2013 In A Nutshell.

We are at the very end of this year and I cannot believe all the things that it brought Jack and I.

We got a house and baby within a couple of days from each other and we wouldn't have it any other way. This year was so so good to us. Having our baby boy was the most beautiful gift we could have ever received. This year we became home owners & parents.

I'm happy about the home owners part, but the parents part, that one you can't beat. With anything. Elliot brought the greatest joy into our lives and for that I am grateful.

I am also very grateful for my family. They have been there for us like no other, through everything. I don't know what I would do without them. They are the absolute best!

And my husband. I am most thankful to have him in my life. Without him it just wouldn't be the same. It has been so much fun discovering how to be parents to Elliot, we have laughed, cried, fought, made up, under slept, got peed and pooped on and I am so glad that this has all happened with him. Experiencing new things everyday with him is the most amazing feeling and he is the most amazing father. Watching him with Elliot makes me fall in love more and more with him. I love you.

My son. How crazy does it feel to say that? My son. Our son. I love that little boy like I never thought possible and my love for him only grows everyday. Watching him go from a tiny little baby that we could leave on the bed sleeping while we made dinner to not leaving his side for a millisecond because we don't know what he might get into has been hard as shit and so exhausting but so rewarding and exhilarating. We start a new year of his life in a few weeks and I'm still wondering where his first year went. I cannot and will not imagine our lives without him. We love you to the moon and back little Button.

I am so happy to have met all of my blogger and IG mama friends. Thank you for all your sweet comments on my IG and blog you guys are the best!! This is only the beginning of great things to come!

 

 

Tonight we will celebrate with our families, some good food and of course, drinks and champagne at midnight, if we can make it that late. I can't wait!

 

Have a great celebration and I will see you next year! Cheers! 

Christmas Recap.

A little late but whew we are barely starting to catch up from all the Christmas craziness and our relaxing days off from work. It was amazing.

My family and I have always celebrated Christmas Eve with dinner and opening presents at night. We always did this when I was little! Christmas Day was always reserved to use and play with all of our new toys and I loved it. I have so many fond memories of those days that I always look back on around this time of the year every year. I remember they would send us to "hide" and they would  put out all our gifts then ring bells and say Santa had come. My sister and I (before my brother was born) would be so excited and run to wherever the presents were. Now, with Jack and I, we wanted to keep that tradition going along with his family tradition which is brunch and gift opening Christmas Day. We hosted dinner at our house Eve day and opened all of the presents we got for the kids and Jack's and mine. Elliot was already sleeping so we avoided him freaking out by all the yelling and screaming. We sent them upstairs while we put all the gifts under the tree then rang the bells and Santa was there! It was so much fun to see their little faces when they saw them and opened everything, it brought so much happiness and joy to my heart.

I was having so much fun and consequently, didn't take any pics of all the action. I took a few of the little stations I set up for the family.

We saved all of Button's gifts for the next day to be able to keep a little bit of both traditions and starting our own with our little family. After an eventful and fun night, we were up not so early the next day and headed to the living room where he opened up gifts, by that I mean us starting to tear the paper till he sort of got the hang of it himself, not really, we opened them for him which was so much fun! Haha.

This, THIS right here makes my heart melt. This is the morning I had been waiting for my whole life! And many more to come. I think Jack and I were more excited than Elliot to see what Santa had brought him but we were wrong, he was excited too!

How did all of this come from this tree mama? 

I guess they're all mine. That Santa sure is nice.

They are? Yay!

Now, which one's first.

Maybe this one.

Santa didn't forget my hubby and brought him a membership to the Dollar Shave Club (which I had no idea

about until I read Jessica Garvin's post a while back then again a couple of weeks ago!) I must say, best decision ever, Jack loved it! I'm even thinking about signing myself up ;) He also got a book by his

favorite author Stephen King and a watch case for all his watches he has laying around in the closet.

Needless to say, he was a happy camper.

Elliot loved his little motorcycle his aunt got him! He presses all the buttons and rocks back and forth when he's on it. So cute.

I hope that all of you had the best Christmas!! Although it makes me a little sad that the Holidays are over, we are ready for what's to come with the new year. We are so blessed and filled with happiness that our hearts are content. We are so looking forward to next Christmas already as we know that Elliot will be able to enjoy and know what's going on a lot more and I cannot wait for that!

Now let's get all those extra pounds from all the yummy food off! New Year's resolution for sure! :)

Christmas Card Fiasco.

I cannot wrap my head around the fact that it is Christmas Eve today. How.did.that.happen? It's pure nonsense. I am so so glad to say that we are finally done with the craziness at work and at home. I swear we were at so many stores and Target almost every day. Although I love you Target you broke my bank and that's not cool. At least my heart is content knowing that everyone is getting a little something from us. I can't wait for everyone to open presents!

