The Holidays Continue (Part 2)

What a miraculous day we've had here! Banner slept in just a tad (the past couple days he's woken up around 6:30am, so 7:00 was good this morning!). He was in a great mood all day. We spent some time at home relaxing and listening to and watching the rain fall most of the day. Around Banner's nap time, the rain turned into sleet and quickly hushed as it fell on our skylights as it turned to a blizzardy snow! It was magical! Sam and I loved the quiet to ourselves, and then we eagerly awaited Banner's nap to end so we could introduce him to the beautiful white snow that surrounded the house and continued to fall from the sky. It was so much fun watching him see it, touch it, explore it, feel it on his face. After only 5-10 minutes in it, it was time to get dressed for a night at Zaide's house. There, we played in the snow for a few more minutes, opened gifts, ate dinner, and played with cousins, aunts, and uncles. Banner's night ended with a fun green-colored bubble bath (literally, we blew bubbles).

Here's a peek into our day:

Backyard

Front yard

Opening the door to the magical winter wonderland

Feeling and seeing the snow for the first time

Walking in the snow with Mommy

Daddy and Banner touching snow

My baby's snowprints

Daddy shook Banner off before coming in the house

Cousin Colby in the snow

Colby and Miles in the snow

Colby & Banner

Banner and Mommy

Looking out the window at Zaide's house - love the reflection of his awe of the snow

Uncle Jason and Colby

Banner and Zaide

Thanks, NaNa and Uncle Paul!

Miles

Colby

Thanks, Zaide

Colby thanking Zaide

Thanks, Zaide!

Banner thanking Zaide

Thanks, Aunt Gayle, Uncle Jason, Miles, and Colby

More from Zaide!

Zaide opening his gift from the whole gang

Handsome taking it easy

Aunt Gayle playing with Banner after dinner

Our little goofball - making all kinds of noises

And having quite the lengthy conversation

Banner and Colby

Aunt Gayle & Banner

The Holidays Continue (Part 1)

Our family is blessed with many branches, and we often have numerous holiday celebrations. Ever since I was about 7 or 8 years old, I have spent Christmas Eve with my step-mother's family. Even though my dad is no longer married to her, and even though I don't celebrate Christmas, we are still grateful to be included in the family festivities and to continue to say that we are all one big family!

Times have changed a lot, though, and it's amazing to see all the kids of this next generation running around, playing together, and preoccupying their now-grown parents (who only years ago were running around just like these little kids!). I can recall when it was just us 8 kids (Matt, Robert, Lee, Brandon, Erin, Brock, Amber, and Kira). Then, Sage, Trey, and Kindle came along - and now, there are 12 little ones - and at least one more on the way: Caden, Mara, Brycen, Banner, Meredith, Mallory, Bennett, Drew, Emma, Ian, Sydney, and Robert. These little people have become the next generation - and even though they make me feel really old - I so enjoy watching them interact!

Santa made an appearance, too! I wish I had a photo of Banner's stunned, confused, open-mouthed stare at this strange man my little Jewish son has never seen before! He was not a fan. He was clingy and shy around Santa, but he was happy to take his gift from him and open it with Mommy and Daddy safely nearby.

Here are some photos I got from the night:

Aunt Kindle & Banner

Mallory and her sister, Meredith - who looks like she's attacking her cousin, Bennett

Mallory, Bennett, and Meredith

Caden, Banner, and Mara - playing in the house elevator

Emma, Meredith, Bennett, and Banner

Bennett ran off with the choo-choo train Banner wanted, but luckily Banner was distracted by the pool table

Emma, Banner, and Meredith

Sorry, Miss Meredith! Your student, Banner, is not paying attention!

Maybe he wanted to be the teacher

Banner & Caden

Pretty baby Drew and Brycen

My favorite!!

Kristen, Sarah, and Kindle

Banner staring at the singing, dancing reindeer

Santa!

Mara and Mallory waiting patiently for their presents

Banner was reluctant to approach the strange man

Mallory, Drew, Bennett, Caden, Mara, and Meredith (L to R)

Banner LOVES Emma - says her name all the time

"Emma!"

Haha! Love this face Sam caught of me helping B open his gift

Brycen, Uncle Erick, Aunt Kiki, and Aunt Erin

Santa Meredith passed out candy canes to everyone

Uncle Trey helped feed Banner some yummy pumpkin pie

Banner LOVED it - like his Mama does!

And in between bites, he'd stop for kisses from Aunt Kiki

I'm thankful to celebrate family, peaceful times, and feelings of love and togetherness! Happy Holiday to Everyone - no matter what you celebrate!

Easing RA Pain

I follow a blog called Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior, and a couple weeks ago, the author asked that bloggers with RA post about non-medical ways to ease RA pain. I'm in love with this idea because the blog carnival she's initiating and putting together will ultimately help lots of people with RA... including me! I'm really excited to see all the posts she links and the comments she receives because I can always use some ideas on what can help my pain.... especially non-medical ways! Those aren't working anyway, so we may as well try something else in the meantime!

I've been keeping a list for these two weeks, trying to think of anything and everything that helps relieve my pain or helps me feel more comfortable. Here's what I've come up with so far:

• Speaker phone and Bluetooth - since holding the phone to my ear hurts my wrists
• The rear-view camera on my car - since turning my neck can be hard sometimes (although I don't rely on this 100%)
• Body Massages - while they don't help for extended periods of time, they do give some temporary relief at least while the massage lasts. As long as the masseuse doesn't press too hard on my tender joints, I can get an hour-long break from my body.
• Floor chairs - I found these when I went to a friend's house for a play date, and it's amazing how much more comfortable I can be on the floor with Banner when we're playing.
• Small step-stools - allow me to sit with my toddler on the floor without having to get all the way down there. Getting off the floor is a challenge, and becoming more difficult, so a small step-stool (in fact, I use the one with his name on it) gives me more leverage to get up.
• My husband - and his compassion, willingness to help around the house, his hands when I need a jar opened or something reached or help up from the floor or a gentle massage or when I need his hands OFF. . . I couldn't possibly get through the days without his understanding, tolerance, and listening ears

I'm sure there are more that I will think of as soon as I "publish" this post. I'm excited to see what others can contribute to this carnival because I can use all the help and good ideas I can get!

Note: After I published this post and sent it to RA Warrior, she created the carnival with my ideas included. Please visit her Ideas post to see the whole blog carnival! :)