Why don’t we have two catch me up blog posts back to back? My plan had been to start sharing these at the end of each month, but I guess the first week works, too. I kept meaning to get my computer out over Christmas break, but every day that went by without screen time was a good one. The longer I went, the less I wanted to do anything productive. I’m planning to start recapping our holiday next week, along with our Disney World trip (finally), but I’m hoping to finish up this week with a photo recap of last year.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that our holiday was magic. There were so many things that were different this year — nobody in my house believes in Santa Claus, we added a baby to our celebrations, several holiday events were rearranged, and Josh had to work on Christmas Eve (among other days) — but we managed to squeeze so much fun into those eleven days. I love hearing my girls say best Christmas ever, even though we know they will just say it again next year. Somehow, every Christmas is the very best one.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that we are still very obsessed with our Polly girl. She grew so much in the last few weeks and is babbling and laughing more than ever before. I can tell that Sophie is much more engaged, now that she is more reactive, and we’re all enjoying the toys she got for Christmas this year. I’ll have a full four month update on the blog next Tuesday, but I couldn’t let another day go by without telling you how amazing she is.
If we were on a coffee date, I would remind you how much I love hosting people in our home. I had gotten really bad about that in the last several years and even let myself by embarrassed about how not done our house is. I read something a few weeks ago about loving the home you’re in now, no matter where you are in the process of building, buying or decorating, and it was just the kick in the pants I needed. We invited friends and family over for New Year’s Eve and had the very best time. We didn’t have enough chairs for everyone (in fact, my brother in law broke the one he was sitting in – ha!), but nobody seemed to care. We played cards and watched football and snuggled babies and I didn’t crawl into bed until after 2 a.m.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell that I ordered new undies a few weeks ago. That seems like such a personal thing to share, but I like them so much, I thought you might like to order some of your own. Yes, they sent me three pairs of these to try, but that isn’t an affiliate link and I’m about to load up because I love them so much. They don’t show underneath your leggings, they don’t move, and they are super comfy. I’ve also got my eye on these lounge pants.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I’m still pondering my word for the year. Our pastor offered a suggestion, which just happened to be the word I was already considering, but I want to think and pray over it for a few more days. I’m also still working on my goals and an action plan for this year, but I’ll report back when I have more clarity on where this year is heading.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that we all still miss Scoop like crazy. I don’t think of her as often as I’d like, but when I do, it’s a gut punch. Our neighbors dog still comes to visit and when I hear her bark, I have to do a double-take. We saw the trailer for a dog movie over the holidays and my mom and I barely held it together. I’m a glutton for punishment, because I fell down the Instagram rabbit hole yesterday and looked at all of my favorite photos of our girl. We’ll probably get another dog at some point, but we’ll likely adopt instead of getting a puppy. I’m torn about that, but I can’t clean up poop after a baby and a puppy.
If we were on a coffee date, I would ask you for a shampoo recommendation. You know I prefer the natural route when it comes to beauty products and shampoo is the one area I haven’t managed to get right. Everything leaves my hair feeling too dirty or too tangled or too something. I get the best results with cheap shampoos that have the worst practices when it comes to manufacturing and ingredients. What are you using that isn’t full of junk and won’t leave my hair feeling gross. Help a sister out!
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I didn’t quite conquer Dressember. I did wear a dress every single day through December 21st, but once Christmas vacation arrived, I wore comfy clothes around the house and never looked back. I didn’t make a conscious effort not to participate, I was just in holiday mode and wasn’t as thoughtful about getting dressed. My sister in law kidded me about wearing leggings to watch football last weekend and I felt terrible. I also learned I’m not the greatest fundraiser, but my team did raise over $4000 collectively, so it was a win overall!
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I’m reconsidering our link parties for the blog this year. Rachel and I had already decided to end the Book by Book Link Up in December, but I feel bad for not telling you that before now. I have only read a book or two since Polly’s birth, so I didn’t have much to blog about on that front. I’m hoping to be reading more this year, but I’m finding it hard to sit still and concentrate during this season of life. I’m probably not going to resurrect my day in the life link up either, but I will be hosting Little Letters on the second Friday of every month. I’ve had several of you message me about that one, specifically, so let’s give it a whirl!
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that breastfeeding is not for the faint of heart. I honestly can’t believe I’ve made it four whole months?! Before I was a nursing mama, I didn’t understand why other moms wanted to talk about it all the time or post photos of themselves feeding or extend that experience beyond a few months or baby’s first year. Guys, I get it now. I am so protective over this aspect of my life and it enrages me for people to ask how long I’m planning to do it, as if the end is in sight. I’m so proud of our accomplishment that I want to weave it into every conversation, even though nobody else cares as much as I do. It hasn’t be easy, but it’s been a lot more intuitive than I expected. I did have a short bout of mastitis over the holiday and it was miserable. I’ve never gone from fine to wanted to die in thirty minutes before, but thank goodness for helpful husbands and a 24 hour pharmacy. He ran out to grab my prescription at almost ten o’clock on the 23rd and by morning, I was feeling like a new woman. I had a dip in supply because of the medicine, so we’re still working our way back to normal. It doesn’t help that Polly is extra distracted (thank you four month growth spurt) and super congested. She hasn’t quite figured out how to nurse and breathe with a stuffy nose! I think we’ll both benefit from being back on our regular schedule — she nurses so well at night after being separated during the day.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I am looking forward to the weekend. We have one more Christmas celebration –with Josh’s parents — and the girls can’t wait to exchange gifts with their cousins. As much as I hated not spending Christmas Eve with them, it’s been a fun thing to look forward to in January! What are your weekend plans?
