Why Christmas is Just a Bunch of BS

Yeah, you know, Big Smiles, “BS”. What did you think I meant?

Obviously Christmas, or whatever you celebrate, usually means spending time with loved ones, enjoying good food, and giving and receiving gifts.

Translation: being forced to see the in-laws (but not me, love you, Steve and Kathy!), not always having an ideal choice of food (yes, I’m very particular), and the gifts are something we’ve all stressed over for who knows how long leading up to the one day.

But nonetheless, it really is a wonderful time, and no matter the stress or less-than-ideal situation you may be in, Big Smiles are typically found in most homes on this holiday. I hope to see all of my friends and family exchanging BS all day, and I know I’ll give my fair share of BS as well.

We can all find at least one good reason to show off our dimples, so make sure to do it today, and do it well! I have many reasons to smile big today, and our lovely little family is at the top of the list. Last year on Christmas, we had a squishy little baby..

Liley Family Christmas 2013

….and this Christmas she’s far from squishy!

Squishy? Squish THIS!!!
Squishy? Squish THIS!!!

Okay, so that’s not exactly a Christmas pic, but it was taken this month.  But I think I made my point; our little Avery is growing!

And now it’s time for presents at our house with G-Ma and Uncle Preston, and then we’re heading to the in-laws (which I enjoy wholeheartedly!) for 2nd Christmas. I get to bring roasted Brussels and can’t wait to fill my plate with those tiny cabbages!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a lot of BS!

What are your big reasons for showing a lot of BS today?

How to “Walk the Walk” As A Baby

Hmmm, daddy’s shoe is pretty cool, I wonder if I want to take it….

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Oh, hello there, baby peers. Have you started walking yet?

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That’s cool if you haven’t, but you’re really missing out. I just started and I’m already working on my dance moves.

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Remember when I talked about surviving the first 5 months of your life? Or when I shared my thoughts as a crawling baby? Well, that was cool and all, but I’m obviously past all of that “child’s play”.

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And it’s freakin’ awesome…..Haaayyyyyy!

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Okay, just had to get that out of the way. I’m done.

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Just kidding, one more time!! Heeyyy…..Oooohhhh!!

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Seriously, I’m done now.

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Now that we’ve established I can walk *cough* and dance *cough*, I’ve noticed an increase in my ability to get what I want and figured I share a few of them with you other, less advanced, babies. I’ve even been taking notes in my cool book to remember all of my new findings.

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First off, as a walker, you can reach things you never could when you were floor-bound. Speaking of, I’m a little hungry, let me just grab something from the fridge. Oooo, I see a nice jar of NuttZo calling my name!

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It’s okay, daddy bought it, but it’s mine because I said so. I even had him make me some tasty Pumpkin NuttZo Oatmeal Bread like this.

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Since I’m high-maintenance, I care for sugar laden food in my diet, so I make sure he only sweetens with high quality stevia like Pyure Sweet. Another tasty dish daddy made is this chocolate black bean puree with NuttZo and Pyure Sweet mixed in.

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Before I eat, I need to take my shirt off so I don’t get it messed up.

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It’s my choice, I swear, I like to keep my clothes clean! C’mon, dad, I’m trying to give advice here, hurry with food!

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Ahhh, seriously?! Can’t you just get one good spoonful in my mouth? This is annoying and embarrassing when I’m trying to talk here! We’re done, put it up, dad, I’m leaving.

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See, when you’re walking, you can be more upfront and demanding. Plus, if you don’t like how something is being done, now you have more options in expressing your disdain. For example, since daddy sucked at getting the food in my mouth, I’m going to move this stool in front of the fridge.

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Yep, that’ll show him. And I still have my shirt off even though I’m a girl. Like I said, whatever I want, I do! Grrrrr!

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I am also learning to take matters into my own hands. If I am trying to play and find that something around me stinks, I make a point to find the source.

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Obviously, if you’re smart like me, you go to the trash first.

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But nope, can’t find anything there. Maybe under the rug?

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Negative. I hate to admit it, but I’m a little stumped.

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This is a good time to bring up another pointer; when you begin to question whether you have what it takes to rule the house, go find something and pick it up.

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The bigger the better, and try walking it with it if you can.

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If you’re as good at ruling as I am, go for a one-hander and make sure mommy and daddy sees you in all of your glory!

