Post-Christmas Gift Exchange

We spread out Christmas with the Coxes over a few days, which I certainly won't object to in the future. It's nice to extend the holiday.

Mazie sure spoiled Samson with two classic books, a board puzzle, and edible paper! It's crinkly paper sewn inside a piece of fabric. Sam and Lyla absolutely loved them!

Don't you enjoy my new post-pregnancy hairline?

Samson gave Crew some firetruck legos, which I think he enjoyed!

Lacey gave me exactly what I wanted, a new lunchbox! I'm super excited to take my lunch to the salon. You know, my lunch of diet coke and donuts.

And she also gave me the cutest measuring cups in the whole world. They fit in perfectly with the rest of my kitchen things; pretty to look at it, and very content not to be used! I love them.

Kecia gave Tadd a cool game that'll be lots of fun when it's warm outside...as for now, who the hell wants to hang out outside anyway? We love summer!

I'm in a blogging funk...can't you tell? I've wondered if I should make a goal to continue this blog-everyday thing I've had going on. And if so, what do I blog about? Not much happens around here to actually blog an event of sorts everyday, and this here blog would get reeeally crazy if I just blog my thoughts. You do NOT want to get in here [points to head].

Any ideas? Should I attack my hair blog instead?

Christmas Afternoon...

...was meant to be spent sledding the slopes of Gladstan golf course. Unfortunately, the stupid weather had iced over all the snow, so we'd be looking at more of a Clark Griswold saucer event if we'd gone through with our festive plans.

Of course, the day was far from ruined. The company, delicious soups, gifts and games were all we needed for a perfect Christmas day!

Mr. Bouncy McBouncerson

Mal's new camera in action...I just covet it, that's all.

We so enjoyed this Christmas holiday, now winter can end. Right???

Since Ya'll Care Sooo Much

andsinceIhavearidiculousamountofpicturesthatIcan'tseemtonarrowdownsinceI'mapicturewhore

Let's break it down...

Christmas Morning

"Ummm...I never wake up to such joviality. What the freak is this?"

Warms up to the idea of Christmas merriment in just a few short minutes, and slays me with that sweet face.

I love three things.

- That silly baby face

- My dudes

-Christmas morning garbage head

Good thing no more than $35 was spent on Samson since he was most intrigued by the wrapping paper.

Adorable B Toys squeezie blocks

Cutest of all hats from Yarrrn

Tadd thinks it looks like an old fashioned footbal helmet. Along with Samson's fascination with football games on TV, and this hat, I think we're creating a football lover. Damn it.

THE blanket. Done and done. And it was a success. 6.5' x 7.5'. May he never wish for a bigger blanket again.

Christmasness Cuteness

Yep, you got it. Baby picture overload. Like, for reals. And all within the same setting. Obsessed much?

Christmas jimjams, which I can't get enough of. He'll be wearing these until they come up to his elbows and knees, and that ever growing belly is popping open the snaps.

Right-Left game present!

Hanging with his favoritest person

...and his second favoritest. Tadd's prediction that he's turning into a momma's boy has not come to pass.

Christmas EVE-nts

Traditional games played at Grandma and Papa's

Fish pond - a new favorite among the kids

The concept was lost on Samson

Drop the clothespin in the jar. I'm embarrassingly bad at this one.

No-idea-of-the-title-of-this-card-game, but Ellie is ruthless!

Sam's favorite part of the day: bath time!

The dudes loved watching Sam and Lyla splash around in the big tub.

Story time before bed.

Check him out all kicked back and chill.

The spirit of Christmas, errrhmm...really took over Crew.

Right-Left game

Other digitally-undocumented events...

The finishing of Tadd's quilt, which I swear on this blog I will never do again. I am NOT a seamstress. Luckily, with the help of family, Tadd's quilt doesn't reflect my sewing downfalls. Thank goodness for the patience of others as they helped me!

A Christmas catastrophe at the Leishman home. Some floodage in the basement where all the gifts were being stored (the Cox family hides all the gifts from each other until Christmas Eve, then they are set out before Santa comes). Lacey had to unwrap all the presents and assess the damage.

Fortunately, only one gift was fully destroyed, while others only had damaged packaging. Camme, Lindey and I rushed over there armed with extra gift boxes and wrapping paper to help re wrap everything. Fortunately, crisis averted, and the merriment continued as it should!

