Merry Christmas!

Growing up I always loved to look at the Christmas cards that we got in the mail, you know, the ones with all the pictures on them that say "Merry Christmas from the _____". We never received a whole bunch, but the few that we did get were always fun to look at. I loved seeing how families had grown and expanded over the years to add children, dogs, cats, etc. Now, this was never a tradition that my family had, we didn't take the "holiday picture" to send out for all to see, and I always imagined that when I got older and started my own family I would definitely send out Christmas cards.

Well, that is easier said than done. The last two years that I have been married, I have thought about and planned out what the picture and card would look like, but just never got around to taking the picture and actually buying the cards. SO, now that Jacob is here and out little family has grown and changed so much in the last year, I am not going to put this to the side anymore! I have already decorated the mantle in the house (I kinda got bored this last weekend and had some new garland and things from my mom) and told John that as soon as we get Jacob's stocking (his mom and grandmother are making it for him!) we are taking the picture and I am ordering cards!! And he reluctantly said ok.

I just can't wait to look back on these one day and be able to watch as our family grows and changes!

So, now I have to decide where to get the cards from and what I want them to look like/say. Well, that's easy enough. I already have an account with Shutterfly.com and all my pictures are already loaded there, I am even getting almost all of my Christmas gifts from there this year (hint, hint to any family reading this)!! So, it's perfect! I went on there website and started looking around and found some great options. There's this one:


Which is beautiful and would frame the picture I have mocked up in my head perfectly, and I love that it says "Christmas" not "Holidays".

Or there's this one:


Which is a little more classic, but I don't know if I could talk John into getting it!!

Or this one:



Which I love because you can add more than one picture.

So many choices, I don't know what I'll end up with!

So, if you are looking from a Christmas card, or just for a gift for a family member (check out these calendars, these mugs, and these mouspads for a few great ideas) go to Shutterfly.com for some awesome ideas.

Also, if you are a blogger, go here to register to get 50 free Christmas cards by simply writing a blog post like this one!!

3 Months!!

Alot has been going on around here over the last month. I started back to work two nights a week at the beginning of October, it is going pretty well. John does great with Jacob, he gets to put him to bed and get up with him twice during the night, and I am usually home to get him up and feed him breakfast and watch him during the day. It has been an adjustment (with less sleep for both of us) but, I am so glad we were able to work it out and not have to take him to daycare (not that I have something against daycare, but it is SO expensive and with my schedule it isn't something that we need on a regular, weekly basis). Jacob has a few new tricks, he is practically holding his head up on his own, he loves to sit on your lap and watch tv or play with toys, he constantly has his hands in his mouth chewing/sucking on them, he is rolling over from his tummy to his back, he has started "playing" with toys (kinda batting at them to make a sound), he loves to smile/coo/laugh at you, and is becoming quite ticklish. He is so much fun and a joy to be around! We are starting to get into a schedule with the man, and he is doing great with it. He gets up around 7:30 and is on a 3 hour eating schedule with about an hour and a half naps (in his crib!!) in between, and then is in bed by 7:30 at night, getting up around 2 and 5 in the morning. Not too bad, it really helps having his nap times to get things done around the house, and running errands are a lot easier knowing when he will eat and sleep! We are looking forward to the next two months, with so much family coming into town and getting to meet the little guy for the first time!!

Sitting in his new Bumbo seat, playing with his toys (and Caly)!

Laying in bed with Daddy, watching tv

Sitting in the Bumbo seat, holding up his head so well!!

Caly can't stand it when John is holding Jacob, she has to be right there with them!

Playing on his new playmat

He loves to lay on his changing table and be tickled and "talk" to you! So cute!

Chewing on his hands, his new favorite pass-time

Laughing on his changing table

3 month picture with Mr. Bear (his face looks so much older to me!!)