The Holidays are over - Monday

[danib]

Yesterday was Old Christmas Day / The Twelfth Day Of Christmas / Ephiphany, which means the Christmas season is officially over. Did you take your decorations down? I feel a little "what now?" but also ready to relax.
Whats on the agenda for today? For us, C went back to school this morning. He was really dragging his feet, but also excited to see his friends. H and I need to make a trip to the library at some point. And.... That's pretty much it. Gonna ease back into our normal routine before taking on any big tasks.

[goldenlove]

I have not taken our Christmas decorations down. We had our last friend's Christmas dinner last night so I used that as an excuse. Plan is to take everything down this week though. My house is going to be sooo empty without the tree.

This morning has been rough. I'm so tired. I was dragging this morning and totally forgot to grab something for lunch. I somehow got to work early and thought I'd be able to leave early too, but of course some a-hole setup a meeting from 3:30 to 4 AND my boss is invited which means I'll be stuck here forever. It's going to suck.

[danib]

That sucks goldenlove. Will you at least be abel to do an extended lunch break or something?

[waitwhat]

We had an awful night of sleep. J was up BAWLING and crying for me at midnight. He finally fell asleep after about 10 minutes but then was up again shortly after. So I brought him into the spare room with me where he proceeded to kick his feet under the covers, play with my hair, touch my face, talk to me etc. I finally brought him back into his room and put him in the crib and I slept on the floor. I woke up an hour later and he was passed out. So I snuck out and back into the spare. Heard my H leave around 6:30 so I went back into our room and slept until 8! J was still out. But B was awake. Of course this happens on our first day back to school in two weeks. But the sleep felt great!

[goldenlove]

Jan 7, 2019 6:59:31 GMT -6 danib said:

That sucks goldenlove . Will you at least be abel to do an extended lunch break or something?

I usually eat at my desk so I might surf the internet a little more than usual. I'll leave early another day to make up for it though. 

[jubilantsquirrel]

I still have no idea what epiphany is, but my decorations have been down since New Year's Day.

Today DS1 starts at the developmental preschool. He'll dropped off and picked up today and then tomorrow he'll start taking the school bus. I hope he likes this place, he LOVED the Montessori and has been asking to go back (hasn't been to school or speech since the week before Christmas). We told him this is a new Montessori since he starts to get stressed out when you say school. I'm ready for him to be back in a schedule though, he's been insane the last couple days and I think he's ready for some structure as well.

[Cheshie6]

We had Speech therapy this AM and I didn’t realize “I did it” doesn’t count as a 3-word sentence. After the Bears loss yesterday, now I feel like L’s just been pushed back!

Rant/ So was at my neighbor’s because her dog ran off (they just let it out no fence etc... he’s not even one... shocked he doesn’t stay!?! I could rant all day why I hate this) so when I got him, L and I brought him back. We stayed for a bit and his speech comes up because of his new words. She recommended YouTube and I said the speech therapist said to steer clear because it doesn’t help with speech. She rolled her eyes! I repeated to her what we are constantly reminded “language is back and forth” To which she goes on and on of how many words and shapes her son has learned from these videos! I tried to make her feel better hoping she didn’t think I was judging her by saying it’s just with a speech delay. Some kids are quick to pick things up but speech delayed kids need more help. She then tried to justify that he only gets his tablet at meals because that’s how they keep him from throwing his food! And that she is always with him when he’s on it! If play dates are competitions of whose kid is doing what, unsolicited advice, trying to make your choices for your family justified... I don’t want it! Chances are your kid is ahead of mine, you are doing better than me, you deserve a cookie, can we go back to talking about the golden globes or books you’ve read lately? I don’t mind general inquiry, asking how he’s doing, etc. but maybe I’m being too sensitive! /end rant

[waitwhat]

Aw jubilantsquirrel I hope the day goes well for him! B was so ready for school today also. He needs the structure and routine and the last week he’s been an animal! Let me know how he does with the bus! I’m so nervous for B to take the bus.. I feel like he will be so scared. Luckily he won’t take it until kindergarten so I have 2 more years!

