Sunday, December 17, 2017

Deerly Beloved

PEOPLE. I am so excited right now! As I type this, my parents are up in the air, on their way to Chicago for an indefinite period of time. By the time you read this, they'll be here! And Jeff and I couldn't be happier! It was such a blessing to have them with us when we brought the baby home from the hospital, and since they left, she's grown and changed so dramatically that she hardly seems like the same person.

banned green peter pan collar cardigan

Jeff and I are really looking forward to sneaking out for a few non-baby-friendly festive activities. With Grandma and Grandpa around, we'll be able to go to the Christkindlmarket again (!!!), and most importantly, see the new Star Wars movie! (I told a few of my coworkers that Star Wars is the true love of my life, and I was maybe 65% joking.)

I'm also so happy that with my parents here, I'll be able to watch Love Actually with other people without enduring mocking commentary the entire time. (Jeff has Strong Opinions about movies. It's something I love about him, but I've just had to accept that we'd never see eye to eye on Love Actually or anything Pixar.)

Bernie Dexter holiday reindeer dress

I'll admit that I haven't really been able to get too excited about the holidays this year, but that changed as soon as my parents said they could visit. I'm used to spending the holidays in New York with my family, cooking Christmas dinner and losing my dad's money during family poker on New Year's Eve, so I was feeling pretty sad that we wouldn't be heading east. Penny really is too young to take on a plane, particularly during flu season, but it was still a wrench to decide to stay in Chicago for Christmas.

Now that they're coming, I'm feeling much more like myself: excited to cook something special on Christmas Day, eager to listen to the Muppet Christmas album, and motivated to get a teeny-tiny tree for our apartment. While I know this Christmas will differ from last year in some pretty hard-to-take ways, it'll be much easier to cope with those changes if I can see my parents in person rather than through an iPhone screen. I'm particularly excited to see the baby's reaction when she realizes the faces she sees on Facetime every day belong to actual people!

Dress: Bernie Dexter
Belt: Vixen by Micheline Pitt
Cardigan: Banned (via Modcloth)
Shoes: Zulily

What are you doing for Christmas this year?

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3 comments:

  1. It feels like ages since I've read your blog posts but I'm so happy that the pregnancy went okay and your baby girl is well! I can't wait to see all of the cute outfits you dress her in - you HAVE to twin coordinate one day, it'll be adorable to see you both in the same patterns!

    I can't wait to watch the new Star Wars film! I really hope it isn't overly hyped, and I've been good at avoiding spoilers. We have to talk about it once you've seen it as well!

    I'm so happy that your parents can visit you for Christmas, because now you can get into that festive feeling! And what a lovely outfit to kickstart it! I adore that deer pattern.

    Lizzie Bee // Hello Lizzie Bee

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  2. What a fun new experience - Christmas in Chicago. I love that they are here with you and I know the new grandparents are basking in Penny glow as they get to spend more time with her. How nice!!!! YES, go have some date nights and enjoy yourselves when you can!! You so deserve it, Mama!

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  3. Aw - what a sweet first Christmas for your little one <3
    Merry Christmas Emily - lots of love to your family!

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