In a more Christmasy mood

Last night I was just exhausted. Probably because we've had a bad stretch of nights with Anne, who I think is getting more teeth (at least I hope that's the reason, because teething will eventually come to an end; if it's likely to be something else, please allow me to continue in my delusional state until further notice; many thanks). She's been up every 3-4 hours. Which, I know isn't *that* bad, it's just that we had gotten used to it being better. Isn't that always the way with children? Just when you think you've got a handle on everything...

At any rate, what I will say in the positive column is that when she does wake, we've got a slammin' system going. Mike gets up and changes her diaper (don't I have a wonderful husband?) and brings her to me in bed. Sometimes, like last night, each time he brings her to me she's wearing a new outfit. This means that either (a) pee or (b) poo had infiltrated the prior outfit. I lay her next to me and nurse her in the side lying position until she's full. Anne really isn't a "gentle" nurser. These days, I can tell she's tired when she's brought to our bed, but she doesn't just settle in and nurse calmly. There's lots of grabbing and pinching of skin going on. When she's done, she's good and sleepy, if still fidgety, so I pick her up and carry her back to her crib. When I put her down, she'll offer up a token objection, but lays right down and goes back to sleep. Watch, just because I wrote that, she'll sit up and howl now when I put her down starting tonight for the rest of ETERNITY.

Anyway, last night was one of those nights again, as was the one before, so I was pooped yesterday. I did get my gift sewing done, but I got no wrapping done. *panics*

But for whatever reason, this morning I feel better. I'm saying a St. Anne novena right now with my sister, so perhaps that has something to do with it. But I'm just feeling very happily Catholic today and looking forward to Christmas. After all, Christmas isn't about wrapping at all.

And I'll have close to 2 weeks home with my family over the holidays. The way the days fall this year works especially favorably with using my vacation days (depleted from my maternity leave) and so I'm getting a wonderful stretch off. We have plans to take the kids to the botanical gardens, Henry to a movie and to see some Christmas lights at a nearby Marian shrine. Lots of family togetherness. Life is good.

And speaking of good things, I posted yesterday that in 2012, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, known as the "Lily of the Mohawks" will be canonized. Thus, I decided to make her my blog patron for next year, and I couldn't be more pleased.