Christmas Questions

I saw this cute questionnaire and thought I'd give it a shot:)

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate with mini marshmallows:)  Is it weird that I've never had egg nog?  Something about the way it  sounds is not appetizing to me.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Growing up, we had both.  The bigger presents were always set out in our own little spots with our stockings, but we also had gifts under the tree.  I think Santa does whatever he wants:)

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White! Why do places always run out of white lights?  We went to get some more and Lowes and a Target were sold out!

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No, but I wish I did!
5. When do you put your decorations up? The beginning of December.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Well, this isn't really a dish, but I LOVE the peppermint Hershey kisses. I guess my favorite dish would have to be my mom's sweet potato casserole.  I really want some of those kisses right about now...
 7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? I have so many wonderful holiday memories with my family.  It is difficult to think of a particular one.  However, I do remember getting my first walk man (!!!)  with my Carman (A2J) and Amy Grant (Baby, Baby anyone?) tapes.  I remember feeling very grown up with that thing.  Also, I LOVE singing Silent Night with the lighted candles at Church.  So beautiful.  I tear up every single time.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I never really believed in Santa.  My parents never told us he was real or not real, they just focused on the significance of the birth of Jesus. I took Jack to see Santa today...more on that later. 
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We used to open a small gift on Christmas Eve right after the Christmas Eve service at church.  Now, we just open on Christmas day. But I guess it's time to start some of my own family traditions.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Well, I broke down and bought a fake tree.  I was tired of the pine needles that I find continuously in the months after Christmas.  I think that when I have a bigger house and older children, I would like to go back to the real tree thing, but I think the fake one looks pretty good. Boy are those things expensive!  I never knew.  Anyway, I use white lights, red and silver balls, and ornaments collected over the years.  I love pulling each one out and thinking of the memory it holds.    This year, it was fun to find all the "baby's first Christmas" ornaments Jack received last year.  We really do have quite a collection, and I love it.  I think I'm going to have to start putting up numerous trees in my house to hold all of the ornaments!
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? LOVE.  Something about snow is magical. 
12. Can you ice skate? Not well.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I can't really think of a favorite.  I remember getting my first bike and my first walkman like I mentioned earlier.
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?  Spending time with loved ones.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Chocolate pecan pie!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? going to the Christmas Eve service at church all dressed up, singing Silent Night.  We used to always go over to My aunt and uncle's house after the Christmas Eve service, eat food, and hang out.  Those are some of my favorite memories. 
17. What tops your tree? I used to have a star, but it doesn't work on the fake tree.  I'm still looking.  I really want an angel!
18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? both!  I LOVE shopping for other people and wrapping presents.  I love seeing them open the gifts.  I like presents though....not gonna lie:)

19. Candy canes: yuck or yum? Depends on my mood
20. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf, Christmas Vacation, The Holiday
21. Saddest Christmas song? probably that Christmas Shoes song...It gets me every time.
22. What is your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night or Away in a Manger. I sang those 2 songs to Jack EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT last Christmas.  He was 2 months old around that time and I sang both of those over and over, especially during those 2, 3, and 4am feedings.  When I was little, I LOVED What Child is This?  I also really like to sing Jingle Bell Rock.

                                            Our Christmas tree this year.  After taking this picture, I realized the tree desperately needs a topper!

                                         PS - Don't you just LOVE babies in Christmas pajamas?  I could just eat him with a spoon!

My Little Talker

Jack is talking a lot these days.  He is 13 months old, and he isn't walking yet, but the boy can seriously say some words.  Just the other day, he woke up from his nap, and I walked in to his room.  I love when he first wakes up from his nap.  He is usually sitting up and calling out, "Ma!"  I love the way his hair looks crazy, and I love the way his eyes look filled with sleepiness.  So, back to the other day...
I walked in his room and started my normal: "Buzzy!  Is my baby awake??  Buzzy Boy!" I went over to his crib, and reached in to get him out.  He immediately pointed to the door and said, clear as a bell, "play" "toys."

