The beginning of the Season

It sort of stinks that the beginning of this festive season of giving thanks has to start with Halloween. I don't particularly enjoy Halloween and have a hard time getting into it. Maybe it's because we weren't allowed to celebrate it as kids, I'm not sure. But I do get little costumes for the boys and usually give them some candy. There's a big fair that comes to Charleston every year and we usually go there around Halloween. I think this year we will go on Halloween, since it's Friday. Anyways, my festive season begins by making pumpkin bread. Alex's Granny Holdgate used to make pumpkin bread. But the boys, Alex and Nick, love it so much that at my bridal shower, I was given the recipe. Now, there's nothing special about this recipe, but a loaf usually lasts about 30 minutes. I made some for my sister-in-law, Althea, for her birthday one year and it went over really well.

I did make the first batch today because I did have some canned pumpkin readily available. This season I hope to make sticky buns and lots of holiday cookies. So, we'll see if it really happens :)

Clumsy Feet

This is one of silly little stories that only a mom appreciates. But not much happens with my boys, so when any sort of story appears, I try to remember. This morning, the boys wanted to go outside with Alex when he took the trash can to the curb. James was out the door first. He's really good about putting on shoes and coats (It's been 39 degrees in the morning). Then Ryan had to get out too. Within 1 minute of Ryan being outside I heard crying. I thought James had pushed him. But no, he just tripped on his feet and scratched his lip. Little bit of blood. Within a minute he was better and ready to go back out. Within 30 seconds, more crying. "Did he fall again?" I asked? "Yes" said Alex "He's trying to run". So, Alex proceeded to try to explain to Ryan why he shouldn't try running yet, seeing as both times he did this morning he ended up scratching his face on the concrete. I think the lecture at the end was my favorite part...seeing as Ryan's only 16 months :)

Me

As for me, I have many interests but no time or energy to do them. I do enjoy cooking so fun kitchen tools are always a plus. My favorite candies are Haribo Gummy Bears, Red Swedish Fish and Milkini's. Not sure what size I'll be wearing by Christmas. I also love to read. So, that's it for now. Short and sweet :)

Alex

Alex......He likes presents but will probably deny it. Some of his new hobbies include skeet shooting, hunting and fishing. He does enjoy the occasional Playstation game. He also loves to get gifts that allow him to put something together, i.e. model airplane, etc. Almost anything from a hobby shop would be fun for him. Just so you know, he is hoping to get a boat sometime in the future. He has a sweet tooth and likes dark chocolate. He wear a size Large in shirts and 34X32 pant size. Oh, he would also like all of the tools that are in Dick Bear's workshop.

James - Part 2

I forgot to mention a few things. James is working himself into 3T, but still wears 2T pants most of the time. Did I mention he loves movies??? We are working on our DVD collection and are missing a few essential pieces......

Ryan

Ryan, not yet 1 1/2, doesn't have too many interests. He does what James does, both good and bad. He has a super loud yell / scream but also laughs a whole lot. He's quite a different boy than he was the first 6 months of his month. Apart from what James does, he likes to sing and has pretty good tone. He also loves animals, particularly dogs and birds and squirrels. He is a very independent child, yet very dependent on your attention.

He wears size 12 - 18 months and looks really good in burnt orange and dark brown.

Christmas Part 1 - James

This is what me and my sister are doing this year. Actually, she did it last year and it was very helpful. We write blogs on each child and talk about their interests. So, here's my first one for James.

James is a pretty laid back child. He really loves books and especially sticker books. He has become quite an artist and loves to draw helicopters, trains, planes, trucks and sometimes houses. He is also a TV and movie buff. We are in the process of making our DVD Disney collection. He likes The Backyardigans and Go, Diego, Go! So, all in all, he likes boy toys. Matchbox cars, trucks, and in true Holdgate style, Presents!! He just loves presents. So, if anything is wrapped, it makes it super extra special for him.

Just a few more pics.

Pumpkin Patch

James got his first pumpkin patch experience last week. His preschool went to the one of the local farms. Actually, the kids and their parents all came. It was pretty fun. They got to pick pumpkins, although James didn't care for the dirt on them. We got to go feed some goats, but James prefers to throw the food at them one pellet at a time. Then the hayride, where you got to feed the cows. He wasn't thrilled that they came up so close. But, it was fun. He liked the swings and the toys and the mulch mountain. Alex made it for the hayride and that was very exciting too.

Here are a few pics.

Me

Enough about kids, let talk about me....I'm feeling decent, considering. When I was pregnant with James I threw up 5 times a day for 14 weeks. With Ryan I was nauseated till week 18 or 19. This time....Not that bad. I have that empty stomach nauseated feeling all day unless I'm shoveling food in my mouth every 30 minutes. That's frustrating, but definately doable. I'm 11 weeks and due May 6. That's a week after my birthday, in case you were wondering. This might be the only May baby in my family.

