A Change of Plans

Our Christmas jaunt to Seattle to be with my family did not go as planned.

We got up yesterday morning at 5:30 to head to the Newark airport, and as soon as I woke up I knew I did not feel right.  My back was all jacked up -- in addition to lower back pain, my upper back has started to get into the act, especially when I lean forward; I guess this is somehow related to my ribs expanding, and...OUCH -- and I felt a bit nauseous and my belly was all tight.  I figured I was just dehydrated and pounded some water while I hurried to get ready. 

By the time we got to New Jersey, the situation had not improved.  I was incredibly uncomfortable and starting to panic at the thought of being strapped into an airline seat at 35,000 feet for more than six hours while feeling that way.  I'd been to the doctor on Monday (the glucose drink, by the way, really does taste like that flat orange drink from McDonald's -- it was not something I'd want to have every day, but it wasn't truly horrifying), and she was fine with me traveling so long as I was feeling fine, but she said if I had any belly tightness on the flight or when we landed, I should go to the hospital to get checked out immediately upon arrival. Better to be safe, and all of that.

Being on the receiving end of cervical exams wasn't really on my list of Christmasy things to do in Seattle and I knew that getting on the plane while ALREADY feeling unwell was going to mean many stressy, miserable hours.  And, by the way, the lines at Newark were INSANE, and by the time we got even close to checking our bags (and that was after already checking in online the day before), it was clear we were going to have to perform some kind of Jedi mind trick on the TSA to get them to let us jump the MILES LONG security line, and even then we'd have to SPRINT for our plane.

It was one of those times when you have to make a major decision in a split second, and Joe and I had agreed days before that if I felt even the slightest bit off, we wouldn't fly because neither of us needs the mental anguish (he's always SO calm and SO reassuring when I am freaking out or, you know, getting cervical exams in L&D, but of course inside he's quickly growing an ulcer, inasmuch as this is his baby, too).  So while he was pushing us to check in and saying it would be fine, I said, you know, I just don't think I can do this.  I didn't feel well enough and I know myself well enough to know the mental anguish I would go through, worrying about the baby and the TIGHT BELLY and everything else.  And while it kills me to miss a big family Christmas, my eyes are on March and all it promises to bring us.  Which is absolutely everything.

So I had some weepy conversations with my mom and I am terribly disappointed about the whole thing, but I think it was the right thing to do.  I spent the day drinking buttloads of Evian and laying on the couch with my feet up, knowing I could call my doctor if I needed to, and everything seems to be back to normal.  The baby gave me some good rib-kicks to remind me that she's cool and happy with the calm day of non-travel.

And all is not lost, as my parents swiftly changed their travel plans and will be coming here on the 27th and staying with us through New Year's Day, so we still get some family time and game nights and a little holiday feasting.  Also, the two of us wrapped our gifts for each other yesterday and, lo and behold, we have quite a lot of presents to open even by ourselves.  So yay for that!  We'll be ok. 

And no one's flight to Seattle had to be diverted to Milwaukee because of a panicky pregnant woman.

To close, I posted this questionnaire last year, except I've made some changes.  In any event, I think it's a fun way to usher in the holiday.  I love hearing about people's Christmas traditions, so please steal it and post it on your site so I can come see how y'all celebrate!

Merry Christmas to all (even if you don't observe Christmas, I wish you a merry day!), and I'll be back in a couple days to trade notes about loot -- I can't wait to hear what was under your tree! 

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

I can't say with certainty that I have ever had egg nog, although I like the concept of it and I like egg nog lattes.  This year, obviously, egg nog is out, so I'll have to go with hot chocolate.  Although in practice I very seldom drink hot beverages because I'm thirsty 99% of the time, and only something nice and cold can help me with that. 

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Santa does neither.  Santa places unwrapped presents in the stockings, which are hung on the mantle (although if adults have stockings, then the gifts in them are wrapped; these days, we have gone to a kids-only stockings practice).  Larger gifts from Santa are placed in front of the hearth.  Gifts to and from family members -- which are distinct from those from Santa -- are wrapped and get placed under the tree on Christmas Eve, and then I arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing fashion while my mom says, "I thought we were cutting BACK this year!"  (EVERY YEAR.)   

3. Colored or white lights?

WHITE AND ONLY WHITE.  No exceptions.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

No. 

5. When do you put your decorations up?

It sort of varies; usually the first or second week in December.  I don't have much in the way of decorations other than the tree, the new Danish elf and carved Santa, and the angel chimes.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

I am a big fan of the turkey dinner with all the trimmings, especially the mashed potatoes and stuffing.  Starch.  STAAARCH!

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Oh, that's a tough one.  My parents did so much to make Christmas special that I pretty much remember each one distinctly, and it's hard to preference one over another.  I was just as enthusiastic about the life-sized Annie doll my mom made one year as I was about our surprise trip to Epcot another.  Mostly I love the memory of all the traditions we had, and the immense feeling of anticipation every Christmas Eve that kept me from getting to sleep and compelled me to wake everyone up at 5am on Christmas morning, just aching to run downstairs to see what awaited us all. 

