Bubba rapping, Nicky dancing
Originally uploaded by victoriaabeling
Christmas in California - 2009
Christmas 2009... It was a busy and hectic week visiting family and friends and enjoying the holiday season. We were lucky we even made it. We woke up late - 4:27 am to make a 6 am flight out of Austin. Not sure even how we even made it, but we did. Half way to the airport I also realized I forgot to pack formula for Brandon. Luckily the stars aligned, we finagled our way through check in, flew through the handicapped security line (sorry!) and made it on our flight with moments to spare. I'd love to say that the boys slept and it was a piece of cake, but then I would be lying. Lets just say that we made it and survived.
Wednesday morning we headed up to Grass Valley (an hour north of Sacramento) to visit my Dad and Ellen, but first made a stop in Alameda to visit Kathleen and her new baby Evan. What a sweet precious baby he is and I am jealous how great she looks and that he already sleeps. It only took B 5 months! In Grass Valley, we enjoyed good company, cool weather, the Great Debate of 2009, and good beer. It was nice to see the gimp (my dad broke his kneecap) and I enjoyed watching Brandon open his first gifts of the season. Nicky loved to run outside and feed the neighbor's horses.
Every Christmas eve Dan goes to his mom's house for her crabfest and poker games, while we have our own crabfest and pesto fest at my mom's. This Christmas Eve my mom had a big dinner party, and my Uncle Mikey flew in from Indianapolis and it was his first time meeting the boys. His daughter and my cousin Dawn Marie, my cousin Steven, and my Auntie Donna were also there to celebrate along with our neighbors Mitzi and Terry. It was even more special because my mom bought me a princess cake for my birthday! YUMMY! The only thing missing was Val. She was enjoying her Christmas having a pint in London - an awesome tradition we need to bring to the states.
After dinner, we changed the boys into their Christmas pajamas and put them to bed so Santa could come. And boy did Santa come - Grandma Bubba and Grandpa Papa went all out. I was a little worried Nicky would be overwhelmed, but not only did he embrace the gift receiving practice, he made sure to open each and every gift to test it out. And how fun it is to open those boxes of kids toys. I love all those wires, bendy ties, and tape - each box is like fort knox! (Let me also stop here and point out that "Santa" aka, Bob and Lenore, also sent 2 huge and massive gifts before we left for the bay area. The boys came home to a new Playscape and Melissa and Doug Train table and Dan has more boxes in his garage! (ps, mom doesn't Bob want to RETIRE??! haha (and thank you)))
This was Brandon's first Christmas and he was happy to play in the paper and get some new chew toys for his teething. His favorite present was a crinkly star blanket and his new True Religion jeans. He also enjoyed chewing on all of Nicky's new trains. Nicky's favorite toys where his construction trucks, Wonder Pets Fly Boat, shake em up race car, musical school bus, and anything his little brother was playing with.
Christmas evening we had a lovely dinner at Grandma Lala's (Larissa) Nicky was in fine form making animal noises, while we had a break when Brandon went to bed early. This year we missed Crazy Uncle Frank and Auntie Amy who were spending the holidays with her family in the OC, and Auntie Jennie and cousin Katie were celebrating together in Philly. We hope next year we will all be together again. Nicky and Brandon got to meet Uncle Nick, play with Auntie Alex and Cooper, and hang with Papa Ray, Lee and Mark. It was a great way to end our Christmas of 2009...topped off with the gingerbread and pear cake!
Saturday morning we started really early visiting with Kelly and Alexis. Brandon and Nicky got to meet Alexis and play with their new friend. Kelly told her daughter "take your pick!" haha! (Alexis, stand in line...Avery, Kylee Jo, and Haylee, may have something to say about that ) its so fun to see our kids together and will be great watching them grow up. Alexis is only 1 month older than Brandon and what a little doll..seriously, she poses at the camera. Its too cute.
