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Introduction
December 30, 2002
Collin is 18 months old.
Greetings! I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas! We had a wonderful holiday, and even though Collin had a virus and wasn't feeling too good, he had a great time tearing open the wrapping on his packages and gifts and enjoyed taking part in the festivities.
***Christmas Eve***
Mark was supposed to get off work early. The stock market closed at noon so he was told that they would let everyone go around then. Well, his boss was on some power trip that day and she decided not to let him, and four of his coworkers, off until 4:00pm (sigh!). We had no plans for the afternoon but it would have been nice if Mark would have been able to be at home with us, relaxing and just being together. But I guess you have to do what the "boss" says if you want a job, right? Right! Well, the afternoon went fast anyway. Collin and I made the birthday cake for Jesus and he helped do everything he could. I set everything we needed out on the kitchen table and then let Collin stand on a chair next to me. He helped pour the mix into the bowl, helped pour in the oil and water and even helped me crack the eggs. He then helped me hold the mixer while we mixed the cake up. Then he helped spoon the batter into the bowl and then WATCHED as I placed the cake pans into the oven. He was very excited and loved having a small lick of the batter off of the beaters. Once the cake was done and cooled, I frosted it and then let him throw on the sprinkles. He had a great time. While Collin was standing on the chair helping me with the cake, he slipped off and fell to the floor. I thought for sure there were going to be cries and screams (from both of us) but it turns out that Collin rolled and didn't even hit his head. The only thing he did do was get his hair in the dogs water dish. He looked at me with a stunned look, ran his hand over his wet hair and then jumped back up to the chair. Wheww! It was actually kinda funny. Next time I know to take his slick socks off before letting him crawl up onto a slick chair!
Collin was hardly eating because he wasn't feeling good but he didn't have a fever, was drinking his water and milk and was playing just fine. I really didn't think whatever he had was going to cause any problems. He had some major blowout diapers for a few days and threw up a little when he'd burp, but he seemed to be feeling okay. Since he wasn't 100% I called my MIL up and told her that we weren't going to be taking Collin to Christmas Eve mass. I could tell that she was disappointed but I thought it was better to let Collin stay home in his cozy PJ's and be relaxed. Once Mark got home, he and Collin played for a while and read books while I got dinner ready. We ate a nice dinner and then let Collin open up his one gift (new pajama's) which is a tradition in my family on Christmas Eve. Mark gave Collin a bath, we set out cookie's and milk for Santa, snuggled Collin up in bed and gave him a Christmas kiss goodnight. Then Mark and I celebrated our Christmas by opening our gifts, listening to Christmas carols and having a blast - just like kids. To my surprise I got a digital camera! Yay!!! I was so excited and happy that I tore into the instruction book so I could start taking pictures. I also got a gift certificate for a pedicure, some really pretty earrings, a huge basket of Bath & Body Works items, a book I had been asking for, and extra memory for the camera. Plus Mark stuffed my stocking full of my favorite goodies and snacks. I gave Mark a new gym bag, Simpson's Clue, Simpson's 2003 desk calendar to take to work, a Homer Simpson ornament, and The Simpson's trivia game. Plus I got him some new undershirts and boxers (always get him these each year from the dog and cats!). Can you tell that Mark loves the Simpsons? I filled his stocking full of junk food, goodies, some action figures (Simpsons and Star Wars. Boys will be boys!) and a gift certificate to Blimpie's. We spent the night playing will our fun stuff and having a good time.
Collin slept for 4 hours and then decided it was time to wake up. By this time it was 11:00pm. He was up most of the night and if he wasn't in my lap, against my chest and I wasn't rocking him, he was crying. I felt so bad for him but every time I tried to lay him back in his crib he would scream and cry. He didn't have a fever but I could just tell that he didn't feel good. He wasn't hungry (I tried) and only wanted to hold his sippy cup of milk. I tried getting him to lay in our bed with us but he didn't want to do that. He was tired but didn't know what he wanted. I was beyond exhaustion and knew we both needed some sleep. Finally about 4am I ended up laying him down and letting him cry for a few minutes. He passed out and slept until 9:00am Christmas morning.
