Merry Christmas part I...

We kicked off the holiday season by visiting the Grove park inn for their

annual Gingerbread House Competition. Here's the winner...

The belly, 17 weeks...
In front of the fireplace...

Mommy and Mia...

Opening Aunt Monica's presents...

Mia's first ornament...

Putting it on the tree, she's thrilled!

Santa's helpers putting up the decorations...

She's got the moves...

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Mia isn't quite dancing yet, but this is pretty close. She has figured out how to turn the VCR on and off and when she does, she can shake her booty!

How to pick out the perfect Christmas tree...

Take a cute munchkin with you. This makes it way more fun...

Pull each tree out and assess which one is the fullest.

You don't want a Charlie Brown tree...

Take a picture of mommy and baby since mommy is usually the
photographer and is rarely documented in any photos...

Have your husband haul it to your car while you enjoy the view...

Fascinating!

Mia's new skill: standing!

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So much going on...

We have had a really great month after the craziness of October. Lots has happened! The weather has just started turning chilly which has called for lots of hot drinks, chili, and indoor dates. We've enjoyed a few rare sunny days and have had fun letting Mia play in her new "car" from some friends. She's not tall enough to flinstone her way around, but still loves being pushed around...

The big girl in her car...
We also bought this not knowing...

...about this! Due June 2! It's already come in handy.

Goodbye nursing bras, hello maternity clothes...

Mia's first "Symphony at the Park"

This was Mia's first trip to hear the symphony. As you can see, she LOVES music! Been meaning to post this for a while, back to blogging!

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It's the most wonderful time of the year...

This is what my husband sang (literally) while crawling out of bed last week when we got our first cold spell. I've never met anyone who loves this season as much as he does. From November 1 through January 1, he's in utter bliss. He reminds me of Will Ferrell in "Elf." He's that close to running around the house and kicking his heels together cutting out snowflakes out of paper and singing Christmas carols. He has even found the one radio station that plays Christmas music 24-hours a day starting November 1. He's getting ready to string the lights on our massive leiland cypress in the front this weekend, just the beginning of the festivities around our house. Others include several trips to the Grovepark Inn to look at gingerbread houses and drink hot chocolate, Jenkins family Gingerbread house competition, Thanksgiving football game, looking at Christmas lights in Greensboro, or course shopping, family Christmas cards, filling in our Christmas book, and attending multiple Christmas parties with and without kids.

Here's pictures from the last hike of the year at Mt. Pisgah a few weeks ago, Blair's other favorite thing to do. Holidays, here we come!

Halloween Party!

While Blair was out of town last weekend, Mia and I had a great time at my friend, Kate's house with her two children, Jack and Ella. My friend Ali also came with her two children, Avery and Jackson. All of our husbands were out of town so it was a great excuse to dress everyone up and have an impromptu Halloween Party. We did everything from crafts, to dinner, storytime to playtime. Even us adults dressed up! Here are some classic pictures from the evening:

Best group shot. Love Ella as a lion!

My sweet little puppy dog! Ali and cowboy Jackson

The best part about this picture is Jack wearing my ski goggles with his dragon costume!
Avery was completely focused the whole story!
Don't you love her princess/fairy/flower costume!

Elvis lives!

I don't think these great hair moments are going to last forever.

So for now, I present to you Elvis!

Dead computer...

I am blogging from the library computer right now since our computer is DEAD. I wish I had a picture to show you the maddness of chasing Mia around the library while trying to write this post. She is currently pulling off all the bottom shelf books on tape, gotta run. Hopefully we'll be back on line soon, lots of stories and pictures to share!

