January... Post Christmas Blues...

There were some tears when the Christmas tree came down this year. Through her tears Jordan said, "my birthday is really over." The holiday was so fun with the kids this age. I had forgotten how magical the holiday can be for kids... and how much leverage Santa bestows. Behavior is top notch the month of December. Makes me almost wish Santa came monthly. We put out the cookies Christmas eve and asked Jordan if we should put out chocolate milk or vanilla milk. She thought about it for a few moments and told us that we should put out both chocolate milk and wine because we seem to like wine a lot too.

Jordan has been asking us daily when she is going to kindergarten. I told her that I would miss her all day and she responded, "mom, you will be fine." I knew I wanted to raise an independent daughter, but at 5, I am not so sure I am ready for it.

Garrett continues to challenge us with his active ways. I thought there would be a lull between the terrible twos and the terrible threes. I quickly realize the challenges are just different. We started a reward system at night for potty training. I thought I was super mom... it was a breeze as he immediately showed up in our room with a dry pull up. It wasn't until a recent discovery where I found the wet pull ups in a bottom drawer in his room and I caught him changing them in the morning.

It is a good thing that Garrett is such a love. He talks non stop and has gotten into the habit of telling me loudly in public places that he is about to throw up. I have never seen people back away from me so quickly. Discipline is tough with those big brown eyes. He will sit in time out and hold his hand over his heart and repeatedly say, "you are breaking my heart."

Ayden, is a dream. So easy going. Finally! She isn't saying any words, despite my never ending efforts for her to say mama. I say it so often that when I do, she points to herself. She has found her voice and while she is very laid back, she is very confident about her place in this family. She isn't afraid of anything. She loves the water and is already starting to swim with assistance. She loves going underwater and will spend hours in the tub if we let her. She needs to either learn to swim or we are going to have to start her on Jenny Craig. Ayden's biggest transformation is her size. People that saw us three months ago are flabbergasted with how much she has changed. It is hard not calling her tank or our little lug nut. I catch myself having flash backs of this peanut we met only four short months ago.

What a blessing!