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We had an early Christmas with the Machamers at our house. I only did a meager attempt with the decorations, complete with a miniature table-top live tree with only lights and no ornaments. My lack of Christmas spirit was probably evident to everyone but no one commented. I only felt a little bit guilty after finding out that Jim’s girlfriend Saman was coming and it was her first Christmas. I think my only regret is that I don’t have a cute photo of Allison in front of a decked out Christmas tree. Or one with Santa. Yep, feel like a crummy mom for that.
Claire and I are excited we get to share in the boys Christmas present. The four of us are going to Nashville to take a cooking class at the Viking school one Saturday night in March. And I just realized that it’s actually in Franklin, Tn, one of my favorite places to shop! So that complicates the schedule some. I think we’ll do an early birthday celebration with family for Allison’s first birthday that morning and then I want to get out early to shop, check in the hotel and make it to the cooking class by 5pm. I was torn on how much of a party to throw for her first, but that may have just decided that.
On Christmas day we flew to Houston. Certain baby things are still stressing me out and I was already worked up about how this would go. I can definitely say I didn’t lose my sanity on this one and am super relieved! Security at Huntsville seemed more strict than in Houston, but it was empty and the people were friendly, and only mildly suspicious of the diaper cream that was bigger than the allowed 3.4oz. Allison even slept in Jeff’s lap for the second half of the flight which worked out great because I was the one crying and holding in the screams. Ears that don’t pop combined with a sinus infection that made me wonder if facial bones were cracking probably made for a scary face that would have frightened my child. The drive from IAH to my dad’s town was only a little over 2 hours. So we got there soon after my brothers gang. Saturday was the crazy day with a houseful of people. The kind of noisy, can’t hear yourself think, gathering that makes you love holidays. Somewhere in the mix of bloody marys and story-telling, Paul decided to reenact his karaoke production originally written and presented at a NASA/JSC party of his song about doing be happy, be mad, be mad. This required a few female backup singers and my dads sweat/head band and sunglasses. I have a video I’ll link up later. Most of my step siblings cleared out that night, so I had more time to catch up with my brother who half the time just seemed to stare at me like I was a stranger with a baby. He probably still sees me as the annoying 11 year old that would bug him and friends bad enough to make him poor a beer on my head.
So we’re back at home, glad to be back in our own bed even if that did include Allison for a few hours. I have no idea if her ear infection didn’t heal, if it’s teething or what, but she’s not happy laying down in her own bed. Now I have to find time for all that laundry, cleaning and trying to squeeze in a few visits with old friends that are in town for the holidays and then going out for New years. Glad the in-laws will be here to babysit for that.
Claire and I are excited we get to share in the boys Christmas present. The four of us are going to Nashville to take a cooking class at the Viking school one Saturday night in March. And I just realized that it’s actually in Franklin, Tn, one of my favorite places to shop! So that complicates the schedule some. I think we’ll do an early birthday celebration with family for Allison’s first birthday that morning and then I want to get out early to shop, check in the hotel and make it to the cooking class by 5pm. I was torn on how much of a party to throw for her first, but that may have just decided that.
On Christmas day we flew to Houston. Certain baby things are still stressing me out and I was already worked up about how this would go. I can definitely say I didn’t lose my sanity on this one and am super relieved! Security at Huntsville seemed more strict than in Houston, but it was empty and the people were friendly, and only mildly suspicious of the diaper cream that was bigger than the allowed 3.4oz. Allison even slept in Jeff’s lap for the second half of the flight which worked out great because I was the one crying and holding in the screams. Ears that don’t pop combined with a sinus infection that made me wonder if facial bones were cracking probably made for a scary face that would have frightened my child. The drive from IAH to my dad’s town was only a little over 2 hours. So we got there soon after my brothers gang. Saturday was the crazy day with a houseful of people. The kind of noisy, can’t hear yourself think, gathering that makes you love holidays. Somewhere in the mix of bloody marys and story-telling, Paul decided to reenact his karaoke production originally written and presented at a NASA/JSC party of his song about doing be happy, be mad, be mad. This required a few female backup singers and my dads sweat/head band and sunglasses. I have a video I’ll link up later. Most of my step siblings cleared out that night, so I had more time to catch up with my brother who half the time just seemed to stare at me like I was a stranger with a baby. He probably still sees me as the annoying 11 year old that would bug him and friends bad enough to make him poor a beer on my head.
So we’re back at home, glad to be back in our own bed even if that did include Allison for a few hours. I have no idea if her ear infection didn’t heal, if it’s teething or what, but she’s not happy laying down in her own bed. Now I have to find time for all that laundry, cleaning and trying to squeeze in a few visits with old friends that are in town for the holidays and then going out for New years. Glad the in-laws will be here to babysit for that.
