Second Best Christmas Ever!

Funny how when I found out we weren't meeting up with the family until 4:00pm that I wondered what the heck we were going to do all day! We normally spend Christmas breakfast with Marcee and Lance after opening presents at our own houses, with them out of town this year I thought we were going to have way too much time on our hands. I was so wrong!

Luckily I did get to sleep in till 10am! With Ollie up so late partying on his birthday he was kind enough to sleep in himself, and Matt was kind enough to be the one to wake up with him. He fed him and started breakfast and then came in to wake me up. Every Christmas morning for as long as I can remember I have had crepes, my Dad used to make them, and we've had some great ones from Lance, but this year Matt got to do the honors. Another tradition is our Christmas breakfast plates, Matt had them pulled out and had done his best to find Christmas place matts and even had smoothies waiting for me in a wine glass. What a lucky girl I am!

I can't recall all the details now, but I remember holding Ollie and as soon as he caught sight of his little tricycle bike from Santa he was pointing and reaching for it in excitement. There was no holding him back, and that was the beginning of the second best Christmas ever!

 

Another Christmas tradition (my favorite of all traditions) is to each take turns saying what we are thankful for before opening presents. We call it a thanktimony because it really is more of a time to reflect on the year and what is most near and dear to our hearts, and sharing that with each other is the greatest present of all. For Matt and I this year, Ollie of course is still the one thing we are most thankful for above all. It is amazing how this little boy has changed our world! Matt also talked about how grateful he is for his calling, for all that it is teaching him. I have to say that I am grateful for his calling too, it's been amazing to see him stretch and learn and grow, I still have so much to learn from him and it is truly amazing how each year gives us new experiences that help us to love and appreciate each other even more. After our thanktimony we got busy opening presents. It couldn't be any more fun to spoil this little guy because everything was new and exciting! We started with his stocking...

  He got as far as pulling his little Christmas teddy out, he was so happy about it he stood up, picked up his teddy and his stocking and started dragging them around walking in circles!

I finally got him to sit back down and helped him unload the rest of his stocking full of books and cars. When he found those he didn't want to put them down which made it hard to open any other presents!

 

 

Dadda had to intervene, helping him put his cars down so he could concentrate on opening all his other presents.



 One of his little grandma's at church couldn't resist giving him a Christmas present, he opened it up, grabbed his new soft little blanky and squealed as he cuddled it.

He got better at figuring out how to tear off that paper...

 Lots of new books.

 Matt blew up a little horse for him to punch around, but surprisingly Ollie was scared of it and cried when he saw it, he had to have Matt right there with him to protect him from that thing- we got good laughs over that :)

 

Matt started punching him around and Ollie finally joined in on the fun...

 Then he opened his present from Matt...

 

I don't know which one of them was more excited, Ollie for his new ball, or his proud daddy who can't wait to play with him? Then he saw that scary horse again!

 Some new blocks...

 

A present from Grandpa and Grandma...

Have to read the card first...

 

 It's a wolf...

 No, it's a backpack!

 Presents from Aunt Barb

 What to start playing with?

 It was all fun until he saw the horse and got scared again!

 No worries, Dadda can always make him laugh!

 

 And then I opened all of my stash- new clothes, new snowboard and gear...

Matt showing off his presents, which are the new electronics and entertainment center behind him and his new snowboard and gear...

And my favorite family present of all- Roomba!

 No more sweeping all the time, we put her to work right away!

 

 What a fun morning it was, I have always loved and enjoyed Christmas, even the mornings with just the two of us, but I seriously can't even describe how much more fun it was having Ollie share the morning with us this year. I didn't even care about our presents because it was so fun watching him and being so excited for him. I thought we would have time to sit around and even take a nap or something because we didn't have to meet up with the family till four, but as usual I had a ton of other stuff planned that I hadn't gotten to. There were a bunch of people I had cards and presents for, and we had some cooking to do for our Christmas dinner so I got busy getting it all together. It was fun getting to see friends on Christmas day, most people were kicking back enjoying their time with their family and getting to pop in and share some love made the day even brighter. Only wish that Matt could have gone with me, I was so far behind I had to send him and Ollie to dinner with the family so that the food wouldn't be late and then I met up with them a little later.

