Hello Blog...I have missed you.

So I realize I've been a major blog slacker.  But between, work, baby, new nanny, and the holidays sneaking up on me, I have barely had time to take a shower and brush my teeth, much less blog about it.  I'll make a resolution for the new year to be a better blogger.

First of all....holy cow I don’t know what happened but Christmas is THIS FRIDAY!  I can't believe how quickly the year has passed.  Twelve months ago were under major kitchen construction and I had a tiny baby bouncing around inside making me feel totally miserable.  This year we have the best Christmas present of all...a happy, healthy bundle of joy to spoil rotten on her first Christmas!  Having a child really does make the holidays much more exciting.  I started Christmas shopping last weekend and have discovered something even more fun that picking out baby clothes---- BOOKS! Glorious books! Oh my gosh I went to the Barnes & Noble on Saturday and completely lost my mind in the Children’s Books. Normally, I try to shop at mom and pop stores, avoiding big box book stores when I can.  But I needed some gift cards, and was quickly seduced by their kids’ section. I wandered around, seeing myself and Sarah Beth there as she grows up, starting with the baby board books like Hungry Caterpillar, then graduating to bigger kid books like Clifford and Little Bear before taking on the classics like Little Women and Black Beauty.  I must admit I got a little choked up at the thought of this wonderful world of books that awaits her.  Needless to say, I bought more than a few to put under the tree.  I think the library will be more economical in the long run, but for now, we must have a decent collection for her to read (and chew on.)  And yes, I am buying "Your Baby Can Read" from that infomercial on Sunday mornings - she five months old so I think we're already behind.  Those babies on the TV were reading Moby Dick at 7 months...show-offs.

As I’m writing this, “Mary Poppins” is on TV in the background. How appropriate! While our new nanny did not float in on an umbrella, she does seem to be pretty wonderful. Very patient and loving with our little one, and keeping her happy and stimulated. What a blessing and what a relief! Totally worth half my paycheck.  I have heard 3 horror stories this week about babies SB's age catching RSV (a respiratory infection) at daycare and having to stay in the hospital on oxygen and IV fluids.  Can you imagine our precious angel in the hosp...oh I can't even type it. I'm sick just thinking about it. Just further reinforces our decision to keep her away from daycare, even if nanny costs a small fortune.   Baby is healthy and has nanny's undivided attention all day, as it should be.  I know that plenty of people have their kids in daycare and not eveyone ends up in the hospital with serious illnesses, but as long as we can continue to avoid it, that's what we're going to do.

In other baby news, SB has moved on from rice cereal into the orange food category.  Somewhere I read that orange/yellow foods should be introduced next and I'm a big fan of color coordination so why not.  First up was Sweet Potato.  She seemed pretty indifferent to the taste, although she enjoyed spreading it all over her face and head.  I'm not sure how much of that she actually ate versus wore as an accessory.  Next on the tasting menu was Carrot.  DELICIOUS, apparently.  I know for sure she ate it because the next day her diaper contents were orange.  Looks much the same coming out as going in.  Yuck.  I can't wait 'til we get to green foods. 

Mmmmm....sweet potato.

Friday was my last day of work for the year.  Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!  I am so brilliant for saving up my vacation days for the holidays.  I can finish shopping and prep for Christmas all week without having to run around like a maniac.  I may even bake the cake that is on the December cover of Southern Living.  (Somebody please talk some sense into me!)  We are delighted to be staying home for baby's first Christmas.  My parents are coming to us on Christmas Eve, barring another winter storm like the one they had this week.  Ten inches of snow in the mountains!  We didn't get one flake here in Charlotte.  Just the typical "wintry mix" that is a big letdown for all the local newscasters. Poor guys, they were really hoping to get some snow in the area so they could go outside with a yardstick and measure the inch or so of accumulation for a live news report, but all they got was sleety rain and a bunch of people fired up to buy milk and bread at the Harris Teeter. 

But I digress...our halls are decked and stockings are hung by the chimney with care and we're ready to enjoy a relaxing, cozy Christmas with our family, reflecting on the miracles that have blessed us in 2009, and all the wonder and excitement that the coming year will bring.  If there wasn't one present under the tree or one card in the mail, we would still be the happiest home around thanks to this precious little angel right here.

Even Moose is in the Christmas Spirit this year!