Monthly Archives: December 2020

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When I started making french macarons 2 years ago, I swore I wasn’t going to sell them. I just liked baking and it’s a great hobby to be creative and do something just for me- a little mom break in the kitchen. But somewhere along the line, it’s turned into a tiny business- enough to pay for my supplies and the rest goes into a “future puppy” fund, but nothing serious. Over the Christmas season, I made 26 DOZEN cookies- nearly all of them for paid orders. I completed some mixed boxes this week and I’m ready for a baking break! Several people who bought cookies have emailed me afterwards with compliments, which has been so gratifying. I love having a creative outlet and I’m happy people are enjoying them. 

Monday- Wednesday were our normal school/work and grandma days. 
 
On Wednesday, Nate and I both took the day off to finish Christmas prep. Augustus asked for the Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage, which seemed like kind of an excessive gift, but he mentioned it at least 100 times over the course of December. He would have been SO bummed out if Santa had let him down. I wanted Christmas morning to be as magical as I remember it from my childhood, so I was willing to be a little extravagant with such a giant toy. Plus, I know he will play with it a lot, so it won’t be something that just sits in a corner after a week. It came in approximately 100 pieces, so assembly ahead of time was a necessity. 
 
Wednesday afternoon brought freezing temperature, crazy wind, and snow for a white Christmas (there wasn’t any before that). 

On Thursday morning, we were surprised by freshly snow blowed sidewalks (with single digit temps, that was truly a merry Christmas eve surprise!). I went next door to drop cookies off for our neighbors to say thank you. We haven’t met them yet (it’s covid, plus it’s been chilly out, so we haven’t had a chance to meet anyone in the neighborhood yet), but we were so grateful for their kind act. We chatted for a few minutes and they seem so lovely! And then, as I was leaving, she handed me a Christmas card. But it wasn’t just a Christmas card, but also included a “welcome to the neighborhood” card AND gift certificates for a liquor store and ice cream shop! How incredibly nice, thoughtful and genuinely welcoming! I think we have the nicest neighbors of all time! 

Christmas eve was a wonderful day! It was SUPER cold outside but we were busy all day. I baked a cake, the boys painted ornaments. We hung some more pictures on the walls, did a little cleaning, and obviously played played played. We watched the Santa tracker online for a while. Our plan was the open presents on zoom with Grandma and Grandpa Whited at 3pm. That was a very long time to wait for 2 very excited boys, and I think Xander asked what time it was at least 87 times. After zoom, Grandma Debbie was going to arrive for dinner and a Christmas eve slumber party, so there was a LOT to look forward to. 

With 20 minutes to go before zoom and presents, Xander was twirling around, being silly and his slippery socks (what we call socks without the grippers on the bottom), combined with our hardwood floors knocked him off his feet, directly onto his arm. Kids fall a lot. And kids cry regularly. But there is a different tone to a kid’s cry when he is truly hurt, and this was that kind of scream. Nate and I were at his side in seconds. 

We iced it and I used all of my (limited) first aid skills to assess his injury. We hoped that some zoom time with Grandma and Grandpa and finally opening presents would help. 

Unfortunately he was miserable and wanted nothing to do with presents (a bad sign). It was 3pm. I was running through every scenario- take him to the ER or wait, ER, wait…. Would he bounce back with a little more ice? Would he be miserable all though dinner? I called Children’s Hospital and they told me there wasn’t much of a wait at the moment. I hoped we could get in, x-rayed, and be home by dinner (with peace of mind and *hopefully* not a broken kiddo). 

Xander was NOT happy to have to make a trip to the hospital. He was very sad. Luckily we got right in without delay and shortly after a dose of advil, he was feeling much better. We got an x-ray and then had to wait a bit, but the xray tech gave him pokemon cards and a water-wow coloring book, so he was feeling happy. As the waiting got longer and longer, I started to think maybe we could just leave. He seemed fine. We were both getting hungry and we were both sick of sitting at the hospital. 

However, the doctor came back and said that while she didn’t see any breaks, there was a lot of fluid around his elbow, which could mean some hairline fractures they can’t see, or maybe just a painful hit. She told me they wanted to splint it for a week to see if the rest would help it heal (hard cast material on the bottom, wrapped in soft bandages to hold it together). After a week, we’ll follow up with ortho to determine if he healed or if he needs a full cast. Xander was SO upset with big tears and such sad concern about an inability to unwrap presents. Luckily the nurse and doctor were WONDERFUL and took time to talk with him, listen to his fears, reassure him, and tell him maybe they could find some surprises to help him be brave. I really appreciated their kindness and gentle way with him. I was having some intense mom-guilt, ready to burst into tears. It’s so hard to see your baby in pain and sad, and not be able to fix it. And it was heightened because it was Christmas eve and I’d envisioned a perfect, snuggly, happy, magical day.  