Saturday night, my mom treated me, Roneeta, and Amy to a night out - dinner at Perbacco and the musical Wicked. Right before we left Bob surprised us with a treat - car service to the city! How fun and sweet! Roneeta coined a new phrase "How do I get a Bob?" (Lenore, do tell..?) All i can say is that Wicked has to be the best musical I have ever seen. I adored it. I loved having a girls night out while Dan (and Grandpa) watched the boys. It made me a *teeny* bit less stressed, even knowing that Dan went out leaving them boys all alone with Grandpa.
Sunday was really relaxing, Dan went to get ramen with Ben, then to visit with Marcel and Connie, Peggy Lucey stopped by to visit and we got to see Marta, Steve, gorgeous Paloma, and darling Matteo. The big boys danced with Santa, while Steve cage fought with Brandon.
After the Sangervesi's left, Brandon, Nicky, and I went to visit with Jess, Dom, and Kyle. Nicky was enthralled with the train table, and we saw our futures when we get home - total consumption with trains, wheels, and things that go. Kyle is such a big strong boy, and he showed Nicky how to jump on a trampoline and how to ride a baby dinosaur, while Dom and Dan played with Brandon and talked guy stuff. It was hard to leave because it made us remember how much fun we used to have together and how much we miss our friends back home. We managed to survive because we had Round Table when we got back to moms! Seriously thinking of franchising out here in Austin....
and we left on Monday. I missed seeing lots of my usual friends, Claire and her family, Hilary, Eric and Avery, Mike, Nicole, and Parker...Tiffani didn't come home this year, and all my friends at VMware. but I love you all and will see you soon. Nicky misses Bubba and asks for her every day.
This week the boys are back at school and I am working from home this week (can't you tell ;)??!)
Have a wonderful New Years and here is to a happy and healthy 2010!
Wednesday morning we headed up to Grass Valley (an hour north of Sacramento) to visit my Dad and Ellen, but first made a stop in Alameda to visit Kathleen and her new baby Evan. What a sweet precious baby he is and I am jealous how great she looks and that he already sleeps. It only took B 5 months! In Grass Valley, we enjoyed good company, cool weather, the Great Debate of 2009, and good beer. It was nice to see the gimp (my dad broke his kneecap) and I enjoyed watching Brandon open his first gifts of the season. Nicky loved to run outside and feed the neighbor's horses. 
Every Christmas eve Dan goes to his mom's house for her crabfest and poker games, while we have our own crabfest and pesto fest at my mom's. This Christmas Eve my mom had a big dinner party, and my Uncle Mikey flew in from Indianapolis and it was his first time meeting the boys. His daughter and my cousin Dawn Marie, my cousin Steven, and my Auntie Donna were also there to celebrate along with our neighbors Mitzi and Terry. It was even more special because my mom bought me a princess cake for my birthday! YUMMY! The only thing missing was Val. She was enjoying her Christmas having a pint in London - an awesome tradition we need to bring to the states.
Saturday morning we started really early visiting with Kelly and Alexis. Brandon and Nicky got to meet Alexis and play with their new friend. Kelly told her daughter "take your pick!" haha! (Alexis, stand in line...Avery, Kylee Jo, and Haylee, may have something to say about that ) its so fun to see our kids together and will be great watching them grow up. Alexis is only 1 month older than Brandon and what a little doll..seriously, she poses at the camera. Its too cute.
Saturday night, my mom treated me, Roneeta, and Amy to a night out - dinner at Perbacco and the musical Wicked. Right before we left Bob surprised us with a treat - car service to the city! How fun and sweet! Roneeta coined a new phrase "How do I get a Bob?" (Lenore, do tell..?) All i can say is that Wicked has to be the best musical I have ever seen. I adored it. I loved having a girls night out while Dan (and Grandpa) watched the boys. It made me a *teeny* bit less stressed, even knowing that Dan went out leaving them boys all alone with Grandpa.
and we left on Monday. I missed seeing lots of my usual friends, Claire and her family, Hilary, Eric and Avery, Mike, Nicole, and Parker...Tiffani didn't come home this year, and all my friends at VMware. but I love you all and will see you soon. Nicky misses Bubba and asks for her every day.This week the boys are back at school and I am working from home this week (can't you tell ;)??!)
