Kiddie Christmas Parties

The past couple of days we've had Christmas parties for the kids to attend. Yesterday our playgroup had one, and it was huge! I tell you, it's so funny how regular playdates may be small, but EVERYONE shows up for a party! Well, we missed three families due to sickness or conflicts, but nearly everyone was there.

I really wanted to get pics of all the kids, but that didn't happen. I didn't even get a pic of Joshua b/c it seemed like he was always fussing because he couldn't have Cason's sippy cup. It reminds me so much of when Rebekah was the same age and she would steal anyone's sippy she could find. She was appropriately labeled "The Sippy Cup Bandit". It's beginning to look like Joshua will fit this title as well.

Here are a few pics of the day.

Tommy


Tommy's brother Brennan


Lydia


Kate


Rebekah


Nolan - isn't he a doll?!?!


Alex


Caleb


The kids each had a "Secret Santa" and had drawn names to purchase a gift for their friend. After they all opened their gifts we attempted at a group pic. Joshua refused to sit on the couch, so I held him, but it wasn't pleasant. The group pic never really turned out because the kids didn't cooperate all that well. Notice how happy my kids are to be there.


Can't tell? Look again.


Check this out! Meghan and Cason are about to fall out of the couch!


Is anyone paying attention but me? And my poor son is HATING it!


So much for a group pic, but the party was fun!

Today Rebekah had her last day of preschool for the semester, and they closed with a Christmas party. I didn't realize it started at 10:30 this morning, so I showed up an hour late to her party. :-( I'm glad I had already sent the candles this morning in Rebekah's backpack for the cupcakes. The kids had a birthday party for Jesus, and by the time I got there they were working on their craft. I helped Rebekah with it while keeping another eye on Joshua because he kept trying to make a getaway out the classroom door. He finally found a Thomas tank to play with, and I had to pry it from his hand before we left.

Here is Rebekah working on her craft.



On a side note, I mentioned that I thought Joshua was weaning. Well, I spoke too soon. Don't you know after I wrote that post he nursed TWO times that day and then again today! Boy, did he have me fooled!

Weaning

Over the last several months Joshua has been nursing less and less, unless he's teething. I've been only nursing on demand, and it has been comfort nursing for just a few short minutes, but I have only allowed it once or twice a day unless he was just not feeling well.

The last time I nursed Joshua was around the time he was probably starting to deal with an ear infection before I realized it because he was waking after an hour from his nap. I nursed him back to sleep and just rocked him for the longest time - about an hour and a half.

It's been a week now.

Joshua has not "asked" to nurse at all lately. Usually he would reach his arms up for me to hold him then he would lean back in a nursing position. I would look at him and ask, "Do you want to nurse?" to which he would give a resounding, "YESSSS!!!"

My baby is 21 months and growing up. I've been ready to let nursing go, but it's sad to me in a way because this is one more step away from Joshua not being a baby anymore. I have felt like Joshua was a baby longer because he did take longer to walk as well. And it doesn't hurt that he doesn't have a lot of hair. He just seems young to me, my sweet little boy.

I have been really blessed to have been able to nurse both my children. It has been a wonderful experience for me, although I did deal with some supply issues with Joshua. (I can't say enough about how wonderfully Domperidone helped!) I am thankful that the Lord allowed me to bond with my children in this way and to give them the nutrients that only a mother's body can give. And now Joshua is becoming more of a little boy all the time....