Christmas 2014

I can't believe Christmas is over and by tomorrow at midnight will be bringing in the New Year. I always get a little sad after Christmas because more than anything I love the anticipation of the holidays, but this year all I could think about was how many new and exciting milestones we have to look forward to with Bendelle! I can't believe that next Christmas she'll be walking! 

We hosted both Christmas Eve and Christmas, but my sweet Mamma really did all the work. It really is harder to host with a (always hungry and still somewhat of a newborn) baby, so I was so thankful to have the helpful hands of my family around. :)

Overall we had a wonderful Christmas. Bendelle had so many gifts from our family, I felt like I had another baby shower! Among my favorites were an outdoor swing and a cute little pink Paris rocking chair (just stop), both from my Mamma. I loved watching everyone open their gifts, and so did Bendelle. Most entertaining day of her life, for sure.

I don't know if you can tell, but Bendelle's eyes are bluer than ever! They were grey when she was born, and about a month ago they turned blue! So funny because both Aaron and I have hazel eyes. I wonder if they will stay . . .  
 

I have been feeling so under the weather (it's been going around!), and have been so nervous about getting Bendelle sick, so my Mamma (the best mom in the world, if you haven't already figured that out), came up with my sister to help out for a couple of days. They were lifesavers. Seriously, made dinner, watched Bendelle while I took a nap, and took care of the pups. Aaron has to sleep during the day because he works at night, so the help was definitely appreciated! 

Today was tough as I was still getting over whatever the heck I had, and Bendelle also had to get a couple of shots. It was heartbreaking. But on the bright side, it snowed! And I like to think that brightened her day a little bit. ;)

We are excited for the New Year and to celebrate with our best friends, who plan on being part of our little winter wonderland for a night. I hope this year was as beautiful for you as it was for me.  :)

Playing Santa & Seal Beach Weekend

I cannot believe that Christmas is THIS WEEK! Where has the time gone?? I honestly (and surprisingly) feel more prepared than I anticipated but of course I still have things on my to-do list.

My favorite goodies this year--chocolate covered pretzels. Also, the easiest thing EVER to make!

This weekend we went to Seal Beach (mom's house) for the first time ever with Bendelle! It was so nice to be back by the beach and celebrate my sister's 24th with her. We went out to a few of our favorite places and got our grub on, and got to check out a few new shops on Main St. that had their opening debut this weekend. It was fun to be back in civilization and enjoy all the perks of city living that I remember loving. From shopping, to baking, to dining out, getting drinks, grabbing coffee and walking around Seal Beach with the pups and Bendelle, we had such a blast. I was able to get some bonding time in with both my mom and sister, and Aaron, which is all I ever want for my weekends. 

We actually weren't planning on getting Bendelle any gifts this Christmas just because she is so young and won't really know or care about presents, but my mom convinced me to buy a couple of things for her (toys around 6+ months), and I'm so glad I did. Even though Aaron will have to open her gifts for her, I'm excited to play Santa for the first time ever and fill her stocking with a few small goodies. And I can't even imagine when I get to see her finally play with her toys this upcoming year!

Totally obsessed with the little piano I picked out for her!

It was such a nice change to have my mom around to help out and watch Bendelle. My mom is seriously the baby whisperer, and even offered to watch Bendelle one night while Aaron and I went out for a drink on my sister's birthday.

So this year not only are we hosting Christmas Eve, but we are also hosting Christmas day! It is going to be a little crazy, I'm sure, but oh so much fun! ;)

2 Months with Bendelle

I am six days late with this, but better late than never! 

I can't believe this little beauty is two months old already. I am loving this new stage of her being more alert and interactive. A huge milestone was when she first smiled around 4.5 weeks old, and since then it has been so rewarding and entertaining to see her flash that gummy grin.

Ever since she was born I said she seemed wise because she was so alert and curious. Her curiosity and vigilance grows daily, as she is able to now focus on our reflection and her own in the mirror, and studies objects and people with such interest.

A huge milestone for me was when she finally allowed herself to sleep in her bassinet through the night. We struggled with co-sleeping as she loves to be held, and it was very clear she preferred sleeping with us. I wasn't too nervous about me harming or suffocating her because I would literally stay in the same spot all night when we slept together. And as sweet and precious as it was to sleep facing each other all night, I was pretty uncomfortable (I'm a squirmy sleeper), and I was sick of everyone giving me that look when I told them she slept with us. 

So I tried EVERYTHING. Seriously everything. And finally one night, swaddled, with her Sleep Sheep on "rain," and pacifier securely in her little mouth, I rocked her to sleep in my arms and carefully put her in her bassinet. Her pacifier fell out of her mouth every 5 minutes, so every 5 minutes for an hour I would get up to put it back in, but thank you Jesus, she slept through the night. And the next night. And the one after that. And that whole week. And now, at last, we have a nightly routine and I could not be more proud of this seemingly small accomplishment.

