Happy Holidays!

We have been busy with all things holidays, and just life in general.  I should be back later this week with a ton of updates, and recaps from our lovely Christmases.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday, full of love and laughter.

Until next year everyone!

Wordless Wednesday - First Haircut

Lucas was born with a pretty good head of hair, which everyone always found so amusing and ironic, because the Hubby is balding, and I have the thinnest hair.  Well here was my child with the thickest, darkest hair, and I wondered for a minute if he was even mine.  He went through the stage most babies born with hair do, and lost quite a bit at the top of his head, and he resembled his father a lot during that time, but he never lost all of it.  In the last six or seven months, his hair just started taking on a life of its own, and it continued to grow, got a lot lighter, and it had the most unbelievably gorgeous baby curls.

Lately I had resigned myself to the fact that he was going to need a haircut sooner than later. His bangs kept flying into his face, his hair was looking a little redneckish in the back with the longest mullet looking rat tail, and overall I was starting to worry that people were going to mistake him for a girl.  The Hubby for some reason was having a harder time letting go of the baby curls than I was, but one evening during bath time he saw just how long his hair in the back really was, and he finally agreed with me.

The next worry I had before heading to the hairdressers was just how well or badly Lucas was going to handle the touching of his head and hair, since he oftentimes wouldn't even allow me to brush it after a bath!  Well I booked the appointment at our local Melonheads, just to be on the safe side since the specialize in children's haircuts, and I am so glad I did.  Lucas walked in a cool cat, taking in all the different chairs from an airplace, to a ferrari, but he settled on Thomas the Train, and once sitting in the train he was just the most agreeable little man ever.  We double lucked out with the hair stylist who was so great with him, and was just so great at making sure that Lucas never even saw the scissors in her hand.  Result...Lucas sat through a ten minute haircut, never once crying, never trying to get out of the chair, and smiling at the lady and anyone who would look at him, the whole time.  At one point another little boy came in for a cut, and he was just so miserable, crying and ranting the whole time and I thought for sure we are done for it now, Lucas is really sensitive to other children crying and we thought he was going to start fussing in sympathy for the other kid; instead he looked at me like he didn't understand what the big deal was.

Overall such a great experience, and moment.  Sorry for the lame looking photos I completely forgot my camera and had to make do with the phone.

And just like that I lost my baby, and gained a little boy!

 

Holiday Pajama Link Up Party

Today I am linking up with Darci, Natasha, Ashley, Jenny, and Julie for a Holiday Pajama party for all our minis!

I absolutely love the holidays, and I have been having a ton of fun sharing the festivities with my little guy this year.  Last year he was only 3 months old when Christmas came around, and although he was such a bright eyed and attentive little baby, he had no clue what was going on around him.  This year there is still so much that I know he doesn't understand, but I can't help but expose him to everything holiday, and make memories, that at least his father and I can remember and share with him one day.

Here's a throw back to last year on Christmas morning sporting his cute Santa's little helper pajamas, and one at our holiday session.

God I could squeeze those cheeks, and look how absolutely little he was.

This year I went the traditional route with some candy stripped pajamas I purchased at OskKosh.  I must say holiday attire for boys this year was pretty slim pickings, and I found some great ones online, but sometimes I just don't trust online orders, and then I just felt it was a little too late.  I love how these look on him thought, and that face well makes it look that much more adorable wouldn't you agree.

I also got these snowmen themed pajamas as Carters and this was the best I could do getting a photo of Lucas in them.

And just like that he's over it! 

Hope everyone is having a great week we are off to finish some Christmas shopping.

Family Christmas Photos

The internet was completely down for a few days in my neighbourhood, so I am once again behind on my intended blogging, and to make matters worse I cannot find my computer cord to download my photos for some of my posts, so yup technology is not my friend lately.

I planned this post for close to the holidays, but due to the unforeseen tech problems I'm going to go ahead and share the photo goodness today.  We once again used our professional photographer Trayc with Blue Rooster Photography, and took advantage of the mini sessions she has for holiday photos.  I love how they turned out but I am really wanting to do outside family photos next year.  Lucas was really a great little boy throughout the whole session.  I had booked two sessions in fear that now that Lucas is extremely rambunctious, and can't sit still for too long, that it would take extra long to get some good shots.  Well my little man made me proud, not only was he so well behaved but he was so aware of the camera that he practically posed for the photos.

Taking professional photos is an investment I'm glad to make.  Even though I am constantly taking photos of our family, its so hard to get behind the camera with my little man, so I cherish the moments that the photographer has captured so far of my little family.

On to what really matters.

There are really no words to express how seriously I love this picture of my boys!

At first I thought the posing of this photo was a little cliche but now I kind of like it.

I'm a little critical of myself in photos (probably why I don't turn the camera around to myself that often), and I'm not a huge fan of my face here, but my little man's smile just melts my heart. 

I just die over Lucas' face here! 

I have a few more photos to share of Lucas' in his Christmas pajamas, but I'm reserving those for tomorrow's link up party. 

Hope you all enjoyed!

Holiday Gift Guide - Mommy Edition

The hubby is generally pretty good at gift giving, but he has his moments where he honestly sucks (sorry babe you know its true).  So this list is as much of a guide of some great things for the women in your lives, as well as a list to help the husband figure out what he can get me hehe.

1. Reitmans Pajama Set - I love sets like this to lounge around the house in on days when all you do is stay inside, watch movies and drink copious amounts of warm coffee and cocoa.

