Christmas Tradition #5: Christmas Eve Jammies

I have always loved pictures of families all dressed up in cute jammies on Christmas morning. So we wanted to start a tradition with BB.  

Every Christmas Eve, he will be getting a package to open with new Christmas jammies and a Christmas book or movie. This hear he got the cutest Baby's First Christmas jammies and a book called "Out Little Deer."

  

And why not get mom and dad in on he fun?  Dad found a Christmas sweater with elk on it and mom found some long johns (on major sale from Victoria's Secret!) 

I can't wait to continue this tradition in the coming years.  

Christmas Tradition #4: BB's Christmas Ornament Craft

One tradition I really wanted to start was a homemade ornament by BB every year.  Thanks to Pinterest, I found a great idea!

Off to Hob Lob I went to gather supplies. I bought ceramic ornaments, paint, a paint pen, and a sponge brush. At home I already had a couple sharpies.  All half off, of course.

I then prepared the area. We did this bright and early about 7:00 one morning.  BB is happiest in the morning so I figured that was our best bet. I distracted his hands by letting him lay on his play mat and putting down a trash bag for any dripping paint. 

I put a little paint on a paper plate and brushed it on his foot.  Then I just stamped each ornament with a footprint. 

We then took a bath. Even being careful we had green paint on both his feet and his knees. It was easily cleaned except for between his tiny toes...that was a bear! A q-tip ended up being very helpful. 

Once the artist was all cleaned up, had a fresh diaper, and a comfy outfit, he was exhausted and needed a nap. It's hard work being an artistic genius. 

While the boss slept, I turned back to the project. 

I used a gold sharpie to write the year and a red paint pen to write his name. This was MUCH easier than using paint and a brush!

Then on the back, I used a fine tip black sharpie to write a little message. 

And we were done!

Total time needed: 30 minutes (nap time not included!)

Total cost:  Less than $10

Best Blogs of 2015

In taking stock of a year, I like to compile a little list of what I deem the best blogs of the year.  This has given me a great collection of my best works.  Here they are from 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014.  Who knows, maybe I'll turn these little blog posts into a book one day.

And now, for the 2015 edition. I tried to narrow it down to 10, but I just couldn't do it.  So I did 13.  A baker's dozen.

I Will Remember.  I didn't really remember this post until I went back and read it.  A reminder after finding myself free to worship in our little country church on a Sunday morning while across the world ISIS beheaded 21 fellow believers, that I must remember my ability to sit safely in an pew is a blessing.

The Epic Baby Announcement Fail.  Only me.  If you missed the epic failure of a baby announcement that occurred when I decided to find a cute, clever way to announce to my parents we were pregnant with The Baby from Texas, go read it.  You'll laugh for sure.  "Why did you tell us with a sword?"

What Real Friendship Looks Like.  This blog post makes me tear up.  It recounts the story of me telling my dear friend who was struggling with infertility about our being pregnant.  A year later, I am thrilled to report that she is currently holding her own baby girl in her arms.  Praise the Lord.  Good things happen for good people.

Thin Places.  I love the idea of Thin Places---places on earth where God seems closer, the distance between Heaven and Earth appears to be thinner than it usually is.

Chivalrous Acts and Wet Willies.  This post recounts a super romantic gesture followed by a wet willie.  This is our life.

Gran Was a Liar.  The shock of a lie my grandma told that lasted for over 30 years is the topic of this blog.  My Gran is snickering from Heaven you best believe!

The Sentence That Made Me Love Him Even More
This is probably my favorite blog of the year.  In the face of scary news, that husband of mine stepped up big and said just the right words at just the right time.

30 Things for His 30th  In celebration of The Boy from Texas turning the big 3-0, I made a list of 30 things I love about him.

Loving Him More  This is the third blog in a row about him, apparently I love my husband.  This post, written from the throws of post partum hormones, recounts how much I adore him as a dad.

I Am the Girl on the Sidewalk  After the tragedy the struck my alma mater, Oklahoma State University on homecoming, I wrote down my thoughts on drinking and driving and college kids.

When Your Vocation Seems Mundane  Another post partum fog post about how sometimes our vocations seem more mundane than glamorous, but are important all the same!

People Not Policies  My thoughts on the Syrian refugee crisis, a situation that just breaks my heart.

Gran's Investment Sharing the story of opening BB's very first bank account with money from my Gran.

Word for 2015: Grow

Each year, I like to summarize the past 365 days with one word.  Previously, those words have been love, change, full, awestruck, and fleeting.

When I sat down to think of a word for the incredible year that was 2015, only one would do.  Grow.

Just 7 days into the year, we learned our family would be growing.  For the next 9 months, we watched my belly expand and our excitement for this little guy increase.  Then, finally, on September 10, our family grew from 2 to 3.

My love for The Boy from Texas exponentially grew after his beautiful faith during a scary time and upon seeing him take care of me and BB after his arrival.

Our house grew, we doubled the size of the Little House on the Prairie, making it the perfect size for our little family.

