The halls are decked

{Tom the Turkey III, showing off his aromatics made by moi} 

Man, what a weekend!

It truly was wonderful from beginning to end.

Not only did we only have to travel to ONE family per day on Wednesday and Thursday to celebrate T-Day

{something completely taken for granted during the pre-marital days},

but it just kept getting better as it went!

 {Chadly basting Tom, per the Voltaggio brother's instructions}

Here's how it went:

Even though it was a bummer Chad had to go into work on Friday, he came straight home and made 

MANsghetti,

which is basically a humongous pot of spaghetti filled with a super meaty sauce.

{we didn't take home any leftovers from either one of our parent's house because we had plans to make our own Tom on Sunday.}

So that night was nice because we ate our mansghetti and continued on with Star Wars.

{All you people who know what I'm talking about! That night we watched the DEPRESSING ONE. The younglings, oh the younglings!}

{Ahh, the wonderfulness!}

So come Saturday, Chad had to go into work again, but that's okay because we had a date that night to go Christmas shopping while the tot saw Happy Feet with Grandma C!

Our goal was to hit up the sales still going on at Toys-R-Us.

At first I was excited about this unbridled shopping time specifically catered to my tot, but man, it was actually really stressful!

First of all, I was trying to shoot for educational toys, which was completely ridiculous because they were like $100 a pop, so I ditched that plan.

Then, there were just so many options! 

Should we get him THIS Toy Story table, or THIS one? Should we buy him football action figure thingys, or football CLOTHING? Is it too much to purchase one of those humongous blow up playhouse things with balls included??

Where the hell are we going to keep these things, now that I think about it??

That was me. In the store. Slightly freaking out. 

But in the end it all worked out, and I can't WAIT to show what we got for him!

Now Sunday was upon us and, bright eyed and bushy tailed from our good night's sleep, I took a Purebarre class in the morning, then we headed off to pick up the Little Man from his sleep over adventure.

We then got crackin' on our own Thanksgiving meal, complete with Tom, my man's awesome homemade green bean casserole, mashed potatoes AND scalloped potatoes, and stuffing.

{Oh yeah, and I failed miserably at making peppermint bark. Boo.}
{and the best part about Sunday?}
We got ourselves a tree and decked the halls!
Woohoo!

{pictures, of course, to come}

Anyway, I hope everyone had a FABULOUS weekend full of love, Star Wars, and the people who make you laugh!

linking up here:

preparing for BABY: part 1

Babe #2 will be joining us in a mere SIX weeks, and LET ME TELL YOU,

the nesting is in full swing around these parts!

 {the first baby girl onesie I have ever purchased!}

My most recent act of nesting was pretty darn significant in the whole let's-bring-another-baby-home arena:

I UNPACKED CARTER'S LITTLE, ITSY-BITSY BABY CLOTHES AND SEPARATED THEM INTO "BOY PRECIOUSNESS" AND "UNISEX PRECIOUSNESS!"

Ahhhhhhh! I have made the leap!

 {0-3 months! So very teensy-weensy!}

Anyway, it was actually quite a difficult thing to do! It took me a whopping 45 minutes to get through the first 7 outfits because I just wanted to sit there and gape at how absolutely minute they were in size! How had Carter fit into these?

{I even tried to place a little hoodie on his head, like a psycho, and the bottom of the coat barely reached his shoulders!}

HE IS A FULL-GROWN, BEAST, MAN-CHILD NOW!

{okay, no, but you know what I mean}

 {and look at these!}

 {how could I possibly cut this wardrobe in half if this next baby is a girl?}

Is it socially acceptable to dress your baby girl as a boy?

Does that choo-choo qualify that little knitted preciousness as a boy's-only outfit?

I don't think I care.

I think I'm just going to have to stock up on the bows and headbands so that way people will know she's a girl {if that's what he/she is}, and dress her in Carter's old clothes!

{this was one of my favorite outfits}

Seriously.

I think that's what I'm going to have to do: from the neck up she'll be a girl, but from the shoulders down she'll be a boy.

