Christmas Morning, One Reason I love my Husband and Potty News

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

And Miss Emma was nestled all snug in her bed, while visions of Elmo danced in her head.

Some pictures of Christmas morning.  We kept the french doors closed (glass covered mostly with Christmas cards).  Then opened the doors after Jason and I were "awake." Any thoughts on how many more years we'll be able to pull this one off? It bought me a good 30 minutes, and camera set up time...

Obviously, the piano was a big hit.

And later that morning, apron clad and all, we listened to lots of this.

It wasn't long until the stockings attracted Emma's attention.

Ready to cook.

Thanks to Grammy and Doc, who always find matching PJs for everyone each year, Emma and I slept in (and wore most of Christmas day) our Owls.

And finally, since Emma already had such great practice, we ended the day with some of Jason's family and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Now rewind.  This kitchen is what my Mom, Nanna, got Emma for Christmas.

Of course we were happy to put it together for her--since she's spent, oh say, 30 years putting gifts together for kids.  I was prepared to knock it out myself last Wednesday since December is an insane work month for Jason.  But the best gift I got this year might have been Jason's insistence that he was going assemble the beast, DESPITE billing 17 hours the day before, and then working at least 12 more before coming home to begin.  Now, we've all noticed the completely FLAT box it came in right?

So I peeked in as he was "unpacking the box."

And reading the directions.

And beginning assembly.

Four hours and just a few colorful phrases later, Ta-Da!

I was already fast asleep when he came to bed--and probably just getting up when he left for work the next morning.   If only you could wrap a bow around such an act of service, both to me and Emma...  AND if only Emma could cook actual food with it--we'd be having feasts every night!

PT update: We're entering day 3.  I have left the house with Emma only once in the last three days-- to go to Kmart, during which we made 2 trips to the super clean bathroom in the span of 10 minutes.   I hope we're getting closer, but my next post might be calling for reinforcements.  I finally broke down and bought training panties (the kind with really think cotton in the middle) at the suggestion of my mom.  They seem to have helped, but the proof is in the pudding--or tee tee--right?  Who am I kidding--if you know the secret, PLEASE leave me a comment and let me know!

And the Party

There is so much to catch up on. I"ll start with our family party for Emma. This year more than last, I realized how difficult (and special) it is for Emma's birthday to be so close to Christmas. At times, it felt like a "warm up" for baby Jesus' birthday, but of course I want it to be special for her, independent of Christmas. So this year, we opted for a family party...Elmo themed of course. I think Emma had a good time--she definitely mastered the art of opening presents, which made Christmas Eve and Christmas morning go pretty quickly (all things considered).

Of course I would have loved to make Emma's cake, but let's be realistic people.  Publix has good cakes, for reasonable prices (especially when you have a $4/off coupon) and it is the middle of the holiday season.   Here is the "Elmo" theme Emma requested and I picked out.

And of course it would have been fun to "make" our own Elmo decorations...but have y'all heard? Party City sells them!!

Regardless of the lack of "homemade" Elmo accoutrement, Emma blew out her candles just the same.

And licked icing off Elmo.

And opened presents from our generous families.  May I present Abby Emma Cadabby!

All we need now is some rain. (Please note the tutu again...)

Go Grease Lightening. 

And the bouncy house.  It took care of all that cake and icing sugar in no time.

Please notice again, the tutu.  I believe it is Emma's favorite.

Emma ended her day talking on the phone.  Although we're not sure who she was talking to, she was really into the conversation.

Thanks to our wonderful families for taking time from their hectic holiday schedules to spend with us. And thanks for all the calls, emails and texts wishing Emma a Happy Birthday. I think she has started the two-year old world in style and with lots of love!!

Now, please excuse me, as we are finishing day 1 of intense potty training and I believe the timer is about to signal another forced potty sitting.  Christmas updates will be coming soon!

Happy Birthday!

***updated with sound now*** (music by Andrew Osenga and Andrew Peterson, respectively).

Wow. Time flies.  I love love love you Emma!  Happy 2nd Birthday today!

