RazNoggle

Wow! I thought that I’d eventually grow out of my Christmasy excitement once I “became” an adult, ya know? However I am here to announce that it is alive and well and probably just as strong as ever. Of course now I’m more excited about it being Qade’s first Christmas than I am for my own “loot.” Ha! Even though the gifts and all at Christmas have always been exciting, that’s not really what stands out in my mind. It’s the festive memories of family and fun and just enjoying it all. Of course as a kid you’re mind is naturally somewhat absorbed in what you’re going to get, BUT for us growing up, it was not completely about that. We would always be so devastated if we somehow found out what our gifts were… and even if we had a pretty good guess, we’d never say it because we LOVED the surprise and anticipation aspect of it. Christmas to me has ALWAYS been magical. There have been some Christmases that didn’t live up to expectations, of course. Life doesn’t seem to care if it’s Christmas or not when people get sick or bad things happen. Those are not the memories of Christmas though, and when this holiday rolls around those thoughts do not come into my head. This is the season for love, and family, and making things special for the ones you care about. That’s my goal now. Not to get up all excited on Christmas morning just to see what’s in my stocking, but to make those same kind of magical memories for my kids that they can drag with them when they “become” adults. I hardly think that all the gifts and gadgets will be going along.

I just love frosty Decembers!! I don’t particularly like being cold, but when there’s a fire crackling merrily inside and I can wear my Woolrich house shoes and an oversized sweatshirt while I sip coffee or coco and watch the snow gently falling out side the window- tis bliss! And if there’s Christmas music playing in the background what more really, could you ask for? Well, I would ask for my hubby to be home with me so that we could snuggle. Then I’d be even warmer!! woo-hoo!!!
Anyway, yesterday me and Qade took a little nap together after Sage left. Qade’s nighttime wakings are wearing us both out! I’m not sure exactly what’s causing them because he was on such a roll with sleeping soundly all night and now he’s waking up 2 times or more just wailing at the top of his lungs. I know better than to feed him at that point. Don’t want to encourage the behavior after all. I read recently though “somewhere” to give the baby water if he’s waking up at night and maybe he’ll decide it’s not worth it just for water. Of course this is only AFTER they are on solids. So last night I figured I’d try it, and gave Qade a sippy cup with good ol’ H2-O in it. He just seemed to get a kick out of it more than anything. I rocked him for a lil bit to get him to calm down and then left him in his crib with the cup. He DID go back to sleep, unlike his mom who was as awake as could be *sigh*. Just about the time I did close my eyes I heard over the monitor the familiar wail. Maybe I’m a bad mother, but I just turned down the volume and let him work it out. I kept an eye on the little lights that indicated the amount of noise, and it actually didn’t take him too long to drop off. Poor guy. I hate to hear him or let him cry, but sometimes I think it’s the best thing. If nothing is “wrong” then he needs to just be able to sooth himself back to sleep. That way both of us would be waking up more refreshed in the morning. Right now he’s in his bed supposed to be napping since Mr. Grumpy-head made his debute again this morning, but he doesn’t seem at all interested in a nap. I’ll give him some time, right now he’s talking to himself, maybe that’ll make him sleepy. Hee hee.
Have a fun day, friends, and cherish those mommy moments if you have them. Yesterday I was rocking Qade and he konked out, but rather than put him right into his bed, I just held him a bit longer and looked at his beautiful face. Those are the sweet moments I never want to forget.

So this morning I’m sitting in the dining room looking at the pale walls and thinking of the brilliant colors that I want to splash all over them! I’ve picked out a very awesome RED for the principle wall and the others will be a Kakki-ish color to complement. Even though I despise white walls I know that you can’t use too much of the deep colors or you’ll get even more of a dungeon effect. It’ll just be a more colorful dungeon. Anyway, I LOVE the colors I’ve done in the living room!!! It’s just so fun to sit in there now. Prettier walls and much lighter, and plus there’s a Christmas tree with festive lights that I keep on all day, and oodles of gifts under it. I was just thinking though, that not one of those packages is for me. *Gasp!* Most of them are for Qade, and some are the ones we’re giving away, but it looks pretty anyway. Ha ha! So now my “interior design” mind has been at work and I have a list of priorities, I think. First, paint the ceiling in the living room (because it really looks awful compared to the amazing walls hee hee) Second, paint Qade’s room. We have to do some spackle work first because of the heater installation. Third, paint the dining room. Fourth the Kitchen (because that’s going to be quite a bit of work to get the look I want). And finally the “spare oom” and bathroom. We shall see how long it takes to get through that list. probably awhile, but that’s okay. Each new room will be motivation to do the rest!

