Christmas in toddler quotes

Jackson and I had gone shopping at Target for some items including stocking stuffers for dad. One items we grabbed was disinfecting wipes for inside the car. Well we got home and while we were having lunch with dad he asked Jackson how our errands went. Jackson replied with great excitement "Dad, we got you wipes for your stocking!"

Christmas Eve morning Jackson was a bit crabby and definitely testing my patience. Two time outs later it was time for some quiet time (aka nap time). Although I chalked a lot of his uncooperative behavior up to too much Christmas excitement, I still did tell him that this behavior was not what Santa wanted, in other words Santa wouldn't bring toys. I knew he was a little sad when I left his room but I definitely felt a little guilty when I heard this in repeat through the monitor before he fell asleep; "Santa won't bring presents. I want presents. Santa, bring presents."

On Christmas Eve Jackson was sitting down to eat with my cousins daughter. Toddlers of course are not always interested in food. We had given them a few encouraging lines to eat when J chimed in about eating dinner...."We want to have energy for Santa!"

The day after Christmas Jackson asked numerous times, "Is it still Christmas?" and "Where is the Elf today?" Each time I responded with the North Pole or no, it's over he was sad. "I wish it was still Christmas!"

Emerson Marie - 4 months

Emerson Marie, you still love to cuddle. 

New discoveries: her hands! She chews on them and tries to suck her fingers. She reaches and grabs with more control although still spastic. She sometimes gets confused that she is holding an object and can't figure out how to release it. 

Favorite things: she LOVES when you talk directly to her. Big smiles flow out. She is completely aware of her brother and does full head whips in his direction. The other day when I picked them up from school she was wide awake in her car seat and Jackson bent down to say "Hi Emmy." Well she lit up in a big smile at him. 

Some stats:

Six 4oz bottles each day, ready to go to 6oz for some

Just hit 10lbs mark

Always puts hands in her face or over her eyes

3M clothes are mostly all still big, some newborn still fit

Sleeps most always 930pm till 5-530am

Doesn't mind baths

Drools a lot 

Still sleeps in rock-n-play

Time is sure flying...Love you little peanut!

The adventures of A Plant

Adventures of “A Plant”

Our Elf has been busy this month. Jackson has enjoyed seeing all the crazy activities that A Plant has been up to (see how he got his name here).

One of his favorite Elf activities was when he brought magic seeds from Santa. 

Jackson & Emerson, 

Plant these seeds in sugar,
Bury them with care,
Wait for the magic,
And see what will grow there.

Love,
Santa

 After he planted them I asked what he thought may grow. He thought about it then smiled and said "A cake!" Close Jackson, chocolate covered pretzels sprouted the next day. This idea was first seen here. 

A Plant will be heading back to the North Pole till next December tomorrow night. It's a good thing too, he whispered to me he's getting tired and is looking forward to some good rest. Safe travels A Plant, see you next year!

Lots of love in a 5x7

 Christmas cards are one of my favorite parts of the holiday. Although this year they were a little more stressful to get actually ordered and sent (and we even joked about an email option), I am so happy with how they turned out. 

So much love and happiness goes into each envelope we receive. Just as much as I love sending out a photo that makes my heart sing, I love seeing pictures and hearing words from all our friends and family. 

This year Jackson took over the role of opening up each card that we received. He loves it as much as I do. He looks at each one carefully, comments and says "Read it!" His observations about several cards were so fun to hear. My friend Katie sent a beautiful picture from her wedding this past year. Jackson stared at it for a while before saying "Mom, its the city!" and "Mom, she get married?....Awww." He asks to know each and every person's name pictured and asks "Who's that?" if he can't identify them right away. 

We used photos from a wonderful photographer when she took Emerson's three month pictures at the end of November. It is amazing to look at them even less than a month later and see how different Em actually is now. I ordered a total of four different versions using various codes through Shutterfly and Tiny Prints. 2015 goal...design my own.

We wish you the merriest of Christmas time!

Christmas magic and frosting

We went on another amazing adventure to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express this year. Jackson was way more involved than last year and had so much fun. Our park district really does a great job with this event. 

We met at a park district building to wait for the Polar Express to arrive.

Jackson was able to write a letter to Santa and drop it in the mail. Although he didn't want me to help, I sneaked in an opportunity to write his address on it so he maybe could get a reply. 

Sure enough a letter from the North Pole arrived at the end of this week. Jackson wasn't as excited about the letter as other Christmas things. I am not sure he fully understood/connected it all but he was interested none the less. 

