Home For The Holidays

This year my tiny little family and I did Christmas at HOME for the first time ever.

TREE TRIMMING

My wonderfully amazing boyfriend got us a tree a little after Thanksgiving, the first time we have ever had a tree above 3 feet tall and it was real too!!! We took a family trip to the store to get all the tree trimmings and the following night we made the house festive with our purchases. The tot decorated our old 3ft fake tree as he wished.

CRAFTING

Story hour had a Popsicle stick ornament and holiday themed book, and he was happier than ever to paint for the first time.  Prince and I did all kinds of salt dough hand and foot ornament projects while jamming out to festive Christmas tunes. Since he loved painting so much off to target we went for some paints to decorate all his little feetie and hands he made family and friends. When your kid wakes up and says they want to do crafts that day, you can add that to the list of reasons why you love being a stay at home mom (pat on the back, mommy loves crafts)

FAMILY BONDING 

There was plenty of Bonding time over oodles of Christmas movies,complete with cuddles. The Grinch and Polar Express were the most viewed over the days to come before the BIG DAY. The Saturday before Christmas is tradition for Grammie and Pop's annual family Christmas party and the whole family had a blast. Christmas eve day was full of baking and music in preparation for Santa's arrival followed by a tasty steak dinner for the 3 of us. We are doing Christmas at my mother in law's tomorrow, my uncle is visiting from out of state Tuesday, and Christmas at my mom's Wednesday. All of these moments help you step back from everything else you may have going on and really see how beautifully blessed you are in this life.

CHRISTMAS

After our sweet angel settled in for the night on Christmas eve, my other half and I played elves. When all of our elf work was done we settled in on the couch with the tree lights on and watched movies before calling it a night. The baby was excited Christmas morning this year because he actually understands the holiday a little more this year than last and it was amazing seeing him tear through the paper and really appreciate each gift before moving on to the next package. We set up all his new toys and things and spent the entire day just enjoying one another. I made my first Christmas ham dinner, I've only made one other holiday meal before and that was Easter lamb. For the remainder of the night we just lazed around eating cookies watching Polar Express yet again, and reveling in the fabulous day we had. 

Hope everyone had a merry and blessed Christmas, I wish you all the happiness and health in the world

two years, does not seem possible

It doesn't seem possible that in Lee's than a month my wonderful dose and I will have a two year old.
Everything seems so new,like the day I had hi. Yet,it's hard to remember a time when he wasn't around.
How does time stand still and move so fast at the same time?
How does the day he was born feel like ten minutes ago and ten years ago all at once?

These past almost two years have been the absolute best years of my existence.
I have been given the greatest gift of love and pure joy. Motherhood, to the most amazing, intelligent,adorable, sweet,wild, adventurous,curious, perfect precious little boy.
When I looked into his wide, bright eyes for the first time I could not get over the feeling that he was an old soul full of wisdom with a certain spark of life and boy, was I right! Now my baby is no longer an infant. He's a big boy who talks and jumps,runs,plays,can say how he feels,who's messy and sweet, and who pushes his limits.

He is the light of my life, and this is just the beginning of a lifelong journey for the three of us.

GIRLLL.....YOU NEED TO EAT SOMETHING

Men prefer meat, dogs like bones, you need to eat a cheeseburger, you're too thin......just a few statements that drive me completely and utterly bonkers.

This whole body shaming business has gotten way out of hand, since when is it everyone's responsibility to tell you how your body should look? I would never in my life tell someone they needed to loose weight (unless they are family and it is a health risk) or that men prefer skinny women over thicker women. So I do, expect the same amount of respect back.

From now on I will not let anyone make me feel inferior for my lack of super sexy curves, I won't put on pounds to please anyone. I will be proud of my figure, after gaining 70 lbs during my pregnancy and losing all of it I should not be ashamed of how good I look and feel.

I have packed on the good ol' Lbs for someone before and let me tell you my body hated me for it at almost 140 in college, I felt like a stuffed sausage and my joints killed me. My body enjoys being less than 120 and I'm most certainly good with that. I have never felt so healthy in my life.

As for those who don't think I eat, ask anyone who truly knows me and they will tell you flat out about my love of food, especially carbs and sweets. I have always been able to eat like man and stay quite thin. My family called me twiggy growing up, and I had no problems shoveling all of my food into myself and then finishing all the plates of whoever I was eating with. AND NO I DO NOT VOMIT!!!


