It's been so long since I've blogged. Usually during the kids naps (if they manage to nap at the same time), I'm running around like a mad woman trying to get the house cleaned. But today, I feel like ignoring the mess and spending some time typing about my life. Even if no one else reads this, for me it's like a diary (a very public diary) that I love to read back on and remember. So here goes.

 I love Christmas time. I love Christmas music, Christmas trees, Christmas shopping (how often do I get an excuse to shop?!), Christmas cookies, and everything else that comes with it. I look forward to checking the mail every day to see if I got any new Christmas cards. I want to make hot chocolate and watch snow fall every night (except I live in Arkansas). And I dread Christmas Day coming... because that means it's going to be over for another year. Is anyone else like this? To me, Christmas isn't a DAY but a season. I just enjoy so many things about this time of year. And, in years past, I've spent a lot of time stressing about having the best Christmas. So if something doesn't go as planned (my tree doesn't look right or my cards don't get out on time or my mashed potatoes are lumpy), I feel down. Isn't that crazy? I have such high expectation for this time of year that I can't handle any failure or disappointments. I've been trying to be better this year, and I feel much less stressed. One thing that has probably helped is that this is the first Christmas that I've been married and NOT pregnant. No hormonal craziness. I'm also trying to remember to put Jesus first. Ultimately, Christmas is not about a happy feeling but about the celebration of Christ's birth. And a reflection of His death. Wow. That's sobering. I'm trying to decide what I need to change in MY Christmas celebrations to honor Him more. And I'm struggling with whether to teach the kids about Santa Claus. I believed as a kid and have such good memories of writing letters to him and putting out Christmas cookies and thinking that if I lay in bed REALLY still, that I could hear reindeer footprints on the roof. But, at the same time, I don't want to take away from the kids what Christmas is really about (and Santa will always, always do this). Matt is very anti-Santa, so that may make the decision easy. Oh well. I'm just rambling now.

I am way into the discipline stage of raising Brooke. She loves to defy me and then smile that mischievous grin... which makes it SOOO hard to follow through with discipline. Sometimes I feel like I'm raising a good kid; other times I feel like I'm losing control. The big battle right now is her standing on the furniture (a big no-no around here.) She has figured out that when I'm nursing Chloe, I am pretty much stuck. So she feels free to stand on couches, coffee tables, and whatever else strikes her fancy. Argh! So annoying. So I have to unlatch Chloe, get up, and yank Brooke off whatever is her current diving board. Recently, I've just taken to putting on Sesame Street or Barney while I'm nursing which I HATE having to do, but it does the trick. Thank goodness, Chloe is a quick eater!

Chloe is still such an angel baby. My one complaint is that she thinks she needs to eat every 3-4 hours at night. If I let her fuss, she normally goes back to sleep. However, she's taken to, not just fussing, but YELLING across the house. So, I've been having to run across the house, half-asleep, running into walls, to keep her from waking up Brooke. It's quite intelligent of Chloe actually. Soft fussing--- negative. No food. Loud fussing-- SUCCESS! Instant food! Oh, I love that crafty, smiley little one! Now if she would just learn to roll over...

Weight loss is happening much slower this post-pregnancy. I had completely lost the weight when Brooke was 4 months old; Chloe is 5 months and I have 7 pounds to go. Still, I'm thankful that I have managed to lose steadily. I know some struggle for many months after delivering. I try to stick to 2,000 calories a day (equaling 1,500 for me, 500 for Chloe), and I'm up to jogging 1.5 -2 miles (depending on my motivation that day). My goal was to run the Jingle Bell 5K (last Saturday), but unfortunately, didn't get to because both kids were sick. So now, new goal: some 5K in the spring. Gives me more time to work up to jogging that last mile anyway.

Well, I must try to do something about the wreckage that is my house. Dishes, laundry, toys... you name it and it's out of place around here! :)  Hope everyone reading this is having a wonderful Christmas season!