The trolley ride was filled with the story of The Polar Express, and before we knew it we were at the North Pole. 

Jackson saw Mrs. Claus first and they talked cookies. Then he went to see the big man, asking once again for Ninja Turtle socks. Santa gave him a bell from his sleigh before Jackson said good-bye. 

The Elf hunt was next. Jackson made sure we each had a flash light to find the Elves hiding in the woods. He enjoyed spotting them, but not as much as he just enjoyed carrying the flashlight around. We made a stop at the playground then before checking out the reindeer. 

After drinking some hot chocolate, eating Mrs. Claus's cookies, and Jackson taking a spill off a bench, we took the Polar Express back home. One of the most adorable parts was watching Jackson try to sing Christmas carols with everyone else on the way home. He attempted words very quietly where he thought they should be and listened intently to the whole trolley singing.

The next day was another second annual event, making gingerbread men. 

The kiddos had fun covering their gingerbread man in frosting and lots of candy. Jackson of course kept asking to lick the frosting had it on more places than just his gingerbread by the time he was done. 

There was five little kiddos decorating and it was so fun to watch them all. They enjoyed holiday shaped sandwiches after ward and ran off their sugar high for a bit. This little tradition started last year with Jackson and his friend Angelina. We are so excited it expanded and prevailed to be on the calendar again. 

It is crazy to see the difference a year makes. What baby faces they had last year and how much more they interact together this year. We definitely still had to bribe them to take this photo, but I am so glad we did.

What is real

Jackson was playing with his Legos when he discovered he had two of the same construction men with walkie talkie helmets. I told him that was great, now they could talk to each other. 

"No Mom, they can't."

"Why not J?"

"Because they are not real."

"Oh. What is real?"

He shrugs, "the couch, the house, the bags, the Elf."

Smile.

Christmas magic success.

Oh, and by bags he was referring to his Christmas countdown bags.

Meet Santa's Helper

Santa's helper is baaaaaack!!!

Last Sunday, November 30, Santa delivered a special package for Jackson and Emerson. It came while J was napping. I had to wake him up and he was not happy about it until I told him that I thought I heard jingle bells outside. "The jingle bells were loud, they came close to the house, it sounded just like Santa, Jackson!"

He was so eager as we went down the stairs and this bright red and white polka dot package was on the porch. His swollen sleepy eyes quickly filled with extreme excitement and curiosity. He kept looking around for who could of dropped it off. He claimed he even heard Santa too! We brought the package in and Jackson tore it open!

Santa's special delivery contained some jingle socks for Em and an Elf cup for J, the Elf on the Shelf book, a letter from Santa to Jackson and Em, and of course, some cookies. 

We read the letter first (see below) and then read the book. Jackson was intrigued but you could tell he did not fully get it. He was also way to concerned about those cookies. 

Jackson & Emerson,

Christmas is near and there is fun to be had! How do I know if you have been good or bad?

I am sending a special elf to keep an eye on you. He will watch and report to me all that you do.

Be sure to listen to your mom and your dad, so when the elf flies to me each night I wont be sad.

Be sure to give the elf a name, something special you know. Its then important to not touch the Elf or his magic might go.

He will arrive tomorrow from the North Pole. Be nice J and Em, you don’t want any coal.

Love,

Santa

The Elf showed up the next day on our advent calendar (he filled the bags too ;) ). We asked Jackson that evening if he had a name for the Elf yet. He suggested mom, dad, and Santa before finally falling on "A Plant." We questioned it, suggested names, but his mind was made up. It rattled off his tongue with unwavering certainty that despite our little chuckles, it has definitely stuck. 

A Plant had quite the first week adventures. 

He built a Lego fort leaving a trail of unused legos on the floor, 

turned the milk green making "Elf Milk" and left an after school snack of a snowman donut (chocolate chip eyes and Jelly Belly nose).

Do you see the snowman donut on the plate?

He even had some time to do some fishing. 

Jackson eagerly looks for the Elf in the morning, sometimes even talking about him while looking to where he was only to discover he moved. He talks about where he has been before and knows he is watching him. 

A Plant has many more adventures ahead as our Christmas countdown continues. 

Em starts school

Em started school this week. 

It is hard to believe she should have started about 6 weeks ago because this week just felt right.

The night before I told Jackson that Emerson was going to school with him tomorrow. He immediately got excited, "Em will be bigger?"

Kind of Jackson, she is still little but she is big enough to go to school. He was so thrilled that Em was getting bigger and you could just see the pride in his eyes that she was going to his school. He asked if she was going to be in his room with him and seemed protective over her that she wouldn't be. 

