Quick Takes: The "Where Did December Go?" Edition

Seven snippets of life, in no particular order.

1. This month disappeared.
   Literally disappeared.  I suppose an unplanned week in the hospital can do that to you, along with a newborn and a Christmas tree farm and being up every 3 hours for the last four weeks to feed the tiny human that just entered the world.   
2. We loved Fleeht this year.
   Fleeht, our Elf on the Shelf, had a low key year.  Fleeht is "The Elf" spelled backwards.  In Alexander's newborn shoot, we added Fleeht for a few...and the image above made me laugh.  It did not make my husband laugh. He has fears of what Fleeht may be actually doing at night...and he thinks this image he found on the internet confirms it:
   
   I cannot confirm nor deny that.  But I do know we won't be watching The Shining again next year during Scary Movie Month on the farm.
3. I am ready for everyone to be 100%.
   Jonathan, after working literally every day since before Thanksgiving, finally came down with the flu last Sunday.  The boys worked through most of their colds before Christmas, though Alexander's tear ducts have been clogged (not pretty) and for the past few days, I have been dealing with remnants of the blood pressure issues from the hospital.  Most of today has been spent in bed.  Not the ideal way to spend your 5th anniversary...but I AM surrounded with all of my favorite guys, so I really can't complain. But it's an excellent lesson in not doing too much, and working slowly back into normal life.
4. We had a date night last night (Friday).
   It was so much fun.  Jonathan, Alexander and I went to The Rock and hit my favorite place, Costco, right afterwards. "Auntie Mo" came down for some time with her favorite little ninjas (Thomas and John Paul) and they had a great night watching movies, drinking cocoa, and learning Packers cheers, much to the chagrin of the boys' Seahawks-loving parents. Alexander slept for most of the time, and we had a quiet dinner, nearly 100% free from the iPhone.  :)
5. Everything takes so. much. longer.
   As evidenced by the fact that I started this blog post on Saturday and am picking it up right now on Tuesday, New Year's Day.  I am finding that I need to be laser-sharp in focus to get things done, as the three Wee Skis tend to draw my focus away consistently from anything else.  The need to compartmentalize and not waste time has never felt more important when I am up early to get things done or when everyone is down for a nap (and the angels are singing "hallelujah"!).  
6. Had my last newborn shoot of the year yesterday!
   So much fun to meet sweet Mr. Samuel, who was due two days after Alexander.  Perfect timing as his grandparents arrived the day before from the east coast, and while it was snowing like mad on the farm, it was crystal clear and beautiful in Gig Harbor, where we shot.  Cannot wait to unveil my favorites from the shoot!
7. Been re-focusing on some scrapbooking over the past few weeks.
   Doing my best to pull together a December Daily album (as I LOVED the one from 2010 and so regret missing 2011) and looking ahead to options to capture daily life in 2013 with the three boys.  At the same time -- keeping things very, very simple for my sanity.  :)