{Has anyone called social services on me yet??}

My friend Jenna said I can't dress my baby girl in any sort of football clothing, but I don't know, man, I just don't know if I can pack these things away!

It REALLY just makes me want another boy!

sheesh!

But anyway, here are some other things I have been able to check off the BABY TO-DO LIST:

- completely reorganize our once-horrendous hallway closet, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia -

- scoured the atrociousness that was once Carter's "baba cabinet" -

- thoroughly cleaned our blinds with my mama - 

- picked a LEGITIMATE camera to document the arrival of this little one -

{canon rebel T2i....woohoo!}

- chosen a proper lulu wrap, perfect for multitasking -

So yay for nesting, and cheers to making one more step towards BABY-PREPAREDNESS!


linking up here:

Our old-mannish Thanksgiving weekend tradition

Ahh, traditions....You gotta love them.

There's the ever wonderful Elf on a Shelf crowd pleaser {which I fully plan on implementing this year},

the classic who-gets-the-neck-of-the-turkey contest {something we've never done, but hey!}, and who could forget the always fabulous, let's-wake-up-at-a-completely-irrational-hour-to-purchase-a-few-DVD's annual affair!

All are swell, but none measure up to the mother of all traditions that we have created around these parts:

Every Thanksgiving weekend, we watch

STAR WARS

from beginning to end!

NO JOKE!

Episodes 1-6!

EVERY.SINGLE.THANKSGIVING.WEEKEND!

{I KNOW! Isn't that weird! STAR WARS! It's a total dork move, but man is it de.lish!}

Call me an old man, but seriously, these movies are wonderful.

Epic.

Fabulous.

Tragic.

Divine.

Extraordinary.

Boss.

The first time I watched them was only a few years back, and LET ME TELL YOU,

Anakin Skywalker pulled me in.

He's my man.

Padme, you go girl.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, speak to me in your sexy accent some more please {only applicable to Episodes 1-3}.

R2D2 and C3PO, the unsung heroes.

Luke, I always hate you at first because you are brat-like, but then I love you.

So far, this the most beloved of traditions we have established, and although we are running the risk of creating Star Wars junkies out of our children, it's worth the risk. 

{When Carter asks for a Jabba The Hut action figure, mommy will be right there by his side!}

WEIRD?

Catchin' cold & Thanksgiving: 1+2

Cheers to me for feeling worse today than I have throughout the passed 8 months!

Woohoo!

Aren't I so lucky?

So not only do I get the pleasure of drinking gallons of water to ward off the forever unwelcome swollenness that is being pregnant, but I get to tow around a pack of Kleenex {designed only to provide a pungent red tint around the nasal area, so sought after during holiday times. your jealous.} for Carter AND myself.

Yep, we are both sick.....Me more so than Carts.

Boo.

{per the crickets heard around these parts for the past few days. boo again.}

And Chad is denying it, but I know I can hear the slightest hint of congestion, just waiting to strike at the most inopportune time.

But anyway, who the heck cares about us feeling sicker than the dogs!

I have updates, baby, UPDATES!

First and foremost, my little man got another dramatic hair cut.

This go-around, however, was a little less jarring than last time,

but still!

My Babe has gone off once again and grown up right before my eyes!

Ay yi yi.

so here we were before....

......and here we are after......

{of course I totally forgot to take proper BEFORE&AFTER's, so the after is on our way to T-Day dinner}

The hair cut was Tuesday, right around the time I started to feel a bit under the weather, but there was no time for me to feel sick because we had to get ready for T-DAY with Chad's side of the family on WEDNESDAY!
I taught my classes until 1:00, and then we headed straight up to the in-laws, but not without a good ole' forgettin'-of-our-apples from our Oak Glen excursion, which forced us to do a U-ey, causing us to be extra late. 

ME.NO.LIKEY.

But once we were there, we hit the ground running and started cranking out the GOODS:

{our pies before the oven. if you're searching for some sort of tradition to establish with your MIL, I suggest you implement a mandatory pie making day. YOU.WILL.HAVE.FUN.}

{and compliments of my FIL, here's Tom the Turkey!}

So Wednesday was a success!