The next morning went smooth, my mind was only racing with thinking of items to remember and time checks so I could make it to work on time. One of the first things Jackson asked when he woke up was if Emmy was bigger today.

We all made it to school with everything we needed and on time. Em and J were both the first ones to arrive in each of their rooms. The teacher took Em so that I could help J with his coat and backpack. When I tried to take J to his classroom though so I could then get Em settled he wouldn't have it. He wanted to be with her and see where she was going. 

The teacher already had Em out of her car seat and in her arms when J and I walked in. She was WIDE awake, content, and just looking all around. It brought such a sense of calm to me to see her curiosity showing....and that you weren't crying. 

Jackson was very curious himself, of the room she was in and what mom was doing. One rule we quickly forgot was that we can't wear our shoes in the infant room. I quickly took mine off outside but that meant J had to stand by the door.  I relearned all the other old habits of dropping off an infant quickly, although quite clumsily. Meanwhile, Jackson kept inching further into the room, anxious to see his sister. 

When it was finally time to say goodbye to little Em the only tears came from Jackson. Me, I felt the sadness that this was the first of many little milestones that my baby girl wont stay little forever but I was also overcome with excitement for all that she will learn. We love the school we send our kids to and I hope she has as positive of an experience as Jackson has had. 

My little old man was doing all the sappy emotions for me anyway.

He didn't want to separate from Em. A kiss and hug and promise that he could see her later eased his tears. His big brother reaction melted my heart. I hope it never fades Jackson, always look out for your baby sister, even when she really is bigger. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend was busy with family and fun. It was quite the Christmas kickoff too!

To be sure we saw Santa this year we went the day before Thanksgiving. Jackson was beyond excited to see him! If it wasn't for the snow globe and lots of fake snow to run around in before Santa it would have been hard to make him wait. My wonderful parents helped make this happen by my dad waiting in line while I drove in with the kiddos. Many many other people had this same idea cause the line was outrageous and I would have otherwise had one sad two year old.

Leading up to see Santa we kept asking Jackson what he was going to ask him to bring him on Christmas. Without hesitation each time Jackson said "Ninja Turtle socks." Well, sure enough that is exactly what he told Santa!When he was finally up with Santa, Santa asked him if he wanted some cars or trucks but nope, just some Ninja Turtle socks that I had to repeat for confused Santa to hear.

Thanksgiving was wonderful, spent with my family at my Aunt's house. Lots of delicious food and way too many turkey cookies for Jackson. We sat at a table with some of my cousins. It was so weird to be at the "kid table" with them with two kids of my own this year. Jackson had a blast playing a matching game with my cousin Helen and tried hard to help us out with a puzzle.

Friday we started a new version of an old tradition. Instead of cutting down a Christmas tree we decorated my parents with them. Jackson was all into it! He loved taking the ornaments out of the boxes and putting them up, often asking to put them waaaaaay up.

Before we even started decorating the tree though Jackson very seriously asked Grandma where her star was for the tree. He said that the tree needed a star so that Santa could find it. He repeated this many times with concern that there was no star. He was very worried that Santa would not know where to go without it, so my mom found a way to make the star happen.

Jackson helped draw it out, decorate it and even cut it. He was so proud when it went up on the tree! My mom says its the best star she has ever had on her tree.

Little Em was not in the best of moods and slept/cried through most of her first decorating experience.

Saturday kicked off with Gingerbread Construction Company! It was a fun park district event for Jackson and me. Although this task was super fun and I absolutely loved being on a date with my little man, the house was a little more challenging and sticky than I anticipated.

Jackson got into decorating our house a little bit, adding a garden to the roof. But he was most excited about eating everything! "I eat this?...Mom, I eat it?...What else can I eat?....I eat it now?....I eat this, yes or no?...I eat another one?...Just one more?

Everytime I turned around he had another piece of candy ready to eat or already in his mouth. He would sort them out, one for the house and these to eat. 

In the evening we went to my in-laws for a Thanksgiving celebration with them (and to watch the Iron bowl). Jackson was busy with making (eating) marshmallow snowmen with Aunt Megan and a gingerbread house with Nana Trish. Still concerned a lot with what candy he could eat he did make a cute house with candy lights.

He partied hard with Aunt Megan, lots and lots of building various "flyers" out of blocks and staying up way past his bed time.

We are so sad its Sunday and the weekend is over. I am making the most of this long, much needed nap from my kiddos and have a little more preparation to do for a certain Elf that arrives tomorrow!