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I don't remember how old I was, maybe fifth or sixth grade, but I think some kid at school was going around making fun of people who still believed in Santa (this had happened in third grade as well, but the kid was quickly shouted down; this time, there was enough of a critical mass in the other direction that the rumor sort of took), so I went home and asked my mom about it.  She said something along the lines of Santa being part of the spirit of Christmas and the magical feeling of the holiday, and even though there wasn't a man coming down the chimney, per se, we could still hold onto the wonder of Christmas no matter how old we got. 

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

NO.  NO NO NO NO NO.  It would lead to CHAOS.  And ANARCHY.  And the END OF DAYS.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

White lights, and lots of them; some plain metallic balls (hee); some lace angels; and a small but growing collection of ornaments we've gotten since we got married.  At some point I will have to bogart some of my childhood ornaments from my mom -- and of course make new ones with our kiddo -- because the tree needs a little handmade touch to look right.

11. Snow. Love it or dread it?

Love it!  Until it gets all sloshy and disgusting and filled with dog pee.

12. Can you ice skate?

I can stand up and move forward on skates, but I can't do anything fancy and I am generally guaranteed at least one dramatic fall on my kiester per ice skating outing.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

Again, it's hard to choose.  The adoption doll my mom made me, the Annie doll, an antique German dollhouse, the trip to Epcot, a bike, Breyer horses -- I got a lot of good loot growing up!  Never did get the puppy I always asked for, though...

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Getting together with family and remembering the spiritual significance of Christmas.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Just about anything involving pumpkin, although since I got married we usually have Carvel cake for dessert because Joe's AND my sister-in-law's birthdays are on Christmas Day!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I love sitting and looking at the tree, which sounds stupid and lame, but there it is.  I also like how we open presents:  we go around one by one, read the little clue that the giver puts on each gift and then open it.  It's very orderly and calm and makes the gift-opening last longer.  As a kid, I also loved sitting at the top of the stairs while my mom went down and plugged in the tree lights and my dad got dressed and my brother tried to squeeze in a little more sleep, and then we'd all go downstairs together and see what Santa brought, then we'd have a little snacky breakfast and then go sit by the tree to open all those gifts.  Again, it was all very orderly and ritualistic and I LOVED IT.

17. What tops your Christmas tree?

I haven't found just the right angel tree topper, so right now it's a star.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?

I love giving gifts, especially if I can pull off a great surprise or find something really perfect for someone.  I do like getting gifts, too, because I am lucky enough to have family and friends who are really good gift-picker-outers.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

It's hard to narrow down, but what pops to mind would be:  Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song"; Josh Groban's "O Holy Night" and "The First Noel" (shut up!); and Sarah McLachlan's "River."   

20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck?

Eh.  I'm not wild about peppermint.

21. What do you want for Christmas?

Nothing much in particular this year, I have to say, but I'm excited to see what I get nonetheless!

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?

We have a "holiday gathering" at work, which I usually try to avoid.  That's it.  I think it would be fun to host a little holiday something, but it's hard to schedule with people traveling for Christmas or whatever, so it hasn't happened.

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJs?

If we go to church, we wear decent clothes but not, like, ball gowns or anything, and then we pretty much RACE to get into sweats after that.  No one in my family really wears PJs in the technical sense.  There are no union suits or flannels or anything.  Also, when I was growing up I was always CONVINCED that the house would burn down or someone would break in and steal all of our Christmas gifts while we were at church.

24. Do you own a Santa hat?

Just one for the dog!  Hee.

25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?

My parents and usually my brother and his family (though this has been spotty in the past couple of years because of people moving and blah blah blah).  This year was supposed to be the big family Christmas we'd all been missing.  FAIL.

Comments

[Twangypearl]

Ah, such a pity you couldn't go to Seattle, after all. I wish you all the best for your relocated festivities, nonetheless.
Happy Christmas!

[Sarah]

Sorry to hear about your change of plans, but you made the right call. I chose to skip a flight early in one pregnancy because making it to our destination wasn't worth the worry it would cause to get there. Glad to hear your folks will come to you. See, your baby is already running things and she's not even here yet! Peace of mind is a very good gift to give yourself this year.

[Alyce]

I don't have anything near as exciting as pregnancy as an excuse to cancel trips that seem to be going awry, but I have often wished I could pull a last minute switcheroo. I hope it's OK that I say this now that you're home and feeling better. ;-)

I am so flummoxed by your not liking peppermint, that I can hardly concentrate on your other answers. No peppermint hot chocolate? So sad.

I've never had egg nog anything, though my husband is threatening me with it tonight.

Hope your (revised) holiday is Merry and Bright.

[Sue Ekkebus]

Meredith --- Your Mom told me about the beautiful photos on your blog! Oh how precious these will be to you all your life...and that sweet baby will LOVE "seeing" herself inside Mommy's tummy! So happy for y'all! Sue Ekkebus