I love this age. I love Jack's inquisitive nature.  I love seeing him discover new things every day.  What did I ever do before him?

                                             Just chillin in my wagon needing a hair cut:)

The Thanksgiving Post I have been working on for over a week now..

I still can't seem to get this blog thing down.  I have very good intentions of blogging more often, but for some reason, it just doesn't seem to happen.

So, here is the post I have been trying to put together for nearly a week...

On Thanksgiving day, I was awakened extremely early, as in 4:20am, by a certain little someone.  I was none too pleased with being up this early because I was registered for my first EVER 5k that morning, and it started at 8AM.  I got the certain someone back to sleep, but I was up for the day.  I was nervous about the race.  For once in my life, I stuck to a workout regimen.  I completed all 9 weeks of the couch to 5k program, and I registered for my first ever race, the Wake Forest Gobbler's Run on Thanksgiving day.  You see, I have always had this picture in my head or maybe I should say in my dreams.  In the picture, I am a toned, athletic girl with very nice legs- you know the legs with definition of muscle- that can run forever.  I will probably  never be the girl in my picture, but I am doing starting the journey to get there.  I am a runner.   I have never been more proud of myself for anything as I was for finishing a race.  When I crossed that finish line, I felt accomplished.  I felt of worth.  I felt amazing.  I can see why people get addicted to racing.  My time wasn't the greatest, 38:20, but I am nonetheless extremely proud.  It can only get better.  I will finish the journey.

After the race, I came home and did some cooking. I made a yummy sweet potato casserole.  Paula Dean never disappoints.  (I was very glad I ran that race) We were headed to my in-laws for Thanksgiving day.  It was a blast.  We ate a lot of food, watched too much football, in my humble opinion, but it was great.  Jack had a wonderful time.

                                           Jack really enjoyed the appetizers.

                                           My cute little guy.

                                           playing with papa's tank.  He LOVED that thing!

                                            He loved hanging out with his cousin Olivia.

On Friday morning, we packed up and headed to Charlotte to visit my parents for the weekend.  We had a great time.  We ate another Thanksgiving meal, did some shopping, and celebrated my mom's 60th birthday.

                                           my mom and sister

                                           Yummy collard greens

                                            a southern Thanksgiving isn't complete without gravy

                                           my two lovely sisters

                                            playing with Uncle Dan

                                           Isn't my hubby handsome?

                                           Mom, celebrating her birthday:)  

                                           little monkey man

                                            Jack with Aunt Miriam and Uncle Dan

                                           Yummy turkey

                                         

                                            Pumpkin Pie

                                           Riding around on Thomas

                                           Thanksgiving toast

                                           With Mimi and Grandpa

It's so great to spend time with family.  I absolutely love seeing Jack play with his aunts, uncles, and grandparents.  It's precious.  I can't wait until Christmas!

Tomorrow, I am running my SECOND 5k with my sister Kaitlyn.  I just want to beat my first time by at least one second.  I hope to have some pictures of this race since we forgot the camera for my first race.  Wish me luck!

Thankful Thursday

I feel like I have seen "Thankful Thursday" as blog titles in the past, but today, I wanted to do my own thankful post.  I feel like I need to step back and be reminded of all the little things that are making me happy today.

Today, I am thankful for this little guy.  He gets this face every time I tell him he can't do something.  It's cute.  Even though I feel like it's happening a lot these days:)  Today this face appeared because I pulled him down from climbing the stairs.  I let him climb them with me watching, and then it had been long enough.  He didn't like that too much. He brings countless smiles and laughter every.single.day.  He shows me love.  I love him.

Today, I am thankful for Mickey Mouse Club House.  This 24 minute show (on demand) allowed me to write thank you notes for Jack's first birthday presents.  I know the latest reports:  no TV until 2, but really?  I think it's OK for my child to watch a little bit, and I feel thankful that Jack likes Mickey Mouse.  

