Christmas Photo Stragglers

Isn't it funny how you get that same sense of happiness when your Christmas tree goes up as you do when it comes down? I always think I'm going to be so sad, but really I get excited when I see that my house looks ten times bigger without giant evergreen trees lurking everywhere.

I am ready for some Spring cleaning & organizing (which is really just code for shopping). But before we say goodbye to Christmas, here are a few more pictures from the last few weeks. I will miss reading all of our Christmas books... I will be on the hunt soon for lots of new books to fill our playroom book shelves.

Red Footed Pajamas

I'm not kidding you, this kid effing loved the cold weather! Every time we went outside she got so excited! I couldn't help but think of a Christmas Story when she was in her snug little snowsuit.

Snowsuit

This picture CRACKS. ME. UP.

My brother got her some of her very own overalls to wear out in snow... this was major cuteness overload.

UGG Booties, Mittens, Carhartt Overalls

The road trip was agonizing, we were stuck in a snow/ice storm and multiple traffic jams, that landed us in the car for nearly 18 hours on the way back.  We were so happy to be home! Santa stopped by while we were out of town, so Harper got to open a few more gifts when we got back. I think she was still concerned about whether or not we were going to stick her back in her carseat after she opened them.

Nordstrom Dress (similar here), Headband

Trapper Hat, Fair Isle Pants from H&M (similar here & here)

Some final thoughts on Harper's first Christmas...

1. Christmas is infinitely more fun with children.

2. Her favorite toys were the Zany Zoo, the Parum Pum Pum Drum & the Wooden Phone.

3. The Walkness Monster was the biggest joke, piece of shit toy ever invented. Oddly enough, she loves all of the toy balls that it comes with it, but I still consider it a waste of $30.
4. I totally failed at finishing our Christmas cards OR getting Harper a first Christmas ornament on time. I guess there is always next year.

5.  Speaking of next year, we aren't traveling any further than our local grocery store for Christmas.

6. Did I just say next year? Yes. Because I'm already excited for it.

While I am sad to see the holidays go, I am BEYOND excited for Valentine's Day (which has always been one of my favorite holidays!) & Little Miss Harper's first birthday party!! I am in full blown party planning mode! Hope you all are enjoying the first week of 2013! :)

Harper's First Christmas

We are finally home from our week long trip to Iowa. We had such a fun time with all of our friends & family... it can be so hard living far away. We will have our little family Christmas celebration tomorrow with the gifts that Santa brought while we were away ...I'm just not ready for the holidays to be over yet! ;) 

We kicked off Christmas morning with some waffles & then dove right in to gifts! Harper was a huge fan of the bows & ribbons... the sound of ripping paper though? Not so much. It terrified her every time someone would tear open a present. Who is this kid?

Christmas morning is so magical with babies! There is nothing more fun than watching them crawl around, plowing through piles of wrapping paper with bows stuck on their heads.
I was obviously the happiest momma in the world watching her eyes light up at all of her new toys... and then watching them all go immediately into her mouth. She loved her B. Keys that Santa brought her! 

We rocked our matching footie pajamas, which turned out to be a pretty good investment since we froze our asses off in the snowy, midwest weather! I was excited to have a white Christmas, but was quickly missing the Georgia weather.

I think it is safe to say that her favorite toy so far was the Zany Zoo activity cube! It is sturdy enough that she can stand up at it, walk around it & still has lots of parts & pieces to entertain her. She was having a blast with all of the fun, Christmas commotion swirling around her!

She also had the best bed head ever for Christmas morning.

After gifts, we had another Christmas with the rest of Brandon's family. I finally got to dress Harper in the cute tights that I bought for her a million years ago... it was everything I hoped it would be & more! 

"Fa la la la la!!!"

Grey Sweater Dress, Tights similar here & here, White Vest, Striped Scarf similar here & here,
Jameson Monroe Headband

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! Can't wait to share more pictures from our trip, Harper's first time playing in the snow & all the other festive shenanigans that have taken place over the last week! :) 

Harper Eve's First Christmas EVE

After a looooooong 15 hour car ride, we arrived in Iowa to visit family. My best tip for long roadtrips with 10 month old babies? Don't do it. It's a shitshow. There's not enough Christmas music or holiday cheer to make this trip enjoyable. 

