just munched on breakfast foods and cookies all day, which was great (but don't even mention calories or how much butter went into the rolls, please!) We watched the first Toy Story and the boys sat with their Woody and Buzz dolls. We built fancy train tracks and towers and castles. I sat and browsed the adorable Homemade Christmas book Matt's parents sent me and Matt played various video games.

Since we didn't drive around and look at lights on Christmas Eve, we went out for Christmas and toured the base (officer housing had the best displays!) Rhino goes nuts for Christmas lights! Right out the main gate, the Japanese set up a Christmas display using illuminated, old plastic water bottles in the shapes of reindeer and trees. There was also a plastic tunnel with flashing lights that Rhino loved! I had made way too many cinnamon rolls early, so while we were out we dropped off a pan a friend's house (I really don't need three pans around just for us!) The boys fell asleep easily Christmas night after such an exciting day and then Matt and I didn't even worry about the mess — it'll still be there later! As the boys get older, Christmas gets more fun! I'm all ready excited for next year!

When I was younger, we had a few Christmas Eve traditions. We always went to the late, candlelight service at church then drove home and looked at the pretty lights around the neighborhood. Sometimes we were allowed to open one gift before the church service. When we got home, we changed into pajamas and Mama put on some hot cocoa. My brother and sister and I each prepared a special Christmas Eve presentation for the family (usually reading Twas the Night Before Christmas, reciting a poem, playing a carol on the piano, etc.) We opened all the family gifts on Christmas Eve and saved Santa gifts for the morning. It was always a late night!

We're working on having our own Christmas Eve traditions. Matt's family goes over to Mom-mom and Pop-pop's house and runs around barefoot in the snow! I would like to adopt that one when the boys are a little older and their toes aren't so tiny. Our church doesn't do a Christmas Eve service, so we don't do church on the 24th (unless of course, it falls on a Sunday!) We do drive around and look at the lights and have hot cocoa. I'd like to do the presentations when the boys are a little older. 

This year I baked up a bunch of cookies for all our four and five year old King's Kids Flyers Club students at church. We packaged them up in cute Japanese gift boxes and delivered them to everyone personally on Christmas Eve. We were going check out all the lights on the way home, but the boys fell asleep in the car so we'll save it for Saturday night. The boys were in bed at 8 and Matt and I had a cozy few hours to ourselves. We munched on cookies and drank hot cocoa by candlelight, cuddled up and watched TV, and put out presents for Christmas morning. It was such a lovely Christmas Eve and I'm so excited for Christmas day, too!

Growing up, our Christmas tree was decorated in a wide variety of ornaments – hand stitched ones by my great-grandmother, German strohsterne (straw ornaments), yarn and popsicle stick God's eyes and other ornaments made in Girl Scouts, Sunday School class and school, pianos and music related ornaments from piano teachers each year I took lessons, etc. 

I adopted a handful of my childhood ornaments and they now hang on our tree. Each year we also add to our collection. We have quite a few, but these are some of my favorites hanging on our tree right now.

There's a Hachinohe Horse, a mascot of sorts for our area, with our city on one side and the year on the opposite (received at last year's ladies' fellowship ornament exchange.) 

Last year Mama printed out a tiny photo of each of us and put it in this magnifying photo cube ball, which I think is really neat.

When we visited the North Pole in October, Rhino picked out a train with a mom and dad bear and two little bears and they wrote the year and the boys' names on it. At the same shop, I also picked up an Air Force blues uniform ornament with Matt. It's our first military related ornament!

Our area of Japan is known for its apples and there's a lot of apple-related things around all the time. We have some tiny apple ornaments for our tree this year.

Years ago when Andrea came down to visit us in Lompoc, we stopped by the ostrich and emu farm in Buellton. Even though it was just a quick stop on the way to Solvang, it was fun and memorable! A few months ago at a craft fair, she found an emu egg ornament that is just perfect! I had on idea that emu eggs were naturally this shade of blue. So pretty!

When I was pregnant with Rhino in 2007, we got this parents-to-be ornament.

We have these Meowy Christmas ornaments for each of the cats we used to have — Tal and Gabby. (This one represents Gabby, though it has one leg too many.)

This piano ornament is one of the many I received from piano teachers over the years. Unfortunately, many of them have broken. This one remains in tact and beautiful!

This little sleigh was the first ornament Matt and I bought together for our first Christmas as a married couple in 2005. Heron broke it a little bit this year, but it's still cute! 

I've been doing quite a bit of baking lately. I donated ten dozen cookies to the annual Misawa Cookie Caper yesterday. (I made chocolate crinkles, peanut butter blossoms, and brownie mounds.) All the baking was fun, but we didn't keep any of the cookies so I really wanted to make some for ourselves!

I decided to start with sugar cookies (and used the awesome new Snowflake Cookie Cutters that Mama gave me on our trip!) and Mexican Wedding Cakes / Russian Tea Cakes / Snowballs. The snowflakes I rolled and cut on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet then removed the excess so I wouldn't have to transfer the fragile raw snowflakes. I made a milk/powdered sugar glaze and then dipped in White Cake Sparkles. The Mexican Wedding Cakes flattened out a little too much and weren't exactly ball-shaped, but they were delicious!

I meant to keep them all for our family, but our church was having a potluck fellowship and I needed something to bring, so this cookie plate was for the church. We still kept a bunch of sugar cookie boys, trees and snowflakes!

Rhino was really interested in decorating. He made some impressive cookie masterpieces. Here was his first attempt at a snowflake. Delicious!

