Here's something I wrote for Mom.me about my in-the-middle-of-the-night fears about baby #2.
Paul isn't online yet (as for as I know) so I don't think it will be spoiling anything for him if I talk about what we're getting him for Christmas. It's technically his third Christmas, but it's first where he actually understands what Santa, and presents, and a Christmas tree, and Baby Jaysus (his term) are. It's really fun--and by the way, I realize now how you get kids to get into religion. With tiny pieces of chocolate. Don't you think all the world's religions would be better if instead of focusing on which enemies to fight and whom to discriminate against, they were all based on a monthly calendars where you opened a little door and got a nice piece of chocolate? I think so.
Anyway, this is the first time we're actually buying Paul presents (don't worry, his grandparents made sure he was not totally bereft in years past.) Here are the first gifts we're getting Paul:
When I was little I dreamed of having a giant-sized stuffed animal, preferably one I could pretend to ride, like a horse or giraffe. So this is a little bit of wish fulfillment on my part. Also, when first looked at our house, one of the kids' rooms featured a giant bear like this and Paul threw himself at it and hugged it. He also did that this weekend when he spotted a giant bear at a Christmas party. So I hope he likes this guy too and gives him lots of hugs.
We went to a block party this summer and one of the neighbors owned one of these. It was hard convincing Paul it wasn't his for the playing with: I think he dragged it halfway down the block before we got it back to the owners. I was contemplating buying one anyway when my very generous friend Lisa, whose hand-me-downs have basically sustained Paul throughout his life, gave us her old one. I think in the winter if we clean it off it can be its own toy in the basement for him to put things in and push around and then in the summer it'll be great for the beach or the park or whatever. Maybe he can pull me around.
Paul met Santa last week and it pretty much destroyed me. He was so cute and shy and sweet about it, shaking Santa's hand at first and then eventually getting on his lap when he felt more comfortable. I suggested that he might want to ask Santa for either a truck or a choo-choo when he met him (because I believe in strict gender roles!! But mostly, that's what he likes that's easy to describe.) I forgot all about that conversation until Paul, in a tiny voice, informed Santa that he wanted a choo-choo, which Santa agreed to get him. Well, who am I to argue with Santa?
And that's all WE'RE getting him. Steve's mom has bought Paul some stuff but I don't know what it is yet, since it's wrapped and under the tree. Here are a few things I suggested the Mega-Santa, AKA my mom, might get Paul:
A tent:
This is another idea I'm stealing from the previous owners of the house, who had a little princess castle set up in their daughter's room. I think kids like having little spots just for themselves to read or hide or play. I'm trying to give Paul some more spots of his own in the house, and I think this would be nice for him to have in his bedroom or the play room.
Kid chair:
See above. While he has a little rocking chair in his room, Paul doesn't have a chair his size in either of the main hangout rooms, so I thought he might like his own place to sit to read or watch TV or hang out with us. I like the ones they carry at Pottery Barn but it kills me how expensive they are.
Animal park:
My friend Claire's daughter has a bunch of these animal toys and Paul loves taking them all down, piecemeal, when we go over to their house (and then I conveniently leave without remembering to help put them back.) Now when my friends come over their kids can repay me the same kindness.
Food cutting toy:
This is ostensibly to teach Paul how to cut food and help in the kitchen but secretly I just think this looks cool and I want to play with it.