In contrast to the vent post, to prove we're not grinches 
What 'little' things are you grateful for this holiday season?
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So my kiddo's are pretty good at driving me crazy with all this time off, but this morning DS made me hot chocolate and brought it to me in bed, and then gave me 2 hugs before I left for work, too sweet.
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@josina: so thoughtful and independent! How old is your DS?
My FIL passed away this week after being sick most of his life (he was in hospice since Thanksgiving week) and MIL is feeling sad/lost. DD2 is 17m and has been SO sweet and loving toward MIL, giving her hugs and snuggles. She seems to sense that MaMaw needs some extra love
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@josina: that’s sweet!
I’m excited to celebrate DS2’s first Christmas. He’s just the happiest little baby and has brought so much joy to our family this year amidst some tough times.
DS1 is 4 and a lot of fun right now. He’s so excited about Christmas. I’m looking forward to a break from our school routine to do some fun things with him. We baked muffins the other day and he was so proud of himself for helping.
Holidays can be stressful dealing with all the family dynamics but I’m just focusing on the fact that there are lots of people who love my boys.
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@peachykeen: this made me tear up.
sending love to your family
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I got a call from my (deeply apologetic) MIL at 1pm yesterday informing me of a very last-minute family event that would be occurring at 3pm at DH's uncle's house (literally, it had been planned that day). We didn't have any major plans for the day, so we made it work.
It was SO NICE, exactly what I needed to get my holiday spirit back in place. Just family talking, hanging out, and eating good food while the babies played (DD and her cousin, who are within 3 months of each other). There were a few gifts, but that wasn't the focus of the night. The room was full of love and light and I'm so so happy we made the time.
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Thankful for our family's health. Last year DH had a badly broken leg and it was a rough 4 months. I also have a potentially serious health condition that is being monitored. So...life is too short for drama and we are drinking in all the sweet moments.
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Grateful that everyone is well aside from a small cold. And that my family gave us a little space and is OK with us celebrating at home instead of at their place. I've been wanting to have one holiday with just DH and the kids for years, and it's really kind of my parents to agree to that - in the past, my attempts to stay home only ended in drama.
Also very grateful that my awesome boss is letting me take a long maternity leave. She's the best. I don't know how to thank her, and the coworkers who are handling my work, enough!
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My husband has really been amazing with my stress and anxiety so I'm super thankful for him. I'm also super excited to watch E start to slowly understand Christmas
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I’m super excited to celebrate DS2’s first Christmas and to see all the excitement in DS1. He is 5 and this just seems like the most magical age for Christmas.
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While so much has gone "wrong" lately, I am always grateful for what does go "right" and for all that I have. Specifically today - While my kids have been tyrants since they woke (too much excitement for the next 48 hours, I suppose
), I am grateful that they are MY ill-behaving twosome and I have them in my life. Not to be forgotten, my DH has been spectacular today. He even allowed me to sleep in an hour and woke me with a back massage. For him, I am immeasurably grateful.
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@josina: Okkkkk to counteract my MIL vent on the other thread, she has woken up with DS (3) every morning of their trip so far so I could sleep in. I slept until 8 am three days in a row!!!!!! Needless to say that hasn’t happened in years.
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My two year old has his second ear infection after he was just cleared on Friday. But DH has the day off and took both the boys to the dr, grocery shopping, got meds, and got stuff for my stocking, without complaining so that I could have my planned girls day!
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I really have never been happier. Having two little girls is such a dream come true. Christmas with my almost-4-YO DD has been amazing. She’s so excited. It makes me happy that she’s more excited to see family than she is about her gifts. And it’s my 10-MO’s first Christmas, so it’ll be so much fun watching her chew on paper and bows (let’s face it, that’s pretty much all she’ll want). I can’t wait to have a house full of fun and love. Amazing food...and maybe a couple cocktails.
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My son is sick and it’s really easy to feel super dramatic, but candidly this is the most quality time I’ve had with him since our daughter was born. Counting my snuggles and my blessings.
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@peachykeen: I am so sorry for your family's loss! It is especially challenging to deal with at this time of year, but it does seem that little ones, even when they don't totally know what is going on, can be such a comfort at times like this.
This is the first year that my DD (3) is really excited about Christmas. She rode in the cart through Target the other day belting carols to all of the other shoppers (her current favorites are Feliz Navidad and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), and made so many people smile! I hope tomorrow lives up to her expectations!
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This is going to sound like a vent, but hear me out:
I am feeling the weight of the mental/emotional load which has been particularly prevalent while I am staying at home, bf, and attempting to potty train my 3 year old, feeling like I am not getting the support I need, feeling resentful, etc. So, my husband was like "hey, hey" last night and I basically lost it.
I told him that I feel insignificant right now as person and the only thing that was important about me was who I was/what I could do for other people. I explained the inequality in our relationship (as parents.) I was mad and I was cussing (I don't swear usually,) and instead of getting defensive or deflecting (not that he does usually,) he was empathetic and agreed with me that it's not fair. It meant a lot to me that he could see it. We had a good talk about it and discussed things we could both do.Anyway, part vent, but I am grateful that DH let me get all this off my chest without reservation.
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Chiming in because I'm the Grinch who started the other one! Today my very good friend and due date buddy went in for her 38 week appointment. She didn't text me back all day and I was distraught with worry thinking the worst. She's kind of high-risk and going for a vbac and ... radio silence. I was almost in tears. she finally texted at 5 saying everything's okay, she's admitted to the hospital and probably will be having her baby soon! I was so relieved I could have sobbed.
