Hustle Bustle

The Holiday full court press is upon us.  Aye, aye, aye, every year I swear I'm going to get done shopping early and every year I'm scrambling.  Believe it or not, even a stay at home Mom doesn't have a ton of time.  It doesn't help that Kolton isn't the best shopping companion.  I also find that I lack gift inspiration.  Cologne, candles, and accessories find their way into my bag every year.

Through all of the holiday stress it has been so incredibly fun to watch Kolton this year.  Hard to believe this is his 3rd Christmas!  He's really starting to get it with one glaring exception...he refuses to sit on Santa's knee.  I have tried in vain 3 times...thankfully stay at home moms get to go to the mall when there are no lines!  I can't wait to see his reaction when it comes time to open presents.  I just hope I'll be able to stop him from ripping things open beforehand.

Days of Future's Past

At just under 3 years old Kolton's world view of technology is vastly different from when I was his age.  Even my 21 year old self couldn't have imagined all we can do and use our cell phones for. He knows how to navigate to his favorite games, apps, and music.  "iPad" is in his vocabulary.  I sometimes wonder about the things we use today that will be considered old fashioned in the future.

Once a week, when Kolton is in preschool, I go out for breakfast by myself.  It's so wonderful just to sit there in peace and have a meal served to me without sticky, grabby, little fingers bothering me.  Today I over heard two women having a conversation all about what a pain in the butt sending Christmas Cards is.  And how Shutterfly will basically do the whole thing for you; even address and mail them if you are willing to pay for it.  Since we are in the social media age I'm honestly amazed that we still do the photo card bombing during the holidays.  Maybe this tradition will one day be extinct?  But don't be surprised to see ours arrive in the mail this week!

Their conversation also reminded me of how hectic the holidays are and how I long to enjoy them as much as I did when I was a kid.  Tonight I'm giving myself a Christmas break...buying cookies for the cookie exchange tomorrow and getting a manicure.

Doe A Deer

I don't know where to begin...it's been so long!  But I've missed this!  And I've missed you!  I started to realize just how valuable it is to be able to document Kolton's toddler years in this way.  I won't be able to update everything that's happened in the past few months in just one post.  So here is a start...

Kolton's vocabulary is increasing every day.  He knows all of his colors and can count to 20.  He especially loves talking about all of his friends at school.  One night we were naming the kids in his class and he named one I didn't know.  This is so encouraging!  For him to talk about something not in plain sight is wonderful progress.  And he sings! The song from The Sound of Music; Doe A Deer is his favorite.  Followed by Rock A Bye Baby, Jingle Bells, and a song I made up called Goodnight Kolton.  Along with singing he also loves to dance.  He grabs my phone ALL OF THE TIME and plays his music.  Pit Bull and Britney Spears are his jams.  

Jet Lagged

We were back in Minnesota for Mike's niece's wedding this weekend.  Kolton stayed with my mom so we could enjoy ourselves.  The day was beautiful and the bride was especially stunning.  The hard part about this event for us was it may have been the first time we felt incredibly old.  At 23 both Carson and Erin have their shit together...world traveled, good jobs, even home ownership, and now married.  When the party at the reception really got started Mike and I quickly realized we didn't necessarily fit in with the kids going crazy on the dance floor.  Even though they were dancing to all of the music we like.  I felt like I aged 10 years in a flash.  And then I aged another 10 years when Carson told me I was young at heart...ouch!  Never the less we had a very relaxing weekend with Mike's family and even snuck in some time with a few friends.  So all was well with the world until it was time to go home...

A 4 hour delay with a non-napped toddler.  We didn't go back to our house in Richmond until 3:30 in the morning!  Poor Kolton didn't know what hit him.  He had an absolute meltdown at the airport screaming "Daddy Do!"  about 100 times.  (Mike and I take turns asking him who loves him the most and he changes his answer depending on who's asking)  He was like CD skipping for over 20 minutes. Finally he crashed on my shoulder shortly before we boarded at 11:30pm.    FAA regulations state that all ticketed passengers; even 2 year olds need to be seated in their seats with their seat belts fastened to take off.  Ugh!  Kolton was so tired all he wanted to do was nuzzle my neck and sleep!  So I hunched over as far as I could and thankfully he slept through it, then continued to sleep on Mike the rest of the way.

Am I rambling?  I think I'm rambling...  Better go to bed!

He Sleeps

Precious Time

Last night I went to cycle class.  Near the end, when legs were dragging, in order to motivate us the instructor said "Time is your most precious gift, you are always losing it so spend it wisely."  I don't know if he was quoting someone or just made it up on the spot but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

I often find myself getting frustrated with Kolton when he isn't sticking to schedule.  I'm rushing out the door but he wants to practice putting his shoes on...refusing to eat at meal times resulting in me chasing him around the house with a banana...wanting to lay and play in "Mama bed" when he should be napping already.  I get all worked up and sometimes snap at him; why?  I have no where else to be and really wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

With that in mind this afternoon he didn't go down for a nap until 2pm.  He typically naps for 3 hours but yesterday was only 2.  So I decided to just roll the dice. Today he slept for over 4.  I thought about waking him up around 5:00 but then thought better of it.  If he wanted to stay up until 10:00 so be it.  He went down at 8:30!

Preschool 2013

No Tears, No Tears, No Tears, YaaaaaaaaayYYY!  I love how first day of school photos have some how morphed into the new way to display creative skills (or lack there of in my case!)  I misjudged where to start the P in preschool on my sign and now I have to live with the shame forever =)  Ha, ha

The most important thing is Kolton had a really good day.  I was a little nervous because I have to help him unpack and hang up his bag...water, snack, folder.  At his school last year I just handed him over at the door without ever entering the room.  And usually walked away to the sound of his wails.  So, I definitely thought there would be a scene as I tried to leave.  Nope, K became interested in a puzzle and I quickly exited doing a happy dance.  It was an abbreviated day (only 1.5 hours) but still enough time for me to go get my nails done!

Thursday will be a real test to see if we can get there by 8:00.  His teacher told me its honestly fine to bring him up until 9:00.  But I don't want to fall down that slippery slope, I think it'll be good for us both to get going earlier.