Gift Guide: For the Hostess

1. Bottle Stopper (or try the Monogrammed version)  

2. Cheese Server  3. Teapot  4. Tea Towel  

5. Mini Candle Set  6. Hot Chocolate Mix  

7. Bar Tool  8. Initial Mug  9. Cheese Board  

10. Tartan Salad Plates 11. Oven Mitt

From Thanksgiving at your in-laws, dinner parties with friends, cocktails with coworkers, or cookie exchanges with your Mom's group....there is bound to be a time and a place where you need to find that perfect hostess gift.  The ideas above are some of my favorites, but a baked treat or a bottle of champs is always nice too.  Or get creative and whip up a homemade gift like this or this.  

Either way, you will be sure to make the hostess feel loved and appreciated!  

Do you have a go-to hostess gift you love to bring?

Catching Up

Yikes!  How is it already the week before Thanksgiving?  I've been so behind on blogging lately - I think I've been in a little rut.  But I have lots of fun holiday posts coming up soon (gift guides, yummy recipes, and more), so stay tuned. 

I thought I would just do a little recap of what we've been up to the past couple of weeks.  My parents came to visit for a whole week and it was the BEST.  They are amazing and Andrew just adores them.  Princeton welcomed them with the prettiest fall week ever, and we spent almost every minute of their visit outside. 

Peddler's Village

Downtown Princeton

Dessert, dessert, dessert

Lots of time spent at the Park

And lots more.  John and I even got to sneak away for a little date night!  Of course, we chose Mexican!

It was a fabulous week - thank you Papa D and Mimi for coming!  

One last thing before I go....

Have y'all tried these??

They are from Trader Joe's, and they are SO good!  Thank you Mary Catherine for introducing me to them!  They have become quite the hit around here!

I know, I know, it's terribly sad that this post has come to an end...

But I'll be back soon!

{this pic is for everyone who doesn't think Andrew cries!}

Happy 10 Months!

I know, I know.  You're probably thinking..."Wait, he was just 9 months old!"  Time is flying, but it's not flying that fast.  I just posted Andrew's 9 months update this week, a month late.

But now it's time for his 10 month update!  

Dear Baby Boy, 

Every month, my heart just swells and swells to make room for all the love and pride I have for you.  How can it get any better, I ask myself every month?  But it does!  Somehow, it does.

This month, you gained a whole pound, which we have been waiting for!  Your hair also started growing, and now you have these little wings on either side, which are just the most adorable things ever.

You are getting much more active and verbal, which is so entertaining.  

We are also giving you lots of new foods, which you of course are loving.

You can ride in front of the shopping cart (not in the car seat), and it's like a whole new world for you.  Strangers love to say "hi", and comment on your happy and inquisitive nature.

We let you swing at the playground for the first time, and you loved it!  You just leaned forward, put your little hands on the front of the swing, and smiled so big!

Things you love:

Stroller Rides in downtown Princeton

Saying "I" and "A"

Yogurt, sweet potatoes, waffles, and turkey

Anything that plays music

Standing up to table, and then lowering yourself down

Playing "Hide and Seek" and "Peek-a-boo"

Holding onto our faces/noses as we rock him before bedtime

Your pacifier
Turning pages of books

Things you dislike:

Being away from Mommy

Getting dressed

Getting out of the bath

Diaper changes

Peas and ground turkey
Wearing hats (most of the time)

Weight: 16 lbs

Height: 27 1/4 inches

Love you, our sweet, funny, precious boy!! 

What's In My Bag

Hey y'all!  

Today, I'm taking over as guest blogger at East Coast Chic, as Nat snuggles and cuddles her precious new baby boy! Congrats Nat & fam!!  And thanks for having me!

I don't know what it is about snooping around all the treasures of another gal's handbag...
but I love it ;)

And today, it's my purse you get to peek into...so head on over to Nat's blog to check it out!

Happy 9 Months!

Dear Baby Boy, 

You are NINE months old!  For some reason, this month I was a wreck!   Something about you being 9 months old really shook me up ;)  You're just growing and changing so quickly, I can hardly keep up!  12 months is just around the corner, and I truly don't know if I can handle that.  

You are a wiggly, wriggly little worm, and are so curious.  Staying still is not very much fun for you...as you can tell by the next few pictures of this "photo shoot".

"I'm outta here!"

Your big blue eyes just melt Mommy's heart.  And you love to do this precious little smile.  

Things you love:

Bobbing your head to music

Pulling yourself up to stand 

Crawling everywhere!  

Getting your hair brushed

Going on stroller rides

Peaches

Banana Mum Mums

Things you dislike:

Getting dressed

Getting diaper changed

Weight: 14.8 lbs

Heights: 27 inches

Sleeping at night - 11 hours

3 naps a day

4 feeds a day, plus a few snacks

You say "Ha" and "Ma"

We love you so much sweet boy.  Even though you are on the move, you still love to cuddle and lay your head on our shoulders when you are tired.  We read you books and sing to you so much, and you seem to really like that.  Thank you for bringing so much spirit and joy into our lives.  

{This is a month late!  So the 10 month update will be this week too...time is flying!}