[danib]

Ugh Cheshie6 I hope it was just a case of her getting caught up in what she was saying (justifying for herself) and not realizing how it was coming off. I hope you don't actually think others are "doing a better job", you're a fantastic mom.

[waitwhat]

Why doesn’t that count as a three word sentence Cheshie6? Either way, that’s HUGE for L! Such progress and a step in the right direction!

ETA: re YouTube.. B’s speech therapist reccomended this YouTube video to help him along. After watching it a few times he was trying to imitate the sounds. Check it out with L!

[tgrimes]

Cheshie6 I know it's super annoying, but that's just what people do. The same way we all got unsolicited advice while we were pregnant. Lol.

I'm sure her kid did learn words from Youtube just like M learned how to count backwards from 10 from watching Mickey's Monster Musical. Just smile and say exactly what you did regarding what the speech therapist told you and change the subject. As the kids get older, it doesn't happen as much at play dates and get togethers. More than likely she's just trying to help and then she got defensive when you told her the speech therapist doesn't recommend youtube/tablet use.

I get it though. There's lots of things I'm sensitive about with my kid. I've done a lot of research on certain things, just like you've done with speech therapy, so when someone tries to tell me something on those subjects I have to remember to not go off on them sometimes.

[Cheshie6]

Jan 7, 2019 9:30:14 GMT -6 danib said:

Ugh Cheshie6 I hope it was just a case of her getting caught up in what she was saying (justifying for herself) and not realizing how it was coming off. I hope you don't actually think others are "doing a better job", you're a fantastic mom.

I do think one of my friends is doing it better but she’s been my friend since 9 and it’s more my rigidness versus her free spiritedness that I’m envious of! (Also, she’s a child psychologist) Lol Generally no... I go thru phases where I wonder if I’m on my phone too much, or if I’m too anxious! Does he get too much TV. I wonder about his obsession with Trains. But kids are different and so are parents!! This isn’t the first time with her... but she’s weird. Her child is on track but since she found out that L will be a grade behind, because cut off is September, she’s “wrestling” with holding him a year!?! Her son is 3 months exactly older and way more advanced than L!

[kleigh]

Cheshie6 +1 to let it roll off. I’m guilty of stuff like this. I am shy and insecure, so in trying I find ways to connect to others sometimes I’ll talk and end up saying stupid stuff that was never meant to be anything more than a “trying to find something in common or be helpful so you like me” thing. In this scenario, I know that the videos AB watches have also helped so I understand what her intention prob was, but she prob wasn’t hearing that it’s different for speech delayed kids.

goldenlove The person who set up that meeting needs to be fired.

danib We’ve has our decorations down since last weekend and it’s making me really miss the ten-ish days of Dec 22 - Jan 1. I’m getting my period so I’m hormonal but yesterday I was crying bc it was SUCH an enjoyable time this year and I look back at the prior two years which were v v difficult and then the years prior when all I wanted was to have kids to celebrate the holidays with. It was the first time in prob 6-7 years that I fully enjoyed every chaotic minute.

[starbuck]

Busy day! I am working on a NatGeo film grant for a doc we want to do on climate change and its impact on migration.

Otherwise I need to get to the house today to pay the rat man who is doing an inspection for us.

[elle]

We're Twelfth Night people so decorations came down yesterday. And it was super emotional for both my H and me. Losing Luna just two days after Christmas really threw us for a loop and clearing Christmas away completely felt like saying goodbye all over again.

[tgrimes]

Jan 7, 2019 12:37:57 GMT -6 elle said:

We're Twelfth Night people so decorations came down yesterday. And it was super emotional for both my H and me. Losing Luna just two days after Christmas really threw us for a loop and clearing Christmas away completely felt like saying goodbye all over again.

I'm so sorry.  

