Made it through Christmas

Whenever anyone asks my daughter what she got for Christmas, she responds with “presents.”  She is so happy with her stuff and is just excited to open the gifts, it didn’t matter what was inside.  She was just adorable opening her gifts from the family and from Santa.  She loves playing with her new toys and looks adorable in her new outfits.

We had a good time.  On Christmas Eve, after making my husband’s Grandfathers 100+ family recipe for butter horns, I went over early to help Granny finish prepping for the party.  Jade and Jeremy joined me when Jade woke up from her nap. We had a yummy meal and a nice time talking with everyone, and Jade went crazy opening presents.

On Christmas morning, Jade woke up at 3 a.m., and didn’t fall back asleep until 4:30 a.m., only to wake up again at 7 a.m.  So, we opened presents and then headed over to my Sister-in-law’s house to open presents with my husband’s family.  Jade again loved opening presents, but wanted to play with toys that weren’t her own more than anything over there.  We spent the rest of the day playing with the new toys (while I packed) and flew out to see my family that night.

Jade travels well, so that was good.

We celebrated Christmas with my Mom, Dad, and sister and family the next day, complete with a big turkey dinner and more presents. The following day was my sister’s birthday. It snowed, ruining her big plans, but we still had a nice time spending the day with everyone.  And, because they won’t be able to fly down in 2 weeks for Jade’s birthday, they threw a party for Jade the following day.  So, we were there 3 days and we had 3 parties.

Finally home and things are not normal at all.  I have to get in gear with getting Jade’s party ready. Plus, we’re having company over for a bowl party on Monday.

And, to make matters worse, Jade starts school on Tuesday.  I AM SO NOT READY FOR THAT!  I know she is, but I’m not.

Well, I am making 3 dips and cooking the veggies so the kids can eat them for the Early-bird’s party at a friend’s house tonight, so can’t write any more.  Next couple posts will be about Jade’s birthday.

Not a lot to say

I know I’m a few days late with my weekly post this week, but I’ve found I don’t have a whole lot to talk about right now.   I’m a bit down and not feeling it, but I want to let everyone know that I’m still here and thinking of you.  I have been very busy too, with baking, and company, and fun with my wonderful family.

I made my husband’s grandmother’s date nut cookies and a batch of sugar cookies this week.  I also made my father’s famous peanut butter balls this week.  I made a trip out to Lakeland to see my old work friends. We made our annual trip to Hollywood Studios to see the Osbourne Lights as a family this week. We celebrated Christmas with Jeremy’s Dad’s side of the family. And, I lost another baby this week.  I guess you can say it has been a very busy week.

Ok, yes, I did just say that, and now you know the reason why I’m just not feeling it, sitting here exhausted (physically and emotionally).  It’s my 2nd miscarriage in 100 days and I am devastated.  It happened this weekend, and so I’m waiting until morning to be able to call the doctor to get in to see what is going on.  It is such an emotional roller coaster to be so excited to find out your pregnant at the beginning of the week, only to lose the baby at the end of the week.  And, to go through that twice in just 3 months is not something I wish upon anyone.

I am trying to be strong in front of Jade.  Do you realize how very sad it is for your adorable almost-2-year-old to say to you “What’s the matter, Momma?”  It makes you just want to cry even more.

My husband is the greatest, but he has no clue what to do for me.  Hell, I don’t even know what to do for me! I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I don’t feel like doing anything. I don’t want to be around anyone. I feel like such a failure.  But mostly, I’m scared that I’m not going to be able to have another child, just when Jeremy finally agrees that Jade needs a sibling.

I know this is not the upbeat, fun story that my loyal readers expect to read about and I’m sorry for bringing you down with my sadness.  I promise. Give me a couple of weeks, and I’ll be back to my normal self.  My daughter’s 2nd birthday party details will be coming soon. The invitations went out and I will be getting excited about it as soon as we get past this week.

The Potty

I talk to my daughter about the potty all day.  I ask her at regular times if she wants to go use the potty.  She uses it as a game with me.  When she wants more of my attention, she’ll tell me she has to go potty, but when she sits down, she never goes.  My husband is home for 1 hour (sometimes 2) of her waking time in the evening, and almost every night, she goes potty for him.  I have a feeling, if this girl is going to be potty trained, her father is going to need to be home more, because she just won’t go for me.

I am so proud of her, either way.  Tonight, he was getting her ready for bed, and she asked to go potty, and tinkled on the potty!  She is such a big girl, for not even being 2 years old yet!

Here’s my dilemma.  I don’t want to move her to a big girl bed yet. I want her to stay in the crib.  But, if she gets potty trained and starts to want to get up and go potty.  Well, how do you deal with that when they’re still in the crib?  What do I do?  If we move her to a bed, she’ll be in our room every night, and I’m not ready to deal with that yet.  So, do we just keep her in diapers at night until I’m ready for her to move to the big bed?  Am I holding her back by doing that?

Please comment if you have any advice for me. Although, she may take months to potty train. I’m just being very optimistic because she amazes me at every step.  Why not with potty training as well?

Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter cut into small pieces
• 1 cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1/2 cup Evaporated Milk
• 1 whole egg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 cup raisins Optional

Directions

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry blender until it is fully incorporated.

In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg, and vanilla.

Pour pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture.

Add raisins. Fold gently until mixture is just combined.

Pour into a greased muffin pan.

Bake for 25 minutes. (20 minutes if you’re doing mini muffins).

Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool.