Olive you!

I have learned to be prepared as a mom of two young boys! The Heimlich Maneuver comes in handy! I've had to use it on Holden and Camden both. And when Holden was about two he put a pill bug in his nose. Luckily I was right there and he told me what he did. My quick thinking showed him how to hold one nostril and blow it out. He never did it again. Well Camden is proving to like shoving parts of olives up his nose. Yesterday we were eating green olives and Camden looked at me and said, "olive in nose mommy." Well my quick thinking showed him how to blow it out. He thought it was the coolest and blew it out and stuck it back in over and over. When we ate olives again later that night I was actually a little surprised when he did it again! He was jumping around with two pieces of olives in his nose. I was glad it wasn't a medical emergency. My sister once stuck a bean up her nose when she was quite young and my mom had to call the doctor to see how to get it out. It was a big ordeal.

Lately Holden and Camden have been pretty good buddies. They still have their moments of upsets though. I asked Holden today if he loves his brother and he said "yes". He has been a big help lately. He lets Camden try on his clothes and he helps his little brother with a lot of things. Camden put on a short and shirt outfit of Holden's all by himself one day. It was so cute! Holden has some new shirts and Camden has been asking to wear them. To my surprise Holden has been willing to share them. Holden likes having a playmate. This morning they were running around the house as usual and playing a sword game. When Camden got tired Holden begged him to keep playing. Holden plays with a neighbor boy we watch everyday after school. It gives him some extra excitement! And on weekends he has another friend he likes to visit. It gives me some one on one time with Camden or time alone when Camden is napping. It is working out nicely.

Holden and I have had a lot of time to talk about all sorts of things. Holden is changing so much. He has been getting into PBS nature shows since we don't have cable. I'm always amazed at the things he is learning and thinking about just by living life. He made me a picture one day with a sunshine and his name at the bottom just for the heck of it. He brought it to me in an envelope. I was so surprised. It was a day after a bad day I had. Right now we're learning how to get along indoors on these really short days. I've been so grateful for the sunny and warm weather breaks. Now today it is rainy and dreary. At least I am starting to feel more like myself and smiling again. But I am taking it easy for good measure. I still get pukey every night, but food is slowly starting to sound good again.

Well, I still have to write a Christmas email to friends and family; and I have no idea what to write! And gifts to buy for the kids. But it will be a simple Christmas. Cliff will be home for four days and he is ready for it. Despite any hardships or obstacles we are facing, we are very blessed indeed!