I Blame You, WWW ( You know who you are)
I saw a friend tonight who complained that this blog did not have enough mommy stories. I promised to provide somme fun antecdotes and continued on my merry way to pick up Leo and Grandma and Grandpa's house. As soon as I got there I smelled something amiss, so I headed to his changing station to check out the situation. When we got to the moment of truth I discovered that my sweet baby had the creature from the black lagoon in his diaper. As I began yelping in disgust my mother came in to see what could cause such a fuss. As she said, "I think he's got a bowling ball full of poop in there!" He continued pooping as I tried to change the diaper, covering my hands and every one of his crevices with nasty tar like death. Then just as I was finishing the clean up, I let my guard down, the little wash cloth covering his boy bits shifted, and I was pelted with pee. It got all over me, him, the wall, his changing station, and, I'm pretty sure, my right eye. By this point we had four adults trying to maintain control of the situation. We had to give him an emergency bath--so now he smells like lilacs while the rest of us are not quite so rosy.

Still, despite the welcome, I was glad to be back with my boy.

Merry, Merry
We had a lovely first family Christmas--even if Leo did sleep through most of it. I am looking forward to estabilishing our own traditions and giving him precious holiday memories just like I have. He also got to meet a lot of family members and friends, but I think he's glad to be home. There was a little too much loving, if such a thing is possible.
I am supposed to be doing a lot of work to prepare for the next semester, but someone gave me King's new book, and I am perfectly content to curl up and read. It's the first fiction I've read in a long time. Perhaps the break will do me good.

In crossword news, as I know everyone is as interested in as I am, I had a great clue this morning. "What some pitchers are put in" Answer: rotation. Love it. Eric actually bought me crossword pajamas for Christmas. Plus we watched Word Play, the doc on the NYT puzzle championship. Oh yeah, I am that much of a nerd! I've started timing myself as I do the puzzles, and my goal is to one day be good enough to go to the big show in Connecticut.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve
Yes, my son does have a reindeer towel. Just wait until tomorrow's outfit complete with plaid onesie and ornament festooned pants.
We're having a relaxing day in preparation for the mad dash around the state that will commence tomorrow. We're meeting E's cousin and aunt and uncle for lunch, then on to my parents for the family celebration, followed by a trip to Austin on Christmas day. I'm girding my loins for all of that baby travel!
Anyway, tonight we're hitting downtown G-vine for a Christmas light extravaganza and maybe a little vino... you never know.
God bless us... everyone!

Welcome, Winter!
Of course as it's 55 degrees out it doesn't feel much like winter, but here in Texas we take what we can get. I'd rather be here than stranded in the east coast snow--although I was pleased to see the weather will at least be brisk for Christmas on Friday. We're gearing up for Leo's first Christmas, even though it's a bit silly because he's still sleeping about 16 hours a day and will have no idea what the fuss is about. Still, I want to make everything perfect for him. I'm even tempted to find baby reindeer antlers... I must be stopped!
I just got my report card, and I'm proud to be sitting pretty on a 4.0 for my first semester. Not bad for a woman who didn't sleep the entire last month of the semester! It furthered my belief that I'm on the right path. Now back to work! I've already read one book for next semester.
Before that, though, I think Leo and I might take a walk around the block on the bright, sunshiney winter day. So much for in the bleak midwinter!
I can't help but think of the bleakness of last Christmas compared to the joy of this one... but that's a post for another day.

All I Want For Christmas
We started out this morning with dim sum with our loved ones, and then E and I decided to take Leo to the Galleria to see the huge tree (and to walk off all of those dumplings!) As I walked through the mall with all of its tinsel and expensive goodies, I realized that I didn't want a single thing. I already have everything I ever wanted--a hubby who is my best friend, a healthy,happy little boy, a family I can't live without, and friends who are like family.

Unproductive
And that's ok.
I'm such a do-er, always working, moving, making things happen. I hate sitting still. Leo is changing that. We've been spending the day cuddling, lying still, enjoying each other. I haven't read a page yet. And that's ok.

Rings and Things
Some wintery cuteness.
I had a pretty amazing experience last night. I got volunteered to speak at a church function last night, and I told the Leo story and everything leading up to his birth, what I gained from the experience of loss etc. Afterwards everyone came up and hugged me, greeted Leo, and utter words of support. It was amazing to get all that love and support from strangers and to know that I touched their lives. What a special little boy to bring so many people together!
In less touchy feely news, Clementine has declared open war on my yoga mat. When I do downward dog she apparently takes it personally. I tried to add extra cat poses in my practice this morning to appease her, but alas to no avail. You've got to watch those felines every minute!
Tomorrow I must demonstrate my knowledge of modern western U.S. history in a Herculean feat of exam writing. Today I must make the era bend to my will.

