Lots to Celebrate!

I don't know why I think I will get this updated more than I do. It never quite seems to work out like I plan...

The first weekend of December, we had Matt's Shea Homes Department Christmas party at our friends Bradd and Corrinne's. We were designated the appetizer people, so most of our Saturday was dominated by whipping up sausage stars, little smokies in a blanket, and avocado dip. Not that I mind...any occasion to eat sausage stars, I am in. The party was a lot of fun, and the highlight was the live lobster that showed up in the white elephant gift exchange. It got a lot of laughs.

Monday, I made the mistake of taking Alden to the Bo Jena clinic at the barn. Last year, when she was still immobile and cuddly, she was a champ sitting and watching the rides. This year, I don't know what I was thinking, because she stayed in her stroller all of 15 minutes, and was making horse sounds while one of the riders was doing one-tempis down the diagonal, and basically wreaking havoc wherever she went. I did finally get to watch a little bit from the barn, standing in a stall and looking out the window, with Alden closed in. As you can imagine, I left not having gleaned any bits of wisdom from Bo, and Alden left covered in shavings and dirt.

On Tuesday, poor Alden had her 18 month checkup, and received 4 shots. Ouch! She is still holding strong in the 25-50% range, weighing in at 24 1/2 pounds and standing 31 inches tall. She was really good for Dr. Taylor, and let her listen to her heart, and look in her eyes and ears. It is a good thing that we are finally at the end of all the shot series. I know she will be thankful.

Thursday, Alden and I headed to Raleigh, and Matt followed us on Friday. Amber was graduating from nursing school Friday night, and her birthday and our anniversary were Saturday. We had a busy, but fun weekend, with lots of celebrating for Amber. Everyone came back to the house for dessert and snacks Friday night, and we especially enjoyed having Nana, Aunt Vickie, and Dillon with us! Alden loves Dillon, and even tried to say his name some. We are all so proud of Amber and all she has accomplished! She will be starting a job in mother/baby at Wake Med, the same place she has been working as a CNA, as soon as she takes the state boards.

Saturday was a crazy day, as we attempted to get Alden's Christmas pictures and a family portrait done. Of course, the place was running an hour behind schedule. Don't they realized that the timing for the pictures is very complicated, involving the strategic timing of naps, bath, snacks, clothing, and the gravitational pull of the earth to make sure the child is photo-ready?? We did come away with some good pictures after the fact, but not so many that it was hard to pick. Amber likened the photo experience to buying fabric, one of her most-hated, boring tasks. After pictures, we had to wait yet again for over an hour for our table at Cheesecake Factory. We got a big bucket of popcorn from the movie theater while we waited and Alden devoured it. So much for toddlers not supposed to be eating popcorn. Dinner was worth the wait, and it was very special to get to celebrate all together.

Sunday we enjoyed the great weather, and took the dogs and Alden down the greenway to the park and enjoyed dinner that night with the Livecchis and the Edmonds. Matt had to head back to work that night, but Alden and I got to stay a few extra days, enjoying Grammy and Amber helping out! We got to do some shopping, and Mom even got to get out by herself some, which was AMAZING!

We had a great playdate on Wednesday at Megan and Abby's house, and have just been catching up on errands these past couple days. We are headed to Aiken tonight, and are excited to see Matt's parents and be down there again. Lily is especially excited about Hitchcock Woods!