bliss list ~ november

I've had much to be thankful for this month.  And much to enjoy.  Let's get to it!

Leaves ~ We had quite a warm fall and it seemed like the leaves didn't have the color or luster I remember.  Still, I was able to appreciate the change in the seasons from our back patio as our maples turned bright orange and yellow.  And it was even more enjoyable since I didn't have to rake this fall!  :)

Apple Cider  ~ This is the best fall treat.  I love buying plain cider and doctoring it up myself.  There's nothing like holding a warm mug and tasting the sweet spices.  Last year Hubby and I drank apple cider while decorating for Christmas.  We'll continue the tradition when we decorate this weekend.

Pajama Pants ~ When it begins getting dark at 5 pm, I give myself an automatic free ticket to get into pajamas as soon as I get home.  I'm also following our pediatrician's orders of changing out of work clothes before I hold Nora so I don't spread student germs to her.  I read this as get into your pajamas immediately!  I feel it's important to follow doctor's orders. 

Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock ~ Hubby and I and my family enjoyed some tastes of Sam Adams this Thanksgiving season.  We bought the holiday pack so we could try some different seasonal brews.  I am a huge fan of the Chocolate Bock.  Normally a fan of dark and chocolate beers, this one did not disappoint.  It had a good flavor and body and just the right amount of chocolate taste to be enjoyable and not overdone.  I only wish they sold this flavor by itself and not just as 2 out of 12 in the holiday pack!

A full night's sleep ~ After 3 months of surviving on less sleep than I thought possible, Hubby and I are finally enjoying full nights of sleep.  This does not mean Nora never wakes up but the times she does stir has drastically increased and we are able to sleepily stumble into her room, pop in her pacifier, and fall back into bed again.  {More to come on how we finally got our sleep back.}

cyber monday

Since I'm doing nearly all of my holiday shopping online this year, I had to be prepared for the great deals on Cyber Monday.

I have a little helper who is as nuts about ads as I am.

I wonder if the Toys R Us ad is a hint?

pumpkin pleasures

Though turkey is the star of tomorrow's feast, I'm all about the pumpkin.  I love it.  Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bars {with cream cheese frosting, of course}, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin candles, pumpkin bread.  Normally by this time I would have already made several loaves of pumpkin bread to enjoy and share with family and friends.  I'm having a hard time balancing Nora and baking (or doing much of anything for that matter), but I had a goal to make a few loaves of pumpkin bread to take and enjoy at Thanksgiving.

Success!

If you'd like to try...

Pumpkin Bread

3 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking soda

16 oz. pumpkin

3 c. sugar

4 eggs

1 c. oil

2/3 c. water

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all together.  Pour into pans (I do 2 large).  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour.

playtime

Happy times!

nora ~ 3 months

{click on Nora's photo above to view 3 month photo outtakes}

We just celebrated Nora's 3 month birthday.  She helped us celebrate by sleeping through the night without waking - from 7:45 pm to 6:40 am.  YES!!!!  I can already tell I'm going to like 3 months.  She's so alert, happy, scheduled.  Things are getting a lot easier - either she's getting used to us or we are getting used to life with her.

I started back to work on November 1.  I was so lucky to have family stay with Nora my first 2 weeks back at work.  My sister came for the first week and my mom and dad came for the second.  Nora started at the sitter's one week ago and I am so absolutely thrilled with her care.  Her sitter is loving, down to earth, organized, and scheduled and because of this, our little girl had a fabulous first week there.  All of these factors have helped me have a great transition back to work.  Going back to work was pretty easy for me.  I was ready for the change and it was very smooth thanks to help from family and an extremely supportive and wonderful work staff.  My days are so busy, it's hard to find time to check in to see how Nora is doing but because our sitter is so wonderful, I know I don't have to worry about her.  This allows me to use my work time efficiently so that Nora can be my number one focus when I get home.