Dearest Heron,

Hello, sweetie! It’s been so wonderful spending time with you these past two months! You’ve grown so much and have been such a joy in our life! At your five month doctor’s appointment, you weighed 17 lb 7 oz (72nd percentile) and were 25 inches long (25th percentile.) You are sitting up on your own and reaching for toys, rolling over, passing objects from one hand to another, and babbling nonstop!

You love your brother Rhino so much. Whenever he’s around, you watch him, smile at him, and laugh at him. You can be in a terrible mood for me, but Rhino can almost always cheer you up! He likes to play with you and tickle you. You aren’t yet too interested in playing with him, but I’m sure soon you two will be having so much fun together!

In the past two months you’ve had your first Thanksgiving (but no turkey for you!), have met your Aunt Jen, starting attending the nursery in church, and had your first Christmas and New Year’s! You loved Christmas, playing with (chewing on) all your new toys and crinkling the wrapping paper. You also like going to the nursery in church where you can swing and watch all the other babies and toddlers. You usually get a little hungry and I come and visit with you, but I’m told you are usually very calm throughout church. Your brother liked nursery at first, and then eventually had some separation anxiety for a few months, so I won’t be surprised if you start to experience the same feelings soon.

You are starting to sleep better throughout the night. You still sleep in bed with Mommy (Daddy works at night so he never gets to sleep when you do.) You used to stay up with me and sleep downstairs or wait to go to bed until I did. I’ve just started being able to put you down at seven in the crib where you’ll sleep for a few hours before I come up to bed and snuggle down with you.

Daddy and I (and Rhino!) love you so much and can’t wait to have more fun with you next month!

Lots of Love,
Mommy

Rhino dearest,

The past two months with you have been a joy, as always! You are such a sweetheart, a bright little boy, and always make us laugh! You didn’t have a doctor’s visit this month, but did have a WIC appointment where we were able to get your height and weight. At 22 months you were 26 pounds, 12 ounces (44th percentile) and 32.75 inches tall (22nd percentile.)

Your vocabulary has really taken off these past few months! You say all sorts of words like shoe, boot, two, hat, cheese, snow, car, plane, up, down, juice, hair, eye, nose, mouth, chin, and thank you (“dat doo”). You don’t string words together to make simple sentences yet, but I have the feeling that’s coming soon! You still use your words together with sign language symbols, but we haven’t taught you any new signs lately.

Some exciting things have happened these past months! Your Aunt Jen came to visit and had such a good time with you! You entertained her a lot with your dancing, silly playing around, and guitar hero strumming. She tried for ten days to get you to say Aunt Jen, but you wouldn’t even try it. Then, after she left, you were looking at photos on our digital frame and saw a picture of her, pointed, and said Aunt Jen. Daddy was on the computer and looked up with surprise, and asked if that’s what you had said. It was pretty clear. Too bad you couldn’t do that a few days earlier for your aunt! We did lots of fun things with your aunt while she was visiting, like shopping, going out to lots of different restaurants, a wonderful Thanksgiving, checking out the Aviation and Science museum, visiting the fish market in Hachinohe, going to the beach to see shipwrecks and horses, and playing games. She can’t wait to see you again!

We also celebrated Christmas last month! It was your second Christmas and was a little more exciting for you than your first Christmas. You enjoyed getting advent treats every day in December, loved all the sweet goodies we munched throughout the month, and really loved the tree and would consistently try to blow out the lights and take down all the ornaments! You received some wonderful gifts from all the people that love you, including a tricycle, a Mr. Potato Head, a huge box of Lego Duplos, some wonderful wooden puzzle toys and lacing beads, lots of snazzy clothes, and your favorite ball – a Blue’s Clues ball! It was a fun, quiet Christmas and you seemed to really have a great time!

You are still such a good big brother and are really bonding with Heron. He adores you so much and you make him laugh when no one else can. You shower him with kisses, want to hold him, and share your toys (by forcing them into his little hands) and your sippy cup (though he doesn’t care for that yet!) You two are so sweet together and I’m looking forward to the days ahead where you will play together!

Thanks for another fantastic few months with you, Rhino! Daddy and I love you more and more each day and can’t wait to have another great month with our big boy!

Love always,
Mommy

We had our first family Christmas at home this year. It is a little lonely being so far away from family, but we had a beautiful Christmas with the boys and our friends. We had lots of lovely snow for Christmas, cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa. Rhino ran downstairs in the morning after we read Luke 2, excited about his advent treat that he’d gotten for the past 24 days. He completely overlooked the tree and presents and ran straight for the empty advent calendar. We had to turn him around and set him straight before he saw all the presents and pointed with a great big “WOW!”

Rhino enjoyed unwrapping the gifts. He’s much better at it this year than he was last year, when he’d only peel a tiny little scrap at a time! Everything unwrapped received another “WOW!” and he was just as excited about Heron’s toys as he was his own. Heron liked to just lie under the tree and gnaw on his toys, then eventually fell asleep on the sofa from all the excitement!

We received so many wonderful gifts from our family. We really are blessed to have such wonderful people who care about us. I only wish they all could have been with us to share in the festivities. I would love it if all our family, both Matt’s and mine, could come together for the holidays, but I don’t really see it happening anytime soon. We’d love to go back to the States to spend future Christmases with family, but while we’re stationed in Japan, it is too much of a trip to trek all over the country for the holiday. Maybe someone will want to come out here with us one of these years!