What a Weekend...and a Holy Night

Our Christmas vacation began Saturday. Nolan's vacation lines right up with ours, so that worked out very nicely. However, it got off to a crazy start!

On Sunday morning while we were still in Lincoln at Grandma & Grandpa Curry's house, Parker choked while eating pineapple. Sadly, we aren't talking about a little choke and poof it came up. I immediately picked him up and once I soon discovered he wasn't making a cough sound, a cry sound, or ANY sound except some strange gurgle, I instantly took my First Aid training to action and began the heimlich maneuver for children over the age of 1. After a couple attempts, I realied it wasn't doing anything and the "gurgle" sound stopped and his stomach hardened...it became almost rock-like. I looked at him and panic quickly took over, for his lips were completely and utterly blue and kind of purplish. Even the "t-zone" of his face was blue and his veins were very noticable. I quickly flipped him over (belly side down) along my arm, sat down, and started the heimlich for infants with thrusting with the heel of my hand, while Brian was on the phone with 911. About the 4th thrust in (which seemed like forever), I felt something loosen and his stomach softened...Grandma reached in and grabbed the fruit that was now visible. I truly thought I was going to have to begin CPR at any moment because I honestly believe a few seconds more and he would have gone unconscience. It was, hands-down, the most frightening experience of my entire life and I'm so incredibly grateful that I've been trained on both of those life-saving skills. A must for any Mommy's & Daddy's. I had a very hard time sleeping that night & a hard time not hugging & kissing him all day. Poor Nolan witnessed the entire thing.

Today, Christmas Eve, Nolan lost his very first baby tooth. It struck me in a way that I hadn't quite anticipated...I was quite emotional over it. He actually pulled it out all by himself! He woke up very early this morning and kept telling us that "litwally, it was just barely hanging there!" When I asked him what literally even means, he told me, "that it really, really, is, Mommy!" Such a smart boy. He was so proud of himself and was grinning ear-to-ear! He's ecstatic that Santa Claus AND the Tooth Fairy are both arriving tonight! We're going to have several visitors in our house tonight (tonight is Mack's last night with us).

Back tracking a night, we gave the boys baths like normal last night and then had popcorn, drinks, and blankies along with a homemade ticket waiting for them to take them on a surprise drive to look at Christmas lights. I found this idea on Pinterest, and HAD to try it. I'm so glad that I did, because it was a HUGE hit! I believe this will now be a yearly tradition.

This weekend, also marked my one year anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer. I'm so thankful that it was caught and that I'm fortunate enough to be able to celebrate such anniversaries as crazy as that may sound. I cherish every single moment with my boys (even the completely chaotic ones) and Christmas Eve is one of my absolute favorite nights of the year. The true magic of the next 24 hours are beyond my wildest dreams and brings me so much joy and happiness. My cup runneth over...

Again, tonight is Mack's night in our house. Our elf comes back tomorrow because we like for him to see the boys open their gifts, etc. It also adds to the magically morning. He was so much fun again this year and Nolan loves him dearly. Parker was even excited to find him each day and chant, "Maa...Maa!!!"

Tonight, we had our annual scrumptious dinner as a family of 4, got Starbucks, and went to Our Lady of the Snow at The Shrine in Belleville. Nolan rode the camel and Parker MORE than enjoyed the animals. He was putting on quite a show by letting the goats lick him and then his belly laugh echoed through the tent.

                                                         
                                                          Sleep in heavenly peace...

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus..."