Santa Baby

We took Chloe to see Santa on Saturday.
We were wondering what her reaction would be. It wasn't bad. At first I thought I saw her bottom lip quiver. Thank goodness she realized she could grab his beard. I think that stopped any meltdown she may have had.
I can't believe it is her first Christmas already.




Merry Christmas to you and your families. I wish you all a joyful holiday and a wonderful New Year.

Baking Like There's No Tomorrow

I love to bake.

There is something soothing about putting on my apron and mixing and measuring and rolling and spooning. Not to mention that one of my favorite smells is freshly baked cookies or bread. Mmmmmmm....

I especially love to bake Christmas cookies.

This year I baked chocolate chip cookies, gooey butter cookies, snickers surprise cookies, peanut butter blossoms and holiday pretzel treats.


This year, instead of giving out gift certificates, I decided to give cookies. I think a homemade gift is more thoughtful. So, our neighbors, mail carrier, playgroup instructors and some of Keith's students got cookies in these adorable boxes I found.

I had a great time last weekend, baking my lil heart out. If only I didn't have to clean up after myself.

Do you bake for the holiday? What are your favorite things to make?

Our Week in Pictures

Playing in the leaves


My first attempt at homemade baby food... peas and sweet potatoes

Chloe's first bite of peas

Our Christmas tree

Our first outside Christmas lights

Little stocking stuffer

Just us

Just Another Day

Time is a funny thing.

I feel like my days go so quickly and so slowly all at the same time. It's weird.
When I am living my days, it feels like bedtime can't come quick enough. But, when Friday rolls around, I can't believe my week is almost over.

Does this make sense? Is it just me? Anyway.....

We are STILL in the midst of boxes. That's right. We've been living here for almost 2 months and I still have unpacked boxes. We don't have a single thing hung on the walls.

We have managed to put up our Christmas tree and Keith hung our outside lights this weekend. This is the first time we have had a home to hang outside lights! Very exciting! My mom always hung lights outside when we were little and there is just something magical about seeing your house lit up with Christmas lights.

Chloe is 6 months old. That means time for solids. I spent yesterday making baby food for her. I am going to start with peas and sweet potatoes. She has been having rice cereal since for about 3 weeks now. Yesterday she was introduced to peas. She took them really, really well. I was surprised. So, we'll eat peas for a week or so and then try sweet potatoes. I also found frozen squash that I plan on making soon.

I wanted to make Chloe's food since I am home and have the time. I learned yesterday that it is actually really simple to make the food. I would do it even if I was working, I think. AND, so much cheaper. The cheapest jar of baby food I have found around here is 38 cents per jar. I bought a bag of frozen peas for $1 and it yielded 26 servings of baby food! So, Keith and I figured we saved about $6-$7. The sweet potatoes cost a bit more since I bought fresh, but still a savings of about $3-$4. Plus, I have to admit it was kinda fun to make the food. It took me about an hour or so and I won't have to make any more for over a month.

Oh, did I mention that Chloe is 26.5 inches and weighs 17 lbs 5 oz? I am so thankful every time we go to the doctor and I learn that she is still growing so well. She is such a healthy little girl. And, she had 4 shots at her well baby visit and she didn't even cry for the first two! I'm not even that brave when I have shots. It was a proud moment for me.

I promise, promise, promise to try to post some pictures soon. I know I have been saying that for months now.
But, for now, I am going to enjoy the rest of Chloe's nap and treat myself to a hot cocoa.......

Smart Poo?

I swear my daughter has the smartest poo ever.

They always seem to know when she is wearing a white onesie. They take the opportunity to shoot up the back of her diaper and adhere to said white onesie.

Oh the joys of parenthood.

Mix and Match

Where does the time go?
I have had zero time for posting and reading my favorite blogs. I miss my bloggin' buddies.

Things are still hectic around here.

We are slowly but surely getting things unpacked and situated. Keith is going to work on putting up our bathroom cabinet this weekend. We have a pedistal sink, which looks nice, but not so nice for storage. Hence, the cabinet. I need to get our overwhelming pile of mail under control. I also need to go through Chloe's closet and box up the summer clothes and the items she has outgrown.

My MIL had back surgery on Tuesday. She is at home, recovering for the next 4 weeks. We are anxious to see her, so we are planning a trip on Sunday. We are praying for a quick, easy recovery for her. She isn't the type to sit around much, so the upcoming weeks are gonna be rough for her.

I have decided to get crafty. I'm going to attempt to paint a couple of canvases for Chloe's room. I'm also going to attempt to make a birthday present and a couple of Christmas presents. I'll show the finished products in a later post.

I'm also applying to be a breast milk donor. My friend, Beth, told me about this. She has donated her milk. I am in the middle of the application process right now. I really really really hope that I am able to do this. Breastmilk can be the difference between life and death in some cases.

I know that there are about 1,000 more things to post about.... another time. Right now, I am watching my daughter play and blow raspberries and I am just dying to join her.

Have a great weekend all!!!!

A few of my favorites....

These are a few of my latest favorite pictures of Chloe... taken over the last month or so....









Seems like I have only been taking pictures of Chloe, none of the house. Of course, that could be because we are still living out of boxes, after 3 weeks. I am completely slacking. But, with a daughter this sweet around, I just can't bring myself to work on unpacking all day.

I promise, pictures of the house to come.... I just won't promise when.