A little preview of Always Sunny in Philadelphia courtesy of Lindey and Corbin. Gonna need Season 1 to get a little more of that goodness!

My Resolution?

Not to set one.

That way I don't disappoint myself. Low expectations, my friends. Low expectations.

And good heavens, I'm so glad January is a few days away...I'm growing tired of coming up with "winter like" B.S.

But today's? Weirdo teenagers ice skating in the University Mall parking lot. And yesterday's? Sister dates in place of sister gift exchanges.

I Would've Been Satisfied...

...with only this little face for Christmas.

Winter like: seasonal jimjams

Yesterday's winter like: thick fog. so mysterious and creepy!

Another Year for the Books

Continuing the Christmas jimjams tradition...well, as best I can. I sorta failed this year. At least there was some sort of color coordination.

2005

Little babies. Skinny little babies.

2006

These ones of Tadd's got me through the last few months of pregnancy.

2007

Poor cut off-Frankenstein fingie (warning, gross pics)

2008

Seriously the only year we've slept at my parents? Shame! Shall be mending that next year!

2009

Pregnant and grouchy.

2010

And baby makes three.

Merry Christmakwanzakah

Wishing you and yours had a happy holiday with loved ones.

This little loved one was sure a joy on this first Christmas. The wrapping paper: a huge hit.

These Days...

...I'm doing a lot of this...

Merrily doing hair at the salon

Enjoying my fabulous clients

Cutting my fingers

and

Entertaining the surrounding stylists and clients. I'm sorry, but I'm just hilarious.

Winter like: Christmas shopping online. I love getting packages on my porch.

Belated, Obligatory...

...six month post.

Little dude turned six months on the 9th, and is growing by the minute!

.I could just swear that from his dr appt, where he weighed 17.13, to last week (roughly 5 days), he has put on 3-4 lbs. Which, by the way, can definitely be felt when you are toting him around in a carseat alllllll the time.

.Those solid foods are sure helping him pack on the pounds. I'm even beginning to see a little wrist wrinkle!

.Hates peas. Loves carrots, sweet potatoes, and oatmeal with bananas.

.Definitely a messy eater.

.Loves his saucer and jumper, and has learned to actually jump!

.Doesn't love napping anywhere but his own crib, major problem when I'm spending day after day at my MIL's sewing Tadd's blanket for Christmas.

. SO loud. Blowing raspberries, squealing so high pitched. At times so high that only dogs can hear him.

.Tadd claims he's turning into a momma's boy. I wouldn't object

.Super ticklish.

.Sits unsupported for a bit. Practicing everyday!

.Getting so good at putting his binki back in his mouth, which may be the cutest thing ever. He's so focused and determined.

We love this little guy more than we ever imagined was possible, and look forward to his next milestones.

PS: Winter like: the sound of walking through perfect packing snow.

My Winter Look

Will be "homeless chic". Bah! Impossible. With all the mismatched layering I'm forced to do to keep warm I look homeless. Perty huh?

I do like winter and snow for an excuse to wear my hobo hat.

And how about a white Christmas? Assuming all the snow doesn't melt like those weather people believe...



And yes, I take pictures of my homeless self expected more from a 14 year old using MySpace. Whadaya gonna do?

Enjoying My Coworkers and Bosses

I like winter for Christmas parties.

Tadd and I went to the Metropolitan Salon Christmas party last night, and had a ball! Fantastic food, games, prizes, gift exchange...

I won "Most Likely to Cut Their Finger". So proud!

The Joys of Thrifting

Let's talk about the awesomeness that is KSL.

I snagged this solid oak highchair, gently used for 30 freaking dollars. I'm over the moon about it! Been searching for one for awhile now, and I'm determined to have all my kids use it.

Trying it out for the first time!

And here we have the kling on face, brought on by peas. Can't blame him, they really were disgusting.

KSL - I heart you.

I like winter for the generosity it brings out in people, and in myself! I even shared the tape I was buying at the post office with an old woman so she wouldn't have to purchase her own. What Christmas spirit I have.

If Easily Offended Please Pass on By

Tadd and I hosted a graham cracker house event. Us? Hosting? Tis true...twas a rare occasion.

