Christmas Card Frenzy!

Well, so much for the posing. I realized that I've taken a ridiculous number of pictures--enough to make my Christmas cards. My husband thinks I'm crazy for designing them myself. But, I can't help it. I get all caught up and can't stop. I mean, this is the first time in my life I've actually had something cute to send! Usually I spend hours trying to find the perfect card, this year, I have good subject material (a chubby, bald, bubbly baby!). I'm taking full advantage.


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I am excited to say that I sat through an entire move . . . It's a Wonderful Life! The movie, that is. Though it really is a wonderful life. This has been a tough Christmas. This marks the year anniversary of my father-in-law's passing--he was the "force" in our family and you can really feel the void. We found out we were pregnant only two weeks after he passed. We wanted so much to tell him we were expecting before he passed. I guess in some parallel universe I thought telling him might make him hold on, might make all the cancer shrink into nothingness. He and my husband were incredibly close. Unfortunately, he died on my husband's birthday . . . just a couple weeks before Christmas. Needless to say we spent last Christmas in a mourning stupor.

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I have learned so much by perusing blogs. I've learned that many people make money by having ads on their blog, by reviewing books/products, by writing content. I can't believe how inventive people are--and entrepreneurial! I can't help but wonder if you have a fairly active blog how much money one can make? I've also learned that there are a lot of awesome writers out there. The most amazing thing I've learned is how much people have been able to use their blog as an outlet for all their thoughts, emotions, creativity, opinions. As I've mentioned before, I am a self-proclaimed techie, but I resisted blogging. Part of it is the commitment I knew I would have to have to keep up with it. Another is the sheer number of blogs out there can be overwhelming. This is why I have spent so much time reading blogs--I'm trying to find a group of blogs that I can relate to and visit on a regular basis. I've spent the last few days reading blogs and came up with a Top 12 sites -- see right sidebar. I anticipate it will change, but these are blogs that I've visited and that I've found I like their content/writing style and/or that we have a lot in common.

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I can't help but wonder what is one baby item you could not live without or at least an item that has really made life easier. I love my Boppy and Brest Friend--I know, they are similar, but each one has its own strengths. I realized in the last few days that I really love my activity play mat. J can stare, swing at, and grab for things for hours if I let him. I also love my papasan cradle swing--though he has to be in the right mood (relaxed, maybe tired, but not TOO tired) to stay in it. Oh, and I like the Bumbo! I know it was recalled, but for goodness sake, the warning was printed right on the back--pretty obvious actually. And common sense seems to dictate not to put a baby in a unsecured seat on a raised surface. Anyway, J likes sitting in it. He is loving sitting on the couch, pretending he's just one of us! Oh, and he loves watching me eat and brush my teeth. I hope when the times comes, he loves eating as well--just like his mom and dad!
So, do any of you have any favorite/can't live without baby/toddler items?