And as for the whole men preferring meat and dogs wanting bones. All men like something different and my man finds me to be quite beautiful no matter my size. Ladies lets aspire to have men like us for more than just our curves or lack there of. And if that saying is true, I feel bad for the men that feel solely that way because they could be missing out on the love of their life over a jean size. PATHETIC.

We as women need to stop body shaming one another, we are setting the wrong tone for how we want a man to view us. We were made as special gifts and should act accordingly. No matter your size, color, shape, background, etc. We as women should lift others up, so they can be their best woman, instead of driving each other into the dirt, to be the "perfect" image of what some "man" wants.

Week Two Plus A Few Of Thankfulness

I am a little behind in week two of giving thanks. I went to my grandparents for the weekend, where get this!!!! They have NO Internet at all or decent cell service. It was so nice to spend the time with them and disconnect.
 That is why they again get the spot for day 9. I love being able to go back to their house and stay in my old bed, in my old room, and feel like I'm 6 all over again.
 Day 10. I am so thankful for mine and my family's health, gram has had plenty of health issues and always will but she is a trooper. My son has never been sick (knock on wood) and the rest of my family, myself included are doing well in the health department.
Day 11. I can not express how thankful I truly am to be a stay at home mom. It brings myself and my child such joy to spend that time together.
Day 12. I am thankful that my wonderful spouse finally got the opportunity to deploy to Antarctica, I am also thankful it is only a month and it has flown by.(he'll be home in less than a week)
Day 13. I am thankful for the 3 years I was a caregiver at a nursing home. It has taught me so many wonderful things and I enjoyed helping those who need it.
Day 14. I am thankful for books, they have a book on just about any topic or interest, they open up so many windows for the imagination and can completely transport you to another world.
Day 15. I am thankful my almost 2 year old is just about potty trained, big boy undies...here we come!!
Day 16. I am thankful for my son's god parents and their families, such wonderful people to have in his life.
Day 17. I am thankful for pictures, memories and stories that people can share (my greatgrandparent's love story for example)
Day 18.I am thankful for my OB and the hospital I chose to have my son, they gave great care and helped out a lot when I started having issues.
Day 19. I am thankful for having the ability to exercise and keep in shape.
Day 20.I am thankful for being chosen to be a Godmother in just a few short months.

Story Hour A Learning Experience For The Both Of Us

Every Thursday Prince and I head down to the local library for story hour, which involves a few books and a craft at the end. I knew this was going to be a great learning experience for my toddler, but I never thought it would be such a big learning experience for myself.

Obviously it is great for him children ranging in ages from newborn to 5 (sometimes older if school is off), this gives him tons of social interaction with plenty of different children. He is home with me all day and it was about time he got around some other kids. Thankfully my child loves books so getting him there is never an issue, getting him to sit still is something totally different. His favorite part is craft time, he tries to emulate his older peers and does 3/4 of his craft independently. He is thriving from going I see such a difference in his social behavior and how much he is learning and picking up from the other kids, especially after the craft is over and they play in the toy corner.

What I didn't realize is how much I needed this experience when we first started about 4 weeks ago. Story hour has been teaching me patience like crazzyyyy. I see myself getting frazzled sometimes when he just won't sit still and insists on running all over, I've learned (for the most part) LET IT GO!! He is fine, let him be, just keep an eye on him, the whole point of this was for learning and fun....and that's exactly what he's doing. And the other moms, THEY ARE FANTASTIC....so encouraging and reassuring during those frazzled, anxiety filled moments where he just simply doesn't want to listen (normal for his age), asserting independence ( again, whole point of going) These moms and sometimes grandmothers are simply wonderful, I can't say it enough. The Librarian is amazing with the children and has never asked me to not have my child come back because of throwing a tantrum,she actually encourages us to keep coming, which I never would have expected.


 I have a great time just being around so many different moms, different ages, lifestyles, number of kids, stay at home, working in the home, working outside the home, strict parents, lax parents, even keel parents.
To us it doesn't matter about who breastfed or who didn't or what we let our kids do and eat and watch, it is about having a great outing with our sweet children and giving them the gift of early learning, making friendships, and hanging with other moms.

 I can honestly say we will continue going to story hour until it is time for preschool and maybe even pop in from time to time then as well. And I am so thankful for this wonderful experience with my child every Thursday as he makes his way to the car, joyfully talking about how much he loves his buddies, crafts, and books, at the library.

Christmas Time TO DO

This year I have a list of things I simply MUST (want) to do. Every year I make this list and it never seems to get done. I think the only thing that got crossed off in the last 2 years were Greeting Cards for the family.

