Friday Morning Thoughts

Morning lovelies!

1. Sorry I've been MIA this week on the blog.. I'm SO behind on my blog reading too! I find it hilarious that this "problem" didn't even exist for me a few years ago. You know- falling behind on my blog reads! We've been busy this week at Casa de Strange y Lovely.. and I'm trying to focus on doing things other than just sit in front of a computer and type at the interwebs. And yet... here I am. :)

2. Sound the alarm, SANTA reads my blog!! We're now the proud owners of a Shark Steam Mop and life is grand.

3. I finally ordered our Christmas cards! YESTERDAY. I really don't think it's in me to get on the hopper early or even on time with Christmas cards. Just can't do it. But supposedly they'll be here around Dec. 21, so we all know what I'll be doing that evening.

4. Hubby got sick on Wednesday. Ate something questionable (that I also ate) and stayed home from work. :( On the upside, this bought me 2 precious hours to run out and start Christmas shopping while everyone else in the house napped!
P.S. I took same said questionable food item for lunch yesterday and haven't wavered yet. Stomach of an ox. Only not really, so this is weird.

5. Cooke Swap was a success!! I came, I baked and I conquered. I decided on these S'mores Cookies and they were a smash hit. I took my friend Sarah with me and it was so much fun! A little wine and a few wild card guests = a fun soiree in my book! :) Definitely on my annual to-do list!

 

My cookies as they baked & some of the loot I came home with!

6.My little smartie pants is now asking for "help" when she can't reach something or sees yet another stray toy under a chair, bookshelf or the tv cabinet. "Hepp, hepp" she says. Sister likes to pop her p's.

7. I like to drink my coffee the old fashioned way. You know- from a regular old coffee maker at home, drowning in flavored creamer. And right now my favorite is Peppermint Mocha. I need to go snag a few before they stop putting them out for the season.

8. I just watched my girl toddle down the hallway, heading for her room go read books. Makes my heart hurt just a little.

9. Yes, I have Blog Header ADD. No promises that this one will stick around for any specific length of time.

10. Don't miss the Target coupon going on now! Another $10 card when you spend $50, through tomorrow. Don't act like you don't need something at Target.

Have a great weekend! We'll be wrapping presents and searching for some great Christmas light displays.

DEALS {Erin Condren & Target}

I am nothing if not helpful. Ahem. :)

I just wanted to pop in and let you guys know that Doodle Deals is having another promo with Erin Condren today..

So if you want a super cool planner like MOI, hurry and snag one of these $25 for $50 coupons- the deal ends tonight! 

ALSO!

Target put out another one of their coupons to buy $50 worth of stuff and get a FREE $10 coupon! Totally awesome sauce. We used two of those bad boys last weekend. This one is good through Saturday. If you're not on their email list, (a) I don't know what's wrong with you, and (b) sign up right now! You should be able to print through the link above. If not, let me know and I'll forward you the email.

Happy Shopping!

Friday Morning Thoughts

1. Seriously, people. My baby is ONE.

2. Yesterday I rashly ordered one of those Erin Condren life planners everyone and their blogging bestie keeps talking about. Then around midnight I emailed them to see if it was too late to change the color that my name would be printed in. Yeah, you read that right. These things keep me up. But it's safe to say I'm super excited to start using it! I'm a total school supply geek. There's a 1/2 off coupon HERE if you're interested.

3. I found these fun smart phone compatible gloves for my sister for her birthday at Target and then had to buy some for myself. (Story of my gift-giving life). Anyway, I don't know what sort of black magic they have going on in the tips of the pointer finger and thumb, but they TOTALLY WORK. They're nothing fancy in the looks department, but then I usually sport the $1 stretchy kind that you see kids wearing.

4. I maybe should have started my list with this one, but folks, it's been confirmed that my child is pure genius. Yep, her pediatrician was MUY impressed with all the stuff this smart baby knew and comprehended and could do. We brought in all the nurses and had her run through her top 10 best tricks right then and there! Kidding, kidding. But it was seriously such a proud mama moment. :) In other news, she's still teeny and in the 3rd percentile for weight. I guess that's what all this "more" business in sign language is about come dinnertime. Sister wants to eat!

