Mildred's Gift...because you asked.

This year we gave my mother in law, Mildred, something that just didn't fit under the tree. (either in size or in "decor") So instead we presented it with this little poem I jotted down just for the special occasion.


T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! The stocking was hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

With a groan and a grimace down the chimney he came, "Oh, my bladder is full!" I heard him exclaim. He snuck through the house till he found the commode, then thought to himself, "Finally a place to unload!".

He quickly considered, "Do I flush? Do I not?" then fearing discovery of the present he brought, he sucked in his breath and plunged the little lever down...but the toilet bowl contents just went round and around!

He just stood there staring, knees quaking in fright, and called on his elves to remedy his poor plight. "On Melody, on Sheryl, on Brian and Sue!" (These elves, they were Langes, and they knew just what to do!) They rushed off to Lowes, Rudolph still in the lead, and bought just the toilet to fit the homeowners need!

With the help of an elf known only as Ed, the throne was installed while everyone was in bed.

From the top of the rim, to the depths of the ball, this toilet could flush away, flush away all!

And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Mildred, enjoy your new throne! And to all a good night!

Happy New Year!

The past 3 weeks have been very eventful, mostly as it relates to weather. On December 13 we braved what felt like the coldest day we've ever experienced, only because the TV went out and turned all the figures into either blue smurfs or green elves! Brian & I took turns running into stores while the other stayed in the car with Snoop. I can't even imagine what the wind chill factor was that day! The irony is that, although we did buy a new TV on that horrible day, we have yet to take it out of the box!

In the week that followed, we endured the snow, the 7 degree overnight temperatures, and even managed to get some great photos of the family (which I have high hopes of downloading for your enjoyment this weekend).

We even made it to the mall the day before Christmas to get some photos with Santa. ( We strongly believe that Santa had just finished enjoying his own "Holiday Cheer". The scent was reminiscent of BC bud.) Nice that Santa can cross those international lines without question.

And, it was truly a white Christmas! We estimate that by Christmas night we had close to 2 feet of snow. It was a beautiful sight, and one that still remains in my yard, and in my driveway, and will likely remain for at least the foreseeable future! I'm now experiencing my own 12 days of Christmas thanks to the UPS man and all the undelivered presents I've heard so much about! Thanks again mom! Maybe they will arrive by the time you do on the 14th!

Jake had a great time opening his gifts and is still captivated by the new lights and sounds of his Fisher Price train and Pooh toys. We celebrated a second Christmas with the Lange clan this past Saturday and Jake worked the crowd as only an energetic social child can. He is such a clown!

We're still running from the walker, constantly tracking down his single socks strewn around the house and doing our best to keep all his clothes still folded in his drawers. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and we wish you all a very wonderful New Year!

Incoming! Watch your toes!!!

Yesterday was a real milestone in Snoop's world. In a single day he has managed to take control of his surroundings and navigate the house with amazing speed and accuracy using his walker. The walker has been around for a couple of months now, but yesterday he managed to unhook one of the seat stabilizers and gained about an inch of length, allowing him to stand flat footed and gain mobility and independence he never imaged. He was absolutely giddy when I got home last night, buzzing around the kitchen, into the living room gaining momentum to force the walker over the threshold of the entry as he sped into the master bedroom. Like a flash he was forward, backward, sideways looking backward, giggling at each turn and thrilled with his accomplishments.

What we didn't expect is how much exercise WE would get in trying to keep our toes out of the way as we finished dinner prep and tried to get it safely to the table. Unable to predict each movement, the kitchen became like a bed of hot coals as we jumped here and there trying to avoid this manic giggling child thrilled that he could now chase US around the house!

Amazing that he could master this in just a day! Oh, what fun is yet to come!

TGIF!

Much to my surprise, Jake actually slept through the night! Not sure whether it was the Tylenol or exhaustion, or a combination thereof, but it was a very nice treat. I can only hope that I'll be afforded the same benefit tonight and have the opportunity to sleep-in Saturday morning.

I have high hopes for this weekend as it pertains to decorating and preparing Christmas gifts. I am feeling quite disorganized and starting to panic that I'm not at all prepared! With luck, we'll get our tree, decorate it with shatter-proof ornaments, and set up the tripod for family photos in front of the fireplace. In a perfect world Jake will be well-rested, in good spirits, and grin for the camera. In reality, I fear it'll be a little more like a "Family Vacation" movie. In which case I'll have to "photo shop" digital images to create what never was. Oh, the Holidays.

I'll be sure to update you all. I'm confident it will be an eventful weekend, sleep or no sleep.

All Mommy wants for Christmas....

is a silent night." This was the slogan on an infant sleeper I saw while out shopping on Black Friday. As I stood there, pitying the poor parent who felt these words resonate in their own lives, I was grateful that this time in my life had passed. No, this cozy little sleeper had no place in MY boy's closet. Indeed, with rare exception, MY boy had been soundly slumbering through the night for months now.

Little did I suspect that the Tooth Fairy would manifest herself into the Grinch who stole my Christmas spirit! Well listen here you home invading, fairy dusting, tooth snatching little pixie! Armed with only a dropper of infant Tylenol and a swab of Orajel, I WILL defeat your evil forces and safely return the boy and I back to the Land of Nod. Your pathetic enticements of future loose change are not wanted here! I will restore peace in my home!!! Sugar Plum Fairies UNITE!

Hum, I wonder if that sleeper is still on sale…..

Rough night!

Wow, I'm not sure what the deal was with Jake last night, but the poor little boy cried through most of it. And it went pretty much the same way two nights ago. I'm hoping that it isn't going to become a pattern. Maybe he's teething??? He was asleep around 8:30 pm, woke at 11:30 and didn't get back to sleep until nearly 2 a.m. then woke again at 3:15 a.m. I finally got him back to sleep around 4 this morning, putting him in his swing (which he's outgrowing as you can see from the earlier pictures).

Jake only has two bottom teeth so far. They appeared without much fanfare, but perhaps the top ones, if they are next to appear, might be the cause? Time will tell. In the meantime, I'm hoping he'll be so wiped out by last night that he sleeps soundly tonight!