A Little Thanksgiving Recap

We ate too much and took a nap....



Put on our UK gear and cheered on the cats....



Got upset when they lost....



Put on our best tree picking attire and headed to the lot....



and got the perfect one....



So how was your Thanksgiving??

What's going on

I don't know about y'all but things are busy, busy here! This weekend we had our Christmas pictures done and things went much more smoothly than I thought..Carsyn definitely had a few crying spells, but she finally tuckered out and I think the perfect sleepy picture got captured.

I am never one to rush the season- I hate that Christmas is forced down our throats before Halloween is over and I never put up a tree until after Thanksgiving, but with baby girl I take all of the free time I can. So this weekend Carsyn did this....


**Yes, she might be a bit blurry because that swing was cranked up full force..and yes that is a big turkey on her onesie!!

and I did this....


Now I can focus this week on the big tree I put up in the living room and a few others....

and this..


Seriously, I think that is probably the non-sexiest pantry I've ever seen!! We're such boring people..can you spy multiple bottles of hot sauce and A1?? I guess that's a total indication that the hubby has been doing about 90% of the grocery shopping, huh?

This year is a little sad for me because I'm just not sure how we are going to spend time with everyone for Thanksgiving. Usually for Thanksgiving I help my family cook so I spend a great deal of time at moms while Shane goes to his family. With baby girl we are trying to make the rounds everywhere and I just don't know how. Does anyone have a great plan on how to divide time between your and your spouse's families??

Always before the Friday after Thanksgiving we stay at home and watch Christmas movies and decorate the house. This year I'm super excited that my in laws will be moving into their new home. Their home burnt down just days before Christmas last year. I think we'll be able to do our decorating Saturday and Sunday as I'm really looking forward to getting them in their new home- Its gorgeous and I hope to post pics soon..to see the progress you can always check out my SIL's blog.

In the next month we will be celebrating is my SIL's birthday, my aunt's, my 2 cousins, my mom's, my sister's, my grandma's and my and Shane's 10 year anniversary!! I was hoping we would take a weekend trip, but between all of the birthdays, Carsyn's sip and see, and his company Christmas party I think our weekends are booked.

Some people have been asking for my chicken salad recipe and I'm happy to post it. I adapted it from the Johnny Fleeman's honey mustard dressing bottle. My husband and sister refuse to eat anything with mayo so I'm always excited to find recipes for dishes that traditionally use it and have a substitute.

Hawaiian Chicken Salad

(3) 10 oz cans premium white cooked chicken
(4) stalks celery -chopped
(1/2-1 cup) pecans-use whatever size you prefer-I prefer larger chunks
(1) granny smith apple chopped
(1) small can crushed pineapple-drained

Mix all ingredients together and add honey mustard dressing to taste- I always used Johnny Fleeman's brand (about 1- 1 1/2 cups) but I have not been able to find it lately and have been substituting Kraft honey mustard. It seems to work fine and I use about 1/2 -3/4 of a 16 oz bottle.

**please bear with me as I usually guess at this recipe-I still do not have it written down..Enjoy!!

Carsyn is 2 months old!

You are growing so fast Carsyn Presley!!

I personally think you are becoming a momma's girl but I think daddy would disagree! You love to nap with momma on the sofa-in fact this morning we took a 5 hour slumber together and it was the highlight of momma's week. Momma is struggling with the fact that you will only sleep in 4 hour increments in the crib but snuggled with momma and daddy you will sleep for nearly 6 hours. So far we have resisted the urge to put you in bed with us. Every night after eating we swaddle you, kiss you goodnight and put you in your crib. After dinner momma retires to the bathtub for a much needed glass of wine and somehow you end up on the sofa cuddling with daddy ;) I think its your all's favorite time of day.

Speaking of sleeping you are on a pretty regular schedule pattern of sleeping 7-7 and waking up to eat at 11:00 and 3:00. In the morning you always greet me with a smile..it is your happiest time of day and you always manage to put a smile on grouchy momma's face. You also take a good nap in the afternoon, but are always fussy between 4 and 6 in the evenings. You love to watch TV now and Mickey Mouse is your favorite...daddy almost has you in giggles when he performs the hot dog dance for you, but momma definitely does the best goofy impersonation! Other than Mickey Mouse you don't care what you watch on TV-usually on the weekends its football and you seem to be just fine cheering on your Cats.

Your appearance changes every day! I think all you got from your momma is blue eyes as you still look like your daddy-That's ok though, momma thinks he a fine looking lad :) You have so many nicknames-Carsy, Carsyn P, Carsy-bug, just to name a few. You absolutely love your paci and momma makes sure she packs 2 everywhere we go. You also enjoy your swing but like your vibrating chair just as good.



Carsyn, momma loves you more than anything and can't imagine life without you!

A Few Secrets

I'm a pretty open person. I like to think what you see is what you get. I think my blog persona is close to my real life persona, but for those of you who do not "know" me I'm a bit of a space cadet, somewhat of a control freak, and lastly, much to my detriment- a shopaholic. Here are a few things that have been going on in my life lately:

**I used to be obsessed with housecleaning- I would wake up at 6:30 am and clean house before going on vacation- that has not happened in years. Now, I am guilty of using Elvis as my vacuum cleaner. Seriously, he works great in the kitchen! When I'm cooking and drop something I know he'll lick it right up-even raw onions! I also used to be the queen of ironing-even pjs! Now, my "to be ironed" pile has been sitting there for like 6 weeks.

