Here, There and Everywhere

There's been so much going on lately, December has felt like a month and a half for us. With that in mind, I considered splitting this post up into easy to swallow bite-size pieces but decided against it after The Lazy set in. So forgive the random, ranting post that follows. The amount of effort required to upload and explain my pictures from December is probably all that my brain can handle for the remainder of the year. The rest of my energy is being used up trying to clear my system of a major sugar overdose and the anger that comes from driving in snowy Utah weather. As much Christmas spirit as I like to think I have during December, it is completely ruined when my regularly 20 minute commute becomes over an hour each way as I am forced to drive in first gear over the point of the mountain. The snow and idiotic drivers the other day were frustrating enough to overpower the peppy Christmas carols playing through my speakers and cause me to yell, "Screw you, Bing Crosby!" at the car stereo.



Before the War On White Christmas began for me, December was kicked off with the arrival of my nephew, Stegen. This is the second boy cousin on the Baker side born after The Tyke. I am loving that the number of cousins close to The Tyke's age keeps growing. And I will admit, snuggling that little munchkin and experiencing his baby cuteness brought back all of the memories of when The Tyke was that little... and reaffirmed my desire not to go through it again by having another one. Congratulations to the happy family and congratulations to me on retaining an empty womb.


Two weeks into the month, The Tyke had to go under anesthesia for some dental work. Among some other repercussions that come from having a preemie, weak teeth is a big one. Amazingly, the development of teeth take a back seat when all of the energy in their little body is focused on maintaining vital functions, like breathing, when they are first born. Result: silver caps on The Tyke's molars because his teeth are too soft and yet one more thing for his mom to internalize and feel responsible for. Like somehow I should have fixed it or prevented him from having to go through this at all. Despite my own baggage, The Tyke looks like a freakin' stud and I would be lying if I didn't consider getting him toddler-sized Grillz to match his new bling.


After The Tyke was recovered from his first big adventure with heavy medication, Riley and I dropped him at The Compound for some quality time with Mama Jean and Roberto and we headed out to Vegas to celebrate our 7th (SEV-ENTH!) anniversary. There is no better way to celebrate the beginning of lucky year #7 than surrounding ourselves with mediocre buffets, tacky costumes, and the smell of stale cigarette smoke. We are 100% classy, all the way.


Christmas came and went quickly for us. It was the first time The Tyke understood the concept of opening presents and could get excited about the contents inside the wrapping and not just care about the bow that decorates it. My goal this year was to not buy him anything that required batteries- I wanted him to do the playing, not have the toy do the playing for him. Well, I missed one item in the toy tool set we bought him, a battery powered drill which he seems to think is a machine gun more than anything else. Of course, it's his favorite item and he spent the whole night chasing us around doing his best Al Pacino imitation.


All in all, I am happy to have been able to spend another fun Christmas with the people I love. Even if it includes 'saying hello to The Tyke's Little Friend.'