Verterans Day With My Sunshine

I had such a beautiful day with Erika today! I thought I was going to be extra tired because she woke up every two hours last night but I ended up being okay. Not sure what was bothering her but I hope it is better tonight! I don't mind getting up like that when I don't have the pressure of work in the morning. But knowing I have to roll out of bed at 4:45 in the morning gets me a little concerned when Erika is on "the newborn schedule!" By 6:00am Erika was ready to get up...even if I wasn't. After a diaper change and a bottle she decided she wanted to get up and play so I went into the kitchen to clean up the dishes and make breakfast for Peter before he went to work. Erika was playing so quietly and independently that I became concerned as to what she could have gotten in to. But as I looked in on her, she was sitting in the toy container examining and removing each toy! Made me laugh so I had to grab my camera quick and take a picture. "Look Mommy...I can take out every single little toy that I own!" "While I am in here, do you mind getting me a juice?"
So then Daddy and Erika ate breakfast together. I had already eaten while I was cooking. I have still been giving her a jar of veggies and fruit at every sitting. Of course when she is not with me I am not doing that but what I have control over I do. Today she took her last dose of the anti biotic. She still sounds congested in her chest so we will wait and see how she does without the medication.

After breakfast Erika took a bath and I laid her down for a nap so that I could shower and get ready for our day. I had plans of heading to the mall to NY & Co because I had a 100.00 gift card from my friend Sharon still from my birthday. When I came out of the shower Erika was still up and I concluded that she wasn't taking a nap.

So I packed her up and we hit the road to spend my gift card! And guess what happened??

Yup...that's what happened, she fell asleep. Since she fell asleep within about two minutes of being in the car I decided to turn around and let her nap in her crib. She "naps out" all week and if I can provide her with her crib, then that is exactly what i want to do. So she slept for two hours and then had some lunch...and we hit the road again!

I had such a relaxing and nice time with Erika. We saw Santa and his workshop. This is the first year that Erika could really interact with him. At first she really wasn't too sure. He even came over to her and said hello but all she did was stare. Then we did my shopping and for the most part she did really well. I was able to get two sweaters, a zip up hooded jacket and three long sleeve shirts for under the sweaters...and I still have money left on the gift card! Then we went back and watched Santa with all the kids getting their picture taken. Not before too long, Erika was waving on her own and smiling at Santa! But I still don't think she is the type to sit on his lap.

Then as we were leaving there was this Santa express train ride that went in a circle on a track. We just watched it and then just out of curiosity I said to Erika "Do you want to go on there?" She said "yeah." I thought I was hearing things so I asked her about 5 or six more times and she kept saying the same thing. I had never heard her say that before. So the man operating the ride came over and asked if she was going on. He said I could go on too, but really I didn't want to so I tried Erika out. I thought she would panic being by herself but instead she was beyond proud of herself smiling at me each time the train passed me. She was the youngest on that ride and she did great.

All I can say is that it was one of those warm and fuzzy wuzzy days! I needed one of those too.