Back to work tomorrow for me.....

What a busy week we've had with Santa and all. We picked up Tim and Deb from the airport during the week after their trip to New York. Deb was pretty hapy because it snowed while they were there and that was what she really wanted to see while there. Also during the week Grandpa Traynor was in town until Christmas with a load going through to North Carolina. Christmas Eve we ventured over to La Cantera to get the girls photo with Santa. Unfortunately after lining up Amy was not having any part of a Santa photo. It was so strange because as we lined up she seemed all excited and even tried to walk up to Santa with the group of girls in front of us. But when it got to her turn she was clinging to me for dear life. Since I used to be that way myself when I was younger I wasn't going to force her to have a photo taken so she got some jingle bells from Santa and happily waved bye-bye to him from the safety of Aunty Deb's arms. Meanwhile Uncle Tim and Mummy had their photo taken with Santa. Last time we did that together I was 17 and heading off to Uni. So after our long morning at the shops and picking up last minute groceries we came home and decorated Christmas cookies that Grandma Mary-Ann had sent Amy. You can see from the photo that Amy did a great job decorating these. She must have because we left the cookies out and some milk for Santa and to Amy's surprise in the morning Santa had been!

Amy wasn't too sure what to make of it at first but Caitlyn seemed to enjoy herslef all morning. Although she did take a nap about half way through the present unwrapping. Everyone did really well with presents from Santa and family. The girls now have a complete playroom with furniture, storage and toys. Daddy Daycare will be in full swing starting tomorrow. The rest of the day Deb and I cooked the ham, turkey, sides and dessert for Christmas dinner. Needless to say with a 3lb turkey and 6lb ham you can imagine what we have been eating ever since Christmas day. The day after Christmas Deb and I went and had manicure/pedicures done and then went out for a coffee. In the afternoon we all went down town for a walk along the Riverwalk to see the Christmas lights. Uncle Tim also wanted to stop at Coyote Ugly and then Aunty Deb had some last minute shopping at Macy's before they had to leave. Tim went to visit the Alamo but it closed at 5:30. Good to know for the future - luckily he had been there before. So we all headed home for some Christmas left overs while Tim and Deb packed their bags for Fiji. We dropped them at the airport on Saturday and we all then came home for a nap. Tim rang from Dallas airport and told us they had a 2 hour delay in San Antonio but should still make it to LAX and onto Fiji in time. I'm assuming they did or we have heard from them again by now. Today has been a lazy day too as I have my last day before going back to work :-( Jerad and I have installed the car seat in Jerad's car so now both vehicles are equipped to take both girls wherever they need to go. This afternoon we may head out to the Christmas sales so that Jerad can spend his Christmas gift certificate.

5 sleeps 'til Santa comes

Where has the year gone? I can't believe it is only 5 more sleeps until Santa is here. It doesn't seem like it has been a year already. I also have only 1 week left of maternity leave! Monday was a busy day - a lady I used to work with in Australia was in San Antonio at a breast cancer conference so we picked up Dianne and started the morning with a late breakfast at Mimi's cafe. Of course we had to have the pumpkin spice pancakes :-) Then we went to La Cantera and did some Christmas shopping. It was a very cold day (especially for San Antonio) so the mall was pretty much empty. Made it much more pleasant to walk around. Tim and Deb then got back home late Monday night after their trip to Dallas. Unfortunately for Tim the Giants didn't win. Tuesday was pretty quiet for us around home but we did manage to go to Bobby J's for dinner. Amy was occupied there with her burger and for some reason a little plastic cup that she kept putting on her head and then letting it fall off kept her amused for days. Wednesday we had a make-up class at Little Gym, so Aunty Deb, Jane, Caitlyn and Amy went to that. While we were doing that Tim and Jerad went shopping for baseball gear. Wednesday and Thursday were more shopping days for us. You can see from the picture that Amy was all dressed up (sunglasses) and all ready to hit the shops and have her morning Starbucks to get her through the day! Friday we took Tim and Deb to the airport as they are headed to New York for the weekend. It seems from the weather reports that it is going to be very cold up there with snow/ice as well. I know Deb is looking forward to the snow but let's hope there isn't too much ice - not very nice to walk around in that. This weekend is going to quiet again for us and we are just avoiding the shops as their are LOTS of people doing last minute Christmas shopping. I figure we can go on Monday or Tuesday when they aren't as many people. Some of the furntiure has arrived that we ordered for the girls playroom so we'll concentrate on buying some pictures for the walls and other little accessories. We also found out that Grandpa Traynor has a load coming through San Antonio, so it will be fun to have him for Christmas with us all too.