I was a good girl and ordered our Christmas cards early and was so excited to get them and send them with plenty of time for everyone to get it before Christmas. I ordered them on Shutterfly with a 50% off coupon plus free shipping. I thought I was on top of the world! When I got them, I immediately opened them but was disappointed to find that they weren't what I had imagined. Don't get me wrong, the paper quality was great but the overall design with the picture just didn't work together when printed. They looked great online but definitely not in person, there was just something about them I didn't like.

I sent them back, I really really couldn't keep them and send them out. I just wouldn't have been happy! So after reading this post on Wifessionals I immediately downloaded the Walgreen's app, found a cute design and sent it to print. It was ready in a hour! BUT I was completely expecting them to be printed on card stock (as was Kaitlyn's and it looked awesome!) and was surprised to see a photo card. FAIL. It still looks cute but I've never been a huge fan of the photo cards. Not that there's anything wrong with them I just prefer regular paper. I don't think our Walgreen's here carries anything other than the photo paper. Oh well. I still sent them out with some time and everyone got theirs already! At least I was happy about that. 

Lesson of the day: Just because there's a sale doesn't mean you rush and send whatever out to get printed. Even if they tell you that sale ends that day, it doesn't mean it really ends that day. I got about four emails in the next few days after I sent my order in telling me it was the last day for that same 50% off. Ha. Good one. I'm sticking to Tiny Prints for Elliot's birthday invitations.

With that, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Give Me A Break!

Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar! ;) Just wanted to let you all know that it has been an insane past few days so as soon as life slows down and more hours are added to the day I'll be returning with some new posts!! You all are the best!

For now, here's a snap shot of what's been happening lately-

If you follow me on Instagram (shadiabrown) you know that we have eaten.

Gave mama a thumbs up for a dinner so good we ate it with our faces too.

We have bathed. A quick bath in a small tub never hurt anyone.

We have stared at that big green thing in our living room with all those shiny objects and wondered how to get to them.

We have made sure that laundry is getting done and that the dryer is properly working, by watching the clothes dry and making sure that door stays closed.

 We have slept semi soundly.

And then mama drank. Big glass of white wine in a red wine glass with her hubby by her side. I also ate some grapes and Button's string cheese to feel fancy while watching a million episodes of House Hunters. ;)




Stay tuned for a proper and way more interesting and fun post!

We are halfway there!

Christmas Blues.

Ha I know I know. This post is so ironic considering I've been so giddy and eager to decorate the shit out of my home and do all things Christmas. Behind it all, and maybe this is why I've been doing all this, is a part of me with a wandering mind. I've been thinking about a lot of things. Most of all, I've been thinking a lot about my dad. I've written a couple of posts on him, if you don't know what I'm referring to, you can read that story here. It may be the holidays and how this is supposed to be about family and love and just being together and enjoying one more year of great things. I miss my dad, I wish he could be here and then I don't. I wish he could be part of our lives, part of Elliot's life and then I don't. I think about everything he did, how much he hurt us and I don't want him here, I don't want him to be part of our lives. BUT, that is never ever going to make me not yearn for him, to wish we could undo everything, to wish he could undo everything he did. Family should stick together right? I know this is once a year and this should happen everyday but for some reason this year I can't help but think what if? What if he were here to be with us this Christmas?

I guess when you have a family and a baby you really realize what family is all about. It shouldn't be about the little bullshit things. Can't we look at the bigger picture and let go of the insignificant stuff? I guess it just doesn't work that way. We will always have people and obstacles in life that want to prevent us from being happy and enjoying our lives like we should. Sometimes distance is better to let the heart heal, to let happiness come through and show you what life is really about.

This year having a family of my own made me see the way things need to be. I used to let things get to me, people, bullshit, now they don't. My dad always will though. I will always miss him, his jokes, his Christmas cooking (he made the best turkey & a made-from-scratch fruit punch you wouldn't believe), his advice, everything. This will be Elliot's first Christmas and I really wish he could be here to experience that moment with him.

Sometimes I'll be looking into space with Elliot in my arms and Jack will ask me "what's wrong?" and I say nothing, well this is it, I'm thinking about all of this, then I think about how much I love our little family that will hopefully get to grow soon.

Anyway, I think it's also the fact that this year flew by and my little baby will be turning one next month. ONE. How did that happen? I will say that above all of this, I am really excited to be with my little family Christmas morning and watch Elliot open his gifts, throw his toys aside and play with the boxes. And maybe also all the depressing Christmas music? Have you listened to some of the songs? I'll stick to my malt shop classics & Mariah Carey. ;)

Let's really enjoy this season and let's not let anyone or anything get in the way of that. Let's be Merry!! ;)

My hubby & this baby make absolutely everything better.