I think by now, you all know that Harper Eve was named after my love of Eve's of holidays. So this Christmas Eve was even more special than ever. 

Flannel Shirt, Gold Glitter Belt, Harper's Headband, Denim Romper, Ruffle Tights

So special that daddy decided to give her ice cream for the first time! It has been his life long dream to be the first person to feed ice cream to someone (I know, he is a strange cat) so this was a big moment for us all! What better place than at great grandma's house on Christmas Eve? 

Despite the puzzled look, she loved it & reached for the spoon for more! A sweet tooth, just like mom! :)

Our favorite Christmas Eve tradition takes place at the home of the most beautiful Christmas tree. 

Where Harper got lots of kisses from her future husband, little Mr. Talan. 

My best friend from high school & her beautiful family have us over for cookies & cocktails every Christmas Eve. It is even more fun now with our little babes! I was in Heaven with all of the festive fun happening... wish I could have just bottled it all up & kept it forever!

 Then Harper realized that Santa was coming in the morning & lost her marbles. 

Hope you all had a wonderful & festive Christmas Eve!! Be back soon with Christmas day pictures & more! 

Under the Mistletoe

Possibly the most successful (and absolutely over the top adorable) Christmas photo shoot yet.

Ruffles & rolls all day long!

I am also positive that these are the exact images that flashed through my mind when we found out we were having a girl.

(Insert heart explosion here.)

Harper's Nursery Tour... Christmas Edition!

 Her halls have been decked, her stocking has been stuffed & her shelves have been elved!

I am so excited to share with you... Harper's nursery fully decorated for Christmas!

 Faux Fur Stocking from Target, Ornaments from Crate & Barrel

Polka Dotted Baby Blanket from Peppermint Pinwheels on Etsy

Chalkboard Basket, Owl from Pier One

  Even though I probably won't do all the silly elf on the shelf stuff just yet... I still wanted to get one for her so we can use it year after year. I will say, these things look pretty darn mischievous sitting there like that! :)

 Picture Frames, Felt Garland, The Elf on the Shelf, Similar Metal Fan (I can't find the model that we have anymore)

I made the large red Christmas Print for her room.. to quote The Night Before Christmas (just like Clark W. Griswold would do..) "The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads."

   Changing Pad Cover from SallyCraftShop, Seagrass Basket, Wire Baskets from Crate & Barrel, House Tissue Box

It's not the most visually appealing thing in the room, but under her changing table is a Vornado Space Heater that we just got for the winter. I get so nervous that her room will be freezing, so hubby did lots of research & found this one with the highest safety ratings. It works like a charm! She has been sleeping in much later now since she is much more cozy in there!

 Yuletide Zoo Crib Skirt from D'Nile Design on Etsy

The print above her crib is also one that I made, it says "Tis the season to be merry!" (Can't see the line, can ya Rus?)

I am so in love with these felt garlands!! This is my favorite part of the room... so festive & whimsical! Plus I will forever be in love with our zinc letters... placing them together to spell out her name for the first time was how we finally decided we would name her Harper!

 Zinc Letters, Felt Garlands

I sort of love fun banners & garlands... can you tell? These were so simple to make, I just cut them out freehand with cardstock (no a-holes here!), strung on bakers twine & hung them with some festive washi tape! 

Market Stalls Blanket from MissCharlieBean on Etsy

Faux Sheepskin White Rug

A special thank you to all of the amazing Etsy shop owners who crafted some of the most wonderful pieces for the room ...pulling out their Holiday fabric just a little earlier than usual so I could make this happen!! SallyCraftShop, Peppermint Pinwheels, MissCharlieBean and D'Nile Design.

 I tried to link sources for everything in the room, but if you would like more info on any of the furniture, here is the original nursery tour source post.

I hope Harper loves her sweet little room as much as I do! So excited now to decorate the rest of the house this week!