***Christmas Day***
Collin woke up and was slightly cranky and still tired but we got him to snack on a waffle to at least get some food in his system. He opened up his gifts and loved tearing off the wrapping but he was just so blase about the presents since he was sick. I felt bad for him. He got a big Bob the Builder play tent, a new Baby Einstein video, a Fisher Price Little People's zoo train, some books, a puzzle and some other things. Several of our friends and family who live out of state also brought by or sent him presents. He certainly got a lot this year! He ended up taking a really good late morning nap and then waking up in a decent mood ready to take on the day. While he was napping, Mark and I both showered and got dressed and packed up the car to head over to my in-laws. I made lasagna to take with and got the diaper bag packed and ready to go. When Collin woke up, we fed him a light snack, got him dressed and we piled into the car. We arrived at my in-laws around 1:15pm and we sat down and ate lunch. Collin seemed to be feeling much better but he still wasn't interested in any sort of food besides crackers, which was fine by me. I was just happy he was eating something. After lunch we relaxed for a while and then sat in the living room to open gifts. Collin had a good time and seemed to be enjoying his cousins. He followed Connor (8) around most of the day and had fun ripping up the Styrofoam from some of the packages. Later that afternoon we put Collin upstairs in the guest bedroom and he zonked out and took a 2 hour nap! We had brought the pack 'n play and the baby monitors so we could hear him and he hardly made a noise when we laid him down. He must have really been tired. Then Mark, myself, Sean and Wendy played a game of Simpson's Clue and then a game of Cranium. I love that game! We had such a blast and it was nice to just hang out. Collin woke up around 7:00pm, we packed up and went home. Collin stayed up for a few hours, played with some of his new toys,went to bed and had a peaceful night of sleep. Ahhh! for both of us! :)
Aside from Collin not feeling too well, we had a great holiday and it just seemed to come and go so fast. Doesn't it always? We did great this year and shopped early (before Thanksgiving) so we could enjoy the season and spend our time enjoying the "simple things in life." We gave great thought to our gift buying this year and, while we didn't break the bank, we purchased very nice things for our family and for each other.
This was the second Christmas without my dear mother. I thought about her a lot on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day and wished her peace and happiness. We went out to the cemetery and placed new flowers on her grave. It brought a tear to my eye when Collin bent over and kissed the flowers in her vase. I know at that moment my mom's spirit had to have been giving him the biggest hug.
This was also the second Christmas without Grandpa Alex. I sure missed calling him and wishing him a happy holiday as I did every Christmas afternoon. The sound of his voice booming, "Well, hello Jenny! Merry Christmas to you too honey" was always music to my ears. I miss that sweet man.
***18-month check up***
On December 26th, Collin had his 18-mo. check up. It was pretty standard and basic. It's been awhile since Collin has had any vaccinations so I asked when he was due for his next round. Turns out he's done until Kindergarten. I was very happy to hear that! Collin doesn't like going to the doctor's at all but he loves the train set they have in the waiting room. When the doctor was listening to his heart and giving him his entire check up, Collin was crying and kept saying, "Choo choo train?" I kept telling him that we would go out and play with the train just as soon as the doctor was done making sure he was all healthy. After the appointment I kept up my end of the deal and we sat in the waiting room and played with the train set for 10 minutes before we left.
The check-up went well, no problems, Collin's growing healthy and all that good stuff. He now weighs 29 pounds, 1 ounce and is 36" tall! He's wearing 2-3 T shirts and PJ's (depending on the make) and 2 T pants. He's wearing a size 6 shoe but I think he'll be moving into a size 7 soon. About two months ago we bought Collin a pair of Baby Nike Hermosa's and he looks so cute running around in them. I didn't buy them because they were Nike, I bought them because I couldn't find a NICE DECENT pair of boys sneakers that fit Collin well. I do like Nike so when I found these and saw how I liked the style and that they fit well, I snatched them up. Now I'll have to scout around again for another decent pair when he goes to a size 7! Collin is such a big boy now, hard to believe he EVER fit in infant clothing!
Dr. S. suggested getting out the potty chair so Collin can start getting used to it and start noticing it. He said not to rush anything, just let him get used to the idea. A few weeks ago I found Collin in the bathroom ripping all the toilet paper off the roll. When I asked him what he was going to do with all that paper, he grabbed a big wad of it, bench down and shoved it between his legs and looked up at me. Looks like he already has the idea on what to do! How's so funny! We have to keep the bathroom door shut now because he'll wonder in, steal all the toilet paper and walk around shoving it between his legs.
**Misc**
Something funny that Collin has started to do is help around the house and scold the animals. When I putting groceries away he'll lug over the bags to the refrigerator (he thinks everything goes in there!) and give me the proudest grin. When I'm throwing things in the garbage, he'll grab anything he can find and come running over and toss it away (I've fished out many toys!) and when I'm vacuuming he'll walk along side of me with the hose attachment and lean over as if he's vacuuming the floor along with me. He loves to help and loves when we praise him for being so helpful. It's very cute to watch him try to make the bed, dust the table and unload the dishwasher. Of course it take twice as long because he's trying to "help" with everything, but I don't mind at all. I love that he feels and looks so proud after he's "helped" out.
If I have to scold the dog or tell one of the cats to get out of the way or get off the couch, Collin will crouch over, whip out his pointer finger and start yelling and yelling and yelling and yelling. He'll do this about 10 times in a row and he's dead serious! I, of course, will laugh and tell him that he doesn't need to yell anymore or explain to him that kitty or doggy feels bad already, he keeps on going. I can only imagine if he had an older or younger sibling to yell at!
Well, that's about all for now. We're spending New Year's Eve at home, safe and sound. Mark plays a show (sold out!) from 6:30-9:30pm and then he's just heading home after that to ring in the new year with me on the couch! Exciting eh?!
A healthy, happy, and safe New Year to you all! Have fun, but stay safe and GET A DESIGNATED DRIVER or better yet, be one for someone else!!! Happy 2003!
Until next time,
Hugs, Jennifer & Collin
**Updated webpage - http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/n/nebraskacollin
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