So, overall, things are going really well for us. We were having a rough go of it several weeks back and I think a lot of it had to do with Grace not having enough time with me. So after a lot of soul searching and a long talk with co-workers and my very supportive boss, I switched to a new work schedule. I am still full time but I am now working 4 extended days and I have Thursdays off. I started the new schedule three weeks ago and I think it's working out great. Grace seems to do fine Monday through Wednesday, but come Thursday and Friday we had more tantrums, more clinginess when I bring her to my sisters and more sobbing and holding onto my leg for dear life. She's generally fine within 15-20 minutes of my leaving but when I got home she was even more clingy and wouldn't let me out of her sight. When I was figuring out what day to take, Thursday worked out best work wise but I also thought it might be a nice break in the week. So far it's worked like a charm but we'll hope it keeps up. I signed us up for a music class at the local boys club and it's been great. She loved it and was dancing and singing and clapping. The teacher started singing Old MacDonald and she looked at me and said, "mom, he knows dis song. I know it too!"
It's amazing how fast she's growing up. She is really playing well independently and it's so fun to watch her. A couple of days ago she received her first two barbie dolls from a dear friend of mine. She got Princess Tianna and an African Disney Fairy, whose name I don't recall because I forgot to look again before I threw out the box. She will sit on the coach and play with them and come up with this little dialog. She loves those barbies. The fairy came with butterfly wings and she when she saw that she said, "hey mom, I never my whole life have a barbie with butterfly wings. This soooo Awesome!"
We're really looking forward to Christmas. I am off from today until January 3rd so I am really looking forward to the extra time together. She has really enjoyed just about everything involved with the Christmas season. Our tree has been up since Thanksgiving but every time I turn on the tree lights she says, "oh, mom, that's soooo amazing!" She is excited for Santa to bring toys but if you ask if Santa is coming to her house she says "Oh nonono! Him no come my house!" I guess she figures he'll just leave the toys at the door. Everything is just so much more fun with her. It's really fun to look at things again from a two year old perspective. Snow globes can be magical, decorating Christmas cookies with cousins is funny and messy and a treat, every Christmas light display is met with wonder and amazement, no matter how many times we see them.
I leave you with some recent holiday pictures that we took. She was in a great mood and we got some fantastic photos.
Gracie and I wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!
