Christmas

I can't believe that it's been almost a week since Christmas. It takes so long to get here, and then it's over in a flash. Good thing we have some good pictures and cute video's to remember it by.

This Christmas was a very special Christmas because it was our very first one in our new house, and the first time we've had Christmas morning in our own home. Christmas eve, we spent with my in-laws at their place, then we came home, put Addison to bed, and spent some time putting together her gifts from Santa. When we were done, our livingroom looked like this:

Oh, and I should probably mention that Ryan and I decided to only exchange stockings this year, so every single one of the gifts under the tree are for Addison at this point. No, she's not spoiled at all, Santa just has a favorite!

Christmas morning, Ryan and I got up around 7, and Addison was still asleep. She ended up going to bed about an hour later than usual Christmas eve, so we figured she'd sleep a little later, but by 7:30, Ryan and I had gotten up, turned all the Christmas lights on, put the yule log channel on the TV (with the Christmas music playing) and had our coffees in hand. Addison was still asleep. So, probably for the first and last time on record, Daddy went to wake up his girl on Christmas morning. But, she was so tired, she just shoo'd him away and went back to sleep! We debated opening our stockings while she was still sleeping, but we just couldn't start Christmas without her, so we waited til 7:45 and Ryan went back up and tried again. When he came back downstairs, he had a very sucky, obviously still tired Addie girl in his arms.

At first, all she wanted was her mama, and she came down all sulky and whining for me, but she quickly noticed her new kitchen, and the stockings under the tree and at that point she went from wanting mama to wanting presents.

Addie LOVED the kitchen!! It is a really cute kitchen. The pots boil and the pans sizzle, the phone dials and the microwave heats and beeps.. it has all kinds of drawers and cupboards, and Addison's favorite things seem to be the hanging utensils.

We tried and tried to get her away from the kitchen, but she had no interest in anything else. We did manage to get her to open her stocking, but it took about 45 minutes. Partly because nothing compared to the kitchen and she just wanted to play with that, and also because she had to take every little thing over to the kitchen and find it a spot there.

                                                          Opening her sock with Daddy

                                                    Reaching, reaching... still reaching..

 Addison's favorite things from her stocking: Crayons (what the heck was Santa thinking giving her those?? I guess he didn't realize how hard it would be to get  them away from her) and her "big girl" Mickey Mouse cup with sparkles and glitter in it.

By the time we'd all gotten our stockings opened, both our families had arrived to watch Addie open her presents. This is where we run out of pictures. Daddy was busy cooking breakfast, and I was busy helping her with the presents. We'll have to get some pictures from the grandparents. Here's what we do have:

And since we don't have any pictures of either of our families visiting, or of Addie opening anything else, we'll go straight to the final stash. After an entire other Christmas at my parents house Christmas afternoon, and my in-law's on boxing day, this is what Addison ended up with:

Plus the kitchen. I'd say Addison made out alright this year. The only thing on the new craft table that isn't new is her laptop. Everything else was a Christmas gift.

This week has been a whirlwind of running around between family, and I had to work a couple days this week, plus re-organizing and putting all the Christmas stuff away so we can go to a New Year's Eve wedding on Saturday... it's been super busy, and I could really use some time off, but it has been wonderful. We were so blessed to have time with our families, and to see Addison light up with all her new gifts, and to be in our own home this year. I can't imagine a better Christmas, but I know that next year will be even more special when we have our newest addition to share the love with.

Christmas Traditions

Addison LOVES Santa, here's how much:

We had already gone to the mall, and that went over similar to the above picture. Then last weekend we went to the tree farm and this happened. Unfortunately, Addie seems to be terrified of the "real" Santa even though she is constantly picking him out in pictures, and gets super excited when she sees Santa statues and Santas on TV. She calls him "Nana". It's as close as she can get right now. Apparently "S" sounds are tough. Addison has close to 40 words in her vocabulary but none of them are "S" words. She skips straight to the second sound. For example she doesn't get "stuck" she gets "tuck".

Anywho, aside from her being afraid of the big guy in person, he sure does love her. He's already got all her gifts ready to be discovered! (Mama is helping him out by keeping them in the basement/garage until Christmas morning). I am so excited this year to see how she reacts when she comes down the stairs and sees all those gifts under the tree. I've been hearing alot about other people's Christmas traditions, and it got me thinking about how lucky both Ryan and I are that we never even discussed ours! We had such similar experiences growing up, and enjoyed the traditions we already had, that we are just continuing them with our own children. So I thought I would share what we do, and see what everyone else does.

The tree-goes up by the end of November. Usually the last or second last weekend in November. If it's the real tree, then as late as the first weekend in Dec, but usually we can't wait to get it up and go for the fake one.

The gifts- the good ones are from Santa, this year, Santa gets all the credit for the play kitchen we saved up for for 2 full months, the stocking, the mega block set, all the expensive and cool stuff. But, of course we aren't about to let the girls think we buy for everyone except them, so we do give them gifts from us as well, but it's the less cool stuff. The books, clothes, smaller toys... ya, we're okay with letting Santa have it, it is so worth it to have the little faces all lit up and believing in magic as long as possible. The last couple years, mama and daddy have just gotten stockings. Between having Addie girl, buying a new house and having another little princess on the way, we're happy with that. We'd rather put the money that's left (and after buying for Addison that's not much) on the new nursery. Right now, Addison's room is the only room in the house that is actually painted and decorated, soon, there will be two rooms, and we are very excited to have two beautiful little girls rooms set up.

