there's a reason i love photos

Photos capture the moments that we never want to forget. Christmas morning Hazel cuddled up to J and I caught it on film sd card.

I'll update more later with some christmasy joyful posts, including gifts, family, friends, and more happy photos. xo

CRIBS

Not like the MTV show, though I did love that show. Especially when they showed me their 10 lamborghinis in the driveway.

Well it's christmas eve eve. I can't help but love this time of year. A time of presents, presents, and more presents and time with family and friends. Baby got her present early. Well, baby isn't here yet so I guess it is a SUPER early gift from her grandparents. My mom and dad ordered our crib for us awhile ago and it got delivered yesterday. It is DREAMY. It is sort of a tannish grey worn wood look. It blends perfectly with the room. The random greys, tans, whites, and offwhites all seem to compliment each other even though nothing matches "perfectly".

Merry Christmas Eve! xo

Disaster nanny applicants

If you were applying for a job, would you spell words incorrectly, leave out an addressing line (you know, no "hi" even), and copy and paste a letter from another job?  Apparently in the nanny industry, they missed the memo. Or at least the people applying to this job did!

When you write me a letter to apply for a nanny position, please do the following things.

1. Consider the things I am asking for. If you can't work the days I posted, don't ask me to change them. If you are 17 and still in high school, clearly a full day nanny job won't work. If you have never taken care of an infant, don't email me. Most importantly, your info is double checked. Refer to #5.

2. Write my name. Address me like I am a person. I state my name clearly in the job posting. Even a "Hi, Meghan" would suffice. But no, that's apparently too much to ask.

3. Spell check. There is this neat button on computers that says ABC with a check mark next to it. USE IT.

4. Don't copy and paste your letter applying to nanny for a 5 year old into the "cover letter" you write to me. I can see through you. Also, my 10 week old will not need to "learn computer skills" or "learn to paint". Not yet anyway.

5. Don't lie. Please please don't lie. Because if your cover letter and your online profile tell two different stories, I know one is not true. I do. So just don't do it. Be honest.

PS there are normal wonderful women applying who I do plan to interview. But I have to weed out the other 98% to get to them. And I promise if you are my actual nanny, I will not blog about you. Maybe.

In case you were wondering where the crazy cats went...

We are out of cat prozac. We have been for awhile but I thought I'd let it ride. In the past week the increase in hissing in our home is making me wonder if my cats are SSRI lovers for life. In fairness to them, the cat phermones (feliway) we usually have in our home are also out. Prozac is cheaper than Feliway.  Cats may be re-drugged soon.

Oh also in the last week, they have thought it was fun to:
- vomit on the floor x3
-leave a piece of poop on our nice carpet
-eat hair out of the bathroom trashcan.

Guess they are preparing me for having an infant... vomit and poop on things.

Good thing they are cute. Off to feed the devils and offer them some cheese as a peace offering until I can refill their nice cat meds. Maybe that will help. Cheese always makes me feel better.

I have a sneaking suspicion love actually IS all around us...

Long post warning. If you just want the pics of the updated nursery, scroll down.

The past two weeks have been full of Christmasy love and happiness, baby celebrations, and family time. I posted about my shower at my mom's house, but since then (only a mere week and a day ago), I've gone shopping a few times for christmas to pick up a few odds and ends, yoga-ed with some other preggo ladies, celebrated the holiday season with a work polyana and delicious treats, caught up with old friends over dinner, picked up some baby furniture, traveled to CT, spent a night & morning with one of my best friends and her husband, had baby shower #2, celebrated my grandmother's 85th birthday, and started to organize baby's room. Busy is an understatment, but love is an even greater one. I have felt filled with happiness, baby kicks, and of course some fatigue over the last 8 days, but I would not have it any other way. As we made the trek back from Connecticut to Delaware today, we stopped a few times along the way. The trip wasn't rushed, but filled with Christmas music, some good conversations with J, and some starbucks holiday drinks. I couldn't ask for more.

Except, except EXCEPT!!! to somehow deal with the bags, boxes, and packages that had made their way into baby's room. The entire left wall was covered... and our jeep was full of more baby joy from this weekend's celebration as well. I felt like something had to be done.... so I took on a big big task. I cleaned out the closet. The closet was full of dresses I forgot I owned, shoes purchased for a one-time wear, and two full trashbags of clothes I realized I will never sport again- someone else can use this christmas season. With a 'good will' label etched on the trash bags in sharpie, they got tossed in the hallway.

There was a point, about a week ago, I swore our child would go naked because we had no baby clothes. That is not anywhere close to the truth. So the closet got cleaned, filled with baby things, the glider got assembled, and our side table got covered in a family passed down blanket that has hearts embroidered into it if you look closely.

Oh yeah sorry baby, but mama's shoes have to stay. There's no where else to hang that shoe holder and it has some of my favs. Oh but don't worry, on the hanging shelves in there on the right, the second section is COMPLETELY full of socks and shoes for baby. She's taking after me already. 

