Christmas 2011...The year of "Ho Ho!"

We had a great Christmas this year.  Sayler really started to get into Santa (aka "Ho Ho") this year and I know next year it will be ON up in the Doss house as far as Ho Ho is concerned.  She loved opening presents for herself and anyone else that would let her tear into their gift.  She did really well all day long on Christmas Day and didn't have to many, "Oh my word I'm overwhelmed by all of this stuff and sugar and attention and more stuff and attention meltdowns."  And for that we all said, "thank you baby Jesus."  Here are a few highlights of the days leading up to the big day and our big Ho Ho Christmas too.

WHAT??? Christmas is over???  Say it ain't so!!!

Sayler was quality control during Mama's Christmas candy making. Employee of the month material.

We had lots of Christmas inspired outfits to wear the week of Christmas.  I tried to get a picture each day.

Not really excited about the early photo shoot this particular morning.

This was more her speed.  Popcicles, Papa and iPad books!

One might start to think she likes being the center of attention.

We have a Griswold house near us and she loved showing Nana and Papa all of the Christmas wonderment.

Yay for tacky Christmas decor and candy canes!!!

Daddy and his little elf soaking in all of the Christmas.

There's a major love affair going on here folks.  She can't get enough of them.

I think the feeling is mutual.

We let Say open presents from her Aunts and Uncles on Christmas Eve. Not sure what was going on with my hair here...but I promise I did not sport a Princess Lea hairdo for the holiday.  Saving that for New Years.

She had her eye on this Dora present for at least a week.  Thanks Aunt Michelle!

She got a big ol' Princess book and wanted to see all of the princesses that had their "hair down."  She's obsessed.

Not a gender neutral environment here by any stretch of the imagination.  We are all girl...all the time.

Puzzles...yippee!!!

She LOVED her Peyown ("Penguin") pillow pet.

But let me tell you...for the $$$ nothing packs a punch like Elefun.  It was some serious Ele-FUN!!!

And it has some longevity people.  I bought this same gift for the two little girls I nannied for *gulp* 14 years ago.  They loved it in 1997 and my little sweetie loved it over a decade later.  I highly recommend it...for about 5 minutes.  And then you will want to throw it off the deck.  But anything for the kids right?

Does it get more fun than this...

As Sayler would say, "No ma'am!"

Getting Ho Ho's cookies ready. Apparently, she needed to have her Carmex at the ready. Moisturized lips are key for a successful Christmas.

Again...quality control.

I mean seriously...this is one cute Christmas Baby Girl.

We tried to get a good shot right before bed.  She was a bit focused on the cookies.

This was the best we could get.

I sure hope I'm on the nice list!  

Santa ate all the cookies, drank the milk and left a nice note.

Apparently, she was good.  Here was her haul Christmas morning.

Santa left a trail of candy canes from her bedroom to her presents.  She loved this and I thought it was such a cute idea.  I stole it from a former co-worker...and will do it every year.  I mean, I will tell Santa to do this every year.

She is a big time mother hen and loves to take care of her babies.  Changing their diapers was how we spent the majority of the day.

She was on the Elf diet on Christmas, "Candy, candy corn, candy canes, and syrup." 

She was "rock rocking" her baby.

Patting her back and "sushing" her.  Such a good little Mommy.

She got a Dr.'s kit and loved giving everyone their "meh-sun."

Nana and Papa got her the coolest doll house with all of the bells and whistles.  She LOVES it!

Our neighbors came over and Sayler decided to let them in on the Elf diet as well.

The next morning we celebrated Nana's birthday with a birthday brunch and Sayler sang her "Happy To You," no less than 7 times.  Happy To You Nana!!!

We are so blessed to have had such a special Christmas and can't imagine what it will be like next year with a 3 year old and a 9 month old!  Looking forward to all of the memories we will be creating.

28 Weeks

So overdue for this post.  Missed the 24 week post and I still haven't gotten anything up about my first baby turning 2.  I haven't gotten the thank you notes mailed from her party which was over a month ago and the fact that they are written and sitting on my counter is a small Christmas miracle.  I got through Christmas by the skin of my teeth...and well friends, today is a tough day as far as days go.  So I could use a little grace right now.  If you think about it...add me to your prayer list tonight.  God will know what I need...so no pressure to be specific.  So here is an update on baby Mae.  She is putting me through the paces right now...but thank Jesus I know she is going to be worth it!!!

28 Weeks...3rd trimester time

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 28 Weeks

Size of baby: About the size of a cabbage. 2.5 lbs and 14.5 inches.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 7 lbs. gained.

Maternity Clothes: In maternity jeans full time.  Leggings and long t-shirts/tunics.  