Have a wonderful New Years and here is to a happy and healthy 2010!
Merry Christmas from the Abeling's
Our christmas card for 2009.
Happy Holidays ~ with love ~ the Abeling's: Dan, Victoria, Nicky, and Brandon
Proverbs
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The idiom the straw that broke the camel's back is from an Arab proverb about how a camel wearing shoes is loaded beyond its capacity to move. Kinda like what it feels like when you get no sleep
This is a reference to any process by which cataclysmic failure (a broken back or ME) is achieved by a seemingly inconsequential addition (a single straw or LACK of SLEEP) - something is deemed to be the last in a line of unacceptable occurrences. It was obvious our sleep training for Brandon wasn't training any sleep and that has become unacceptable. And my own sanity was on its way to a cataclysmic failure.
Desperate times called for desperate measures. We had to get Brandon to sleep through the night. But what do we do? I have been too tired to read any sleep books, I have no time, when I do have time, I just want to sleep. Vicious circle of pretending we had a system and hoping that the next night would be the last. Finally we resorted to the tried and true Cry it out. Monday we began our new regime.
And hardly a regime it was...It's been 2 nights now and Brandon has slept through the night both nights. What a champ. What a big boy! (even better Nicky never woke up once either!) I've gotten some sleep and I swear I'm a whole different person. I showered today! haha. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I have a whole new outlook on life. Every cloud has a silver lining, and that's a proverb I like.
This is a reference to any process by which cataclysmic failure (a broken back or ME) is achieved by a seemingly inconsequential addition (a single straw or LACK of SLEEP) - something is deemed to be the last in a line of unacceptable occurrences. It was obvious our sleep training for Brandon wasn't training any sleep and that has become unacceptable. And my own sanity was on its way to a cataclysmic failure.
Desperate times called for desperate measures. We had to get Brandon to sleep through the night. But what do we do? I have been too tired to read any sleep books, I have no time, when I do have time, I just want to sleep. Vicious circle of pretending we had a system and hoping that the next night would be the last. Finally we resorted to the tried and true Cry it out. Monday we began our new regime.
And hardly a regime it was...It's been 2 nights now and Brandon has slept through the night both nights. What a champ. What a big boy! (even better Nicky never woke up once either!) I've gotten some sleep and I swear I'm a whole different person. I showered today! haha. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but I have a whole new outlook on life. Every cloud has a silver lining, and that's a proverb I like.
Santa Babies
Friday, December 11, 2009
We were at a holiday bazaar in Steiner Ranch and they had a Santa for pictures. Not a very festive picture, except for the big man in a red suit, but Brandon survived without any screaming and Nicky didn't seem to care all that much. Actually Brandon looks bored as hell, and Nicky looks up to something, We'll be home on the 24th and will take pictures at Hillsdale in their official christmas outfits. I like official.
Christmas Tree Shopping
We took the boys to our local tree lot and Nicky picked out the perfect tree; a nine foot Noble fir. BTW, when did Christmas tree start costing over $100?!
Brandon enjoyed looking at all the trees and getting to wear a new knit hat. I think he looks thrilled to be christmas tree shopping, don't you? ;)
Nicky also had his first candy cane, and wasn't to sure about it at first, but quickly finished it and wanted more. He has a sweet tooth like his Mama.
Ho Ho Ho
Friday, December 4, 2009
Playing around with my new Photo editing tool. Maybe next year I make my own Holiday Cards! Yee-Haw!
New Pictures Posted
New Sets added to flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/victoriaabeling/sets/
- Nicholas -18 months
- Brandon - weeks 18, 19, and 20
- Decorating boys room and playroom
- Nicky's Rash (turns out it was eczema!)
- House Updates and Stella and Dot party
- Thanksgiving feast at Primrose
- Thanksgiving in Austin
- Vintage Babies
Dear Nicky - 18 month letter
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Dear Nicholas,
Last week you had your 18 month check up. It was a little late because we canceled your first one last minute to go visit your Auntie Val in Party City. What a great trip that was, just you and me. You are growing up so fast, its hard to believe in 6 months you will be 2!