We didn't have the entire family together this year, and that is okay, sometimes a smaller crowd is nice. But I'll always miss everyone when we have our family thanktimony. I'll never forget one year ago being the only ones that were away for Christmas and how special it was for us to get to face time the family so we could hear part of the Thanktimony and how we had little Ollie in our arms in the hospital, just one day old introducing him to the family for the very first time and trying to choke back tears as we shared our thoughts from miles away. When it was my turn this year I talked about that day- how I remember being in the hospital and while we were downstairs in the cafeteria for breakfast while papers were being signed and how we heard "Silent Night" coming out of the chapel doors at the end of the cafeteria. Words can never adequately express the feelings in my heart that moment, knowing that our little Christmas miracle had arrived and being so full of gratitude and thanks. The very first time I heard that song this year I had to fight back the tears all over again because it took me back to that moment in the hospital and I relived all those feels again. We will forever be grateful for Jess, and truly we feel so blessed to be a part of her life. I know there are mixed feelings out there about openess but we can't help but feel that she is in our lives for a reason, and just as we have been entrusted with getting this sweet little spirit back to our Heavenly Father, we love her too and if we have a role to play in her life then we are ever so grateful to fulfill it. You can't really understand the bond you have- mother to mother- until you've experienced what we have together. She is my friend in a way that no one else will ever really comprehend. And here we are, about to embark on the journey all over again to find another mother that needs us just as much as we need her. Our adoption journey has taught me so much, it's forever changed me and looking back even though I would have never chosen this road, I wouldn't have it any other way. But it isn't just about us, my family played such a huge part. How do you ever adequately thank your family for all the love and support they give? I know Ollie wouldn't be in our arms today without them, and I know they will be there for us through thick and thin for whatever lies ahead.

I have to say that my favorite thanktimony this year was Dad's. He has such a big tender heart especially for his children, and this was not the first time I have ever seen him cry. The things that stood out to me where first his recognition of Mom's endless sacrifices and selflessness and how much he has to learn from her. And then he talked about Jodee. I know they have had their struggles living under the same roof, but he talked about the other night seeing her at her computer, the same one she has spent endless sleepless nights working at while the kids were asleep and she was putting in her time trying to provide for her family, and here she is starting a new chapter in her life. Listening to him felt like I was moving out of the house all over again, that whole sense of being proud that she is "growing up" and moving on mixed with the emotions of letting go and knowing that chapter is closed. He talked about how he will miss those kids and how special they are. There were many times he couldn't even talk as he tried to get the words out over his emotions. These are the moments I love Dad the most, because he has one big giant soft heart for his family!

We ended Christmas by staying up all night playing games. I can only think of one Christmas that has ever been better- but I don't know how any Christmas could ever top our very first Christmas with Ollie!

 

Christmas Eve Miracles

After the party, the boys were all tuckered out so I let them rest while I went about cleaning up. I don't know what it was that reminded me, but all of the sudden it hit me that it was Christmas Eve, the 12th day before Christmas and I was supposed to have delivered the 12th present to a family that I was participating in doing the 12 days of Christmas for! A quick look at the time and it was already after 11:00pm, and then the panic of realizing I had already gotten a gift but I had failed to pick up 12 of anything to deliver along with it! (One of those things on the shopping list that is never written down but lurks around in my head waiting to magically come to my remembrance while I'm shopping). I looked down at what I was doing- cleaning up from the party and realized I had just packed up the remaining cupcakes. I rushed over and counted them...one, two, three....I had exactly 12! I had no other choice but to make those the gift for their final day and really it felt like a bit of a miracle that I had remembered first of all and then that I had exactly 12 of anything. I was slightly saddened that I hadn't even eaten a cupcake myself, but to confess something I probably shouldn't- Matt reminded me that there was one left with a single bite out of it, who knows who took the bite. I rationalized that they are all family and satisfied my desire for a cupcake by eating the rest of it. It was delicious!

