Merry DE-Christmas!

Ahhhhhh...today I woke up thoroughly annoyed by the tree that just last night brought me such joy.

The twinkling lights that once made me smile and feeling happy were mocking now me...like "HA HA, you still have us up, and it is WAY past New Years, you procrastinator! Na na na na na."

Not to be one upped by a tree mind you I set to taking it all down.  Ornament by ornament, light string by light string.  As each one was bagged up, my whole body felt calmer, happier, and more free from the stress of the Holidays.  I was left with needles (synthetic, but needles none the less), and dust, and oodles of cat hair layered under the tree. A quick vacuuming, a little re-arranging, and now I have my house back the way I like it!

Oh, and a de-cluttered table area.  SO NICE!

Since the boys are in school again, I thought it was high time for some Mommy time! I then decided to treat myself to a crochet a thon while watching a little Gordon Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares

It was the one at Moore house for those who follow the show, and I loved it!

 Hope you all have a productive lovely day also~Laura

Today as I pulled back the curtain to take my first of TWO daily tubs. That is right TWO!  

This baby has made it's Mama a full on bath addict!  I am not a fan of baths in general, in fact prior to being pregnant this time, I avoided them like the plague.  But since October, they are my favorite craving:

The soaking,

The warmth, 

The bubbles,

I was entertained by what I saw...

 

A slew of little bath toys, all of them beached together, abandoned hastily by last nights bathing of the boys, given by my husband while I was at work. 

I chuckled at the way that little plastic boy had landed while the water drained, draped over the dolphin, and posed in a diving fashion.  Oh, and the Zebra...he seemed a bit out of place as well.  The space guy at the forefront of the picture did not seem to faze my thoughts because he looks a "little off".

Before my tub, I posed for my 13 week belly picture.  

A little late, 4 days to be exact, but better late than never. 

Lastly I share with you a glimpse at the stunning jewelry set my sister MADE for me.  That is right...MADE!

She gifted me with this adorable nest charm with pearl eggs tucked inside the silver, and a pair of dangly, sparkly, matching earrings.  Aren't they lovely?  I think so too!

Merry Chirstmas Eve to you, and Happy End of The First Trimester To Me

So, after 2 full days of work my NASTY habit of procrastinating with the best of them reared it's ugly head. Therefore Jay and I had an assembly line at 9:30 pm on Christmas Eve wrapping our precious Sam's presents! WHY NOT... sure I am NOT EXHAUSTED or anything.  Like I did not have over a month to do the wrapping after I bought the presents?  Sure Laura...WAITING ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a transcript of the evening:

 A banter back of forth of Jay and I saying the same things over and over again.

"Here, wrap this... Give me the tape...Can I have the scissors NOW?...WHERE IS THE DAMN STOCKING?"

Finally all the presents are wrapped, and stacked beneath the tree.  Sam also kindly bought us some presents at a school shopping day (those are in the brown paper in the forefront of the photo). He was so adorable placing the bows on each gift for us. He is so excited!

The stocking was never found (boo hoo), so we boxed up his numerous stocking stuffers in one box, and wrapped it "From Santa".  We are sure we will have a happy, excited boy in the morning.

Today is also special because it marks the end of my first trimester with my little bundle!  I heard the heartbeat today for a full 5 minutes, and I think I could have made a soundtrack out of it.  MUSIC TO MY EARS!

Here is a 12 week belly picture of me tonight.  

Adorning me is an AMAZINGLY soft PJ set from my mama!  It is tradition to receive a pair of PJ's or a Nighty from my mom every Christmas Eve, a tradition she continues from one her mother started long ago.  Since she has passed Mom took the reigns, and has bought the boys jammies every year also. 

Did I mention she rocks?   P.S. Mom, if you read this...This pair is my favorite pair by far.  

PINK and FLUFFY!  In love!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours

~Laura~

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

Today I can honestly say Winter is falling!  The snow is coming down with a furry, and it looks so lovely!

The boys, Jay and I put up the Christmas Tree yesterday, and I must say...I love how it looks with our new floors!

Ella has taken to a new resting spot beneath the tree.

I also brought out the slippers I made for Sam (the first thing I have ever crocheted for him).  Yeah I know..LAME mom alert!

He loves them, and I am glad!  It makes me smile. 

I used my adult slipper pattern and just shortened the length to fit his foot.

If interested, you can buy the pattern in our shop (at right).

GingerBread House, and a belly shot (10 weeks)

 Of course I had to have 2 evenly divided bowls of decorations ready for the troops!

They really enjoyed picking where to put their own decorations

All done, and looking fabulous if I do say!

Here is my 10 week belly shot.  As of this AM I have gained 3.3 lbs!

Christmas Cookie Time

Today, the baby and I had a craving for cookies.  All I had were stale raspberry filled ones that would not due.  With my car in another town, and not at home I decided to make some.

I found an awesome, delicious, easy recipe at the ever handy MarthaStewart.com, and proceded to make some yummy cookies for my boy and I to decorate after school today for the first Holiday task.

I ate 4 straight out of the oven, suited my craving just fine ;)

My boy was as excited to show me something when he got home as I was to tell him of our cookie adventure ahead of us.  He made me this lovely little man in art class. 

Seriously, could it be any cuter?

After I OOOHHHHEEEDDDD, and AWWWWEEEEEEDDDD

at our newest little Christmas decoration, I frosted, and Sam diligently sprinkled.

He did an awesome job~I love him so!

We are CRAFTY!

I am the first to admit it, I am not one of those arts and crafts moms.  Point blank, the current project shown in this post has been in a box waiting to be put together for TWO years...you heard me!

So, when Sam asked me if we could put together the bird house, and he could paint it, I relented. I am so glad I did!

I basically put it together because believe it or not...it was a BITCH!

He had full painting responsibility, and did it all himself.  He did a GREAT job, and is so proud!

 

I am so proud.