My faith grew, particularly through the false positive we received on our genetic screening test and my monthly commitment to praying a Novena for another.  We saw many prayers answered and much comfort given.

Our animal friends grew as well.  Angus was added to the household in July.  Thelma and Louise joined us in September.

My friendships grew stronger, particularly as College Roomie, the Oklahoma Girls, BFF, ABJ's Mama and Emma's Mama all had babies this year. Going through this experience--as rewarding as it is--was immensely difficult as well. Thank God for  being surrounded by so many who understood right where I was.

Our farm equipment collection grew with the addition of a tractor, a new shredder, and a new pick up.

My list of states visited added Iowa, Minnesota and Georgia.

My list of recipes grew thanks in  large part to the Newlywed in the Kitchen series.

My tolerance and sympathy has grown beyond imagination. Anytime I now hear a baby crying in public, my reaction is sincere sympathy and a "we are in this together and tomorrow it could be my kid" realization.

Not everything grew, however.  Our bank account balances went in the opposite direction.  Our little family got smaller before it got bigger when we lost our sweet dog, Chili, in July and The Boy from Texas' companion of 13 years, Cabella, in December. There were days where our patience did anything but grow.

But as we look back at 2015, our lives are so much fuller and happier and better thanks to the tremendous blessings we were given this year.  I remember saying toast year that I was not sure how 2015 would top 2014, but it blew right past it. I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store! 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tradition #3: Yearly Ornament

For a while I have been collecting Christmas tree ornaments to represent major events of that year. It's fun every year to look back at the collection and remember those fun times.  We have a couple of wedding ornaments from last year, an ornament from our Canadian honeymoon, an NRA ornament to commemorate our first date, ornaments from football games and trips and the list goes on and on.

Obviously BB was the feature of this years ornament. I had a coupon for a free ornament from Shutterfly so I decided to order a photo ornament.  On the back it says his name, the year, and "Baby's First Christmas." 

I love how it turned out and can't wait to continue our collection!

Truth from the Trenches: The Newborn Stage

Here are my thoughts on the newborn stage of parenthood.  (If you want to read something more faithful and inspirational, click here for a prior post.  What you are about to read here is neither of those things.)  Mind you, I haven't ever really been around newborn babies much until, you know, they handed me one at the hospital and said "good luck and God speed."

Here's what I've learned.

1. It just is damn hard.  No, for real.  This is easily the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.  And I've done some hard things.  Like half marathons and bar exams and long distance relationships and trying to give Cousin Swiss Mister love advice.  Having a newborn is harder.  I don't feel like many people talk about this, which is a bad thing in my mind.  If no one tells you what an absolute freaking struggle it is going to be, when you find yourself in the middle of it you might think that you are not doing it right or you are not cut out to be a mom or there is something wrong with your kid.  None of that is true.  When you find yourself thinking that, you remember that none of those things are true.  It's just damn hard.

2.  The end goal is to survive. Period. Blonde Oklahoma Girl described the newborn stage as The Hunger Games.  For real, if you and your baby survive, you have won.  Haven't showered in 4 days?  Still wearing your pj's at 5 in the afternoon?  Had to stop breastfeeding?  Decided to co-sleep?  Don't want to swaddle?  Accomplished not one freakin' thing off your to do list in the last month?  None of that crap matters.  If your kid alive?  Then you win.

3.  Everything you swore you would never do? You'll do it in the first month or less.  This would be funny if you were not exhausted and frustrated when you are doing these things.  I said I'd never let our kid sleep in our bed.  You know what?  The first 6 weeks that kid would scream if you set him down and I slept holding him every night.  Then one night, it was like he decided to get over it and now he sleeps contently in his bassinette without issue.  I said I wouldn't be a mom that let her kid watch tv.  BB loves football--I mean it's an unreal thing to see an infant focusing like that on something!  I could make this list go on and on for hours.  The point is, you might as well never say never.

4.  You won't mess up if you are trying.  God bless my Soulmate Friend.  As you know from the last blog in this series, she played it straight with me. She also told me something her mom told her during this time when she was about to have a breakdown.  "You won't mess up if you are trying."  If you're going to be having a baby, you write this down on your heard and remember it when you have no idea what to do and are sure you are ruining your child.  These words were my mantra for several weeks.

5. When you are at your wits end, they do something to make you forget about all the screaming and sleep loss and dirty diapers.  A grin.  Grabbing your hand.  Sweet sleepy snuggles.  About the time you think you want to send this kid back to the hospital and get a refund, one of these things happens and you fall in love all over again.

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Christmas Tradition #2: Tiger Butter (and Newlywed in the Kitchen #33)

When I was a kid, my Gran made the same Christmas candy every single year. Since she "went on to her reward" as she called it, I have tried to carry on the tradition. I can't wait to carry on this tradition with BB.

This recipe is super quick  and super easy. I am counting it as Newlywed in the Kitchen Recipe #34. The Boy from Texas doesn't like peanut butter so he didn't rate it. 