Food- That's a no brainer. We both have amazing moms that know how to cook. Spending Christmas dinner at our own house will not come up until they both stop cooking so well. This year we are thrilled to have both our families at our house Christmas morning to see Addison open her gifts and have breakfast together, but will be making the 20 min trek to my parents house soon after to get ready for my mom's always delicious Turkey dinner. There is always so much food around at Christmas, it is fabulous.

 Family Traditions- In my family, we all got a new ornament every year. My parents started the tradition so that we (my brothers and I) would all have our own set of ornaments to start on our own tree when we started our own families. Ryan and I love this tradition and started it with Addison last year. This year she even picked out her own ornament (a jingle bell painted like a snowman wearing a santa hat).

Opening one gift each on Christmas eve. In my house, it was always a new outfit to wear to church that night, or a new pair of pajamas to wear that night. Sometimes it would be a small toy, puzzle or game for the family to play with that night. We are continuing this with Addison as well.

New Traditons- Daddy reads The Night Before Christmas on Christmas eve as the bedtime story. Addison just loves being read to, and I think this is a great new tradition. She enjoyed looking at the pictures last year, this year she will understand at least some of the story I hope.

Addison made her own presents (clay hand imprint ornaments) for her grandparents last year. This year she is making them something as well. Every year the grandparents will get a homemade gift from the girls. We started it as a tradition because we know they will appreciate the gifts, and we think it`s a nice way to teach the girls Christmas is more about giving from thier hearts than from the mall.

The Elf on the Shelf- My mom bought this for Addison while I was still pregnant with her. We didn`t think she would really get the concept this year, but next year, I am so excited to see how she does with it. If you aren`t familiar with the concept: it is a set you can buy, A book that comes with a small elf doll. The book tells the story about how the elf is a helper of Santas and he watches the kids all day. Every night he goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa, and returns in a new spot in the house in the morning. The kids never know where he will pop up, so they have to be on their best behaviour at all times. And you can`t touch the elf or else his magic will wear off and he won`t be able to get back to the North Pole (so if Santa doesnt know if you`ve been good there will be no presents).

These are the main things that make Christmas Christmas in our house. What makes it Christmas in yours

Wordless Wednesday: Addie loves Christmas

Addison LOVES the "pretty" Christmas Tree

What a happy girl. I am by far the most excited I have ever been this year, and it is solely because I can't wait to see this baby girl come down the stairs on Christmas morning and see what Santa has left her.

Furniture for Baby Ta

I think we've picked the furniture for Baby Ta:

 This crib is so pretty, and I love the detail on the feet! It will look perfect as a crib and make a beautiful toddler and full size bed.

 I like this dresser. I don't love it. It matches the crib, but I don't like having only 3 drawers. Although Addison's dresser is older (it was my mother in law's when she was little), I love her dresser and the fact that it has 6 drawers. This is very nice though and will work well for a change table too.

 Assuming we can find room in the budget somewhere (where that will be I have no idea) I would love to have a nightstand in Baby Ta's room. We don't have one in Addison's room and I have REALLY missed having somewhere to put things close to the rocking chair. Bottles and books on the floor, and nowhere for a lamp is a real inconvenience. I love that this night stand has 3 drawers! Always looking for more storage!

I LOVE this little kid sized coat rack!! Anyone looking for a gift idea for me or Baby Ta, please get us this coat rack!! (It's from Pottery Barn Kids). I so love it, and it would be perfect in her room.

A Nursery for Baby Ta

Since we still haven't come up with a name (which we both feel awful about, we REALLY want to name this little princess soon), Baby Ta is still going by such.

Now that we know for sure we are expecting another princess, I am super excited about getting her room ready. So I've been busy come up with a design for Baby Ta's room.

Since I picked out everything for Addison's room, Ryan wanted some say in Baby Ta's room, and since I think it's super sweet that her Daddy wants to help set up her room, I am all for it. So, Ryan has decided Baby Ta will have light pink walls and white furniture. I had suggested the idea of getting Addison a big girl bed, and giving her crib to Baby Ta, but Ryan was insistent that each baby should have their own furniture, and we did buy a convertible crib for Addie so it would always be hers. So, new white furniture it is for Baby Ta, and when Addison is ready (which is not now, she LOVES being in her crib, and we love that she is contained at night) we will convert her bed to a toddler bed. We haven't picked a set yet, but will do something similar for Baby Ta that we did for Addison. A crib and dresser (with a change pad on top) instead of a separate change table, and I think instead of buying a traditional bookcase, like Addison has, I would like to do something different for Baby Ta. I REALLY like this idea:

I think I could make this, and could make it even girlier if I could find some scrolled dowel rods that look like the rungs on little wooden rocking chairs.