Now the room has lots of space. We still need to take the book shelf out of there now, paint it white, and get rid of the grown up books... but this is definitely major improvement. Oh and our cute car seat is making an appearance here too. Love the color of it!

The glider is so soft and comfy, with the best material.  Those anthro curtains that once stole my heart are on the outswing. J's mom found the most adorbs baby appropriate fabric and plans to sew us new ones. So excited for those. Next up the crib comes on Thursday and then we can figure out how much more room we have for the other items we need to fit.

I can't wait for another weekend filled with celebrations and family time. Up next on the agenda is Melissa + Scott engagement party Friday, Christmas Eve with my family, and then Christmas day with J's family. I love watching our niece and nephew open presents. And I sort of love the holiday season being pregnant. I highly recommend it. It's already naturally full of so much warmth, friends, family, and love.  Baby W is going to love Christmas time, I just know it! Feeling extra lucky and happy these days. Life is very very good. xo

homecoming outfit

Not homecoming circa the 1990s wearing sparkly shirts and black pants (though that was admittedly an entertaining time)... homecoming as in when we bring the baby home from the hospital.

I got this in the mail yesterday.

It's so teeny. And light dusty pink colored. And adorable. *insert excited girl squeal here*

showered with love.

My mom put together my baby shower this weekend in her home. It was a day full of friends, family, laughter, and tons of baby-ness. Baby Walls is so lucky because she already has so many people who love her. And who brought her some fantastic gifts.

Christmas + baby can be a hard party to decorate for, but as per usual my mom pulled through and did the best job. She mixed christmas with pink in the best fashion, and our baby girl was pre-welcomed by tons of women who I love.

Love all the little stockings under "the stockings were hung" sign. And when my mom went to take it down this morning, my brother said to leave it up there... so now the soon to be grandbabies will be thought of through the season. So cute. Not to mention when it does come down I take all those little socks, boots, and booties home. Warm feet all around.

Present opening was less awkward than bridal-showering because for the most part they were for baby & not technically us! There were so many cute things and I loved them all. A few special things made appearance. And my niece Hazel lent a hand in the unwrapping and displaying of some of the things she highly recommends (she's only 1, she remembers). My dad sent along a gift of traditions: an outfit for the St. Patricks day party, pajamas for Christmas next year, baby hiking boots for Mt. Washington, and a UCONN sweatsuit for March Madness. A perfect gift. Oh and my mom somehow managed to pick out and give me the petunia pickle bottom diaper bag I'd been eyeing but could not find at PB kids to actually add to the registry. Obsessed. J's sister Emily got J the Diaper Dude diaper bag (yep, I'm setting expectations early here) and stuffed it with everything he will need, including a change of clothes. Hilarious and awesome. We are so lucky.

Tiffany Silver Spoon

Hazey approves of the gym.

Blankey makes a comeback.

my very favorite person.

I can't possibly post pictures or even name all of the wonderful things I was given for Baby W. But, suffice it to say... it was overwhelmingly generous and I loved every item. We brought some home with us this trip and some will come home on Christmas. To those of you who were there, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Jamie and I know baby will be well taken care of and well clothed during her first year!

Next weekend we are having a mini baby shower in Connecticut so my grandmas who have a hard time traveling this far can be with us. And today we started clearing out the nursery... but that deserves its own post and an extra big THANKS to my parents who trekked down from Yardley to help us at our house after hosting an amazing weekend at their house. Can't wait for more baby & holiday celebrations in the next few weeks!

I Know my blog is not famous....

I know I'm not the owner of a super famous blog. But I do know I have some readers. I know because my stats tell me so.

Anyway, MODG (otherwise known as Martinis or Diaper Genies) is actually kind of famous. And tonight, I want to post to lend my little bit that I can this christmas season by linking to her most recent post. Operation WANA. Sure, leave it to this snarky writer to call this operation wana- we are not assholes. But seriously. Go to this post, and read the comments. People who REALLY are in need this christmas are commenting. And those who can help, are commenting back to help them. We are talking families who can't buy their kids Christmas presents. And while I am not rolling in it, I know I'm lucky that the amazon boxes arrive daily and our gifts for our families are all purchased.

So go over to MODG's blog and lend a hand. It is the season of giving, after all.

Go make yourself useful. xo

Unsolicited Advice.... You can't make this stuff up....

I was in the post office today.   The lady behind me was the kind who wants to talk to you even if you try to make it known you're not super interested. I tried smiling and then ignoring, but she kept talking. In no more than six minutes, I heard the following tidbits of info.

1. She can't find her ID. It doesn't expire until 2013. She will be very upset if she has to go to the DMV.

2. BUT she is changing her name in July anyway (trying to prompt wedding convo), so it's okay.

(and my favorite- her advice to me regarding pregnancy & delivery)

3. If you are tired after you have your baby, just have them take the baby to the NICU. You will have many sleepless nights once baby comes home, so if you send them to the NICU in the hospital you can rest more.

