The Arrival of New Baby Cousin!

A BIG P.S.:

At some point right before Thanksgiving this year, OG was excited by the arrival of her New Baby Cousin, MC!

She was born a day late (yet still small) but happy and healthy. Welcome to our family and the world, beautiful MC! You are already so loved! xoxox

Fresh outta the womb

Sweet sleeping little nugget

OG "holding" MC...she loves her baby cousin, but isn't too sure about
being responsible for her life just yet.

Tis the Season!

The Holiday Season is upon us, and as I have stated before: a semi Bah-Humbug and a Christmas Neutral person CAN (and have) create(d) a Christmas Junkie.  So again this year my spirit is renewed in living the Holidays through my child.
Which, I suppose, makes me recovering Bah-Humbug. <3

But something was is different about my OG this year, dearest reader(s)...

She didn't hate Santa.

*Pausing for the gasps of disbelief to pass*

As you may recall, NO ONE was pleased during our first visit to Santa.  OG was a mess, Santa broke out of his permanent Holly-Jolly status, desperately hoping for the encounter to end...it was an utter catastrophe.  But at least it made for a fun(ny) picture!
*If you don't remember the image, I highly recommend going back to my Dec 2015 post.  Worth it.

Last year was a tad better, but OG once again had a tough time trusting The Santa Man.  After attempt #2 we decided to walk away to return a bit later and hope for the best.  Luckily, OG sat with him but was still concerned and stoic. Santa actually appeared to enjoy the visit this time, so we considered it a "win".

Therefore, imagine our profound surprise this year when OG not only willingly walked up to Santa, but also climbed onto his lap AND SMILED. SMILED! AND spoke! She told him she wanted Iron Man for Christmas. Dada and I were so proud.

I was certain we had finally struck Santa-Photo gold!

...

C'mon, Santa! Was Ms. Clause getting cookies out of the oven or something?! :\

Maybe next year...

And I think OG's pals Issac and Alayna took the award for "Best" Santa Photo this year.
There was no competition.

We also took a few photos while decorating trees.  First up, our annual Dedi's tree trimming party with the cousins:

Wearing Grandma & Grandpa's traditional X-mas antlers <3

I have passed my Bah-Humbuggery down to the next generation

Long story short: This "tree topper" (aka: Ode to Animals of Christmas Past) signals Dedi's relinquishing control
over the Christmas Tree once and for all

Peace!

Decorating is easier with no pants

Teens, what more can I say. <3

Teamwork makes the dream work

"I want to ride the momma-reindeer!"

*After a few laps, the fun decreased for the momma-reindeer

And from when we decorated our own tree:

Dada with the assist

A nice family picture

The real us. <3

Happy Holidays from our family to yours! May there be Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward ALL  <3

Reverse! To When Mandated Love was in the Air aka: February

Oh, how things can change once you have children.  From big life decisions to the smallest minutia of a day, it all changes. Your perspective and motives will always by skewed by your spawn.

For instance: my view on Valentine's Day.  Yes, Valentine's Day.  While it is fun to shower gifts on your loved ones and feel extra loved on special days, my hubs and I have never celebrated it. We are the goobers who like to say schmoopy things like "Why celebrate on just one designated day a year when we celebrate our love every day?"  and "Spending money doesn't prove how much we love each other."
Also, I'm frugal.  :)

However, now that my little missthang is old enough to be showered with love and gifts - and might also be a tad spoiled (ehem, dada) - I now believe in celebrating a little bit. Plus, I got to dress her in the cutest geriatric bag lady St. Valentine's outfit EVER.

OG wore:
-Heart Dress from Banana Republic (handed-down, which did/didn't help the strong bag-lady chic vibes)
-Knit Cardigan with Puff Ball Snaps (Target)
-Oversized Polka-Dot Bow
-Leggins
-Sweet High-Top Kicks
-Her #1 Valentine of the moment, Tsum Tsum Donald

I would wear this in a heartbeat (pun intended because: mom jokes)

Also, my sweet love picked these beautiful flowers for me!

Add caption

Also, Dada and I had a nice parents-night-out and went to see Little Shop of Horrors!

Take it Back Now, Y'all! - January

There's nothing like reminiscing...especially if it is due to being a momslacker most of the year.

I promise, it was worth every computer-free moment (for me, at least...maybe less for you since you didn't get to read about this awesome nugget). :)

Welcome to JANUARY in REVIEW!

At Grandma and Grandpa's house one random day in January, OG wore:
-"Love my family" in Spanish Sparkle-T (Children's Place outlet - I am so glad they are carrying shirts in different languages!)
-Kitty Cat pants (Target)
-**OUTFIT ENVY ALERT** Those Robot Socks

Dada "teaching OG to be an artist" - aka: playing with Star Wars Toys :)

OG is big into stickers...I may have mentioned that a time or two before...

Then, another random Tuesday in January, Grandma decided to let OG help her make the juice - and a mess.

 And finally, one random Friday while hanging with AG and EG at Auntie C's house, Olive decided that she LOVES grilled cheese.

