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',