Santa Brought a Tricycle!

If you close your eyes and think reeeallly hard about the classic toddler Christmas gift, what do you think of? Because I know I think of a shiny red Radio Flyer tricycle! And when Santa brought this baby to Grandma's house for Christmas Round 2, Little S. couldn't have been more excited! I'm so glad Santa was mindful that we have another baby on the way, because he brought the red instead of pink, which means we can reuse, no matter what!

love at first sight

trying it on for size

unsure about riding in the living room

so we took it for a spin in the empty school parking lot

and grandma helped a bit!

serious concentration... right foot, left foot, right foot, left foot

success!

Christmas!

Upon walking to the guest house at 3:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, I said to my mother, "I don't think I have what it takes to be a parent on Christmas Eve. Can we say EXHAUSTION? And I had all of my presents wrapped! I just joined the family assembly line to get everything else together and ended up with 4 hours of very interrupted sleep. 

That's one of the pregnancy luxuries I do NOT enjoy. Peeing five to seven times a night is damaging to sleeping habits.

My dad and mom watching Little S. make cookies with my aunt and cousin-

 Christmas morning - Little S. was armed with "Poodle" and her milk.

Greeting her cousins in the overflowing with gifts living room!

Little S. watched intently while she felt out how the gift-opening process was going to work.

Family photo!

The first gift of Christmas!

It was Hello Kitty jams from Gigi and Pop!

 And she put them on right away!

A Buzz Lightyear lunchbox from Pop! Sweet!

 

It's filled with Spiderman stickers!!!

Yes, my kid is awesome.

On the Farm ... Sorta

We had Christmas in Hampstead, NC, at my uncle's house. He lives right outside of town, but has a huge lot of land, goats that live in the field behind his house, and random sheds and gardens throughout his property. My mom and I took advantage of one of the sheds that had old rusted farm tools around it for Friday afternoon photos.

dress: Old Navy

boots: Soda/Shoe Department

And this is my beautiful momma...

My very best friend.

She wasn't too pleased when I made her cheese with me on Christmas morning, but I think the photo turned out really cute! Everyone was making fun of me for wearing lipstick to open gifts. My mom gave it to me the night before and I promise I just thought it was a lightly tinted chapstick. I didn't even look in the mirror before leaving the guest house and voila! The photo tells the truth. Coral on Christmas day, anyone?

My Christmas Wish List

I usually share a Christmas list around Thanksgiving, but I honestly couldn't think of anything I really needed this year. There are so many home projects I want to work on with things that we already have. Then I got to thinking... 

1, 2, 3, 4

5, 6, 7, 8

9, 10, 11, 12

... and it sure is fun to want things you don't need sometimes. My brown boots are looking pretty sad. And I think we only have about 4 matching glasses in our cup cabinet. 

Christmas Warmth

There's nothing like red plaid to ring in the holiday season. Lucky for me, HappyScarf.com not only has festive choices, but hundreds of others, too! This baby was in the New Arrivals section and HappyScarf is offering 20% off of all new arrivals through Christmas! Sweet deal! 

I knew that after a busy weekend and taking care of a sick baby for days, I needed a really laid back outfit to go to a quick dinner on Sunday night. I'm not usually one for the pre-ripped denim look, but I love how these fit, so I made do. With a simple black top, I knew I needed something to make the outfit special. This Classic Plaid Red scarf brought warmth to the chilly night and reminded me that Christmas is less than two short weeks away!

top: Old Navy

cami: Rue 21

jeans: Old Navy

oxfords: from Rochelle

bag: Dama Handbags, won from TFD giveaway

scarf: c/o HappyScarf.com

I don't think I'm going to be going anywhere without this red bag all winter. I dare say I'm in love with it. Is there one accessory you can't walk out of the house without this season?

Party, Party, Party!

I felt like Cinderella. In May, I gave up getting "dressed" for the office in order to live in sweats and yoga pants for a nanny position that is segueing me into the life I've always dreamed of - being a SAHM. But when I received an invitation to my boss' yearly Christmas cocktail party, I knew it was my chance to finally get glammed up after such a long time of losing my identity behind the bulk of too big t-shirts. I'd been on the search for the perfect long-sleeved black shift dress, preferably with lace detailing, and on Friday, I still hadn't found the perfect frock. Instead of giving up and wearing something I already owned, I bought a dress at Kohl's that was just okay. Then, it hit me. Hello... I never shop at department stores, so I should probably just try it this once. JCPenny was the jackpot! I found my perfect dress and was able to return the mediocre one. Getting dressed up in the cocktail dress of my dreams, doing my hair and make-up, and wearing ridiculous shoes that made me want to cry was SO.MUCH.FUN!

dress: R&K from JCPenny

shoes: Mossimo from Target

bag: Dama Handbags, won from TFD giveaway

 face make-up: Dinair Airbrush kit + Bare Minerals 

eyeshadow: e.l.f. Studio palette 

mascara: L'Oreal Million Lashes

lipstick: Jet Setter by Rimmel

My brother caught a picture of me telling the dog to back it up out of my photo sesh. Although I look like a bossy brat, this is the only good picture of my silver and black eyeshadow, so in place of fear that you'll think I'm a yeller, I'll spare myself and imagine you really just wanted to see my make-up.

And just like Cinderella, I had a wonderful time at the party, came home, and got back into my rags. Then I spent the entire glamorous night waking up with my itty bitty who is very, very sick with a cold/cough situation. Pray she gets it out of her system before the holiday!

Happy Holidays!

This is literally my most favorite time of year. I love the decorations and the baking, the hustle and bustle of shopping (although we're not really doing that bit this year), wrapping gifts, lighting up the tree, driving around and looking at other houses, playing traditional (none of that N'Sync stuff over here) Christmas music, and trying to remain in the very thankful state of mind that this holiday is truly meant to be about.

Since starting to go to church again this year, I have become a TRUE Christian. I mean, I've always been a believer, but I'm walking a path I've never experienced before and I'm truly in awe of what Jesus has done and continues to do for me. Below you'll see one of my most beloved possessions: My nativity. My mom gave this to me as a gift last year and it is extremely special. Hand-carved IN Jerusalem from Jerusalem palm wood... so much meaning. And that sweet little baby Jesus is what Christmas and all year means to me.

Of course, I love the glitz and glamour of trees and garland and wreaths, too! So I'll share our Christmas decor with you from the inside to outside. I hope you enjoy! And if you've done a post about your decorations, I'd love if you'd leave a link so I can hop over and see!

You know "I love lamp?" Well, this year our motto is going to have to be, "I love tree." Little S. hugs it to sleep every night. Cutest thing. EVER.

I hope everyone who celebrates is enjoying the holiday season so far. Don't let the stress build up. Enjoy it for what it is. Be thankful. Spend time with your family. And for goodness sake, eat some cookies. Don't forget to bake for Santa, too!