Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from

The Smith Family

Christmas Eve

I pray that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. As for me, I'm wrapping those last gifts with packaging tape since I ran out of the regular type. The girls will be singing at Mass tonight. Friends and family will be gathering at my home both tonight and tomorrow.

I can't believe Christmas is here. So many things I wanted to accomplish during Advent never happened. I'm now relieved that I can relax and just enter this Christmas season (ready or not) with joy and peace.

Family Christmas picture will be ready after mass. I plan to take my camera and ask a friend to take some shots. Its the only way I can get a picture this year! LOL!

Merry Christmas dear friends!!

Wordless Wednesday

* Well, almost wordless! LOL! Just wanted to note that to make things simple this year, we're using pre-packaged cards, pre-packaged cookie mix, and store bought play dough. The kids didn't seem to notice or care. *

Sewing Fitted Diapers

I'm so excited about the fitted diaper I just made Veronica!!! I found a pattern that seemed simple enough. The best part was that it called for used tee shirts as the material. So, after raiding Craig's drawers (thanks sweetie), I found myself a blue tee that has seen enough years.

Next time I'm making a size medium instead of a small. I don't think this diaper will last her more than 2 weeks. Also, I wish the Velcro didn't stand out so much. I thought about cutting its width, but thought it wouldn't work as well. Maybe I can find colored Velcro for the future.

I made the sewn-in soaker style. I might try the stuffable style next time. How exciting! I think I'm going to put my crocheting down in light of this new hobby!

*Note* The diaper looks like its made of denim but its actually a very soft blue tee shirt. Click on the pictures to see full screen images and you'll be able to see how soft it actually is.

Twelve Days of Christmas

This is a repeat from last year. I thought I'd post it again. Its one of my favorites!

Christmas Meme

This looked like a fun meme to play. Thank you, Melissa, for sharing.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, of course. I even color coordinate for the children. Each child gets a different wrapping paper. That way, no one opens someone else's presents on Christmas morning. And they are decked out with ribbons and bows. I spend lots of time looking for just the right wrapping paper since I really want it to be religious in nature. I LOVE wrapping presents and making them beautiful!!!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? About a week after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? After Epiphany
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Menudo Christmas album. You remember about my huge crush, don't you?!? I'm still in love with them, you know. LOL! In case you don't know who Menudo is ............. Here they are singing the same song as adults for a reunion. Aren't they the cutest!! I loved Johnny the most. Yeah, that was my favorite gift ever. Maybe I'll have my parents bring it over this year (along with their record player). Moving on ....
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Mom
8. Easiest person to buy for? My kids
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several! Both indoors and out.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Ha! Ha!! Ideally, mail. But its been a few years ....
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm, I can't remember. ;-)
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? White Christmas with Bing Crosby.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? About a week after Thanksgiving. I start thinking about ideas as early as summer but don't actually purchase anything until 2-3 weeks before Christmas.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Honestly, YES!!! LOL!! But don't worry, I followed the gift recycling rules. You didn't know there were rules?!?
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My father's traditional Puerto Rican Christmas Eve dinner which includes pernil (Puerto Rican pork shoulder), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), pasteles, tostones (fried plantain with garlic), and templeque for dessert. YUM!!!
16. Lights on the tree? Clear colored.
17. Favorite Christmas song(s)? Pat a Pan, Do You Hear What I Hear?, and of course, all these songs!! ;-) Actually, I love ALL Christmas songs!!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? Stay at home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Nope! LOL!!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Presents from my parents on Christmas Eve, presents from us and Craig's parents on Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Secular Christmas songs and tv shows and commercials, to name a few.
23. What theme or color are you using? Pink and Purple (for Advent) with gold.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? See #15. Also, I LOVE my mother's bunuelos. They are crispy and flaky and just YUMMY!!! And tamales. Gosh, I'm getting hungry! LOL!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Good health, time with my family and to hear screaming & laughter on Christmas morning. I already got my Christmas gift in having my precious Veronica.

I tag anyone who wants to play. Leave me a comment if you decide to play.

Posh Baby

* UPDATED: Just wanted to add that her "Ralph Lauren" was a $6 second hand buy. Didn't want anyone thinking I regularly spent this much money on baby clothing. Ralph Lauren, smocked outfits and other expensive baby clothes were a dime a dozen where I used to live.
Here's Veronica wearing one of my favorite baby outfits. Many of my girls have sported this Ralph Lauren outfit. I'll be sad when she no longer fits into it.




Also, here's Veronica wearing her first Bumgenius diaper. I've wondered about them but never had ordered any. Well, Target carries them now!! I just had to pick one up and try it out. I can say that so far I love it!!

Guess what else Target is selling these days? California Baby shampoo (my favorite for over 10 years), No Sox, cute wet diaper bags, slings and much more. On the one hand, I hope they keep carrying boutique baby items I could only order on the internet. On the other hand, delayed gratification and shipping costs are what kept me from ordering many times! LOL!!

Well, off to Target to get more diapers! ;-)

More babies ....

Trisha just had her first little one and he's precious. Also, Katie and Devin are welcoming their two little boys this week. I also forgot to post about Roxie's baby that was due the same time as mine. Go over and congratulate these first time parents!!

I'm soooooo enjoying following all these baby threads. And am praying for all those mommies (both blogging and non-blogging) expecting babies.

As for my Veronica, this morning when Isabelle went to put an outfit on her, it was found that she had grown overnight. I'm trying to savor everyday because I am very aware of how fast babies grow.

Veronica is wrapped in a blanket I crocheted.

Happy St. Nicholas Day

The kids were giddy with excitement as they put their shoes out. Kolbe said he knew St. Nicholas liked "churchy things" and so he put a rosary in his shoes. I think he's hoping it'll help him score some points! LOL!!


Have a Blessed St. Nicholas Day!!