Holiday recap

I’m not sure I’ve ever just been like “SEE YA!” on my blog before, without the “SEE YA!” notice. I just felt like I needed a tiny break but didn’t feel like making a big deal about it.

Sure, I could have stretched stuff out to make several little posts, but why not just slap it all together in a holiday recap?

via Jackie Willome Photography

First of all, Lil’ J is OBSESSED with Santa. For the second year in a row we did photos with Jackie Willome Photography and Santa, and I just love candid photos we get, and the one-on-one experience she gets with one of her idols. Santa read her a Christmas book and pointed and said “That’s you!!” It was the sweetest thing. She fell in love when she first met him at the mall and just had a chat with him about what she wanted for Christmas. That evening I said he’d bring her presents on Christmas if she was good and the rest was history. She literally saw four different Santa’s five times and had a blast each and every time. Each time she requested “princess shoes” so of course Santa was sure to bring some Christmas morning. Here are some of my favorite photos with Santa(s).

Here are some pics with the classic Mall Santa, the first one she had met. She didn’t mind that he hadn’t fattened up yet. Photos of kids crying with Santa make me laugh so hard, they’re so classic, but hers are almost the exact opposite of those.My father-in-law came to town the days before Christmas and Christmas morning and I’m just now realizing I didn’t take any photos of them together, dangit!

My husband and I were able to get away for a night for our 8th anniversary. I believe it was our first whole night away (together) from our daughter since she was born. It was fabulous and much-needed. I had been craving a nice hot chocolate and got one along with a steak and shrimp dinner plus dessert.

Here was us as a couple of young pups 8 years ago.

I baked and cook more in a few days than I normally do in a month, and I still haven’t cleaned up the mess. Christmas Eve we had ham, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. Christmas morning I made what I called a “Pinterest creation” but my father-in-law recognized them as “sticky buns.” I also made french toast, eggs, and bacon. Go me! I’m regretting not buying paper plates as just about every dish in our house needs to be washed and our dishwasher sucks.

Lil’ J was so excited to come out of her room and see what Santa brought, which was too many toys. Among them, dress up dresses, a tea party set, a little people princess castle with extra princesses, a basketball hoop, take apart airplane, and other things I’m probably forgetting. Grandma and Grandpa also got her a LeapPad, so I’m hoping this means I’ll get my iPad back soon.

Leechie did get one baby toy. A giant Melissa and Doug giraffe for his/her room, and Lil’ J has already broken it in.

I got a new camera lens that I’ve been wanting for months. A Canon 100mm 2.8L macro. I wanted something good to capture the pretty newborn features I’ll be soaking in soon, and a nice portrait lens, and this brings both to the table. It’s also my first L-lens, so I’m just enjoying the heck out of it.

Somewhere in the middle of this all, Lil’ J seems to have become potty trained I was too scared to “announce” it and jinx myself. I don’t know when kids officially have it down but for months now she’s been using the potty. At least six months. Then at school she started wearing panties, and stopped having accidents, and the same thing happened at home. Now she only wears a pullup at bed time, but usually wakes up dry. I think when we transition her to a big girl bed and she can get up at night we’ll see if she’s ready for panties at night too. So proud of my big girl! To anyone wondering “how” we did it… I didn’t really do any “training” just offered the potty a lot, and insisted when I knew it had been a while. I did put some of her Halloween candy in a jar and label them “potty prizes” but most of the time she forgot they were around.

Anyway, for the first time in six years, I took Christmas and the surrounding days off so I could enjoy some time with my family. Sadly, my husband has still had to work Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Years, but the days we have been able to spend together have been so nice. I’m especially loving spending so much time with my little girl. She cracks me up.

Now that Christmas and the holidays are wrapping up, I think I’ll be going into mega-baby prep mode. I’m already envisioning how I’m going to redo the office/craft room into a nursery, and how I want to change up Lil’ J’s room into a big girl room.

So much to do and so little time. There’s what… 3 months left? Sheesh! I need to get my butt into gear. Including back into blogging. Not that I need to apologize for living more of my life and blogging less of it, but I do miss my little space here. I owe some of you a pregnancy documentation photo tutorial, and I need to continue my 30 things my kids should know about me series.

I hope you all have been enjoying the season as much as we have. Happy Holidays!


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Sharita Solanki says:

Oh so cute picture. You guys should come do a show in Tennessee and we will definitely be there.

Crystal says:

Lil J is so precious! And photogenic! Out of my 6 girls, I have one diva/girly girl who loves princesses.

N. Echols says:

Can’t wait for the pregnancy documentation photo tutorial! The Santa pics are precious!

Why is she just so cute! Looks like she is really into Santa! Happy Anniversary also!

Go for the big girl panties at night! Just offering my advice. haha. It worked for Princess. She may have accidents, but it’s a part of transitioning. She’ll get used to it. Princess doesn’t like Santa. I think I need to give up on that. We’ll see how it goes next year. So glad Lil J enjoyed Xmas, and Santa. Was that last photo taken with your new lens? I’ve working on getting one myself.

EricaJaque says:

Hi!
I just found your blog by way of Sophistishe & have been cracking up over your “he said/she said” post. Very precious pictures with Santa! We took our 8 month old to see Santa & were prepared for a meltdown….instead he looked up as if to say “sooo you are?!”

B says:

Merry Christmas! She’s so gorgeous, and love her dresses! Hope you had a lovely holiday!

Jasmine says:

Don’t feel guilty about living life and not blogging about it! Glad you guys are having such a great holiday vacation together! Those santa pictures are darling!

PLEASE do a pregnancy documentation tutorial (at your earliest convenience, of course)….I have been trying to document our baby number 2 progress and mine are looking way bootleg hahaha

Vanessa says:

ha, it does not mean your get your ipad back 🙂 we had the grandparents get our then 3.5 yr old a leap pad last christmas and he still prefers to play on our iphones or ipad. and now he has a nintindo ds and it still doesnt matter 🙂

Natalia says:

Like you, I also love a good crying on Santa’s lap photo. Unfortunately, my daughter has yet to give me one either.

Quiana says:

What fun photos! So happy that you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year too =)

Denese says:

Loving the santa pics! Did she dress up as a princess for Christmas? Too cute. I am feeling you on the deadline issue. I have 10 weeks left and haven’t started a thing! So the pressure is on!

Jenn says:

She is just the cutest little girl !

kristi says:

Cute blog. I too got the 100L to photograph those little newborn sweetspots on my little one. Love it. Best wishef for a healthy finish to your pregnancy and delivery

Meli says:

Gosh, I always say the same thing….SHE IS TOO FREAKING ADORABLE!!!! me and Layla MUST get to Austin to meet you two. #love

Wendy says:

The giraffe looks GREAT! 🙂 Can’t wait to see how it fits into the whole room design.

Thanks! me too! 😉 I need to get started.


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Hi! I’m Jennifer Borget

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I'm a former journalist, and lifelong creator striving to make the world a better place. This is the space where I share my journey in making the most of every day by cherishing our individuality and celebrating our differences.



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