We survived!!

Christmas is officially over! Part of me is always a little sad the day after Christmas because, as tired of snowmen and jingle bells as I am come Christmas Day, it means that the holidays are finished and we have nothing but dreary January to look forward to. I am NOT a huge fan of New Years for that very reason as well. I don't like New Years parties, because well, I am not really a party-going kind of girl. I hate staying up late, I hate crowds, noise, dancing, and getting drunk. And being cold. Louis tends to feel the same way as I do about New Years (minus the dancing and getting drunk part, haha). We have the perfect New Years Eve planned this year, just like last year- we are going to stay home, I'm going to make a fabulous dinner (most likely my baked ziti), and we are going to watch movies on our projector until the countdown comes on TV. And no, we will not be going to the Rose Parade. I went every single year as a kid. To a ten year old, waking up at 5 in the morning and sitting out in the freezing cold, sipping hot chocolate and eating donuts is an adventure. To this almost 26-year old mommy- HELL NO. I don't think I have fully recovered from the one insane New Years my sophomore year of college when Louis, my brother and his ex girlfriend and I all camped out on the parade route New Years Eve. That did me in. Most miserable New Years eve of my life. We weren't even awake for the parade. However, when Jeremiah gets older, we will be taking him. It's something every kid needs to experience.

Anyway, needless to say, Christmas was amazing. Spending time with our family is always a plus- when they are adorning us and our only child with presents- even better! Jeremiah was more than a little overwhelmed with all of the running around (we had 5- yes 5! celebrations starting on Christmas Eve straight through last night, including our own here on Christmas morning). He wasn't awake for the 11:00 p.m. exchange at my MIL's house on Wednesday, and refused to sit still for any of the other exchanges. However, he was enchanted with his "Santa" presents, which I didn't wrap. Those were the Fisher Price Baby Grand Piano (which he wouldn't leave at all during our exchange!), the play-skool swing and score musical t-ball set, Sesame Street rubber ball and Fisher Price laugh and learn vacuum. Our son made out like a bandit, receiving toys galore (toy cars and trucks seemed to be the more popular present), especially since a lot of my relatives gifted him not only his Christmas present but his birthday present as well. I don't plan on taking out all his presents at once; aside from his Santa presents, a new Fisher price musical table from my uncle, and this amazing Fisher Price crawl and cruise musical jungle from my grandma (which I ordered from Amazon for her and have been counting down the days til I could play with it with him!), one other toy will be taken out each week (or as they become developmentally appropriate).

As for me? Well I was quite spoiled this year from my husband. Quite spoiled. I have been dropping hints that I would love a Garmin GPS for my car (which, by the way, we sold earlier this week! More on that tomorrow). I was fully expecting that to be my one and only present, since it was rather pricey. Well, not only did he get me the GPS, he also got me the greatest outfit, shoes, and BOOTS! I got compliments left and right yesterday. My husband has stellar taste. And he loved his presents from me =) I could go on about presents forever, but I will say that I am counting down til next weekend (hopefully) when Louis and I have a date to Outback! My wonderful brother and future sis gifted us with a gift certificate to there and promise of babysitting services, so pending my brother's Target schedule, we will have a night of relaxation and romance coming our way.

Anyway, my camera battery is dead or else I would post pictures. I'm off to delve into the world of "Twilight!" My wonderful Sister in law, Lisa, got me the first two books from the series, because I really want to have them read before I see the movie. Goodnight!

I Miss This!!!!!

(Picture borrowed from my wonderful cousin's MySpace! From left-right: Josh (Rebecca's cousin); Rebecca (MY cousin!!); Tawnee (Rebecca's cousin), and of course my adorable son.

This picture was taken last year at Rebecca's 14th birthday party. How sweet and small my 2 week old son was! The theme of her party was Christmas, so we dressed him in his holiday best. The hat was way too big for him. Look how cozy he is... I REALLY miss the newborn-ness of him. (Makes me want another.... badly!) Yet I am absolutely loving this age that Jeremiah is at now. He babbles ALL DAY LONG. And he's switching it up from his usual "lalala's" to include "mamamamamama," "babababa," and other cute sounds. He babbles in the backseat of the car. In his crib before he falls asleep. In the bath tub. EVERY WHERE. I just love the sound of his sweet voice! And I swear he's trying his hardest to say "I love you." I LOVE HIM TOO!!!