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Uhhh, crap, I think that just helped me find the source of the stench from earlier. It’s in my diaper. Which bring me to another thing I’ve picked up on………I can take my diaper off whenever I want!

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If I’m in the kitchen and feel like pulling it off, well, I’m gonna do just that! Mommy and daddy reallllly don’t like this, so I do it more. For some reason, when my diaper is smelly and I take it off, that means I have to take a bath. I don’t understand exactly, but I like baths anyway.

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Even if I’m enjoying the bath, I keep my parents in check by showing them what happens if they make me mad.

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What? You think I’m kidding?

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I NEVER kid!

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One time, daddy was being annoying with the camera….

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I told him to stop or I’d eat the turtle’s (his favorite animal) head.

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When I heard the camera shutter after I warned him, I showed him I was serious!

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Then I slowly started walking (because I can do that now) closer to him to show the now headless turtle. But….

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Surprise, I never bit the head off!

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You might think I chickened out, but in reality, my reasoning is two-fold. Smiling and pretending to be cute makes your parents forget all bad that you have done, and I enjoy the tasty food they hand me.

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Because, without the food, I resort to my sleeve, and that just doesn’t taste as good.

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In sum, as a walking baby, you have to make freedom for yourself. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself stuck in your crib with a stuffed bear all day.

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So heed my advice, babies, or suffer the consequences. You have been warned!

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Hurry, there’s Still Time to Buy Crap for People before Christmas!

Is your e-mail inbox still being constantly bombarded by ads claiming “there’s still time but you have to hurry and order NOW!”?

I enjoy giving and getting “crap” every year, but not to the point where I’m having digestive issues from the severe stress of not having bought a super popular Elsa from “Frozen” doll like everyone else is getting this year. Okay, so Avery has no clue about cartoons or movies yet, but hopefully you get my drift.

If you’ve so much as thought about shopping at an online site, it probably seems like your brainwaves fed into your computer’s internet cookies and businesses are using your e-mail address to solicit potential business before it’s too late and you’re totally screwed and all of Christmas is ruined! Or something to that effect. 🙂

The above ad is one of the numerous e-mails littering my inbox with desperate attempts to catch those who procrastinated and are desperate to purchase gifts for others. I think this, along with all of the countless pleas by companies to win your last minute shopping business is PATHETIC!

True, I buy things for friends and family every Christmas, but I simply cannot stand the constant marketing claiming they have what you need to make this Christmas special as they twist your arm into feeling guilty for maybe not having bought enough or nothing at all for that 2nd cousin.

What if, now hear me out here, we quit worrying so much about getting things (read, crap) for others and maybe just give them some of your time? Yeah, like sit and talk, have a meal or just a drink with them and enjoy the moment. In the grand scheme of things, that time you spend together will last a lifetime. The item you rushed to buy? Probably not as long.

Make no mistake, I’m not claiming to be perfect or saying I’ve always done this myself, but I plan on doing it now. Like I said, I’ll buy things that have meaning, make it if/when I can, but also focus more on time as a wonderful gift. Unless you have very materialistic friends and relatives, they might appreciate it more than anything you can buy.

If you must buy something, buy a gift card to a nice coffee shop or restaurant and specify that it’s to use for you and that person or a group of people together.

You get it; focus less on the stressful rush to buy crap, and more on time with those you care about. As a super-major-gigantic plus, spending time instead of money is affordable for anyone. That is, unless, you have little ones that just started walking. Then you might have less time… 🙂

Umm, did you want in the fridge or something?
Umm, did you want in the fridge or something?

Yeah, every day is something new that requires Going Mom and I to figure out a solution. But it’s so worth it and I love seeing Avery walking around everywhere and discovering new abilities. Well, maybe not the outlet plug covers and never mind the fact that she’s constantly running into my legs and appearing out of no where behind me. They’re a lot quieter when on their feet as opposed to their hands and knees making a constant pitter-patter to announce they are coming!

So, this Christmas (and all other holidays/birthdays/special occasions), spend a little quality time with those you care about and don’t worry so much if you didn’t buy some material item.

Please, don’t let these stupid commercials claiming they have the deals to make this a “special Christmas” get to you. A REAL special Christmas is being together and enjoying time.

Have I mentioned to focus on quality time with loved ones? 🙂

Do you fall victim to the last-minute ads/shopping?

Have you tried just offering your time instead of purchased gifts?