Coincidence?

It seems like I might go for a week or two without receiving any unfriendly, blog-related emails and comments, and then, as if in a brilliantly coordinated effort, I'll receive several unfriendly, blog-related emails and comments within a few days... It's not something that surprises me anymore (there seems to be a pattern, although not related to any particular subject that I post about), and very few of these emails and comments really affect me like they used to...but it still can wear me down, especially when my life is as busy as it has been recently.

I learned a while ago that it's not worth it to spend time and emotion and energy posting responses to the negative...and, while I may respond now and then in the comments sections, I usually just delete and forget, delete and forget.

Since I don't believe that anything is coincidental, and because this week is going to be a crazy one (with a "normal" work week, trying to finish the house, and taking a trip to NJ and back), I've decided that the recent barrage of negativity is a good sign that I should take the week off from blogging.

So, you might see one more fun post from me tonight, and then you probably won't hear from me again until after this coming weekend. Hopefully, when I do post again, it will be filled great news of a fun time with our NJ family and friends and a possible moving day before Christmas!

Thanks to all of my great readers...the VAST majority of whom are always positive and encouraging. I hope this post comes across as un-negatively as possible, because I feel very positive right now. :)

And, enjoy your week away from me!

Nate

House Update (Floors)

Here's a few pics of the flooring in the house...





We're pushing to have the flooring completed by this Wednesday...

Nate

Welcome Home Kisses

By far, the best part of my day...


Nate

Big News!!!

Gwyneth moves up a diaper size today!

Now, back to your otherwise boring lives...

Nate

Ho Ho Ho!

Yesterday, we took Gwyneth to visit Santa Clause...not some fat dude who drives a big rig 11 months out of the year and makes money at the mall posing as Santa during December...this guy was the real deal. He even knew that Gwyneth was a preemie, and he called her a "miracle baby"...how'd he know that unless he was the real Santa?

Waiting in line...

The anticipation builds...

In awe of Santa's winter wonderland...

The big moment!

This is the only good shot we got...after checking Santa out for about 5 seconds, Gwyneth turned her attention back to her left hand (see the first pic), which, obviously, is totally more interesting than the big man...

Nate

Working The Camera

Nate

Caption Winner

"I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus."

submitted by karis

And, I almost chose this one...

"Do you smell what I smell? Do you smell what I smell?" by goad7. Very funny.

BTW, I couldn't tell you why Gwyneth was actually making this face...it was there one moment and gone the next. She is very good at making some extremely emotional faces for no apparent reason.

Nate

A Few Quick Things

> Gwyneth is completely over her cold. The cough is gone, and her sinuses are clear.

> I am over my cold, but still have a cough. Also, my tonsils, which get swollen whenever I have allergy or sinus problems, as still swollen and hurting...so much so that I'm snoring loudly and having sleep apnea problems (which I have had before)...I'm sleeping in the guest bedroom so that Tricia can get enough sleep. I've have an appointment with a doctor who says he can remove my tonsils (something I've been trying to have done for several years).

> Ramon and I have been busy tiling the past few days...we're about 1/3 the way there, and hopefully we can start with the laminate hardwood flooring this week. Don, Tricia's dad, started on the electrical stuff tonight. We're pushing to get in by Christmas, but that will take a minor miracle, especially since...

> We're excited to go to NJ next week to see some friends and introduce Gwyneth to the mayhem that ensues when the Kirschner family gets together for Christmas!

> My parents are flying to FL tomorrow to visit with Terry and Sarah (my sister). I'm jealous.

> Tricia's mom is sick, maybe with the same crud that Gwyneth and I had.

> I finished Tricia's Christmas gift today! She'll love me lots.

Goodnight!

Nate

Write A Caption

This is Gwyneth, ready to go to the Christmas party last night.

Write a caption for the picture below and win a mention of your name and winning caption in a post if I think it's worthy enough (like that's anything super special...).

Nate

Christmas Party!

We had our annual Nags Head Church Christmas party tonight. We missed last year's party because we were in Durham, so it was great to be able to be there tonight. Here are a few pics...





Nate