Cosco Take n' Bake Pizza: delish

WinCo Bulk Candy: incredible

Christmas Vacation: never disappoints

Hot Glue Gun: way too hot, evidence below

Company: awesome

Wouldn't you want a burn cooling gel packet band-aided to your finger?

Adorning my interesting house. I can't do anything normal. And...I should wear actual pants.

After the blistering burn, Felicia gave up and refused to roof her home. It became a present!

Finished products

Hmmm...what's that you made, Celina? Let us take a closer look...

Awww...an homage to the tabernacle!

Quite the talent this one bears.

BAAAH HAHAHAHA!

Winter like today: Holidates!

The boys were present as well, just more interested in the movie and Bert the Conqueror

I just heard Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson broke up, and the words, "good he's free!" flew from my mouth before I could stop them. Tadd is sitting right next to me. Sorry bootsy!

PS: he didn't even flinch. Should I be sad?

For Realsies?

Not at all am I suggesting I have an award winning blog, nor do I want one, but I stumbled across this list of top baby blogs, and after perusing the list, I'd have to say it's more a list of who's who of crap blogs.

Seriously, half of them, if not more, are so poorly done. Awful formatting, terribly cheesy fonts, and ridiculous content. Styling your baby? Really? Send in photos of your baby's outfit and where you bought everything? Are we really this ridiculous?

Additionally, are you "mommies" serious about the names you've cursed your children with? Naturally, some don't love the name we chose for our little monkey, and I'm fine with that. But at least I didn't use an actual word for my baby that has never been used as a moniker, nor did I combine 14 names to create one. You poor next generation.

But my, I miss the high of welping a baby. Neeeeeever thought I'd say that.

I'm becoming increasingly bratty. And the sarcasm level has been raised to ridiculous heights over on this here blog. Today I thought,

"What if readers think I'm serious when I'm not?

Hmmm...I should consider italicizing all sarcastic remarks.

But wait, if I did that I may as well rename this thing "The Slanted Blog."

I've also come to realize that I want a nice camera. Not one that makes me look as if I'm a wannabe photographer because I'm not even remotely talented enough to even fake that, but just a good quality point and shoot. Maybe with a few extra bells and whistles? And Ashleywould learn me how to use it. Riiight? She would because I just redded her hair, and it's rad. Rad red.

On another note, I enjoy winter for the desire it brings on to drink hot chocolate. I pulled out my CocoMotion tonight and whipped up some Mint Truffle Stephen's Hot Chocolate. Yum. Now I'm considering stealing coffee cups from 7-11 to mobilize my hot chocolate drinking. Plus I hate mugs. The ceramic taste...eeeuuugghhhh.

And here, a little something to break up all them words.

This dude blew so many raspberries today I swear he lost weight from the amount of saliva he spit. I've been told by a certain ex-powerlifter I know that it IS possible to drop weight by spitting. Gross.

He also laid his head on my shoulder twice, and that's HUGE. Not a cuddler, this one, so I relish in the moments he does.

Love of all Kinds

Today I like wearing socks. I wore shoes today that didn't require socks, and my, were my feet chilly. I appreciate those knitted wonders that keep my toesies toasty.

Of course this double chin has nothing to do with my post, but mercy! Check out that chub!

Yesterday I was filled with all sorts of love

Love for fish tacos

Love for the color plum

Love for girls at the salon who wash my hair

Love for volumizing hair product

Love for childhood friends

Love for any and all things orange for my baby boy

Love for texting so I could semi fight with (or rather at) Tadd without having to verbally converse

Love for sisters (out, and in-law) who keep me company

Love for HeyTell

Love for Logophilia

Love for abbreviated words

Love for to-do lists (I finally learned how to write them! Remind me to tell you about that later)

Love for good, true, loyal friends

He's a Sitting Fool

(with support)

Soon, though, soon he'll be sitting solo. Silly the things we get excited about. But freak, it's adorable.

Let's make it clear that I absolutely do not call my son "little prince", but rather find that gag worthy. I would certainly hope no other mother calls their son that, but I certainly hear many a mother call their daughter their "little princess", and while I may love these mothers as friends or family, I do not love this term of endearment. To each his own...I suppose.

So sorry for the offense.

And today I like Christmas hymns.