Christmas 2013

This has been the best December that I can ever remember.  I'm sure it was this good or better when I was a kid, but my memory is too poor to recall.  The magic and excitement were always present this year.  Having Clara around, seeing Santa, reading a new Christmas book every night, singing Christmas songs multiple times a day, the holiday parties, Baby Jesus... it all amplified the Christmas Spirit and helped me see things from her sweet perspective.

We spent Christmas Eve Eve (not a typo) through Christmas Day with Anson's family.  It was my first White Christmas and I loved it!  I really liked being trapped in the cabin with carloads of kids and most of my inlaws, believe it or not.  (Really!)  Everything was simple, just the way I like it.  Unfortunately, my kids (and a few others) were sick the entire time.  Steven woke up multiple times the first night, refusing to nurse, and only agreeing to fall asleep if I was sitting upright with his head on my chest.  I was tired, but thanks to Clara, I can now run on very little sleep.  ;)  My sweet Clara is a trooper and didn't throw any fits or act like a brat, but she had puffy eyes and had to lay down every time her ibuprofen wore off.  It made me sad to see her like that, especially on Christmas, the day she has been so excited for all month!!  :(

Without further ado, here are the photos from the first part of Christmas:

^^First, we cut down the Christmas tree^^

^^Clara and I built a snowman.  She has been so obsessed with snowmans lately, that we even heard her singing Frost the Snowman in her sleep!^^

^^Clara insisted on being an angel in the live nativity.  She sang Joy to the World at the top of her lungs, even though she didn't know any of the words.^^

^^Christmas morning was wonderful.  The gift giving was short and simple, which encouraged a lot of excitement about what everyone was getting, and also provided lots of time to express gratitude.^^

Part of me wishes that Christmas could last all year, but deep down I know that waiting for each year makes it that much more special.  Still, I'm trying to leave my Christmas tree up as long as possible, even though it's dead!

Camping on the Beach

It was a weekend of firsts for our family.  We started it off with our first-ever car purchase and took a spontaneous trip to the beach.  We camped alongside family and friends, underneath the stars, in our very first tent. Although I was uncomfortable, cold, cramped, and nursing all night long, everything felt special.  I loved every moment spent sleeping like sardines on a queen-sized air mattress, a baby on each side of me.

I was most excited to see Clara's reaction to the beach.  All of her new experiences are so fun to watch!  She immediately sat down and started digging in the sand at the bottom of the stairs.  She didn't even need to see the ocean to love the beach!  Running from the waves and playing in the sand were her favorite things.  And Steven?  His favorite part was napping.

Here are the first half of our beach pictures; more to come tomorrow!

Clara's First Birthday

Here are a few photos from Clara's birthday party:

One of my favorite things about Husband's family is the multitude of children.  They make every family function joyous, and this one was no exception.  Though Clara won't remember it, I won't forget all the smiles on her face and how determined she was to eat her entire smash cake, one slow, deliberate bite at a time.

Yesterday was one of those days where I looked around and said to myself, "I am a mom."  I am so excited for all of the birthdays, holidays, and gatherings I am sure to host as my family grows.

A Very Kieren Day

It was one of those Saturdays, where you pop out of bed at 7:30 am and choose adventure.  Inspired by one too many DIY blogs and feeling lucky, I threw on some pants, skipped my makeup, settled for glasses, and grabbed Clara.  We were off to the yard sales.

We didn't find anything worth buying.  

(I don't believe in your yard sale finds, Apartment Therapy!)

Then, Clara napped and I called my mom to ponder the question of attending the Historic Home Tour  by myself, with a baby strapped to my chest.  The Pipkin in me was spinning all sorts of awkward theories when suddenly, my mom offered her services as the Laverne to my Shirley.

Two hours later, we were standing in a bright blue kitchen from the 1950s.

(And I didn't take any pictures.)

Until I saw this awesome car, which happened to be of my most favorite variety, which is the Volkswagen variety.

And I stared.  And I dreamed.  And I would have killed for that car.

Until, I saw a car that was much more conducive to the heinous amount of children Husband plans on having.  

And I decided I would look pretty cool pulling up to Cafe Rio on Taco Tuesday with a flood of kids escaping my Ford Falcon.  Oh yeah.

We ended our day over cheeseburgers with Husband and a short stop to play with cousins.

Even without finding a mid-century, hardwood, less-than-$100 dresser, I'd call it a successful day.

Day at the Parade

Clara and I took it upon ourselves to celebrate MLK Day with a little parade-watching and festival-navigating.  Little did we know, Clara has a thing for marching bands, as evidenced by the uncontrollable flailing of her arms and legs.  Drum solos, however, haven't yet passed her test.  Each time those drummers started up, she would freeze and cock her little eyebrows.

Speaking of eyebrows...

It has come to my attention that Clara inherited something besides tiny ears from Husband's family.

The Eyebrows.

Whiskers

I had officially closed the Halloween 2011 chapter, thrown a leopard costume on Clara's closet floor, and failed to take down my pathetic decorations, when we were presented with another opportunity to celebrate.  Being that I love to draw on my baby's face and really enjoy free pizza, we were off.

And it's a good thing, because Clara had a blast with her 17 (out-of-26!) cousins.

She had so much fun, in fact, that she would up in a (milk) drunken haze on Grandma's couch, before all of the guests had even departed.  Her costume lay haphazardly on the floor, where some other baby had flung it, and her whiskers were badly faded.  

By the looks of things, it had been a successful party.

Clara managed to put on her most innocent face for the bathtub that night, but traces of fun still remained, paying homage to that first Halloween.

I Love the Arts

Saturday was a big day.

I had a whole day of dance practices and recitals, as well as a piano recital.

I was literally out-and-about from 7:00 am - 10:00 pm.

A few of my ballet girls, in their dressing room, after the big performance.

An elevator full of screaming 3-4 year olds.



The only break I had from the dance madness was a quick nap and a pit stop at my niece and nephew's piano performance.

With my niece, after her performance. 

Isn't she a doll?

My adorable niece and nephew.