The first Thanksgiving without the boys

I survived my first "family holiday" without the boys.

I only cried once.  If you just rolled your eyes, I would like to remind you that 1. I am pregnant and 2. I am a crybaby even when my hormones are at their most balanced.  So, one little breakdown in five days is an accomplishment to be celebrated.

Keeping busy was key.

Wednesday I left work early to finish shopping and cleaning and getting a pedicure (Jimmy insisted on the pedicure.  I kept saying, "no, I really need to clean," and he kept saying, "just go get a pedicure, and we'll knock the cleaning out together when I get home," and I finally said, "ok, since you've twisted my arm."  Voila: orange toes.)

I awoke at 7 am on Thanksgiving morning and cleaned the upstairs since we'd only managed to get through the downstairs the night before. (You'd think we live in absolute filth, but in fact we had a turkey fryer to assemble the night before.)

Jimmy was planning on frying a turkey (was that made obvious by the fact that we assembled a turkey fryer?), and I woke him every 15 minutes to ask whether I should start thawing it out.  (HELLO, DUDE, IT'S FROZEN AND PEOPLE WILL BE HERE AT 1!!!)  This annoyed him.

He finally got up just as I came out of our bathroom hauling a mop and a broom and glass cleaner and paper towels (I was kind of loudish).  

"Do you want me to start thawing out the turkey?"  I asked and giggled.  He made a "seriously? I just got out of bed" face and ignored me.  

He set about thawing the turkey (which was quite an involved process) and watching YouTube videos about how to fry a turkey while I made 32 desserts and sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes.  

He finally requested my assistance in reading the directions for starting the turkey fryer at 12:25 pm.  He got it started only to realize we needed a new propane tank.  (Can I just say that I was feeling vindicated for all of my annoying "GET UP, GET UP, GET UP!" behavior at that point?)

The turkey was an hour late, but it tasted great and the wait gave all the women a chance to sit around and gossip.  So, all was forgiven.

It was weird to have an all adult Thanksgiving, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Jimmy and I actually managed to make it to a movie after everyone left - where I checked my SportsCenter app 100 times through the previews because I was forced to go in the 4th quarter of the Cowboys game.  We won, so it was okay.  

We went to the movie theater with the smooshy leather recliners and saw Catching Fire.  Jimmy drank beer and bought me the biggest popcorn he could find.  It was fantastic.

We went home.  Jimmy went upstairs to shower.  I curled up on the couch and was alone for the first time that day.  That is when I cried my little eyes out missing my boys and feeling sorry for myself because next year it will be Christmas.  Vivi's first Christmas will be without her brothers.  I hate that so much.

Jimmy came downstairs and caught me crying and hugged me and built me a fire and made me laugh and cheered me up.

Friday we spent the day out of the house shopping and the evening cooking and playing a board game.

Saturday, we drove to the wrong location for the 3D sonogram and so had to reschedule it again.  Jimmy and I put up the Christmas tree and hung the stockings and put out "Red" (our Elf on the shelf).  Then my mom and I finally finished painting Vivi's room and bought her a swing.

Yesterday, we stayed firmly planted on the couch until 5 o'clock.  I was clearly cranky and couldn't even figure out why until I finally got my kids back at 6.  "Feel better now?" Jimmy asked as we drove home.

Oh, so that was what was wrong.  I was having mini withdrawal.  

When they got to the meeting spot, Silas ran around the truck and jumped into my arms, "MOMMY!!!" making me feel quite special.  Gavin grinned his sweet, sleepy, "hi mom" grin and melted my heart.

They were both filthy and exhausted and sick (as usual), but I was so so happy to have them home and to see their little expressions over the Christmas decor.

This morning it started as we came downstairs, "Mom, did Santa bring me lots of presents last night?!"

So, we'll be doing that every day for the next 23 days.

It's going to be a long month, but at least they will be at home when Santa finally does come and bring lots of presents -  and then I will only have them driving me nuts for 5 straight days to blame for being cranky.