It's beginning to look a lot like.....Christmas??? Already.

Christmas is huge. It is tied to many, many fabulous traditions and memories from my childhood. I love, love, love Christmas. Everything about it has me smitten for the occasion--sparkly lights, glitter, blown glass ornaments, Christmas carolers, Snow Villages, the angel collection, snow, cold weather to curl up under a blanket, candlelight service, Christmas carols. All of it. I. love. Christmas. We've lived here four years and the ornaments and beautiful Snow Villages that Chris and I have eagerly purchased in anticipation of our future Christmas' together have sat in their boxes, untouched. Let's face it. We have a crazy life. Crazy busy, crazy chaotic. We travel to spend Christmas with my family every year. It is our one holiday with them. I get so excited at just the thought of seeing my parent's BEEEAAUUTIFULLLL tree--entirely full of blown glass ornaments or Hallmark treasures with a TON of lights. It is gorgeous. The rest of the house is beautiful too, in all it's Christmas glory, but the tree is awesome. The part I love the most about the tree are the memories tied to each ornament. ANYWAY, back to my point. With our travel schedule, it hardly seemed worth it to put up the decor for two weeks of enjoyment. However, children change everything. Chris and I have worked hard to develop our traditions and memories as we have purchased our own Christmas decorations (many bought by me before there was an "us," but with the same dream). I looked forward to the day when I could pull out "Our First Christmas" ornament or "Baby's First Christmas" or our first Snow Village we bought when we were anticipating our life as a newly married couple. Sadly, these memories in boxes have stayed tucked away until now. I decided this was the year that we would get the full enjoyment from our tree. We'd have to start early, so this weekend was it. We pulled out the boxes upon boxes of decor, ordered Chinese food (our favorite) and Chris turned on some Christmas music. It was quite a production.Claire was in heaven. She did so well, handling every ornament (not many kid friendly ornaments as each one costs a pretty penny, but she was oh so gentle), occasionally bringing an especially sparkly one over to show Mya. She sweetly said, "See Mya? Christmas." It was perfect. It is done. The tree is up, our Snow Village collection is displayed (we actually forgot we had so many as we've never seen them displayed) and the stockings are hung with the garland. I couldn't be happier. The house is so beautiful and our Christmas tradition has been born. Oh yes, one more thing to remember...personally thank my Mom who kindly bought us not one but two of those singing Hallmark toys. Claire is a huge fan and is quickly learning exactly what the Santa is saying--"Remember the spirit of Christmas lasts all year long!!" Perhaps an appropriate thank you is bringing one of those toys with us to their house. Hmmmm....

9 Months

Claire is nine months old. She is such an active kid, always on the go. She no longer lays nicely when we change her diaper. It is quite the challenge. She is getting rather quick at crawling, so we have to move just as quickly to keep her out of where she doesn't belong--the fridge, cupboards, etc. Developmentally, she is right on track or maybe a bit advanced in our biased eyes. She crawls, pulls herself up, is beginning to move from one piece of furniture to another, mostly eats table food, and imitates us (both in the noises we make or actions--knocking on a door). When we hold her hands, she is beginning to take steps without much guidance. On Saturday, she made her first attempt to climb a step. Sadly, it ended with her sliding down. She has three teeth--two on the bottom, one on top with another coming in on top. Ten things we love about her: 1. her smile 2. her curiosity 3. the way she holds our hands or her own hands when she sleeps 4. her easy-goingness 5....

A post

You wanted it, you asked for it, so here it is. A post. Hopefully this post will satisfy all your desires. I am not writing about the apple of my eye, Claire, but of the other apple of my eye--reality tv. I love it! Right now I am getting my fill of Big Brother. I have even lured Chris into my dark place. He mostly watched last season because Dick was such a jerk, but Chris is hooked. He's a dedicated viewer once again this season. Sadly, he was a fan of Matty who was kicked off a few weeks ago. I don't think I have a favorite. I find them all to be so obnoxious, yet I watch. Go figure. I obviously need some more excitement in my life. Girls who wear butt showing shorts, screaming matches, verbal abuse, crazy eyes, back stabbing, boys running around in their colored tighty whiteys (if tighty whiteys are colored, are they still called tighty whiteys?)---all in one episode! It is a gold mine. My second can't miss show is Housewives of Orange County or New York City. I really ...

my workout playlist

I never dreamed I'd be listening/watching this when I worked out, but it is true. Here it is: photo courtesty of Laurieberkner.com I wouldn't have it any other way. My little healthy lifestyle journey is going well. I have exercised 7 days thus far which consists of treadmill activity and an ab workout every other day. I don't pressure myself to run everyday, but I have run 4 of the 7 days. I am quite proud of that. I have never been a runner or enjoyed running, but I have grown to like it. I used to say that I had exercise induced asthma! I think I did, but maybe I outgrew it? ha. Whatever the reason, I am finding it pretty easy to run and maintain a steady pace for no less than 20 minutes each time. Pretty impressive feat for a girl like me. Interestingly, I had planned to take today off, but didn't. I actually had the desire to run. Chris and I are both sticking to the eating plan as well. So far I am down about 4 pounds. Although 4 pounds is plenty, it ...

Constant Beginnings

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