O Christmas Tree

It is December. As soon as Halloween is over, I start to get excited for Christmas. Yet, I feel the need to stifle it. There are those who take offence to early Christmas spirit, feeling that its rude to overshadow Remembrance Day. That has now passed, and American Thanksgiving is done as well, so I can safely celebrate the season without pissing anyone off. YAY!!!

I had a great morning. Laela slept until 5:45am, and then again until 9:30. So the house was quiet and the family was well rested. When Dekker was ready to get up, I dressed him and started him on his breakfast. While he ate, I changed Laela into a new sleeper (who wears real clothes if they don’t have to?) and packed the diaper bag. I dressed and brushed myself, and threw my makeup bag in the diaper bag. I started the car. I bought a song on iTunes. I was racing around until Dekker caught my attention by pointing to a chair and quietly asking “Sit?” What was the rush? Of course I sat with him, but noticed right away that he was out of milk. I asked if he wanted more. He tilted his head, looking at his cup before responding “Um….dease.” Thats “please” for those who don’t know. I got up and pulled the milk out of the fridge. As I was pouring it, I glanced over at him, and he screeched “Love love love!” I love you too, babe. Once he had finished his cereal and banana, he pointed at something and said “dease.” And for the life of me, I had NO idea what he wanted. Usually if I asked him more than two or three times, he gets super frustrated. Or he just keeps saying please. But he very patiently kept pointing in the same place and more and more clearly saying “pe.” I offered him some toast and he smiled and seemed interested, but often he just agrees with my first offer, and then it turns out that wasn’t what he wanted at all. So I tried a few more things. When he actually shook his head at the offer of grapes, I went back to toast. Again, interest, but not quite right. Bread? Squeals of joy!! Dekker, can you say bread? “Ped!” Got it. So I made him a peanut butter sandwich and he was good to go. Not one tear or frustrated sound.

I loaded both kids into the car around 11:30 and headed to my moms to spend the afternoon. On the drive, I listened to my new song on repeat. I’m bad for that, but the kids don’t complain anyway. I confess, I’ve always hated “The Little Drummer Boy.” Worst. Song. Ever. Who wants to sing the “pa rum pum pum pum” part?! But I LOVE it now. I have three versions that I can’t get enough of. Two of them have been viral internet videos in the past or present but I’ll attach them all at the bottom of this post in case anyone wants to partake of the drumming.

We got to my moms around noon and had lunch. Dekker was playing so well! He has grown so much since spending some time with his cousins. He suddenly has lots of new words and is trying new games and including us in them, seeking praise. It was beautiful, and sooo sad to put him down for a nap. But the evening was going to be busy so we needed him rested.

He woke up raring to go! Normally, he wakes up and expects to eat immediately. But I woke him and changed him, and then my mom and I started to get both kids dressed for outside. The whole time, I hear Dekker listing off his items. “Coat. Shoes. Hat.” Laela was not impressed with being put into her little fleece snowsuit, or having a hat tied atop her head, but as soon as she was all warm and cozy she fell asleep, so I’m thinking she got over it. We loaded everyone into the car, my mom included, and we headed to Saskatoon to buy Christmas trees with the boys!

We go to the same place every year. This is our fourth year, and honestly, it may be the last. I hate waiting so long to put my tree up. For the sake of convenience and Christmas spirit, both of our families are debating going artificial. I would be sad to lose the tradition and the smell, but life goes on. I’m sure we’ll find other ways to bond 🙂

I won’t sugar coat. It was frozen out there. The kids were troopers though. Dekker was loving the cold air and the wind, and Laela fell asleep. Behold – our mini-mes.

Once we had picked our trees and paid up, we drove to a nearby Wendy’s for supper together. Burgers and fries later, we were all comfy and happy and visiting. It was fairly quiet in the restaurant but both tables beside ours were full and Dekker was quite a hit, charming all the ladies. He was truly in his element, with french fries and an audience all in one place! It was almost sad to leave. But we did. Brady and I crossed the city to the walk-in clinic. I’ve mentioned recently that I have an upcoming procedure to cut away some of my toenail to cure an ingrown. I had strict instructions to leave it alone. But I didn’t. I messed with it and picked at it. And weirdly enough, now its getting better! My procedure date is one week away, and if I’m going to cancel, it needs to be soon. So I got it checked this evening and the doctor confirmed that it certainly is on the mend. Yay! I’m glad we went. No slicey-dicey for me! We left in good time. I took the kids home and Brady brought his work van to my parents’ house to drop off their tree.

I felt pretty proud of myself. I hadn’t yet had to get the kids out the door on my own, and I did it successfully this morning! And then, upon getting home, I needed to get them in and settled on my own. And guess what! I did it! I got them both in at once, which was a relief, as no one had to bawl in the backseat while the other was brought in first. We hung out in the entrance while Dekker asked to have his winter clothes removed in a specific order. Then I changed Laela’s diaper, and then Dekkers, and put him in jammies. He didn’t like that very much but he tolerated it. Then I brought him to my room and figured we’d play on the bed until Brady got home. And we had a BLAST!

Best of all, he went down well and is most definitely asleep. A bath is run, Laela is fed, the tree is up and starting to spread out, and I’m anticipating a snack that is both delicious and terrible for me. Perhaps these snacks are what is keeping that extra eighteen pounds of “pregnancy weight” on me…