I know it has been a while since my last post. The last two months of the year seem to whiz by in a blur for me with the holidays, craziness at work, and this year...a family trip to Florida!
The holidays were great for the Caswell family, but had a different twist. We woke up on Christmas morning in sunny Orlando without a tree, lights, and presents - and instead, spent the day lounging by the pool. Don't get me wrong, we had a fabulous time, but living in cold snowy Minnesota, it was very different this year. I remember sitting by the pool on Christmas Eve day getting CNN updates to my blackberry about the snowstorm hitting the midwest, and although the driving must have been a nightmare, I did miss the comfort of sitting in a warm house on Christmas Eve with the snow blowing outside. It is interesting how people in different areas of the country experience the holidays. We went shopping on Christmas Eve (at the best outlet mall I have ever been to!) and it was so strange to hear Christmas music blaring in every store and people in shorts. I will just say, it made me appreciate good old Minnesota!
Tony and I feel like Declan grew up six months during the week of Christmas this year. His vocabulary is expanding every day, and his favorites are Daddy, Mommy, Bupa (Grandpa), Wow (Uncle Will), Deedee (Aunt Katie), away, geet (gate), yeeeah, wow, no no, door, outside, puppy, baby, bath, Na-nee (Melanie), bye, boppy (potty), mow (milk), and theez (cheese).
He also loves imitating everything we do, including punishing Luca when she barks with a "no no" and a finger point, putting deodorant on, putting his toys away (which is a wonderful accomplishment in a mother's eyes!), shutting the doors, turning off the lights, vacuuming, helping with the laundry, and talking on the phone. Of course, there are also increased tantrums and naughtiness...which is to be expected. I am happy to report we have gotten over the throwing of the cars and trucks - thank you "time-out".
Declan is also in a big-boy bed. Back in November, he started climbing out of his crib, so Tony and I decided it was time to transition him into the big boy bed, and I must say it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. It took a while for him to learn that "bed time" meant staying in bed and not playing in his room, but after a few weeks, he got the hang of it. In fact, now Declan tells us when he wants to go to bed at night. He runs into his room and over to the drawer where we keep his nook (we have gotten down to nook-usage only at bedtime), points to the lights until we turn them off, and then runs into his bed. Love it!
2010 is off to a good start for the Caswell family. I posted some pictures from the trip to Florida - enjoy! I also recently started a writing blog, Musings of a Midwestern Mamai.
Check it out at www.midwesternmamai.com.
Had enough of the Mickey ears for the day.
Taking a break to go on a ride together at DisneyWorld
The entire family
Twins
Meeting Donald Duck!
