Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from all of us: Rolland, Amy and Sophy -  The best damn thing about 2012 or any other year. We love you cutie bear.

Sophy at 10 Months!

Sophy Jane Huff is 10 months old today!

I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. I know everyone says it, but for reals, it's like I was hugely pregnant and arranging her closet for the 10th time. Well, I'm still arranging her closet. This kid will need to start multiple costume changes while the cold snap is still here to get all the cold weather options in. Already with the digressing...

This little girl is ready for the world. She's chatting and pulling up on all of the furniture. She crawls and is super speedy. So far she would really like to be in the kitchen with Mommy and has a lot of interest in the pots and pans. This is kicking of the kitchen reorganization this weekend. We're in desperate need of a scrub and sort with a massive rearranging. We'll put some things at her level that she can play with since I want to encourage her kitchen love. I can't wait until she can pull up her step stool and help out with the cooking and baking. If she's like Daddy, she'll have a love of stirring and mixing. 

Speaking of cooking and food, she's not a fan of the eating. Or at least actual food, she loves all of her melts, cheerios (Joe O's since we love the Trader Joe's), and all the baby food options that are crunchy but anything else is a big "no, thank you". We've talked to a few friends who also had this issue with their kids and it was a texture thing. She wants crunchy not mushy and with her new bottom teeth, she's on her way to big girl crackers soon!

We've also pretty much got the sleeping down. She prefers an earlier 7pm bedtime which is awesome to get stuff done but sucks since I don't get home until 6 or after and I miss her. Look at her, who wouldn't miss her?! We've had a few regression nights but mostly because there was too much daytime excitement to stick with her regular bottle schedule and she was hungry. Seems reasonable but hard on Daddy since he does the nightly feedings.

All in all, it's been an incredible 10 months and I've loved all of it - except that giant poop in the back woods of Missouri because that was just ick - she's the best baby we could've had and it's such a joy and privilege to be her Mommy. I love you Sophy bear, I can't wait to see what the next 10 months bring!

Merry, Merry

Santa brought some serious goodies to Sophy although she was showered with presents from friends and family. Her favorite was the cardboard box from Grandma and Granddad with her super cute coats. She did play with everything and has a few favorites - future photo ops!

Sophy and Santa - Northpark Santa is definitely THE BEST Santa. We did the legwork.

Merry Christmas from the Huff's - Rolland, Amy and Sophy!

So grateful for this Christmas with our family in town and our first with Sophy. She's definitely the best gift we've ever gotten and love her more everyday. Also, cute alert since she got lots of new clothes for Christmas. Happy Christmas - hope yours was also glorious on this White Christmas!

Little of this little of that

It's been crazy at our house. Everyone's been sick off and on with Sophy's ear infections finally reaching the breaking point. We had tubes put in last Thurs and it seems to have helped. She's also officially teething with two tiny little teeth on the bottom row. It's pretty adorable except for the crying because it hurts part but baby Tylenol works wonders. I've also been sick with some weird flu/bronchitis combo that finally seems to be letting up slightly. Thankfully in time for Christmas or I was going to lose my mind. We're almost completely done shopping in our house with only a couple of straggler gifts coming in the mail. There was time to squeeze in some officially family photos and I'm loving them. I think I've filled every frame I've collected in the house and looking at adding some more to the collection. It's a pyramid scheme this cute baby. First the super cute clothes, then the toys and accessories then the photos for documenting cute outfits next photo display options, never ending! In case you don't believe me. Here's proof of the cuteness of said baby.

Cute Gift Idea

My Target love has a rival. Trader Joe's. Love, love, love Trader Joe's and it's a grocery store the husband and I can agree on which makes it perfect. They also shower lots of attention on Sophy so more bonus points.

I picked up this little chocolate set on our visit yesterday and am thinking this would make a cute little gift for her teacher's at school with a few other goodies in a holiday bag. Also good for a little something for co-workers and especially awesome since it's less than $5 bucks. Greatness.

