Need a Little Christmas Spirit?

I have the answer for you: It doesn't involve baking, cleaning, wrapping, shopping, singing, dressing up, praying, or even leaving your computer chair. (Although you are welcome to do any one or all of those things too!) One of my all time favorite blogs is hosting a fund raiser for 14 different charities, one each day for two weeks. They have invited everyone to donate $1 every day to help people who need help. Friday's charity of choice was charity:water, an organization that drills wells in third world countries. Today's group is St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Who knows who will benefit tomorrow? The writers at CakeWrecks are choosing the charities based on user comments. There were several requests for the ASCPA, the Human Rights Campaign, and Operation Smile. I know $1 a day is not going to break the bank for anyone, especially for only two weeks. Cake Wrecks has a readership of about 80,000. Can you imagine donating $80,000 to Heifer International? Awesome. If you don't agree with supporting some of these charities, then give double to one you do like. If you don't want to donate to any charities, at least you'll get a hearty laugh out of seeing some dubious cake decorating over at their blog. (Who can resist a cake that says "Leave Blank" ?) Merry, merry Christmas!

Santa Claus!

Emmeline got to visit Santa Claus last night - and she did really well! She was a little hesitant about sitting on his lap, but didn't cry or anything. However, when he asked me to turn her around so she could see him, she wasn't having any part of it.

The coolest part of all this is that this is the SAME Santa my brother and sister and I went to when we were little, and my uncle went to see him too! I think he looks pretty good for being this old (he's been "Santa" for 63 years!!!)...He is really the TRUE Santa. In trying to explain to Shawn how awesome this guy is, I realized myself how what can be just another holiday hassle for parents can shape a little kid's life. He always gave us little cards with a picture of the Nativity and a Bible verse on the back, would lecture us about making sure that our grades and homework came first, and explicitly stated at every year's "press conference" that he would absolutely not be bringing anyone toy guns, swords or other weapons. Parents with children under 2, who obviously don't have lists, get to skip to the head of the line for the pictures - which, by the way, are not something you get charged for. You can bring your camera, and take your own pictures, or his "head elf" will take them for you. This year, since Emmeline has no list, he provided me with one, and told me to pick out a gift to give my daughter. On the list?

Patience, Kindness, Wisdom, Respect, Consideration, Committment, Willingness and Time. A Santa with ethics, not just some guy a mall hires. He's been at Merrifield Garden Center since the 70s, and our family has been going since then. We've skipped the few years since Alex was too old and before Em came along, but I am so excited to have this part of Christmas back!

A Few Seasonal Pics

I'm not sure how exactly she managed to suck some of the mint out of this thing, but she must have, because she was awfully reluctant to give it up. Here I thought I was giving her an innocent prop to keep her hands busy.

I'm sorry - what do you mean I'm not supposed to chew on ornaments?

Oh Mom, you are HILARIOUS when you make quacking noises...do you realize how dumb you look? Whoo, you kill me.

So Many New Things

9 months seems to be Emmeline's month! This girl has covered a lot of ground since turning 9 months old. She mastered all kinds of new things this weekend. She started clapping this weekend, giving high fives, barely blowing kisses, has begun imitating almost any sound she hears, and added a few new words to her repertoire. Cutest among them is "Uh-oh," which she has been dropping into the conversation whenever something falls, or a loud noise is heard, or sometimes apropos of nothing. This is accompanied by raised eyebrows, and sometimes an index finger pointing at the offending item. She thinks it's hilarious to fake laugh when adults are laughing about something. Tonight, she started dropping things from her high chair purposely and watching for our reaction. We had our first for-real tantrum this weekend too, when Shawn took her cup away (since she was playing with toys instead of drinking). She clenched her hands, and shook and growled. Yikes.

She's moving ALL OVER the place, on her butt. Em has also started standing, provided someone assists her in the pulling up process. I sort of put her hands on a table or ottoman or edge of a chair, and she stands there for a while before trying to let go of said prop. Pretty awesome. Fine motor wise, she's very into putting things into other things - balls into tubes, little people into bowls, napkin rings onto paper towel stand. At school, her teachers showed her the lesson with the parmesan cheese shaker...and as soon as I have that all set up here, I'll get video/pictures up of that. She is such a big girl all the sudden.

Lastly, if anyone has seen the movie Team America, I'm slightly afraid that we have a terrorist on our hands...If you haven't, check this out- You will hear Emmeline's newest word or phrase used many times. :)

My Review of Bearington Baby - Wee Lamby Snuggler

Originally submitted at BabySakes.com

Your baby will love to snuggle with this soft Bearington Baby Wee Lamby snuggler. Made from the softest creamy fabric with a lamb head and feet, it is the perfect size for baby. Measures 9.

Bearington Baby - Wee Lamby Snuggler

Love this little lamby!

By Sandi from Fairfax, VA on 11/4/2009

 

5out of 5

Pros: Easy To Clean, Cuddly, Durable, Portable

Best Uses: Infants

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent, Child Care Professional

My 9 month old little girl LOVES her little lamb - she cuddles with it to fall asleep, and her face lights up when she sees him. I love that it's not so big; I can easily stuff it into my purse, out of her sight. She's been in love with her lamb since May, when she got him.

(legalese)

Happy Halloween!

From our little flower!

Who is blossoming beautifully. Our big girl has decided against crawling; the butt scoot is SO much cooler. And she's pretty adept at it. She also flatly refuses to stand up, pull up, or in any way demonstrate an interest in what could one day lead to walking. Which is not a huge deal, just unusual. She's making up for her lack of physical prowess in the language department. I know, with a dad like Shawn, how could she not have A LOT to say? She says daddy, mama, night night, hi, izz?, more and water. I know it sounds unbelievable, because she's only 9 months, but I am truly not hallucinating this. Others have heard her say these words. The only one that is slightly questionable is water; she doesn't say "wah-ter", she says na-na. But, she only says it when she is thirsty, and pointing at her cup. So, although it's not WATER, it means water. I give her half credit. I'm going to try to get some video up of her chatter. It's really pretty sweet.

Mealtime at Our House

I give you, the thirstiest girl in the world.