What to watch?

Christmas break is right around the corner! We have two more days of school this week. We wrap up tomorrow around 3 and we will have all of next week off! So...what better thing to do than to find some holiday (or not so holiday) movies and shows to watch??

Luma customized my list of favorite movies and shows to watch during this holiday season. They are a company that specializes in surround wifi. Luma boosts your wifi to ensure that you have the fastest, uninterrupted signal possible...throughout your entire house.

 Thanks to Ebonee, at Luma, I have this nifty graphic to share with you all!

And here's the thing, Kyle and I just talked about (most of) these shows this weekend. We've decided that every year we must watch White Christmas, Elf, & Rudolph. I added in It's a Wonderful Life, because I love the story and George Bailey is such a great character.

Because 'tis the season...I also added Gilmore Girls and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. And also because A Year in the Life just came out, it's imperative that you watch the original series beforehand.

What do you think? Am I missing any movies that should be watched during the holiday? Leave me a comment below!

Happy Wednesday!

5 things needed to survive sleep deprivation

*Linking up with A.Liz Adventures for Five on Friday!*

Lewis has been having a rough week. I think it's a combination of being at a new daycare (week 2) and teething. Poor little guy was so crabby on Tuesday night.

Since we've been lacking a significant amount of sleep in our house the last week or so, here are five things you're going to need to survive sleep deprivation with an infant.

*I'm no pro...this is our first go around, but here's what I've learned so far*

one | coffee, Coffee, COFFEE

This is a must! My dear friend, Ashley, just sent me a gift with my Lularoe order...a Starbucks gift card! *heart eye emoji* She's a momma and she knows the feels. I'm thankful for a Starbucks drive thru...kind of on my way to work.

two | snacks

Lately, my snacks have been oatmeal with peanut butter or granola bars. But some of my favorite healthy-ish snacks have been dried fruits and popcorn.

Homemade snacks are always a good option too...homemade trail mix, granola bites, or just easy veggies and dip.

three | snuggles

What helps more than snuggling with the very baby that keeps you awake at night? Not much. This meme says it all.

four | help

I'm thankful I have a partner that I can tag team with. Last night Kyle took Lewis for a while so I could try to sleep. And then Lewis started screaming and only wanted Mom...so then it was my turn again.

five | cry

If none of these other things help, just cry. That's the last suggestion I have for you. I'll just say that it's not off the table in our house... Who knows? Crying might make you feel better.



Happy Friday! And we'll see you soon!

Merry Christmas (card)!

One of our Snow Day activities included taking photos with our neighbors for our Christmas cards. Taking photos in a blizzard is a tough thing...but Lewis was a champ.

Here are a few outtakes.

I love the snow effect, but apparently being the subject of photos is not our strong suit. Oops!

So from our family to yours...have a Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Snow Days

Today is our second snow day in a row. In. A. Row. This hasn't happened since I've been teaching in Grand Forks. Actually, I don't think this has happened since I've been teaching.

Yesterday was a day full of food and fun. Our neighbors came over and spent the day with us. We made pancakes for breakfast (new snow day tradition??), quesadillas for lunch, took Christmas card photos, and had tuna casserole, chicken nuggets, and apple crisp for supper while we watched Arrested Development.

As of last night, there was still no travel advised in most of the state and highways and interstates were completely shut down.

And today...today has been low key and restful. Lewis is napping while I type this...hopefully he stays that way for a while. Our day started out with coffee and cereal. Quickly followed by a nap and Kyle trying to get us shoveled out.

Those of you who had snow days yesterday and today...warm thoughts as you and yours dig out. To those of you who haven't gotten this blizzard, come visit us some time! Just maybe not during a blizzard.

Four Months: Lewis

I know, I know. I've said this every month...but HOW??

 Seriously. I can't get over his long legs, his generous smile, and just all of him. Ugh.

13lbs 5.6 oz
24.5 in long
16 in head

He's rocking the lower percentiles, but he's growing and happy. That's what's important.

We went to go visit Gigi and she loved it. It was the first time she got to hold Lewis. What a champ.

Lewis is a chatterbox and he's recently learned how to blow spit bubbles...impressive.

He likes: sleeping, visiting, playing in his exersaucer, tummy time (usually), looking at people and faces, lights, dogs, scratching, laughing, smiling, chewing on things, watching all of the things

He does not like: laying on his back to play (at least not for long), being warm (he sweats easily), getting out of the warm bath and being cold

His personality is starting to shine through and we're so thankful for this peanut.