[starbuck]

Jan 7, 2019 12:37:57 GMT -6 elle said:

We're Twelfth Night people so decorations came down yesterday. And it was super emotional for both my H and me. Losing Luna just two days after Christmas really threw us for a loop and clearing Christmas away completely felt like saying goodbye all over again.

::hugs::

Maybe next Holiday season when you're more at peace you can find a way to honor Luna, and make it a tradition. A moon tree topper or something to represent her?

[danib]

Im sorry elle

[goldenlove]

*hugs* elle

[sophiegrace]

Nesting level: just ordered a roll away dumpster to come to the house for a week at the end of the month so I can do an ultimate purge. So much is going to get out of here and I’m buzzing with excitement. Haven’t used or thought about something in six months? BYE.

[sophiegrace]

I always do the Christmas take down between the 26th and New Year’s Day, but since the holiday was insane I kept it up for a bit longer to soak up the twinkly happiness. And then everything with the dog happened so that delayed it until this weekend. The house feels so clean and uncluttered, I love it.

But....45 round trips up two flights of steps. I’m feeling it.

[sophiegrace]

I feel you elle and I’m so sorry. We have a pretty Christmas tree and a second one in the family room with our fun ornaments on it. There were so many that were bought for or because of the dogs and there was one in particular that made me have to step away when I was removing it. I wasn’t expecting that.

[Cheshie6]

danib, I took down decorations last night! I’m waiting for a tree bag because our old fake tree bag grew mold.

It makes me sad to take down Christmas decorations but then I remember Valentine’s Day is around the corner!!

[jubilantsquirrel]

DS1 had a great drop off at his new school! I'm not he was excited to be there. I'll be picking him up later, so hopefully the rest of the day goes well.

[danib]

Jan 7, 2019 15:11:58 GMT -6 Cheshie6 said:

danib, I took down decorations last night! I’m waiting for a tree bag because our old fake tree bag grew mold.

It makes me sad to take down Christmas decorations but then I remember Valentine’s Day is around the corner!!

ohhhhhhh do you decorate for Valentines?????

[Cheshie6]

Jan 7, 2019 15:33:52 GMT -6 danib said:

Jan 7, 2019 15:11:58 GMT -6 Cheshie6 said:

danib, I took down decorations last night! I’m waiting for a tree bag because our old fake tree bag grew mold.

It makes me sad to take down Christmas decorations but then I remember Valentine’s Day is around the corner!!

ohhhhhhh do you decorate for Valentines?????

Yup shiny heart shaped wreath for front door, flag on the porch flag pole (unless the patriots make it to the Super Bowl 🏟 then that’ll go up! The heart shaped garland that I cut out of paper! Not my actual picture, just so you get an idea!

[sophiegrace]

Ooooh Cheshie6 how do you make that garland?! that would be a perfect backdrop for M’s Valentine’s Day pictures.

[danib]

Ohhhhh I love it!!! DH bought a few small decorations last year, trying to be cute. And I really liked it, and the boys looovvved it (well mainly C, H didn't really understand). So I'm thinking I'll add a bit more this year.

[Cheshie6]

Jan 7, 2019 15:56:32 GMT -6 sophiegrace said:

Ooooh Cheshie6 how do you make that garland?! that would be a perfect backdrop for M’s Valentine’s Day pictures.

I cut 1” strips of construction paper 8” side because 11” comes out more like that picture. The shorter the more round the hearts look. I staple them together to make the hearts. I don’t know how to describe it but you could look it up online. A few years ago, Target had the strips in their dollar spot with flowers and hearts so that year came out pretty! I’m going to their check tomorrow. (Mostly to avoid having to cut strips) you can also use paper from Michael’s that’s meant for paper craft. They are thicker and hold longer. I don’t do more than 5-6 to a chain unless I’m going for longer!

not my picture!

ETA picture that is not mine lol

[sophiegrace]

Thank you so much Cheshie6 !!! I can’t wait to make them. Well, I can’t wait to be done making them lol.