6 month old baby

Christmas Tradition Ideas

Happy Turkey week everyone! Things are in full swing here at the Burleson household. We went today and got everything needed to host our first Thanksgiving as parents in our new house. I am very excited, even though it will be a lot of work – I just love tradition!

I have been crafting things for my thanksgiving table all weekend, and I have to say, I am really loving finding new and creative ways to bring my paper crafting into almost every aspect of the holidays. It feels good to have a hobby that doesn’t involve computer technology, making something with my hands makes me feel accomplished. I don’t know what it is. It’s just a paper turkey..but I made that paper turkey!! WITH MY BARE HANDS!!

I will post a picture of my table later…I don’t want to spoil it for my guests.

There are already Christmas lights popping up in our neighborhood too! Last year, we were the only ones that decorated for Christmas. I think when the recession really got bad last year, it hurt everyone’s Christmas spirit. Last year, we were dealing with some job issues as well so we were fraught with worry – Not this year! I am going to make sure and NOT get worried about things this year. It’s L’s first Christmas and I want it to be awesome.

Santa will be coming to our house this year with toys! Even if he won’t remember it, I am still going all out. But I need ideas… What did you do for your baby’s first Christmas??? I’ve never had my own kid during Christmas, so I am sure I am going to think of something after the fact and wish I had done it. That’s where you come in!

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6 month milestones – 6 month well baby check up and piano playing baby!

L had his 6 month check up today. He is 14 pounds, officially twice his birth weight, but that is still on the small side. Apparently he is taking it literally when I tell him to not grow so fast! Everything else is fine, and he is healthy. The weight thing perplexes me though, since he eats almost constantly and gobbles up his oat cereal and his veggies! But, if the doctor isn’t concerned than it’s probably fine.

My husband and my father were both very small, and didn’t get taller than 5 feet until after high school! Yeah. And I am 5’3. Yup. We are a bunch of hobbits. (well, my father is 6’11 now. So he’s not. Wish I would have gotten that gene!) He’s going to be tough little dude, and most likely a hockey player.

I was playing the piano with him today, and ever since we inherited an old Baldwin piano, he squeals with glee whenever I pull out the bench to play. I am really excited, because music is a big part of our lives – my husband was in a popular local band in the 90′s and I have been singing my heart out since I was 3 – even at 6 months he is eager to play!
He pounds on the keys, and loves it when I push the sustain pedal so his sweet little notes can ring out! He even sings along!

Lately, we have been talking about #2. He is just so awesome, that we want another one! Of course we are waiting so we can enjoy him alone a little bit longer…but I want him to have a sibling close to his age so that they have enough in common. My sister and I are 3.5 years apart, and never got along growing up. I’m a little suprised at my husband, he was the one who busted out one night with “Okay, we can have another one…” out of the blue when L did something super cute.

… but I am not ready to be pregnant again just yet!! =)

So now I will leave you with more holiday card inspiration:

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Blogging direction, an apology, and a promise.

When I had my blogging meltdown a few weeks ago, I had to reevaluate why I am doing this. It started out as a way to not feel alone as a stay at home mom. After I learned how to promote my blog, it then became about how many people were following me on my blog. Then on Twitter. Then the giveaways started and it became about promoting those giveaways, and perhaps attracting bigger and better companies. Could I be as great as those other Mommy bloggers who get free appliances and trips to Disney World??

As soon as I sat down and started thinking about the direction this blog is going I immediately thought “I need to slow down and reevalute. Ack. I am becoming a mommy blogger monster!”

This blog was not about giveaways, and promoting company products and gaining a huge number of followers, but it turned into that. When I see all the comments I get on giveaways compared to the ones I get on regular posts — there is a huge difference and I mean a HUGE difference. People I have never even seen comment before on my blog are commenting on the giveaway posts. And you know what? It made me feel kind of dirty.

Am I using my son to gain internet fame, sponsors, and a passive income? Do I really want it to seem that way? No and NO. I didn’t have my son, or start this blog, to make money or get free stuff. I did it to gain insight from other moms like me, who after becoming a new mom became scared out of her wits and needed to connect to other Moms going through the same thing. I was doing those new mommy reviews to help out mothers to be, not to get noticed by the makers of those products. When I get excited about something, like say my Samsung Impression and Relish, I like telling others about it. It was super awesome that Relish contacted me about a giveaway, because I was already going to share my experience with you all. I love that that happened. Relish offered to give me a free month of their service to review and promote them, But I didn’t because I didn’t need to. I was already a subscriber, and if I wasn’t already, I probably wouldn’t have done it. I don’t want to do giveaways just for the sake of doing giveaways. To tell you the truth, I hate promoting giveaways and stressing about promoting them, unless its for something I really truly think is cool.

So what am I saying?

#1. I will only do a giveaway once in a while. This is NOT going to turn into a giveaway blog. ( I have nothing against those who hold monthly or weekly giveaways, I am just saying I don’t have time or the energy for frequent giveaways!!)

#2. I am bringing this blog back to the original idea. I am a new mom, and this is my story. I want to meet you all, and get advice. I want to reach out. I want more community.

#3. This blog isn’t the only thing I do. I am a freelance designer and writer who works at night after her son goes to sleep and I barely get that work done.

#4. I am not going worry about how many people subscribe or follow me. If you do and are actually reading, I am very grateful and I hope that we can get to know each other. I just need to know those faces in the follow bar aren’t just following me so I follow them back and that little number looks bigger. Heck, I am guilty. I follow so many people through google connect that hardly know any of you. I apologize for that.

#5. I want this blogging thing to be fun again, and an account of this great time in my life. I hope you read along, share advice and stories. I enjoy all of your comments.

I have met some really great women through this blog, and I hope I didn’t offend any of you. I am truly blessed that you have came into my life and I felt like I was doing a disservice to those of you who take the time to read and comment on my posts – as I was feeling too overwhelmed to regularly read and comment on yours. I promise will do better, and know that you are all in my thoughts every single day. Thanks for reading.

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6 months!


Today is L’s 6 month birthday. 6 months since the best day of my life. 6 months since I became a different (better) person. I love you my sweet sweet baby boy. You have completed our family in more ways than you will ever know!

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