Tiger Butter

1 package of vanilla almond bark

1/2 C crunchy peanut butter

3/4 C semisweet chocolate chips

Put almond bark in microwave-safe bowl.  Microwave for 1 minute and then stir.  Then microwave for 45 seconds at a time, stirring each time until melted (it only took me 2 times).

Add in peanut butter and stir. Spread out on wax paper or fool. 

Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl.  Cook for 1 minute and stir. Cook another 45 seconds and stir. (Keep going if not melted, mine were). 

Pour chocolate on top of the almond ark/peanut butter and use a spoon to swirl. 

Let it cool and then break into pieces. Place in fridge to harden. 

Truth from the Trenches: Speed Dial

Before we get started here, know there were lots of people who helped us get through the newborn phase...our moms who came and stayed and helped our house not fall apart, everyone who showed up bearing food, our friend Heather who correctly diagnosed BB with reflux from halfway across the country just by seeing me a video of him sleeping, my aunt and uncle who went grocery shopping for us....we are surrounded by awesome folks.  This blog will focus on three of those people.

When you get home from the hospital and realize that your kid doesn't come with an instruction book and you cannot call down to the nursery to come pick him up when you want to sleep, you need a couple people on your speed dial. 

Mrs. Hepburn

First, you need Mrs. Hepburn. I am not really speaking metaphorically here. If you are having a baby you literally need to get her cell phone number and have her on speed dial. I am here to tell you 100% without a doubt I could not have survived without her text message therapy.  Not only is she always very calm and reassuring, she is a nurse so that adds a level of confidence when she tells me that my baby is not dying.  She also talked me through breastfeeding, which you would think is a natural thing that just happens, but is anything but that. There is zero doubt in my kind I would have given up a week in were it not for her support.  Find yourself a Mrs. Hepburn or better yet, call mine. 

Soulmate Friend

I mentioned this before, but she was the only one of my friends who shot it to me 100% straight about this baby having thing. She is the one who warned me about the first ultrasound and who told me about how I would really feel in those terrible first couple of weeks at home, and she was who I called when I was about to have a nervous breakdown to talk me off the cliff. You need someone to shoot it to you straight so you know you are not alone. 

Not only was she honest, she really listened. She didn't try to jump in with a bunch of advice, she very simply said things like "I know exactly how you feel, this is normal, you will feel better soon, this will get better and you are going to love being a mom."  Find yourself someone to repeat these words to you when your hormones are a wreck and you are exhausted and you feel like you will love your life covered in spit up and never be normal again. 

Super Mom

Lastly, Super Mom. She has 5 kids and has seen it all. "Oh he is projectile spitting up all over you?  It's ok, Carter did that." "He won't sleep on his back? Stick with it, John Paul was that way." "You read that lavendar scented soap will make a boy girly? I use it on Peter, the boyest boy around. I think it's fine." "You are sending me the 64th text question of the day? No worries! Let me tell you again that this is normal without making you feel like a moron." Seriously, get her on speed dial. 

Stitch Fix Report: December

Another month meant another Stitch Fix box. What is Stitch Fix you ask?

 It's a box of clothing items chosen by a stylist and delivered to your house.  Each box comes with 5 items and a return envelope.  If you like something, you keep it.  If you don't, you ship it back in the pre-paid envelope that you just drop in the mail.  To get a fix you pay a $20 styling fee, but that goes to the cost of an item if you keep something.  You fill out a style profile, answer questions, and can link a Pinterest page to show them items you like.  Oh and you set a price range....important for me! Easy peasy.  I've done this for over a year and seriously several of my favorite clothing items showed up in the Stitch Fix boxes!

If you want to try Stitch Fix, use this link (and I will get a small credit!)

Here is the rundown of my latest box.

Anthea Lace Detail Skirt

This is the item I came the closest to keeping.  I love pencil skirts and this one has some cute lace detail on the waist. But in the end, I didn't love the way it for over my still not quite back to normal belly. It was not bad, but I wasn't quite comfortable and I didn't want something I was not sure I would wear.  Verdict: Returned.

Douglas Cowl Neck Sweater

I like the cowl neck design, but this was loosely woven and a bit strange textured, so not quite my thing.  Verdict: Returned.

Presley Colorblock Button-Back Sweater

I hated this. Worst item I have ever received in a box. All wrong. Verdict: Returned.

Howard Crew Neck Silk Blouse

This shirt just fit funny. It wasn't very flattering but I did love the color. Verdict: Returned.

Weaver Lace Overlay Top

Hands down my favorite item in the box. I love this shirt!  But....it was too short. It's fine standing there, but if I move my arms up at all my tummy shows. Since I speak for a living and you know this girl uses her hands, that just would not work.  Verdict: Returned.

So, after much analysis, I ended up not keeping anything.  This has only happened one time to me in 17 boxes, so that's not bad!  I am out the $20 styling fee, but I figure had I gone to the mall to look for clothes I would have spent that on fuel and on the pretzel I would have bought from Auntie Anne's.

My next box is in the way...stay tuned!