currently

currently...

making :  I snatched up a boxwood wreath from Trader Joes this week ($9.99) and some berry branches from the HobLob ($0.59 each after discount).  Just deconstructed the berry branches so that I could spread them through the wreath and tied it to my door.  Pretty happy with the end result!

listening :  I mostly only listen to the local Holiday Music radio station when I'm in my car but I do enjoy my previous church Sojourn's Advent Songs CD.  Also, if you hadn't noticed on any talk show recently, Seth MacFarlane put out his own Christmas CD this year... I haven't heard the whole thing but I'm pretty shocked at how amazing he can sing.

wrapping :  Not really any of our own Christmas presents yet because I know Myles will try to destroy anything I put under the tree right now.  I was introduced to #scarfament this year on Instagram by Danielle Burkleo.  150 people signed up for this national Secret Santa to send their partner a scarf and ornament by Dec 1st and to receive the same from someone else.  I had so much fun getting this together for  my partner... unfortunately according to USPS tracking, she still hasn't received her package.  I had mine waiting for me when I returned from KY last week!  So much fun.

watching :  Everything on the DVR.  I agreed to not watch any of "our" shows while Kyle was gone so we spend all of our free time catching up on those... Agents of SHIELD, Bones, NCIS, White Collar to name a few.  While Kyle is gone, I watch "my" shows.  The Flash, Arrow, Somebodys Gotta Do It... Christmas wise... I always attempt to watch Its a Wonderful Life, the old Rudolph movies and A Christmas Carol.

anticipating :  Next week is Kyle's department Christmas Party.  We had to miss it last year since Myles had just recently been born and we are still trying to secure a babysitter for this time... I am pretty determined to make it this year.  I just really need to go shopping for a fancy winter dress now!

Charleston

Kyle and I have had 3 quick trips to Charleston in the past 2 years.  Now, granted, they have all been in the winterish time.  But I have to say, it just is not my favorite place.  Bad weather aside... it just isn't the place to go with Kyle.  I wouldn't mind going to the historical places, touring a plantation or something; Kyle not so much.  It definitely isn't the greatest place to take a baby.  Maybe a girl's trip with my mom.  

But when your husband's residency program doesn't have a transplant team, he has to go to the nearest in-state teaching hospital for the experience.  For Kyle, that is Charleston.  So off we went.  Myles did pretty darn great in the car.  It was a 4 hour drive including stops.  He took a couple of naps and I had snacks and toys at the ready to pass back to him.  When all else failed, the kiddy music got turned on.  Works every time.

Our first afternoon there, we met a friend for lunch while Kyle was sleeping (he was coming off of a night shift).  That night we headed to a brewery I had wanted to go see.  The second trip that we made to Charleston was for an interview.  This was the only interview where spouses were NOT invited to the resident dinner (first of many things that put them towards the bottom of our list).  Thats ok.  I bought a beer in the hotel lobby and read a book.  That beer was from a local brewery called Westbrook.  It was very very interesting.  White Thai.  Try it.  So since it was so close, I really wanted to check it out since we had nothing else to do.  Kyle tried their Dry Irish Stout (very much like Guinness) and I got the Gose (a salty sour wheat beer- extremely interesting).

Sleeping arrangements were a little weird.  The hotel had Kyle in a tiny corner room which left us putting the pack-n-play right next to the door so that Myles couldn't see us when we turned off the lights.  If he could have seen us, he never would have gone to sleep.  

Kyle had Saturday off, and thanks to a recommendation, we decided to do the South Carolina Aquarium.  It didn't disappoint.  Myles really did look at some of the exhibits.  We managed to get some pretty good pictures out of it.  

Afterward we drove around forever trying to find somewhere to eat.  This is a frustrating part about Charleston and a baby.  Everyone is hungry and a lot of the restaurants that aren't in a sketchy part of town are on a one way street with parking only allowed on one side of the street.  And everyone is trying to go where you want to go.  We eventually found a brunch place a little further away that had one parking spot left.  It was amazing.  Thank you Hominy Grill.

We spent a good amount of time in the hotel room trying to get Myles to nap.  It didn't really happen much, but it was good to just have some family time alone.  Kyle had to head back to work early Sunday morning so Myles and I got on the road shortly after.  It was a good trip even if it was when the Polar Vortex decided to pay its visit.

wishlist : Christmas 2014 mini-man edition

1 : for dress up How cute is this mask and tail?!  I was just browsing Etsy and thought this was pretty genius.  The shop BHBKidstyle has several different animals to choose from.  So so cute.

2 : for the car ride It is fascinating how kid specific music seems to calm a kid down in the car.  I was all about some Raffi as a little kid myself.  This could be pretty handy dandy for the next couple of years. 

3 : for eco friendly play Myles received a Green Toys dump truck and shape sorter for his birthday.  I really love this company.  100% made in the USA out of recycled plastic.  This stuff is fantastic.  The helicopter and airplanes look pretty great.

4 : for pretend munching Who knew Ikea made really neat toys?  Our friends have the Duktig felt food sets and they are pretty darn cute.  The vegetable set can be found on Amazon, but they make a fruit set as well.

5 : for the little helper  A mini version of mommy's vacuum cleaner?  Um yes please.  He loves chasing me around when I vacuum.  I would wager he would love to "help" when he gets a little bigger.  I  know some kids love their own broom too. 

6 : for carrying stuff  This cute little backpack would be the right size to hold Myles' snacks and diapers when we go places and when he gets a little older he could carry it himself.  These Skip Hop zoo backpacks are a good small size.

7 : for the eventual walker  Little kid shoes are expensive.  Feel free to get him some in the sizes to come... 5 and 6.  I love these little Saucony Jazz shoes.