Long Night!

Well, things didn't improve much last night. We, meaning Collin and I, Wyatt somehow manages to stay asleep or at least act like he's asleep-anyway-we were up most of the night. After I brought him downstairs and let him watch TV for a bit I decided to turn it off and try to get him to sleep by holding him. No luck-so we went to the nice comfy bed in the basement-didn't work. Next, I shut the door to the basement so he couldn't escape. I snuggled into bed and waited for the screaming to end and it did...for a minute.Then it sounded strangely far away?? I had shut the door and he can't open it yet...his head wouldn't fit through the cat hole...or would it?



Yes, it would! He had pushed his head through the cat hole and was trying to get the rest of his body through. Trust me it did not come back out very easily. So, needless to say this upset him even more. I finally had to give up and put him in his crib and let him cry...and cry and cry. But finally he went to sleep-only to wake up at normal time-8:30am.

I only need one sleepless night to make a doctor appointment so off we went this morning to see what was going on!?! Good news is, just a head cold. Bad news, it will have to run it's course so there may be a few more sleepless nights in our future. Strangely enough it doesn't seem to bother his napping-unfortunately I have to leave for work soon so I will have to wake him up to take him to my mom and dad's.Poor Baby!!!

Thanksgiving

It was a very nice Thanksgiving for the Wilson's. The really nice part was that neither of us had to work which never happens! Peyton and Alexis were able to spend the day with us which always makes Collin happy. He loves his big brother and sister and I think they kind of like him too.



First, we met my family at noon for brunch at Salvi's which is an Italian restaurant but they make a mean Thanksgiving spread! Since we usually all work on Thanksgiving we started going there because we could eat early and no one had to stress out about cooking and cleaning up and then having everyone just take off. Since the kids have come along we have considered going back to eating at home but the pros seem to outweigh the cons-meaning-the food is too good and no one wants to compete with that! We will suffer and deal with the little wild ones for turkey, ham AND prime rib! Oh! Did I mention shrimp, every side you can think of and a big dessert bar??? Well worth it!






Next, we were off to see Wyatt's family.Brylie tagged along with us-the more the merrier! Wyatt's family eats early too so we missed dinner-but not dessert or football! I could care less about football so the kids and I went to the park and played.





We were supposed to go visit a couple of other people but by the time we left we were all too tired to go anywhere else.Collin held up pretty well but he was definitely worn out. He is cutting teeth and has the runny nose and cough. His stomach sounds a little gurgly so I hope he's not getting the bug that is going around. As much as he has had his fingers in his mouth I suppose it is inevitable! SO...here we are 12:30am and someone WON"T GO TO SLEEP! Here's a look at Mr. Pathetic cuddled up on the couch. He wouldn't stay in bed so finally I gave up and brought him downstairs.

Happy Turkey Day

Christmas Cards

Hopefully all of you have seen this but if not here it is...

PLEASE send cards by DEC 10. NO enclosures, just a card.

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card
and send it to the following address. If we pass this on and
everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these
wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would
receive!!

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20307-5001

Sorry about the random posts lately. Our Internet is off again so my Internet time is scarce.

Winter is definitely here-in fine Ohio fashion we went from beautiful 50's-60's to horrible 20's and 30's overnight. This weather time of year just makes me tired! It gets dark so early it's depressing. It's so cold I don't really want to go outside and do the stuff we usually do-it just stinks!!

On the bright side, the holidays are rapidly approaching and I happen to have them all off work this year. Who's complaining about Wednesday/Thursday off now?? Hopefully we can take this time we are stuck inside to slow down and enjoy the holidays! Maybe I can work on some of those fun homemade gifts I have planned that never quite come to fruition.I say that every year and it always gets crazy but I'm going to try again this year!!

We spent last weekend visiting with my grandmother from Marietta and my great aunt and cousin from Pennsylvania. We did some shopping and went out to dinner. We don't get to see each other very often so it was nice. I will have to post a picture later because I downloaded them on the PC and I am on the laptop.

Today we went to a fun birthday party at a new place-I think it's called The House of Bounce or something like that. Collin loved it. I was a little worried he would be too small but he was fine. Once he got used to it, he even went down the big slides by himself. Wyatt and I got in on the action too-I'm not sure if adults were allowed but hey we have a little kid and it was a private party so Oh Well!! I have to admit it was pretty fun!

Like Father Like Son

Fun Gym for Tots

Our neighbor was nice enough to invite Collin and I to join them at the Dublin Rec Center for their play gym. WOW! It was really nice. They have it every Monday and Friday from 9a-11a and it only costs $2! We will definitely be going back.

















