The Russian Dance

Every year in school, we would perform our version of "The Nutcracker". Each year we would be asked to play different roles, but one of my most favorite to watch and perform was the Russian Dance. The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann called "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King". It did not become a ballet until 1892, when composer Tchaikovsky, and choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov turned it into the magical performance we love and cherish today. The joy it brings me to watch this performance...I want to be a ballerina when I grow up!

The Snowman

This is one of my most favorite Christmas movies. If you have not seen it, I recommend watching it this holiday season!

A Tiny Giggle

Why they are cantaloupes of course!

A Simple Christmas

Our Christmas tree.

This year I am thankful for the little things. There is so much magic during the holiday season. I am not buying many gifts, most will be made. I am focusing on other things that make my holiday special. Things like packing ourselves into the car late at night to see all of the Christmas lights. Cookies! Hot Chocolate! Laying under the Christmas tree. The smell of pine. Making snowmen. Christmas crafts (I still make paper snowflakes!). My mom was so good at making things special for us. We made gingerbread houses, and filled oranges with cloves. Those are my most fond memories. I hope to reproduce that magic in my own daughters life. Teaching her to enjoy the simple pleasures, and to never get sucked into the "material" holiday. Remember to make the season magical! Happy Holidays!

The Calm Before the Storm

I know I haven't written in awhile. I have had a totally crazy month, getting ready for the baby, my baby shower, and the holidays. I am not complaining, because it is all very fun. It is definitely starting to catch up with me a little, because I am usually asleep on my couch in front of the TV by 8pm. In the middle of my favorite shows, my head will bob, and then before I know it my husband is waking me up to go to bed. The other day I woke up at 3am, made my husbands lunch, and then jumped back in bed, only to stare at the ceiling for the two hours I had left to sleep.

Things have just been hectic in my mind. I think I have hit a temporary writer's block. I can't think about anything but preparing and organizing things in my life. My thought is that this is the calm before the storm. That, for the next month and a half, my life is going to be pretty uneventful....and then the baby will come! I think then, that I will have more to write about.

I will say that I have become more mentally prepared for childbirth. The bigger my belly gets, the more I just want to get the labor and delivery over with already! I don't care if it hurts, the anticipation of such an event is too much to bear any longer! Now, If only I could figure out a name for this little girl...I have looked everywhere, and found no name that stands out for me. What a challenge.

Mexican.....or Chinese?

I read somewhere that Chihuahua's might have actually originated in China, and not Mexico. What do you think?

Time for Tunes Tuesday!

Recently I have been hunting down some really great music to play during my labor. I want music that is unique, and soothing, but not something that blends into the background too much. It really needs to distract me. Here are the few songs I have come up with so far...all of which are on a play list at the bottom of the page!

U2: The Unforgettable Fire
I could list any U2 song here, because they are all awesome! But this is my favorite. The song is empowering, and makes you want to tap your feet and bob your head while singing into your hairbrush.

Sigur Ros: Saeglopur
This song is so melodic and is totally a song I can just zone out to.

Filter: Take A Picture
Who doesn't remember this song? I love songs that I haven't heard in years. I might actually have my husband make a CD of music from the 80's and 90's for me to listen to. This way I won't ever know what songs to expect and it will always be a wonderful surprise!

Lali Puna: Faking the Books
I am going to save this song for when I really need to mellow out a little.

Yelle: Je Veux Te Voir
Gotta love the French! I just can't help but love this song!

Jose Gonzalez: Heartbeats
This is a remake of a song by The Knife, but I love this version so much more.

Does anyone have any other song suggestions for me?