Not too much has changed since last time except you are now 32 inches tall and 28 pounds! Your weight is in the 75th percentile and your height is in the 50th. That means your a little above average, but Daddy and I think you are way above average. You are wearing a size 6 shoe and pretty much fit perfectly into 18 - 24.
18 months and you still prove to be challenging in some areas and in others you continue to blow us away, especially how smart you are. You have started to say sentences and put multiple words together like:
Our biggest worry right now is how to help you stop crying at night. It breaks our heart every night when we hear you cry out for us. We would do anything to take all that sadness away....but are your REAAAALLLLY sad, or just know how to play the game, mister?? On the occasion you do break us down and we go back upstairs to tuck you back in, you are just fine. So happy we are there, just to point out the moon and stars. You will even lay there pretending to be asleep while we sneak out, just to have you jump up crying again. Daddy and Mommy may have to start turning off the monitor...and I can't begin to imagine how this will all work out once you figure out how to climb out of the crib. I do not look forward to that day.
At 18 months, you love trucks and trains and anything with wheels. You love to point out buses and fire trucks and make siren sounds when you see an ambulance. You pick me flowers. You love sticks and old pipes. You love to clean and we have to pry brooms out of your hand. You still ADORE your Daddy. Puppies and bubbles are still top of your list. You've started to play by yourself and have your own make believe.
You can count to 2. (go Nicky!), say ABC, and every color is green, but we're working on it. We can get a blue, white, yellow, red, and purple out of you when prompted. You can sign a lot of words, and love to be outside. Ant bites make your skin flare up and you hate bugs. You still have your nini (pacifier) but we're working on it.
and at 18 months you still dance...
...and you make us dance. we love you poops.
Mommy
Last week you had your 18 month check up. It was a little late because we canceled your first one last minute to go visit your Auntie Val in Party City. What a great trip that was, just you and me. You are growing up so fast, its hard to believe in 6 months you will be 2!
Not too much has changed since last time except you are now 32 inches tall and 28 pounds! Your weight is in the 75th percentile and your height is in the 50th. That means your a little above average, but Daddy and I think you are way above average. You are wearing a size 6 shoe and pretty much fit perfectly into 18 - 24.
18 months and you still prove to be challenging in some areas and in others you continue to blow us away, especially how smart you are. You have started to say sentences and put multiple words together like:
- Thank you
- Where did it go?
- I don't know
- Come Zeus, Come Ra
- No, mine
- All Done
- and my favorite I love you. (when asked)
Our biggest worry right now is how to help you stop crying at night. It breaks our heart every night when we hear you cry out for us. We would do anything to take all that sadness away....but are your REAAAALLLLY sad, or just know how to play the game, mister?? On the occasion you do break us down and we go back upstairs to tuck you back in, you are just fine. So happy we are there, just to point out the moon and stars. You will even lay there pretending to be asleep while we sneak out, just to have you jump up crying again. Daddy and Mommy may have to start turning off the monitor...and I can't begin to imagine how this will all work out once you figure out how to climb out of the crib. I do not look forward to that day.
At 18 months, you love trucks and trains and anything with wheels. You love to point out buses and fire trucks and make siren sounds when you see an ambulance. You pick me flowers. You love sticks and old pipes. You love to clean and we have to pry brooms out of your hand. You still ADORE your Daddy. Puppies and bubbles are still top of your list. You've started to play by yourself and have your own make believe.
You can count to 2. (go Nicky!), say ABC, and every color is green, but we're working on it. We can get a blue, white, yellow, red, and purple out of you when prompted. You can sign a lot of words, and love to be outside. Ant bites make your skin flare up and you hate bugs. You still have your nini (pacifier) but we're working on it.
and at 18 months you still dance...
Mommy
Nicky and Nature
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Nicky's Auntie Amy took this picture and I just love it. You almost miss the old PVC pipe he picked up from the open lot next door. Nicky was being a total boy and hitting anything that moved (or didn't). I love his Uggs too! His mommy has great taste ;)
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