Christmas Decor Part 2.

We are having the best time decorating the house for us and in preparation for having family over for Christmas & New Year's. I could decorate the closet if I could but then I would want to buy even more stuff and I think Jack is over my spending on everything Christmas. How fun is it though? I never thought I would love it this much. Jack and I always talked about it "When we have our house we will do this and that" and now we can! Guess who has been taking full advantage of that?

With that said, this weekend was full of shopping (oops!) for decorations and we even got some gifts out of the way. I love love love shopping for all the little ones in our family and would buy them the world if we could! Now we have a little of our very own and trust me, I would spend my whole pay check on him! Jack, close your eyes on this sentence. 

I am almost, aaalmost done and I couldn't be happier with how it's turning out. I made this garland (all while listening to Christmas music) with the silver glitter tape I got for one dollar at Target and some yarn to keep things in the theme. I taped them folding them over the yarn then cut them into different types of flags. Glitter tape, that's all I have to say.



I knew I wanted fresh spruce and went to Home Depot. I saw bundles for like fourteen bucks then saw a cart full of it outside of the tent where they sell the Christmas trees. Jack asked if they were selling the clippings and they told him they were free ninety-nine. Mama went to town and I'm still going back for more! You guys weren't lying. It smells amazing. It really makes the mantel pop.

I added this garland to the tree that I made with silver letters I got at Target for one dollar as well and used a needle and white thread to sew through them. 

Jack and I have been looking for.e.ver for a napkin holder for everyday use. I swear we have been to every store and never found one we liked or one at all. Who knew these things were not as common as I thought? Then on a trip to Target, we had the greatest idea to use this little wooden tray along with a clear plastic tumbler for straws and napkins to keep on the table including my cute salt & pepper shakers I got years ago and was never able to display them.  

The table I kept simple once again, I added two extra red candles and tons of spruce in clear glass jars and mason jars. I got the elf hat napkin idea from Pinterest and they were super simple to make. I still want to add a red cranberry at the top for a backwards Santa hat. I want little stockings as silverware holders, another Pinterest idea and I thought it looked so cool and cute and cozy.

This wreath is the same one I've used for all the holidays just added some spruce, the bow, candy canes and some white yarn of course ;) It might look a little wild and may require some taming but I like it!

As I said, spruce everywhere!

We are having some major cold weather over here and Button is ready for it. 

Stay warm everyone! 

Check back for part 3 of these series ;)

Decorations & DIY Weekend.

Have you been eating turkey leftovers for the past week couple of days till you're turkey'd out? We have! I think today is the last day of leftovers. It was too good to get rid of. I've been cooking turkey everything and Elliot and Jack have been loving it. Me on the other hand, I'm ready for a normal meal.

I don't think Button is tired of it just yet. He loved it so much he ate it by the handfuls and reached for it before it landed on his tray. And made a complete mess with about 75% of it actually landing in his mouth.



This weekend was all about Christmas decorations preparation. I have some DYI's in mind and have gotten started on some but I still have a ways to go which is why we put up the Christmas tree a week before Thanksgiving. By the looks of Instagram I am glad I wasn't the only one! It's hard with a baby roaming around trying to get into the fireplace and eat off of it.

I have been pinning away on my Christmas board  looking for some great ideas from table decor to trees & wreaths. I found this wreath that goes perfectly with my knitted theme and although I'm modifying it to fit the materials I already have, I love the colors and look of it. How cute are these napkins!? I'm thinking about doing these in white.

I got these awesome plates at Target but after much thought I'm going to exchange them for the silver ones. The gold ones look beautiful but I'm not so sure they work year round with the rest of the house decor. The napkins and straws are so cute and match everything I have! Thanks to Jack who saw these and told me about them otherwise I would have walked right by them (gasp!).

I'm working on our mantel and still plan to add a couple more things like this letter covered in white yarn.



These stockings were on sale at Target, I love how they look so cozy and even got a little one for Elliot. The silver flutes are from Nambé. We got them to toast on our wedding three years ago and this is the first time I took them out of the box again to display them. They're so pretty and go perfectly with the silver reindeer.

I will post the finished product once I'm done! My plan is to make the house as cozy as possible. Even if it's seventy degrees outside.

 We lit this candle and I loved how it smelled for the first five minutes. After that I got kind of tired of it and the house smelling so much like chocolate. I guess it's back to my regular scents! Hey, I gave it a try.

Elliot looked like a little man in this outfit this weekend. His jeans are still a little big on him but I couldn't get over how grown he looked!

 We also ordered our first ever holiday cards and I am beyond excited to see how they turn out! I usually design that kind of stuff but with my iMac being down and all my programs in there, we resorted to Shutterfly and got them 50% off PLUS free shipping! Score! Thanksgiving special. ;)

Have a great week!!