Burkholder Blessings: Christmas 2012

Christmastime brings so much anticipation, yet so much busyness. That seemed true for our family this year. This has been a month filled with a lot of fun including a ride on the Polar Express Train in Connersville which my parents joined us on, several Christmas parties, a trip to the Children's Museum, driving to see Christmas lights, baking cookies, shopping, watching Christmas movies, Christmas on the Farm at Traders Point Creamery to see Santa etc.

Braden definitely knows what Christmas is all about, but we're quick to quiz him on what the real meaning on Christmas is. And he does know the answer is Jesus. Charlie Brown Christmas has helped to define that for him as he's watched that and the Grinch numerous times. Braden was super excited for Christmas day this year- the first year we've ever spent Christmas Day in our own house!!! My parents drove down for the Christmas here this year. The previous weekend we went up north to spend with Curtis' Mom and Dad. One of the first things Braden said on Christmas Day was, Mommy, Santa came, but the Grinch didn't." :) Silly boy. Eliana also was quick to figure out this whole presents thing. By our last session of opening gifts, she knew how to rip open a package with the best of them. Such spoiled, blessed kids they are!!

Now that Christmas season is over and it's almost back to life as usual, I'm kind of glad. I love Christmas time, but I'm eager for routine to return again. We have had a ton of snowfall lately. On Christmas Day night, we have about 8 inches- causing my parents to have to leave for home early :(. Then this past Friday night we had about 4 inches more. I can't remember this much snow on the ground for several years! And it's not even January yet! I do love snow, I admit it, but just hate to drive in it. As long as the roads are clear, bring on the snow! :o)

Now for Kid Updates:
Eliana is almost 18 months old. She's such a joy to our home; becoming more so everyday. She's a busy girl and learning more words everyday. She can say with ease: Mommy, Daddy, Puppy, Kee Kee (for kitty), Nummies, Papa, Up and Uh Oh. She can sign More, Please, Thank You and All Done. And she has several words that aren't really words, but I know what she means. "Dabee" means hat or story. "B" means movie. "Beep Beep" is for anything with an engine (cars, buses, trains etc.) "Oiee" is her word for drink -usually milk, but sometimes water. She understands a great deal. When you ask her a question and she answers agreeably, she'll say "Uh huh". She loves her stuffed animals and just recently will lay them down, saying "Nigh Nigh". Also when she sees Santa or a picture of him, she'll say, "Ne Na". Which also seems to be her reference for Nana. :)

Physically she is an expert walker and beginning to run. She still loves to climb and easily climbs onto the kitchen chairs and beginning to climb onto the table. She loves to "try" to be a big girl, attempting to put her own pants and shoes on, buckle her own buckles, feed herself etc. All of this is great, but leads to melt downs when she can't do it herself and needs a little help. It's amazing how different she is from Braden. He has (and still does-) wanted someone to do everything for him.
Overall she's a pretty good eater, but right now dealing with her wanting to throw everything on the floor (her cups, food etc). Grrr. Makes Mommy crazy sometimes.

Eliana is an awesome sleeper. She will sleep 12-13 hours at night without waking and just recently at 17 1/2 months old is starting to give up her morning nap. Typically in either 1-2 naps she'll sleep a total of 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Braden is still about the same- no longer napping and sleeping about 12 hours/night and wakes about 2-3 times per week with difficulty falling back asleep.

Braden has recently finished a 7 week session of Gymnastics. He was the only boy in his 3/4yo class, but it didn't phase him. And he LOVED it! Unlike soccer, I didn't have to bribe him to go out there and he actually had a good time!!!! It was some basic gross motor skills (running, jumping, bear crawl, crab walk, summersalts, skipping etc.) and also walking on low balance beams, obstacle courses, swinging on bars, jumping in foam pits etc. I think we'll stick with individual sports until he has a maturity to handle a team sport again. We'll probably do another session of gymnastics and then he's expressed an interest in Karate.

Both kids have had a great time playing in all the snow we've had. Braden has surprised me with how long he's happy to play out there even with being cold and snowy. Even Eliana played outside with all of us for more than an hour yesterday.

We realize on a daily basis what a crazy time of life this is. But know we are so blessed to have our family and all that we do. But sometimes finding a rare moment of peace and quiet is, well.....rare.