Thanksgiving in Maine

Posing for the camera, Ben set the timer, but
didn't make sure that he made it in the picture!

 We have had a wonderful few days. Wednesday Stomper, Honey Bee, and I went to Grandma and Grandfathers house to spend the night. That way when we got up Thanksgiving morning we could watch the parade and pause it as needed (I am so thankful for DVR's!). Just as I thought, Stomper loved all the pre-show singing and dancing. He danced with the performers, but lost insterst when the parade balloons came through. We had a tastey meal made by my mother before popping by Jason's aunts house to see the greats.

Grandfather thought Stomper would look more
studious with glasses

Then, on Friday, Mimi picked Honey Bee and I up in the morning to do some Black Friday Christmas shopping. Stomper got to stay behind this year and spend the week-end with Grandma while Papa went hunting. We went to South Portland to visit Target, AC Moore, and of course the mall. We stayed at the Wyndam Motel (something I won't do again- don't let their nice looking rooms lure you in). 

We did take a quick dip in their dark and imposing pool area, that was visible from the bar adding a delightful creep factor, and, despite all the negatives was relaxing. I also thought that in addition to having a pleasant pool area that at $110 a night we'd get to use hot tub at the pool area (there was none), free breakfast, and complimentary mini-fridge. 

On Saturday, after finishing up our South Portland shopping, we went to Old Port to participate in small business Saturday. I wrongfully assumed that there would be sales, but I did do my part and bought something from a small business. We did get to sample some cupcakes at a small bake shop. I had one that tasted like a peanut butter and fluff sandwich, Jenna had a coconut one, and my MIL had a peppermint patty cup cake. We went to out for Mexican food and the family surprised me with fried ice cream and a round of "Happy Birthday".

When we finally made it home again Jason had prepared me a donut Birthday cake (wish I had taken a photo but I didn't) and another round of Happy Birthday.

 

As you can see from the photos we have snow. It seems that the new weather pattern is to have a snow storm right before a major holiday (we had another one right before Halloween). Stomper and Grandma went out in the snow to play on the slide. It was nice and warm so his shoe-less foot is not cold. 

I Give Myself Permission

I give myself permission...

To sleep in a bit even after Stomper is up.
To wear pj's until evening when I shower and put new pj's on.
To fall asleep in church, just for a moment (sorry Nate).
To drink large amounts of coffee.
To eat too many PB&J's.
To keep the Weather Channel on so I don't feel alone.
To feel accomplished after knitting a single row.
To not knit some people's Christmas presents and instead knit for my children.
To pay someone to do my dishes and sweep my floors.
To sit and snuggle with one or two of my babies instead of folding laundry or picking up toys.
To not feel like a bad mama when I can't get Honey Bee to stop crying
To enjoy all the pats Stomper gives Honey Bee, even if he's a little zealous, because it means he wants to help and loves her to.
To be thankful all the time for family who willingly and without complaint helps us out.
To nap as often as I can.
To leave the toys and books on the floor.

Tirelessly Sleepless

First an appoloy: I cannot show you pictures of our little bundle of joy (henceforth nicknamed Honey Bee). I can assure you that Honey Bee is beautiful, wears a very cute knitted hat that I made her, and constantly melts her Papa's heart with every gaze.

As you can imagine there isn't a lot of sleeping happening around our house these days. Jason took a few days off for paternity leave last week and so for a fleeting moment I received several glorious chunks of time for sleeping. Not so much anymore. Every few days Honey Bee lets me get a partially interrupted night of sleep (by getting up only once in the night) but usually she's up from midnight to 1am and again around 3 to 4 and then Stomper is up by 7, so I sleep/nap/rest in between those times. Please forgive me if you see me and I do not know a) the day, b) the time, c) your name, or d) the last time I ate a meal when it was hot.

During the odd day that I am home all day we snuggle, read books, nap in the chair, eat, poop, and relax together. We try our best to enjoy each other and learn to adapt to sharing our favorite people.Stomper likes to help me burp Honey Bee and has only a few occasions tried to burp her face when Mama wasn't paying attention. Mostly he rubs her head, kisses her head, and burps her on the back. I think, because he gets so much attention from family during the week, he hasn't shown too much jealously. Then again, we've only had Honey Bee for 3 weeks, so that could change.

Honey Bee is growing and I estimate that she is pre-9lbs. She is much smaller than Stomper was at this age and it's a bit of an adjustment. The one good thing about her being a bit smaller is that she is wearing the newborn - 3month clothes longer. I think by this age Stomper was in the 3-6month clothing. I did some Christmas shopping recently and rather enjoyed buying dresses and cute pink things. It is such a shame that Honey Bee is growing and that I am forced to shop for her.

To help ease some of my stress I have hired a very helpful teenager to do some minor housework around the house. She very gracefully and without complaint sweeps up the dog hair, scrubs out the pots, scours the toilets, and gives me what many Mama's need: conversation.

Our families have been helping us out immensely with free babysitting for Stomper while we run Honey Bee to her various appointments. I am able to take both kids and their stuff to places, but it is a bit of a heavy juggle.

Please forgive me if you see me and I do not know a) the day, b) the time, c) your name, or d) the last time I ate a meal when it was hot.