Jeans Makeover

OK, so I've been a mom for a year now. The baby fat is gone, or at least has redistributed itself to new places. I officially have a "pooch" that I've been told is one of those war wounds that moms carry. I don't mind it, it's not that big and I don't wear tight enough clothing to let the world know that yes, I had a baby a year ago. HOWEVER, jeans season is around the corner. That time of year that every woman dreads; finding the "right pair of jeans." Most of us own 12 pairs, but only wear 2 on a regular basis and are on the prowl looking for the pair that is multi-functional and yet stylish. My list includes: must make my butt look good, not too tight around the waist, boot cut, able to pair with flip flops and boots, and did I mention making my butt look good? That's a tall order. I'm not like my younger sister who was born to look good in a paper bag. Seriously, she can wear anything. When you're 5'9" and have twig legs, dark thick hair, and work at a kayak store (ie in the sun, hauling boats all day = in shape, tan), you can pull off any pair of jeans. I somehow inherited hips and a booty on a 5'3" frame. Try finding a pair of jeans with those genetics. Now that there's a "pooch," this proposes a new problem....

What I need is a blend between the "mom" jean and the "skinny" jean. Love the idea behind the "mom" jean. Hides the pooch, loose, comfortable. All my mom friends know what I'm talking about, especially since you're probably sitting in a pair of sweat pants right now. Too bad their hideous. (I just realized I'm wearing a pink polo just like the woman in the orange. I need some rescuing).

But let's be honest, this is what I WANT to wear. Let me re-phrase, this is what I want to look good in. Not happening. Seriously, I think 10% of the population can pull this off, most of them under 18. Even my perfect sister-in-law doesn't like skinny jeans. She makes me feel better.

So I was listening to NPR the other day and heard this story on jeans and how Levi has come out with a new collection for Fall 2010. They have come up with something called the "curve ID: slight curve, demi curve, and bold curve." I especially love their tag line "All Asses Were Not Created Equal." That's for sure. If anyone ever needs a butt transplant, I have plenty to spare. You can watch the video and check it out yourself here. I'm certainly going to check this out because like most of my friends, it's time for a jeans makeover. Most of my jeans fall into two categories: too "momish" or too "trying to be 20 again." I'm sure everyone has a few pairs in their closets screaming the same thing. I'm excited about this jeans revolution and hope that maybe the holy grail is closer than I thought (we're all looking for holy grails in this house). Until then, I will continue to embrace the sweat pants and two pairs that I own that look just right for right now. Good thing it's still warm enough to wear capris. Now those were a great invention. Updates to come.

Lyle Lovett spotting

I spotted Lyle Lovett this morning when I went in to get Mia up...

Oh wait, it's Mia. Check out the hair!

Love the serious face, she LOVES to read!

"Meet Lucky" - a classic as you can see...

Another profile view. You can also see that the child is not starving.

No, those are not rubber bands on her arms.

30 Things I LOVE (and HATE) about Lee Anne

This post is dedicated to my awesome sister-in-law, Lee Anne, who turns 30 today. That is her pictured below decorating Mia's birthday cupcakes. There are so many things I love about her and so many things that I hate. Let me clarify; when I say "hate," what I really mean is envy. Example: Have you seen and touched Lee Anne's hair? I HATE that she can wake up in the morning and look like Reese Whitherspoon, not fair. So here you go, 30 things I LOVE and HATE about my sister-in-law, Lee Anne.

1. I love that we can talk hollywood gossip and can go deep at the same time.

2. I hate that she is good at EVERYTHING; sports, decorating, teaching, crafting.

3. I love her passion for her family and community.

4. I hate that she can spend the weekend eating ice cream, cake, hot wings, and ranch dressing and still look great.

5. I love shopping with her, I always learn so much.

6. I hate shopping with her, she can look good in a paper bag.

7. I love how she loves her husband. I'll never forgot Lee Anne picking up Brad from the airport in a Steelers shirt. That's love.

8. I hate how she has her spice rack organized better than Martha Stewart.

9. I love that she is always making goals for herself.

10. I hate that she usually accomplishes those goals, not fair.

11. I love how Lee Anne claims a song that is her "favorite song" every couple of months and blasts it in her car like a teenager. At least she used to do that.

12. I hate that she doesn't get to see Brad 3 days a week this semester.

13. I love that we wore the same wedding dress the day we both said "I do" two years apart.

14. I hate that she had to alter it since she's permanently two sizes smaller. I'm sure when she's pregnant, she'll be one of "those girls" who barely looks preganant until she goes into labor.

