Christmas time!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  And hard to believe it's already midnight Christmas morning.  This month just flew by!

Sophia is 21 months and I find myself looking at her some days thinking to myself where in the world did my little baby go?!  She's gotten so tall, is talking so much more, is such a little sponge and has become mama's sidekick for sure.  I love seeing the world through her eyes and watching her learn.  She gets so excited over the littlest things and I find her copying me and it just makes me laugh.  I know every parents says it, but I get blown away when she does certain things and I'll look at her and say, How'd you learn that?  You're so smart.  It's just funny to see a little person turning on the tv, switching the channels with the remote, putting on blush and trying to put it on you, combing her hair, picking up the phone and saying... Ha-woa (hello), brushing her teeth, putting on her shoes and socks and trying to put her clothes on.  She's also becoming such a little mama and loves changing her babies and telling mama they've gone ca-ca.  It's so funny.

putting on mama's makeup

my little buddy

She is obsessed with Frozen these days and loves giggling when the sisters play together in the beginning.  So sweet to watch.

Ah anyway, it's a fun time and she's at a fun age for sure.  I always find myself wanting to bottle up moments and time with her - especially since she's become such a mama's girl.  Some days it exhausts me but most I just remind myself that one day she won't want her mama like she does now and I need to cherish it.  She reserves the sweetest hugs and kisses for mama and there's nothing better than feeling her squeeze my neck or rest her little head in my shoulder.  Love that girl so much.

But enough of my 21 month old... Here are the highlights of the month...


We went to see the Pink Pig... twice.  Sophia didn't quite know what to make of it but I think she enjoyed it.

Then, there was Santa.  My how a year changes things.  Poor girl!  Dada wanted a better pic so he made her go again last weekend... outcome was pretty much the same.  I think she's going to need some time to forget Santa before we can bring her back ;)

We had our neighborhood progressive holiday party earlier this month and had a blast hanging out with all our close friends.   We are so lucky to have made some great friends here and love our neighborhood!  It makes me never want to move!

Last weekend, mama got a little break and got to head to Miami for Puja's bachelorette party.  It was a really fun weekend in spite of me heading down there with a cold and coming back with what felt like the flu for a few days- but I love Miami and it was so fun celebrating Puja.  We stayed at the famous Fontainebleau hotel (where they've filmed movies like James Bond) and it was sooo nice!  Definitely lived up to the hype and hope I can go back there one day.  It was also nice to get down to Miami and enjoy some warm weather in the middle of winter.

at the Clevelander

loved the view from our room.

And last night - Christmas Eve!  My mom has had some trouble with kidney stone pain so she had to have a last minute operation to go in a blast her stone that was giving her trouble and pain so our plans today took a slight shift from the norm.  But I'm glad my mom is doing better and after going to Christmas Eve mass, we heading to my parents to see the cousins in the town and be with my mom.  We may have had to order pizza instead of doing our usual Cuban feast but it didn't put a damper on anyone's spirit.  It was fun having everyone together (though we missed Ryan) and it's so fun to see how much the kids have all changed in a year (or really in a few months since we last saw everyone together at the beach).  They were running around having a great time.  Now we just need Ryan, Meghan and baby Fiona to hopefully join us next week!

I'm so excited for Sophia to wake up in the morning and open her presents.  I know she still doesn't get Christmas but I know she'll love the gifts we got and she always loves new toys!

Merry Christmas!!!

My Jamberry Party!

Normally I blog about the day to day comings and goings in the Spivey household so we can look back one day and remember how our little girl (soon to be kids) grew up.  Yes I admit, I'm no expert blogger and often can't find time to write so I do the monthly updates.  In short, I’m kinda terrible at blogging.  But today, I'm excited to write about this new product that came into my world a few weeks ago called Jamberry! 

If you are like me, I always have my nails done.  In the past I was that girl that always had a set of French manicured acrylics, then I adopted gel nails and fell in love.  I just hate not having a manicure and looking down at nasty nails.  Don't get me wrong, I still love me a good set of gels, but – my wallet and ahem… husband don’t always like the bills from the nail salon so this is an affordable alternative to get nice nails at a great price and it's made with latex free, non toxic materials that don't ruin your nails when removed and give you salon quality nails.

So how does Jamberry work?  Basically, you can pick from hundreds of styles and colors and you get a sheet of prints with different sizes for your nails.  Each sheet costs $15 dollars and you can easily do 2-3 manicures per set.  You follow a few simple steps to apply them to your nails and they look as good as a manicure but the best part is they last much longer.  It’s really neat and I’ve been impressed so far! 

Perhaps it was fate or just complete irony, but my sister in law told me about them after dinner one night a few weeks ago.  She was so excited to show me her fresh Jamberry manicure in the cutest print.  You could tell she was so thrilled about this new secret she had uncovered and I was honestly mystified with how it worked and looked and felt so much like painted manicured nails!? 

But friends, that's really what it is.  Jamberry is such a neat nail product that allows you to do your nails easily using stickers, a cuticle pusher, a nail file, and a hair dryer.  You buy sheets in any color or style you can imagine and then match the size with your nail, apply using a few easy steps and then voila - a fresh set of Jams!  

Check out how my first set turned out...

I was so intrigued by the product and here's the irony... when I got home from my sister in law's that night I saw I'd been invited to an online Jamberry party by an old high school friend of mine.  I knew I had to try them out.  I just got my order and I couldn't wait to try them on and mix and match the styles like they show you to do on their website.  They give you a lot of creative tips on how to match your jams with outfits that are good for casual looks, business looks or a formal occasions. 

