living, laughing, and learning along the way

December disappeared in a blur of activity and sickness; it was quite the full month! With January now in full swing, and routine returning to our everyday life around home, I've got some catching up and blazing forward to do!

Back at the beginning of December, I woke in the night to find I didn't feel all that well. Reaching for my water bottle I found it missing, and remembered leaving it on the couch, empty. Sleepily I made my way down the hall to the bonus room, grabbed my water bottle...then woke up on the hard wood at the bottom of the stairs. I felt the cool of the hard floor first, and as I opened my eyes I wondered why I had chosen to sleep on the floor that night.I pushed up to all fours slowly, feeling the contents of my stomach surge before I had a moment to truly move. My Handsome Husband came rushing down the stairs just as I seized a pause in my puking to crawl to the nearby washroom. 
Eventually my stomach calmed, I filled my water bottle, and started back up the stairs. It wasn't until I was lying in bed talking with my husband that I connected all the dots - I had fallen down a full 16 stairs while pregnant! As that reality sunk in I cried and expressed my worries to my patient husband who checked me over and determined that I had a cut brow bone  bruised the right side of my head, and hurt the right side of my right knee. As it turns out, even unconscious I was able to protect my stomach and the sweet baby girl growing in it, which was a huge relief to me. All the same, I wasn't able to relax and go to sleep for a few hours, waiting anxiously for the precious little kicks that would tell me all was well.
The next day my doctor checked me over, determined I had a beautiful black eye, concussion, memory loss, and pulled the tendons in my right knee. She assured me that babies are very well protected in the womb, and that at this stage in pregnancy [I was 19 weeks pregnant at the time] there was enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby to keep her from feeling the shocks of the fall that my body endured. On doctors orders, I was not to exercise until all residual side effects of the fall had dissipated, [which has finally happened!] and was to sleep as much as my body demanded. My patient Husband spent the first week of his Christmas vacation time tending to a very lethargic pregnant wife - and never once complained. Yes, he is en-route to Saint-hood! 

Now that I am cleared for exercise, I am proceeding slowly to keep my pregnant self comfortable and contraction free. Winter is in full swing, with icy sidewalks and all, so my outdoor jogging/walking routine is not an option. So, I will be sticking to aerobics, cross fit  weight training, HITT, kettle bell routines. I am excited to get back into the swing of working up a sweat everyday, and carrying this baby to term in a healthy, athletic, and energetic body! 

2012 ended with a slowed pace, sick babe, and early bedtime [yes, I went to bed at 8pm...after having fallen asleep on the couch...] and 2013 began with health, happiness, and family time. I am looking forward to a year of growth, personally and as a family, and all the challenges that will come as we stretch our limits, laugh, learn, and live our best lives! Here's to a wonderful year to come!

here's a little photo montage of December around our home - it really was wonderful to just be together!

almost as good as the black eye my sister gave me growing up ;)

my little chocolate dipping helper

sugar cookies - can you tell which ones Darius decorated?

Grandma Juli came to play and make English toffee with the wee men!

Eli playing in his new tent, with his new blankie and pillow all from Christmas!

[for my] boys

I was a sewing machine Friday night![pun intended ha!] As I ticked items off my "Handcrafted Christmas" list, not only was I excited to give the little gifts, but I was excited to show all of you! Crazy, I know. Without further ado, here's a little preview of what will be tucked snugly into my little men's stockings:

I used the pattern and tutorial located here to create the little masterpiece pictured here [and the matching one for little brother Eli tucked safely away] and highly recommend it if you're wanting to make some ties for the wee men in your life. Not only was the tutorial clear and easy to follow, but the pattern pieces were awesome! Thanks to Amber at Very Homemade for helping me achieve the quality craftsmanship I desire in all my handcrafted goods!

Cookie Exchange

Last night my Relief Society had a Christmas program, a cookie exchange, and volleyball. If you had to guess, which two would you say I made it too? Sadly, I had a conflicting event that I couldn't miss during the Christmas program, but I made it just in time for the cookie exchange and volleyball! The cookies were an amazing assortment of colours, textures, and creativity - I can't wait to try them! My contribution to the exchange happen to be a very simple recipe - but always a crowd favourite. If you're looking for an easy yet elegant addition to your holiday fare, give these a go!

Meringue Surprise Cookies
shared with me by Alisha

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups white sugar
16 caramels, cut into 1/3's

Heat oven to 250*F. Line two large cookies sheets with parchment or wax paper.

In a stand mixer, combine egg whites, salt, and vanilla. Beat until foamy.

Gradually add in sugar, beating until peaks form.

Pipe or spoon mix into 3/4" wide mounds 1" apart on parchment. Top each mound with a piece of the chopped caramels, then pipe or spoon mix on top, covering caramel piece completely.

Bake for 45-55 minutes or until crisp. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Cool for at least 10 minutes [or you'll burn your tongue on hot caramel!]

Makes about 48 cookies.

What is your go to recipe for cookie exchanges?

Reindeer Food

I am so excited for Christmas! Maybe its my personality, maybe its my two little boys with gleaming eyes, or maybe it's the fact that I never stop listening to Christmas music ALL YEAR LONG! Haha, maybe its a combination of the above ha!

I am ticking items off my list as per usual and stumbled upon these adorable tags: http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/free-printables-reindeer-food-tags.html

Seriously so cute! I just printed mine off so I could get a little crafting done for the holidays!

Whats on your Christmas Craft list?

Brotherly Love [sneak peek]

Our decorations are up, the stockings are hung [on the railing, but really, I'm having troubles with the idea of drilling hooks into the mantel], and the advent calendar is telling me we only have 29 days until Christmas! 29 days! Yikes I have a lot to do!!! This week, once the tree was up and decorated, Darius started asking for presents to put under the tree. Naturally, I had nothing ready for him ha! So, my little man got to work, figured out what he wanted to make for his brother, and is the first one to have a present ready to give. How sweet is that! Here is a little sneak peek of what Darius chose to make his his baby brother:

Darius chose the elephant design, the fabric, the color of the onesie - everything! Seeing my boys together makes the sleepless nights, vomit drenched dress shirts, and poo stained furniture all worth it!

Handcrafted Christmas

I never stop thinking about Christmas. Never. I listen to Christmas music year round; I look forward to the time when every house is covered in lights; a tree glows in the window; and carolers sing on door steps and street corners. I love the thought of cuddling up with a cup of hot chocolate, a fire, and my Amazing Husband while the kids doze happily in their warm beds. You get the picture? This year it was decided that we would embark on a new tradition, one that takes thought, planning, and talent to pull off: Handcrafted Gifts for Everyone on Our List! For one another, our kids, our family and friends, a lot of time and preparation is going into what will be given as tokens of love, appreciation, and gratitude. I've been slowly getting items completed[since February], but have left the bulk of the work until now, and my list is long and daunting...but oddly exhilarating at the same time[we'll see if I still feel that way in a month...] You see, once you think of the PERFECT gift for someone, the anticipation of watching them open and enjoy it, is worth all the effort. Here are just a few of the projects on my list to make:


Aprons [his and hers]

Pajama Shorts

Crochet Headbands

Handbag

If you're looking for ideas to incorporate this idea into your Christmas gifts, there are a plethora or tutorials online. Some of my favorite site for handcrafted goodness are:

MADE

Make It Love It

House of Smiths

Jones Design Company

Ana White

Check out the sources, get inspired, and don't forget to have fun! Darius was looking at ideas today trying to figure out what to make for his brother - it almost brought a tear to my eye!! I of course only gave a hint of what all will be completed in my craft space, but I look forward to sharing the completed projects soon!