After two gift guides for the men (Gadget Guy and Outdoorsman), two for the ladies (Hostess and Girly Girl) and one for the little ones (Baby’s First Christmas), I have created a unisex present guide – for the athletes. I am drooling over some of these gifts, most especially the Tory Burch Fitbit Flex bracelet. It is perfect.
Week in Review
I really enjoyed the past week, as it was filled with fun friend get-togethers, last minute Christmas shopping, a hair appointment to take me back to being a brunette, and lots of sweet Isla moments (think big, poufy pink tutu play time!). I feel so fortunate to have been able to take a leave of absence from work for the past six months, and I am soaking up as much time as possible with Isla before returning to work at the end of February. My childcare search is ramping up heavily this week! I’ve been procrastinating because it makes me want to cry. Sasha is an amazing dad and wakes up at 5am to workout so he can get to the office around 6:30-7am and gets home around 4:00-4:15pm, which is perfect for two hours of family time before Isla’s bedtime routine starts at 6pm. We do a 1.5 mile walk every evening with Belle, our dog, and I look forward to this outing all day long.
Some of the major highlights of the last week include:
- Getting my hair colored by Eric at Estilo Salon – I decided to go ombre 9 weeks ago, and I’ve been dying (no pun intended) to go back to my original hair color ever since… finally did it! (see awkward makeup-less selfie below)
- Isla finally got the swing of eating food vs. just licking and spitting… which led to two days of constipation, which wasn’t all that fun
- Planning our trip to Paris and St. Petersburg – down to the hour, metro stops, restaurants, coffee stops, etc. (and reading Comment le Grinch a Volé Noël and This is Paris)
- Getting so many Christmas/holiday cards in the mail – I am obsessed! I seriously chase the mailman down every day when he comes to our cul-de-sac
- Eating a delicious brunch hosted by Christie of KiKiMac – lots of pretty pictures below!
- Catching up with old co-workers-turned-friends at The Tasting Room
- Hosting a Christmas dinner with three of my friends from childhood – seriously was crying laughing at numerous occasions… love those ladies! We drank these delicious peppermint cocktails, which I’ll share tomorrow!
- Prepping for Isla’s Christening on December 27 – she’s going to wear the same Christening gown that my grandpa, dad, and I all wore (think long gown à la Prince George)
- Buying lots and lots of peonies for the house – not sure what this winter season is all about, but I am loving it!
- Finally putting lights on the trees outside (thank you, sweet husband!)
I hope you had the best week as well! I’d love to hear some of your highlights too in the comments below. xo
Isla Loves: otteroo (30% off promo code!)
Earlier this fall, we discovered that Isla loved being in the pool. Sporting her Honest. Co pineapple swim diaper and Babyiators, she put on her best sassy pout and worked the water like a champ. Sasha and I had a great time playing with her, but kept getting splashed as she flailed around with her arms and legs, dying to explore the waters on her own.
Enter the otteroo. This baby floatation device goes around Isla’s neck and provides support to keep her afloat without being held. At first, she seemed a little confused (but not upset) by the otteroo (‘What is this contraption you’ve put around my neck?‘). However, after she started moving around in the water by her self, she was sold.
We did a family swim date recently at Life Time Fitness, and I’m not sure who enjoyed the otteroo more – Isla or me and Sasha. We loved playing with her in the water without having to hold her and make sure we kept her head above the water.
Week in Review
This past week has had very high highs and very low lows. The Petrovic household got hit by a stomach bug that seems to be making its way around Houston, which was less than fun. Sasha, unfortunately, was in Austin for a workshop (and sick, not fun), so my mom spent most of the week at our house.
We celebrated Isla’s 6-month-iversary on Thursday, December 4. She is getting so much bigger, and she is a very big wiggler now. She loves going on runs with me in the morning, grabbing Belle’s tail, playing peek-a-boo, crawling, bath time, throwing her toys off the highchair, licking everything, mirrors, eating her hair bows, breastmilk and only that, being held by Mum and Tata, being read to at night, building blocks, doing the downward facing dog position, and will now stand while supported until she reaches for something else and tumbles (see photos below). She doesn’t like her crib at least once a day (other naps, she’s fine), solids (just disinterested), getting put into the car seat, randomly getting her diaper changed (but most time, she’s fine), and being hungry (she’s like her parents). She is a bundle of joy, and we love her so much. She still can be fussy from time to time, but her temperament is normally happy. She still wakes up around 3am to eat, but slept from 6pm (bedtime) to 6:30am this week… yet to be repeated! Once she is eating better, we may have to do CIO to get rid of the night feed. I am not excited about this.
There were quite a few other exciting moments in the week though, which include:
- Going to the Justin Timberlake concert – I think I’ve seen him five or six times now, and he keeps getting better and better. Plus, our friend, Brittany, got the most amazing seats!
- Planning our trip to Paris and St. Petersburg in May! We’re taking Isla on her first overseas adventure and have her passport ready. I am so excited and am already building our itinerary.
- Getting the West Elm Riad Rug ‘for Christmas’ from Mimi and Papa for our new playroom. We’re going to add a little easel, some poufs for seating and Isla-sized bookshelves from Land of Nod, some additional toy buckets and call it a day for now. I originally wanted a tent or teepee, but we decided that can wait until she’s old enough to get excited about it!
- Celebrating a long week and lots of shopping with a vegan cupcake from Sprinkles!
- Partying at my nephew’s pirate themed birthday party! Arrrgggh.
- Letting Isla nap with me for the first time… I was sick, she was sick, so we snuggled. This never happens, and I loved it.
- Attending the Tinsel and Tables workshop (a few photos below, but more to come soon!). It was so much fun and inspirational.
Did you have a good week? I’d love to hear what your highlights were!
The Semple Family Christmas Photos
The 18th annual Semple family photos were taken last Saturday, and I was excited to view the gallery yesterday (the shining highlight of a 72-hour stomach bug!). We were lucky enough to have our pictures taken by Paige of Awake Photography, who took our Petrovic family photos earlier this fall. We took them in a rustic little nook of Memorial Park, which I’ve never seen before (and I’ve trekked all around the park).
We took them in the early evening, which is not Isla’s best time of the day, so she wasn’t quite as cheerful as the other pictures we took (plus she had a cold!). I do love that one of her sitting by the tiny tree though! I am very, very ready to get my hair back to its original brown (happening Wednesday, after eight weeks of ombre)!
After picking the photo, Mum hurriedly ordered her cards from Minted yesterday, and I’m excited to see how they turn out. We sent ours out this week, and I was super excited to get three in the mail yesterday! I love holiday cards so much. Have you received any yet?
As a reminder, today is the last day to enter the Baby Registry giveaway, valued at over $400!
Happy Friday! Do you have fun weekend plans?
