Rearranging

From couch to tree...

From chairs to couch...

I think this is the earliest we've ever put up our tree. It was nice to not have any plans this weekend. We got the tree out, Christmas decorations, and moved the couch from the sitting area to the tv. We haven't had the couch with the tv since Pasadena. It's so cozy, I didn't know how much I missed it. I love moving furniture around, it feels nice and new. Baba doesn't like it so much because he does most of the lifting and likes things the way it is. Last year when we got the tree out, it was a gross pee yellow. This year it's worse, it looks like a puke brown. Before taking it out of the box, we had the same discussion we did last year. Should we even display it? What do we do with it? Should we get a real tree? A new tree? Spray paint it? Nah, just cover it up with lights and ornaments and hope no one notices. What will we do with our good old Jewish (white and blue) tree? It's our thing, our tradition, I can't imagine not having it. 

Pancake Breakfast

Baba and NJ made the pancakes while I sat and watched. How cute. The pancakes turned out very yummy! Much better than I make them. I love mornings that we can make food and eat together in our pj's. 

Thanksgiving

No traditional Thanksgiving feast here, just some chicken and corn soup for dinner. And that's ok because I am home. I'm sitting at the table with my two favorite boys to share a meal and it's good. I barely escaped the hospital with a late discharge last night. The doctor gave his ok around 6:30pm and I wasn't leaving there until about 9:00pm. I was so happy to take a nice shower and lay in my own bed. That was the best feeling and I slept great! Still some recovery needed, but it was fun to sit and watch NJ play with his new train set from his second cousin. He also got to open some other presents that people were nice enough to send or drop off (thank you!). He's one blessed little boy!

"Everybody sing happy birthday to me but me."

That is how it works, everyone sings except you when it's your birthday. He showed me his Lighting McQueen ring and said, "This is my ring from the cupcake." He got to pick them out at the store with Baba. I was so looking forward to home making some cupcakes or treats. This is the stuff I've been waiting for as a mom. Making treats for my son's class! Oh well, just another thing that I need to let go of. I did get to see him briefly again. I had to see him on his birthday! Baba brought him by for a bit. He had a lot to say as usual: "Why today you in this room?" (I'm out of Critical Care, thank goodness, less wires!)

"Why you still stay here all by yourself?"

"Get better so you can come home." 

On the way out, Baba got some sanitizer from the dispenser for him and NJ. He always pumps a lot of it. As the door closes I hear NJ, "You got it on my sweater!"

Baba says, "It's ok, it'll dry!"

NJ, "My sleeve is wet!"

Oh dear. I love him! We explained to him that his party will be postponed, but he'll get to have cupcakes with his preschool class. All he said was, "Ok." Oh my goodness, I don't know how we could have deserved such a pleasant, easy going, sweet child. Not a single tantrum or whining. All we ever have to do is explain and talk to him and he says, "Ok" to almost everything. I love the kind, generous, loving, sweet, considerate boy he's becoming. And just so I'll remember later on...

Things he says a lot now: Is that a good idea? - Am I big boy now? - Can I do that too? - Aww, I'm sorry. - Aww, that's not good - You want me to pray for you?

He asks question upon question when it comes to anything and everything. He wants to know why, how it works, why it does that, who does that, what it is, where is that, when... Sometimes he asks so much I lose track of what we're talking about. Sometimes I don't know how to answer him or what to say. I'm so happy for his curiosity though. He's good with memory and directions. He has an amazing memory. Sometimes I think he's making it up until he mentions something specific and then I realize that he's thinking of something so long ago. He still talks about the apartment we had when I was sick and how Ah-goo (my brother) took care of him. He always knows where to go if he knows where we're going. If we go a different way, he'll say no you go that way. Sometimes he'll say, "I want to go to that place." When I ask him where he'll say something like, "You go this way, then this way, then you go all the way and you go this way, then that way, then you keep going and then it's over there." He does the hand motions and you can tell he's totally visualizing everything. But I still don't know what he's talking about. Then he'll say something like that place that we went to with this person and we this and this. You remember that?! It's amazing what he knows and remembers and thinks about. I love seeing his mind working all the time. Pretty soon he's going to be too smart for us. He loves puzzles and he's good at them. I'm impressed that he has so many yet he puts them all together by himself effortlessly (almost). He's really good at matching and has picked up on my mom's iPad so quickly. Even though I'm not happy about him using one. She never even asked if it was ok! Well, those are grandparents for you, they always mean well. At least we know he's very well loved. He's extremely loved, I couldn't love him more if I had him myself. Thank you, God for my wonderful gift! 

"Please Baba, can I ride the jeep? It's my birthday tomorrow."

Baba had a hard time saying no when NJ asked to ride the jeep at the grocery store. He usually doesn't even ask, he must've been waiting for his perfect opportunity! Smart. He also said another couple of funny things that Baba told me about over the phone:

"Baba if you save your money, you can get a iPad too." (Acura Ah-ma has one) 

"Ah-ma (grandma) gave me two cars I want to share one with Gabby. Is that a good idea?"

Didn't get to see him again today, miss him so much!!

Visitors!

NJ came by for a few minutes. Kids under twelve are not permitted in the Critical Care, but they made an exception since he was my son. And as long as he only stayed for a short time. He was the sweetheart is always is, trying to gently hug me while covered by a big blanket and all kinds of wires. He said, "Miss you, Mama. Love you, hope you get better so you can come home." Awww, I really miss him! I can't stand being away from him. Uncle Dan and Auntie Becca were there too. NJ immediately gets on Auntie's lap and says, "Auntie Becca, can I come to your house?" He's been asking all the time since staying with them. How sweet. They all went to lunch at Portillo's... so jealous! It was nice to have my first visitors, though. I love a familiar face.