Ok, ok...so January may have not been filled with many stand-out moments, but every day was a new adventure with our little lady.  <3

Also, this was the month momma got a rad make-over from Aunt Mimi.
I finally decided "the heck with it" and colored my hair the way I have always wanted to.  Life is too short to not have fun with your hair. :) And...if a narcissistic idiot rapist can be President, anything is possible...right?

*After writing the title of this post the below song was stuck in my head, and I figured misery loves company, so here you go.
You're welcome.

Heh...so yeah...OG is 3 now...

One day I'll catch up...

So, now that it's mid-September, let's talk about this past January!

***cut to: current situation***

It's now almost mid-November.  Wowza. I have been working on the short masterpiece above for almost TWO MONTHS. "Heh" is right...

As stated, this post was originally going to be a throw-back to January of this year but nope, I am just going to have to play catch-up later because -

OG JUST TURNED 3!

We did it!  Everyone is still alive and happy and not actin' like they were raised by wolves! HIGHEST OF FIVES!

And, because I have a sneaking suspicion that this may not be posted for another 2 months if I don't just shut my yap stop typing and add some pictures, let's just dive right in:

OG's birthday adventures included Momma and Dada skipping work (wee!), going to breakfast with Grandma, then hitting up the Zoo with Autie T!

OG wore:
-Her new favorite outfit (thanks to Aunt Mimi)

Wonder Woman and Grandma

Wonder OG and Momma, being goofs.

Who IS this old lady, you might ask?  Yep, OG has aged a tiny bit since the last post.

You didn't think I could have been referring to OG's ageless mother with that "old lady" comment, right? *winkwink*

The waitress fell in love, and decided the birthday princess needed a brownie for breakfast. 
Who were we to say no?!

With full bellies and being pumped full of sugar, it was time to go HOG wild at the zoo!
(do I get a bonus point for each bad/punny Mom Joke?)
...
No?

Auntie T and OG looking for Unkwi at the zoo

BIGGEST GIRL!!!!

Making friends with wild animals...and hippos. ;)

Also, about this time I should also note that the camera on my phone was NOT purposefully smeared with anything to give it that "heavenly" soft look...the glass cracked, and I'm cheap, so it is now covered with a piece of plastic. 

Riding the train - OG was lucky and got to share a car with Auntie T

Wonder Woman is on a mission

Annnndddd...a tuckered OG and Dada agree that it's time for a nap.
Not pictured: Momma, nodding off in a corner somewhere.

Then, the following night we had Party #1 - the Friend Party

Yep, party 1 of 2...the curse of a small house is that a lot of people won't fit at once, but oh! did we try.

There wasn't much good photographic evidence of the party (envision a sea of kids running through a crowd of adults' legs while screaming with glee, riding tricycles, banging on drums, etc.) but some thoughtful adult managed to get these gems...

OG wore:
-Her Halloween Costume (Catboy, for those who aren't hip to PJ Masks)

I promise, she WAS excited for cake...

The "adults table" and OG showing off her cool gift from  Auntie Mimi

A small tidbit of the chaos.

3 of her favorite pals having a dance party in her bed.

A couple of old hags tried to join in the cool kids party :P

Then, on Sunday...Party #2 - Family Party!  And OG was once again Wonder Woman...

Kitty Cat Cup and Grandpa watch as OG blows out her candles.

FEED ME.

Dada with the gift assist!

"Wha-ssin there?!"

Grandpa got OG her own tool set! Now she can stop hiding his...

Happy 3rd birthday, my little big girl sugarbiscuit! <3

(wo)men at work!

Paging all reader(s)...are you still out there? End of 2016 RECAP!

Yes, I am aware it's now the end of MAY. beginning of JUNE (it took me a few days just to post this - heh...)

I officially suck at this blogging thing. I received a certificate from Don'tstartthingsyoucan'tfinish University and a medal of honor horror from The Actual Bloggers of The World Club LLC.

[insert desperate attempt to apologize and grovel here]

May we be friends again?

...

Now, let's talk about things that happened this past winter, shall we?

END-OF-DECEMBER RECAP: Lighting Round Edition!

After Christmas, Olive was hanging with Dedi and her cousins - which, of course, then turned into a fashion show.  I opened the door and loved the nerdiness they concocted!

PJs - check!
Pool Ring Crown - check!
Hello Kitty Specs - check!
Mardigras Beads - check!
Sock Gloves - check!

Then, at some point between that point and the end of 2016, we tried a new little cafe near our neighborhood - loved it!  It's so kid-friendly! They had a whole room with kid sized furniture, toys, books and a chalk wall. Aaaaand OG was rocking some new threads and kicks as well. :)

-New (at that time) high-top kicks from Auntie Shmister!
-Pencil Pants
-Black-with-rainbow-sparkly-threads sweater (Target clearance, der!)

Annnnd...that's all!  2016 wrapped in a bow and delivered!  I hope you all had a great year (y'know, 5 months ago) and now we move on to 2017!

xoxo