this actually isn't a Christmas recap!

So I fully intended to do a brief (hahaha) Christmas recap tonight. What I did not plan for was how long it's been since I've downloaded my photos from my phone to my computer. I suspect that I don't know the most efficient way to do this. You'd think I've been blogging long enough...but anyway. My current system is that all of the photos on my phone automatically sync with iCloud throughout the day. Then on a (theoretically) regular basis, I download all of the pictures from the cloud to my computer...because I don't trust clouds to keep pictures forever. Or something. And then when I blog, I upload the pictures from my hard drive to Blogger (or maybe make a collage in PicMonkey first, and then upload that). 

Am I missing something super obvious here? Why can't I just link up my Blogger account with my iCloud? Wouldn't that be easier? Ugh.

Anyway, since I haven't downloaded all of my pictures from iCloud lately, it turns out that I have about 400...and tons of them are videos...and it's taking forever. So I want to talk about Christmas, but so far I only have pictures up through my birthday (two weeks ago). And since I haven't talked about my birthday, then let's just do that, shall we? Because the pictures are ready. And some of them are even cute.

Exhibit A: The Greatest Picture Ever

I'll look at the camera and smile this sassy smile JUST THIS ONCE, since it's your birthday, Mommy!

 Trust me, that smile is better than any gift in the world. Any.

So we celebrated my birthday, which was conveniently on a Saturday, by visiting the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. (For the record, we also celebrated my birthday there in 2008, but those pictures are too hideous to actually share. I was in a pinning-back-my-bangs phase, and it wasn't good.) But before we embarked on our journey, Matt gave me a most awesome gift: that sweet Gilmore Girls t-shirt I'm wearing in all of the pictures. Subtle, isn't it?? AND YET AMAZING. Anyway, it was lucky that I had that shirt to wear...I had been planning to wear a new blanket scarf...you know, since it's December and all. Then it ended up being 80 degrees outside (and about 2,000 degrees inside the aquarium, where apparently they didn't get the memo that it's FREAKING HOT AND PLEASE TURN ON THE A/C), and I would have died if I'd gone with wardrobe choice #1. So anyways. Gilmore Girls saved my life, in a way.

I'd suspected and hoped that Millie would be really excited about the aquarium.

I wasn't disappointed.

You see that sad face in the bottom left picture above? We only saw that face when we cruelly tried to get her to turn away from the fish and pose for a picture. That made for a saaaaad Millsie. But as long as she was looking and pointing and "WOW!!!"ing...she was a happy girl.

We walked to Der Biergarten for lunch and it was delicious! I wasn't sure how I felt about authentic(ish?) German food, but I was pretty sure I'd feel really great about German beer, so...we took a gamble. And then I played it really safe with the food (no to things involving veal or sausage...yes to the rotisserie chicken and cheesy pasta-ish stuff, ha) and it was a smashing success. Millie was just as impressed as we were!

We checked out all of the giant ornaments in Centennial Park before returning to the aquarium for the afternoon.

I'm CHECKING OUT ORNAMENTS, not posing for ridiculous selfies!! Sheesh. PARENTS.

AAAAHHHHHH FISH FISH FISH FISH FISH!!!!!!

All in all, we had a freaking fantastic day. Millie is such a joy to take places...she just gets so excited and is so inquisitive and happy. I want to show her the whole world. Even the places I've previously deemed boring (ahem, sorry, Yellowstone)...I'd go back, just because I think that SHE will enjoy it and therefore I probably will too. (Unless the geysers are still smelling disgusting. I just don't know if I'll ever enjoy that.)

It was a perfect way to celebrate turning 33. I am so thankful for my family and my life and I really don't need a thing...so spending the day experiencing something special like this was absolutely perfect. (Well, I guess I did kinda need that t-shirt. Because seriously. It's the best. Also, if you feel like you need one for yourself, be aware that they run big. Size down.)

And now, a treat (or two) for YOU! Due to popular demand (hahaha, and by that, I mean that maybe two people have asked...in like, the last month), I've uploaded a few videos of Millie. Enjoy watching her in all her 'live' glory...or feel free to skip if you think movies of babies doing basically nothing are boring. I get that, too. :)

First of all- Millie decided to start dancing (all by herself. In her nightgown.) to the sweet Christmas jams that were playing in the background on Christmas Eve. It was basically the greatest thing ever. She was soon joined by her cousin and uncle and my heart pretty much exploded, but we didn't get a video of that part. (Video is 12 seconds)



Secondly, you can have a taste of what it's like to take Millie out to eat. When there are TVs broadcasting bowling tournaments. Trust me- no one in the history of the world has ever been this excited about bowling! And then after the guy bowls, she realizes that...once again...there are some sweet tunes playing. So she dances. (22 seconds)



And that's basically it. The rest of my photos have finally finished downloading, so just hold your breath and maybe someday I'll recap Christmas. :)

twas the week before Christmas...

