Christmas 2012

Well Christmas is over for 2012 and we had a great holiday! We started out the Christmas celebrations with brunch at my mom's house on Christmas Eve. Navy was really into opening her presents this year and eagerly begged to open her presents at every stop we made.

 



My brothers and sister-in-law were able to join us as well.  It was so nice to be able to spend time with them since they live in New York and Florida. 

Anne Marie and Michael

Navy and Uncle Stephen

Santa stopped by our house later that evening and when Navy woke up early the next day, she had a few surprises waiting for her. 

Later on Christmas Day we went to my aunt and uncle's house to celebrate with my extended family on my mom's side.  Navy got a pink tricycle and a bunch of other fun toys! 



We ended Christmas Day with the Helm Family. Navy and her cousins always have a lot of fun together. 



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

December is finally here!  I enjoy all holidays, but Christmas is my favorite.  Our house was fully decorated before Thanksgiving (although I did wait until Thanksgiving night to turn the Christmas lights on outside).

Yesterday I took Navy to Henderson to play in Central Park.  Their Christmas Parade was today, so they had all of their Christmas decorations up in the park.  Navy enjoyed running through the park, climbing on the different props they had-----a train, sleigh, school bus, fire truck, etc.  Santa is there on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-3pm, so we will definitely be going back again soon to pay him a visit. 

 

I failed to mention that before we left for the park, Navy insisted I put a pink tutu on her.  Luckily I was able to convince her to leave it in the car before we headed out to play. 

 

This morning the FOP had their annual Breakfast with Santa.  Last year Navy didn't like Santa at all.  Unfortunately, not much has changed this year.  I tried to prep her as much as possible-----we looked at pictures of Santa and talked about how nice and fun he is and how she was going to meet him and sit on his lap.  She seemed like she was excited to see him.....until she actually saw him.  She clung to me so tightly and would not let go!

 

 

 

Later on, a little girl walked Navy up to see Santa and she went with her, but kept pulling back on the girl's hand, trying to get away.  She never sat on his lap, but when he left the breakfast she waved at him and blew him a kiss.  I think she was relieved he was finally leaving the building!  I can't wait for her to see Santa again later this month! :)

 

 

 



Fall Fun

We've been busy these past few weeks enjoying the weather and all the fun events around the area. Navy went to Mayse's Farm with her friend Jalal early in October. I think she was a little too young to enjoy all the activities, especially because it was very crowded, but she had a good time doing what she was able to do.  

 

Navy and I headed over to Owensboro to attend the Apple Festival this year as well.  I liked this a lot.  They had craft booths, tons of food and a lot of activities for the kids.  Navy really liked climbing in the wooden train and sliding down the slide. 

Our church has a Preview Day for their annual Trunk-or-Treat after church the Sunday before Halloween.  Navy loved the inflatables and slid down the slide with Jonathan tons of times! 

 

 

For Halloween this year, Navy was a cow grl.  She loves to say "yee-haw" so we thought this would be a perfect costume for her.  Another plus was she could wear fairly normal things instead of an uncomfortable costume that is itchy and cumbersome.  She wouldn't wear her hat and boots for me when we went to Boo at the Zoo last weekend, but she did wear her entire outfit for Halloween and the days leading up to it when she went to Storytime at the Library. 

 

Navy went trick-or-treating at my office down in Juvenile Court, our local DCS Office and with her cousins.  Navy was shy at first, but got the hang of it pretty quickly.  She got so much candy in just those few places and I am so glad she has no desire to eat any of it.  The only things she wanted to open were the goldfish crackers, pretzels and fruit snacks. 

 

 

Easton, Kenan, Navy and Langston

 



Update

We had Navy's second 2nd Birthday Party a couple of weeks ago.  She was really showing off for everyone in my family and definitely was feeling better than she did at her last party (if you didn't know, she puked during her last party). 

 

One of her favorite gifts was a piggy bank that my Aunt Barbie gave her.  It was a bank given to Barbie that was painted by my Great-Aunt Elodia who passed away several years ago.  A few people gave her some change to put in her bank, and soon Navy was going around asking everyone for "money."  My Uncle Kelly went out to his car and emptied his entire change holder for Navy!  She might be a bit spoiled.....

 

 

 

The reason we had her party so late in the month was so that my brother, Stephen, could be there.  He lives in New York now, so we don't get to see him as much as I would like.  Navy loved spending time with her Uncle Stephen and we can't wait until he comes back to visit at Christmas!  Uncle Michael and Aunt Anne Marie will be here then too. 

 

 

 

And just because, here's a picture of Navy from her birthday last year. 

It's crazy how much she has grown and changed this past year!

 

 

 

 



Partying with the Helm Side

Aunt Michele and Navy

We decided to split Navy's birthday celebration again this year----one party for the Helm side, the other party for the Eich side.  This is because there are just too many people in our families combined to have in our house at one time and me not lose my mind.  I decided to do things much simpler this year and I am really glad I did.  Last year we made a lot of food for both parties and it was so much prep work and clean up that I didn't think it was really worth it (like she is going to remember).  So for the Helm family we ordered pizza, I made a salad and my sister-in-law made garlic bread sticks.  For dessert, we had cupcakes.  I followed this recipe but instead of lemon I decided to do plain white cake.  I thought they turned out really good.  The recipe made 48, but I halved it because I didn't think I would want that many cupcakes left over, but I probably could have gotten rid of them at work the next day :)

Navy is really into Dora the Explorer, Elmo and Bubble Guppies right now.  We decided to do a Dora theme because that is the show Navy asks to watch more than any other.  I went minimal on the decorations (it's so easy when you can buy them all together in a package for $5.99) and Navy looked at them for at least 20 seconds, so it was worth it :)

I need to mention that on Friday of last week,  Navy was sick.  She had a fever, saw the doctor, and it was determined that she had tonsillitis.  On Friday night after we got home from picking up her medicine, I placed her on the couch to get her medicine out and before I was able to take two steps, Navy threw up all over our couch.  It was gross and really hard to get clean.  She was pretty pitiful for the next couple of days, but by Sunday she seemed to be feeling much better.  On Monday (the day of the party) I was busy getting things together for her party and my sister was over helping as well.  Navy was kind of whiny, but I just thought she was feeling ignored and wanted our attention.  Once family started to arrive, Navy was pretty quiet and not her usual self (she would normally be asking for food, trying to open the fridge, yelling, running around the house etc.).  Before we opened her presents, Navy was being held by her Aunt Michele and she threw up on her.  Poor Navy and Michele!  Navy opened her presents after everything and everyone was cleaned up, and she fell asleep on my lap shortly after.  By Tuesday she was back to normal, and she has stayed that way so far. 

I am hoping she doesn't get sick for her next party, which is coming up in a couple of weeks, when her Uncle Stephen is in from New York.  He wouldn't handle the puking well....