Five on Friday

Joining A.Liz Adventures for Five on Friday!

one | Lewis is 4 months old today

See a post about him coming up soon.


two | Holiday Cookie Exchange

We are going to a cookie exchange tomorrow. I'm thinking we'll make the same cookies that Josh and I made 3 years ago.

three | Bridal Shower

One of my cousins is getting married this month and I offered to host a bridal shower for her. And it's tomorrow. And Kyle's not too happy that I waited until the last minute to clean the house again. Sorry, sleepy! So that's on my agenda for tonight. But I'm thinking the menu is going to be:

Coffee Cake
Egg Bake
Coffee
Juice

Sound like an okay plan? I sure hope so.

four | AUBREY

She's coming to visit! It's been months since I've seen her...my birthday weekend to be exact. And I'm excited to spend time with her again. Finally.


five | Supper tonight.

I have no clue what to make. Any suggestions?? Please help! I'm thinking this, this, or this.

Unless you have any suggestions?

Taking Stock | 01

Making: stew in the crockpot
Drinking: water, water, water. Gotta feed my baby somehow.
Reading: Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have  I'm not sure how I feel about it yet...I'll keep you posted.
Wanting: a GIANT latte and a nap.
Listening: to Bryan & Katie Torwalt Pandora station. Love.
Playing: with Lewis
Wishing: for a nice new pair of slippers and a new pair of TOMS....mine are pretty ratty.
Loving: watching this boy grow.

Watching: GG: A Year in the Life.  I've not seen the final installment yet...I'm waiting on Aubrey to get her butt up here this weekend. (read, impatiently waiting)

Back on the bandwagon?

I want to get back to this blogging thing. I want to have an outlet. I want to do something for me. But right now, it just seems so difficult. It's been months since I've posted with any regularity. But how do I get back into it? There are days when I just feel like there are no words for this space.

This is my official notice for you that I want to jump on the bandwagon. I have a feeling that this space will become more of a mom space (even moreso than it already has been) and for those of you who don't want to stick around, I will not be offended. But if you choose to sick around, I hope you'll see and understand that as I change, this blog will too.

So for today, I'll leave you with a napping picture.

It's THAT time of year again!

Just imagine it. The trees are completely leafless, the fields are dead, the wind has recently started biting, and on your drive you suddenly spot blaze orange in a tree across the field.

And another and then another! Before you know it, the game has begun. Spot the hunter.

Today, Kyle will join my dad for another year of deer hunting.

 Rockin Kyle's new hat...

Lewis needs one this year.

Kyle calls this the before and after Jared's Subway diet.

Not only do we enjoy being home for hunting, but we enjoy the time we get to spend with family. We always have potato klub that my grandma makes. This year my aunt and I will make it and it's going to be an adventure!  That link to klub is the closest recipe I could find to my grandma's. I just wanted to give you an idea of what it was. One of the biggest differences is that we always have gravy and butter as toppings to klub. And yes...you will sink if you try to swim right after eating klub.

This time last year, we didn't know I was pregnant...and it's so fun to be sharing this year's hunting fun with Lewis too!

Happy hunting and be safe!

Three Months: Lewis

Here we are! 3 months with our little man.

He loves trying to sit up!

His first corn maze with his biggest cousins!

 

Chatting with cousin Jesse.

 

All smiles after his first plane ride.

 

A tiny little boy in a King size bed.

 

His new winter hat.

#targetsales

 

He loves post-bath playtime.

We haven't been to an appointment lately, so I'm not sure how long he is or how much he weighs...but I'm sure he's an easy 11 lbs and a good 24 inches long. He's a growing machine and his clothes are starting to get to be too short! (definitely not too small around the middle...he's still pretty slender)

Happy three months, baby bear!

Just a little update.

The last ten weeks have been life-changing, exciting, overwhelming, busy, exhausting, fun, challenging...all-in-all...it's been a blur.

Life since Lewis was born has been better than I had ever hoped. And starting on Monday, my maternity leave will officially be over and I'll head back to work. We are so thankful that we have wonderful daycare lined up, but nonetheless, it'll still be hard to leave Lewis with someone other than me or Kyle.

Here are a few snapshots of who he is now. :)

 Such a joyful baby

Lewis loves to talk

We love shopping at Target...especially while asleep

 

One month on the left, two months on the right

We love each other