15. I love dancing around to "the Sound of Music" sound track with her like we're 12 years old.

16. I hate that Lee Anne can go to a yard sale, pay ten dollars for a piece of furnature, and paint it, add tassles, and put a fake plant on it to make it look out of a magazine.

17. I love her spunk and competative spirit, we make great partners.

18. I hate that she wins the gingerbread contest every year, or atleast has the best designs even when she doesn't win (yes, I'm admitting it). Polar Express, seriously?

19. I love how Lee Anne is the most thoughtful gift giver.

20. I hate that we can't share shoes anymore since I had a baby, she has GREAT shoes.

21. I love that she's a librarian, and that she's a great one.

22. I hate that when my daughter goes to school, Mia is going to ask to go back to school shopping with Lee Anne since she is already "the cool aunt." (let's be honest, Lee Anne is Mia's best chance of looking hip).

23. I love that we can talk and text for FREE now! Thank you Verizon.

24. I hate that she can sew anything AND blog about it. (Have you seen her blog? SO cute, SO inspiring, SO not fair).

25. I love that Lee Anne has always felt like a sister. Not only did I find my soulmate in her brother, but God gave me a sister soulmate.

26. I hate that she lives so far away.

27. I love that Lee Anne loves Jesus. She makes me want to be like Him everytime I talk to her.

28. I hate that I'm getting choked up as I write this and think about how much I love her.

29. I love how she has become a new role in our lives; "Aunt Lee Lee," and that she already loves my daughter so deeply. Mia is so lucky.

30. I love that we will get to do life together for another 30 years, I'm so blessed!


I love you sista'!

By the way family, we DID win last year's spades tournament. Better luck next time Brad...

First crocs...

No, we're not walking yet, but maybe these will "inspire" Mia to want to take her first step. I'm pretty sure that by the time that day comes, she'll outgrow these, too cute!

Labs are a mom's best friend....

Most of my friends and family know I have a love-hate relationship with our beloved dog, Denton. She licks contently, she runs into me, she's crazy (but lovable, think Marley), and her poops are huge. HOWEVER, she's the best vacuum cleaner I've ever invested in: I don't have to buy new filters, she works day and night, and even gets the nooks and crannies. I don't think Dyson can even boast that, even with it's "revolving ball." Anyone who has kids who still eat in the high chair know what I'm talking about! Below are scenes from tonight's dinner...

She's shameless...

...and comes with a ten year warranty, or at lease we hope so!

The quest for the holy.....sippy cup!

Ah yes, who would have thought that finding the "right sippy-cup" would be so challenging. I feel like Monty Python, but have not found Mia's "holy grail" yet. No one told me this would be so challenging. There are so many choices and apparently, your child ends up choosing the one he or she "likes." Maybe this is easier for some kids, but we've almost bought out every brand at babies r us. Of course everytime I'm in there, some mom comes and raves about one brand or another and tells me "this is the one my son fell in love with." Ridiculous, but yet necessary...

The quest is on, click clack, click clack...

Our contenders so far...
"The Nuk" - Mia loves the handles, but water doesn't come out fast enough.

"The generic" - top choice, but no handles. I have to hold it. Water flow is perfect!

"Born Free" - Nice soft texture, too heavy once it's full. Too hard to tilt back when not full enough.

"Tommy Tippy" - the best name by far. Wish it were smaller, it's also a frontrunner now. Love the retracktable cover that flips over.

"The Nubby" - the worst name by far. Handles are great, but Mia gets drenched after three sips

"The Nalgene" - definately the coolest, but can't handle the hard plastic sipper. Maybe one day when she's walking and wearing her hiking shoes...

"The Personalized Babies R Us Cup" - Ok, so I had a weak moment in Babies R Us. I couldn't pass up something with her name on it. Just like high heels: totally not practical, too hard, but stylish. At least she looks good while drinking out of it!

We'll let you know when we finally find the "right" cup, wish us luck...