Last week we not only started at the sitter's but we also started putting Nora to bed awake and letting her fuss a little.  Prior to this we were rocking her to sleep, making sure she was sleeping before we put her in her crib.  And heaven help us if she woke up as we were laying her down.  This nightly process sometimes took FOREVER and we dreaded bedtime.  We realized we no longer needed to do this when the sitter told us she was putting Nora down for her naps awake.  Hmm...  If she could do it, shouldn't we?  The first night was a little rocky.  Nora did cry and we had to go up, but only once.  She did wake up during the night but we let her cry for around 3 to 5 minutes and then went in to give her pacifier and a reassuring pat.  We're working on teaching her to self-sooth.  At first I had my doubts but am a true believer as our girl slept great last week and went down easily for her naps this past weekend.  Bedtime is no longer a dreaded event - it is actually enjoyable and stress-free knowing she will be okay if we put her down awake and that we can go back in if we need to. 

Nora's current stats:

Bedtime:  7:30-8:00 pm {A huge improvement over last month, which was 9-9:30 pm.  This gives her parents some much needed time together!}

Wake-up time:  6:30-6:40am {Have to get her up, fed, dressed, and in the car for the sitter's by 7:15 am.  She's doing great during the week...now her parents just need to get used to an early weekend wake-up time.}

Naps:  We are doing much better with naps now that we're putting her down awake.  She usually takes a few catnaps during the day still but we're working to do a morning nap for about an hour to hour and a half and a longer afternoon nap for around two hours.  We're trying to follow the lead of the sitter since that's where she spends the majority of her time napping.  LOVE that she is napping better.  Much easier to get some things done!

Eating:  She is still eating every 3 to 4 hours.  We've found that length of time works really well for her and for our sitter so we'll stick to it until we can tell it's time for a change.  She takes anywhere from 4 1/2 oz. to 5 oz.  Usually 5 oz. for her first and last bottle of the day and then 4 1/2 oz. to 5 oz. in between.

Favorite toys:  Loves this toy.  She can now hold onto things and this fits perfectly in her little hands plus she loves to "chew" on it. 

First/Milestones:  She wants to sit up all of the time.  Though she's still a bit wobbly, she loves sitting in her bumbo where she can see the action.  She will also sit on laps now if there is something to look at. 

She has also learned to blow bubbles.  Hubby and I will blow our lips at her and she smiles and then blows bubbles back.  It is adorable.

We're on the verge of the holiday season and although Nora won't understand or remember her first holidays, I'm excited to experience these firsts as a family.  The holidays go quickly anyway so I know I need to cherish my time with this little squirt.  Three months came so suddenly and I know the rest will go no slower!

pretty pink

Even though I'm not a huge pink fan, I find this room absolutely adorable.

{via Simply Seleta via Little Green Notebook}



We've got quite some time until Nora is ready for a big girl room but I adore children's rooms.  I suppose that influenced her nursery a little - can be an easy transition from babyhood to kiddyland.

twisted smell

And that smell is wonderful, refreshing, and sweet.  Bath and Body Works' winter scents are in and I am in love with Twisted Peppermint.  I'm a fan of mint.  Like eating mints, love peppermint tea, so of course I am a fan of the scent via soap, lotion, and candles. 

I stopped in Bath and Body Works last weekend and was welcomed by all of the holiday scents.  Wanting to get some holiday gifts I was happy to find their three wick candles on sale.  Some lucky gift recipients will be receiving these candles from yours truly.

I was in such a gift giving frame of mind I didn't pick any up for myself.  But there's plenty of time left before the holidays to get my twisted fix.

Do you have a favorite Bath and Body Works scent?  Do you love the holiday features or is there an old trusty you always turn to?

uh oh

I've spotted Starbucks' holiday cups.

With a brisk high in the 50's today I may have to stop for a hot holiday treat!

pedestal {fall}

A few weekends ago my friend, Krystle, and I ventured out to the Holiday Mart - an annual "shopping extravaganza" that plays hosts to many vendors around the area and country.  This is the second year I have attended and braved the sea of women hopping from vendor to vendor.  My goal this year was to get some Christmas presents bought.  I did okay.  Not great, but okay.  Since this was one of my first Mommy's Day Out events, I kind of wanted to buy something for myself too.  Enter - the pedestal.

Krystle and I spied these beauties at a little boutique.  I wish I remembered the name of the place (think I threw the card with the bag) but it was a cute store and one I would like to explore beyond the 4x4 foot space they had at the convention center.  I give full credit to Krystle for spotting this first.  She had the great idea to buy it and display different items throughout the year.  I guess you could say she inspired me because the next thing I knew, I was telling a store worker to box one up for me.  I like that this can be versatile.  You can simply use only the pedestal.  You can place the bell jar over a plate or different stand.  You can use them together.  Plus the bonus of getting this item --- it's a good souvenir from my day with Krystle.

