Cookie Monster

So, I'm not sure if the title of this post refers to Lily, or to me. I had a bit of a melt down on Christmas day at Josh's parents house...because of cookies.

Lily, who is usually a really good eater, got to a point where she wouldn't eat her breakfast or lunch because she wanted cookies. It started at my house where my dad gave her some sweets the day before and she started walking over to where the cookies were, pointing at the tins, and pointing at her mouth. It was really cute and she was super happy to get cookies, so we were all giving her a bite. On Christmas morning she had several bites at my house before we left to head to the Halls.

Once there, she had a few more bites of cookies from his family, then totally refused things she usually loves for breakfast. After breakfast I said she couldn't have any more cookies until she ate some food, and was "jokingly" called "no fun" and "bad". This made me a bit upset, but I tried to laugh it off. The family kept giving Lily bites of cookies. Then there was lunch, which Lily also totally refused, and I once again laid down the no more cookie law.

Then, I "caught" Josh's uncle trying to sneak her more cookies when I wasn't looking, and I lost it. I stormed upstairs where I proceeded to cry for about an hour and refused to come down until that uncle left. I was upset that they didn't listen to me and worried that Lily would have a sugar crash that night when we were supposed to go to Josh's grandma's. I know it was a ridiculous response. I know that one day of eating only cookies isn't really that big of a deal. Once I had the outburst, though, I felt embarrassed about having it. I blame the hormones.

Christmas - The Story of Stuff

I learned something new this Christmas. People LOVE buying for little ones, myself included. It is nearly impossible to resist all of those adorable outfits and toys that are so affordable! This Christmas Lily received no fewer than fifteen outfits and equally as many toys including several big items (a small table, a slide, a rocking horse, and a giant inflatable air swimming shark (which was actually given to Josh!) If she continues to receive gifts at the rate she did the Christmas and if we also add Jack's gifts, we are going to need another house just to store all of their toys!

It was only by the grace of God and Josh's amazing tetris skills that we were able to get everything in the car to come home. Luckily Josh's parents had delivered the little table ahead of time, and my parents are planning a trip down in the next few weeks to deliver some other big hand me down presents (a swing, a barbie jeep, and a crib for Jack). I'm still not sure where we are going to put everything, but luckily we have a decent size attic and garage to store things she has outgrown or hasn't grown into yet, and we did end up returning a few clothes in order to buy things in the next size up. No baby needs two weeks worth of pajamas in the same size!

I'm torn about the whole consumer Christmas thing. Part of me is strongly opposed. I mean, who really needs all of this stuff, and it in the end it ends up in the landfill as things break and kids outgrow them. On the other hand, I love to shop for the little ones. Josh has said several times that we really shouldn't buy presents for Lily since everyone else does, but I'm not sure I can do that. I love picking out things that I know she will enjoy! I know I am guilty of buying more than is probably necessary for my nephew and some of the other kids in my life. Shopping for them is just so much fun!

I think most of us need to find ways to scratch that shopping itch in a more moderate way. Perhaps we'll start a college fund for Lily and ask people to contribute to that instead. Perhaps I'll do more of my shopping at consignment and thrift stores next year. I also know there are lots of needy kids out there that may not get anything for Christmas, and I would love to shop for them. Convincing my family, including my husband, however, to give up buying so much for us so we can put those funds towards others, is not as easy as you might think, and I don't want to come across as high and mighty, guilt them into it, or have everyone end up spending twice as much to buy for those in need AND ourselves. Anyone have any good tips on making that transition?

Seeing Santa

It seemed like a rite of passage. It seemed like something we HAD to do. It was a bad idea. It made me feel like the worst mother ever. Yep, we took Lily to see Santa! The realtor who helped us buy and sell our house is Santa during the holiday season and has free visits and photos for his friends and clients. We didn't go last year because Lily was really tiny and it was cold and snowy the night of the event. This year I insisted, against Josh's now obviously wise resistance, that we had to take her. We both hurried out of work so we could get her changed into her Christmas outfit and get there in time. When we go to the church where the event was held, Lily was happy and playing with some other waiting children, but as soon as we entered the room where Santa was she suddenly became terrified. She refused to even go near him without screaming! We ended up holding her with our backs to Santa while he peeked in and we got a few pictures. I wish I had know that was the back up plan because I would have fixed my hair and made Josh take off his hoodie. Oh well...maybe next year...or maybe we'll wait a few years before trying again!