It's been a busy, happy week(s) before Christmas 'round these parts. Lots of work, lots of play. A bit of shopping (98% of it online), a lot of eating, and a lot of good time with our families. And a whole lot of random, not-necessarily-festive pictures.

Millie enjoys hiding these days. Her curtains are obvious favorites.

You'll never find me!

Sike! Here I am!!!

You'll REALLY never find me here, though!

 She was right on that one. I seriously did not anticipate her hiding behind an ironing board in the coat closet. Now I've learned my lesson and will keep that door shut...

Millie has a new BFF...the honey bear.

Sit right here while I eat, Honey Bear. 

 She insists on holding him/having him nearby during most of her meals.

MWAH. I love you, Honey Bear. 

 There's constant playing with her toys...and scattering them all over the house. Especially these blocks. They are like her life force or something. She lives for them...and for hiding them EVERYWHERE. Places you might find blocks in our house: the showers, the tubs, random tote bags/purses that are at Millie level, laundry baskets, trash cans, dog bowls, and pretty much anywhere you might accidentally step in the dark. I would be irritated except that I think it's adorable and I just LOVE seeing little reminders of my freaking precious child everywhere. No lie. 

BLOCKS!!! BLOCKS EVERYWHERE! BLOCKS FOR YOU! BLOCKS FOR ME!

P.S. Yes, she does indeed have a black eye in this picture. An important part of Millie's everyday schedule includes tripping and crashing into EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD. Oh, and also climbing up onto and jumping/falling off everything. Bruises, scratches, and black eyes are pretty par for the course lately.

She is occasionally interested in playing with dolls lately. Mostly she wants to stick her (Millie-sized, real) bottles/sippy cups and pacis into their mouths. Or hurl them around violently. Some of these things are cute. Some of these things are scary.

I can't dress myself yet, but I CAN point and grunt urgently towards the accessories I want to wear.

 There's a lot of cuddling going on. Always. Normally I like to be involved, but sometimes it's cute when it's just the kids.

They woke me up again, Nohnuh. I just want to sleep. Why can't I sleep? Only you can understand me, Nohnuh. Comfort me with your kisses.

P.S. In case you didn't catch that, she calls Lola "Nohnuh" and it is seriously adorable. Precious. Perfect. I can't even.

This week she's been going to my in-laws' house instead of school. Her cousins (and aunts and uncles) are in town, so they've been having lots of fun adventures (without me!! waaaaaah).

BABY HUGS!!!!

 They hung out at the mall yesterday (brave, for sure) and like...the girls walked around holding hands. Now I literally can't even.

All in all, it's been a wonderful December. I'm thrilled to have the rest of the week off to spend with my little family (and our bigger family, too). Millie's main Christmas present is already assembled (thank you, Matt...and four hours of free time) and safely tucked away in the garage under a tarp, and I am SO EXCITED for her to see it and start playing on Christmas morning!! I hope she is even a fraction as jazzed about it as I am, ha. I'm also still trying to decide on the perfect assemble-ahead-and-bake-the-morning-of breakfast casserole to have on Christmas morning, so ya know...a lot of grueling Pinterest in my future. Hashbrown casserole? Something sweet, like monkey bread? So many options, so little time. 

I hope you have a happy and non-stressful last few days before Christmas!

nope nope nope

We took Millie to visit Santa last night.

Remember how happy and peaceful that experience was last year, when she was a clueless newborn?

Ahhh...to be young and unaware.

This year? A little less young...a little more aware.

Ummm, Mommy? I don't think I like this.

I thought that the giant sprinkle cookie might help distract her from the strangely-clothed man. It didn't.

 And I'm not sure what's going on with the pointing finger in this next one, but it makes the whole thing just extra tragic...

I promise that the entire thing took less than thirty seconds. We didn't prolong her torture, just snapped a bunch of pictures really fast and then rescued her.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS TO GET OFF YOUR LAP!!!!

I was pretty pleased with how the whole thing turned out. Crying Santa pictures are a rite of passage, so I'm glad we got ours! And as soon as she was back in Mommy's arms, she was giggling and happy about the whole thing- and especially about the cookie. I asked her if she wanted to go see Santa again, and she nodded yes, soooo...I'm guessing she also thought it was worth it. Just kidding. We'll try again next year.

