Christmas 2014 pt 1 (Christmas Eve)

What a low key Christmas we had this year, thankfully.  We did make our way to B's parents on Monday afternoon to spend the night to see everyone.  We left during Vivian's nap in hopes she would sleep the entire way.  She only made it an hour.  For some reason she always wakes up an hour after napping and I have to usually rock her back to sleep.  In this case it wasn't possible since she was in her car seat.  We watched lots of videos on my phone. That seems to keep her entertained until we reach our destination.

Vivian played at her Nana and Papaw's and loved looking at their tree...and presents.

 

 B's sister and kids came over for dinner and Vivian got to play with her cousins.  Her cousin ML loves Vivian!!  She was being dragged around the house by an excited 4 year old.  Needless to say Vivian slept great that night and didn't wake until almost 7:30 the next morning.

We headed home around 9 am because B had to go into work for a bit.  Vivian took herself a nice long nap when we returned home. Before she woke up, I went to Fresh Market to pick up a few pre-made twiced baked potatoes and dressing.  Seriously the way to go!  I also swung by Brixx Pizza to pick-up dinner.  After Vivian went to bed I made my desserts.  A chocolate delight for B and I made my Mom's cherry breeze.  One of me all time favorite desserts and super easy to make.

Cherry Breeze

1 premade graham cracker pie crust (Kebler or Honey Maid)

1 egg YOLK

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 small bottle of lemon juice (1/2 cup)

1 can of cherry pie filling

Preheat oven 350 degrees.  In a small bowl add your egg YOLK and  sweetened condensed milk.  Mix well.  Slowly add your lemon juice (little by little)until it thickens a little.  Pour mixture to pie crust.  Bake for 7-8 minutes until the pie crust is slight brown.  Let pie cool.  After cooling, add your cherry pie filling on top.  Pop in the refrigerator.  It's best to make the pie the night before you serve.  

    

Christmas Eve Vivian stayed in her jammies and ate sugar cookies the majority of the day.  We had a torrential downpour.  Vivian and I did have to make our way to Honey Baked Ham and Cafe to pick up our ham for Christmas Eve dinner.  Growing up, our big nice dinner was always on Christmas Eve and I wanted to continue the tradition for Vivian and Brian.  That morning I made a corn casserole, green bean casserole and
pistachio pudding fluff.

All I had to do was pop the casseroles in oven before eating.  Worked out well.  We also had yeast rolls :)

We let Vivian open a few presents from the grandparents and aunt and uncle.  We first open a gift from my brother and his wife.  She got an electric train set.  She couldn't quite figure out how it worked.  She wanted to take apart the tracks.  Little godzilla!!

Memom and Papa got her her very own pot set.

B's Mom (Nana) got her very own table and chair set from Wayfair.

She has the same set at her house and Vivian loves sitting in it!  Perfect for little miss.

 

The Polar Express caught her attention for a bit.

Then it was time to eat dinner.

After dinner we let Vivian open the rest of her gifts from her relatives.  

From Memom and Papa, she got a Corolle Stroller.

 From Nana she got a Corolle highchair.

From Great Nannie she got a Corolle doll.

Papaw got her a pink radio flyer tricycle.

Overall we had a wonderful Christmas Eve.  Definitely more fun with Vivian this year.  Can only imagine how next year will be when she's 2.5 years old and sharing Christmas with her brother or sister.  

After little miss went to bed dreaming of sugar plums, Santa Clause arrived with lots more gifts. We had one happy girl the next morning.  

 

18 Months Old

Vivian Rose, I CANNOT believe you are already 1.5 years old!!  How is that even possible?

You have 10 teeth with two more trying to make their way through.  You FINALLY hit 20 pounds.  You can still where 6-12 months bottoms and dresses, but your tops are either 12-18 months or 18-24 months.  You have the cutest pop belly that sometimes it's better with the larger size to cover it up :)

You are truly the sweetest little girl.  You love giving hugs and kisses.  If both mommy and daddy are around, if one person gives you a kiss, you have to get a kiss from the other.  You go back and forth multiple times.  So sweet! You'll also hug my arm as tight as you can when I change your diaper.  Melt my heart every single time.

We still aren't big on saying any "real" words, but babble like crazy.  You can say, "ball," "hey," "beep," "pop," "car." You like to copy other people.  There's a little video from the Chica Show called "Numbers in the ocean" where they sing a song counting to 5 and you do all the moves that Carly does.  You also can do our goodbye song at The Little Gym.  You clap your hands together, smack the mat with your hands and do the "Indian" noise with your hand over your mouth when us parents do it.  You also know when to pop your feet when we do "toes in the toaster."  So smart!

You love getting high fives when you've done a job well done.

You are an organizer and have some OCD.  Amazes me how you line things up instead of just placing things wherever.  You play eiwith some of mommies old make-up when I get dresses and you have to tap eyeliner, brushes, mascara several times on a compact case before placing it on the floor.  You also love stacking books.

You love to watch the Wiggles, Chica Show, Sesame Street, Super Why.  

You love eating oatmeal, yogurt, blueberries, eggs, cooked cinnamon apples, broccoli, fish, calamari (you pop those things in your mouth like popcorn), dill veggie dip and ketchup.  You'll just suck the did and ketchup off of the food. Also with your food, you want mommy or daddy to blow it to cool it off, whether or not its hot. 

You love to play chase and getting caught.  You think it's hilarious!  You also love to throw the ball to Brody and thinks its the greatest thing when he chases it.  Not that the ball is thrown very far.   

You still don't care for being in your car seat for long periods of time.  We will be forward facing starting the new year.  

You don't care for riding in a shopping cart unless it has a little car attached to the cart.  That buys me a good 10 minutes before you get bored.  

You are truly the greatest little girl in the whole entire world!!  You overall a happy girl which makes mommy happy :)  You have certainly spoiled us!!!!  

Love you my sweet sweet!

16 Weeks

How Far along are you: 16 weeks.  My 16 week stats during 1st pregnancy.

Weight Gain:  5 lbs.  Started at 114.6, weighed in today at 119.2

Maternity Clothes: Nope, but had to use a ponytail holder around my pant button today. 

Food Cravings: Sweets, all things carb and oranges

Food Aversion:  Thankfully I no longer have trouble eating anything.  Could be a bad sign! 

How Are You Feeling:  The exhaustion is getting better.  Definitely can tell my energy is coming back.

How Are You Sleeping:  I wake up everytime B comes to bed which is anywhere between 1-2:30 am every night.  It then takes an hour or two to fall back to sleep. Not cool!

Miss Anything:  Nope.

Any Discomforts:  I had slight pain last night.  Had a scary day two Sundays ago where I had bleeding all day long.  Thought I was having a miscarriage.  Thankfully no cramping or heavy like a menstrual cycle.  Called my OB that Sunday morning to see if I needed to ho to the ER.  He told me to come in on that Monday for an ultrasound since I had neither of the above going on.    Thank the good Lord everything was fine.  Strong heartbeat of 161 and the baby was moving all around. The NP said my body is pumping so much more blood tgat a blood vessel probably just popped.  Such a HUGE relief!! 

Any Movement:  I feel little scratches here and there still.  No big movements.

Symptoms:  The occasional heart burn.  My nose bleeds have stopped.

Labor Signs:  No

Gender:  Not yet.  Find out New Year's Eve!!!

Mood:  I've been in a great mood this past week.  I think the Christmas season has put me in better spirits :)

Excited For Anything:  Christmas in a couple of weeks and of course finding out what we are having!!