Savana Into Everything

What's this? A rare post by Señor Stroman? Yes, it is I—El Dorko! I need to post more, so I'll try to post more from my pea-sized brain in the future. How many times have I said that? Anyway, this post isn't about me, but about our dear Savana. I wanted to write down a couple experiences with this wonderful little girl so that they weren't forgotten.

Last Friday, Amber attended a class to make a large-format temple picture with frame and all. The class was from 7:00–9:00, so that meant I was to put the kids to bed and deal with Savana's bad bed habits (I do it pretty regularly). Before going to bed she is up and down, up and down about 5 times a night, on average. This night, however, I hadn't heard a peep from her in about 45 minutes. Could she have gone straight to sleep without getting up, pretending to need to go potty, or weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth? I looked down the hallway and noticed a light coming from under her door. Her nightstand lamp was on. Dang! So, I walked to her door and opened it to this scene: Her lamp was, indeed, turned on on the nightstand and the top drawer was open. Savvy stood next to her nightstand with her pajamas around her ankles, along with her pullups. In her left hand was an open tube of cortisone, and her right was covered with the stuff. Her butt was pink with paste as she looked up to me and stuttered quickly to explain herself, "I, I, I, need, uh, need the medicine so I don't get a rash." It was hilarious.

Today, I came home from work at the usual time to spend dinner with the family before Amber went to her workout class. We ate taco soup from Amber's soup swap and it was good. Amber left for her class as Savana, Dexter, and I laid on the kitchen floor laughing at each other. It was a good night. Anyway, duty called after dinner, so I headed to the bathroom before giving Savana a little cup of water and ice that she had asked me for. I did my business while I browsed on my iPhone, like all Stromans do (including Amber). Savvy interrupted me while I was finishing up to tell me that she was wet on the arms and stomach. I wondered how and why. She pointed me to the kitchen where I found a chair pulled up the fridge. An overflowing cup stood in the recess where the water dispenser is and water was trickling down the front of the fridge to join the large pool of water that now covered a large portion of the floor. In the middle of the pool was a soaking wet hand towel Savvy must have pulled off the stove to clean up the water. The disappointment was apparent in my voice as I told Savvy she had made a mess, and she burst into tears. My heart melted and we shared a good hug. We spent the next fifteen minutes soaking up the pool with towels.

Having Savana in our lives is a wonderful thing. We love you Savana.

2010...Really!?!

To cap the fabulous week we've had playing with family, we took off to the cabin with Sam's family for New Year's Eve. And no offense to the fam...but we had the lamest New Year's Eve party ever. We had fun playing games and eating yummy treats and watching movies...but 12:01 rolled around and we didn't even shout hooray or drink any bubbly!! We looked at our watches, said "Well, it's 12:01...Happy New Year" and strolled off to bed!! I guess when you're old and have young kids, you can't party too hard!! But even though New Year's Eve was...mmm...uneventful...we had a great weekend. Cozy fire, more yummy food, sledding, good books, and a great time with family. I was sad to see it all end and come back home far away from almost everybody.

Savy and I are enjoying the cabin in the best way...sitting by a nice warm fire, surrounded by those who love you the most, enjoying some good literature!! Thanks, everyone, who made our eleven days simply wonderful!!

And Here's Christmas

We ended up waking the kids up at 7:30, and then had to wait for my sister to get back, so we all gathered on my parents' bed and enjoyed Savy's first gift...Fancy Nancy's Splendiferous Christmas (every girl needs Fancy Nancy in their life) And these two chitlins in their matching jammies are the best gift I've ever gotten...I just want to squeeze them!! Once my sister got back, we gathered even more family (Celeste had her boys...so we had a full house...which makes for a crazy exciting Christmas morning), and trekked down the stairs to see the surprises Santa left for us!!

Dexter really didn't care what he got...but his toys were enjoyed by all the kids. (There is something about a toy making noises even a 7 year-old can't resist!)

Savy immediately wanted to paint on her easel and eat all her suckers...at least the one's Jack the dog left behind for her!

My sister, Shanda, is incredibly crafty and made this adorable apron and crayon-holder for church. Savy loves to help out in the kitchen, and now she can do so in style.

And Savy got spoiled even more by her Aunt Carrie. Not even 3, and she already has a pink 4-wheeler. Totally jealous.

Christmas was busy, and we ate a delicious breakfast at my parents' house and then headed up to the Stroman's again for dinner. It was simply wonderful being surrounded by family. That's the best part of Christmas. People who love you.

Christmas Eve

I still cannot believe Christmas is already over. The anticipation is the best part...I've been looking forward to Savy's reaction for quite sometime. And although she didn't jump up and down and scream like crazy...she was still excited about Christmas and all it entails. And plus, Christmas was great because we got to be around family. And my little sis talked me into staying around family for an extra week...so I had almost two weeks of no responsibility (no cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping) and almost two weeks of fun with the fam (puzzles, junk food, movies, sledding, games, and Patrick Jane). But don't worry, during those eleven days, Savy had a fever, cold, threw up, and forgot how to sleep through the night. And without my trusty man there to assist...I lost a lot of sleep!!

Christmas Eve we gathered at the Stroman's to kick it off. One present each. Then we trekked it over to Carol's house for Christmas Eve Dinner, a visit from Santa, and a fun present game.

Savy's showing off her bathtime baby.

I'm trying to make Dexter's toy truck work. It was his first truck...with I'm sure many more to come over the years.

Savy was surprisingly content to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. She was a little bit intimidated at first, but she warmed up to them after they read The Night Before Christmas. I don't recall what she asked Santa for Christmas that night...but she has been hoping for a baby sister (I guess a baby brother simply isn't cool enough). Luckily, Santa didn't deliver on that account ...yet.

The present exchange was great...Savy helped open presents and dutifully put the trash in the garbage bag...and Sam made out with this sweet gift. Yep. He's sporting a Snuggie. And not just any Snuggie. A BYU Cougar snuggie!! Go Cougars!!! (I got The Pretty Pretty Princess Game)

And we ended up at the Park house where we opened our Christmas Jammies, ate cookies, and tucked the little ones in bed. We are ready for Santa to come!!