New Beginnings...

Our tree is still up.  I came downstairs for one more night of glowing lights and Christmas cookies.  The kitties came down too.  I kid you not, Muffin is literally slurping the tree water as I type - gross.  Tomorrow, our tree will be thrown out the back door, ornaments will be taken down and the decorations will be stored away until next year.  But these memories - they are here to stay.  And the sweet thoughts and dreams we have for next year's Christmas will surely keep us company.

It's been a very productive past few days.  I guess you could say the nesting has begun.  I've been purging closets.  Filling trash bags to the max.  And feeling the excitement of everything coming together as rooms become more and more decluttered and fresh and ready for baby girl.

 

As I said to Steve, the last week of December -

"Let's enjoy the rest of the holiday and relax, because come January - 

"It's on like Donkey Kong!"

So Friday night, when I found Steve upstairs in bed, taking a little snooze at 7:30 (in his boxers),

I blew my imaginary whistle and shouted, "Up! Up! Up!" as I smacked his tush and told him to get dressed.  "I told you, it's on like Donkey Kong, Mr!  You better start eating your Wheaties!"  

 It was time to go paint shopping. 

It was time to start the nursery.

He sleepily jumped into his clothes while grumbling to himself.  By the time we were in Home Depot, staring at the hundreds of paint samples in front of us, he was awake and ready.  And we were both feeling it - a giant slap of  AHHH, we're starting baby girl's room!!

And since that night, it's been on.

We taped.  Steve painted.  The room was emptied of everything but all things baby.  He put the crib together.  The rocking chair and dresser are in their place. 

He told me I'd cry (happy tears) when I saw the paint in the sunlight first thing yesterday morning.  It was beautiful...exactly what I hoped for.  I didn't cry then.  But I did tonight.  I sat in the rocking chair and got lost in a dream as my feet pushed it back and forth for a good twenty minutes.  I came downstairs.  Kissed Steve without saying a word.  And dreamt some more about all the love we'll put into that room this month.

A week into 2013...

It's been good to us.

We rang in the last of December and the first of January with Jen and Sean.  They slept over.  Steve grilled steak and chicken outside in his slippers.  We stayed in all night...eating, playing Taboo and Cranium, watching the Walking Dead marathon and reminiscing over the past years.

We raised our glasses for a toast.  Jen "cheersed" to "Maria's glass finally being filled with water this year!"  And I happily and so gratefully sipped my sparkling water out of a wine glass for the rest of the evening...taking in the night with people I love.

Sean wasn't ashamed to get stuck with the pink glass (plastic dollar champagne flute)!

Our favorite picture of the night.  Sean's face is priceless. 

New Year's bump

And kiss

We decided to play girls against boys in Taboo.

It was fun pressing that buzzer on Zesty.

Buzz.  Buzz.  Buzz.

Could I have had 4 more perfect cards in a row to describe to Jen?!

They brought us to our second win in a row.

Girls Rule!

Next was Cranium...

Our dough was too crusty and dried out to use the "Sculptorades" category, but that just made more room for "Humdingers!"  Sean's version of Love Shack is incredible. 

One last zombie marathon episode.  And then to bed...at 3:30 in the morning.

Eggs, bacon and leftovers...our first meal of 2013.

 

Happy 2013

<3

Friday, Jessica and I spent the day together.  I got to see her pretty, sparkly tree.  We ordered pizza to-go and came back here.  We gabbed - of course.  We ohhed and ahhed over nursery ideas.

We let time get away from us as we always do. 

I'm still screaming inside at this incredibly adorable and totally purrrfect teeny, tiny sweater Jessica made for baby.  Not only is that a cat with a ball of yarn -

It's Muffin!!!

She stitched lil' Mins on baby girl's sweater. 

I love it so much and can't wait for baby girl to wear it.  I may have to put Muffin in it for now.

See, Muffin - exactly!!

I had to show her.  Twinks was jealous.  I explained to him that he's more a 2T than a 0-3 mos.

 I was thankful to spend some quality time with my dear friends during the first weekend of the year.

Saturday, Kelly and I had breakfast together, just the two of us. 

We quickly nixed the idea of trying a new place.  Station B is always a good choice.

<3

And the rest of the weekend...

I covered that...

Until the nursery reveal next month, here are a couple boring photos.

This stuff works wonders!

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I hope the first week of 2013 has treated you well.

I'll see ya later this week.

<3

New Week Lovin',