That's the beauty of Jamberry.  It's really so versatile and good for any kind of woman.  They have simple styles and then fun funky styles that are great for parties, holidays, etc.  And - if you have little girls they will love the Jamberry prints they sell in little sizes.  Mommy and me manis anyone?  I really can't wait for Sophia to be old enough to try them and shoot I might just buy her some for her stocking this year just for kicks :)

Anyway, for this gel addict, it was enough to get me to try and I’m glad I did.  It really is so neat that I thought I'd share the idea with all of you so I agreed to host my own Jamberry party online so you guys can see how neat it is for yourselves!

I've got tons of samples for you local ladies or neighborhood friends so message me if anyone wants to test it out and check out this website to browse through all the styles and see sample videos of how to apply them.  You can order from the site and just choose my name at check out so all the deals during my party will apply to your order.  Be on the lookout for facebook notifications for all the deals.  Get excited ladies!  I know you'll love them!

Sophia 20 Months... Mama 20 weeks

Sophia is really growing into a little girl these days.  She's just a little person in so many ways and I'm constantly amazed at what a sponge she is.  She repeats things when you least expect it and I can tell she really observes us in everything we do because she'll walk up and show me something when I didn't even realize she could do it.

@ 20 months, Sophia...

- can put on her own shoes (even if it's on the wrong foot)
- loves buckles of any kind and will hook and let you unhook all day long!
- turns on the tv and vcr to watch her Baby Einstein videos
- loves feeding Bitty Baby and rocking her
- is super adventurous and wild!  Child never stops running around!
- loves ground turkey and pork
- loves peas, carrots, chips, and cheerios
- loves smoothies and apple juice
- won't sleep without her woof woof and blankie
- is so sweet and loving... loves to give hugs and besitos
- is very attached to mama and won't let dada put her to bed.. that's a big no no
- knows when she's doing something wrong and will give you a mischievous look
- loves dogs and scream woof woof every time one passes
- loves playing outside and playing with the neighborhood kids
- asks to play peek-a-boo barn every morning
- whenever she's thirsty scream "aya!" - agua
- she's a little monkey and climbs on everything
- thinks it's funny to jump on dada
- loves running around the house with Minnie in her stroller and chasing after you
- loves bath time and splashing around
- opens all doors
- dances and loves musical instruments
- loves going to the park and playing on the swings and slides
-is very loud and knows how to scream.. stinker
- she loves her family face book and points to the faces and says Abuela, Mimi and tries to say cousins names... but she refuses to say Lala and always calls her Nana
- takes direction well
- likes saying bye bye really loud and waving to people
- sleeps like a dream (8:30 - 8:30 normally)

And then there's mama... Hard to believe it's the 1/2 way point.  I feel great and can't complain.  I seem to keep forgetting to take belly shots so here's the latest.  Belly seems to have made it's appearance in the last 2 weeks (and is growing fast!).  I have been feeling baby boy kicking for a few weeks now and it's such a neat feeling!  Can't wait for the 20 week ultrasound next Monday to see him again.

Fall Festivals, Halloween, and Baby Cousin Fiona!

Wow October flew by like a flash!  Someone asked me the other day how old Sophia was I almost said 18 months.  Then it hit me she's already 20 months!  Before I know it she'll be 2 and little guy will be here!  While it's always sad to see summer go I've really enjoyed the fall weather we've had (as quick as it's seemed to come and go... I can tell winter is going to be brutal).  But we have certainly enjoyed fall thus far.

Last month we decided to try a new pumpkin patch - Pettit Creek Farm in Cartersville.  We had a good time but it was kind of a let down from Burt's last year.  We just figured it was a shorter drive and they advertised a petting zoo and other kid activities so I thought Sophia might enjoy that.  She did but it seemed a little unorganized and they only had 2 tractors running the hay ride for the whole place so the line to wait for that was a little long.  But all in all, it was a good time had by all and a good photo opp (except Miss Prissy wasn't in the smiling mood - she was still a cute little farmer though)

The next weekend we enjoyed the annual Chili Cook Off and Fall Festival in our neighborhood.  It was so much fun and they really did a good job hosting.  All the neighbors bring chili or a side to share and they had blow up bouncys and games for the kids on the square.  They also did pumpkin carving and had a children's parade with their Halloween costumes.  Sophia had a good time playing and the highlight was Spiveys took the gold in the chili cook off!!!! I was so excited since I never feel like a great cook by any means so it was kinda neat to win on my recipe.  Trey and I got a $50 gift card to McCrays and can't wait to use it on a date night!

Minnie with her dinner club pals Neely and Harper

all the neighborhood kiddos

And then the highlight of the month - Halloween!  I made Sophia's Minnie Mouse costume and bought a Mickey Costume for Kevin for his birthday because he loves Mickey so the cousins came over and trick or treated together.  Sophia got the hang of it really quickly and it was cute to see her giggling and horsing around with Garrett in the wagon and walking up to get candy together.  She was so dainty and would only grab 1 piece - i laughed to myself that in a few years she's probably going to be more like daddy and take a huge handful when presented with that offer to choose what she wants.  But for now- she was very polite and would wave bye bye to every house.  It was was cute.  It's amazing how different a year can make things and I can't wait until next year to see her running around with me toting her little brother along.  It's going to be fun!

Sophia with her dinner club boyfriend, Colton

And on Halloween night.. we got news that Meghan went into labor right on time!  Baby Fiona Kate Magid was born early in the morning on November 1st.  We are so excited for Ryan and Meghan and can't wait to meet the latest member of the family!  She's such a doll and it was such a treat to learn that she was a girl since they kept it a mystery until the end.  We all figured it was a boy with the Magid streak but man were we wrong! :)