Today when Sage was dropped off, his mom told me that she thinks he’s teething. So it’s just me and the 2 teething babies at home today. The dog and cat are outside in the f-f-f-freezing cold, but they begged for it so I suppose it’s what they wanted. Anyway, I got the kitchen cleaned and the living room straightened up before Sage got here. Qade has been a little pistol the past couple of days. I’d like to completely blame it on teething, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. Even if he is teething, and I’m only suspecting so, I haven’t seen any signs of teefers coming out yet, I still can’t let him get away with temper tantrums. He has a vendetta against getting changed and dressed recently, and I’m cracking down on the back arching and screeching that go with it. I do feel bad for him. If he is teething then I know it’s got to be very uncomfortable and on top of that you have mommy and daddy trying to teach you what is off limits in your new world of mobility, so it’s got to try his patience for sure. Still, if he can learn to control his reactions at an early age it will get him far in life. I don’t like having to be firm when I’d rather just cuddle him and make it “better.” But I guess we’re both learning. I’m learning that consistent discipline is the best course of action, and he’s learning that Mommy loves him enough to say “no” to bad behavior. Course he probably doesn’t know he’s learning that. Ha ha! But ultimately he’ll be a happier baby for it. He’s still a fun lovin’, happy go lucky guy most of the time, and his little smiles just melt my heart every day!

In Christian circles the differences between men and women are emphasized. Probably because our culture has done it’s best to erase any such distinctions. However, I do think that it’s coming back around to a point and some people are embracing the difference. This is no where more evident than in the piles of baby magazines that you have the opportunity to browse through while in an OB waiting room.:-) When I was expecting Qade one article I read was talking about the difference in how Mom and Dad handle baby. It was interesting and even though I don’t remember the entire content of the article, the part that I did take with me was a caution to moms not to “freak out” when daddy is doing something “different” with the baby. At the time I was reading it, I was as yet, an expecting mother only, so things don’t sink in the same as after you’ve a bit of experience. I thought it was kind of irrelevant I suppose, but very quickly after the birth of our son, I did realize that there ARE indeed differences in how dad’s deal with baby! Shocker! My mind frequently goes back to those words about letting dad “figure out his own way” and the thing about it is, if I were in the situation I would handle it thus and such, but the way daddy does it is often *gasp* better! Okay, maybe it’s not a matter of better or worse, it really is just different. Stuart is so good with Qade even in a discipline situation. He stays so patient and works with our small fry to help him learn the big “no-no.” And sometimes my mother’s heart just wants to cave in and blame a fit or disobedience on something else. “He’s teething,” or “It’s past bed time, he’s too tired.” Yet in that way I’m not really helping or truly loving my boy. I think, at that moment, that cuddling would be better than a firm, “No-No!” except it’s not really teaching him something he needs to know. Instead it’s showing him that he can manipulate mommy. Stuart and I discussed discipline and other “parenty” things before we even knew we were going to have Qade, and we are completely in agreement that Mom and Dad have to be on the same team. Therefor when Dad is dealing with the children, Mom is completely backing him. That means not just biting your tongue when a situation is taking place, but rather totally agreeing with what Daddy is doing. As a dad and a hubby and a man, he needs that support just like you need his. So the next time dad is interacting with the munchkins whether it be playful or serious, remember it’s not just “okay” to do things different, it’s best!

About a month ago, or a little more, Qade started teething his top teeth. He was pretty miserable and very easily upset because of the pain. Poor guy, I wish I could just do it for him! Anyway, no teeth emerged even though his gums were much softer than they had been before. Last night I noticed him kinda chomping on his lips like he had before and sure enough, today Mr. Grumpy-head came out. I can’t say I blame him because I get pretty grumpy when I’m in pain or don’t feel good too. I hope though, that this time the teeth will actually come through so that he, and we, can get it over with. I gave him a bit of Motrin to help take the edge off, and a “biter biscuit” for him to gnaw on. I’m freezing some wet washcloths for him to suck/chew on. It seems to work better than a teething toy because he really likes to chew on the rags, even at bath time. If you think about it, pray for my little teether. I’m sure we’ll both appreciate it!