5. Do you guys make Christmas lists? We used to, but now mostly do exchanges in my family and stocking stuffers at home. HOWEVER. This year I totally want a steam mop to wage the ongoing war with my hardwoods. Santa, take note. Wow. Am I old or what??

6. Our tree has been up for weeks, but folks, that is IT. No other decorations have been brought out of the attic. I totally get an F. It's on the to-do list for this weekend!


7. I was invited to a Cookie Swap next week by a girl in my bible study. She has one every year and it's the real deal. No store brought crap. I totally want to go, buuuuut there's the little issue of having to bring THREE DOZEN cookies. Yeah, I'm not that great of a baker. I kept hearing stories of everyone talking about the merits of different types of flour, oven temps and so on and how one girl got the stink eye for bringing regular old chocolate chips. So needless to say I'm super intimidated. But I totally want to go! I think it would be so fun and I love these girls, but OH THE BAKING PRESSURE.


8. Baby Fever. There, I said it. I've totally got it, have had it for some time, and I think my hubby has had about enough of my casually (or not so casually) bringing it up each night. But we went to visit a friend's newborn baby girl at the hospital last night and ooohhhhhh my goodness. I need a tiny little baby. Another one, that is. Baby baby baby.


9. It's been nearly a week since Evie's party and I'm thiiiiis close to finishing off the cake and cupcakes. I'll just go ahead and give myself a pat on the back for that one.


10. Okay, don't judge, but we totally didn't get Evie anything for her birthday. Didn't see the point, really. I am planning to get her a book that has some sort of special meaning or write a sweet note in it or something. But that's about it. We figure she doesn't know the difference at this point and she's certainly not lacking in the gift department. Oh! Her sweet daddy did send her (and her mama) flowers on her birthday! So sweet.


Okay, that's it for today! I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Tiny Dancer {Twelve Months}

Happy Happy Birthday Evie!!!

Our sweet little munchkin is a YEAR OLD! 

This makes me both very happy and very sad that you're growing so fast.

We had a fun little birthday party for you this past Saturday, while your grandparents were in town for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun but definitely wore you out! 

A few things you've been up to lately...

Chatting it up. You love to talk, have lots to say and keep us very entertained. :)

You made up your own sign language for the word "more"! Your Grandmommy has done it a few times with you, but she wasn't sure she had the right motion (she didn't, at first), and then you just started doing your own version! When you want more of something,  you put your right pointer finger into the palm of your left hand repeatedly. My girl, you are SO SMART! And I'm perfectly fine with your own special sign language :)

You continue to melt our hearts with how sweet and loving you are. I could not have imagined such a sweet baby! You got a little baby doll for your birthday, and you immediately held her and rocked her and tried to feed her a bottle. This simply amazes me, since you've never really seen anyone feed another baby.. !

You've also been extra cuddly with us lately. I think you're growing and maybe having some teething pain, though we haven't seen any more teeth yet. But your daddy and I are not complaining when you want to snuggle with us. 

You love to dance around the room with us and on your own.

You still love books more than anything!  

When we ask you what a lion says you do this little growl that is just adorable.

You know where your nose, eyes, lips, fingers, piggies (toes), head, hair and tummy are.

You like to sneak up on Duke and grab or pet him so he jumps. This cracks you up hysterically. :)

You like for us to "get you" and come after you to tickle you. When you want to play this game, you'll turn and give us a certain look with a little gleam in you eye and then start speed crawling away.

And finally... 

You are WALKING!

 

You've taken a step or two in the past month, but you still liked to hold our hands or use your push toy or cruise around furniture. Well, on Sunday you were playing with your Grandpa and Grandma, and you walked FOUR STEPS to your Grandma!! I could not believe my eyes! Since then you've taken more steps more often and I think your timing is just perfect. You little stinker! :)

Happy Birthday to the most precious daughter. 

We love you so SO much and are thankful beyond words that you came into our world and arms one year ago today. 

We love you Evangeline!

One year ago today...

 

... we were getting ready to head to the hospital and meet our sweet baby girl. 

I can still remember it so clearly. Wandering around Target, crying on the phone to my friend Sarah and my mom, excited to finally meet her and scared about having to be induced. And finally, my hubby coming home from work to hold me and reassure me that everything would work out just right.

And it sure did.