Target Love

I'm pretty sure that if you've ever spent 5 minutes with me I would wax poetic about my love of Target. It would come up, somehow, in nearly any conversation that I'm fairly certain I can find anything at Target (and Costco) (and Trader Joe's) but all things pretty and good live at Target. My husband does not agree but humors me. 

I was up early, even earlier than reasonable for the mama of a 9 month old, showered dressed and a few items perused online (with one purchase for the gold pouch seen below) all by 6 am. Yep, I AM CRAZY! I couldn't wait to check out the Neiman Marcus/Target collaboration. After all the build up and hype I was there at 8:01 while Rolland and baby picked up breakfast tacos. Helpful store employees pointed the way (nothing like the Missoni nightmare of 2011) and there were only a few of us there getting first pick.  I ended up sticking with my favorite Marc Jacobs and getting another pouch (rosegold and super pretty) and a scarf. All of which was still pretty pricey.

They had a couple more interesting items and I was all set to pick up a Jason Yu Christmas dress for Sophy and decided it was just too frivolous even for me! The bar sets were also interesting but a $50 and up price point was a non-starter. See, I'm being fiscally responsible right there.

Now I'm obsessing with the online furniture portion of the store and the Blu Dot collaboration. Loving some of those modern pieces and in turquoise. My poor husband. OY.

Thwack ....

Uhm, noted. Smack in the head from the universe in the form of a post by Anne Lamont. Go here for your own personal smack in the head.

Happy Thanksgiving

It's a quiet day at our house but with lots of tasty food planned and a little decking of the halls. I'm thankful for this little cutey everyday along with her Daddy who is also a cutey. I'm thankful for family and friends, that we have good jobs, house, cars, food and rarely consider the price of milk before purchasing. For a lot of people that's a huge luxury and easy for us to take for granted. During this holiday season help out when you can with whatever you can do. Happy Thanksgiving!

Austin day trip and a Wedding

We had a quick day in Austin last weekend and it was 50/50 in terms of super fan to pain in the ass. We had intended to get there on Friday evening for a rehearsal dinner, we went down for our friends Suzanne and Jairy who got married (woo hoo!), but a giant nail in the tire foiled that plan. We did finally make it to find our room was not what we hoped with an incredibly uncomfortable bed and a questionable pack and play with stains we ignored and covered in blankets.  The weather and wedding was beautiful and I have a few pics on the point and shot but so far it's been crazy busy so these are right now all you're getting are the few pics from my phone. Say what you want about smartphones taking over our lives, but without my iphone I would never have any pics in any kind of a reasonable time frame.

Sophy and Daddy getting ready to head out for breakfast. Sophy is pointing out the view of Austin. I also enjoy this one since you can't see the Movember (or the John Holmes tribute mustache) growth yet. It's for a good cause and all but seriously, hate Movember and Rolland loves how much I hate it. There may have been giggling. I'm sure this will be a thing they will both drive me crazy about when she's older and has expanded her come by it honest family taunting gene.

Snuggling at the Elizabeth Street Cafe which was fantastic! It was on a really lovely street with awesome cafe tables on the patio. I'm already plotting a pea gravel cafe area off our covered patio. As soon as we get gutters and a reasonable plan for backyard decorating. sigh.

She is a big girl and loves her sippy cup. I can't believe she is sitting in high chairs all on her own. Still refusing most food even the fancy glazed donuts.

Rolland's breakfast pho. He could eat pho everyday and be very very happy.

My daily breakfast of ham and cheese croissant and mexican coke. Seriously. Every morning and I love it! When I finally get croissant burn out it will be a sad day.

Fancy french glazed donuts that I wanted to love but they were just meh. They tasted doughy in a not done way vs a tasty uber tender kind of way. The glaze was sweet enough to immediately cause a toothache but was tasty.

Chewbeads are my new favorite thing and permanent go to baby gift. Pretty stylish for a rubber necklace and can entertain Sophy for a fair amount of time. At least to get most of your meal down.

Toy Joy in Austin! Love it and first visit where we could make Sophy purchases. We only selected two items on this visit. R2D2 lights for Daddy and Ice Bat with baby for Sophy. She's a fan.