Sex of the baby: It's a GIRL!!!  Maesyn Sidney Doss.

Movement: Lots of movement...especially late evening.  She especially loves to kick my bladder and make me run to the bathroom 20+ times a day!!!

Sleep: Back to no sleep.  Up 5 to 6 times a night...used to it at this point.  I consider it training for March.

What I miss: My body not falling apart...we'll just leave it at that.

Cravings: Not anything specific...I've been eating everything not nailed down thanks to all of the yummy Christmas goodies that have been lying around our house for weeks.

Symptoms: Not going to subject you to all the gory details.  Let's just say it's been a rough couple of weeks people.

Best Moment this week: Watching the magic of Christmas through the eyes of my 2 year old and anticipating my "girls" getting to share the magic together every Christmas from here on out.

Happy Birthday "2" You!!! - Sayler's Carnival Party

We had us a good ole' time yesterday but I for one am drop dead exhausted! But oh was it worth it to see the look on my 2 year old's (gulp) face when she saw all the birthday regalia after waking up from her nap.  I am going to do a separate posting on my baby turning 2 but ya'll I am just tired (have I mentioned the tired?)...and getting this party post up may be all I have in my 23 weeks pregnant, raging heartburn having, no caffeine allowed bones.  So here are the highlights of Sayler's Carnival Party..."Happy To You" baby girl!!!

 Channing and I were one awesome team and we put this Big Top made of streamers a few night before the party.  I thought it turned out so cute and was happy we added this extra touch.

 We had a sweet and salty snacks table filled with all kinds of carnival type treats (yes I know it is pretty obvious that the contents of that bowl are cheese popcorn and that the labeling of it seems a little well...crazy. All I can say is I love me a party label...on everything...it's a sickness. And if it is wrong...I don't want to be right.  You will continue to see these labels throughout the post...avert your eyes if you can't handle the crazy).

 I hand dipped caramel apples for party favors. Really not that hard at all...I used this recipe.

 The birthday girl got her own special cake with her favorite celebrity!

 Yummy cupcakes for the guests.

 I loved these little cupcake toppers.

Big top party table 

 I love using mason jars for party drinks.  I think it just adds a little something special for guests to drink out of real glasses.  I found these carnival themed straws at hobby lobby which worked perfect.

 Beverage station and kid's party favors

 The BEST cherry lime-aid ever. People could not get enough of it and I had several people ask me for the recipe so here it is...so easy.

Cherry Lime-aid:

1 - 2 Liter bottle of Sprite/7Up

1 - can of frozen lime-aid concentrate

1 - jar of maraschino cherries with juice

Several small limes cut into small wedges

Add all 4 ingredients into a punch bowl or drink dispenser and BOOM...you have cherry lime-aid as close to Sonic as you can get.  

*You can double or triple this recipe as needed for the size of your group.  I tripled it for the picture above.

 Kid's party favors.

 Decorated drink station.

 Happy Birthday banner

 More decorations

 Personalized water bottles...so cute!

Mama, Nana and the birthday girl!!! 

Happy Birthday family ready to party!!!

Blow out your candles 2 year old.

 She had to blow it out a couple times...I think this was her favorite part of the party.

Stripped down and ready to dive into her cake...she never did.  She actually asked for a "Happy to You" (cupcake) about 30 seconds after this picture was taken.

 Pinata Fun!!!

Pryor went to town on the pinata.  He kept looking at the adults to make sure it was OK to be hitting this thing :)

Say wanted Mama to help

Marissa was channeling Barry Bonds.  She put some work in on that pinata.  It was awesome!

Finally....CANDY!!!  I'm sure the Mom's were thrilled that I sent their kids home with bags full of suckers, tootsie rolls and pixie stix!

Miss Josephine wanted to take a spin in the cozy coupe for a bit.  She was super cute.

Pin the nose on the clown time.

Again...in true form, Say wanted Mama to do it...I was not the winner by a long shot.

Regretting asking Mama to do it :)

Miss Madalyn came too...and was the cutest little doll baby.

Getting down to business...opening presents.

ELMO!!!  Loved it.

Princess dress that she wore all morning the next day over her footie pajamas.  Adorbs!

The Miller girls made it...and we were so glad they did!

Woke up the next morning and wanted Nana to read her the new special Christmas book.  Perfect birthday weekend.

Happy To You my most precious 2 year old!!!  I can't wait to celebrate the next 52 more with you.

Love you more,

Mama

***For all of the printed decorations/labels/stickers I used an Etsy vendor that can be found here.  And the invitations can be found here. I highly recommend getting one of these collections.  It adds such a personal and custom touch to your party.