I was also feeling really concerned, composing an email to his doctor as I sat there. Xander broke his leg 2 years ago at the trampoline park. He just happened to land funny and then there was a scream. It’s a common injury, so we weren’t overly concerned. But as we were sitting in the hospital with a *potential* second break I was feeling like a terrible mother?! Is something wrong with my baby? Does he have some kind of vitamin deficiency?! I’ll be calling his doctor on Monday, despite the doctor assuring me that “these things happen”. In the meantime, I feel like I somehow did something wrong and I feel awful! 

Once they calmed both of us down and as the doctor got ready to put on his splint, the nurse returned with a popsicle and a remote control car and some legos. Xander’s eyes LIT UP and he was in MUCH better spirits. I said, “I wonder what moms get if they break their arm?” and he said, “probably phones and mom stuff” which I wish was true, but, joking aside, while we DO NOT need another toy in our house, I was SO grateful for whoever the donors were who made that possible. Being at the hospital on Christmas eve went from HORRIBLE to not so bad. I have never been so happy to see him receive a gift as I was in that moment. 

 

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He got his splint and we walked out with a pile of presents. 

We got home in time for dinner (later than my usual 5:30, which everyone knows I’m pretty rigid about, but an hour later wasn’t so bad). My mom’s favorite food is crab and I surprised her with some gorgeous king crab- it was AMAZING and such a decadent meal. 

We feasted, finished with pineapple upside down cake, and then we changed into our Christmas jammies (including Grandma). We set out cookies for Santa and then then boys headed off to bed, excited for Santa to come! 

   
I got stockings filled and presents set out. Both boys were soundly asleep. My mom, Nate and I hung out for a while and then went to bed! What a day! 

Xander woke up at 2am and wanted to know what time it was (NOT yet time to get up!) and needed some more advil, but he actually slept until 6:30 (which is pretty reasonable for him) and Augustus slept until 7:30! 

They were SO excited. It was a magical morning and worth every bit of work over the last month. These boys already have SO MANY TOYS and I’m not sure we even have room for more, but it was SO fun to hear them squeal and be so excited. They won’t be little forever, so bring on the piles of presents. 

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After presents and stockings, they played and played. I made egg cups and cherry puff pastry (the boys ate toast). 

Danny and Heather arrived at 11 and we had mimosas and a full bloody mary bar. 
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Then it was time for MORE presents. More playing. Appetizers (Danny smoked a salmon that was literal heaven in your mouth). 
 

 

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We ate late lunch/early dinner of beef tenderloin, potatoes, brussel sprouts, salad and tuxedo cake. It was so scrumptious- my perfect meal. 

After we ate, we hung out, played 90s trivia, Danny and Xander traded some pokemon, and the boys played with their new toys. It was a fabulous, wonderful, amazing day. 
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Christmas is so so magical and wonderful. Also SO much work. We went from the craziness of moving to the insanity of Christmas and I think all of us are a little exhausted. Evening meltdowns led to an early bedtime tonight. I am looking forward to a little less excitement in January! 

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We had a regular week with school and work and hanging out at home.  
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On Thursday, we headed to Wisconsin to see some Christmas lights. We picked the boys up a little early from school and they were excited, and Xander was in disbelief when he found out we were going all the way to WISCONSIN! He was so funny saying, “NO?! REALLY!?” It was only a 30 minute drive, but he was quite tickled that we were in another state! Sam’s Christmas Village was cool- you walk around outside and there are big lighted structures (some that you can walk through). We got lucky and the weather was lovely. It wasn’t very busy on a Thursday night and we had a fabulous time. 

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I’ve been baking nonstop and I’ve officially hit the, “I don’t ever want to make another cookie again” stage. I have a few more batches to go and then I’ll be done… Christmas is just such a fun theme- every time I think I’m done, I find another design I want to make. 

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One week to go! We’re counting down to Christmas!! 

Our elf has been on a roll this week and Xander is so excited he’s been waking up earlier and earlier each day. I tried to tone down the elf so it wasn’t too exciting, hoping he would sleep a little later, but that didn’t work. So now I’ve just accepted that we’re not going to sleep until Christmas is over. 

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(chocolate chips for authenticity)

In last week’s update, we started potty training. The weekend was a disaster. I hoped his teachers could help, but Monday, he ONLY peed at naptime when they put him in a diaper to sleep. Tuesday, he had several accidents and when I picked him up at the end of the day, his teachers told me he wasn’t showing any signs of readiness. He hadn’t gotten pee in the potty even once, so this wasn’t surprising. And earlier in the day, a friend of mine told me she hadn’t even started potty training her son until he was 4 and so I felt a little better. Other than the potty training book freaking me out, he really didn’t seem ready, so we decided to pause potty training for a bit longer. I am eager to be done with diapers, but I think waiting is the right thing for him. 