Ummm..... last time I checked every mom is tired after child birth. That's not what the NICU is for. But thank you random lady for your advice and information. I'll be sure to take note. I bet I looked like this:

Except minus the blonde hair and the phone.

Happy Holiday errand-ing!

I need to brag.....

Not bragging about this crappy quality picture. It is pretty bad- bad lighting + quick iphone photo = sort fo blurry. BUT but but!!!All of our decorations are up! And our tree (we decided to skip the real one this year because we will barely be around in our own home) is decorated! And LOOK next to the tree... Christmas presents.

It is December 5th. We are FINISHED Christmas shopping. THERE is my brag. Go Team Walls.

who needs parenting classes when you've got youtube.

Real conversation that took place yesterday between J and I:

Me: (browsing the parent education section of our ob/gyn hospital site) 

Me: J, do you think we should sign up for the infancy class at the hospital?

J: Nope...

Me: But, um, you don't even know how to change a diaper.

(pause)

J turns computer to me and smiles.

The screen?

Youtube.com. "How to change a diaper" with video selected.

Me: Sigh.

J: Besides, you know, you can teach me.

Who needs parenting classes...... we've got the interweb. We may be in trouble.

making a list, checking it twice.

Awhile ago, I posted this list that we were working on for the house. We've been moving slow and steady but we've gotten a few things checked off. In the kitchen, the backsplash tile is finished and grouting is done. I still need to get on top of those painting jobs, and work on the china cabinet. The cabinet may wait til post baby. In the "new cat room", J's dad did measure for a new door and is working on ordering the custom door and frame. We haven't moved the cat things there yet because, umm...we need a door. Which has put a hold on the baby room things. I've cleaned and moved some thigns out, but the cat things that are in there are in limbo. Ahhh at least we've crossed off a few things. 

House & Baby Prep List

Kitchen

Finish last piece of tile

Grouting

Recessed Lighting

Light over sink

Choose paint for eating area

Paint eating area

Finish reno of china cabinet

New Cat Room

Clean out "storage" area

New FLOR carpet tiles

measure new door

frame new door

move cat things (beds, food bowls, litter)

create cat door into room

DIY Crafts & Baby Projects

Buy Anthro pulls

Change hardware on baby armoire to Anthro pulls

Buy second hand dresser

Renovate second hand dresser

DIY name project (secret even to me since we haven't picked a name yet)

Baby Room

Move all office furniture out of room & store

Clean, Clean, Clean!!! (well clean time #1)

Paint second coat of ligher yellow paint

Move in furniture (December/January delivery)

Hang chandelier & wire lighting

Clean out closet (dreading this) to make room for baby clothes

Hang Wall Decor

 

Umm if it's any consolation last night we put up all of our Christmas decor and baked sugar cookies. That was some effort! Maybe we will get to more of baby room-ing tomorrow. I will have to take a "before" picture soon. Lists are nice when you are crossing things off, but nooooot so nice when they remind you of all the things you've got left to do. Eeek! Better check this list twice... and three times... and maybe a fourth depending on how long it takes to get finished!!

Thankful.

I realize thanksgiving was last week. But I don't really think it has to be a holiday just to be thankful. I'm thankful for a fantastic holiday weekend filled with family and friends. Last weekend was a whirlwind 5 days. But it came with so many individual moments I was thankful for. Here are some of my favorites from last weekend:

• Celebrating mom's "real" birthday day Wednesday night with her 60th present.
• Cooking food, mid-day naps, and discussing how next Thanksgiving two new babies will be a part of this family.
• Family meal time filled with tons of laughter.
• Catching up with my friend Mandy because somehow our schedules never match up, and we had a whopping one hour that we were able to overlap!
• Being allowed to work from home on Friday, and being able to curl up with a big cup of hot tea and a blanket while typing away on my laptop.
• That I was not a crazy person at Walmart or Target at 4 am. Not. Worth. It.
• Quiet moments with my mom on Friday before the rest of the house woke up.
• My husband blending into my family like he's always been a part of it.
• Breakfast with Lindsay, Laurie, and little Logan. I know your mama says you don't sleep, but you sure were a calm and sleepy baby for breakfast time!
• The great location of the Bellevue in Philly for all of our weekend events.
• Jamie being funny and a good sport. Making your spouse laugh is the best.
• Reading terminal market pizza (what? I'm pregnant. There had to be some food items on the thankful list).
• Oh fine, if we are on the food kick, dinner at Supper wasn't so bad either.
• Sharing pregnancy with my sister-in-law and getting some new jeans maternity shopping.
• Lazy mornings.
• Visiting the family I used to nanny for, who are sort of like family to me themselves now.
• Being gifted baby books, baby items, baby passdowns.

Happy birthday mama!

Just hanging with Bieber. Never say Never, J....



LOVE park with a big tummy of love!

Jamie is a model. Sometimes.

Happy Thankfulness. Can't wait for the rest of the warm happy holiday season. Ordered our Christmas cards tonight and excited to share with our family & friends!

Tis the season to be merry!
That's my name! [mary]
No shit.
(name that movie)