Merry Christmas

We planned on a calm Christmas this year (only my second in California) and were looking forward to not traveling, but things never really go as planned. Dave spent Christmas Eve at urgent care because of a fever and flu-like symptoms and Jake woke up hysterically crying on Christmas morning with a fever of 102. After a dose of tylenol, Jake went back to sleep for a few hours which gave Dave and me a couple of hours to hang out and exchange gifts. This is the first year we've ever exchanged Christmas gifts - I know, weird, right? We get a lot of comments about that from people we admit it to, but usually our Christmas gift to each other is airfare to the East Coast. I was just as excited as a kid to exchange gifts though because Dave really is the best gift giver. I am the new happy owner of a food processor, the TiVo slide remote, iLife '11, and the Wii game"Just Dance" (I will wait until post-baby to try that puppy out). 

Despite obviously feeling pretty crappy, Jake was all into his opening presents. He loved his (giant ass) train table, books, basketball hoop, legos, and any type of car or truck. The only letdown the scale-model Brauder backhoe loader Dave and I excitedly bought months ago and couldn't wait to give him. We thought he'd die when he saw it but he totally didn't care about it at all.  

Today I freaked out and packed up all the Christmas decorations. If it's one thing I don't need if I go into labor is to come home to a living room I can barely move in because of a giant, dried-out Christmas tree and a billion new toys, including one really big train table. 

Our Willow Glen Christmas tree - it's tradition in Willow Glen for everyone to put a tree in their front yard. The trees are delivered the first weekend in December and there are clear rules for setting it up in your front yard, including using these specific bulbs (and a white bulb goes on top). Sounds weird, but it really looks cool when you drive around our little section of San Jose.

My new arch nemesis, the train table. But definitely worth it - Jake loves it.

Even though he was surrounded by cars, trucks, and trains, Jake wouldn't put down his Thomas books from Auntie.

All worn out after Christmas dinner at Grammie's with Grandpa, Kika, and Doug.

One more month

Today marks exactly one more month until my due date, and it was my
last day of work. I'm glad I took advantage of doing little trips with
Jake last month because I'm definitely uncomfortable now - much more
so than I was with Jake if I remember correctly. I thought it was my
size but my doctor said I'm smaller this time around (certainly
doesn't feel that way). Lucky for me Jake is just as content walking
around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights, playing matchbox
cars, and watching TV with me cuddled up on the couch as he is going
on adventurous day trips.

The look says it all

Apparently interrupting Jake to take a quick photo (he just looked so
sweet) while he is busy watching monster truck videos on Youtube is
not the way to get on his good side. (Isn't he still too young to be
this annoyed by me?)

Grumpy griswold house

Jake and I found this house the other night on the way home from
Julie's. The picture doesn't capture how insane it is (music and all).
Jake and I parked the car to take a closer look, made a $1 donation
into the "make a wish foundation" box, and were excited to see a sign
that said "Santa Claus will be here next Saturday! All Children
welcome!". It was so festive! And these people really embrace the
meaning of Christmas! That's what I thought until the obvious owner of
the house came barrelling out of his garage in a truck so fast he
almost hit Jake, so I scooped Jake up. Jake proceeds to yell "hi!!"
and wave at the man who gives Jake a dirty look in response. If I
wasn't so bloated I'd have stuck my arm back in that donation box to
take my $1 back.