Jibberish

If you have ever tried to call me, you know it is seldom quiet at Hazelwood House. Miles talks a lot though very little of it is discernible. I have been somewhat concerned (unnecessarily) that his language skills are not developing as they should, so I made a list of words he can say and I was shocked. It is much longer than I suspected AND everyday he has been pronouncing a new word. He doesn't use it again for a few days but I add it to the list. I thought I would share Miles' vocabulary with you - though this is not exhaustive. It is only what I could remember right now.

This was taken post-nap which explains the Sunday best on top and pj bottoms with the crocs. It's the latest toddler style don't you know. Oh and you have to push one leg up.

Animals - The only animal he actually says the name is duck. It was his first word other than Mommy and Daddy. Every other animal is identified by the noise it makes. He can make a noise for dog, cat, duck, cow, chicken, sheep, horse, tiger/lion, elephant, monkey, frog, fish, bunny.

Eating words - Juice, Apple, Bowl, Eat, Cheese, Waffle, More

People - Mommy, Daddy, Pop, Papaw, Mamaw, Baby (this isn't used often)

Other words - Book, Bath, Ball, This/That (usually accompanied by pointing), Copter (he and Mason got helicopters for Christmas and he tries to say it), Walk, Shoes, Socks, No no, Okay, Uh oh... and I know I am missing quite a few but you get the picture. He still jibbers in his usual way and with such feeling that I am convinced he knows exactly what he is saying. He even uses hand expressions while doing it. It simply gets hung up somewhere on the way out!

The Boys with their Aunt Marci during Christmas

The other little boy at my house, though not near as verbal right now, has discovered he has a voice. About a week ago, he would just sit there and squeal just for the sake of squealing. For such a little baby, he was quite loud. He still does some singing at night before he goes to sleep but without the intensity. It's oh so sweet. Before I know it, he will be tuning along with Miles spitting out words left and right.

Grant wearing his Christmas garb. I actually went and bought the poor baby something new. Isn't he handsome.

How to put on a santa hat

1. Find hole to put head in.

2. Pull hat up to head.

3. Place hat ever so gently on head.

4. Try not to sneeze at the tickley fur.

5. Pull hat down down onto head.

6. Continue pulling to cover entire face.

7. Find just the right fit.

8. Pose for the camera (while melting mom's heart.)

Ok. I'm done here. Can I go watch Curious George now?

You've got mail

This time of year, I love running out to the mailbox, throwing out the circulars, and scavenging for the Christmas cards. I will say this has been a late card season. Seems like everyone has had a hard time getting them out on time - and I know several people who just aren't doing them this year. I was tempted to not do them myself.

But Why do I love Christmas cards so? I am a real paper kind of person. I like pretty packages and holding something in my hand. It feels more real to me that way. Plus its fun to get something in the mail that is not junk, not a bill, and is hand addressed (not to discredit those of you who have it together and print labels). I save all of my cards from the previous year (to make sure I have reciprocated) and ones even farther back if I like them.

One of my most treasured cards is a presidential Christmas card from George W. the first year he was in office. I have NO IDEA how we got on the list. The only thing I can figure is Mason had given 5 lousy bucks to his campaign a year or two previously and maybe we were drawn in a lottery? I don't know how they do those kinds of things. Anyway, every year I hold on to that card and just sigh. It's on beautiful heavy creme card stock with gold foil embossing and original artwork of a Christmas package sitting on a chair. Sigh. It's very nice. Sigh. I feel like somebody holding that card. (I'm sure it will be a collector's item one day except I don't have the envelope it came in. Oh WHY did I throw away the envelope?)

Silly as it may be, I believe that card may sum up why I like Christmas cards so. Other than being a graphic designer and past philatelist (go look that up now), I appreciate the fact that someone thought of me enough to send a little holiday cheer my way. Granted, George W. didn't know he sent that card to me at all, but I can pretend otherwise.



Here is our family card this year. Like I said before, I almost gave up on it. It was difficult to get a good shot of the very mobile almost 2 year old in our house without a sippy cup or not in trance at curious george (those are about the only times he is still.) If you recall my Christmas card post from last year, these words will sound familiar. I ran out of cards again. So some of you, especially those of you who live in town and see the kids sometimes, probably didn't get a card. I sent them mainly to the family-folk who live out of town or to those who don't have email. So consider yourself thought of with a little holiday cheer pointed in your direction via the world wide web!