2. Beanie Hat - I have never been a winter hat kind of person, but I have also never spent this much time outside in the snow as I have been now.  As a mom of an outdoorsy son this is kind of essential for me this year.

3. Roots Side Satchel - Its getting easier to leave the house with Lucas and not have to lug a diaper bag, however there are always a few essentials that need to come with me, and the convenience of a bag that can be slung over the chest and be big enough for mine and his needs is a must.  This particular bag is on the expensive side, so honestly I would prefer a cheaper knock off, but this particular style.

4. Chapters Gift Card - This is always a winning gift for me.  Chapters is my happy place, and I go there with Lucas at least once a week, and he loves it just as much as I do.  This gift would probably be for the two of us hehe.

5. Eos Lip Balms - I have a fetish for lip balms, and I'm pretty sure there is always one at hand in every drawer possible, car and purse.  I'm running low and I have heard great things from this particular brand.

6.  Pandora Studs - I have discovered recently that I cannot wear my beloved hoop earrings for now, since my son finds it amusing to put his fingers through it and then yank.  Yup, lets just say I found that one out the hard way.  I'm in love with these studs right now, so classy and would make any mom on the go outfit look just that much fancier.

Hope all the fellas out there enjoy buying some special gifts for their hard working baby mamas lol.

Holiday Gift Guide - Daddy Edition

The hubby and I are looking into saving for a family vacation this upcoming April, so we decided to keep it low key with gifts for one another.  So here's a wish list of a few things that I know the husband needs, or would make a nice gift for him.

1. Pajama/Casual Lounge wear set - Here's a big confession about my man, he is one hot tamale...meaning the man is always hot hehe.  He gets home and literally lives in no shirt, and I have to beg him to put on shorts over his boxers.  Have you seen the new show The Goldbergs where the dad gets home, and immediately takes his pants off at the front door, yup that's pretty much like Gianni.  They have some nice thin casual wear at Marks Work Warehouse on sale for the holidays that I'm thinking of picking up, hopefully he will get the message.

2. Wool Beanie Hat - Gianni works outside a lot, and the weather has been getting progressively colder, and I feel his ratty one could use a replacement.

3. Under Armour Sweater - These sweaters are amazing for Gianni since they offer just the right amount of insulation without getting too sweaty.  This is great for work under his safety vests, or for quick shopping trips.

4. Batman Trilogy Set - This is on sale at Costco, and he is a huge fan.  I usually get him a DVD for his collection every Christmas, and I think he would love this one.

5. Starbucks Thermo Cup and Tim Hortons Gift Card - Gianni's mug could also use a replacement this year, a lot of Gianni's gear gets banged up on job sites and they need to be replaced every once in a while.  Plus the coffee card is a nice gesture for those mornings when I forget to pre prepare the coffee maker.

Hope everyone else is having a fun time putting thoughtful gifts together for the men in their lives.

Holiday Gift Guide - Toddler Edition

Every year my side of the family has done Kris Kringle for the adults at Christmas time, we are just too many people to buy individual gifts for everyone.  Usually I still give something baked, or framed photos for my parents.  So this year we all decided to forgo that tradition and just spoil all the little ones in the family. 

In the interest of getting things for the kids that they would actually need and appreciate all the moms sent out a list of their kid's likes.  Here's a synthesized version of what Lucas is into this year, and some ideas for gifts for him.

1. Mega Blocks - He recently has taken an interest in building things, and this is a great toy to help enhance motor skills by putting the blocks together and tearing them apart.

2.  Lucas loves to be read to, and its honestly a proud moment when he grabs a book and brings it over to be read.  His favourites are definitely Karen Katz flip and flap books.  They are engaging, interactive, and quite entertaining.  He already has a growing collection, and I just discovered how many more there are!

3. Leap Frog Letter Factory - So I already know he's getting this, and I already know he loves it.  I was running errands at Walmart the other day, and grabbed a toy to keep him entertained while I continued to shop.  He figured out how to use it, and was trying to imitate the sounds of the letters and words while playing with it.  I was already a fan, since I'm a sucker for educational toys, but when I saw how he responded to it I was sold.

4. Little People's Farm - We practice animal sounds and names often when we are doing learning games and exercises, and as a consequence Lucas is pretty fond of animals.  This will be a great addition to our growing animal kingdom.

5. Trucks - I have resigned myself to a life of trucks and dirt!  Lucas loves like any boy his trucks, this is also am ever growing collection, but when he's playing with them and makes his little vroom vroom sounds, well its enough to make this mama smile.

Gianni and I had been debating getting Lucas a play kitchen as his big gift this year, since he loves to be in the kitchen with us, and takes an interest in making food.  However, they can get pricey, and I wasn't too sure how well he would play with one, but then I scored this Little Tikes Gourmet Kitchen set for $50 and I just couldn't say no.

 

Since we saved big time on the kitchen set, I have my eyes on a Little Partners Learning Tower.  I found this little gem from a fellow blogger and have been obsessed with it ever since.  Lucas often hangs with us in the kitchen sitting on the island and its not the most ideal situation since I need to swipe the area completely devoid of anything remotely dangerous from the little guys quick hands.  This learning tower is the ultimate in steeping stools for children, and allows them to participate in activities in the kitchen, and elsewhere.  I just saw that they are on sale, and may be making this purchase for Christmas as well! 

 

Happy Shopping everyone.