A Little Christmas Video

Dreaming of a White Christmas

They were predicting a white Christmas and when I woke up at 3 am to feed Everdeen on Christmas morning I could tell that it had snowed. That's the thing about snow on a quiet early morning...you don't even have to look outside to know that the ground is covered in a cold blanket of white.  It's something that you can feel.  I peeked through the blinds and sure enough Everdeen was going to have a very magical first Christmas.

This Christmas was so different from any Christmas I've had before. It was just the three of us in our tiny apartment. To be honest I felt a little sad not being with my family...sharing our special Christmas foods, listening to the same Christmas songs we have since we were little, playing a romping round of Parcheesi, but we spent the day making new traditions. I was so thankful because Martin was originally supposed to work but got the day off to spend with his family!

We enjoyed a lazy morning opening presents. Everdeen of course loved the bows and tags more than the actual gifts...as I'm sure most babies do.

We headed over to my older sister's house for a little bit in the afternoon. We chatted with her in-laws and I watched as my little nephew toddled around the house.  We even tried out Sanford's new sled and watched and laughed as Everdeen touched snow for the first time! 

Martin prepared quite the feast when we got home...a Paleo Christmas dinner (except for our gluten free chocolate cake :)

This new winter season has truly been magical.  I couldn't have asked for a greater gift than sharing my favorite holiday with my husband and new daughter. 

We hope all of our friends and family had a wonderful and blessed Christmas too! 

five months

 Our sweet Everdeen is five months old today...what a special day to celebrate! 

This has been a month of trying new things! 

Eating new solids

Trying to sleep unswaddled--ummm yikes

Rolling back over from her tummy to her back

Trying to crawl! 

and of course practicing her one eyebrow raise...just like her mama

   

Here's a little peak at what our evenings usually look like :)

four month update

three month update

two month update

one month update

mornings

The mornings are all about daddy and Everdeen. Martin has been such an amazing help and feeds Everdeen every morning at 7. For the first few months I would even enjoy a few extra hours of sleep. Now I can hear the two of them laughing, singing, and playing and I can't help but jump out of bed and just watch...and maybe take a million pictures :) 

These two make my heart melt.

Our favorite place right now

is under the Christmas tree.

We're having lots of magical moments and making lots of memories with our sweet baby. I hope someday Everdeen loves Christmas as much as her mama...the music, the traditions, the being with the ones you love.

Green

Martin and I wanted Everdeen's first taste of food to be something, well, tasty! Most of the avocado actually ended up in her belly surprisingly...and on the toes of her Santa jammies.  We're excited for her new culinary adventures and Martin is excited to start whipping up some homemade baby food, a chef's dream :) 

Grandpas

I love this picture. My dad was probably telling Everdeen that when she's big enough her job will be to chase the geese off the lawn :)  

I caught these two looking out at the lake early one morning last week. This is probably my favorite time of the day. The stillness and newness of the morning makes everything feel peaceful again...whatever worries I had the night before float away as the sun begins to rise.  My dad has always been an early riser...he must enjoy the quiet mornings too, being alone to think in the tranquilness that each morning brings. I love that as I've gotten older I'm starting to notice traits in myself that my dad has passed down to me...knowing that I always have a piece of my dad with me makes me feel so comforted.

This week I've been thinking so much about Everdeen's Grandpa Wolfe.  Martin's dad passed away six years ago today. He was full of life, a little goofy, and had so many great talents.  Martin is full of who his dad was.  I think it must be such a comfort to know that his dad will always be with us through those he loved.  Everdeen will still get to know her Grandpa Wolfe too...through stories and pictures, through watching her own daddy.

I know her Grandpas will both play such an important role in shaping who she becomes one day...as all of our family members do.  We are all connected...each taking with us a piece of those who came before us. 

Do My Pants Go On My Head?

No, but it sure is cute when they do :)

Um Excuse Me December, You're Supposed To Be Cold

Today Everdeen and I spent the day resting and trying to recover from our colds.  Poor baby :( I think every surface has been cleaned, every piece of linen washed, and all toys disinfected. I opened the windows to let in the mild December air...now everything smells fresh and a little like Spring. 

I got Everdeen all wrapped in the Moby Wrap and we headed out for a nice afternoon walk in the 60 degree weather to clear our noses and to look for pine cones for the Christmas tree.  We found lots and placed them among the branches of our tree.  We don't have too many ornaments yet so it was nice to fill in some of the spaces with a little nature. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around under the tree on the hot sun soaked carpet.  I treasure my weekends now more than ever before and can't wait until the snow starts falling and we can really snuggle under the colorful twinkle lights. 

Come on December, bring on the hot chocolate, warm sweaters, and that magical Christmasy feeling. 

Thanksgiving and a 28th Birthday Celebration

This year Thanksgiving was extra special.  Our whole family was together and we soaked in every moment...even spreading around a cold to every member of the family :) We don't get to all be together for Christmas this year...the first time ever...so needless to say we got in every ounce of family time we could.  It was also the first time in six years that my twin sister and I actually gotten to be in the same room for our birthday!  We loved every moment. 

Our family tradition is to have homemade ravioli's for Thanksgiving dinner.  This year my dad made the perfect ravioli with his secret pasta sauce and even though I try to avoid wheat, I couldn't help myself and indulged...it was worth it, tummy ache and all :) 

We headed to my parent's home to celebrate our birthday. I kept thinking about my birthday through my mom and dad's eyes.  Now that I'm a mom, I see how amazing birthdays are.  It's not just a day with presents and dessert...it's a day celebrating a life that was brought into the world. And my parents got to celebrate two babies at once.

My dad made Kate and my favorite dinner...Nutty Spaghetti.  Angel hair pasta with olive oil, garlic, anchovies, and hazel nuts. 

The perfect end to a perfect day...