And just to balance things out...how about another festive Christmas outfit, this time without the tears.

I LIKE BIG BALLS AND I CANNOT LIE!!!

This is only the second smocked thing she's ever worn, but I just couldn't pass up the nativity + blue + bubble pants thing. It is too fabulous for words. And although when I bought it, I was thinking "what good is a short-sleeved lightweight romper going to do us at Christmas time?"...well, turns out a lot. Because it's like 75 degrees every day still. So this is actually perfect!

Hope your week has you looking more like Big Balls Millie and less like Santa Lap Millie!

a very nuggie christmas

I've always been a huge fan of the Christmas season, but "they" (whoever they are) are right...it's even better with kids. I mean, I didn't really doubt that...but now I just have first-hand proof. Last year was great, but Millie was too young to really understand or notice anything.

This year? She notices. Not sure she understands, but there is some definite noticing going on!!

MOMMMMYYYY!!! I noticed these awesome antlers and I want to wear them all the time! I can match the kitty on my shirt!

 Please note that I have had those antlers since...I don't know, middle school? And now they (the headband part) are broken. Womp womp. Antlers in the Hand of an Enthusiastic Millie didn't stand a chance.

I put our big balls (heh) on a small tree in our front yard. THIS IS THE GREATEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD in Millie's opinion. She lives for going out to touch the decorations. If she sees them through an open window- frantic pointing and grunting ensues. If she sees them when we're going to get in the car- forget it, we're making a trip over so that she can touch each one. It's funny/time consuming. BUT it does come in handy if she's pitching a fit...a visit to the Christmas balls results in instant happiness!!

They are magical.

 Our indoor decorations are met with her approval, but not nearly as much enthusiasm as those dang big balls outside. I have spent countless hours (okay, probably not. Countless minutes, maybe) trying to get a smiling, standing still picture in front of the Christmas tree. It's like she knows how bad I want it and she's just messing with me...

Oh but wait, there's that thing over there...

Sure, I'll play with beads and look cute...but I'll make this sick-looking face while I'm doing it!

 I gave up on the tree and decided to aim for a cute picture in front of the fireplace. I thought I'd have better luck here because lately she just LOVES sitting herself down on the hearth for no apparent reason at all (except that maybe it just looks like a Nuggie-sized seat?)...so surely she would go for this, right? Especially with her BFFs the nativity folks hanging out there!

Better snap pictures fast...I don't stay still for long, Mama!

...Cause I gotta give my BFF the pink wise man a hug.

I am obsessssssed (this word is way overused these days, but it applies here) with this nativity set. I saw it last year at a local boutique in downtown Athens, but it was a little pricey, so I decided I needed to think about it. By the time I thought about it and realized I really did want it, they were sold out. WOMP WOMP. So I spent the next...forever...trying to find it somewhere online, and I was totally unsuccessful. This thing has been my white whale, yo. For a WHOLE YEAR. So when I saw it reappear in the boutique's window display two weeks ago...I WAS ON IT. Whipped out my Amex so fast your head woulda spun. ;) Anyway, I'm glad Millie appreciates it as much as I do!

Although all characters are not appreciated equally. In the eyes of Millie, the nativity players are ranked like this:

Most Awesome- Camel, Donkey, and Sheep
Pretty Cool- The Three Wise Men...whom she seems to prefer in the order of how sparkly/ornate their accessories are...I wonder where she learned this??
Has Potential- Baby Jesus
Super Lame- Mary and Joseph

So anyway. Maybe on some level our nightly Advent readings will start sinking in and she'll start to value the nativity characters based more on, say, the content of their character...and less on the sparkliness of their clothes.

But I still greet Mary & Joseph when I wake up in the morning, so I'm not completely snobby...

Today was pretty exciting- Millie got a new hairdo! I decided to attempt low pigtails, and they mostly worked out! Pay no mind to the horrific part. It was my first try. I'll learn.

How can you even look at hair when there are ORNAMENTS ON THE TREE OUTSIDE?!?!

 I love the huge window in her room. She does, too. Her current favorite activity is to slide her blocks back and forth on the windowsill. You really just can't imagine how fun that is. Especially when you can glance up every few seconds and see an ornament-ified tree outside!

OH MY GOSH IT'S SO GREAT!!!

That face. She was clearly mid-babble. She has a LOT to say these days! I'm pretty sure it must be about how much fun life is and how great Christmas is. And how we better never, ever, ever take those big balls off the pear tree.