Christmas Wish List

I am so trying to get in the Holiday Spirit. Mom and I did a bunch of online shipping today and Gwen and I watched Rudolph. Now I am creating my wish list. Some of these things I know am getting and some are definitely wishes. My biggest wish came true last month with me now being a stay-at-home mom!

1. Melrose Floral Dress

2. Italy Cameo by M+M Scognamiglio® 35mm Sardonyx Sterling Silver Fancy Frame Pendant with Cord

3. Midnight In Paris

4. Plate to Pixel

5. Roaster Pan

6. Edible Adventures In Paris

7. Jo Totes Rose Camera Bag in Marigold

8. Soup Bowls

I can't believe there are only 10 days until Christmas. Guess I should go and finish my (online) shopping! Have a great evening.

Nikki

Little Getaway

I am so behind on my posts. Joe took me on a little getaway to Valparaiso the weekend after Thanksgiving. We had never been before and were not sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with the quaint downtown. We walked around until we could check into our B&B.

On the ride there I googled some restaurants and there were two French restaurants. I was so excited. I was even more excited that one was open for lunch! We had an amazing lunch at Bon Femme Cafe.

We started the meal off with Baked Brie en Croute - yummy! We had a bottle of wine and enjoyed the Christmas decorations. It was a great way to start the trip.

After a very filling lunch we headed to the B&B. We had reservations at the Inn at Aberdeen.

It was an old farm house and we stayed in the original master bedroom. We spent quite some time exploring and taking pictures of the beautiful Christmas decorations.

Later that evening, we headed back downtown for a night cap. We went to the other French restaurant Bistro 157. We snacked on Crispy Fried Calamari and House Pickles and had a nice bottle of wine.

I was nice to get away, just the two of us, even if it was only for one night.

Holiday Baking

Gwen and I spent the weekend at my parents, since Joe had to work. As I mentioned before, Joe works most weekends.

As excited as I was to be off during the holidays this year, I am having a really hard time getting into the spirit of it all. The tree is up, the stocking are hung and even the Elf on the shelf has made his appearance, but I just don't feel it.

Gwen is loving the tree and lights and that should help, but it is not. I only have 12 days to muster up some yuletide cheer.

Well onto a happier topic. As I mentioned before, Gwen and I went to my parents for the weekend and we baked cookies. My niece (4 years old) and nephew (7 years old) came over and decorated the Christmas tree, baked cookies and built a gingerbread house. They were so cute. Gwen did a really good job keeping up with her cousins.

But when she is with them, she wont take a nap. It was such a long day for her that she literally fell over on the couch and slept. I was afraid to move her. I didn't want her to wake up. She just keeps going till she cant go any more.

Things are getting better with her nap and sleep schedule. We will see where we are at the end of week three! I am feeling a lot better about all of our schedules.

I feel better about a lot of things. I just need to get things moving with my design portfolio and get my work out there. After the holidays I will hit the ground running. I am so looking forward to 2012.

Week Two

Today marks two weeks that I have been home with Gwen. I still can't believe it. I really don't know how I got everything done when I worked full time. Joe is a big help, but there seems like so much to do in the course of the day.

Gwen and I have been having so much fun though, even with everything that needs to get done.

She loves painting.

She also has recently discovered Elmo and she can't get enough.

I know what Santa will be bringing her for Christmas!

Speaking of Christmas, we are almost finished shopping. It is nice being able to go shopping during the day during the week instead of fighting the throngs of people on the weekends. The older I get, the less I like going to the mall. We were in and out in less then an hour today.

Tomorrow is my Mom's birthday and Gwen and I are going to lunch with parents. So love being able to spend so much time with them now that I quit my job.

Well, I need to go and edit some photos for our other blog.

Have a great evening!

Nikki

Dreary Days

What a dreary day. The gray days of winter are here. I still can't believe it is December already. Fall went by so fast. I still have a beautiful pumpkin on my patio that was never carved because we were just too busy.

Gwen and I are working hard to try and develop a routine that works for both of us. I know I have to be patient and be firm with her, but it is so hard at times. I hate having to tell her no.

Look at that face. Tell me it would not be hard to tell her no!

She had a good night sleep last night, which means mommy had a good night sleep. Looking forward to today and snuggling up on this dreary day.

Hope your day is great.

Nikki

Quiet Time

I am sitting here enjoying some quiet time. I am having such a difficult time getting Gwen to nap. I am exhausted by the time she finally gives in. Today was especially rough. The battle of wills lasted for almost an hour. It breaks my heart to let her cry it out, but she wont go down any other way. I try rocking and snuggling, but she wants to keep going. And let me tell you, it is in no ones best interest for her to not nap.

So I sit here now sipping a cup a tea and trying to figure out how to get her to nap better. I feel like I am failing, because I can't get her to sleep. She is almost two and I thought by now we would have nap time down. We will try again tomorrow and see how it goes. For now she is sleeping peacefully.

I think I will catch up on some reading and finish enjoying my tea, while it is still quiet.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday!

Week 1

I am a slacker. I haven't posted in over 5 months. Life just got way too busy. I am hoping that things will slow down a little now. Especially since I quit my job and I am officially a stay-at-home mom!

I was trying to stick it out at work until July, but I just was having such a hard time being away from Gwen. I had a really bad day at work and Joe said, I think it is time to put in your notice. That was a Thursday and Friday morning I gave my notice. It is hard to believe I am not going to work anymore. I am still going to be doing some design work for a bit for them and Joe and I are getting our photography and design company up and running - Images of Camelot Photography & Design.

I have been done with work for a week now, but throw in the Thanksgiving holiday, and it still hasn't really set in yet. I kind of feel like I am on vacation. I am so loving be home with my sweet daughter. It is hard to believe she will be two next month. Time is flying way too fast. She is becoming such a little person. She amazes me daily. Everything we went through to have her was so worth it. I feel so blessed to be her mother. One of these days I will write about our journey to getting pregnant and her birth story, which by the way involved 22 hours of labor!

Need to get back to snuggling my little love. Looking forward to all the things we are going to do!

Nikki