Santa 2010

I took Emma Claire and Arnold to Macy's 8th floor "A Day in the Life of an Elf" yesterday. I have been trying to get Emma Claire excited (at least not afraid) to see Santa for some time now. She enjoyed the display, but kept asking "Is Santa here?". Poor Emma Claire has lots of Santa anxiety. So, I didn't force the issue and Emma Claire chose NOT to sit on (or get near) Santa's lap. (anyone remember last year?... (on right))

Arnold didn't seem to mind the big guy (as you can see). Emma Claire stood in a corner of the room (as far away as she could get without leaving the room). She did, however, tell me to make sure I told Santa that she wanted "a pink necklace and a pink bracelet" (which I did). She panicked when we left the room, afraid that I didn't get that message to him.

Maybe next year...

Grace Place Christmas Program 2010

At last... I had a child in the church Christmas program! I have been so excited about this service since Emma Claire started Grace Place this fall.

We did our best to get primo seats. I guess you have to camp out to get front row. We managed a few rows back on the end.

The toddlers come in for just a few simple songs and then make their exit. They are always the hit of the show, because it is inevitable that someone will say something funny over the singing. This year, there were a couple of "Hi Mommies" and one big "NO" between songs. Typical.

Emma Claire actually stood there and sang and did the motions. She has been singing away at home lately. She loves the Christmas songs. So, between the church program and her school program, she has got them down and there is no doubt in her mind as to what Christmas is about - "Baby Jesus birthday".

I will hopefully post the video soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures... (of the program, along with some photos in front of our tree).

A free photo slideshow by Smilebox

The Bickersons: Christmas song for Emily

The Bickersons: Christmas song for Emily

17

Brad's dad called me last night and said "So, you lived through your first REAL Minnesota blizzard" - I did, and lived to tell about it.

My 6th winter here and I have learned that things rarely stop because of snow - even when there is a lot if it. People still go to work, grocery stores still have bread and eggs on the shelves, roads and sidewalks are plowed - people (or crazies like Whitney and I) even still get out for 5am runs.

However, what happened yesterday was a little different. It was like nothing I have ever seen. It just kept snowing and snowing and snowing. 17 inches and 4 shoveling sessions (compliments of Brad - I bet he spent 4-5 hours out there shoveling - super husband, in my opinion - The photo of him shoveling at top was round 1. By the time he finished, there was at least 2 more inches on the driveway), it stopped. Everything seemed to come to a halt. The metro transit system even shut down. Sil-Pro Christmas party cancelled (along with seemingly every other event in the cities). That just doesn't happen often around here.

I am thankful I didn't need to get anywhere. Have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the day from the comfort of my warm home (for which I am also very thankful) with family in jammies all day. We watched Christmas movies on the couch and baked cookies as we watched the snow pile up to the point that the snow banks were at the height of the kitchen window-

what could be better than that?

NOW we are looking at a few days of MAYBE getting to a high of 0.

(Photo of the "Boat Ride" we went on in Emma Claire's rocker)

Click here to view these pictures larger

Closure

I went for a follow up with my hemotologist, Dr. Morton, yesterday. I don't know that I've talked about her at all or not, but I love her. She is young and she is British, so has the nice accent. But, more than that, she is one smart woman. She knows her stuff and has given me outstanding care throughout this whole ordeal.

Anyway, I got lots of good news at my visit with Dr. Morton yesterday. My last ultrasound is clear, I can come off the coumadin and I don't need to follow up with her again (unless I have another pregnancy, or problems). So, I now feel closure to the health issues that have made for an eventful year. I am looking forward to a 2011 that is fairly "uneventful". I have a new appreciation of good health and am thankful every day that I am, once again, "normal".

4 Month Visit With Doc Hobbs

The Stats...

Weight: 12 lbs. 12 oz. (41%)

Height: 25 1/2 inches (67%)

Head: 16 3/4 inches (50%)

The shots are never fun, but Arnold cried for about 10 seconds and was then over it and back to his smiley self. Developing as he should be.

Talked mostly to Dr. Hobbs about SLEEP (or lack of in our household)... Plan: Arnold to his room in the New Year. Emma Claire back in her bed ASAP (try a "rewards" or "pass" system). Will keep you posted!

Gingerbread House 2010

Brad and Emma Claire built a gingerbread house this weekend. Not every daddy would build a cardboard platform, carefully designed and painted to look like snow with a moat - complete with a bridge (how else would you get into the house???) - for their little girl's gingerbread house :-).