2012... You're awesome.

2012 has been a crazy year for us! This year we bought a house, had a baby, and that baby grew big and learned to crawl.

     Aside from delivering C at the hospital, no other emergency room visits were had. That's right...not one single spinal fracture, concussion, or puncture wound reared it's ugly head. It's kind of a big deal for us, as one of us usually ends up with a combination of the three. Go us!

     This year we brought our baby girl home, survived a long, hot summer with a newborn (thanks to our good friend, the Kraken), and managed to stay organized and somewhat sane living in a renovation zone with C's grandpa.

     The first half of the year was spent growing a child and the second half ... trying to keep her smiling. 

     All in all, I'd say its been a pretty successful year and I'm beyond excited for what's in store for 2013.

Things I'm looking forward to:

~ C's 1st. Birthday

~ Completion of operation income suite

~ Finally decorating our home

~ A potential engagement (if I get brave and agree to it)

~ A new career path for me

~ Beach time this summer

Wishing you happiness and love in the new year, friends!

Winter Love Photo Session

After some much needed down time following our first Christmas as a family of three, we ventured out to enjoy the snow and some fresh air.

 C tested out the sleigh that her Nana gave her.

Momma's Wish List

     Obviously, since having the babe, we are on a pretty tight budget.  Except when it comes to her of course.  She gets the best of the best and we eat frozen pizza.  That's just how it is and I'm more than willing to give up luxuries to give C everything under the sun.

     It's expected that our first year as parents will be a pretty frugal one.  Especially since we didn't exactly plan for it. I decided to quit my job and take a full year of maternity leave and without my chunk of income, the hubs has been working his little butt off to give us everything we need.

     I know that money doesn't equal happiness, so as long as C has 37 new toys that she can completely forget about in a week, I'm happy.  We are very blessed.  This is my dream wish list.  Did I mention how we think we'll be teaching C the value of money and responsibility if she pays for her own post secondary education?  You know, so mommy can shop.

Fa La-La-La La La-La La La

Next to St. Patty's Day and Hallowe'en, Christmas is my Favourite!  

Around here we are officially on strict diets of candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup!

Some festive decor with a constant rotation of apple pie and cinnamon scents.

The hubby putting up our first outdoor lights ever.

Baby girl adding the finishing touches.  She thinks we're nuts.

So fascinated by the shiny things.

Finally, this year I got two trees!  As a kid, I remember begging our parents to let us sleep beside the tree the night it went up.  There's something so tranquil about Christmas lights so I made the hubs put one in front of our bed.  He's really happy about it.

LOVE

C's Letter to Santa & Christmas Wish List

Dear Santa,

This December 25th will be my first Christmas ever.  I am very excited.  I have been such a good girl since I was born in May.  I eat all of my vegetables and I make my Mom and Dad smile and laugh.  For Christmas I would like a sled to play with in the snow and a Playskool Rocktivity Sit to Stand Music Skool.  Mommy and I will be baking you cookies for your visit.

From C.

Hi C!

My name is Bob and I'm one of Santa's postal elves! Thank you for sending your letter to Santa. He just loves to receive mail!

The North Pole is a very busy place right now! Everyone is working hard to make this the best Christmas ever. No matter how busy the North Pole gets, Santa takes the time to read every letter he receives. You can expect an answer from Santa very soon!

Happy Holiday!

Postal Elf Bob

Hello ChloeRepa, I was so delighted to receive your lovely email. Computers are wonderful. I just love being able to read your emails and write back! It's a busy day here at the North Pole and I'm heading over to the workshop soon. I thought I'd take a minute to reply to your email first though. It's been snowing a great deal the last few days. All the elves have been playing outside, making snowmen and snow forts. They're having such a good time! I keep hearing them laughing and it makes me shout a jolly HO HO HO! Later today, we're going to make S'mores. Mrs. Claus has a big plate of marshmallows, chocolate and crackers all ready and waiting. The elves loveS'mores. We usually eat them with big cups of hot chocolate. It's a great way to finish a busy day. We're all working around the clock getting everything ready for the big day. Everyone is busy, busy, busy, but we're also having so much fun. That really is the best thing about this time of year, it's all just so much fun! Thanks for taking the time to email me. I really hope you'll write again next year. Everyone here at the North Pole wishes you a truly magical Christmas. Your friend,

C is so, so excited for her first visit from Santa that she already has her Christmas wish list all planned out.  Okay, just me? She has no idea that anything is different aside from the awesome Christmas music on loop all day long.

1. Jolly Jumper
2. Pelican Plastic Baby Sled
3. Playskool Rocktivity Sit To Stand Music Skool
4. Fisher-Price Rock-A-Stack Rings
5. Sassy Bathtime Pals
6. Play Mat
7. Playskool Busy Ball Drop
8. Fisher Price Peek-A-Blocks

xo,  Kiara