shopping day!

Andrew started my day in a crazy way! He woke me up with a phone call at 6:30am from work. He was just getting off and about to head home after working all night long. Said he wanted to give me a chance to get out of bed cause when he got home, we were jumping in the car and going out Christmas shopping. Payday was here!

I heard Andrew come in and say a chipper "Good morning!" before he dashed off to the shower. My head was still fuzzy at 6:50 as I pulled myself out of bed, grabbed yesterday's jeans, and sat in front of the heater waiting for it to turn on. To warm up the cold jeans, of course. I only dozed off once while sitting there. Not bad.

Then a flurry of slow activity as we got Paisley up, got her changed and fed, and bundled into the car seat. It was so cold outside, even she seemed to grasp the reason behind keeping her little hat on.

Then we were off!

1st order of business: Starbucks drive thru for Cass. Andrew had already had something, which explained his abnormal energy level.
2nd: cash the paycheck!
3rd: divide it amongst 3 envelopes.
4th: shop the day away!

We were highly successful! (translate: lots of awesome stuff at great prices!) Paisley was an angel all morning. Riding in the cart, the Baby Bjorn, our arms, the cart, our arms, our arms, our other arm... We really did get a lot done and it's only December 10th! That's pretty early for this Queen of the Last Minute. Yes, that title truly did require italics, bold, and a color. Whoops! More italics.

So Santa's little Harper elves returned home happy and full of Christmas cheer. And there my story ends.

For now.

mom agenda

Yeah, so I just fell in love with these planners again! I remember seeing them before... Before I was actually a MOM... But now I am for reals and I can have one!

~ happy dance! ~

on being christmasy

So I've been working like one of Santa's little elves tonight! Online shopping early in December is the only way to go!

While I'm at it, I've been compiling Christmas lists for myself, Andrew, and Paize. Complete with pictures, links, and descriptions! Just trying to make it easy for those who say I'm hard to shop for... [wink] ... You're welcome!

Things I Love About Being A Mommy

• finding baby shoes under the furniture
• playing on the floor with our heads together when she leans in to give a sweet kiss
• her smile of anticipation as she toddles into my arms and awaits the applause
• all the different tones in which she says "Mama"... every emotion is communicated!
• when I rearrange her blankets one last time before I go to bed and her eyes flutter open, then she gives a sleepy smile and closes them contentedly
• mirror time with my baby, smiling and waving to and kissing our reflections
• the moment of recognition when she understands what I'm saying and responds to it
• the pride of showing off a "trick" well-learned
• tickle giggles and real laughs
  

baby, it's cold outside

It actually dropped below freezing last night! And it's just stayed so cold all day. Clear and crisp, but cold! So that -- plus the fact that Andrew's got a few days off -- put me in the Christmas mood!

After giving a few piano lessons, taking a late evening trek to Fred Meyer, putting the baby down for the night, etc... it's 11:52pm and we're finally pulling out the pieces of our fabulously pre-lit and perpetually evergreen Christmas tree!

The movie is on and branches must be fluffed. So, until tomorrow...