First, I'd like to say Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you got all the celebration, hugs, kisses and glasses of champagne that your little hearts could hold. Our eve was rather uneventful, if you don't count the M-80's going off at the end of our street. Seriously, I've never jumped so high off the couch.
Second, I'd like to say thank you for the Christmas gifts, cards and well-wishes. You all did more than enough - I'm looking at you, Mom - but we loved all the surprises and Jericho loves his new toys and clothes.
So, here's what's going on as of this very minute. Jericho is cruising. He's pulling up on the couch, the chair, his totes, the balcony door, his exersaucer, his highchair, his dad, his mom, the stove (not when it's on), the dining room chairs...you get the idea. He's moving. And he's also learning how to fall, which sometimes results in a puzzled look on his face, and me doing my best not to run to him to make sure he's ok. He's getting better at holding his balance and squatting to pick something up off the floor, but we have to help him remember to keep holding on with at least one hand. His first birthday is coming up soon, and I've been thinking of ideas for the perfect theme and location for this most memorable time. I have a friend who has volunteered to make his cake, and I've also talked Michael into letting his hair grow out so that he doesn't have a mohawk in his 1st-year portraits. As much as I love his hairstyle, I don't want it to be that permanent. Jericho also has two new upper teeth coming in, and they took their sweet time breaking through. We had a week of fussiness, runny nose and biting before he finally began sporting an 8-tooth grin. And when I say biting, I mean really biting...and I'm still breastfeeding. It can make you look at weaning in a whole new light.
Our Christmas vacation went well, but it was busy. We left Christmas Eve for Dublin, landing at 10:15 pm. I had booked a little bed & breakfast in the coastal town of Skerries for us for 5 days/4 nights, but looking back now I realized it was more of a guesthouse than a B&B. We were greeted with a warm welcome, some snacks and a room key. That's it. After that we were left to do as we pleased, and that was nice. Our hosts were wonderful and so friendly, and I'd stay there again if we ever needed to just get away, but I wish I'd booked a place closer to Dublin. We both agreed that, while we liked the house we stayed in, spending half our vacation budget on cabs to Temple Bar district isn't something we'd like to do again. We did take the bus a couple times before learning that Jericho doesn't do well with bus rides over half an hour long. And maybe the next trip will be closer to Spring or Fall instead of the middle of Winter. Nonetheless, it was memorable. The sights to see were simply breathtaking, and yes, Ireland is just as green as you'd imagine. Everyone was right - Irish people are the friendliest I've ever met, even if they do have funny hairstyles. So we didn't get to the Blarney Stone or the Guinness Brewery, and we didn't get to visit any castles or historic landmarks, but that's ok. I got some good pictures, and they're coming, I promise. It was time well spent. Michael and I had a good time just being our little 3-member family with JJ. He liked being away from work, the house and the neighbors, checking out cool pubs and restaurants, and finding the perfect gifts for family. I liked seeing a new part of the world, taking new pictures, meeting interesting and friendly people, and learning about their culture.
But I still love Paris more.
only a tad scattered
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