 I rushed around wrapping the cupcakes, typing up the secret letter, etc. and when I went to grab my coat to run out the door it was no where to be found. So strange, I swear I just saw it hanging in my closet, but nope- it wasn't there. I settled on a sweat shirt that is warm but that I honestly am not very fond of because it fits me funny. And then it happened- the second Christmas Eve Miracle, (remembering and having 12 cupcakes was the first miracle!) I felt a bulge in the front pocket of my sweatshirt and thought I must have left a lipstick or something in there last time I wore it. When I put my hand in to retrieve the mystery item I was utterly shocked to open my hand and find my ring! My long lost Fleur de lis ring- the first piece of my brothers' jewelry I ever owned. It was a Christmas present years ago and I had been missing it for over a year. (Last November was the last time I could actually remember wearing it.) I had even asked Matt to get me a new one for Christmas having given up on ever finding it again, and here it was, a little tarnished but precious none the less. I am pretty sure I screamed with delight, it was just like opening a present and in a way I felt like it was my present for going out that night. Had I not decided to go deliver that gift I might have never found it because that sweatshirt is one that will likely be thrown in a pile of give-away stuff the next time I clean out the closet and some lucky person at DI would be in possession of my cherished ring. It truly made my night to find it.

I departed from the house at 11:26pm and had a bit of a drive ahead of me. I ended up going by myself but I don't mind that sometimes. I had Christmas music blaring in the car and time to soak in the spirit of Christmas, thinking of all my many blessings and feeling the joy of the season. I got to the house around 11:45pm. I didn't want to get caught and was worried about how that was going to work when I was both the deliverer and the get away driver! I saw a neighbor or someone walking up to a neighbors house a few doors down and nearly stopped them to see if they would run the present up there for me, but I chickened out and decided to do it myself. I parked a few houses down on the opposite side of the road and backed the car up nearly bumper to bumper with another one on the street (my license plate has my name on it so it is kind of a give-away!) I turned out all the lights, grabbed my presents, exited the car and snuck up to the house. The porch was all lit up but I was quiet as a mouse. I put the presents down and banged on the door three times. They had a metal screen door which is great for making lots of noise. Then I took off running, my heart was pounding and my flip flops (bad choice) where smacking the ground with a loud noise giving away my every step. Somehow I made it back to the car, I hid between my car and the one I had backed up to not ready to open my car door quite yet in case I was giving myself away. I peeped up and looked through the window in front of me, no one had followed. The entire street was calm and quiet. I sat still for a little while and then it appeared that no one was coming and I was safe. I rushed into the car but from where I was I couldn't see if the presents had been picked up or not, curiosity got the better of me and I had to drive by to see, so I did. There they were still sitting there. Had they not heard my loud banging? I guess some people must go to bed before midnight on Christmas Eve! I didn't quite know what to do, they had already had one present stolen from their porch this year so I was a bit worried. I called Matt for advice but in the end I decided not try knocking again. I laughed because I realized the cupcakes were a blessing, what stranger would want them? The real present was safely hidden inside the card so I just trusted that they would find it in the morning and know that they weren't forgotten.

What a rush it all was. I went home happy listening to Christmas music the whole way. When I got home I finished up cleaning and you would never believe it but Santa appeared right after I finished. He was a bit surprised to find me still awake but what a joy it was to get to help him! I had hoped Matt would have stayed up long enough to catch him too, but he and Ollie slept through the whole thing. The elves hadn't had time to assemble Ollie's car so I volunteered to finish it up for Santa so he could get onto other houses and sent him on his merry way. As I was looking at all the parts, directions, and putting it together in the middle of the night I thought to myself that I was pretty sure this was a job Matt should have been doing. But in the end I was proud of myself for doing it all by myself. I then went about wrapping presents and delivering them under the Christmas tree. I love wrapping presents. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and like to consider myself a "professional" wrapper. When I was young my father and I volunteered wrapping presents at the mall, back then the church did it as a fund raiser at Christmas time. He taught me how to meticulously fold and wrap to perfection and I still think of those fun memories with him each time I wrap Christmas presents. I also love glittery paper, ribbons and bows. I usually go all out, but this year I kept the ribbons and such to a minimum I just had too many to wrap.

With every last piece in place at 3:35am I took a picture of the magic my boys would wake up to. Already it was feeling like a very Merry Christmas!

 

Winter wONEderland First Birthday!