They have everything. What more could a kid want to do? He is really going to miss his buddy Mallory when she moves-only a couple more weeks =*(

Collin's Playroom-Before and After

BEFORE







AFTER







How does this happen within minutes of him waking up in the morning? Notice the look of accomplishment on his face!

Stinkin' Internet

I have been MIA for a few days due to our on again off again Internet. It is on for the moment so we will see if I make it through this post.





My most exciting news for the moment is...I got a new camera!! Yippee!! No more pictures of Collin looking like a big blur, or looking at the floor, or completely the other way-HOPEFULLY! I was using a digital(of course)point and shoot Cannon but have now upgraded to the Sony digital SLR. I still need to read the manual but hopefully the quality of my pictures will be improving soon. Of course, I'll still keep the little camera in my purse for those impromptu photo ops.

Today is National Adoption Day, a day where bureaucracy is given the day off and people actually push to get adoptions finalized. Just the fact that it is Saturday and you have judges holding court to finalize adoptions is a feat in itself. So congrats to everyone who is finalized today!

I found a cool website on "NO Time for Flashcards". You can pick a postcard and send a greeting to a soldier online-SO easy!!

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html

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I would like to say thank you to all the veterans out there for their courage and service to our country. If you see a soldier in uniform on the street don't be afraid to just say "THANKS". A simple word or two from a stranger can make a big difference! While we are here enjoying our freedom there are thousands of brave men and women in far away places, not able to be with their family and friends celebrating holidays and special moments. They aren't seeing their children grow up-and we all know how quickly our kids change and grow. No one wants to miss that. They are making the ultimate sacrifice for people they don't even know...so the least we can do is say thanks.








Take some time this week to write a couple of Christmas Cards for the soldiers. Enlist the kids to draw or paint some pictures. There are always people collecting cards and gifts for soldiers who are spending the holidays away from home. A few minutes of your time can brighten the day of a hero.












If you live in the Central Ohio area check out shoeboxforasoldier.com. They send shoe boxes full of gifts to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan for Christmas.







Little things mean a lot when you have nothing. No gesture is too small. Even if you are struggling it doesn't cost more than a piece of paper and postage to write a letter. Have I said enough? Then get to work!!!

SHOUT OUT

Jana, my devoted blog follower, requested a shout out so here it is. Who better to do a shout out on Collin's blog than Elmo!

Some day

Some day I will figure out how to separate paragraphs so that all of the text isn't all bunched together. Doesn't make a top 10 list quite as much fun when it reads like a book-Oh well. I'll have to work on that in my spare time...oh! that's right, I don't have any!!!

Top 10

I saw this on Princesa Ava's Blog and had to post it...so true!!



Top Ten Ways You Know You Have Adopted Internationally:

10. The fact that there are 143 million children without a parent to kiss them goodnight has made you lose sleep.

9. You can't watch Adoption Stories on TLC without sobbing.

8.You spend free time surfing blogs about families who have experienced the blessing of adoption.

7. You have welcomed a social worker into the most private parts of your life.

6. You have no idea how you will afford to adopt but stepped out in faith anyway, knowing where God calls you, He will provide.

5. You are prepared to take an airplane ride half-way around the world and return with a child you just met.

4. You know what the word "Dossier" means, and you can actually pronounce it!

3. It drives you crazy when people ask you about your adopted child's "real" parents.

2. You realize DNA has little to do with love and family and that welcoming a child into your heart and family is one of the most important legacies you could ever leave on this earth.

1. You shudder when people say your child is so blessed/lucky that you adopted them, knowing full well you are the blessed/lucky one to have him or her in your life.

-Author Unknown

I'm a Big Boy Now

Sometimes I look at Collin and I am just amazed at how much he has changed. To me, he seems very advanced for his age. He can do amazing things that no other child can do. I am convinced he is brilliant-the next Einstein! In my world he is the most perfect and well-behaved child. SO DON"T BURST MY BUBBLE!!




Collin has mastered the shape sorter with no problems. Within a matter of a day he had it all figured out...I told you...BRILLIANT!







He has figured out how to climb into the chair at the desk and "work" on the computer. More like work on crashing it, but cute none the less. It is so funny how kids mimic what they see you doing.






We have also been working on the potty training. I will put on his big boy underpants when we are just hanging out. Of course, as soon as I said "cheese" he promptly peed his big boy pants! Doesn't seem to bother him one bit. This may take a while!!

BOYCOTT UNICEF

I know this is the time of year for Charitable Contribution Campaigns for a lot of people. Please check out this link and keep it in mind when deciding where to donate your hard earned money.
I also have a list of Guatemalan Charities on my sidebar, all of which I think are worthy of donations-if anyone cares :*)



http://www.petitiononline.com/saynotou/petition.html

We have a new President

And that is all I am going to say about that!