I saw it on an ultrasound yesterday and it was jumping around like it was at a party. So, all's well!

The house - is coming along. The floors are being sanded today, painting's done and the decking is all down. The porch needs to be screened it, the bathroom tiling needs to be done and some other items. but I think the major stuff is almost done. Maybe we'll be in for Thanksgiving!!

Trying to Figure it out!!!

So, as the kids get older, it turns out parenting does not get easier. It's nice that they can feed themselves and sleep through the night....But we've been trying to figure out issues.

Here's one: James decided he wants to get up and out of bed at 4:30 or 5:00 AM!!! For about 2 months. Sometimes he just occupies himself downstairs by reading, coloring, etc. However, he has meltdowns mid morning but won't take a nap. So, what to do?? We moved him to a twin sized bed thinking maybe he wasn't comfortable in a smaller bed. Didn't work that well. Then we tried spanking. That didn't work so well either so then, Alex would go back to bed with James and make him lay down. That happened for about a week and it didn't really work. So, besides tying your kids to the bed, what do you do?? I don't know what happened, but he just started sleeping in till 7 again. Just like that.....I don't attribute that to good parenting but God's grace.

And No, James did not have a boo-boo on his head. He just likes to pretend there's one and put band-aid's on.

Ryan

I wrote this long blog on Ryan and then my computer conveniently erased it all. So, I took that to mean, Keep it Short!!

So, here's my revised version. Did you know that Ryan means Little King? That's not why we named him that, but it's a strong name. Turns out, James means supplanter and for those of us who had to look that word up, that is someone who wrongfully or illegally seizes the place of another. That's not a very nice definition for such a strong name. But interesting. Anyways, Ry-Ry is keeping his red hair. He has fine straight hair but a few brillo like curls at the back. These do not brush out and gel does nothing to help.

As you've been reading, we have visited the Dr's alot. From rashes to constipation to fevers.....

James caught a high fever a few weeks ago. It went away the next day but then Ryan caught it and was miserable!! Crying all day, inconsolable, not going to bed till 11 or 12. So, after 2 Dr visits.....we were still waiting it out. Then Ryan got stung by a caterpillar. Yes, they do sting. Look up puss moth caterpillar. So, poor little Ryan's hand was red hot to the touch all up to his elbow. So, a trip to the emergency room and about 2 hours later, he was doped up on Benadryl and finally asleep!! So, it wasn't a crazy emergency, but enough to get the emotions going....That was a horrible week but it did end. And Ryan is healthy!!

James

Well, let's see. James is in preschool 2 days a week and some weeks I wish for 3. He could go for 3, but I have to remember he is still 2. But he loves going and I enjoy the break.

James is doing well with speech therapy. I have heard from a few friends that they are understanding him better. So, one day I will have a toddler speaking to me in sentences. I may regret that though.

James is into chocolate milk. He also loves to do everything himself. Although if he doesn't get it the first time, he will ask for help.

He is into drawing, trucks, trains, planes and helicopters. He is actually quite a serious drawer. I think he gets that from his grandmother and aunt. They're both artists.

I bought him a Superman outfit for halloween, so we'll see if he wears it. He's still not sure about costumes. Definately no masks!! Anyways, clothes-wise, he's beginning to wear some 3T but can still fit into some 2T. There needs to be a 2 1/2 T.

Where have I been?

Well, nowhere. It's true. I haven't gone anywhere. I just don't have many fun stories to talk about. We have had a roller coaster of a time here, but nothing terribly exciting. So, it's October and the beginning of birthday, anniversary and holiday season. I am very much looking forward to being home for Christmas this year. We will be traveling to Texas for Thanksgiving and we are looking forward to being in Texas, but not necessarily the plane ride. We fly through Atlanta this time which can be rough, but we've done it before and we're fairly familiar with the airport.

We do get to go to a friend's wedding in December. Apparently, it is in the middle of nowhere. There's a lot of places like that in South Carolina. But a fun excuse to get dressed up.

Back to Christmas. I'm looking forward to being in our new house, having a decorated Christmas tree, stockings, candles in the windows, lots of cookies and food! I'm excited to cook also. I bake a lot of pumpkin bread during this season and I know my husband will be very happy about that. Although, he's not so happy about the weight gain :) But if I'm gaining weight, it's okay if he does too.

I'm looking through a lot of holiday decorating and cooking magazines to get some ideas to spruce up the house. Hopefully I'll be in a new house to spruce up!