I am told this first year flies by. One day you are holding your tiny baby in your arms and the next day they are walking and saying their first words. So I continue to hold on to these sweet little moments and milestones and cherish every moment this year will have to offer with my little miracle. :)

Winter Wonderland

This weekend really felt like winter up here in the mountains. We had a ton of rain and some snow, which the pups were thrilled about! If we are still living up here next year, I can only imagine how much fun Bendelle will have in the snow :)

crappy photo quality, but you get the idea

Last week Bendelle and I went to a "Friendsgiving" celebration with a bunch of wonderful people of Idyllwild. I have missed spending time with friends (as home life seems crazy with Bendelle and the pups), so it was nice to reconnect with everyone all while showing off my cute little sidekick ;)

My sister came up for the weekend, which is always fun because we've lived together most of our lives so when we get together, it's always easy and feels natural. My sister is great with babies and kids and offered to babysit one night, so Aaron and I finally had our first night out together! We went to a new(ish) restaurant in town called Idyology, that we've been dying to go to that's only open for dinner. We had a blast. Idyology had such a fun vibe and great food and wine. I also know some of the staff (waitress, bartender, chef), so it was great to see them in this new, trendy element. It was such an exciting, different night but after two hours I was happy to come home to my little lovebug.

This week my mom will be staying up here in her cabin to get some work done and prep the cabin for Christmas because our Grandparents are flying in from Florida and will be staying with her and her husband. Bendelle has an appointment on Wednesday to get some shots and come this weekend we are planning to head down to Seal Beach for the first time ever with Bendelle! I know it will be a little hectic, but I am excited to go down and spend time with my sister for her birthday.

I am so glad I am done with my Christmas shopping, because I have a feeling Christmas is going to come quickly!

Now if I could only get some baking done . . .  ;)

Oh Christmas Tree

Hallelujah! We have our Christmas tree!!! I waited patiently all last week for Saturday to roll around so we could get our tree, and after a couple decided they didn't want to throw down that much money on the beautiful tree they had untied and twirled around to confirm there were no bald spots, we snagged the best looking tree on the lot. Aaron totally pulled a Clark Griswold when he convinced me the nearly 9 ft tree would miraculously fit under our 8 ft ceiling. Needless to say we had to cut the top off, but other than that it's perfect! Haha.

We spent the weekend decorating the tree, (which is one of my favorite things to do during Christmastime!) as well as wrapping presents, listening to holiday music, watching Christmas movies, and doing some online Christmas shopping. We were obviously craving the funny stuff because we watched Elf, National Lampoon, and Deck the Halls. Oh and 22 Jump Street. Yes, the one with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. Yes, it was funny, but of course the first one was way better. . . which is the case with most movie sequels with the exception of Twilight.

Anyways, we are so excited for Bendelle's first Christmas even though she won't really understand what's going on. And even though she is way too young for it, I am totally eying Elf on the Shelf. I think she'll be ready for it in two years. What do you think? Good age to introduce it? 

But for now we are completely satisfied with this beautiful, pure and innocent stage she is in. I am soaking in her baby smell, gummy smile, and goo-goo, gaa-gaas. Not to mention her hilariously loud toots and poops you can probably hear from across town. Sooo precious. ;)

December is here!

Happy December everyone! I absolutely love this time of year but hate that it always feels like it just flies by! These last few days I have been doing tons of Christmas shopping online (cyber Monday anyone?), as I am trying to get my Christmas shopping done ASAP so that I can focus on other festivities :)

Last year when we hosted Christmas! So many people & so many gifts!

Right now it is pouring outside, and although we don't have our tree yet (guess what's happening this weekend?!), it feels very festive and cozy inside. My sister helped us pull out our decorations last weekend so our house feels Christmasey but I'm feeling like we really do need some more Christmas decor ;) We don't have outside outlets so unfortunately we weren't able to put up Christmas lights outside last year. We have been wanting to get an electrician out here to install a few outlets but it always feels like we have about 19843294872 things on our to-do list.

Yesterday kind of sucked because it was the first day back to reality after Aaron's vacation. We loved having his mom out here with us and it was so hard to say goodbye. My mom and sister also came up for about a day so it was nice to see them and celebrate my mom's belated birthday together. Saturday we went into town for all the holiday festivites--Christmas booths, small buisness Saturday shopping, and Bendelle's first time sitting on Santa's lap! That night was the Tree Lighting Ceremony which really kicked off Christmas for me! 

Since Sunday it has been raining off and on up here--perfect weather to go see a movie! So that's what my sister and I did while my mom watched Bendelle for a couple of hours (Aaron squeezed in a few hours of sleep before work). We saw Catching Fire Part 1 which of course was great, but just like the books, I liked the first two movies better ;) And of course I couldn't stop checking my phone during the movie, worrying about Bendelle the whole time (#momlife). And of course she was fine :)

Looking forward to sharing my Christmas favorites & traditions this month! Happy December :)