Happy Holidays!

What I've been cooking up.

Maybe you've noticed I haven't been blogging as frequently...

...no, not cooking James. But I was doing a little baking tonight. I had wanted to spend most of Tuesday doing that, but Miles' preschool was canceled and I had him home with me until 11, so we spent some time together. Well, kind of...

About 2-3 months ago I took a casual position at the hospital, in OB again, then a regular position opened up and was offered to me. Well, I haven't been working the schedule too long, but have quickly realized that 12 hour days and nights are not for me. The shifts are just a VERY small part of my reasons to look elsewhere. I was dreading going to work, I mean REALLY dreading it...

Any how, I applied for a home health RN case manager position, not sure I would even get a call, due to never working outside of OB. And after two interview Thanksgiving week, I received an offer yesterday! This is huge! Since it's not a hospital position that means Monday thru Friday day shifts!! And I won't have to do weekends anymore!!! (Okay I will have to be on call like every 6th weekend, but much more tolerable than every other.)

So I accepted the position yesterday afternoon, and put in my resignation to the hospital today. I made myself sick worrying about telling them. OB has had two other resignations this past month! And it was awful! The person I had to give my letter to, wouldn't even look at me. I guess it makes my decision to leave a little easier.

I'm excited an nervous. A major change. I think I know what Miles is feeling now!

So I'll start the new job in 2-4 weeks.

Some other things I've been working on...

...this little quilt for Miles. I had bought some flannel and chenille before he was born and am finally making something for him. I've only made two quilts before and they were 7 years ago. I'm just going to tie this and will go to the quilt shop next week to get help binding it. I'm also hoping to whip up a little "lovey" for James. I have some red minky and blue flannel and an insane amount of ribbon. We'll see, I know I'll get Miles' done for Christmas, but not sure about James'.

My Christmas shopping is DONE!! Was really done 2 weeks ago, except I was waiting for a couple things to come in the mail and they've finally arrived. I've even managed to get some things wrapped. I just have to make sure the gifts stay under the tree. James has been taking some for a ride in his dump truck, resulting in "missing" presents. So far I've been able to find them.

I'm heading to the cities tomorrow with the guys. Ben gets to stay back and hopefully clean or paint our bedroom.

The boys will stay with my parents and I'm off for an annual scrapbooking retreat with 3 wonderful ladies. I'm needing to get away and hopefully relax! I was pretty wound up earlier, but after making some oatmeal dark chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter and chocolate bars, I feeling much more relaxed. Now I need to get off this computer and pack myself.

The old laptop is heading in for some repairs before our warranty expires at the end of the year (one of the hinges is broken), so I may be away for a while. At least not posting, but will still see comments and such.

Speaking of comments, what gives? I see all of you stopping for visits, but not very many comments. I LOVE comments!

So leave me a note, how do you manage stress? What do you like to do to unwind?? and I'll see you soon!

Just a Boy.

I find myself often forgetting that Miles is only three years old.

He's a bit taller than the average three year old, and is quite the little helper.

And he can do so much for himself already. He handled Ben living away from us for 2 months great. Our move even better. Starting preschool, he LOVES it!

But in the past 2-3 weeks I've been reminded that he's still just a boy.

He started going to daycare 2 1/2 weeks ago and I think this recent change has finally thrown him over. All the changes of the past 5 months are starting to wear on him.
My happy, carefree little guy has been crying at daycare drop offs, CLINGING to me, telling me he wants to stay with me. Waking up 2+ times per night crying. Breaking my heart!!

So after a week of not knowing what to do, and many questions about why he didn't want to go to daycare, it's become clear there's just too much change happening.
So, we've started focusing on the positive. I always ask him what he did that was fun at daycare, what was his favorite part of the day.
And he has this cute book, "Mommy in My Pocket." It's about a little bunny going to school for the first time, and how she would like her mommy to be small enough to fit in her pocket so she could take her school. So with just a few changes we made it work for daycare.
I also sent him today with a special note.

Simple.

I love you.

With a smiley face of me.
He got quite a kick out of it, and put it in his pocket. I told him if he got sad or missed me, he could take the note out and look at it.
So at drop off there were no tears, just a sad face. And at pick up the note was in his cubby. He told me he got a little sad and when he looked at the note it made him smile. YIPPEE!
And tonight we used some special keep-the-scary-things-away-spray (body spray) before bed. I'm up late tonight after 3 night shifts at the hospital and haven't heard from him yet!

Does anyone else out in the bloggy-world have any advice?

Today

Well, I had BIG productive plans for today, then last night Miles said his throat was hurting. This from the boy that gets sick once/ year. So I took a peek and sure enough, red!

This morning I asked how he was feeling and he said better...

...off to daycare. As soon as I got his coat off he clung to me and started crying. Huh? Not at all like him. Then he told me he wanted a nap!!!!

An hour after he woke up!

So, is he sick?

Or enjoying a day with mom??
Hmmm...



On another note, I took a few photos of some of my favorite Christmas decorations!
This little snowman had me laughing to the point of tears when I bought him a few years ago.
The ladies at the store probably thought I was insane, but I still get a giggle and think he looks like my cold despising husband!

My Grandma's old red skates hang on the door...

And my first ornament from Miles. Well, from daycare, of his hand print. I also have one of James' hand print.

And finally, I did manage to scratch one thing off my list of things to do today!

Finish hanging these shatter-proof bulbs.

Our rental has this header that runs in the middle of our vaulted ceiling, so bulbs, ribbon, and push pins, and wa-la!

Miles' face after his nap was great. He truly loves all the decorations. He suggested we buy more and hang them all over the ceilings in every room. I can only imagine what his house will look like someday on Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree...

After Thanksgiving we finally got to decorating for the holidays!

Miles was quite excited to help!

James on the other hand, just wanted to spend time in his crib with his plug. He's only allowed to have it if he's in his crib, so he likes to frequent his crib whenever he gets frustrated.

But eventually he came out and fell in love with the tree! And all the ornaments. He often pulls them off the tree!

And finally, the star fot the top of the tree!

Our TREE (pre-star)!

And with all the Christmas music, I had a great time decorating also!

Gold glittery snow flakes all over the walls.

And our mistle-toe ball!

Miles REALLY got a kick out of this! I almost got knocked off the chair I was standing on to hang it, when he ran over, grabbed my legs and gave me a kiss!

And more snow flakes in the dining room!

Let it snow, I LOVE snow for the holidays!

And one last SWEET photo of James on our way home from Thanksgiving in the cities. It was an exciting, busy, and long weekend, and boy was he tired!

Hope everyone else has been having a great time shopping and decorating!!