It's (probably) a girl!

(Ivy and I watch the "baby show" on TV, aka the DVD from the ultrasound and she's equal parts excited and terrified by it, respectively.)

Although I was pretty convinced we were having a boy this time around, the ultrasound tech the other day seemed pretty convinced that baby was a girl! I know I'm still so early on in my pregnancy (and as much as I hate to admit that my guess was wrong), I am so excited for another healthy baby girl! After the ultrasound I had lunch with a couple of my Sisters and I realized how lucky Ivy is, Sisters are one of the best things a girl could have. Although Geoff is getting seriously outnumbered I think he would also agree that daughters are one of the best things a guy could have. Needless to say, we're all happy campers around here and can't wait for Summertime!

NDBN

With 2011 coming to an end, I'm sad to say that my partnership as an ambassador for Huggies Every Little Bottom program is also coming to an end. I've learned so much through this experience and have grown more and more passionate about this cause throughout. When I was told what was in store for 2012 regarding diaper need, I was ecstatic! A newly formed national nonprofit organization called The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) has been created in order to provide children in the US with the diapers they need.

NDBN will raise awareness of diaper need and build capacity of creating a national network of community partners. This is going to completely improve the process of diminishing diaper need by bringing

organizations together. Huggies will serve as the founding sponsor of the NDBN, and will continue to help fight diaper need by pledging to donate 20 million diapers a year for three years. (Let's follow Huggies' lead people!)

As the Founding Sponsor for the National Diaper Bank Network, Huggies Every Little Bottom organized “12 Days of Thanks,” a cross-country tour where the brand donated 12 million diapers in 12 cities over a 12-day period in November. (Talk about thanks-GIVING!). Click here to watch an interview with the founder of NDBN where she tells more about the organization and how small things can impact big things.

Disclosure: I have partnered with the Huggies® brand to help promote the Huggies® Every Little Bottom program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about it here. However, my opinions are entirely my own.

Babies everywhere!

Ivy is this excited about becoming a big sister this summer. (She just doesn't know it yet, the excitement captured in these pictures are merely a slap-happy toddler at midnight who was refusing to go to bed). I'd post a picture of my 3 month belly but President V's 19 month belly is way easier on the eyes. If I wasn't so ecstatic about being pregnant I'd probably be a little nervous to be honest. Having an equal amount of babies:adults under one roof is probably going to be nuts, we seriously cannot wait. Wish us luck! ;)

Christmas time is here.

(Christmas card 2011)

I'm gonna go ahead and call it, it's Christmas weekend starting now! We have a lot of Christmas dinners to eat, rolls to bake, family to love on, friends to see, movies to watch, gifts to open, lights to see, and traditions to keep. Have a very merry Christmas!

¡Feliz cumpleaños a tí!

Happy 23rd Birthday to GG boy! He's doing one of his favorite things today (snowboarding) with some of his favorite buddies. When he gets home later we have some major celebrating to do, the world has definitely been a happier place the past 23 years.

The jolliest diapers of the season!

With the Holidays just around the corner, I'm sure that most of you have already crossed off things like "Christmas shopping" or "decorate house" from your never-ending list, but have you gotten into the true Holiday spirit of giving just yet? With the help of Huggies Every Little Bottom program, we're able to easily give back to people less fortunate than ourselves during this busy time of year. You all remember the jean diaper promotion from last summer, no? Well, it was a hit and this Holiday season Huggies has again offered to donate to Every Little Bottom for every package of limited-edition Santa Diapers or wipes purchased! As if that's not easy enough, you can upload a photo here to send a festive e-card and Huggies has pledged to donate per each card created! Go spread some holiday cheer! ;)

Disclosure: I have partnered with the Huggies® brand to help promote Huggies® Every Little Bottom program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about my family’s own experiences from my daughter’s point of view, and/or their experiences with diapers. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Bedtime Routine.

1. Take bath

2. Put on PJs

3. Have a dance party

4. Read books

5. Say prayers

6. Give kisses & hugs 

(repeat steps 4 & 6 till she agrees it's time)

Sometimes there's too much energy leftover at the end of the night and we all have to wind down by gettin' our groove on. Ivy loves when we put music on through the TV and she can see the album art (read: Justin Biebers face) on the big screen. I hope she never gets too old to be tucked into bed every night, that's my favorite part of the day.

A glimpse of Ivy cutting her nightly rug:

holiday gift guide.

Lesley asked me to pull together a couple items from mine and Ivys Christmas wish list, and I couldn't resist. I got a little wish-list-wild and had more items than I knew what to do with, so I decided to let them overflow right here. I'm going to go ahead and call this mine and Ivys "Christmas gift guide" rather than wish list. Let me know if you get any of this stuff so I can live vicariously through you! ;) Check out Lesleys blog to see the rest!

1. rachel comey "rufus" clog 2. west elm wall art 3. j.crew heart sweater 4. j.crew wynter sweater 5. customized portrait from ashmae (also check out her new project!) 6. belle pony flats 7. mother/daughter paint pail mittens 8. madewell caravan satchel 9. kids plush bowling set 10. stephen & co. bangles 11. jumbo crayons 12. crewcuts peggy dress 13. girls glitter handbag 14. zara jacquard cardigan

Film Favorites Friday.

Got some forgotten rolls of Summer film developed the other day.

Veevers @ 18 months.

Ever since V turned one I've been bad at journaling what she's all about, and at 18 months, she is a riot...so here goes. Ivy is currently all about "showwww" which means all she wants to do is watch Tangled and sing along quietly with Mandy Moore. It totally melts my heart, not only because it's super cute but because it makes her seem super old. Ivy has also turned even girlier somehow. She's not satisfied unless she's wearing fury boots, 12 bangles, a necklace, and sunglasses. Such a priss.

Ivy is a tickle monster, although she usually gets too antsy to tickle you and will scream with excitement beforehand and blow her cover. She loves her blankets and her teddy bear and her books and she is talking up a storm. She thinks saying, "please" and "thank you" gets her whatever she wants, and it usually does. She likes to hide in small spaces and close her eyes. She likes babies a lot, but not when I'm holding one. She likes kissing and hugging and high-fiving. She loves to share, but the minute a kid her own age gets near her things she'll lose it.

She likes dancing, eating mint m&ms, and going down the park slide. She is really short and has teeny feet, we all wonder how she balances on them. She goes through a tin of peppermint altoids every 2 weeks. She's stubborn as an ox and smirks whenever she's doing something she shouldn't. She loves her sleep and is known to ask to go down for "nigh-nighs", it's awesome. She loves to give zerbits and eat ice and "tweet" at birds. She insists on handing me her boogers throughout the day. She loves oatmeal and Joes BBQs mac n' cheese. She gets wild in the bath. She kneels down on her knees and says the sweetest prayers. She loves gum and will eat the wrapper as an appetizer when I'm not looking.

She is the sweetest and no matter how many smooches I give her throughout the day, it never seems to be enough. Love you Miss V.