ICE

FIL bought tickets to go see ICE at the National Harbor. It's an ice sculpture exhibit. It was a great idea in theory but we underestimated how effing cold it would be. Olivia didn't really enjoy it. She was just in a daze the entire time. We went through the entire thing in about 15 minutes. The best part was the train ride after. She loved that.

We walked around the Gaylord and had dinner there. I enjoyed that. It still felt like Christmas there. A visit to the hotel is definitely worth it for the holidays.

Happy New Years Eve Eve!

Baby with Babies

Thanks SIL!

Best Gift of All

I got the BEST Christmas present EVERRRR.

About a week and a half ago, Olivia slept in a poop diaper and woke up with a nasty rash. The best remedy for a diaper rash, is air - no diaper. So by default, I tried to potty train her. There were lots of accidents. Pee on the floor, in a chair, in my lap. But she finally has caught on and will now announce when it's time to go. She is rewarded 2 mini m&ms. Anyway, on Christmas, she POOPED in the potty!! This is a HUGEEE step in potty training. Never mind she hasn't gone in the potty since, but still! It was a very happy day in the Haus of Ho.

I took a picture of it but will refrain from sharing.

Yayyy, Olive!!

Merry Christmas!

Hope your day was full of cheer!

Christmas Eve

Hi family and friends!
Tis Christmas Eve! Hope you all had a great day.

Today was a day of laundry, cooking, visits from my brother and future SIL, wrapping presents, preparing the unwrapped gifts - like her now fully stocked kitchen.

Mr. Ho is slow bbq-ing pork shoulders for tomorrows dinner at the in-laws. Going to take all night but will be so yummy.

I remember when young, but old enough to know Santa did not exist, I prayed that maybe he did exist because I wanted a lot of presents! I've always wanted one of those crazy Christmas mornings where the entire room is practically filled with presents for everyone and waffles and other goodies flow from the kitchen. Gotta make this happen for Olivia.

But it's not all about the gifts! Being with loved ones and remembering Baby Jesus - MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

Success!

It took 3.5 hours. Wtf. Mr. Ho is my hero!

New Kitchen

Holy shit. Wish us luck.

Wrap it Up

OurWrappingPaperisAHo.com

Friday Colds

I was just telling Mr. Ho how he always gets sick but I never do. Jinxed myself on that one. I have the beginnings of a cold - sore throat, runny nose. I also have a very achy shoulder. The left one. Ever since Olivia was born - holding her, nursing her. It's never been the same. Olivia has a slight cold too but I think hers is teething related. Those suckers are really popping out of no where.

Hopefully, the cold will go away before Christmas. Can't believe it's next week! I think I'm done shopping. My mom sent me some pants and jacket that I already opened. Must exchange the pants. They fit kind of strange - really good in the legs but huge in the waist. If I can get my ish together, I'll post a picture. Love them.

Happy Friday, friends! Any weekend plans? I don't think we have any. Just football for Mr. Ho tomorrow morning. Maybe we'll make up a Little Gym class tomorrow.

Candy

First candy cane of life!!

Fear

I have this fear that I'm going to reveal that Santa doesn't exist to someone's (or my own) kid with a stupid, sarcastic comment.

Olivia

Gets the best packages.

Thanks BFFF! Can't wait to see her face Christmas morning!

Tysons

After going to Tysons Corner during Christmas, a drink is necessary.

Gifts

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Most are for other people. A few for Olive.

Cards

To be mailed!

Yes!!!

Got the first Christmas cards in the mail today!! My favorite!

Handy

This is why my daddy is my hero. He just does this without question or complaint. He knew these shelves have been sitting in the garage since August. Brother and husband have been leading me on about it's installation. But my dad comes int town and just does it.

He also knew I wanted to put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. And he did it.

I had a convo about this with my girlfriends. How we don't look to our significant others to do anything handy. We go to our dads. They Dont look it up On the internet. They just know! It must be a generational thing with the guys.

Love my dad!

Why I was Missing

It was a simple reason, really. Mr. Ho was in California for work and I did not announce it for fear of an internet stalker who would murder me in my own home. Whilst he was gone, I had to be the single parent. It was do-able but shitty. My in-laws are also visiting my SIL down under so I also had to answer their ever-ringing office line to schedule patient visits.

Side note: Sometimes my own anxiety makes me SMH. I had a random throbbing pain in my left arm. It was probably nothing but it made me think of how it can be a sign of a heart attack. Which led me to think, what if I had a heart attack and it was just me and Olivia at home? Which led me to think, what if I died in my sleep? Or what if I had an aneurysm and just died instantly? What would Olivia do? How long would it take for someone to notice? OMG, how long would she cry? She would be so lonely. So sad. So hungry. Would have a huge diaper. The thought of it right now makes me go into panic-mode.

ANYWAY. I am still living, praise be to God.

As soon as Mr. Ho returned, my parents drove up here for Thanksgiving. This was another whirlwind of taking them out and celebrating the holidays. It was a wonderful time.

Olivia is so cute these days. She has a got an ear for music. And she has picked up the words "cool" and "happy." Not necessarily in context, but in babbles.

I'm back! And ready for Christmas!! Hello, readers! I've missed you!

Cyber Monday

Did anyone get any good deals? I got a bunch of stuff off of toysrus.com for a few of Olive's friends, underarmour.com for some family members. And I did treat myself to 2 things from americanapparel.com: winter leggings and their large leather clutch in posh red. Yay!

Xmas already

With friends from Little Gym.