Watch me on my Sit'N'Spin!

What a busy week we have had - so much so I am writing in the blog twice this week. For those observant readers, you will notice that I have updated the blog and added some features to the left hand side of the blog:

For some of us working out the time difference between San Antonio and elsewhere is sometimes a little tricky. So I have added a feature "Is it OK to call now". It shows the time and date in San Antonio and also the time and date of our friends and family in Australia and the UK. My brother Tim also told me that he and Deb also have a blog so I have added a link to their blog. Lastly I added a gadget whereby you can list yourself as a "Fan" of this blog (or follower). Just thought it may be interesting to see who keeps up to date with the Clay Clan.

Amy is still getting over her cold so we are all having a day at home today while Tim and Deb have gone up to Dallas. We were in the girls playroom this morning and Amy went and grabbed her Sit n Spin. She has had it for a few months and typically we need to sit her on there, hold her there and spin it for her. But not today......you'll see in the video that she has mastered spinning herself around and pressing the button so that the music plays.

Yesterday we all went to Little Gym and Amy had to show off her Aunt and Uncle to all the kids at the gym. She was having a great time showing them her forward rolls, hanging from the bars and using the balance beam. The funniest part was at the end with the good-bye song she was off playing with Uncle Tim when we all started singing the song and she started doing all of the actions for it then walks up to the middle of the red mat (in front of everyone), sits down with the instructor and shows everyone how to do the actions for the song. It was hilarious to sit and watch.

Anyway, just wanted to share more video and alert you all to some new features of the blog!

Uncle Tim and Aunty Deb arrive!!

On Sunday night we went to the airport to pick up Uncle Tim & Aunty Deb. They had had a LONG flight from Sydney, LA and Dallas. Monday they had a lazy day at home basically. I took Caitlyn for her 2 month check-up and also dropped by work to deliver some Christmas presents. Amy and I had made some gingerbread men and rumballs for my co-workers. Caitlyn is doing well, she now weighs 10lb 13oz and is 22in. She does have some dry skin and the doctor is concerned she may be a little allergic. So we have changed bath soap and lotion and we'll see how she does. Tuesday we took Tim and Deb around to the stores to pick up some Christmas bargains out at Alamo Ranch. Deb also had fun buying candy that she can't get back home in Australia. Luckily for Deb most of it contains peanuts so it sucks to be Tim!! (He is allergic)

Unfortunately this week we had a sick little Amy :-( Mummy has had the Vicks Vapor rub, suction bulb and tissues working overtime and went out and bought a humidifier for her room. It seems to have helped, but needless to say she skipped swimming this week. On Thursday night we all went out for dinner to Joe's Crab Shack and had so much food and leftovers - it was a fun night. Today was more shopping of course. Tomorrow is Little Gym and then we'll take Tim and Deb to pick up their rental car so they can head up to Dallas for the Giants game.

Little Miss Amy has had a real blast showing Tim and Deb around the place. You can see in the picture she has her Uncle Tim wrapped around her finger. She has also been helping Deb look through the different catalogues and plan our shopping days! I think she will miss them when they go to Dallas and then for their trip to NYC.

Well we'll just keep on counting those sleeps until Santa comes :-)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

This week certainly had its' ups and downs. We all had a nice day at the zoo again during the week and Amy seems to be enjoying herself more and more each time we go there. We also went and had our holiday photos taken and as always Amy looks the best in all the pictures. I really liked the girls having matching little red dresses!! After the photos is when the day went south. Mummy had stopped at Walgreens and not only did she lock the keys in the car.........but also the girls. I ran like a frantic woman into Walgreen's to call Jerad to come with the spare key (he is of course on the other side of town). He made it there in record time though. This is the first time I have ever locked keys in a car - so of course I top it off by locking the kids in there too! Amy was distressed over the incident, but a trip to Applebees with some chocolate milk and burger made her all better. Mummy of course had a beer.

Also during the week we had swimming and Little Gym. Amy did really well at swimming this week, especially with her kicking. Caitlyn attends for moral support too. Caitlyn is off to the doctors on Monday for her 2 month appointment. She must have gained another 3-4lbs at the rate she is growing (we'll find out soon). Yesterday Amy and I made gingerbread and today we are making rum balls. Today we are also just doing some housework as Tim and Deb arrive tonight. Not sure what we will do while they are here - we'll see what they feel like I guess. Jerad is off to play golf on this chilly morning and I need to go and the girls ready for the day. I'll post again soon.