Merry Jib Jab

My friend Jen put this cute video together using Jib Jab.  It stars our friends Shannon, Mary Beth, Jen, me and she needed a 5th, so Emma too!! They are fun and easy to do.  Enjoy!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Ok, back to baking, wrapping, cleaning and sewing.  'Tis the Season!

(Almost) Last Minute Shoppers? Free Shipping!

The Birmingham Bargain Mom (link to the right) highlighted this website today, but I wanted to make EXTRA sure you readers (and blog stalkers) knew about it.  Just go here:  for a listing of all websites offering free shipping on Dec. 17th (and their requirements to qualify--like minimum spending amounts).  It's some really great stores--like J. Crew, Kate Spade, Best Buy and Crate and Barrel.

Gotta run and continue the mad dash preparations for Emma's 2nd birthday AND then Christmas!!  Happy Shopping!

Fa La La La La....Oink Oink Oink

We've finally made it home from Atlanta after visiting my aunt and uncle.  It was a good trip, but I came home with a special "souvenir"--a cold from the deepest depths of bad places.  Add a compounding secondary infection and it has resulted in a voice change reminiscent of adolescent boys, trash cans FULL of tissues, nearly two empty bottles of mucinex and one filled prescription of Zpack.  Please pray that No. 2 is still safe inside his "incubator," blissfully unaware of the feverish little men inhabiting my chest and nose, and protected from any drug side effects.

Meanwhile, I'm currently trying to nap while the Eminator catches some Z's but tossing from my left to my right side for "drainage" purposes isn't really relaxing, so I decided to sit upright instead--and here I am, blogging.  So, let's catch up.

After Thanksgiving Day, we enjoyed (or rather sweated and cussed a little through) the Iron Bowl on Friday.  After Bama secured what seemed like an impossible victory, Jason packed up and headed back to Birmingham (the wheels of justice continue turning, regardless of the holiday season).  This fact left Emma and me at the mercy of the my aunt's and mom's social calendar for Saturday.  As fate would have it, they had already planned a "cemetery outing" which involved putting flowers on many family members' graves.  Weighing the the entertainment value of this trip for Emma, and ultimately deciding cemeteries are not proper places for toddlers to run and play, I opted instead to take Emma to ride the Pink Pig---an Atlanta tradition since 1953-and one my mom and aunt remember from their childhood. (And thanks to my friend Deborah for bringing this attraction to my attention!)

Side Note: The excursion worked out really well because we were also able to see my friend Ashley, and congratulate her on her recent engagement! She is going to be a beautiful bride and I'm really excited for her and her fiance Whitney. They were also VERY accommodating, letting Emma and I intrude on them during Saturday morning hours, watch an Elmo DVD, listen to talk about "tee tee" and they didn't mind Emma spilling snacks everywhere.  It was great to see them both and congratulate them in person!

After leaving Ashley's we headed to Macy's at Lenox where we bought our tickets.

I surveyed the line and decided to head for the food court to fuel up for the wait ahead.

Even though the wait wound up being only 25 minutes, what better way to pass the time that taking pictures in front of the pink pig photo backdrop.

Next we entered the tent, home to the seasonal Pink Pig.  "Pink" is an understatement.  Shelby Eatenton Latcherie would have been proud and jealous. I'm pretty sure the entire place was covered in "blush and bashful."

And here she is. Priscilla pulling into the station for another group of riders.  (Behind her is one of the cars from the original train at the downtown Rich's store.)

The (very short) ride takes you through scenes from the 1950s, like the one below.

And on this special day Priscilla discovers, she's a perfect pink pig, just like her mother.

  "Guarding" Priscilla from any other suspicious and interested onlookers.

OF COURSE there was TONS of pig paraphernalia for sucker grandparents and parents (like me).  My favorite?  Well, the pig nose of course!!

It was a great mommy daughter date, and I really enjoyed getting to spend the time with Emma.  A wonderful way to start the Christmas season--and maybe even a new tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We've had a great Thanksgiving.  Good food, good family, good times--and well, little sleep.  Emma especially enjoyed learning to play piano with her second cousin, Zoe.

"Hey Zoe, do you know Heart and Soul?"

We have certainly received so many blessings this year, for which we are exceedingly grateful.  I hope you have enjoyed this Thanksgiving as well. Our Heavenly Father remains ever faithful!