Tuesday, December 11, 2012

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas



 *Mixpod, the site where I create my playlists, is no more.  So I'll be adding videos (of songs) instead.





It's been a merry past few days.  Busy but merry. 
I stayed up until 4 a.m. last night this morning working on stuff for baby girl and stuff for Christmas.
I give thanks all the time for this energy that's still hanging around.  It comes in waves and luckily I feel it more often than not.  I knew with being due at the end of March, that the holidays meshing with the end of my second trimester (and all the preparations) would make for a very full plate.  But I like it that way - the magic of this time of year mixed with the magic of knowing our daughter could be here in just a little over three months.  This little girl is teaching me to balance and juggle better than I ever have.  There's a piece of me that will always be last minute - It's who I am - I work well under pressure and sometimes thrive on the anticipation of waiting to complete a project. 
But lately, it's been nice to do a little or a lot here and there and not have a deadline approaching extremely soon. 


Last night, as I sat and worked on things with the company of LMN and our tree - still free of ornaments but covered in tons of tiny white lights - I felt such a sense of peace come over me.  
It truly felt like Christmas. The house was quiet.  Steve was asleep upstairs. 
The kitties close by, making their "triangle of fluffy power" around the tree. 
And there I was, with my big belly, drinking a cup of cold decaf, putting time and love into special things for our baby.  I had my first big Christmastime cry.  I smiled as the projects came along.  And I cursed far too much at my lack of expertise in the gluing and cutting straight lines department.


But when all is finished and it all comes together, one thing's for sure - It's worth it.


Those 3 munchkins I mentioned in my last post sure made it feel like Christmas and brought tons of cheer last week. 

And Twinkie.  Yeah, he brings cheer all day, every day.



Addison, Chloe and Daxon made my Thursday...

Addison isn't afraid to bust out the goofy moves and faces.  My kinda girl.


Daxon was all smiles whenever he got a hold of his footies.


a few wardrobe changes into their Princess dresses


She requested Mimi do her hair in crazy styles ten times in a row.


playdough fun


Cleaning lady, Chloe, was there to sweep up the dried up playdough bits.


I asked (and bribed) them to take some photos to surprise their mama with the next day.
"Just 20 quick snaps and I'll be done.  Big smiles, please!"

The outtakes gave me a good laugh.

Chloe was fascinated with the ornaments and Daxon was making some pretty funny faces.



And then there's this one, where Chloe may or may not be about to whack Daxon upside his little head.



Favorites





princess yogurt snacks


paparazzi Addison snapping away


I spot a handsome lil' man.
<3


Thursday night was spent just like I had hoped.  Wrapping presents.  Cheesy Christmas movies.
And flufflies surrounding me.



one of the girls' gifts - hello kitty stuff and hair dresser kits for each of them
<3

Friday - our tradition of Christmas with the girls had a fun little twist...

Christmas with the girls and boys.

Daxon was excited to be invited...

and to discover Jessica's pretty pearl necklace.

Steve, Ed and Kurt joined us.
That would be Steve's head under Addison's dress.  She insisted it be that way.  We were hysterical.


After Daxon went to bed and Ed and Steve ran around the house 57 times with the "shoulder minions,"
it was finally present time.


Jessica's beautiful creations


Mimi's


Addison's photography skills keep getting better and better!


Let the unwrapping begin!!
















sad they didn't get any presents


Silly boys


And girls




A sweet gift for baby from Kelly - can't wait to see baby girl take a stroll with this someday.





Another beautiful Christmas with these babes (and the boys, too!)





twins!

And now, for a special treat - a fabulous, festive performance from  Miss Addison and Miss Chloe!
Songs sung (nah, kinda hummed) by yours truly...



Have a happy week. <3
See ya soon.


Merry Lovin',


28 comments:

Unknown said...

I love Michael Buble!!! His voice is like butter!! Lol. And I'm so jealous of all the fun you have been having. The only thing missing from this post was pictures of good food!!!! ;-)

Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!

Xoxoxox

Kelly said...

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!! Awww how fun! The girls are getting SO BIG! And that video at the end is hilarious! I miss you mama! Things have been so crazy, and I've been so sick that I haven't wanted to give you any of my icky germs! I LOVE that you are having such a beautiful Christmas so far, and I am so happy for you and Steve this year! 2013 is going to be beyond amazing for you!

xoxoxoxoxo

Kelly

Hearts & Crafts Boutique said...

I love the pictures...so cute!

I found your blog through the blog hop and I'm now following you! Great blog! I'd love for you to check out my blog, too, and follow back if you want.

Phylicia
http://heartsncraftsboutique.blogspot.com/

I'll Love You Forever said...

Love your blog posts, you are always so busy! Those kids are darling, daxon is so cute! Love the picture of him grabbing his toes. Babies have the cutest softest feet! Hope you have a great day, Maria! xoxo

Kari said...

Love all the pictures!! :)

Hope you're having a great week!! Tell sweet baby girl that Cooper and I say hello! :)

xoxo

Janet Off Kilter said...

OMG...the pictures of the boys had me laughing so hard I almost fell out of my seat!

Brittany said...

