Monday, December 17, 2012

Heavy Hearts & How to Help

I think we can all agree that the recent tragedy in CT has caused us all to have heavy hearts lately. While wrapping Harper's Christmas gifts or dressing her up for Christmas pictures... I couldn't help but feel overwhelming sadness for all of the parents that will be without their babies this Christmas. So heartbreaking.

We spent some time last night looking online for ways to help. We came across multiple ways to donate money, including the Victim Relief Fund that will use funds to counsel the survivors and to help the victims families with expenses. Through my Etsy shop, from now until Wednesday (when my shop will close for the holidays), I have made a coupon code HELPINGHAND to give you 50% off the list price of any of my prints & ALL profits from these prints will be donated directly to this fund.

I am also giving all three of the hats that I purchased away to my readers! All you need to do is comment on this post before NOON (eastern time) tomorrow, with the size of hat that you would like! There are three sizes available, 0-3 month, 3-6 month & 9-12 month.



I think all that is left to do is to continue praying for all of those affected by this tragedy & hope that some day there will be an end to stories like this.
We need more happy tears these days... like Publix holiday commercial happy tears.
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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Our Christmas Party

Harper helped host her very first Christmas party this weekend, and as you'll see in the pictures, she was thrilled! ;) I swear, the minute we put that kid in a cute outfit, she freezes and refuses to give a smile. Luckily, she still looks pretty darn cute with all the pouty lip & chubby cheek action going on.

Flannel Shirt, H&M Skirt, Boots, Harper's Headband, Sweater & Denim Romper from Gap last season (similar here & here), Sparkle Tights

We obviously love our plaid/flannel this time of year! I was excited to have found Harper this adorable plaid headband to match... I think she liked it much more than the antlers that I had her in the other day.


We just had a few friends over for dinner & drinks, followed by some baby entertaining & card games. We pushed the munchkin all around the house in her little red wagon to get some smiles.

 We managed to get this face.

Radio Flyer Walker Wagon

 We did a white elephant gift exchange, a Chili bar (with hubby's bomb chili recipe) & the obligatory Christmas Vacation quote-off. 
"Is your house on fi-yah, Clark?"

Little babe got a little too tired to party, so she was rockin' her jams in the only family pic we managed to get.


Hope you all had a fun weekend as well, rocking your ugly sweaters or Christmas baking the day away! I'm about to blow up our kitchen with holiday sweets & treats and can't wait to eat at least half of what I pull out of the oven.
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Friday, December 14, 2012

Stuffing Stockings Like a Boss

I always feel like stocking stuffers are the most fun gifts to shop for. The pressure to find good, clever presents that fit in an exceptionally small package is so exciting! It can also be a challenge, which is why I thought I would share with you some of my favorite stockings stuffers that I have picked out for baby & for dad! :)
For Baby

For Dad


Harper is getting all of these things in her stocking this year, minus the Boon Spoon since we already have one. I just think it is the perfect gift for younger babies if you are looking for one! We loved ours starting around 6-7 months & still use it!
Babylit Books & Blabla dolls have become our newest obsession - and both are small enough to fit in a stocking! And that wooden baby phone? Quite possibly one of the cutest toys I have ever seen, I hope Harper loves it as much as I do!

For Brandon's stocking, he will also be getting most of these items, except for the Dollar Shave Club membership, since he already has it (and loves it). Whiskey stones & syrup samples sound so much more more exciting to me than the standard golf balls & socks that typically fill his stocking. A french press is the perfect gift for the coffee lover (like my husband)... plus there is a good chance that you will also get some use out of it! :)

Another great stocking stuffer? Reindeer antler headbands. Because then you can do hilarious stuff like this to your children.

 Antlers from Publix, Leggings from Etsy


This one actually reminds me of a real deer. Just hanging around, staring off into a distance.

 It is very clear that I found these antlers much more amusing than Harper did. This sweet little baby deer will just never know how cute she is.
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Christmas Books for Baby

I love the idea of the "25 Books of Christmas". Having 25 Christmas books to unwrap during the month of December, one for every night, to then read before bed or as a family under the Christmas tree. A full on Christmas book advent calendar. How freaking festive?!

You all know me & my love of children's books. So multiply that times Christmas... and there is no way I can resist scooping up every last festive book that I can find. I asked lots of other mommas, did some research & put together what I think would be the perfect list of 25 Christmas Books.



Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

I think this is a good mixture of classics, with some silly, modern ones mixed in. Also a few goodies that focus on the true meaning of Christmas, which is so important. I also love the new traditions like The Elf on the Shelf & The Pajama Elves... So fun & magical for kids when they are a little bit older! If you have a favorite Christmas book that I have missed, please share it in the comments! I'd love to continue adding to our collection! :)

 We bought a few of these small picture ledges from Ikea a few weeks ago & put them up in the playroom to display all of her books. I love having all the Christmas ones on there right now, such a fun & inexpensive way to bring a little holiday cheer to the room. We love to pick a different book to read to her each night... my favorite is the Grinch. The roast beast line gets me every time! I so badly want to learn all of the words to it to recite from memory.... #newyearsresolution?

Sometimes she tries to rip out the pages.



Sometimes she tries to eat them.

 

And other times, she is chill as a cucumber and actually lets us read to her.


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Monday, December 10, 2012

Harper's Christmas List

I think it goes without saying, Harper has been such a good girl this year! Brandon & I say to each other at least ten times a day, "she is the best kid ever!!" She is the happiest, silliest, sweetest baby & to top it off, she has mad dance skills. I have a feeling that Santa is going to be very good to her! :)

I feel like her age is a little bit hard to shop for right now, since she is almost walking & getting bored of her baby toys. She is also eating mac n cheese & wearing blue jeans... which makes her a certified big kid.


Lately her biggest obsession is with noisy, light up toys, anything on wheels & anything in my hands. The straw ninja swiped my water this weekend the second I turned my head. This makes for one wet, messy baby & one disgusting, backwash-filled tumbler.


Getting ready for a Christmas party the other night, Harper dropped her toys to come hang out in front of the mirror while I got ready. Maybe lip gloss & high heels should be under the tree for her? :)


After lots of research & shopping, here is the munchkin's official Christmas list!
Suzette the Fox Blabla Doll - Adding to her stuffed fox collection, these couldn't possibly be cuter!
Parum Pum Pum Drum - Another one of the toys that has so many good reviews, we couldn't help but want this right away since Harper loves her other toy drums & banging her hands on just about anything. Seems like lots of parts & pieces, so we may not give her the whole thing right away... guess it will be the gift that just keeps on giving as she grows into it! ;)
Squirrel Pull Toy - SQUIRRRRRRELLLLLL! A cute, quirky toy with a short, kid-safe string.
Hellophone - Another cute B. Toys item, that you can record your own voice on! This toy has some mixed reviews, but we know a few people that have it for their munchkins & totally love it!
Boon Creature Bath Toys - Always on the hunt for the perfect bath toy!
The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! - I have heard that this book is hilarious. Plus, I love hot dogs. Done deal!
Ugg Boots - Harper has had the Bixbee booties forever, but now that her feet have finally grown a little & she is almost walking, I am all over these! (also obsessed with Ugg Arly Boots for boys!)
Prince Lionheart Wheely Pig - Not only is this toy beyond adorable, but I have heard rave reviews about kids loving this toy from one year to four years old! While she may not be able to ride it yet, Harper loves to push things around... I am hoping this will be a big hit!

I know Harper will likely be more excited with the boxes, wrapping paper & bows that will accompany these gifts... but that is totally okay! The pictures will be priceless! So, let's hear it. What is on your little one's first Christmas list?
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