The BIG one

We usually have two or three official Christmas parties during the holiday season but only one BIG one. What do I mean by BIG one? I mean one where we have to get all dolled up. This usually requires me finding something to wear - whether that means going shopping or borrowing something from a friend. I prefer the later option since this is usually an item of clothing that I have no place else to wear it. My dilemma is that most of my friends are not my size - either smaller or larger than me - so borrowing something doesn't work most of the time.

I tend to wait until the week before the party and at a frantic pace scurry around the racks hoping they won't lock me in the store. (I have a fear of being locked in a store overnight. I don't know where it came from. Those big gates they pull down over the doors scare me.)

It's surprising, I know. We clean up well don't you think?

Anyway, I started looking for a dress in November this year to avoid that scenario. In less than an hour I tried on about 50-75 dresses but finally found one and jewelry to go with it. My grandmother loaned me her fur wrap and the day before I found some shoes. And for the record, they were the highest heels I have ever worn in my whole life! Luckily I didn't fall down but avoided stairs at all costs.

My grandmother's fur and the heels of all heels.

I am always impressed at the locations Mason's office holds the parties. They aren't too shabby. This year it was at the governor's mansion. We have had it at the Clinton Presidential Library, the Arts Center and the Riverboat.

The china from the governor's mansion. I have a thing for dishes. I have always wanted to design my own china like the first lady gets to do. We did register for monogrammed china when we got married. That is about as close as I will get. Unless Mason runs for office. And like I said, that is as close as I will get.

The grand staircase. Each governor had their name embroidered on the carpet on each stair. As you can imagine, that staircase caused me quite a panic in my shoes.

Nifty gingerbread replication of the governor's mansion.

I had more fun this year than I have had in the past. Not because we did anything different but finally, after 5 years of seeing these people, I know a few by name and can chit-chat with them and their spouses without it being completely contrived and awkward. So this years party was a success. Let's just hope they can keep up this standard! And maybe I can find something else to wear that dress to.

Mason won the table centerpiece this year. I think its pretty and I can use the container next year but I will probably store holiday m&ms in it instead of flowers.

Finding Christmas Spirit...

As I have gotten older, I find that getting into the Christmas spirit is a little harder and I struggle more with "Bah Humbugness". I do love the idea of Christmas but it gets somewhat harry. That added stress makes the delight of the season more difficult to come by.
This past weekend I found the Christmas spirit and plan on participating in this event every year if at all possible. My church hosts an event called the DAME memorial. Mr. Dame was a poor child and either did not have a pair of shoes or needed new ones during the winter back in the day. Someone from my church purchased him some. He was so touched by that simple act that after he passed away he left a sum of money to endow this memorial event with the purpose of purchasing clothing for needy families during the Christmas season. People from our church "host" a family, contacting them, assuring they have transportation and assist them in their shopping experience. I agreed to help last year but did not have the "experience" that I did this year.
My family was a single mom and her two girls. I called her to inform them they had been nominated for the event. This is the part I always get most nervous about. I don't like talking on the phone a lot - especially when it is a "cold call" to some stranger I don't know. The mom was ecstatic to put it lightly. She shared with me how she had just noticed how both of her girls were outgrowing all their clothes and she wasn't quite sure if she was going to be able to buy them new ones. Her pastor had preached that morning on tithing and how God will bless you and overflow your cup for being faithful. She kept saying how she knew God would answer her prayers but had no idea how quickly it would happen and that she would be there jumping up and down for the shopping event. She arrived and we did our shopping. She was tickled to buy her girls all these cute outfits and was truly overcome with emotion especially after we handed her a food box and a turkey to complete the Christmas experience. I got teary eyed myself.



I left that shopping trip completely blessed. Here I am trying to be a blessing to someone else, only to find I was also on the receiving end. Her faith was a testimony of God's loving kindness and the gratitude she had was beyond words. The rest of the day I was bubbling with joy able to do my usual Christmas chores of shopping and wrapping with a grateful heart.
I found my Christmas spirit this past weekend and hope that you have the opportunity to experience the joy of giving this holiday as well.