A Full House

This Christmas is just as crazy as last. Last Christmas I gave you my heart but the very next day you gave it away......no one else singing that song with me? Ok, excuse me for trying to fit Christmas songs into every day conversation.

Last year we were moving into our new house just one weekend before Christmas. The house was barely decorated and was so brand new that it felt kinda cold.

This Christmas, we are fully decorated with a huge wreath, a big urn out front with berries, sumac, and pine, lots of bows and ribbons around wherever we could place them, a mantel overfilled with tiny lights and candles.....I could go on.

Although, I don't think it would be THIS decorated if I didn't have my Mom living in my basement. My parents moved in about a week before Thanksgiving since they sold their house and the condo they are building won't be done until around Christmas or a little after.

Both Jason and I will be quite sad when my parents move out. For one thing, my dad is, what do you call it, a Mary Maid, or Molly Maid, or something like that. When I walk in the door with two tired kids from a long day at school, it's so nice to see that the laundry is done, there are no dishes in the sink, and the wood floor isn't covered in dog hair.

My Mom keeps me as productive as I can be. We have made Christmas candy and caramels, wrapped presents galore, worked on homemade cards, sewn stockings and infinity scarves for teacher gifts, and I am sure there is so much more. Not to mention our list of things we WANT to do is huge. We still have to make tablecloths and favors for the tables since I am hosting Christmas this year.

Just as much as I will be sad to see my parents go, my Mom even said today she will be just as tearful. It's kinda funny that she will only be a half mile away and yet we are talking about it as if she is moving out of state. Honestly, my parents can't move any closer. But that's the way we like it.

My Grandparents on my Mom's side were a huge part of my life. Every Saturday we spent the day together. Talk about memories. Playing dice, making gin n' tonics (I was always too young...but I'll forever remember those), having dinner together always followed by a dessert, and then more cards or dice!

Looking forward to many more Saturdays filled with family.

For now, this full house will be getting ready for a Christmas with 25 more members of this crazy family eating, opening presents, chasing little kiddos, and lots and lots of laughing!

p.s. Austin wants a garbage truck for Christmas. A BIG one. 'THHHIIIIISSS BIG' as he stretchs out his hands to show Santa just how big it has to be.

Siblings

Jason and I were in a pretty crazy state of mind when we decided to get pregnant when Austin was only 6 months old. Neither Jason or I consider ourselves huge baby people. Don't get me wrong, I love babies, but having a newborn is one of the craziest stages in life.

Some people would give anything to go back to the breasfeeding, up in the middle of the night, blow out diaper changing days.

I am not one of them.

When we realized that our children were only going to be 15 months apart, I didn't really know what that meant. I asked many people around me about their children and how many months/years they were apart. Everyone with close children raved about it! So happy that their children were close together. They'd list all these benefits that made me feel somewhat validated in our decision.

Sure you get diapers over with a little faster, there aren't any bottles to wash night after night, they like to play with the same toys...oh that's right, they like the same toys! Toys get fought over like gold in our house. It's not that one toy is that amazing, but they LOVE to want what each other have.

I know that's likely common in most households but it's bad at our house. They taunt each other constantly. Example: Ava has a flamingo stuffed animal in the car. Austin wants said flamingo. Ava doesn't want to share so she keeps holding it out to Austin and saying "Mingo! Mingo Austin. Mine!" She doesn't just do this once, she does this the.whole.way.home!

They love to get on each other's nerves. Ava will be minding her own business and Austin will come ask Ava a question. If she says no, Austin starts yelling at her "Don't say no Ava Jayne Rogers!". Within two seconds, Ava is crying.

I feel like I am constantly asking them to stay away from each other. Don't touch each other, don't talk to each other, Ava stop spitting at Austin, Austin stop yelling at Ava, Austin don't poke her, Ava no biting, Austin she had it first, Ava stop screaming, Austin, Ava, Austin, Ava, Stop, Don't, Repeat!

Does this mean that soon this stage will disappear and they won't want to be apart? Do we have to go through this first to get to the stage where they are inseperable and love each other too much?

Hopeful thinking isn't it.

Someone said Austin will likely be protective over Ava, is that before or after he pushes her down the stairs? Do households with two boys the same age apart have the same problem? Or two girls? Hard to teach your three year old what ignoring your sister means. The whole car ride home she tries to fire Austin up. He has an instant temper and if he could just block her out of his mind.....but he's three. That's not part of his nature at this age.

Is it legal to swat your kids with a fly swatter while driving? Can I get a divider in my car that blocks out sound like those in a limousine?

It's a struggle as a parent to figure out when to step in when your children are fighting and when to just let them figure it out.....usually for me that means until someone comes running and crying.

Everything with children is a stage.....let's just hope this one is short lived.....or maybe let's hope they continue to love to spend time together even if half the time they are fighting.