On order

Tomorrow I pick up my Keep Calm and Merry On poster that will be the center piece to my mantel decor for Christmas. I'm so excited how my mantel is shaping up! Get your free download from Craftily Ever After.

I suck

House and home have unfortunately been put on the back burner while I put out wild fires all over work. You'd think my company would be smart enough not to give the hormonal pregnant woman work that makes horns sprout from her head, or at least not plan some crazy ass move that consolidates four floors into two floors all to save a few bucks since out of the 20 offices or so belonging to the company, we have the cheapest rent (and the cheapest cost of living and salary). So like I've said, I've been busy. So busy that Jonathan has been cooking all my meals and doing the dishes. Yeah, that busy. And that hormonal. Underneath this mask of normal is scary. I'd be happy to give you a preview sometime.

But now I'm looking at a week off and I'm hoping to accomplish all kinds of things: decorating my mantel for Christmas, Christmas shopping that I haven't even started, putting together the crib and moving other furniture into the baby's room, baking (hoping to back some ginger snaps and go to all my neighbors in our cul de sac crew), knitting, and of course some yoga.

Keep calm

As a thank you for hosting Thanksgiving, my sister gifted me with a framed print of Craftily Ever After's "Keep Calm and Gobble On." How sweet and awesome is that? I plan on replacing the print every season as appropriate. For Christmas, I'm going to print out the "Keep Calm and Merry On" version and hang it over my mantel. I think it'll be a perfect motto since I tend to hang on the edge with the surge of pregnancy hormones. Be sure to get your own print. It's free!

Decorating frustration

I don't get it. I don't get it at all. How does a person pull off decorating that looks polished and finished. I'm still in the throes of holiday decorating. And as excited as I was about decorating the mantel, I honestly have to say I have no idea how to do it. And I really don't want to spend money on the project. It makes me a little bah humbug.

Hung by the chimney

When we bought our house, the fireplace was optional. We actually forked over some dough to have one put into our floor plan. It's a decision I'll never regret! I mean, how else is Santa getting in? And this year, I get to do what I've always dreamed of: decorate a mantel. I haven't quite decided how I'm going to deck it out, but I do know that the mister and I (and eventually the bambino) need new stockings—preferably one without a giant 49ers bear in a football helmet. Problem is, I can't find any I like—even on the craft mothership Etsy. I have, however, found some cute Christmas fabric, but I'm not sure I trust my instincts enough to buy fabric for something that will last this family years to come. I can't do too trendy, but I'm really digging this Riley Blake fabric. Thoughts? Too trendy? Not Christmasy enough? Should I go more Pottery Barn classic?

Pumpkin belly

Happiest belated Thanksgiving! Our Thanksgiving was full—full stomachs, full house, full chaos and fun! We hosted my family: Dad, Tami, Joey, Tim, Toni, Jenna, Recca, Bruce, Kalin, LB, Jon, Stacey, Tabytha, Victoria, Jamie, Chance, Andy, AJ, and Abby (and breathe), and Jonathan's family: Pat, Al, Breanna, Chip, and Raylene.

It was fun to have everyone in the house and to see my family, which I don't see nearly as often as I would like. I love them to death, and it was especially fun to have our two families mingle and eat, and then party!

We had a small family (OK, maybe not so small when you consider the size of my immediate family) baby shower. Chewy received lots of beautiful, thoughtful, and many practical gifts. We're so thankful to share this time with our families. And now Jonathan has to get cracking on the baby's room. He took a look at the calendar today and realized that December is going to be one busy month and the count down is ON!

Now how cute is this picture my sister took? Pumpkin bellies. Only I get my pumpkin in February and he doesn't rot (unless you count his forthcoming diaper changes).

I'm so thankful

I just had the world's great and most centering prenatal massage. My first massage experience last year was awful. I drove home crying. It might have been because I went to massage chain Massage Envy. The woman wasn't at all centering or relaxing, and the lotion she used on me didn't smell good and felt gross afterward. Even the rooms are devoid of any decoration or color. This time around I wasn't making the same mistake. I got a recommendation from a friend and it made all the difference in the world. If anyone asks, I want a massage for my birthday—or even before Chewy comes.

The experience left me on Cloud 9 and it made me reflect on how gifted this therapist is. Truly a gentle soul that doesn't grapple with trying to push life into her mold, rather she makes a garden out of what she's been given. (And she really does garden.)

My family is full of beautiful people like this, and they deserve a little shout out to know how special I think each and everyone of them are. And how I can't imagine my life without them. I'm so thankful for my family and all the unique personalities. Thanks for being you!