Christmas Eve

Today we went out to La Center and had Christmas Eve lunch with Griffin's great-grandmother. Nanny made my favorite - salmon patties and Griffin had more fun playing with the tissue paper then his actual presents. I'm sure that won't be the first time.

For dinner, we started a new Christmas tradition and had fondue at Mimi and Papa Ron's. It was delicious!

We also got to open our presents from Mimi and Papa Ron. Griffin got lots of great toys and books. I got an awesome graphic representation of a picture of me, Nicholas, and the baby, a gift certificate to a local knitting store, and a bunch of other great things. Nicholas, however, got the best gift...needless to say, his constant coveting of Griffin's onesies had not gone unnoticed.

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Griffin got to meet my two dear friends from college - Mike Baker and Smith Crafton. They got along smashingly.

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All Griffin wants for Christmas is his two front teeth, which is why we think he keeps sucking on his top lip.

Merry Christmas to me!!!

I asked Santa for a new closet. My previous closet was worthless. Clearly the previous owners did it themselves. The majority of the space was taken up by these terrible wide shelves that ended about four feet from the ceiling. Worthless. But now my closet is fantastic and spacious and well-organized.

Day 219

Quack!

For Christmas dinner, Nicholas has decided to make duck. We're bored with turkey and want to try something a little more exciting. One of my mom's best friend is a big hunter and volunteered some of his fresh kill. My mom then decided to tell him we would dress the ducks ourselves, because "it could be fun!" It was something. That's for sure.

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HELP!

Go vote for my wreath everyone! It's the finals and I'm losing!

dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/12/vote-wreath-winner/

It's wreath #10!

Voting ends at midnight tonight (PST)!

A Day in the Life of a (now) 7-month-old

Here is an average day in the life of Griffin Stewart Holland:

At around 7 to 7:30 am, I wake up. I usually babble a little bit at first, until I get my Daddy's attention. He comes in and picks me up.

Some days I wake up happy....some days not so much.

As soon as Daddy changes my diaper, Mommy feeds me breakfast.

Then, I usually play in my play pen for while. I can sit up now so I grab and reach for all my toys. I'm particularly fond of my rattle or anything that makes sound. Some times I fall over or spend time playing on my tummy.

After I play for an hour or so, I eat my breakfast, which is usually yogurt and bananas. Then, Mommy puts me back in my sleep sack and closes the blinds in my room so I know it's nap time right around 9. She reads me a quick story and puts me in bed to fall asleep on my own. I like to sleep on my side and I usually only wake up if my pacifier falls out before I'm good and asleep. Today I slept for 3 hours because I've been a little sick.

When I get up, it's time to get dressed for the day. I love, love, love being naked and usually cry when Mommy starts putting my clothes back on.

Dang, I'm good looking!

After I get dressed, my Mommy usually feeds me again and then I play in my Exersaucer for a while.

I eat lunch and then go down for my afternoon nap around 1 or 2 after another story.

Today, Mommy had to run some errands so Papa Ron came over to babysit me for awhile.

When Mommy got back, I was more than ready for dinner. Today I tried tofu for the first time!

After dinner, I play for just a little while and it's time for my bedtime routine around 6:30 or 7. First, I get a bath, which I absolutely love. Mommy says I'd stay in there forever if I could.

Then Daddy gives me a quick massage and reads me a story. Then off to bed so we can start again tomorrow!

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Gumdrop Wreath Tutorial

So, I'm on this wreath kick. First, I made a wreath as a Christmas present (to be revealed at a later time). Then I made this ornament wreath.

Now, I've moved onto gumdrops! I made this awesome gumdrop wreath inspired by Cheryl over at A Pretty Cool Life.

I thought I would write up a quick tutorial for anyone who would like to try making the wreath themselves. I got the idea at about 11 this morning, bought the supplies during the afternoon, and made the wreath in about an hour or so.

Supplies:

- About 3 lbs of gumdrops, $1 a bag

- 10" wreath form, $1

- LOTS of hot glue, $1

- Sealer, on hand

- Ribbon, on hand

1. I wrapped the wreath in clear packing tape for a little reinforcement and then wired it to hang it on a door.

2. Next I just glued, glued, glued gum drops in a random pattern all over the wreath.

3. After covering the wreath, I sprayed in with sealant. Let it dry, added the ribbon, and VOILA!

I'm really happy with the results and would recommend this to any other beginning crafters like me. :)

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Christmas is EXHAUSTING!

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Soapbox

Let's all take a time out from adorable baby pictures to wade into the current Tiger Woods controversy. Come join me the water is warm!

I am usually first in line to defend celebrities and their need for privacy. When an 22-year-old Julia Roberts starred in Steel Magnolias, I don't believe she understood what that would mean for her private life. I don't think a 15-year-old Britney Spears knew what she was giving up. I'm not sure anyone could.

However, I feel almost no sympathy for Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods didn't want to just keep his head down and play golf. Tiger Woods methodically built an image for himself, a image that has built him a fortune in endorsement deals. He portrayed himself as this perfect specimen who made few if any mistakes in his life - both on and off the course. This model of self-control and drive was the Tiger Woods brand. A brand that has made him a billionaire. I've never seen a golf tournament in my life but I knew exactly what Tiger Woods was selling.

Clearly, Tiger Woods wasn't as self-controlled as we all thought. How he could channel such talent and will in his public life and not find a way to NOT cheat on his wife is beyond me. More astonishing is that he was so blinded to the obvious repercussions if it should become public and the historical reality that it almost always does.

Tiger Woods isn't a starlet swept into the rising tide of fame. Tiger Woods held himself out to the public - ALL of himself. (After all, I'm not sure what part of his golf game is involved in selling watches or SUVs.) He sold himself as the model of control and then he got sloppy.

He has no one to blame but himself.

Day 200

"In case y'all didn't notice, my mom REALLY likes Christmas. She likes Christmas so much she is dressing me in holiday gear every day until Christmas. I know y'all are looking forward to it as much as me. ... Oh and also check out my freaking awesome teeth. I've got TWO! Count 'em - TWO!"

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