This chair has dorm room written all over it and will not be coming home with us. Cute photo op though.

Oh my God tasty pizza from heaven! Seriously, this was soooo good I may have eaten all but 2 slices. Everything here looked good and unfortunately I don't remember the name. It was off of 2nd in Austin downtown across from the Wee baby store if that helps. How could you not find it with these clear and explicit directions?

Getting ready for wedding in dress my Mom made. There's also a jacket and super cute pics on the other camera.

Mommy and Sophy at lunch and at the wedding below.

The wedding was at Springdale Farm and totally magical. I made Suzanne's necklace that she wore and totally forgot to take pics. It was a lot of pressure since I wanted it to be perfect and ended up looking great. Her dress was incredible and the entire look was fantastic. They were both gorgeous and super cute.  No words for how happy I am for them and wish them nothing but love and happiness for a lifetime. Thanks for including us in your day!

Blue States Rule

and to that ... WOO HOO!

Love myself some Obamacare, Marriage Equality (not just civil unions but actual marriage equality), women's rights, and lots more democratic goodness.

Beadshow Update

These are my goodies from last weekend's bead show. It's also impressive that I'm posting this now, Wednesday, and not this weekend. I'm calling it significant progress. The show was incredibly disappointing with tiny vendor turn out. I think it's worth driving to Santa Fe for the much larger show and it's in Santa Fe which I'm determined to like if it kills me. It should be somewhere I love with all the arty goodness but the last trip was a nightmare. To be fair, it was in full on IVF stuff and no one was in the mood.

Anyhoo...really not comfortable with that phrase but also trying to embrace it. It's not going to stick, I can tell. Ok, for reals... better? Rolland found all the super cool beads from a specific vendor. He's awesome with the hunting and gathering even if he detests the outing. I"m hoping Sophy will acquire this skill as well. TWO of them hunting for treasures would be heaven.

I've got plans for these babies and am trying to overcome my hoarding tendencies which makes me buy like 10 of everything so I can use one without breaking into a sweat that I've lost some of my stash. I know, crazy. It's also why Sophy has had multiple purchases of the super awesome cute outfits in varying sizes... is there a support group for this?

Dallas Arboretum - Pumpkin Village

Continuing the trend, these are LAST weekend's pics from our outing to the arboretum with some friends. I posted most of the photos on Facebook (Mom, yours were via email :)) so I think the intranet is fully blanketed it with Sophy's adorableness in pumpkin village. I don't care. She's pretty adorable!The kid knows how to pose.

This weekend was not picture rife as we went to the Beadshow. Disappointing. And Northpark for pants for Rolland. Not disappointing but not picture worthy either. Sophy and I are both a little under the weather so we're laying low and resting up. Rolland did venture out last night to the parade on Oak Lawn but I have no pics of that either. Next year I think we'll venture out as a family. Definite pictures then. Happy Sunday!

Weekend Planning

Super excited that I know have Bouchon Bakery in my hot little hands! Well, depending on the recipe having hot hands wouldn't be a plus but I'm pretty sure you get that I love myself some hyperbole. I actually picked it up at Barnes and Noble yesterday with a my member discount it was $45 vs Amazon's $30 but I wanted to support one of the sole brick and mortar businesses left even if they are a giant chain but not $15 bucks worth. From now on, online ordering is it. Also, I clearly have a lot of pinions...also not surprising to anyone who knows me.





I'm also super excited that Beadfest is this weekend in Arlington. Larger shows are great for finding some harder to come by beads and findings. The International Gem Show is in Ft Worth in February and I've marked it on my calendar. I'm ready to spend some time in the studio to finish up a couple projects and then get started on some new goodies.

I got Solder Technique Studio: Soldering Iron Fundamentals for the Mixed Media Artist at B&N with a coupon - only exception to new frugal book buying policy - and want to make everything!



I'm back on the handmade bandwagon and want to make at least 1 thing for everyone for Christmas. The likelihood of this is a solid 20% especially with Sophy but we'll see. I can't wait until she's old enough and we can do projects together. Also, projects handmade by Sophy would be big hits with the fam for gifts.

