Just The Two of Us

Tate and I have spent the past 3 days together.  Save three hours today at my parents' it's been just the two of us. 

And it's been just great.  We've spent the nights together in my bed, waking at the crack of dawn for me to blearily hand him my phone after clicking the YouTube link so he can watch trains of all sorts barrel down the tracks (how this enthralls him is beyond me, but he loves, loves, loves them, and I don't have to worry he's watching something inappropriate while I continue to doze as they are simply trains speeding along tracks).  I've gotten another hour or so of sleep thanks to these trains.

We've played trains, watched 'The Polar Express' and 'Mickey Mouse Choo-Choo Express', enjoyed meals, ridden the zoo train, grocery shopped, ridden bikes outside briefly and just hung out.  I've tried to convince him to play one of his new games...nope, nyet, nada.  All about those trains this little guy.  We've read books and cuddled in the rocking chair.  At night when I climbed into bed I gathered him out of the crib and put him in the bed with me.

It's been just amazing.  He's had very few meltdowns, maybe one or two.  A few pouts, but we've just enjoyed being together.  Honestly, as I sit here I can't even remember what we've really done for the past 72 hours after looking at that short list of activities.  

But we've been together.  We've laughed and giggled.  

Just the two of us.

I cannot think of no other way I'd like to end 2012 than spending these four days with my son.  

Just the two of us.

My wish for the two of us in 2013 is a strengthening of our wonderful relationship, more joy, hope, fun, laughs, giggles and love, love, love.  

And for those we love and love us we wish you the same.  Happiness, joy, peace and most of all love.

Much love from the two of us.  

Here's our 2012 together...

Dinner New Year's Eve 2012 with my sweet boy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Our Celebration of Jesus' Birthday!

Christmas Morning!

Jesus' Birthday!

Tate was up by 5:45!  I had to convince him to stay in our room while I went and turned on the tree lights...he was not happy about that! :)

And when I finally let him come on in the living room he was all over the cookie Santa left, just for him.  As is evidenced he was not nearly as excited about his Christmas gifts as he was the lone sugar cookie :)

We did move quickly on to the stocking....

Tate was thrilled with most everything he received, with anything trains causing him to do the happy dance.  There were so many presents that I had him open them over the course of the 25th and the 26th so as to not overwhelm him, AND he actually got tired of opening gifts!   Only my child.

Mouth full of cookie!

He was in this position most of the day!

My sweet Mommy!

Tate went shopping for me with my dad on Christmas Eve.
He chose these socks for me along with an animal night-light.

We took a break from opening presents for some breakfast and a Christmas parade...

And another present...

Then we headed outside since it was so nice and warm for a spin on the new bike after breakfast!

 

After a nap that a certain little boy did not want to take, there were many tears on both our parts about this nap, there were more presents to be opened as my sister and her family arrived...

After the second round of present opening Tate, Scotty and I created our snowmen!!!  It is so very much fun to do these crafts with the boys during the holidays.

Hard at work!

Cousin love.

Showing off our work!

Then we had a little celebration for the man of the hour...Jesus!  

And of course once our day was winding down there was one last present for the day...

Four Christmases.  Tate and I have celebrated four Christmases together.  Actually five!  I still remember being in awe of being pregnant that Christmas of 2008.  I was 2 months along.  It seems so very long ago.  And to look at us now celebrating together.  Oh what fun it is to be on this ride with sweet Tate.

Zoo Lights

Friday morning, the 21st found Tate with me at my doctor's appointment to get my cholesterol checked.  He did fairly well staying a little quiet.  This is an office that never has children in it;  I've never seen a kid there during one of my appointments, and I've been coming for 5 years.  But I didn't want to take him to daycare for what would be a 20 minute appointment...I just love being with him.  Even when he's being ornery and uncooperative.  So with me he was.  Quick check by the doc and a little prick on my arm and we were done, no muss, no fuss.  My results came back yesterday.  My cholesterol is firmly ensconced in the lower numbers   158, down over 50 points.  So yay!  But I need to do this without medication!  That's my goal for this year, to be off Lipitor by next Christmas.

I then jetted Tate off to daycare so I could go have a scrumptious 90 minute massage by the fantastic as always Jane at The Motherhood Center.  My back has  been hurting so very much it's indescribable.  I'm miserable sometimes.  I really need to have this checked out;  a few weeks ago it was noted from a chest x-ray that I have arthritis in my back, so I need to delve further into that.  Add that to my extremely long list of things to do to take care of myself.  So the massage was just what the doctor ordered for now.  

As Tate was just *supposed* to be going down for a nap at school when my massage ended, I ran to the grocery store to get my Christmas groceries after grabbing myself some lunch.  After I unloaded the car I was ready to pick up Tate.  Just as I was walking out the door his teacher texted me to tell me the kids were getting ready to watch 'The Polar Express' and could Tate watch it?  As he's still not allowed to watch tv with the exception of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Curious George and Thomas the Train (and only on weekends and in extremely limited amounts) everyone at school is hyper aware of my not allowing him to watch any programs there.  However, in September I decided to let him watch 'The Polar Express' because of my plans for us to ride the Polar Express this December.  Well it scared him to death.  He lasted all of 10 minutes.  I was really surprised.  So, I texted his teacher that no he could not watch it, and I was on my way to get him.  I got there and poor Tate was all alone in his classroom confused.  As soon as he saw me he started jumping up and down yammering on about watching 'The Polar Express! The Polar Express!'  So I decided to let him go ahead and watch it and return later on.  He couldn't run out of the room fast enough!  He was glued to the screen when I came to say good-bye.

I came back 90 minutes later at 5:15 and my child was grinning from ear to ear.  I loaded him up in the car and we headed off to the zoo for Zoo Lights.  

Oh and I was right....no nap was had by young Tate.

We arrived at the zoo with time to spare, so we hung out in the car for a bit.  And then it was time for Zoo Lights.  This is the first year they've done it, and it was spectacular.

A little tired.

Ok, a lot tired.

Sweet Tate was a bit tired for most of the festivities.  After I got some dinner into him (from home of course! :) ) all he wanted to do was ride the carousel.  He calmly sat in his stroller as we made our way through the gorgeous light exhibits.  After the carousel ride we were on our way out of the zoo.  I tried to get him to stay awake to no avail.  He was asleep before we walked out the zoo gates.

I quickly changed him into his pajamas once we got to the car which woke him up and had him so upset.  I got him into his carseat, turned on his 'sleeping' music and amidst some hiccups and tears he went right back to sleep.  And once home we had another successful car to the bed transfer!!!

My sleepy little guy