**I really need to get back running..and I have not done any yoga since about my second trimester. I think if I tried a down dog I would snap in half! I really, really miss running but yesterday it was rainy and gloomy out and the treadmill looked so unappealing. I just snuggled on the sofa with baby girl and felt no guilt about it. There'll always be that half marathon I've trained for but never ran, but Carsyn will only be a baby once- I don't want to miss one precious moment.

** I'm so excited Christmas is upon us. I cannot miss any of those cheesy Lifetime and Hallmark channel movies. I went to the Holly Day market this weekend and sipped eggnog latte and listened to Christmas music the whole way home.

** Speaking of the whole way home-its totally safe to drive 100 miles with one hand on the steering wheel and the other stretched in the backseat forcing a paci down your babies throat, right? I decided to make the trip out of town without the hubby because he had to work- first trip over 50 miles alone with baby girl and she decided to pitch 2 big fits on me..Oh well, I survived- and she slept really great that night. Now I'm telling myself when she pitches big fits that just means a better night's rest :)

** I am completely obsessing over what to wear for our Christmas picture. More importantly, what Carsyn is going to wear. The photos are scheduled for this Sunday-Yikes! I know its lame but I keep telling myself this is Carsyn's first Christmas card and I want it to be special.

** I think my mind is slowly returning to normal as I am beginning to get more sleep. A few weeks ago I pulled into Burger King and ordered Long Johns (in my defense they are right next to each other and both have blue awnings). When I asked if the number 11 was the sampler the lady replied-um that would be the whopper jr...so embarrassed!

** And lastly, I take way too many pictures of Carsyn and email them to people. I apologize if anyone is getting bored with this..





But who could resist??

A Little Auntie Day(s) Recap

These 2 days have been a whirlwind, but so enjoyable.

My big sis arrived yesterday and took Carsyn out of my hands and didn't let her go for hours..





Remember that long to do list...



I was a pumpkin roll making machine...thanks big sis...sorry they weren't finished in time for you to take one home. (Elvis also thanks you as he can now actually stand the smell of himself)

Today Carsyn's other auntie (and uncle Robby too) took care of her while momma got her hair done.


She LOVED every minute of auntie time and scored some serious loot..



Aunties...please stop buying baby girl gifts..she is spoiled rotten!!!

Note to baby girl mommas--my big sis scored that cute dress at Target :)

Carsyn is really beginning to smile a lot. I love this picture! Did you notice the hairbow changed locations?? How can my 7 1/2 week old daughter already not like hairbows????

Good Mood

For a Monday I'm in a great mood today!!

Why??

Several reasons:

**The local gift shop had their Christmas open house this weekend and I scored a few tree decorations at 20% off!!!

** I went for a glorious overdue run yesterday! Even though I think I was in better shape my 2nd trimester and my legs are completely numb today it was WONDERFUL!

** Carsyn has 2 auntie days this week! My sister is coming up tomorrow to let me get some things done...on my list:
1) Pumpkin roll making
2) Grocery Store Shopping
3) Car Servicing
4) Vet undergoing
5) Mani/Pedi -Dare I dream???
6) Christmas decoration sorting and evaluating
7) Sisterly Bonding :)
Does this list seem impossible? Probably

On Wednesday Carsyn is spending the day with Shane's sister while I GET MY HAIR DONE!! Yippee!

** Some members of our families have had some scary health issues...luckily all seem to be doing better- Praise God

** Its DWTS night...I live for this :)
Who is your favorite to win? Right now my pick would be Kyle and Lacy.

6 weeks = Miracle??

yeah....notsomuch....

Don't get me wrong, if things were the same as they were 3 weeks ago I would be INSANE! When talking to mommies about struggles as a new mother everyone agreed things are much better at 6 weeks. They were right-its better, just not the miracle I expected. Carsyn is sleeping at pretty regular intervals. As far as "sleeping through the night"- HA! I'm just very grateful she sleeps from 11:30 til 3:30 and then 4:00 til 7:00. (Most nights) I'm hoping she'll drop that 3:00am feeding but baby girl is HUNGRY. For any moms who have secrets to getting their babies to sleep more then 4-5 consecutive hours please let me know. I should also point out she technically goes to sleep around 9:00 and lots of times stays asleep til that 11:00 feeding. I am not complaining. As far as naps go she is more sporadic. Sometimes her morning nap is her longest and sometimes its the midday. Sometimes she falls asleep on her own and sometimes she likes to throw a big hissy fit.

Carysn is smiling now and a lot more alert. She stares at light fixtures for forever it seems. She also is still crying for random reasons I'll never figure out. I read somewhere the average baby cries 3 hours a day and for the most part I'm under that number. I keep telling myself that statistic cause it makes me feel better ;)

Speaking of crying bath time is either hit or miss. For the most part Carsyn tolerates bath time, but if we bath her when she is hungry watch out (please see above picture).

I guess my whole purpose is to tell all the mommies out there who endure the same struggles-you're not alone! And to all the mommies with those angel babies-please share your secrets!!

I guess now the countdown begins for that 3 month miracle...