Anyone else have fun weekend plans?

p.s. Cool weather has hit Texas and I got to wear my new motorcycle jacket and snuggle under extra covers. Baking and soup creation are on the docket as well. Also solid 20% on all of my weekend plans but dreaming of major productivity is almost as good as actual productivity.

Pink Isn't Always a Good Thing

My husband and I watched this documentary the other night and found it fantastic. It was really eye opening. It's easy to feel like we're doing our part when we buy all things pretty and pink. We don't have to do anything but buy stuff we normally would but just pink up the pink versions - and everyone knows how much I love myself some pink! - BUT, we don't always do the leg work to figure out if that purchase is really going where we think it is or for the amount we think it is. Does it do as much good as simply writing a check to a research organization? The example of Yoplait yogurt and sending in the pink lids which if eaten 3 times a day for the month of October actually only generates about $34.00 towards research vs how much they make from your purchasing that much yogurt. OY! Now, if you are going to purchase that yogurt in that amount anyway then why not but going out of your way to "support" the cause would be better served with a researched donation.

It was also incredible to realize how little we're really doing for prevention. It's crazy how much money has been raised and we know almost nothing more than ten years ago on the causes of breast cancer. It's insane.  

Also listening to this episode of Tell Me More on NPR about 3 women in various stages of breast cancer. Heartbreaking. As a new Mama I can't imagine having to tell Sophy I was sick, or even worse, dying when she's little and she wouldn't remember me. It's horrifying and ridiculous that we can't figure this out. 

Now, I'm just as upset about a lot of other things but this is the "month of awareness" so I'm sharing what's made me more aware. I know folks are tired of politics, tired of soap boxes, tired, tired, tired. Well, suck it. This is my blog and I'm tired too. A 7 and 3/4's baby going through sleep regression is exhausting. Again, suck it up. This might not be your issue but I bet you have one and we should all do more to support those: volunteer, write a check, even donate old clothes, coats, etc to organizations you do support. 

... and now I'm done.

Halloween Party Pics: The Guests

So the only pics I didn't get are ones of us. Oy. I only managed glimpses of Rolland but I promise he was there!

JJ and Sophy

Andrew and Sean had some baby time. To be fair, Nolan is in fact his baby so he was really being a total baby hoarder and not spreading the baby love. But I did get in some snuggles with the cutie. Sophy didn't care. She was OBSESSED with Sean. JJ, Sean's wife, called him Sophy's boyfriend. Super cute.

Sophy in her devil costume for about 2.5 mins. I am choosing to not post the outraged angry baby pics.

Full size shot of Sophy

The Siegel's in super cute pirate and parrot wear. Seriously adorable.

Elizabeth and Devin. Mother nature and her little ladybug were beyond cute.

Group pic but Mae is primarily featured. Cutest little cowgirl Jesse.

Jeff and Randall. Jeff was incredibly authentic in his costume. Randall was incredibly patient with Jeff and his costume. :)

Randall and Eric. Eric and I bonded over our love of Ina Garten and the love of orange tulips.  I've invited them over one weekend for patio dining with a Barefoot inspired meal. Jeff and Rolland can talk movies. Randall, Eric and I will talk food tv and decorating.

Mark, Kristen and Rolland's ear. Ugh. They were super cute and patient with the posing. I took a great pic of Mark and his wife Robin with the polariod but missed the point and shoot opportunity. I'm still working on the entertaining juggling. Next time, I'm setting out cameras for folks so they can get in on the fun.

See, I wasn't exaggerating. She LOVES him. Sound asleep after lots of giggling and playing with Nolan.

Sophy and I. Cute little hat from Target. I was a Steampunk, Hogwart's scullery maid/witch. IE odd choices thrown together but I mentioned costumes and was therefore required to think of something! Also, I had super cute grey skirt I've been trying to work out a good reason for wearing. Of course you can't see it so you just have to believe me, it's fabulous.

Since I'm a weekend behind, by next weekend I should have pics of Saturday's visit to the arboretum with The Siegel's. Never again visiting outside of first thing in the morning but cute baby photo ops were had.