In Hopes that St. Nicholas Soon Would Be There...

Some pics from Christmas, I'm just now getting uploaded (Christmas in January?!)...

Nik's Stocking

Diesel's Stocking

An ornament ("G") from Williams Sonoma from my mom. It's really a beautifully blown piece of glass, if you can see it in person.

Nik playing with a teether.

A Snowflake from Pottery Barn from my mom.

I just love the way the sun looked as it came through on this photo.

A present for Nik.

I love the bear peeking out behind there.  I love the Idea that some presents can be unwrapped under the tree.  It's so "Santa" (present out of the bag, straight from the toyshop and all that!)

This little dog is a hoot!!  I love Tiny Love!

This pelican speaks French, but not very well (for some reason, is hard to hear)

 Coconut!

Heavy heart.

I am missing my pumpkin terribly today.  We are currently in an overtime status at work, so even if I wanted to leave (pending any emergency), I cannot use any time off to leave today to go get her early, and squelge any extra mommy love time with her.  Today when I dropped her off at Daycare, when I started to hand her to our care provider, she turned back towards me, and tried to snuggle in closer to my chest.  Literally, my heart broke right there in a million pieces, and I started to well up after I left.  That turned into a full cry once I hit the car, and contemplated just turning around and running into rescue her, so we could snuggle cuddle all day.  I miss her so much lately, it's really hard.  She seems to need me more lately, as she is going through this seperation anxiety, and I desperately want to be that comfort for her.  I just can't, and it breaks my heart, and makes me feel like a horrible mom.  I just hope she's doing alright, and that the days go quicker for her than they do for me.

Hi, I'm Nikolina!

What's that you say?  You want me to smile?

This couch is yummy!

You want me to smile, when, Oh, gotcha...how about, now

Happy Face!

Kind of Sad Face.

Found some fuzz.

What is that piece of fuzz?

I love babies in tights. Don't you?

On her tippy toes.

Sweetie Cakes.

Sweetie Cheeks.

Cheesing!

Hi, little Pumpkin, Love you, miss you.  You have my heart.

Giving Back.

This year was a tough year for a lot of people.  Who knows what lies in store.  Hopefully, well, some hope. This year, both sides of my family opted not to do our usual gift grab bag exchange.  On my husband's side of the family, my husband's youngest sister suggested that we donate some money or time to helping some less fortunate this year instead.  So, we contacted our local Food Pantry/Mission and selected a program where you "Adopt A Meal."  In this program, you buy the food, prepare the meal, and serve it.  There were 8 of us, our 13 year old niece also wanted to help out (and then made a list to give to her school of some of the items that they needed, isn't she such a sweetie??!!).  We all split the cost and for a very little amount (with leftovers and extras), we were able to serve we think somewhere around 40 people.  We had a great time, and we even stayed to wipe the tables down and do the dishes afterwards.  We had to drag my husband out of there before he started mopping the floors)!!(we volunteered December 27th and some of the group were heading back out of town).

My mother and father-in-law also helped us prepare the food and watched our little ones while we volunteered-Thanks Jan and Roger!  It felt really good to give back, and to think that we were helping to make someone's day a little sunnier, a little easier, a little warmer, especially at Christmas time!  Seeing the chidlren's faces really hit home for me.

Becca, Jordan, and Lyds

Me, with My newly engaged Sis-in-Law, Becca (left) and my niece Lydia

My youngest Sis-in-Law, Jordan (Jordie, George)

My self-less husband (who initiated our dish washing:)

My Sister-in-Law, Rachael (Rach-photographer, mother to Four, and creater of http://schiranotriplets.blogspot.com/ )

That's my sister-in-law's (new) fiancee, Dan.  I neglected to blog about it in the rush before Christmas, and bc I was quite sad that I didn't grab a good picture to post.  They were engaged in Chicago December 19th  where they live.  He created a whole special day for the two of them, taking her all around town to significant places they encountered throughout their relationship together, then proposed to her by Lake Michigan with the twinkiling city lights behind them.  Obviously, she said yes!!  And they and family toasted at the Hancock Building in Chicago.  As this is an Adult Setting, Nik and I were still fortunate enough to able to meet the family out later to join in the celebrations for a bit (as my parents were unavailable to watch her that weekend).  But, in all the haste, I didn't grab a photo of the two lovebirds, but hope to post one later for you. 

Congrats, Becca and Dan, and thanks, Dan for volunteering to help and give this weekend, even though you're not "officially family."  Ha, Ha!!  Seriously, we love you, and we couldn't be more ecstatic and thrilled that soon we can officially called you "family" (even though we already refer to you as "Uncle Dan.")  Becca, What a Beautiful Bride you will make!!

We love you both, Congrats!!  Can't wait for the Wedding!!  Becca, my Wedding Book awaits you!

Right on Track.

                                  

Nik had her 9 Month Check-Up today.  She turned 9 Months the 29th, but somehow, maybe do to the holidays, the check-up got scheduled a little later.  Nik is right on track with her height and weight, as she's been all along...Height 30 Inches (97%percentile), Weight 22.9 (95%percentile), Head Circumference 17 1/2 (75%percentile-Nik had held steady in the 50th%percentile in this category, but I guess she decided to start uping the game on that % too!).  Dr. Emm says she's doing great and he's very happy with where she's at!

We had just come from having Lunch with Daddy at the Office (I used Family Leave Bonding today:), and Nik held onto Daddy's golf ball the whole way in the car, and into the Doctor's office.  Love you, Daddy!

