Post Christmas Wrap-Up

Howdy friends. Now that Christmas has passed - the cookies have been eaten, presents unwrapped, the tots have already broken their new toys (kidding!) - I am back. I think. I am still planning on limiting my computer time - especially in the mornings, but I am hoping that overall I'm on course to managing my time better.

It's been great this last month - I have been dedicated to getting up each morning (preferably before the kids, but that doesn't always happen), getting dressed and cleaned up right away, going downstairs and making breakfast for the family (Mr. D has been in hog heaven - he loves breakfast, even if its pretty basic as I've been doing). But the key has been I've been sitting down with Grace (and Mr. D if he's home and awake), and we spend breakfast together. (Before, this is typically where the tv came on and I would do other things while Grace ate breakfast with Dora). Its really made a world of difference in how the day proceeds. We eat breakfast and I've been reading to Grace a little from the Bible. She nods and looks like she understands. I figured its never too early to get the Word straight from the source.

So as much as I love the holidays, I am excited to get into "regular" life. That sounds strange, but I haven't really gotten to get into a routine with Grace and Paul. Mr. D was home for so long and then the holidays came and changed things up. And anyone who really knows me, knows I love things organized and scheduled. I like my routines.

But I digress. Our Christmas was great. We were able to spend time just the four of us in the morning and relax over breakfast and open our gifts before going my brother's house for see my family. Grace was OVERWHELMED with gifts. My family was very generous, and she not only got to open her gifts, but Paul's as well. It was cute - she would open up something for Paul and hold it up to him as if he cared. (As demonstrated as she opened his stocking Christmas morning).








Paul was a doll baby and was so content being passed around from grandma to great grandma to auntie and back again.



But of course they say that you don't need to worry about gifts with kids when you have boxes. So true, so true.

Electronic Restriction

So I've been MIA in the virtual world lately. As I tell my hubby, I put myself on "electronic restriction".





In an effort to focus on getting into a routine with the young-uns, keep the house in order, and prepare for Christmas - I made a new rule: no television or computer until 3pm. I know that the computer is a stealthy time-waster during the day. I leave it up and running and then during the day, I'll just "pop on" to check my email, message boards, or blogs which then leads to 15 minutes here, 15 minutes there.

As for the television - that is mostly for Grace's benefit. I had been feeling "mommy guilt" that I was using the tv too often to keep her distracted. She likes it - I got things done - it seemed like a win-win, except for the nagging in the back of my mind that there's a reason I am staying at home with the kids... and its not to make sure that the kitchen is spotless (or my email is up-to-date!). Also, now that I'm back to the nursing routine with Paul - its so easy to turn on the tv and zone out. And often, get caught up watching something after Paul has finished and is snoozing away. So now, while I'm nursing, I've been including Grace by reading or coloring with her. Now, I would call that a better win-win for us.

All in all, my rules have been working out pretty good. I actually thought it would be a little harder to keep the tv off, but Grace has really only asked for it once or twice and then was easily distracted when I said no.



So between my "restriction" and Christmas planning, shopping, wrapping and baking - I've been neglectful in my updates.

However, baby Paul is doing great. He will be two months this Sunday. Its gone by so fast. He's started smiling and cooing. It's so much fun. I find myself relishing so much more than I did with Grace. With her I was so nervous, was trying to balance work and motherhood, and was so anxious to get to the next milestone - I missed a lot. But Paul is pretty laid back, so he lets me enjoy things much more.




So that's the rock under which I've been hiding. We're looking forward to Christmas around here. Grace loves the tree, the lights, the goodies, and knows who all the gifts are for under the tree - especially the ones for "Gee" (that's what she calls herself).



Well off to clean up my mess from baking Chocolate Toffee Bars - and I think they need a taste-test as well!