For bedding, I am completely in love with this Hayley bedding from Pottery Barn Kids. I had seen it when Addison was a baby (ugh, still can't believe she's not a baby anymore) and wanted it for her big girl bed, but realistically, her crib bedding will fit her toddler bed, and it will be a few years before she is ready for her bed to be converted to a full size, and at that point Addison will be big enough to choose her own room design and bedding. Sooo.... since I am madly in love with this bedding, this will be Baby Ta's bedding:

We really don't need a ton of stuff for Baby Ta other than things to set up her nursery, but there are a few things I need to get for her. We need new bottles, and we've been using the Born Free ones for Addison lately (yes she still loves her bottle and we haven't even tried to take it away from her yet) but she keeps throwing them and breaking the twist on parts, so we need new bottles anyway, and I really want to go with glass this time. Since we do love the Born Free, I am going to get a couple of these sets for Baby Ta:

 And a bottle holder/cooler/warmer since I never had one with Addison and really missed not having one

We also need some new swaddle blankets, and I am hooked on the Aiden and Anais swaddle blankets we had for Addison. They are so super soft, and big enough to swaddle for months. Addie was 9 months old and we still swaddled her in those blankets. I gifted some to my sister in law though, so we need more now. The bamboo ones are ridiculously soft, but the muslin ones are very close, and have adorable patterns. I am tossed between the super soft plain cream bamboo, or these adorable muslin ones:

I will probably go for the patterned ones, I think the bugs are super cute, and love the bright colours. Plus they arent super girly so I could use them again if we get a boy down the line.

I LOVED our cloth diapers with Addison, but didn't have enough to cloth diaper full time, so this time I need to add to my stash. I have quite a few BumGenius all in ones that I love, and recently added a few ittybitty diapers that are adorable, but I want to complete the stash with Fuzzibunz because they are super soft inside and fit very well. I would love to add some rumparoos too, but I can't find anyone that will ship them to Canada.

Other than that, Baby Ta is all set for blankies, receiving blankets, and especially clothes (which I am sooo anxious to get out again, Addison had gorgeous clothes that she only wore for 6 weeks at a time). I do need to add a few things to the clothing stash, but not much. I know I make tiny babies, and Addie was in newborn clothes for about 2 months. I kept thinking (everyone kept warning me) not to buy more newborn since *most* babies arent in newborn more than a couple weeks, but my girls are peanuts so I need to add some more newborn sleepers and a couple more outfits would be nice. We were a little skimpy on size 9 month as well, so I'll add to that when I find some good sales.

But, Mama needs a couple things for two babies!!
I need a new diaper bag. I currently have a Skip Hop Studio, and I have LOVED the bag, but it has been so well loved, that it is really showing and even after trying to re-sew (haha badly, I am NOT a sewer) my bag has seen better days and it is time for a new one. I need something big enough for two kids now, and that will have to be another post entirely since I have no idea what I want yet, just know I need something new.

I also need a double stroller. This I have done a TON of research on. I have been researching double strollers for months. Probably since Addison was like 6 months old. I know what I want, what I need and what I like, and I have it narrowed down to two. Both Baby Joggers:

City Mini Double:
This is the first double that I fell in love with. It has so many qualities that I love in a stroller. It has large canopies for sun shade (which is sooo important), a nice size basket underneath, babies sit side by side so they can both see everything, one piece so it's easy to use and clean, each seat fully reclines, you can add a carseat, easy to maneuver, folds soo easily, rides very smooth, and it looks awesome. Oh ya, and most importantly for a side by side, it fits through most standard doorways!! I LOVE this stroller. It is also reasonably priced for the features/quality of the stroller.

 Then, I found this one: The Baby Jogger City Select. Now this is a single stroller with an add on seat. This stroller as a single stroller is more expensive than the city mini double, which is a big deal. Once you add a couple hundred dollars for the extra seat plus another hundred for the carseat adapter, it is almost $1000 which I think is very expensive and honestly completely out of our budget. Plus, I am not sure I actually like it better than the city mini. Here's what I do love about it though. It can be used as a single or a double (but I already have an awesome single and a great umbrella stroller so I really don't need to convert it back, even after Addie is solely walking). It has all the same great features as the city mini but the added bonus of the kiddos riding single file, so it will definitely fit through heavy crowds and all doorways, and my favorite part.... the seats can be changed in multiple ways to allow you to use a carseat, plus the regular seat, a carseat with a bassinet, both seats facing forward, both seats rear facing, seats facing each other, and best of all, on different levels so even if the kids are both facing forward, they each have the same clear view ahead. Is that worth an extra $500??? I really don't think so. If I had seen this one first, and gotten the single for Addison, then ya, an extra seat would be all that was needed and make sense, but I think having to manuever a little more in heavy crowds (which we don't frequent anyways) is worth saving the money on this one.

Baby Ta will be getting one gift for Christmas. Addison LOVES her Fisherprice seahorse, and we thought Baby Ta would like one too. So Addie has the purple one, and Baby Ta will have the blue one.

I'm sure the list will grow once we really start shopping (after Christmas) but this is the list I've put together so far for the new addition.