From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Christmas List
Not that kind of list. Here’s our current to-do list to get done by Christmas. (Barring any Mayan Apocalypse interruption.)
1. Purchase presents
2. Bake blueberry pie (2)
3. Wrap gifts
4. Finish super secret Christmas projects
5. Laundry
6. Make packing list for travel
7. Pack
8. Bills/balance checking
9. Make Chex Mix
10. More laundry
11. Dog to vet/grooming
12. Find camera charger
13. Get car cleaned
14. Schedule oil change
15. Re-schedule dentist appointment for after holidays.
This is on top of baby wrangling:
Quite a handful, no?
Luckily, Shawn will be helping me to knock out this list. Thank goodness!
December Birchbox
This months box has a festive theme of gifts and their wrapping.
- Juicy Couture fragrance – Please, Birchbox, no more floral/sweet fragrances. It’s really not my thing.
- amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask – This lush mask works as a weekly treatment or an everyday deep conditioner. Full of goodies like sea buckthorn berries, natural vitamins and omega acids, and Vitamin C. It definitely added brightness and shine to my hair. I don’t think I’d use it daily, but it was definitely a nice treat after some heavy holiday styling.
- ModelCo SHINE Ultra Lip Gloss -This non-sticky gloss goes on smoothly and gives lips a soft punch of sheer, slightly shimmery color plus the tube has a built-in mirror so you can reapply on the go. Super bonus was that it was a full-sized product!
- Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream – Sometimes the sequel is better than the original. Just when BB creams were hailed as the ultimate makeup multitaskers, along came CC creams. It offers more targeted anti-aging benefits than its BB counterparts, all while delivering a buildable layer of coverage. The creamy formula has a light, fruity scent and is designed to moisturize, prime, protect, and conceal imperfections all at once. I really loved this product! I think that it is a great improvement to the BBs I’ve tried. It goes on much more evenly and feels light as silk. Definitely will add this to my purchase list!
- Bonus Freebie: Emily’s Chocolates Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies – yum! Cute little fortune cookie dipped in dark chocolate with a holiday themed fortune. Here’s mine: “Let the cheer and warmth of the season have a positive effect on you.” Definitely hit it on the head.
Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Makes a great gift for the holidays! Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!
Tragedy in Sandy Hook
Yesterday and unspeakable act occurred in the small town of Sandy Hook, CT. A gunman entered an elementary school, killing 20 children and 6 adults before turning the gun on himself. I watched the news unfold with tears running down my cheeks, looking at Joseph play with his toys on the floor in front of me. I cannot imagine the agony and grief these families must now face.
Although I do not yet have a child in school, I do have a mother that is a principal of a grade school, as well as, a sister, cousin, aunt and several friends that are in the education field. I know that they all strive to not only teach, but to care for their students health, well-being, and safety.
It terrifies me to think that this is something that they might one day have to face. God please protect them and well as their students.
This kind of senseless tragedy, especially so close to the holidays, can often make you lose hope and trouble our thoughts of the future. A friend of mine shared this quote and it truly gave me something to grasp onto so I wouldn’t lose sight of all the good that is still in the world. I hope that it might also bring others some comfort at this time.
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” – Mr. Rogers
Joseph: 9 Months
I am everywhere . . fast! Crawling, climbing, and scrambling up and over everything in my way, I am into everything. I am curious and love to investigate. My favorite things are to help mommy cook in the kitchen, play in Walter’s doggie bowls, and unravel the toilet paper whenever I get the opportunity.
Walter and I are best friends. Nothing makes me happier then feeding him my food and climbing on top of him every chance I get.
l say hello to everyone and play patty cake all the time. I’m starting to really enjoy music and “dance” when I hear a good song. I also like to play the drums and shake toys that make noise. I also really love my books. I ask mommy to read (lunging out of her arms towards the bookcase) all the time. I especially like my pop up books. They never get old.
Only a few more months and I will be one year old! Oh I wonder how much more I’ll grow until then!
****Apologies for the less than stellar photos . . . someone was too wiggly. Will update with some better shots after Shawn helps me pin him down distract him.
Just not feeling it.
I’m having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year. I’m not quite sure what it is, maybe because things are so hectic with holiday parties, shopping, cooking, etc. on top of my already frazzled daily life I just can’t relax enough to get in the mood.
I am feeling pretty bad about this because its Joseph’s first Christmas. Shouldn’t I be giddy with excitement over starting new family traditions and sharing the holiday with him for the very first time? . . .(Sigh) Maybe if I had more energy – or time – I’d be able to have sugar plums dancing in my head. Right now it is visions of a to-do list as long as my arm.
This weekend, we’ll be taking Joe to see Santa. Hopefully, this will un-Grinchify my heart. Am I the only one who feels this way? What do you do to help you get into the Christmas spirit?
November’s Birchbox
Yes, it is December and I’m posting about November’s box. I blame being out of town for half the month and the holidays.
This month’s Last month’s box had a theme of ‘Give’ -products from brands that give back and essentials that we are thankful for- very apropos, don’t you think?
- Masqueology – This was a three part sample from the brand, it included and eye mask, moisture cream, and facial cleanser. The moisturizer and cleanser were nice, but fairly run of the mill. The eye mask, however, was a different story. Made out of synthetic mesh, these under eye pads are soaked with a gel full ingredients to increase skin elasticity and sooth inflammation. I liked how the mesh kept the cooling gel in place. No slipping off or running. Pretty cool. They seems to work well, I’d definitely use them again after a big night out (or more likely after being up all night with the little one.
- Kiehl’s Creme De Corps – I’ve used Kiehl’s indulgent body moisturizer before and was excited to receive a sample that I can use for travel. This stuff is amazing!
- stila all over shimmer liquid luminizer – Um, I am not really the most make-up savvy. Luminizer is one that I have not yet attempted. I am afraid of looking “sparkly” -something I would prefer to leave to tween girls and exotic dancers. This, however, left a VERY subtle sheen. I would maybe use this more in the summer or for a fancy event. It doesn’t really work into my everyday routine.
- MCMC Fragrance Phoenix Eau de Parfum -Described as having notes of vanilla, honeysuckle, and peach. Too sweet! Ick.
Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Makes a great gift for the holidays! Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!
Happy Thanksgiving
They are definitely two of the most precious things I’m thankful for. Hope you and yours have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mini me (and mini you)
The Japanese have done it again. Omote 3D Shashin Kan is a pop-up portrait studio in Tokyo that uses a handheld scanner to create a three-dimensional model of your entire body. A 3-D printer then makes a small, intricately detailed plastic figurine. The final, full-color models look exactly like the larger you, down to the wrinkles on the clothes and part in the hair.
World Prematurity Day
Today more than 1,400 babies in the United States (1 in 8) will be born prematurely. Many will be too small and too sick to go home. Instead, they face weeks or even months in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). These babies face an increased risk of serious medical complications and death; however, most, eventually, will go home.
As many of you know, Mary and Christopher were born at 23 weeks and were only with us for a few short moments. However, they touched our hearts forever. Our family supports the March of Dimes and its many initiatives to honor the twins’ memory as well as to help others that have these tiny angels born into their lives. For those who are interested in helping this worthy cause, please visit here.
Widdershins 