Also, I myself went in to L&D today because of a high blood pressure / swelling scare. All is good with baby although he has some fetal arrhythmia...?! they think it's the (kind of a lot of) caffeine I've been drinking so I'm cutting that out immediately. So some scares but looks like our 2 babies are ok -
A friends kid was just diagnosed with leukemia. Another friend just had her twins at 26 weeks. We’ve had a run of bad luck in our family but NOTHING that compares to what these families
are going through. I’m hugging my babies tight and being thankful for everything I have. And tbh,
I’m feeling a little guilty for all that I bought for Xmas. -
I'll post more later but getting to sign "mom and dad" on Christmas presents when for a year there we thought we might never have bio children..... one of the best things.
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I'm grateful I got to spend Christmas Eve with my parents and kids. And that we had brunch with my mom's whole family. It had been five years since we all got together at Christmas (when my grandparents passed). Also my parents give us a surprisingly generous and totally unexpected gift.
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Also I'm grateful I genuinely enjoy my whole family. I truly look forward to get together with my in-laws, cousins, parents and siblings (all except one but she's 2000 miles away and we don't talk). They're funny and smart and down to earth and supportive. 🤗
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Sorry, just getting back online to respond!
@peachykeen: he is 4. Definitely pushes my buttons most of the time but that was so sweet and thoughtful. Sorry about your FIL!
@smuckers: glad the last-minute plans were enjoyable!
@SweetCaroline: yes to that! My aunt was just diagnosed with non-hodkins lymphoma so definitely a wake up call to appreciate the little things!
@Kaohinani: awesome waking up to a back massage!
@wrkbrk: sleeping in is the best present!
@brownepiano: glad you could still have your girls day!
@lady baltimore: its so much fun to experience Christmas through the eyes of our kids!
@pachamama: aww, you’re no grinch! Glad both babies are ok and sorry for the extra worry! -
This is a little late but reading through this thread made me realize I need to write my in-laws a note because I’m very grateful they’re in my life. I’m going through a very hard time lately (my father died and I’m in the process of becoming my previously estranged mother’s full time caregiver) and they’ve been extremely supportive. I’m also a very reserved and emotionally cut off person and they’ve been very respectful of that. I’m very hard to read and when I feel emotional I just shut it down and it takes me a very long time to process things. And they haven’t pushed for details or try to constantly hug me (like everyone else, god I hate hugging). They’ve just offered what they know I need (unlimited babysitting, cash, and groceries, lol). I also met them when I was a teen and they had a huge impact on who I became as an adult.
Anyways, thanks for this thread. I’ll do some painting with my kids tomorrow and we’ll pen a nice long thank you note!
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I'm grateful for having basically a perfect Christmas. It was exactly like the Christmases I loved growing up as a kid, so it was awesome! We were supposed to host my MIL and her mom, but they ended up having car troubles and not being able to make it, so we celebrated Christmas just as our immediate family. The kids had so much fun, and Hubs really stepped up helping me cook dinner and playing with the kids. We played board games and just really had a low-key fun day. I LOVED it.
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I was able to bond with my cousins. It was nice. Food was delish. DD was a picture of gratitude except she wondered why she didn't get a unicorn. It was pretty hilarious when I told her it was probably because of the govt. shutdown. (Insert Trump joke she made up on her own...won't repeat it here.)
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@newlypregnantlady: sorry for the loss of your dad. Sounds like you have really great in laws! That is a great idea to write them a thank you!!
@Adira: Glad you had such a great Christmas! -
I had to come back and comment on this thread because I almost posted on the other grinch-y one before Christmas but got interrupted and I'm glad I did. DD had been acting like a lunatic before Christmas, which my parents (who are staying with us) do NOT tolerate well. However, starting the afternoon of Christmas Eve, DD turned into a complete angel and she and the rest of us got to have the perfect Christmas I've been working my ass off to create for everyone! (ps. now that I wrote this I'm sure she'll be tantrum queen tonight!
)
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I’m grateful I got to spend Christmas Eve with all my siblings, spouses, kids, and my parents. And that I actually really enjoy and want to spend time with all my siblings! We don’t all get together very often, and honestly when we do it’s pretty crazy because I’m one of five kids and we all have one or two kids by now. So it’s a ton of people- but we actually like each other. I prefer to stay home for Christmas but it’s worth it every few years to make the trip and be with everyone.
AND almost as important, I am grateful that no one on either side give us grief about seeing them more or get petty about who we see more often. Everyone gets that it’s hard to travel with kids and everyone does what works best for them. No guilt trips.
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Thankful that when I left for work this morning not feeling so great my 3yo gave me a kiss and hug and said he loved me. Best feeling in the world.
@peachykeen: So sorry about your FIL! Hugs to you and your family
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I taught my family how to use Duo instead of Skype. We got to chat and watch the kids play with their gifts on Christmas and they got to see my 4 year old open his birthday presents
No complex wiring setups for the webcam/TV/computer, just a phone and chromecast!My newly 4 year old has spent all week with me (potty training) and I've never gotten so many hugs and kisses from a happy boy.
Plus, he didn't ask for a PJ Masks cake, just a rainbow cake. Thank heavens. Then I got to make this!
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