Christmas 2008

After celebrating Bixie's birthday weekend, we hopped on the plane to St. Louis. We drastically underestimated the crowds at DTW and barely made our flight. Thankfully, the airport had a family security line that was a breeze to get through and the TSA were actually helpful. From there, we literally sprinted to our gate which was not easy to do in high heel boots, pushing a stroller, let me tell you. We were the last people on the plane, but we made it. The same can't be said for our bags - but they did get to STL eventually.

We had a full week in St. Louis. In addition to the traditional Christmas celebrations (Mass, meals and gifts), we took Maggie to the zoo, visited Jim's sister Katie's new house, went out to dinner with my friend Patty and her boyfriend, celebrated Nana's 80th birthday and logged lots of hours on the new Wii MawMaw and PawPaw got for Christmas. As always, the home-cooking was delicious and the time with family precious. Living in PA, it's been hard to get to St. Louis as often as we'd like and we're looking forward to being withing driving distance again in 2009!

Mag loved the story of Rudolph!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Zoo Fun

Happy Birthday Nana!

Bixie Turns 3!

Cousin Beatrix turned 3 earlier this month. We stopped in at her house on our "way" to St. Louis for Christmas. Bixie had a wonderful birthday party, complete with a suprise appearance by "Miss Marie" her music teacher. The kids enjoyed the instruments and dancing and the yummy pink candy cake. I think it is safe to say, Beatrix's favorite birthday gift was her baby doll car seat which she took to bed with her that night. Maggie was extremely envious of said car seat and it quickly became her only Christmas wish. Good thing Santa was listening.

It was a very festive weekend. Bixie's Bubbe brought a Menorah and we celebrated the first night of Hanukkah. My dad donned a Santa hat and we celebrated an early Christmas with a gift exchange. We enjoyed meeting all of Bixie's friends, spending some time at Jay and Xanthe's and being together for a few days during the holiday season.

The Birthday Girl

Flynn family Christmas

Goodbye, So Long, Farwell, My Friends

Two days after we moved here I took Maggie to our very first Tots and Tunes class. And we've been every Wednesday since! Our music class has been an invaluable part of our time here. Maggie has thoroughly enjoyed the program and hopefully we've set the foundation for a lifetime love of music. I met several other wonderful mothers and treasured the time spent watching Maggie's enthusiasm for music grow. Our teacher is not having class this winter, so Wednesday was our last session. I couldn't contain the tears as we sang the "Goodbye Song." I know we'll find Music Together classes in Cincinnati, there are several to choose from. But none will be as treasured as our first class and our beloved Miss Kerry.

Two Teethers

Having two under 2 was just as much work as "they" said it would be. Having two in diapers is busy and expensive. But I never could have known how insane my life could get. Having two children that are teething is beyond exhausting. Maggie is miserable as she waits for her last top molar to come in. The first one arrived over the weekend and the next one is close. Claire was up every three hours last night, and at 8 months and 20+ lbs, I don't think she was hungry. I'm blaming her wakefulness on those bottom choppers just near the surface. All mommy wants for Christmas is some sleep!

One of the things I'll miss

Since we moved to PA, I've often felt like I've had one foot there (Ohio) and one foot here. Never truly present, or fully engaging. I knew this was a short assignment and I would be returning to my home and my friends one day. Don't get me wrong, I've still been busy living life here - raising kids, making friends, being active in our community. It's just that so much of me was homesick that I often struggled to appreciate what was right in front of me. Now that the end of our time here is within sight - only a few flips of the calendar away - I am starting to take note of the things I'll miss. I'm sure I'll blog more about this in the months to come but this is exhibit A.

The view from my kitchen at dusk

'Tis the Season

Cold and Flu season that is! A nasty cold has made the rounds through the house so we've had a yucky week. Maggie started with it on Sunday and is still fighting it off. Poor thing hasn't been sleeping well with the cough, and was even hoarse earlier this week. The Vicks rub down has become the new normal for her bedtime routine. Claire, on the other hand, has only a slight runny nose, thanks to the antibodies she's getting from me. Just another reason to nurse her through the winter till her first birthday. Needless to say, we've spent most of the week at home in our PJs.

I had to take some video to document Maggie's adorably pathetic voice. I couldn't decide which one to post, and Jim said, "Why not both of them?" so there you go.

"Funny Bunny"


Mag's latest thing is to say "guys." Listen closely at the end.

Happy Birthday Jim!

We barely had time to unpack from our Ohio trip and it was Jim's birthday. Luckily, I had a pot-roast in the freezer and was able to throw together his favorite meal. The girls helped me make his birthday cake by taking good naps that day. It's hard to believe this is the fifth birthday I've celebrated with him. Sometimes it seems just like yesterday we had our first date. Other times, I can't remember life without him. Every day I am more amazed by what a wonderful husband and father he is. I'm so blessed!

Where Did November Go?

To Ohio, that's where! The girls and I spent three weeks in Ohio in November. Jim had a business trip near my birthday, and we were planning on going for Thanksgiving, so we just extended the trip. So much happened in the three weeks, I don't know where to start. The girls enjoyed being showered with love from Grandma and Grandpa during our visit. Maggie had great strides in her lanquage, counting, and potty-use. Claire improved her scooting abilities and got most everywhere she wanted to go from a sitting position. The built-in babysitting was a huge plus and allowed me to catch up with lots of friends, enjoy a romantic birthday dinner with Jim, and even start on some house-hunting!

MawMaw and PawPaw came in from St. Louis one weekend to visit the girls. We also had quality time with Aunt Beth, Uncle JJ, Aunt Xanthe and Cousin Bixie over Thanksgiving. Other highlights include: a trip to the new Crate and Barrel, a pizza party with the Smiths and Dierufs, bringing dinner to the Haber's and meeting their new daughter Amanda, helping to host Katie's Blessing Way, and a visit with my oldest friend Teresa and her daughter Anna. I call Teresa my "in-utero friend" since our mothers were pregnant at the same time and I've know her literally my entire life. She made her own "in-utero" announcment and is expecting baby #2 this summer.

We survived the 11 hour car ride thanks in part to a new portable DVD player. Despite both of us loathing them before we became parents, it certainly was a godsend for our 2 year old. Hopefully, we will only have to make two more of those long trips, one for house-hunting and one when we move back. Not that I'm counting or anything?!

I'm sure my parents collapsed in exhaustion after we left. Since they've retired, I don't think they are used to the 7 am wake-up calls my children bring with them. Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us descend on your house and wreak havoc for three weeks. We had a wonderful time!

Charlie, Lauren and Maggie enjoy some Dewey's pizza
The men enjoy Guitar Hero

Lounging around with Bix

Posing for some holiday pictures

Katie's Blessing Way

Teresa practicing for life with 2. Congrats!