Merry Christmas!

We decided to stay home for Christmas this year. It was just me, Mike, Xander and my mom. Mike and I have decided it was actually quite peaceful and nice to spend the holiday at home. While we intend to go home to TX most years, I don't think either of us are ruling the possibility of more VA Christmases out. :)

Unfortunately, Christmas Eve did not turn out as planned and church and Monroe's had to be cancelled due to my illness. By midnight on Christmas morning my fever was 103.5 and I was calling the on call midwife at the hospital again. She assured me that the fever wasn't TOO high and that the antibiotics I'd started at noon should start working soon (but if not to call them Christmas night). Well, sure enough, I woke up at 5am on Christmas morning drenched on the couch (I'd slept there to not distrub Mike) and without a fever. In fact, I felt pretty good and was able to enjoy Christmas! Yay!

Xander received so many fun things. First and foremost were our family pajamas, which we'll be opening on Christmas Eve every year (consider this our first family tradition). I have always bought myself new PJs for Christmas -- not sure why -- and this year I decided to buy for the whole family. I'd actually been dreaming of being able to do this for at least 2 years when I first came across www.pajamagram.com. Xander and Oscar got matching red, drop bottom PJs with their names embroidered on their bottoms, and while I didn't make Mike got that far, he and I did have the matching red henleys and plaid pajama pants with our monogram on them. So cute!



On Christmas morning, Xander had so many fun items to unwrap even though his daddy didn't understand why we were wrapping gifts to just have to unwrap them again! ha ha! I guess I see his point, but it was still fun. Just a few things from Santa...

his bumbo (such a big boy!)


his new lazy susan play mat for tummy time (have we mentioned he loves looking in the mirror)


Xander received some wonderful items from other family members, as well. And we are so thankful for all his wonderful grandparents and his uncle Jason and new aunt Kerry. And his cousins. :)

My mom bought Mike and I a flip video camera, so 2010 will bring video clips on the blog as well which I can't wait for!! It should arrive right around New Years, so we'll have to try it out asap.

Dinner was yummy (um, I cooked it so of course I think so!) and the day was relaxing (with lots of movie watching and carol listening). Couldn't ask for more. :)

xoxo -

Vicky

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Most notably, Xander is here, happy (albeit occasionally fussy and loud) and healthy.

As is our tradition now, at least for the last few years, we "ran" the Alexandria Turkey Trot around our neighborhood. It's a 5 miler, and I really enjoy it. My dad and I walked with Xander (who had to stop and eat breakfast 1/2 way resulting in us behind at the end of the pack! oh well!), and while Letty was supposed to walk with us and Oscar, Oscar had different plans. He and Letty ended up running and finished the race in just over an hour. Thanks, Letty! My mom and Mike ran it. Running or walking, the Turket Trot provides a good excuse for an extra piece of pecan pie. And I've already told Xander that next year, we're running it. No excuses! Here X is with big bro Oscar and my Dad and Letty:



We had a full house at Tia Carmen's including our little family, my mom, Dad and Letty, Mikey & John, Carmen, Rock, Joseph, Tio David, Mike's grandparents and an Okie GW student named Justin.

The food was delicious, as usual, and we (at least I) had a fabulous time.

Not sure why we were bad about taking pics this year, I suppose we had our hands full, but here's one family pic.



xoxo - V