Hard to believe this little guy is already one year old! All month long I've been a bit nastalgic as I replay in my mind what was happening on each day at this time last year as we were preparing ourselves for his birth. I have to admit I've been a bit emotional, it's been a whole year but it all still feels like yesterday and I wonder if I will ever get over all the emotions I feel every time I think of our little miracle. I spent the morning collecting all of his pictues with his teddy bear so I could print them for a display at his party and as a present for Jess. How did he go from this tiny little thing...

To this little boy in just one year?

It took me way too long to collect all the pictures, by the time I was finished I knew I was going to have to simplify my plans because there was no way I was going to get everything done. But it was enjoyable to look back. I stopped to take the final picture, his 12 month/1 year old picture, with Matt right there to help. I was dying that he has that big old bump on his head, but that's what babies that are learning to walk do. I think it gives his one year old picture a little character as if he doesn't have enough! I can't help but add in the bloopers, we stood him and the bear up next to each other to get a perspective of how tall he is now. Ollie got all excited, in doing so he slammed his head back against the bed post. Here is the sequence of him hitting his head and then breaking down into tears. I should be more sympathetic I guess but I think it is so cute the way he puts his hands above his eyes when he cries right now so selfishly I was happy to capture it, and he really wasn't all that hurt.

While I was finishing up the pictures and already getting emotional Jess posted a touching little note on facebook:

Happy Birthday to the boy who will hold my heart forever. Ollie is 1 year old today! I can hardly believe it... Now I know I tend to get lengthy and emotional when I talk about my little one, so I wont. But a huge thank you to everyone who has been there for me this year, and all the love I have today goes to Matt, Loree and Ollie. We are our own miracle. Idk how it all works so well for us but you guys have become some of my best friends in the entire world and I love you so much. Give Ollie a big kiss and ill see you in a few days! Happy Birthday baby boy, mama Jess loves you! ♥

Jess had already been on my mind and since I was at the computer going through pictures I shared a picture of him walking just for her, and this post:

 

My favorite picture ever in the hospital is Ollie looking up at you- he didn't have to speak to tell you how much he loved you, to say thank you, and all the other things that were in his precious little heart. Love you FOREVER!!!! Happy One Year ♥ ♥ ♥ Matt, Loree, and Ollie

After posting back and forth our thoughts about him, last year, and how grateful we are for each other happy tears were flowing. Got to chat with her for a bit, she and the fam called to sing "Happy Birthday" to Ollie, but he was asleep. He woke up a few minutes after we hung up so I called right back so our sleepy little boy could hear them all singing for him. He held the phone and smiled- if he were old enough I sure he would have replied with "Love you too!"

With pictures finally being printed up Matt and I spent the next few hours getting the house ready. We rushed out the door at 2:00pm. We had to get all of the food for the party, all of Ollie's birthday and Christmas presents, decorations, and a whole list of other things and the party was set to start at 6:00pm. (Plus we still had a cake to bake!) We made it to Costco and loaded up on food, found a Christmas present for each other, and presents for Ollie. I was shocked that all the toys were gone- I don't know why that was a surprise but it was and for a moment I panicked, but then we found the remaining toys stashed over on the side wall. Fortunately Matt picked up the very last dump truck- that was the one thing he wanted to get him. I was sad the blocks I wanted to get him were gone, but loaded up on the next best set that was left, we also settled on some books for him too. I have to admit it was fun, Ollie was excited about everything we put in the cart for him. Good thing he is young enough to forget that he has already seen his presents!

We dashed off to Walmart after that. Picking out decorations for the party, the rest of the food, and more presents for Ollie. We were in there a bit too long, and in the end I started grabbing random toys for him but came out with a good stash. I think we finally got back to the house around 5:00pm. One hour till go time. Mom came early to help and had been there for a bit getting whatever ready that she could while she waited for us to get home.

Fondue is a bit of a Christmas Eve tradition for Matt and me. We've been doing the Christmas Eve party at our house for years, usually just a small crowd of family that isn't at the in-laws. This year we had Mom and Dad, Hydee & Adam and kids, Jodee and Dale and kids. A small crowd compared to having the entire family over, but it still made for 19 people total. I still wanted to do fondue, the good thing about it is that you don't cook it before hand so there isn't much prep, and you get to sit and talk while it cooks- great for me because I'm a bit of a talker and it is a slower meal. Matt however decided this might be the last year we do fondue- not the greatest experience with kids! I guess we will just save it for the adult Valentine's parties.