Next T-Day activity: Go to my parent's house on Thursday! We had such a great time! It was relaxing, hilarious and just downright chicken-soupy-for-the-soul-like. Our duties were to bring the pie that I made with my MIL and the green bean casserole!

{which Chad totally made from scratch. completely. as in he made his own cream of mushroom. yeah, he's awesome.}

{and really quick, take a look at my matching boys!}

Ahh, family. Being around them during the holidays is always a refresher!

I hope EVERYONE had a wonderful Thanksgiving, sans colds!

Yay!

linking up in these fabulous places, and you should too!:

&

Late to the party.

I'm totally late to the Pinterest party, I know. 

Up until about a week ago, I just sat  here like a damn fool and patted myself on the back for abstaining from yet ANOTHER online obsession, but alas, I have given in.

Pinterest has caught my heart strings, and is never going to let go.

So in honor of pinning our lives away, here are a few thoughts on what's currently up for my viewing pleasure:

THINGS THAT NEED TO BE IN MY HOME NOW.

{source}

perfection, perfection, perfection.

yummy, yummy, yummy.

{source}

I attempted something like this last year.

surprise, surprise, I see basically no resemblance.

ob.sessed.

{source}

EVERYTHING. I WANT EVERYTHING HERE.

however.....hanging those empty frames would forever prompt Chad to ask,

"So, uh, Babe...What the heck is with these empty frames??"

to which I would be forced to answer repeatedly,

"Babe, it's art. I don't know. Just roll with it."

{Worth it? I think so.}

THIS IS JUST DOWNRIGHT WEIRD.

{source}

Okay, girlfriend has a great body, but have you read what she does to maintain this thing??

Take a second and find out. Here's what I have to say:

WEIRD.RELATIONSHIP.WITH.FOOD.

Seriously, go read it.

Not worth the abs, my friend, not worth the abs.

MINE.MINE.MINE.MINE.MINE.MINE.MINE.

{source}

I.DIE.

{source}

but what's a little Blair, without a bit of Chuck?

{and by the way, this is what Chad and I will be wearing to one of the many holiday extravaganza's going on this season. obviously.}

{source}

although her relationship status is straight up creepy and weird, this is a darn cute outfit.

{source}

straight-out-of-the-shower sunglasses and lip gloss = me post pregnancy.

until then, it's cocoa butter and Chad's t-shirts all the way, baby, just the way I KNOW he likes it.

{he thinks I'm sexy.}

{source}

looking good + mommyhood preciousness = the plan.

{and not to mention cuddling up with Babe #1 and Babe #2 like so}

Ahh, that was fun, and sure as heck beat lying on the couch eating Milk Duds to satisfy Babe #2's appetite!

.....ahem.....

{and really quick!}

HELLO, NEW FRIENDS!

We are so very glad to meet you, and by we I mean myself, Carts {Babe #1 for all intensive purposes}, Babe #2 {kicking around in there like a hot tamale}, and of course, my man Chadly.

I can't wait to talk to you soon!

linking here!

Small Business Day!

Welcome back to Small Business Day,

where the only rule is to promote those money-making skills like a madwoman!

Tell us what you've been up to in that shop of yours!

Which products are new??

Which are your best sellers??

What are your goals??
Basically, the rules are there are no rules, so go ahead and 

TELL US whatever you want us TO KNOW!

win-win-win!

Anyway, here is my update:

Babe #2 has been making it hard for me to do anything in relation to promotion/stocking, so there have been crickets over in these parts. Crickets, I tell you! It makes me sort of sad to think that during nap time I would rather sit on my bootay than sit at the sewing machine, thinking of new and awesome creations, but hey? That's life, and I need to just roll with it as of right now, since doing the opposite has proven to be fatal to this little lady-o-preggo.

But here are a few good things:

* I completed two custom orders this week,

- and -

* I'm still planning on executing a Spring Line in 2012.
{per one of my goals during Small Business Month}

Yep, I'm pretty happy about those two facts, even though just thinking about them sort of makes me tired.

Anyway, I'm SO excited to hear what you have been up to, and I KNOW that you have some words of support/wisdom for a few fellow linker-uppers, so

LET'S GET GOING, HERE!

