Ryan James O'Sullivan

Merry Christmas to all!

Typically busy Christmas Day here in O’Sullivan land. I’ll have full loot links, etc tomorrow

*This was supposed to publish on December 28th – stupid Publish On function didn’t work*

I took last week off of work and as I write this I’m mentally preparing for the return to work and reflecting on the week and the great Christmas we had with the family this past week.

I decided to take the Christmas week off for two reasons: The first is that I’ve been working in the retail industry now for a few years and taking time off at Christmas in the past was completely out of the question – it just felt good to do it because now I’m so deep in the business process end of things I was able to escape for a few days. Second we are waiting for Paige’s health care provider to start (we had to wait until January 5th) and I needed to take a turn watching her (thanks to my grandparents and parents for also taking some time to watch Paige!).

Needless to say starting the vacation off by spending more time with Paige was awesome. I get very little time alone with just Paige and I together because Tammy is usually around. So the opportunity for some one on one bonding time was fantastic. Spending time with Paige really made me step back and realize what is important in life. Seeing her day by day growth up close and personal, not missing a thing was something that was worth all the vacation days in the world.

The mid to later portion of the week was spent in the family craziness of Christmas. I’ve wrote in past years in great detail about our many traditions that start with dinner on Christmas Eve at my grand parents place and go right on through to the Saturday that follows Christmas at my parents place for a take out food night (Swiss Chalet and Chinese this year – I know an odd tradition, but a goody).

Christmas itself was great. Tammy and I held back on getting gifts for ourselves this year to focus on getting gifts for Paige – we really spoiled her. Paige was also spoiled by both my parents and grandparents. She did well. My parents and grandparents also provided the ol’ hook up to Tammy and I as well! This is what our living room looked like after we got home and got all the presents in the house:

Gift highlights for me: Exercise bike (I need to get back in to shape and finish up the last mile of my knee rehab), Tivo (which Tammy and I picked up using gift cards Jessica got us!), Godfather DVD box set + Wire seasons = TV win, and a bunch more goodies.

We had a great Christmas and the time we spent together as a family was great. This was Paige’s first real Christmas (she was weeks old last time around) and she really had a blast this year (although by the time Christmas day with all its tradition and busyness was over she was ready to crash). I know each and every Christmas with Paige going forward will be more and more interesting and fun but this was for sure a great start – especially starting the week off with her.

I look forward to many more…

I just wanted to put up a quick Happy Holidays to everyone before I get knee deep in family over the next few days.

Be safe and be sure to enjoy the time with your family.

My Christmas this year can be summed up very easily:

Paige and I!

And as a bonus, look at how much she’s grown since last year:

Paige and I!

I swear I’m not dead! I’ve been getting my ass kicked from all directions in the last few weeks so free time has been very limited.

I had Paige’s first birthday to plan and execute (and enjoy) and right after that I had my final test and final exam for my Economics class back to back.

All of this of course while the usual Christmas ramp up was taking place. Work Christmas parties, entertaining, being entertained, etc, etc. In the next seven days four are booked with Christmas related goodness.

There is hope on the horizon however as this is my last week at work and then I have Christmas week off. Having been in the retail game for many years now thinking of taking a Christmas off was unthinkable in the past but I’m happily so berried in the operations side of the business now I can actually swing Christmas time off – which let me say rocks! It means I’ll have three days alone with Paige (Tammy is back at work this coming week) which I’m really looking forward to!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

This has been a particularly great Christmas for us (thank you Paige!) and I wish all the best to everyone.

I’ll have my lootz post in a day or so once I get enough Paige time in

Tomorrow its futureshop for boxing day madness… Trying to get me a 22 inch wide screen monitor \o/