Today, I am thankful for my new Stella and Dot ring which showed up in the cutest package in my mailbox yesterday afternoon. It was as if Christmas came early, and even though I knew it was coming, it's always exciting to get something in the mail.  (Maybe I should send more letters...) I know a ring sounds like such a  superficial thing to be thankful for, but since I rarely buy for myself anymore,  it is a very pretty, little treat.  I am wearing it as I type this, and I love looking at it.  Although, Jack really likes it too, which means I probably will only end up wearing it when I am not around him:)

Today, I am thankful for a girls beach weekend.  Tomorrow evening, I will be departing Raleigh and heading to the beach with 3 other wonderful friends from my childhood.  This trip is very much needed.  I feel like lately I have been stuck in a rut in many ways in my life.  I am praying that this weekend will a rejuvenation for all for of us.  A time to laugh, cry, and just be together.  I cannot wait:)

What are you thankful for today?

Jack's Birthday Party

This little boy had a birthday party.  A baseball-themed birthday party.  It was held in my in-laws backyard under a tent complete with 2 fire pits (as it was FREEEZINGGG).  I didn't want to go too over the top, since the party was mostly for me, as Jack will more than likely not remember it.  I just wanted my little one to look  back on his first birthday and say, "wow, my mommy really loved me."

Here was some of the decor:

                                           Old baseballs in hurricane vases with ribbon.

                                                           A birthday boy's high chair.

                                            A birthday banner made of card stock and ribbon.
                                           Thanks to my amazing sister Kaitlyn for her help!

                                         A timeline of pictures from birth to present.
                                             A picture for each month of life.
                              The wind wasn't too kind to this idea, but nonetheless, it was cute:)

For the food, I wanted to continue the baseball theme. We had hotdogs, of course, and nachos.  I also wanted more kid friendly food, so we had a chick-fila tray, fruit tray with yummy, low fat pumpkin dip (Try this recipe http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/11/pumpkin-pie-dip.html), brownie bites, goldfish (of course!), and baseball cupcakes courtesy of Whole Foods.  They did an excellent job on the cupcakes.  They looked just like baseballs, and made a special New York Yankees one for Jack (well, more for Jim, who is a HUGE Yankee fan).

                                          Thank goodness for Jim's dad who already had a hot dog cart!
                                                             It was perfect for the party!

                                                         Nachos and cheese station.

Jack wasn't as in to the cake as I had thought he would be.  He kept trying to feed it to me.  I guess he knows his mommy loves cake:)

The biggest hit of the party was the wagon that Aunt Miriam and Uncle Dan bought for Jack.  He absolutely LOVES that thing.  We put him in, his Papa pulled him around the yard, and he would grip the sides and just laugh.  It was so incredibly cute.  Plus, I think every little kid needs a wagon.  I can't wait to use it at the beach this summer.

We bought a little ball pit for Jack and the few other "friends" he had at the party.  He kept saying, "ba ba."

Presents:)

                                       
                                           Aunt Kaitlyn spoiled her nephew.  She got him:

                                           This little step stool that she painted his name on,

                                           his first pair of Toms,

                                           and this adorable monogrammed longall complete with polo and cardigan.
                                           He is going to look adorable!

                                           My sister Kaitlyn and I

                                           Kaitlyn and my mom

                                           Jim's mom, Nana, with Jack

                                           Uncle Dan

                                           Paige and Jack

                                           Anna and I (I know it's blurry, but it's the only one).  SO glad she came!

                                           My dad, Grandpa, and Jack

                                            My parents and I with Jack.

                                           Jack with his favorite aunts, Miriam and Kaitlyn.

What a wonderful first birthday party!  I can't believe my baby boy is already one.  I know everyone always says that, but seriously, I feel it was just yesterday I was carrying him around in the baby bjorn, standing next to the sink with the water running, singing Silent Night, and praying he would let me put him down. Now, I can't keep up with him!