Christmastime is here... happiness and cheer...

I always have a mental list of things that I want to do around the holidays to get in the spirit of things. You probably have yours, too. Hope you find some inspiration here if your list is rawther short. They are in no particular order- they're just all fabulous.

1. Watch holiday movies/TV. Big shocker, there. My top choices: Scrooged, One Magic Christmas, Meet me in St. Louis, Charlie Brown Christmas Special, The Grinch who Stole Christmas, and sometimes Little Women. Although I do love It's a Wonderful Life, I've been unable to find it in widescreen so I've skipped it the last few years.

2. Sit and watch the tree. My Mom and I would do this when I was young. Turn off all of the other lights and music. Sit, in quiet, and ponder its beauty. Along with this, decorating the tree is one of my favorite things. In this category, send and receive Christmas cards. I like to hang up a pretty ribbon somewhere and clip to it all of the cards we receive.

3. Downtown. This one packs a lot of bang for its buck because you get a lot of holiday in only a few square blocks. Of course, drop by Pioneer Courthouse Square to see the tree. I recommend this several times in December. People watch. Then wander Pioneer Place Mall and soak in the over-the-top decorations. Make Moonstruck Chocolates a part of this visit. Then mosey over to Macy's and look at Santaland. Forget the picture with Santa- too expensive. Just enjoy the flashback to childhood and the animatronic reindeer. Don't forget your hot chocolate stop to keep you going through this loop.

4. Powell's/Finnegan's. There's something about bookstores and toy shops around Christmas. Finnegan's has recently changed locations, so be prepared for a shock. Kids at Heart on Hawthorne is a good alternative. In fact, Hawthorne in general is very holidayish. Especially on December 10th when they have their "Holiday Stroll." Click on the link for details. There's a Powell's there, too, and fabulous Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Think they'll have Peppermint?

5. Drive around and look at Christmas lights. Fellow Portlanders, you know all about Peacock Lane. Skip that insanity and drive around your neighborhood. Get lost in the 'burbs looking at displays. Those are the best kind anyway.

6. Bake. Or enjoy someone else's baking. There are a few recipes that I especially reserve for this time of  year. For instance, apple crisp, rolled Christmas sugar cookies, buttermilk chocolate chip scones (a recent discovery last year), and cinnamon swirl bread. Mmm.

7. Zoolights. This is becoming a tradition since we've had Julia and have a zoo membership. Get there early when it opens on a weeknight if you want to avoid the craziness. Definitely hit the coffee stand for a hot beverage and bundle up! Rain gear is essential.

8. Christmas music. Don't overdo, but definitely get a taste. Sing your favorite songs when no one is listening. Get Frosty the Snowman stuck in your head. It's all good.

9. Church- if it's your thing. They're going to start breaking out the Christmas hymns. I don't love the Christmas Eve service, but I do enjoy the Christmas Pageant. This is a long-standing tradition at the First Unitarian Church that goes back nearly 90 years. I enjoy tradition, and apparently this year they are going to make some changes??!!? I hope they enhance the already inspiring production.

10. See some snow. Drive up to the mountain and do something mountainous, whatever that may be. We went sledding last year and it was great. If I were childless, I might opt for dinner at Timberline or some such thing. If you're feeling a little more Scroogy, then top this off by watching "The Shining" and dreaming about New Year's Eve.

Well, a top 10 list sounds pretty good. Sorry if they seem chiche. Holidays are all about rituals and traditions. I hope that you find yours this Christmas season.  

Knock, knock...

Apparently someone is at home, and they're being very quiet. This is pregnancy blog no. 2. Hopefully you aren't burned out already, but I'll keep it brief.

First, I forgot how many times you get asked, "How are you feeling?" when you're expecting. Seriously? How am I feeling? I start to think that I'm an invalid. It's nice of them to ask, but I really have nothing to say right now. I think I'm in that sweet spot between the first trimester ickiness and the 3rd trimester torture. I'll try to enjoy it while it lasts. Even if I werent' feeling great, what am I going to do? Launch into the excitement of wearing a maternity support brace? Peeing all the time? WADDLING? Somehow, I don't think they want to hear it. The good thing is that I'm definitely past the point of "Is she just fat or is she pregnant?" It's nice to be out there a little more so hopefully there isn't any doubt to the passerby.

16 Weeks!

The only other question on everyone's lips, "So have you found out yet?" Answer: No. I'm at 16 weeks as of today and the ultrasound won't be until 20 or 22 as I recall. Whenever anyone asks how I'm feeling, I automatically segue into the gender discussion to head them off at the pass. Oh yeah, question number 3 is usually, "What are you hoping for?" Answer: A baby.

I took Julia swimming today and was reminded of the excitement that a maternity swimsuit can bring. I'm pretty sure that I look like a giant black monstrosity. Lets just say that it's less than flattering, but do I want to buy something else? Not really. Women who wear bikinis while pregnant make me want to throw up. What else makes me want to throw up? Women who don't get one stretch mark after blowing up like a giant balloon. Lets just say that bikinis are definitely NOT an option. Ever.

I also have been trying to combat the feeling that I should be doing something right now. Last time around I think I had already bought a bunch of baby clothes, was carefully researching cribs, and had started on a pregnancy journal. Well, I think I started to feel guilty so I did start a pregnancy/baby journal of sorts. It's actually a Golden book of Hansel and Gretel that was made into a blank book. Thank you, Powell's. I think it's sweet because it has both a little boy and girl on the front and includes the whole story before the blank pages begin.

Illustrated by Eloise Wilkin. Love it.

So far, I've recorded how we found out and things like that. I looked back at the pregnancy journal that I had done for Julia and found it very cute that my Mom had the exact same reaction with Julia as she did with this one: "Really?" Apparently, she is consistent! Shout out to amazing Mom and Grandma here.

Also looking forward to beginning the "Baby movie series" at movie night with Katie, Marla, and Marie! My fabulous friends concocted the ultimate list of baby movies and we are going to watch one a month up until April. Some of my favorites on the list? "She's Having a Baby" and "Father of the Bride 2."

In general, things are pretty good. Hope they're going well in your world, too. I'm super looking forward to a week off for Thanksgiving and then the whole Christmas season. I completely don't mind that some radio stations are already playing the Christmas music and that the stores are decked out already. I just bask in it. Dug out the Christmas book stash today (I seriously freaked out for about half an hour when I couldn't find where I had hidden them) and can't wait to decorate. I'll try to hold off until the day after Thanksgiving. Lets all just remember that Christmas doesn't come from a store. For me, it really isn't about the shopping (which I keep very minimal), but about the experiences. Zoolights, seeing THE tree, Macy's Santa Land, driving around to look at lights, the Christmas Pageant, Christmas movies, baking, etc. I think I might just have to buy baby a stocking.   

Zoolights 2010