Stuff and stuff

We're already heading into Christmas week. I think I got everything done I wanted to despite the address screw-up with the gifts for my niece and nephew. Crystal and Jeremie recently moved. She texted me their new address to which I sent the gifts. As I am tracking the shipping, I noticed that UPS was saying that the address was incorrect. Turns out she sent me the wrong zip code (one which does not exist). This would have been fine and probably delivered had I not put down the wrong house number. Nice teamwork for us! I learned an important lesson: neither Target nor UPS can do anything once the package is sent out. They are powerless. They must just keep saying the package is undeliverable, and then somehow deliver it anyway. That's right, two of the three have gotten to the house despite the drama.

Bernie has to work on Christmas day this year, so we are not doing anything at our house to celebrate. Luckily, we have some nice friends here in Longmont who have invited us over to their house for dinner. And I have another excuse to bake.

Sir Bennett continues to grow up by the day. He is now usually standing and has taken a liking to climbing up the stairs. He took a spill today trying to get down. I have been trying to teach him that he needs to go backwards, but he insists on falling forward instead. We are still working on a real word (any word!) that connects to a concrete object or concept. Current contenders are: dog, eat, mama, or dada actually aimed at Bernie.

I don't know if I have mentioned that my son grinds his teeth. This is one of my least favorite habits, but I can usually deal with other people doing it (Sara may not agree). When it's Bennett, the feeling I get in the pit of my stomach is pure horror. I feel like digging a hole in which to live the rest of my life in silence. I just want him to stop, now. And please erase the memory from my brain. I checked out his teeth a couple of weeks ago and there seemed to be a chip. So we made a trip to the dentist (which is supposed to happen around this time anyway apparently). It was a kiddie dentist and a really nice office. Bennett was less then impressed. In fact, he screamed for the entire 30 second exam. The result was no chip and mom needs to stop overreacting. Teeth grinding is normal and he may do it more if I react. So I will try to ignore the most horrible sound I have ever heard.

We continue to make it to as many mom's group activities as possible, especially the play-dates. I hosted a cookie exchange last weekend which turned out to be more fun than I thought. We are even going out to lunch with a couple of mom/baby dyads. I offered to host a book club as well. There isn't one going right now and it would be nice to be able to discuss books I read with others who like books. I love Bernie very much, but he does not share my enthusiasm for the novel. His reading revolves mostly around sports.

Speaking of an outlet, I have been thinking about my viola lately. I took so many private lessons and put a lot of time into playing in the past. Then I just gave it up. I think I overextended any talent I may have had and simply burned myself out. I was never meant to be a music major, but I miss playing in an orchestra like mad. So I contacted someone to start private lessons again to get myself ready for a possible audition in the future. Hopefully that goes well and I don't want to throw the viola out the window after a couple of lessons. I had to fight that compulsion many times in college. I actually used to fantasize about breaking it over my knee. I think the pressure of solo playing was too much for me.

Phoenix is less than a month away! I am getting excited to check the area out, although wrangling Bennett on the airplane at this age is a bit daunting.

Hope everyone has a lovely holiday.