Naturally I wanted to dress it up for fall.  As luck would have it, I picked up a few mini pumpkins at the grocery store the week before.  Not sure how to decorate with them I had placed them around my home with other fall items.  Now they are gathered and tucked together underneat the bell jar atop my pedestal.  

The funny store about this pedestal - I went to Krystle's house a week or so after our shopping excursion and saw she had also placed mini pumpkins in hers.  Too ironic!  So now I'm set for fall but am already thinking about what Christmas might look like!

Post Script:  I found the card of the store!  It is called The Schaefer House and in it is in St. Joseph for all of you Missouri readers.  When my home decor needs an update, I'm giving you a call, Krystle...road trip!

fall weekend ~ part 4

Life has been a whirlwind since I started back at work.  Honestly though, I am pretty surprised how easy of a transition it has been.  Sure, the nights are busy when I get home with washing bottles, preparing bottles, making dinner, getting lunch ready for the next day, making sure Nora has clean diapers, bath time, and bed time.  And yes, when I finally do sit down after all of that I am beat.  And of course, my mornings are a bit different now since I not only have to get myself fully ready but Nora as well.  I think I've come to appreciate the weekends even more now and the ease and calm they can bring.

A couple weekends ago was Halloween.  I didn't get Nora a costume this year for two reasons.  One, I didn't want to spend the money nor did I really care about trick-or-treating.  Two, I was starting back to work the next day and needed nearly all day Sunday just to prep and get ready for the week.  But our girl was still styling in her Halloween onesie and the day was so beautiful we were able to snap some photos.

It was a nice quiet Halloween but next year we will be all about it.  Bring on the candy!

trying this out...2 years later

This is my 300th post.  I don't know why I feel like this is a significant number.  I didn't acknowledge 50, 100, or even 200.  But as I was looking through my blog and noticed I was approaching number 300, I was a little amazed. 

I started this blog in November of 2008.  Here is my first post.  Pretty profound stuff.  :)  Two years ago I was very new to the blogging world and didn't really know much about blogs.  I've learned a lot in those two years.  I've found many other blogs I love and look forward to reading each day.  I've learned about code {thanks to Hubby} and can now do some things with my blog I wasn't able to do two years ago.  I know how hard it is to keep up with your blog but how rewarding it is when you learn you have readers.

I don't know if many know this about me but I love to write.  I've enjoyed writing since an early age.  My pieces...okay, I actually called them stores, even allowed me to be part of some competitions when I was younger.  My love for writing is most likely what inspired me to take an advanced composition course and take so many English courses in college is was just a few credits shy from a major.  My love for writing might also explain why I sought out the job of Literacy Coach in my school district so I could spend my days with the areas of reading and writing.

This is why I like to blog - it is like my online journal.  Obviously I "journal"with discretion.  A blog is a public entity so I don't put everything out there.  I have other journals for this purpose.  But for me, my blog is a fun way to share my thoughts, ideas, inspirations, stories with friends, family, and even strangers.  And through my blog, some strangers have even become blogger friends.  It's quite a unique online world.

My blog has become more of a personal life blog, especially since Nora. Often it is those life blogs I love to read myself and glean inspiration from.  I'm not sure where this blog will take me.  I hope to keep it up and see how it grows.  I would love to learn more about blogging and perhaps branch out to see what other possibilities this world can offer.  For those who have been reading since the beginning, have been around for awhile, or who have just found me, thanks for stopping, reading, and being a part of my blog.

back to work

It's back to work for me today.  I will admit, I'm kind of ready to go back.  Nora was born on the second day of school and because I had to go to the hospital early, I wasn't in my school for the first day with students.  So, aside for a few contract days with meetings I haven't worked since June 3rd.  That's a long time being in my house and a long time without adult interaction.

Nora will be in great hands.  My sister is here this week and my mom will be here the following week.  Spoiled, I'm sure she will be.  We have an excellent sitter lined up after the family help leaves.  I know she will have excellent care.  Still, it will be tough to leave this little stinker in the morning.