TO DO:

1. make a gingerbread house
2. Bake as many Christmas cookies and treats as physically possible
3. Make Christmas decorations (felt ornaments, wreath, felt ginger people....things like that)
4. hand and footprint salt dough decorations of my sweet prince's hands and footsies.
5. Take tot to see Santa
6. Christmas Eve Mass
7. Make a delectable Christmas Brunch.
8. Get all of the shopping done before Christmas Eve ( I plan to internet shop this year)
9. Teach the kiddo the REAL story of Christmas ( lucky for me he's obsessed with the story of baby Jesus)
10. String cranberries
11. Drink tons of hot chocolate (marshmallows, peppermint sticks)
12. Get a TREE!!!!
13. Family photo (me, handsome, and tiny)
14. Photos of all of us with my grandparents and great grandmothers (baby's great grandparents and great great grandmothers)
15. Advent calendar
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST 16!!!!! RELAX AND ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS.



Aside from gift buying/giving, most of my plans consist of wonderful (in my opinion) memory making activities to look back on years from now. Family, memories, celebrating the birth of Jesus,spreading joy and cheer, is what the holiday spirit is all about. I refuse to let the commercialism and hustle and bustle prevent me from having a fantastic holiday season. What is on everyone else's to do list this year?

Week One Of Thankfulness

I don't normally do the whole whatever days of being thankful stuff, since I am thankful every day of the year, but with my other half not coming home until a couple days before Thanksgiving I thought it might be nice to remind myself in written form,and to keep me positive on the days I don't want to be.
 SOOOO here we go......

First I have to start with my grandparents, for without them I wouldn't have my wonderful mom and I would not be. They are my biggest fans, supporters, critics, and all around two of the most wonderful people I think this world has to offer. They have taught me so many wonderful things in life and have helped me through too many hard times to keep track of. They will always be my second home, always. They showed me that real love is possible and that I do deserve it. They have given me values and morals that we are now instilling in our own child. They are amazing.

Next, My lovely Mother who brought me into this world and has been such a strong and loving mother to my brother and I. She is truly a selfless being, and gives her time and energy to everyone. A woman who at times has wanted to cry but kept a cheerful personality and a warm smile upon her face. She has Been my best friend, my worst enemy (teenage years), the perfect grandparent to my wonderful son, and a great family member and friend to everyone that she knows. She is smart, resilient,forgiving, beautiful, tenderhearted, strong willed,and I am so thankful and grateful for her.

My super awesome brother, has the kindest most gentle soul of anybody I know, he loves his family and would do anything to make them feel safe. There was a time I wouldn't sleep in my own home (just couldn't do it), he helped me move out every single piece of furniture and helped paint so that I would feel more comfortable....he's that guy. I will always see him that way warm, gentle and protective.

Now onto my darling Christopher, who I could write a whole book on how thankful I am to have him in my life. He is the most amazing man in the world (I will always stand by that) The most perfect partner a woman could ask for and the most amazing father to our wonderful little boy. Did I mention he works his butt off so I can be a stay at home mom....super awesome points for that. He loves me unconditionally doesn't matter if I"m in a bad mood, look a mess, out of shape, or I have it all together and am dressed to the nines, hair and makeup done. I can't really say that I've had that in someone before, to love me so much for just being me.

My perfect, amazing, wonderful, fun smart, loving, super totally awesome cool son. You have changed my life in so many ways for the better. Everyday I am learning from you just as much if not more than you are from me. You and your daddy make me want to be a better woman every single day. You have given my life so much light and purpose. I love the little boy you are becoming and can't wait to see the man you will be someday. You completed my life the day I found out you were in my tummy. You have given me the greatest love in the world and I am thankful for you always.

My family and friends (who are like family) and all the wonderful new friends that Chris has introduced me too. What a splendid group of people who love to get together and do things.Who are there to help you in a bind. who treat our kid like he was their own. for laughter and fun. For watching good things happen in each other's lives. For the two fantastic people who are the prince's godparents and their families who are such a nice addition to ours. I am thankful for you everyday.

My Inlaws,are probably the best someone could wish for. They love me as if I were their own, and are so involved with our son. From meeting me in the hospital to hang out (false labor) to being their the day he was born and every day since then you rock...honestly you do.For letting us stay with you when Chris had to train for four months, thank you for being patient with your house being taken over by the two of us,we are so grateful to you for allowing us to stay.  To the aunts and uncles our son has on that side of the family, they are great and are so good with our little one.

so there you have it week one.....all of the wonderful people that I have in my life