Christmas Meme
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Usually wrapping paper unless I'm recycling some gift bags. By the way if anyone ever needs any baby gift bags, please see me. I have an entire closet full of them.
2. Tree–Real or Artificial? Artificial.I love the real ones but it's too much of a pain and expense plus E claims to be allergic.

3. When do you put the Christmas tree up? When I get around to it--usually early December.

4. When do you take the tree down? After New Years.

5. Like egg nog? It's one of the more vile substances on earth--second only to Moxie.

6. Do you have a nativity scene? Several.

7 . Hardest person to buy for? My father-in-law always claims he doesn't need anything.

8. Tinsel or Garland on the tree? WE actually have the old school silver tinsel because I love the way it catches the light.

9. Worst Christmas gift - Baked goods.

10. Mail or email a Christmas Card? I really do plan on sending cards this year!

11. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf! E and I watch it every year, and I can't wait to share it with Leo. Also It's a Wonderful Life makes me cry every year.

12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? As early as possible.

13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yeah, a lot of the teacher gifts I got ended up being reused--I'm a big fan of recycling.

14. Favorite food to eat on Christmas? My family always has lasagna for Christmas Even and waffles on Christmas morning. Plus I am a sucker for my mom's mocha.

15. Colored or clear lights? Why choose?

16. Favorite Christmas Song? I love Christmas music but I'm not sure I can narrow it down. I love the Messiah, but I also am a huge Santa Baby fan. I like White Christmas and I'll Be Home For Christmas too. My favorites to sing are Joy to the World and Silent Night because they remind me of Christmas Eve services growing up.

17. Travel during Christmas or stay home? we do the family shuffle for the holidays.

18. Can you name Santa’s reindeer’s? On Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Blitzen, on Comet and Cupid and Donder and Vixen and the most famous reindeer of all: Rudolph.

19. Star or Angel on tree top? We have a sparkly silver star but we really need to upgrade. Most of our decorations come from a trip to Wal-Mart about 7 years ago when we were super broke but wanting to celebrate together.

20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning--we have a particular age order ceremony that extends the fun.

2 1 . Most annoying thing about this time of year? I really like this time of year--no real complaints. I guess if I had to pick something it would be how traffic is almost inexplicably worse.

Rats
Apparenty in Bolivia they've decided to start exporting rat jerky. These huge short haired rats grow to be 145 pounds. Anyway, look in your local grocery stores. I don't even want to think about what the packaging would look like! It's stories like these that make me glad I read the paper each day--you never know what little morsel of bizarre knowledge will be waiting.
I'm reading a fantastic book called In Search of the Golden West which covers tourism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ideas are churning. It's time to refocus my topic. . . again.
Finally, Leo had his 1 month check up today and is now 7 lbs 14 oz and 21 1/2 inches tall. Such a growing boy (although still much smaller than a Bolivian rat).

Methodology
Leo obviously questions my use of sources because as I was working on my bibliography for my big paper he peed all over me. Yes, my son wet my pants!
Plus I have to fight the cat for the computer because she thinks it's her perch.

All things considered, however , it is still a better day than yesterday. I had to pay a fortune for a new water heater, Toby mauled me, and I got lost. A little pee today is nothing!

Focus
I'm having serious difficulties focusing right now--I feel that I need to be doing more school work, but I find myself unable to concentrate on it. I finished all my reading for the semester,but I feel I need to do more work anyway. I guess it's my desire to keep myself intellectually stimulated. I have a few things I could do, but it's hard to make it happen.
It's just a hard day in general. This morning Leo fussed all morning. I get frustrated when I can't figure out what's wrong. I finally got him settled around lunch time.
I think I'm just generally out of sorts.
This is the lamest blog entry ever--have I ceased to be an interesting person?

Perhaps I need a nap--it seems to do wonders for Leo's moods.

Older Every Day
I had such a fantastic birthday yesterday! We went to the big Grapevine Main Street Christmas celebration where they flipped the switch on the big tree and decorations, then we had dinner at the local Italian restaurant where they know us followed by a trip to Braums. Sadly Leo is only 3 weeks old and has already been to Braums twice!
It was so nice to be at a family function and finally feel like I belonged there. Here's to making 32 the best year yet!
And as an added bonus, Leo only woke up twice last night which was the best present I could possibly receive!