Nik and I had a great day visiting her Nana, Grandpa, Daddy, Doctor, and we had the chance to run some errands, get some things done at the house, do some grocery shopping, pick up something for Daddy, and we had a VERY FUN TIME using our Gift Certificate to Victoria's Secret and SHOPPING at the Mall.  We had a cafe break at the coffee store, bought a new toy, hat, mittens, fleecee, and winter coat.  Nik even helped me find a great piece at Vickie's that I had missed during my initial run through.  She's such a great shopping partner!!  She's Trouble though, she loves everything!! 

Partners in crime, us girls!!

Shh... I Have a Secret!

Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale Going On Now!!

Thanks, Jan (And Rach).

Best Hubby Ever!!!

My husband and I agreed not to exchange Christmas Gifts this year, in lieu of getting Nik some toys, trying to cut back, and since Christmas does not really fall within our budgeted budget :)-save money.  I don't think that I could never, not get my husband something for Christmas, whether it be something small, or even something handmade, or some gesture from the heart (I just don't have it in me to not gift him something, I love Christmas too much!).  This task was very difficult for me as I LOVE to give presents at Christmas, so, I used some coupons to get him a small gift that he had been wanting, and got the item for a steal!  Stockings are my absolute favorite thing at Christmas, and always hold the best gifts to me-
 I remember as a child, the excitement of reaching your hand down in there, and never knowing what you were going to pull out.  It seems like, you were continuously pulling little things out!  But this year, I was able to restrain myself, and just got a few things for him.

I think I have always been a step behind.  I got a car when I was 16, my parents gave me their old car to drive.  As a 16 (18) year old, you always dreamed of the brand new car with the big red bow.  That's not exactly how my story goes, but I was just happy to have a car--freedom (if you can be free at 16).  I drove that car for 11 years.  I called her Betty Lou, if that name gives anything away, but I never had to pay car payments, insurance, or fill my car with oil (thanks daddy)  At 18, when I started college, I used a Smith and Corona typewriter, a dictionary, and textbooks for my college papers.  I received a stereo (18) and tv (21) later than most kids my age and I received a cell phone and my first digital camera later than most when they were coming out.  And, up unitl 2 days ago, I never had the current "it" phone, or internet access via phone.  I still don't have a Ipod, an MP3 player, a laptop, or a Wii, but I have always been of the mind that if whatever it is gets me from point A to point B, that's enough for me!  I also take great belief in the adage, "good things come to those who wait."  But, my husband, who always "keeps me up with the Joneses" took me to Verizon on Sunday, after speaking with a friend who advised us that these new phones were on sale.

 And bought me one, he even threw in a pink case for me!!!

And, how incredible are these phones!!  My husband asked me if I liked my phone, and I thought he must be crazy!!  I LOVE IT!!  With this thing, I will never ever be bored in a doctor's waiting room, standing in line, or anywhere ever again!  I just keep hearing those words in my head, "there's an app for that."  And there really is!  I feel spoiled to have such an incredible piece of electronic equiptment in my hands.  But, then I felt the same way about my engagement ring!  My parents were just complaining the other day, when my other phone went caput, that they couldn't hear me, I doubt that they'll have that problem ever again.  These things sound like your in the next room!!  And the camera phone-incredible!  Really, if you have the opportunity to get your hands on one of these, or already have one, they are truly amazing!!

On other note, our Daddy has been working especially hard this past year to provide for us, and we are very lucky for that.  Each day, I think about how I don't want to wake up, head out into the cold, go to work and leave my little pumpkin, but I know it's just as hard for her Daddy, and his work requires that much more attention and energy out of him than mine does. I know that he is working hard in the hopes that one day I will be able to stay at home with Nikolina and build the rest of our family, and for that I love him even more.  I constantly feel like I am juggling all these balls in the air, and when I feel like they're all going to come tumbling down on me, he is always there to try and calm me down or tell me I'm being ridiculous, one of the two.  We love him and every day we are so lucky he is our Daddy!

Love you Daddy!!

2010.

It's a New Year, and though I didn't ring the New Year in with a Bang (little one and all that), my husband and I did have a very nice dinner at one of my New favorite restaurants. We made an early reservation, and it was very quiet, intimate, and just want a New Mommy could ask for, to welcome the New Year with her family! The atmosphere was bright, sparkly, and refreshing, and though it was quiet, it was busy enough to feel like a (shared) celebration. The weather fit appropriately for the Season, and the nip was just enough to remind you what time of year it was, and to soothe you straight down to your core. We made it an early night, and when I brought the champagne to my husband at 8:00 pm, he stated that it was "too early" and we had to wait until Midnight to officially ring in the New Year, but by 9 pm, he was fast asleep on the couch, and I followed at 10:15. I'd say we're not quite the crazy kids we used to be, especially since we beat both sets of Grandparents to bed. But we were up at 6:00, which I bet most people can't say. We had a nice breakfast, and did some grocery shopping, I did some cleaning and some laundry, and we spent sometime with Family. An ordinary day, but a refreshing, New day for a New Year. If I could spend every day of the New Year with my family doing little ordinary things like that all day, I'd be the happiest person alive and every day would feel like a New day. We have a lot to be thankful for this New Year, and as the years keep going by, I am painfully (and ecstatically) aware of them as they go...Each day I want to relish my time with my family, and each day I do, I wish I'd lived that much more. I'm so excited for each new step, each new path, each new day that awaits us, and yet, a part of me wants to slow time, so I can soak it in a little while more. But, a New Year awaits, and with a New Year, a New Song (for our blog), from one of my favorite New Movies, "Love Happens." Enjoy! And, Happy New Year!