Now remember,

sport the button, 

peruse other's small business ventures, 

give advice, 

and celebrate all that is small business ownership! 

<center><a href="www.threesforme.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/nicolecisneros1223/nicolesbd.png"/></a></center>{for this link up party, I have something up my sleeve for those who are excited to promote themselves, I'm just trying to work out the kinks as of right now, but trust me, it's going to be good!}
And head on over to CASEY'S to enter my giveaway going on right now!{and to enter to win all of the other AMAZING options available!}

Date night, baby!

Words cannot describe how much Chad and I needed a date night this last weekend.

I mean, it was NEC.ES.SARY.

Surely if we had waited one more week, my left leg would have fallen off or something gruesome and horrible like that, all because we had failed to delegate enough alone time to ourselves. Man, oh man, we just NEEDED it.

But anyway, here is how our wonderful night went:

{all pictures are compliments of various date nights......Here we were in Vegas!}

Of course, we must begin with the babysitting situation, as nothing in life is secure without that precious person, ready and willing to watch your tot while you and your man snatch some alone time.

So it all started on Friday afternoon when I asked my mother-in-law, who is awesome beyond awesome in the babysitting realm, but she had already made plans for Saturday night. SHOOT! That's okay, though, I still have a bajillion people I could ask....Except I didn't want to inconvenience anybody...Hmmmm?? 

Then, through a casual conversation with my good ole' sister, she jumped at the opportunity to bring her toddler up my place and watch Carter! JUST LIKE THAT! I nearly jumped out of my skin out of pure excitement!

ALLELUIA!

Problem solved, busta.

{ahh, sushi, how I miss you!}

Okay, it's Saturday morning.

T-7 hours until Chad comes home from work and we can start our DATE.

But what should we do? There are no movies out that would interest that man of mine, and Breaking Dawn had already been reserved for a date night with Gina {said sister}. Should we just go somewhere and eat all night? That didn't sound too fun, especially since I'm near capacity in the weight sector of this pregnancy. Should we take a drive? To where? Lame. What the hell should we do???

{Vegas, yet again, with a few friends}

So I texted Chad asking him what he was in the mood for, and this was his response:

I'm not sure, Babe.

Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah.

Was he not feeling our date night anymore? Had he had a hard day at work, and just wanted to relax on the couch? Had he become indifferent to how we should spend our glorious night together, sans tot?

NO! I didn't care if I had to drag that guy out of the house by his ears, HE WAS GOING ON A DATE WITH HIS NOW DESPERATE WIFE!

{super casual date night, and probably shouldn't even be called one: going on a walk with Boomer}

Luckily for me though, the guy had just been a little too tied up with paperwork at that point to send an over-the-top, excited-sounding text {which, thanks to these hormones, deeply perturbed me}. Whew. Okay, we were back on track. Chad then came home a few hours later and dropped the bomb: 

he surprised me with tickets to see the

BLUE MAN GROUP!

wooohoooo!

So I got all dolled up, stuffed my feet into some cute flats which reminded me what it was like to wear heels, waited for my sister to get there, and left without one ounce of that annoying guilt that I seem to still experience when I leave Carter voluntarily! 

win!

It was WONDERFUL.

{on the good ole' 22nd birthday!}

Next, it was off to the THEATER {the theater, darling, the theater}, where we learned all 5 Rock Concert Moves, including the one where you lift your leg behind your head. Totally normal.

And last, but certainly not least, we got a few appetizers at Fridays, where we discussed Chad's awesomeness at work, my almost animal-like need for some ME time as of late, and how it's going to be difficult to handle if Carter is sad when the new one arrives, even though we know it will all be totally fine in the end.

{and who the heck knows what we were doing right here....we are weirdos, but awesome nonetheless!}

It was a GREAT night, to say the very least, and I am so incredibly THANKFUL for the people around us who are able to help us out in the babysitting realm!

linking up here:

and remember to link up for SMALL BUSINESS DAY to promote yourself like a feign!

<center><a href="www.threesforme.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/nicolecisneros1223/nicolesbd.png"/></a></center>