I love this post!! It's so great to see you guys surrounded by such loving friends...what a special time of year to be enjoying your sweet bundle on the way. She is definitely loved like crazy already!!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys LMN this time of year (and always...)...cheesy Christmas specials are the best! :) Poor Bear has to watch them all day long with me.

Look at you feeding that baby like a Momma Champ..you're a natural! I can't WAIT to see pictures of you feeding your Baby Girl just like that! You are going to be one amazing Mommy, Maria. I say that all the time but it's SO true. She is one lucky baby girl!

Hope you're having a wonderful week! Rub that sweet belly for me!

Stephanie said...

I love all of the pictures! I love that you have such great friends, your men come along in toe, and all of the kiddos, too! Soon, your little bee will be right in the mix, too! SO SWEET!

I'm glad you're enjoying the season -- it's the BEST! :)

Lots of love your way! <3

Unknown said...

Hi Maria,
It is good to see this wonderful post with beautiful pictures and videos on my return from the dentist! Christmas is so near now and I can see that things are getting into place for you. You have such wonderful times with the young ones that it certainly is going to be a joy when you have your own child. I wish you continued happiness my friend and send lots of love, friendship and best wishes to you, Steve and Beano.
Judy

Whitney Cypert said...

LOVING Michael Buble, as always! He's the perfect choice pretty much anytime of the year but definitely at Christmas!

I can't believe you were up until 4am! You must have alot of energy, I am jealous! Sitting in a quiet house with the kitties close by sounds amazing. Sometimes it takes a quiet house, late night, and your wondering mind to take everything in, ya know?

That little Daxon is too adorable for words! It looks like y'all had a great, Christmasy night!

Kiara Buechler said...

I can totally picture you sitting there by the tree crying your eyes out, and I can feel exactly what you were feeling. I am so happy you are experiencing this this Christmas.

Misfit Librarian said...

Stopping by from the Almost Friday Thursday BlogHop and I wanted to say hi! Your pictures are wonderful :-D

Misfit Librarian
http://misfitlibrariansadventures.blogspot.com/

Big Apple Mami said...

Merry Christmas Maria!! Xoxo

Growing Gaithers said...

Love it! You are so cute, and just so ya know, you're multit tasking skills will only get BETTER! You'll soon be able to ROCK at taking on multiple things. Merry Christmas, I can't believe it's almost the end of your second trimester! Gettin closer momma!

Unknown said...

Looks like you had a blast! Visiting from the blog hop... I have a FB hop starting tomorrow- hope you'll come by and join in! I'm your newest follower!

mika@Waste Clearance London said...

Your new follower here from the Friday blog hop!

Kelly ~ Our Everyday Harvest said...

What beautiful pictures. It's so great to capture all of the wonderful memories that make you smile!

So happy to have you link up at this week’s Harvest of Friends Weekend Blog Hop.


Have a great weekend!

Oh So Amelia said...

Lovely photos!
Thank you for stopping by and linking up at the Friday Chaos this week.
Have a nice weekend

Kerry
www.ohsoamelia.com

Anonymous said...

Looks like yall know how to have ton's of fun,visiting from Everyday Harvest.
~JO @ LoblollyLane

Jessica White said...

It's magic isn't it?!
I love the new blog design.

Heather Nelsen said...

You are a natural mama! LOVE the Nutcracker video! Too cute!! Looks like you guys had a blast- love all the pictures!! Giving gifts to kids is the best, isn't it?! Glad you guys had a great time! Hope you and Steve are having a restful Saturday!
~Heather

Miki said...

Hi, Maria! How are you? Awe, I love how you've decorated your virtual home! ;p

You seem to have had a wonderful time with your buddies! Those 2 little girls are just adorable! Just as much as your is going to be, no doubt about it ;).

Oh, I'm a "last minute" person, too :/. I really dislike that about me.

Hope you have another very profitable and wonderful week! ;D

Tight hugs!

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful post and beautiful family and friends ~ Happy Holidays to you and your family ~

(A Creative Harbor ~ aka ArtMuseDog and Carol ^_^

ps. am following you now on GFC ^_^

Irfan said...

am following you now on GFC via I Love My Online Friends 'GFC' Blog Hop. follow me back!
http://fashionwithfitness.blogspot.com/

Olivia said...

Christmas is about to get a whole lot more magical :)

I remember when I didn't have Jack & Jude and the magic was just missing each year and then... BAM! Toys are fun again, Toys R Us is magical again... and the best part is, Steve will be just has excited as you are shopping for the toys, Santa photos, etc.

I'm so happy for you Maria! And you take the most beautiful photos! And how sweet of you to snap the photos of the kiddos for their Mama. You and your friends are so thoughtful and supportive.

Merry Christmas Maria! If don't get to say it before the magical day :)

LOVE MELISSA:) said...

That video is so cute! Put me in my happy place. Actually the whole post makes me smile which is something I need right now. I love the decorations. You and Steve did a wonderful job. So when are we going to see another belly pic. I am waiting...xoxo

Irish Carter of Dedicated 2 LIFE said...

How inspiring! I love the looks on the little ones face as they opened their gifts. They truly are so much fun to watch on your blog. They are dolls! Loved the hello kitty gifts.

Take care and enjoy the holidays. Happy Holidays.

Irish

Angela said...

I'm so glad you are enjoying every little moment...your posts always remind me to do the same <3

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