What's it all about?

This year...this Christmas is going to be a bit different, I suppose. I'm so used to being by myself. I would work and I would save and know exactly what I'd be able to get people for Christmas. Not this year. So much has changed, and while Z and I are getting used to living off of one income, we also have a child now. I'm not complaining by any means about lack of money. We make things work. We don't want for anything. We have a house. We have food. We have gas and a car. We have fun. We make it work. The thing is....I am stressing about Christmas gifts and wondering how truly satisfied one would be with a homemade gift. I don't really know why I'm stressing about it this year because the past several years I have chose to give homemade gifts. To me, they mean so much more. Anyone can go out and buy something (well....most can. ha.), but not everyone can make something. And if they do make something, it won't be exactly like the thing I make. So every homemade gift is unique.

But the thing I do not like is that this is actually causing me to stress. Really? I'm sorry, but that's not what this season is about. I think we all too often get caught up in the buying and the hustle and bustle that we really forget what the true meaning of CHRISTmas is. I'm sorry, but it is not about Santa. It's not about some cute fat guy with a long beard squeezing himself down a chimney to put some gifts under a tree. Nope. It's also not about presents (giving or receiving). To me, this season is about love, hope, and joy. The love of a Savior. The hope that baby Jesus gives the world. And the joy we find in knowing He was born to save us. 

I don't want Layla to grow up thinking it's normal for her momma to get stressed this time of the year. Nope. I'd rather her think it's a time to have fun and enjoy family. A time to watch some Christmas movies, sing Christmas carols, dance in the living room, give to those we don't know, and to a time to love people. all people. 

Tomorrow instead of asking Layla to be satisfied in her jumper or in her high chair while I work on stockings or other projects, I'm going to play with Layla. We will make Christmas cookies. We will sing Christmas carols. We will paint some Christmas-y things. We will have fun. :-) 

Leaps of faith

December is here! I'm amazed at how quickly time goes by as a stay-at-home-mom. Layla will be 9 months this month.....three months away from being 1 year old. Wow.

She is growing like crazy. It seems like one day I was jumping to catch her and keep her from falling back as she was perfecting her ability to sit up, and now, now, I am jumping to catch her and keep her from falling when she attempts to walk from the coffee table to the couch without any help. I will not be surprised if she is walking within the next month or two.

Some of her favorite things to do include flying through the air with her daddy. I promise....this girl is going to love roller coasters, and it's all because of her dad. Kind of sad that he won't ride them with her though. :-) She loves playing with dishes (both real and play). She mostly bangs them around. Anything that makes noise (not necessarily caused by batteries) is a-ok with Layla. She also loves the turtle that hangs on the side of her crib. I wake up in the morning to her hitting the button changing the songs. Each time you press the button, it changes songs. It sounds like she's changing radio stations until she finally turns it off because nothing good is on.

She has also learned how to scrunch her nose and make a sniffle/laugh sound. It is the cutest thing. She is all kinds of sweet, and a very...okay, the happiest baby I have ever seen. I love her to pieces.

Now...the Leap of faith I'm talking about in the title is me finally starting an Etsy account. It's not up and running yet because I still have to add pictures, but within the week it will be ready. I'm nervous because I'm not one to really "sell" myself that well, but I love making stuff. I love staying home with my daughter. I love having an income. So....we work from home. Whatever I do actually sell will just be a bonus, and I can handle that.

To start off, we will be selling key chains, teething necklaces, sock monkey shirts, and magnets. I'm really hoping to -once things settle down- make some quilts to sell. I love quilting, and now that I finally have the space (a kitchen table) to do it, I hope to do it more often. So keep an eye out! I can custom design everything I make, so it should be fun.

Well, it is time for bed. We are working on Layla's sleep schedule because that poor child does not need to eat in the middle of the night anymore, and this momma needs a full night's sleep. Also, I'm hoping to start a strict routine of working out in the mornings before Z goes to work, and I'd like to start that in the morning. Yes, it is 12 am, and yes, he does have to leave by 5:30 am. We'll see.

G'night.