Santa

Aiden is STILL afraid of Santa. Last year's picture was classic. He was crying and trying to slide off Santa's lap (he did this for the mall Santa and our daycare party santa). This year, much of the same. Luke and I took him up to see the big man tonight. As we stood in line we talked about how much fun it was going to be to sit on Santa's lap and eat a pop (that's what he calls all hard candy).

Then it was our turn. The clinging onto mommy's neck got tighter as we approached the chair. When I tried to sit Aiden down on Santa's lap he stiffened up like a board and the tears came rolling out. I was determined to get this darn picture, so I settled for being in it too.

There is always next year right??

Aiden at the daycare party last Christmas...Aiden this year...THE SAME!

FUNdue Dinner!

I have the greatest friends in the world. I know I have said it a thousand times but what we have is so special. Most of us have been close since we were very young and the bonds have only grown stronger with time. Unfortunately some of the group has moved away and when they return home, we try to get as many of us together as possible.

Anie was in town last week so to celebrate her return (and my 30th) we decided to have a fondue dinner. I absolutely LOVE to fondue. It's really the greatest thing. I have to thank the Hornbaker family for introducing this fine art of eating to me!

We had such a great time...hanging out and catching up. I love these girls and am thankful everyday that I have each and every one of them in my life!

One little monkey jumping on the bed....

...he fell off and bumped his head.

YEAH...this was Aiden today. He was a BIG MONKEY.

For some reason, one day Luke and I thought it would be a great idea to let Aiden jump on the bed. It began when he started trying to jump on solid ground so we thought it would help him to grasp the idea if he were on a bouncy surface (we are obviously kicking ourselves now, but we were trying to help). We watch him very closely of course and allow him to bounce only for a short time.

This morning Aiden and I were hanging out in my room (well he was watching his show and I was folding clothes) and he wanted up on the bed. He was engrossed in his show so I assumed (and you know what that does) that he would sit down and continue to watch his show. Well once again mommy was WRONG! I bent down to grab the next article of clothing to be folded out of the basket and when I looked up I saw legs up and a little body flying through the air. Aiden had bounced himself backwards right off the bed. LUCKILY he had landed about a foot from the nightstand and on top of a BIG pile of pillows.

Momma didn't have to call the doctor this time and believe me....THERE WON'T BE A NEXT!!!

I wanna "DO-OVER"

I'm tired. It's 9:16 at night and I feel as though I might fall over (well actually I already have, as I am layed out on the couch typing this right now). Let's just say it's been a bit of a rough day.

It all began with two cute toddlers. Danielle brought T over this morning to spend the day with us. After breakfast I let the two little rascals run around the living room to play (keep in mind that the Christmas tree is in this room and Aiden has been told a thousand times to look, NOT touch)!

I turned away for a second and when I looked back to check on them, Aiden was naked, diaper and all. Teagahn was in the process of getting naked (she managed to get her PJs off). In each hand of both tots were Christmas balls from the tree. As soon as they caught a glimpse of me, they were off in different directions. Aiden just so happend to run straight for the front door and at the same time Nana happened to be coming in. He dropped one of the balls and of course it shattered on the ground in front of him.

At this point I was about to boil over with frustration. Thank goodness for Nana (although I'm sure she thought I was a little crazy when she walked in and saw what was going on).

I wanna DO OVER!!

A Perfect Weekend!!

What a weekend it has been!!

It started on Friday. Luke and I weren't supposed to find out the sex of the baby until this coming Monday. However, we were fortunate to be able to find out early, 11:00 am on Friday to be exact. Turns out, the Callas boys are capable of producing little girls!! I am absolutely thrilled!! We are stopping at two, so finding out this time was a little more special. We were hoping for a little girl. Having one of each makes things just perfect!

It was such a pleasant surprise to wake up to snow falling on Saturday. I love a GOOD snow. It turns out Aiden does too. He couldn't stay away from the window! He walked back and forth between the window and front door all morning pointing and saying "noooow". Last year he was still a little small to really appreciate/understand the snow.

This Saturday was special for another reason too. It was my BIG 3-0! Yes, I have finally caught up with the rest of my friends and have entered the dreaded thirties. I welcome this next chapter of my life with open arms. It can only get better! To celebrate the big day, Luke and I headed down to DC with my Aunt Cyndi. We went out on a boat to watch the Festival of Lights boat parade in old town Alexandria. Afterwards we got dropped off in Georgetown where we had an awesome dinner. It was such an awesome day (despite driving in the snow)!
What a truly perfect weekend!!

FINALLY, some movement

I can't even begin to name all the things that are different about this pregnancy. For one, I was sick as a dog this go round for most of the first trimester. With Aiden, I recall two days where I felt a little sick for maybe an hour each day. With this pregnancy, I'm so tired, STILL. I'm not used to being tired. I"m a go go go type of person. I am constantly doing something, even around the house, it's rare for me to just sit in front of the TV (ok, well I do spend a lot of time on my computer, but usually its because I'm working). I've been exhausted for most of the time and it's really beginning to annoy me!

More recently I've been waiting for the movement to begin. I felt Aiden at week 14, which is very early to feel it, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. Here it is week 17 (almost 18) and I still hadn't felt anything. I was beginning to get a little worried. We haven't been back to the dr in 5 weeks (she scheduled it that way so we wouldn't have to come in for two separate visits to see the ultrasound doctor), and I didn't rent a heartrate monitor like I did with Aiden. So as you can imagine, I've been a little nervous about the well being of our little peanut.

Then, FINALLY on Monday I felt the little thumping against my insides. WHEW! I love love love feeling the baby move. I have felt him/her everyday this week!!! Most of the time I can feel the movement at night (which is how it was with Aiden in the beginning).

Aiden kicked the crap out of me in the second half of my pregnancy. he was a mover, that's for sure (which is still the case, as I can barely keep up with him when he's funning full speed ahead). I woudn't mind at all if this child were a lazy one in the womb, as long as he/she reminds me occasionally that they are in there!

Oh, BTW, we find out the sex of the baby on Monday. I'm bracing for the word "BOY" but we are really hoping for a girl!! Of course we will be happy no matter what!!

I'll keep you posted.....

Funny Little Swimmer

I have a cute story about one of my adorable little swimming students. Yesterday we were going over our safety rules.

I asked him "Nate, what do you do in an emergency?" Tell a lifeguard" he replied.

"What if there isn't a lifeguard around? Who could you call?"

"Hmm, well I guess you should call the ambulance."

After discussing how to call the ambulance I asked him, "What would you tell the ambulance?"

He said, and with confidence I might add, "I'd tell them to tell the lifeguard."

I laughed out loud at that moment and giggled about it then for the remainder of the afternoon.

Kids truly do say the funniest things.

Did I mention how much I love my new career path!! Kids are the joys of our planet and I get to work with them doing something I really love, swim!!