Christmas and a catch up...

We had an amazing Christmas - really, Christmas with a 2 year old is probably one of the best possible ways to spend it. Will was appropriately amazed by everything from Christmas lights to angels, Santa to snow to stockings to celebrating a birthday for Baby Jesus. We tried to make sure that Christmas was about more than Santa - easier this year I think because Will is still so little. I've posted pictures from our trip to Atlanta...and below are a few highlights.

Will was a GREAT traveler - he watched way too many DVD's (if I don't hear anything Little Einsteins for a month it will be ok with me!), but did manage to sleep a little. He was better the first full day, and needed some company in the back seat on the second day to keep him occupied (both southbound and northbound). He slept well in the hotels (shocking!) - even though he fell out of bed once. I still don't know how he managed to roll over the pillow barricade we'd put up...but he did. No harm done - he went right back to sleep - I on the other hand...did not.

We took Will and Ella to the Children's Museum to see Curious George and play for the morning. After a loooong warm up, Will really enjoyed building with giant Legos, playing with the trains, meeting George, and fishing in the pond. Or I should say, picking up the plastic fish in the pond and throwing them into the middle to see them splash.

Whenever the house was quiet for a moment...and then we couldn't find Will...we found the best place to look for him was climbing up onto the piano bench. The piano was a great draw once Will figured out it made lots of noise, and I can't count the number of times we found him perched up there, banging away on the keys.

Once home, we spent a nice week relaxing, we headed up to see Dave's family for an afternoon to celebrate Christmas again, and celebrated New Year's Eve. Was a bit busy, but Will thoroughly enjoyed all of it - as did Dave and I.

I'm now neck deep into the launch of a huge project at work - this will take me all the way through until Beanie arrives! Speaking of Beanie - the youngest Bostrom is doing well - I can't believe we're in the 3rd trimester already. This little guy is a kicker - at all hours of the day and night! We're looking forward to meeting him in person - I have a feeling he's going to fit in just right. :)

Naps for Will are getting shorter, and harder to come by in general. We almost always descend into some version of the terrible two's before I give up and put him in the car because I know he's desperate to sleep and just can't stop. Seems strapping him down is about the only way to get him to sleep during the day. We seem to be going through another separation anxiety phase too - crying at drop off for daycare, and will only go to sleep at night if there is someone in the room with him. I'm quite sure we're doing all the "wrong" things to get him to sleep, but I can't be picky...On the flip side of things - Will gets funnier by the day it seems, and he's quite the talker! We have a running commentary on just about everything - and in full sentences. Every once in awhile he'll say something that makes me stop and count the words in the sentence - the other night it was 8. He's so proud of himself when he gets through a long string of sentences and gets a confirmation from one or both of us - it is really fun to watch (and hear!).

Learning about veggies

I finally remembered to upload this little "veggie lesson" from earlier this fall. Every week when we brought home the farm share, Will would sit with me on the floor of the kitchen and look through the "veggie box" and learn about all the different kinds of veggies. This is totally unedited, and the dishwasher is running in the background. I love the fact that Will would say "yummy" about every vegetable - but generally won't eat them.

Recently...

Recently read: "The Little Engine that Could" and "Have you seen my potty?". Will is obsessed with both of these books. I have almost memorized both - can definitely read both upside down.

Recently heard in reference to the Christmas tree (another current obsession): "How cool is THAT?!" "Uh oh ornaments!" "Turn the Christmas lights on" "Will do it" "I like those Christmas lights" "Angel on top"

Recently heard while walking down the stairs: "Stop to take a rest" "Mama hold the railing" "Will hold the railing" "WHOA, big step!"

Recently heard at bedtime: "Night night Dada, I love you!" "Will, loves Beanie"

Recently heard while playing: "Mama play with you" "Mama sit" "Mama come" (I get LOTS of directions!). "Will's turn" "Will sharing"

Having a 2 year old in the house at Christmas is really really fun - he's not old enough to need need need want want want every single toy he sees. He IS old enough to think that Christmas lights, Christmas trees, and snow are very fun.

In other notes - we got a "clear ears" bill of health at the doctors office. Next step is to get a hearing test to see if we need to go any further. If Will can hear ok - I expect no action. Fingers crossed!!