On Wednesday, our bunk beds finally arrived. We’ve been waiting for weeks and we were all very excited! When Xander got home, he jumped right into his bed and yelled, “room for me to grow!” Sometimes that kid says things that sound like dialogue from a wholesome family sitcom. 

When we’d discussed bunk beds, both boys agreed right away- Xander on top, Augustus on the bottom. I thought we got lucky that they were that agreeable. On the first day, both were a little nervous about the top bunk- climbing up and down was kind of scary. But they both quickly mastered it, and less than 24 hours later, Augustus said, “I don’t like my new bed!” and when I asked him why, he said, “it’s too boring! Xander has the top bunk!” But other than that, they both like their new beds. 

On Saturday, we had a playdate with Skylar and Phoebe. Last year, they made Christmas candy houses with us, so we were eager to do it again this year. Both Kate and I are over-thinkers, so we weren’t sure if we should get together and we talked it through at length. But the kids see each other every day at school, both of us wore masks and stayed 6 feet apart, and I think we were pretty safe. I can’t wait for life to go back to normal and we can just have friends over, eat lunch, hang out, and not worry about anyone getting sick. Even though it was a modified visit, we still had a lot of fun and Christmas traditions are definitely more fun when there are friends to share with. 

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I’ve been baking nonstop this week- I have a lot of Christmas orders coming up! It wasn’t my plan to turn macs into a business, but I really enjoy making them and it’s nice to make them for a purpose. 

This morning started at 4:45am with Xander asking if it was time to wake up yet. I said no, but then spent the next 2 hours with him coming back every few minutes to ask again. He has an “ok to wake” clock that lights up at 6:45. But if the light isn’t on yet, it doesn’t matter if it’s midnight or 6:44. 

Xander is a great sleeper- he goes to bed without argument, falls asleep within minutes of laying down and sleeps though the night. So I think when he wakes up, it’s just because he is well rested. However, I’ve tried teaching him about consideration. I’ve tried yelling at him. But I haven’t attempted to solve his problem until today. Now he has this clock as well. So when he wakes up, if the star isn’t in the green, he can’t get up. I am HOPING this helps. I’m a terrible sleeper and when I get woken up, I’m rarely able to fall back to sleep. These 5am mornings have to end! 

We’ve still got 10 more nights of the elf, so there’s more fun to come this week! 

On Friday, we started potty training with Augustus. He has resisted (ie- screamed bloody murder) every single time we’ve tried for a year. He does not want to give up diapers. The potty training book basically says if you wait until after 3, you’re completely screwed and DO IT NOW. So we decided we needed to just do it. Friday morning when it was time to take off the overnight diaper and get dressed for the day, we managed to get him into pants without noticing he was without a diaper, but once he noticed, it was the start of a 2 hour SCREAM TANTRUM. I was nearly in tears. I started questioning whether we were traumatizing him. In between screaming, he peed in his pants about 15 times (and once on the new couch). 

Saturday was a tiny improvement in that he didn’t scream the whole day. He never managed to get pee in the potty, but he didn’t scream. We started a sticker chart (the first sticker was just for SITTING on the potty). I offered bribes, money, treats, literally anything. It didn’t work. 

Piggybacking on Santa’s encouragement from Saturday afternoon, on Sunday night, the elf went potty training themed. Undies on the ceiling fan, holiday toilet paper tp-ing our living and dining rooms and a special surprise gift from Santa! New undies for Augustus and an “encouraging brother” gift for Xander.  

 
The boys were SO excited there was a surprise this morning. Xander was up at 5:45 bouncing around. And then Gussie found out it was underwear, not toys and he was very sad, so that was an elf fail. 
 

Today has been a mixture of hysterical tantrums and some good moments. We created a reward system just for TRYING (see the small bag of treats we now keep in the bathroom?!). Augustus gets an m&m or mini marshmallow every time he TRIES. So far he has tried about 14 times and peed on the floor 3 times. I am definitely going to be the next one to cry. 

We got a few more photos hung up in our living room and our house definitely feels more “home-like” every day! 

The boys have figured out how to play video games and it’s cute to hear Xander explaining how to play and see them try. 

It’s been a bit of an exhausting weekend, and I am VERY nervous to send Augustus to school tomorrow (how many pants do I need to send? EVERY single pair he owns?!) But I am hoping that professional teachers and some 3 year old peer pressure MIGHT help us in this journey. Otherwise, this kid is going to high school in diapers. May the spirit of the holiday season be with us….