The Hollen Home | Christmas 2014

This blog would not be complete without some photos of our Christmas decorations. I toned it down a lot more this year than the years past. Most of that is due to the fact that all of the decorations were either put up at nap time or bed time for baby. I do think I want to revamp my decorations next year and try and snag some sale items after Christmas this year. It's time. I did buy a few ornaments this year though and for the second year in a row, we are rocking the white Christmas tree. I love the white Christmas tree. Geoff the cat hasn't been too much of a terror when it comes to the tree this year. Marin also hasn't attacked the tree....yet. We also, of course, have Blinko in the kitchen. He is a tradition. 

I love this time of year and how cozy our home feels. 

Baby Marin | Week Forty Three (10 Months)

As of today, Marin is ten months old. I feel like this week has been super crazy and I have been running all over the place for work and the holidays. Lots of parties, events, meetings. All good things, but I am very glad to have a Thursday at home with this little gal. She is currently napping like a little champ.

She is extra drool-y today and we are still awaiting the arrival of a tooth. Someday it will happen. Someday.

Marin discovered the kitty door today that is in the door in our kitchen that leads out to our garage. That is not a place for babies and she knows that she isn't allowed out there. That realization makes it even more a part of her little baby agenda. Any chance she gets, she crawls as fast as she can to reach the kitty door. Geoff the cat just kind of looks at her like, "Hey, that's my room!"

She has surprised us lately and has been sleeping in later than usual. We didn't roll out of bed until after 8am today. The days of waking up at 3am or 5am have left us, at least for now. It has been a nice, welcomed change.

(A gal and her kitty buddy.) 

I can't wait for this time next week when Marin gets to experience her very first Christmas. I think she will enjoy the wrapping paper and boxes almost more than the gifts themselves. She was totally entertained with tissue paper for a very long time while I was wrapping gifts the other day. Simple distractions.

Week Forty Three. Ten Months.

Baby Marin: Week Thirty One

What a crazy week this has been! I can't believe what day it is as I write these words and prepare this post for your eyes. I blinked and here we are at Thursday afternoon and my to do list is a mile long. Good things have occurred this week though. Things of change. Things of new life.

Just this morning, I held my new nephew in my arms. I cannot wait for Marin to meet him. I forget how little she was when she was born. I also can't help but remember those first few nights in the hospital, all of the unknowns and new experiences. We had no idea what we were doing in all reality but so far we have made it to week thirty one of Marin's life.

Our cat, Geoff, has seemed to really take a new liking to Marin this past week. He is becoming more daring and wants to be around more often instead of just hanging out in his garage. Yes, HIS garage. She is army crawling super fast nowadays and he has some surprises coming his way, of that I am sure.

Week Thirty One.