2014

2013 - You were a YEAR. A new baby, a new home, leaving my job, a wedding in the family; many joys, many tears, and some tough and trying times. Emotions were clear across the spectrum. This has been the longest and shortest year of my life! Shortest in that I cannot believe my little guy is turning one in mere days - and longest in the amount of STUFF that occurred over the course of these 365 days. 

As we approach January 10, I am looking forward to writing and sharing our birthing story with the blog. As it's been a year, I finally feel in a good place to record it. Don't worry - there will not be many gory details.

For now, I wish health, joy and laughter to my family and yours. Cheers, 2014!

Sam's First Christmas

Here are some snippets of our first Christmas with Sam.... Lots of photos - be prepared!

This was our first Christmas Eve mass not at St. John's, as it closed in September. St. John's was a three minute walk from my grandparents, and each year we would meet at my gram and gramps' and then walk over to mass together. It was just MAGIC. I LOVED being surrounded by my cousins and family on this joyous night. The tradition was a highlight of my childhood, and then seeing my cousin's children in such excitement for Christmas Eve became such a highlight of my adulthood. It bums me out that Sam will not spend his Christmas masses at St. John's. 

We attended Holy Cross which is the church I grew up in; where there are many familiar faces from extended family and friends.

As we arrived at 3pm for a 4pm mass in order to get a seat, I knew that it wouldn't end well for Sam. He lasted from 3-4:20pm and then took a snooze with dad in the back of the church.

We spend Christmas Eve at my grandmother's. She serves an absolutely delicious seafood lasagna. Sam was dressed in his finest! I love his lil bow tie!

Get ready for some cuteness!

Look at lil M and A snuggling on the couch reading books! I feel like this is a vintage holiday card - especially with the TV guide book on the coffee table!

Can't stand the cuteness.

Sam was loving on those Christmas balls and just wanted to pick them up and throw them so badly.

Sam on Christmas morning. Guess he got into the eggnog the night before...

Not too excited for new presents from Santa. He went right over to his old toys after his bottle, asking me to read him a Mickey book by shoving it in my face.

Santa purchased this learning-walker in late September to help Sam get walking. Silly Santa - Sam started walking at the end of October! He still loves the buttons and peek-a-boo cow.

He also decided that Christmas was the PERFECT time to get over the fear of the tree and attack all ornaments within arm's reach.

Christmas morning nap to face the day.

In the middle of the craziness and absolutely loving it.

Sam was up and out WAY past his bedtime (until 9pm!) both Christmas Eve and Christmas day. He did such a great job. We had a really nice Christmas with new traditions, though Sam was more interested in the k-cups that Santa left in my stocking than his own gifts!

Teacher Gifts - Sugar Scrub & Sweet Treats

Sam is attending school (daycare) a few days a week while I am on the job hunt. It is working for us, as Sam is such a social baby and school is a great release for him. We also had such a hard time with the transition to a new school (tears, and tears, and more tears - from both of us) that we hesitated pulling him out to go back in again when I am employed.

We wanted to thank Sam's teachers for taking such care of him these past few months, so Sam and I made a sugar scrub and chocolate-dipped treats!

The sugar scrub was super easy to make. I found a ton of recipes online but this was the easiest - and I had the ingredients in the kitchen!

Yup - Just Dawn soap with Olay and Domino Sugar. This is Dawn's pomegranate scent, they also have a lavender scent. I love the pale pink color - this would be a cute favor for a baby or wedding shower!

I used 2/3 sugar to 1/3 soap and then worked the mixture with a butter knife to find the right consistency, not too sugary and not too soapy. The best part - I had to test each one to ensure the consistency was just right.

I used jelly jars, a "garden" paper print and a holiday ribbon. I downloaded this fun font from <http://www.kevinandamanda.com/>, a cute blog which features a ton of fun fonts.

The finished product.

I added white chocolate dipped mint oreos topped with holiday sprinkles for a sweet treat and placed into a holiday printed box - the box can be re-used for holiday decor.

Some extra oreos for the school's director and teacher's room.

My friend S also gifted sugar scrubs to her fellow teachers. She used the Dawn for Olay lavendar scent and printed circular labels. Are they not adorable??

I figure if a teacher is giving it to another teacher, it must be a solid teacher's gift! Sam's teachers were appreciative - saying that they are elbow-deep in dirty diapers all day long that it was nice to get some hand pampering.

Merry Christmas, Sammy.

Wishing our Sam a very, very merry first Christmas.

You are our miracle little one. Thank you for blessing us this year.

Print from Kiki & Company.

Holiday Cards

I LOVE receiving holiday cards and sending them too!

Here is Sam's first holiday card:

I ordered these from Tiny Prints <http://www.tinyprints.com/>. 

The photo was taken by my cousin C during our family's October apple picking trip. I love how it came out!

Our Weekend

It's the final countdown - 2 days until Christmas! We were busy this past weekend running errands and prepping for the holiday. Here are some snippets of our days...

On Friday, Sam and I headed out to the mall and Walmart for some shopping. Holy cow. Sam was just as overwhelmed with the crowds as his momma! Luckily, they were handing out samples of delicious pear in the produce section at Walmart. Sam devoured it.

After our adventures, Sam had an epic breakdown in the car and ripped off his sock and shoe. As he attempted to pull off the second, he fell asleep and snored the rest of the way home.

Saturday we attended services at temple and then headed out for some last minute errand running. We were "iced-in" on Sunday, so we spent the day wrapping gifts, making lasagna for Christmas dinner, and building some new counter stools.

Sam was a big help.

Just testing the sturdiness of this bar dad.

I need to inspect your work, dad. It passes.

Honeymooning!

Wishing K & A and very happy honeymoon! Enjoy sippin' some margaritas in the sun, guys! We love you.

K&A - October 13, 2013