Merry Christmas 2008!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009. Unless I end up going into the archives of my memory bank and posting general summaries of events from the past year(s) this should be the very first blog entry on record. I guess I'll now know what it's like to be published, sort of. That may have been worth something in 2008 but not now that it's '09. About time we turn the page in this household eh? What do you expect...we moved into a neighborhood in which the residents think microfiche is that crazy new technology and hip-hop is what happens when Mr. Davis gets his medication filled. Don't ask...



So 2008 ended with a flurry. Abby obliterated her third Christmas. She's really coming into her own with her gift unwrapping skills. There are definitely faster kids out there, but Abby is all about technique. Don't be mistaken and think it's a one song show. No, she picks her spots. She knows when to coast (flat rectangular boxes) and she knows when to hit the throttle (any glimpse of toy packaging, or any sight of D-O-R or A). Again, it's not about speed only, yes her arms are moving pretty quickly, like tiny fists of fury, but it's the swim move that's most entertaining. It's as if she learned the back stroke from Aaron Peirsol himself. Right arm tear, full extension backward toss, left arm tear, full extension backward toss, repeat...very fun to watch.



Yes, Abby certainly got plenty of chances to hone her gift wrap shredding this Christmas season. We were lucky enough to have many Christmas gatherings this time around. December 19th at Grandma and Grandpa Brett's house. Abby got to open gifts with her cousins Braydon, Kaylin and Carter. I think she liked Carter's gifts best because she got to open almost all of them. Then she showed off her modesty when she asked us if we were happy that she was sharing Carter's presents with him. She must get her modesty from me. This was an even year, so this early celebration was necessary because Stacey and Mark and the kids were headed to Canadia (I know it's spelled wrong, but it's more fun to say that way) to spend Christmas with Mark's side. It was a great night, the first of many late nights to follow.

I can't go any further without mentioning that Bailey's presence was sorely missed. Our favorite pup was no doubt watching over us while taking down a "frosty paws" somewhere beyond those pearly gates. We love and miss you girl.



I do have to mention that work sucked blue chunks the last two weeks of the year. Calling on colleges that are closed, waste of time. At least I had the annual Christmas football game to look forward to. Thanks to my lovely wife for allowing me to play, and by "play" I mean shine. I, of course, had a superb team picked. If not for a freak appendicitis attack less than 48 hours before game time within the abdomen of my #1 pick (first overall), Jon Nuss, we would have fared much better. Anyway, details aside, we got smoked by the Konrad led Seth Eagles, gross. On a slight side note, should anyone find themselves very winded, breathing in sub-zero air, nauseous, and with what feels like frozen limbs, try taking a few puffs off a propane gas sunflower heater...two words: game on!



While I was off pretending to be 13, err wait, we could drive, 16 years old, Anna and Abbers were at home baking a birthday cake for Baby Jesus. Not sure why it was for Baby Jesus and not grown-up Jesus, but nonetheless it was cute. I made it back in time for the decorating, what else but red and green sprinkles on top of chocolate icing? I also made it back in time to catch the end of Anna and Abby's Rob and Big marathon. I can't wait to explain, at parent teacher conferences, why my daughter DOES, in fact, have ambition even tho if you ask her, "What you want to be when you grow up?" all she says is, "Big."



Later that night we congregated at my mom and dad's again for our traditional Christmas Eve celebration. So far, in Abby's short life, she's been seated at the grown ups' table three times. This would mark my 30th Christmas and first trip to said grown ups' table. It is probably worth noting that my mom, dad, Aunt Rock and Uncle Mike conspired (is the only word that seems to fit) to sit at what would normally be labeled the kids' table and in one fell swoop, my call up to the bigs was met with a hefty boot to the kisser, sending me back down to rookie ball. So, who's counting? I am, Abby - 2, AB - 0. Whatever, she still can't hit my fastball.



Directly following dinner was present opening #2. Funny how it took Abby two and a half years to figure out that the sooner the dishes get cleared, the sooner we can open presents. I was 12 before I caught on to that phenomenon. This session of gift wrap thrashing included the hit of Christmas '08, Super Baybeees, Goo Goo! The Super Babies have gone almost everywhere with Abby since that night. They've even edged out Baby Jaguar and "that guy" the Lamb in her crib. Bravo Mom and Dad, bravo! We again had a great time joking, laughing and reminiscing with everyone. Even Aunt Nita and Collin made the trip from Colorado, which seems to now be a tradition on its own, we hope!


We took a groggy Abber Dabbers home for nigh-night and to wait for Santa to come. But, not before we left some cookies and milk for the large guy ("the big guy" is God in our house) and a few carrots for Rudolph and his buddies (this was one of the cuter moments of this Christmas). Abby is dead-arse tired putting cookies and carrots on a special red Santa plate, but priorities are priorities and she's a strong-willed toddler. I think I heard her say, "Mommy, we gotta do work!"


Well, Santa came and he brought presents. But, he didn't eat all of the cookies. So, consequently when we asked Abbers if Santa ate the cookies she left, she said, "No." I'm now realizing we may be too hard on her when we say, "She hasn't eaten a thing" or "She didn't eat anything for lunch." Sorry sweetie, Mommy and Daddy don't want to be all or nuthin type of people. So, Santa brought exactly what Abby asked for, a Dora doll and...wait for it...Dora underwear. It's truly Christmas magic to see genuine excitement on the face of a two year old when they unwrap a package of undies. Gift opening #3 was later followed by #4, gifts from us. Nothing was a huge hit, how can you beat Super Babies and Dora drawers anyway?


Later that morning we headed down to Mankato for Christmas with Grandma Barb and Grandpa Fred and the rest of the Polzin clan. We went to Elysian first to check out the progress on the starter castle (I have to give credit to my dad for that label). Almost all the sheetrock hung, ceiling knocked down, mill work and first coat of paint done in the upstairs, tile in one of the bathrooms, really coming together now. We all wrote our names on the fireplace wall and posed for a picture in front of it, oh yeah, Super Babies included. Then to Mankato for food, stockings, and gift opening #5 and #6 for Abber Dabber Doo.



Santa managed to find Abby at Grandma Barb and Grandpa Fred's house too. A stuffed stocking and more presents to pillage. Then a nap, dinner and more treasures to unravel. It was no more apparent to me than this Christmas how lucky our little girl is! Sometimes I think you could use a richter scale to measure the love for our Abigail. It's overwhelming at times. Wow, how we are blessed.



Two hours and 20 minutes. That's the answer to, "How long did it take me to write my first ever entry?" Hell, I haven't made it to New Year's yet and it's Jan 5th, no wait 6th, I better get going. 2009 is the year of Fitness for Anna and I. More to come on that...