No Wrapping Yet!

This Christmas is very different from any other for me: it is the first year that I don't have finals (yay!) and it is the first with a baby.  Any hopes that I had of this year being stress free and of having my shopping/baking done early and without much effort on my part have been . . . dashed.

Don't get me wrong--this holiday season has been AWESOME and Natalie has been a champ as she's been dragged along on all day shopping trips (yes, trips as in plural trips) with my mom--but I am so worn out now that I'm finding things to do to avoid wrapping presents.  Shopping?  Check.  Baking? Check.  Wrapping?  For some reason the pile of presents that I'm excited to give (don't  get me wrong--keeping them a secret from the recipients has been KILLING ME) is like a black cloud looming over my head.  Sooner rather than later, I've GOT to get around to it, but not right now.

For now, I think I'll brew another pot of coffee and enjoy this delightful face for a while longer.

Another Card to the Deck

Ever heard the phrase "You've just lost your man card" said to a guy who has done something that is considered less than masculine?  Why don't we ever hear about woman cards?  And why are said cards (whether the existing male version or the newly invented female one) always taken away and not given?

Every so often, I do something that makes me think, "NOW I am a real woman."  My latest addition to my rolodex of "woman cards"?  I made a turkey.  My first.  Wow.  The only thing that I could think of when I pulled it of the oven (aside from how beautiful it looked) was how utterly and femininely accomplished I felt.  Not that men can't cook turkeys . . . but you get my point.  As I type, turkey stew is simmering in the  crock pot and my husband is likely enjoying his turkey sandwich for lunch at work.