While Mom and Matt were busy with the food prep I started working on decorating. We tansformed the living room into one big dining room so we could all eat together. I used snowmen for the winter wONEderland theme and strung up a timeline of all of Ollie's pictures growing up with his teddy bear along the table. One side had his diaper pictures, and the other side had his pictures in different outfits.

We weren't ready when everyone showed up, but the good thing about family is they never seem to mind and I don't feel the stress of trying to impress anyone so they all pitched in and helped finish everything up so we could enjoy the night together. I was grateful for all the helping hands! Dad, Jodee, her fiance Dale and the kids were the first to arrive.

Soon after Hydee, Adam and kids showed up bearing presents. Hydee said the kids asked why they were going to a birthday party on Christmas Eve, but they were all insistent on bringing Ollie a present which put her a bit behind. I heard Sage begged Hydee to take her to the store so she could spend her last dollar on a present for him, but Hydee finally came up with a good alternative- they made him a shaker and Sage was very excited to tell me about it when she arrived.

Ollie of course was the center of attention the whole night, it didn't have to be his birthday for that to happen! I love every minute of watching him smothered by the family.

The one thing I finally gave up due to time was getting Ollie changed into a cute outfit for his party, and a shower and cute outfit for myself! I hadn't intended on wearing my chore clothes to the party. Oh well.

Food was finally ready, but I couldn't take myself away from Ollie who was showing off to everyone how he is now walking.

 

 

He was SO excited about it, and admittedly so was I. One of the best things this year has been watching Ollie and Emmie grow up together, so grateful he has a cousin only one month older than he is. It's been so fun to celebrate each of their new "victories" together.

When it was finally time to eat we all gathered at the table and Matt stood up at the front with Ollie to welcome everyone, say a few words and call on someone for prayer. It was like Ollie knew it was all for him because the whole time Matt was talking he was clapping and making faces at everyone, enjoying every minute!

 

Let to fondue begin!

 

 

After dinner Ollie got to open presents, the first were his presents from Marmee and grandpa. He loved the elephant bag nearly as much as what was inside!

I know a boy probably shouldn't get a cat, but Ollie lit up when he saw a little mini version of Missee, and was meowing and attacking it just like he does to her. Maybe it will give her an escape now that he can wrestle this little thing.

Then came his presents from Emmie. It was cute to see her waddle over with the bag and "share" it with him.



 

We attempted to put them on the couch to get a picture together, all I can say is it's a bit like herding cats trying to get a shot of the two of them. Ollie was a little wild thing squealing and thrashing around wildly the whole time!

This one has to be my favorite one- his little expression is like him saying he's trying so hard listen and be good.

Next came singing and the cake. Matt was working on the cake during the whole party. He threw the first attempt away, not typical for him to throw away anything he cooks, but evidence of how picky Matt is about his work! We had birthday hats, noise makers and a rowdy crowd to sing him is first "Happy Birthday" song!

For a boy that has no problem digging into his food with his bare hands, it was quite a surprise that he he would only touch his cake with the tip of his pointy finger to get a dab of icing, followed by a taste and another proper little dip. I finally had to shove his whole hand into it. He then proceeded to pick it off of his dirty hand with his clean hand. He made us all laugh.

The crowd died down, with all the excitement over and Santa on his way everyone had to get home. Matt and I kept the party alive long after they were gone. Matt helped Ollie finish his cake, and then they played in it...

 

These are the times that I am thankful to have a dog! I didn't even know where to begin with this mess, but Rocky had no problem figuring out where to start.

 

The high chair was literally "Caked", so I let Rocky have at that too. 

Everyone else got to enjoy cupcakes that Mom made for the party, but we never did get around to breaking out the hot chocolate bar that was setup with all kinds of yummy add-ins.

After we got the floor and chair cleaned up we broke out Ollie's present from us. It was so fun to see his reaction, he LOVED it!

What could be more exciting than a big dump truck full of big legos and buttons to push? He and Dadda got busy playing...

 

And when they were done they snuggled up together on the couch, all tuckered out. Dreaming about what Santa would bring them when they woke up!

Happy First Birthday Ollie!!!