At least tomorrow I will get my baby-fill when I visit with Miss Sydney! I absolutely LOVE my cousin Paul's annual holiday party!

Christmas Presents (and sex!!)

I am proud to announce that the MAJORITY of my Christmas shopping is FINISHED. Done. Out of the way. Considering how large each side of our family is, this seemingly long list of people I still need to purchase for is actually quite small. And I know exactly what I am going to get each and every person left on this list:

Mom and Dad- Marriott Gift Card so that they will actually take a little get-away instead of complaining about wanting to take one

Grandma Sally- memory card filled with pictures of the family for her digital frame. All of my cousins are emailing me digital pictures of their families, since my aunts and uncles aren't as camera/computer saavy. Of course, my "little" cousins (15 years old) are sending me pics worthy of Myspace profile pictures, of them being all model-esque, flashing the peace sign making faces reminiscent of Paris Hilton

Aunts, Uncles and my older (married) cousins- Movie in a Basket. Blockbuster gift card, bottle of wine, package of microwave popcorn and candy bar. The wine, popcorn and candy bar are purchased already.

My brother- 1988 Dodgers World Series DVD collection from Amazon. Ordering it tomorrow

Lindsey- there's a chance she reads this blog, so I'll refrain from saying what I'm getting my wonderful future sister in law =)

Louis- same as above. I have a few smaller things for him already; just need to get his main present and stocking stuffers. And figure out a birthday present... his birthday is Dec. 14th

My sister in law, Monique and Janine- gift certificates to this nail salon by our house. The owner is Louis's customer and is hooking us up with the gift cards in lieu of service.

Mother in Law- docking station for her new Iphone

Figuring out the perfect gift for someone is half the work. I don't want to settle for any old ordinary present, even if it's something small. We still exchange with the whole family. I have a feeling that maybe next year, we will be doing kids-only with my mom's side of the family, since the family has exploded- 6 grandkids, 7 great grandkids, plus the aunts and uncles and my grandma. All the kiddos and my teenage/unmarried cousins are purchased for, in addition to Jeremiah. What is my wonderful baby getting for Christmas from Mommy and Daddy? Well, if you care to know, here's his list!
Fisher Price Baby Grand Piano (Craigslist for $20)
TMX Elmo (clearanced for $10 at Toys r Us right before the LIVE! came out)
Little Tikes fold and go Train set
Leapfrog farm animal guitar
Little Tikes xylaphone/piano toy
Stocking stuffers- stacking cups, Noah's Ark bath toy, Elmo and Osar the Grouch cars

On a side note... I am watching TLC as I write this, and there's this new show on called "Purity Balls." I was originally watching Jon and Kate Plus 8 (Louis HATES that show!!!) and this came on right after. Believe me, I'm all for purity, abstinence and saving yourself for marriage. But I think this show is taking it a bit too far. I dont think you need to have a ball thrown for you to promise your dad not to have sex. Yes, it does make your commitment more open and well-known to your family members to hold you accountable, but there's no way I will parade my daughter or son around and throw them a fancy party when we make that decision. I do believe that the father needs to take an active part in talking to their daughter about sex. All my dad told me was "guys are dogs;" and left everything else up to my mom. However, I think that the dads need to start talking to their daughters about these things at a young age, so that it's not so awkward for those talks to take place when they are teenagers. Good grief; I can't even imagine talking to my dad about sex as a teenager! If sex were talked about openly as a child rather than being quite the taboo topic, I don't think it would have been as awkward. (Want to talk about awkward though? About six months ago, my dad and I were talking about a man who had cheated on his wife. My dad told me that it's my duty as a wife to make sure my husband is satisfied and not let him go to work "with a loaded gun." EWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!! DADDY YOU DID NOT JUST SAY THAT!!!! I couldn't look directly at my father for the rest of the day.)

Well there you go... Christmas presents and sex... hope you enjoyed my blog tonight!!!