As said by J

It's thirty o'clock! Whenever "reading" the time off his compass or asking something about the time he will always state it. He's usually serious, sometimes has a tone of panic and often follows up with something about 8 minutes. 

In order for this story to make sense I have to take you back to October when while playing in leaves with Jackson my wedding band went flying off my finger and was temporarily lost. After a mini search party combed through the leaves for a while my brother-in-law Joey found it. Jackson was there helping and knew how upset mom was and then how happy mom was. Well, Jackson was out on an adventure with Grandpa, Great Grandma and Em. Great Grandma noticed her ring was not on her finger but she didn't know when it went missing. They searched all through the car and possible places. Jackson was very concerned saying "I'm so sorry you lost your ring."  After searching came up empty Jackson suggested "we need Uncle Joey, he will find it."

On Thanksgiving Jackson was talking with my dad and Matt when he all of a sudden had to go to the bathroom.  "I gotta go potty!" They looked toward the bathroom but someone was in there so my dad asked him, "can you hold it?" Jackson paused, wide eyed and a little puzzled, suddenly grabbed his crotch. 

Emerson Marie - 3 Months

Emerson Marie you are growing way too quickly. This past month you really have grown too! Jumping up big in weight gains over the past two weeks finally has you in size one diapers! 

You smile more and more, coo all the time (sometimes I swear you say "hi" right back to me), and I am so close to cracking the full belly laugh code with you. 

You absolutely love this blond Lamaze princess doll that my mother-in-law bought for you. It has been the center of your focus most all play times. You have been intentionally grabbing at the hanging toys and actually do grab on.

You have continued to sleep through the night, which your working mom thanks you for. The doctor recommended we keep you in the incline bassinet till your next appointment. We will see if your sleep changes when we switch you to lay flat. 

Your expressions melt me. You seriously love to be directly talked too and talk right back. 

You love your big brother and he loves you too! Jackson has helped to give you two nicknames, Emmer and Emmy. Both seem to be sticking right now. He absolutely adores you. Recently, you were crying and crying while at my parents house. They told me that Jackson said "I know what she wants!" and ran away to the family room coming back with a baby toy ferris wheel that sticks to the table. You immediately stopped crying and focused in on it. When Jackson talks you turn to find him and listen. He definitely moves to fast for you right now, but you are so eager to join him!

You love to be held sitting up to see everything and that most definitely includes when J is playing and I swear you just want to too! I prop you up by him playing Legos and I smile at your excited arms moving for several minutes before your over stimulated and ready to sleep. 

Emerson Marie, you have exited your newborn phase and are so curious of the world around you. Love you little peanut!

Elf on the Shelf - 2 year old edition

The days are long but the years are short. We know we only have a few really good years of completely innocent genuine excitement for the holiday season with our kids. I want to make the most of it and am so excited to see the glisten in Jackson's eyes with all the magic.

Elf on the shelf was a first time success last year. Now that Jackson is two we can't wait to have more fun with it, not just moving the Elf around to new locations.

Full time back at work with a three month old and a toddler has its challenges, mostly that revolve around my energy level. So to be most ready to implement our Elf on the Shelf adventure I created a plan. I didn't want to be struggling to think of something at ten o'clock at night and end up just moving him around (or not and then being sad when Jackson quickly points out that the Elf didn't move, something must be wrong).

This plan is a compilation of Elf ideas that I thought would not only bring excitement out in Jackson, but were doable for my time and resources/space. I am giddy just thinking about putting this plan into action. I can't wait to bring updates as it gets underway!

Some of the ideas are common, seen on many many sites and blogs. One particular idea though that I am excited to try is the magic elf seeds. Check here for original source and explanation. I plan to do chocolate covered pretzel sticks with sprinkles instead of cookies, but I guess we will see what works out.

These ideas don't have the Elf hard to find, play on Jackson's current interests, and incorporate some yummy treats and crazy ideas to really entice Jackson's imagination. I am way to excited to make a mess of the bathroom by tee-peeing it and to tape streamers all over his door in the very early morning so when he calls for me I "can't" get in to get him up.

Some back up ideas I have that can be used to replace something that doesn't end up working out are:

-Have the Elf "cooking" in Jackson's kitchen

-The Elf is a pirate by making a paper sword and a ribbon bandana.

-Elf is taking a nap with Jackson's giraffe (the back up giraffe I have as he will be sleeping with his actual one ;) )

-Then honestly there are four places that I would love to put the Elf and only listed three times to just move him.

November, you truly help me realize all that I am thankful for, especially as I plan for December. I am so very eager for you to end though!