Obligatory End-of-Year Post (Warning: Slightly Fartwarming)

Yes, I finally did it.  I used the word "fartwarming" in a post.  My husband will be so proud (Get it?  Heartwarming ... fartwarming ... because it is "lame" to be heartwarming.  What can I say?  My husband is a boy.)

Anyway, it's been quite a year.  Last year I did the Best of 2009 Challenge, and looking back on it was certainly entertaining.  I had time to do ridiculous things like read books and take on challenges and make improvements to the place I live.  Ha!  

Now I have a BABY and the world revolves around her.  While my back hurts and my brain hurts and my heart has hurt from time to time, I could not be happier that my world is ALL Josephine, ALL the time.

My biggest challenge this year?  Being a mom.  My biggest joy this year?  Being a mom.  The best night of 2010?  Having my baby.  The biggest improvement made to our home?  Having our baby in it.  My favorite book of 2010?  The one with the crinkly pages and teether corners that Josephine loves to chew on.

I warmed you:  Schmoopy.  But oh-so-true.

Last year I gave you a montage of photos from the best day in 2009, and it was my wedding day.  This year, the montage of photos is of my little girl growing up.

2009

2010

Thanks, 2010.  You were a hell of a year.

What a Difference a Year Makes

It's really hard to believe that last Christmas I had only known for two days that I was pregnant for the first time.  It was such an amazing and hopeful time.  It's even harder to believe that I went from this:

to this:

in one short year, and the hope and love and excitement I felt last year was intensified by a billion this Christmas.  

 

 

 

We had a beautiful, wonderful, amazing first Christmas for our little girl, and I truly hope all of yours were just as special.

You're Welcome

I know there are some of you out there who are scrambling for last-minute gifts, and I am here to help, people.  


Now, I'm actually ruining Christmas for my family and friends since they all got one of these gifts (or two or three, IF they're my favorites), but I am THAT dedicated to my readers.  I want you all to be as wonderful at gift-giving as I am.


Awesome gift #1:  Did you know that the infamous Shake Weight is now available in the "man" version?  Give the men in your life the satisfaction the men in this commercial are experiencing.

If you have not seen this commercial yet, please, for the love of god, watch at least the first 12 seconds.  Please.  You will not be disappointed.  This is a REAL commercial, people, not a parody.

Awesome gift #2:  Snuggies for humans are so last year.  Your dog needs a Snuggie in order to be as relaxed and happy as this dog.

I mean, come on!  Man's best friend deserves the best, right?  And as the commercial points out, there are really no practical alternatives.

Awesome gift #3:  Seeing the commercial for Easy Feet made me realize how difficult it really is to reach your own feet.  I mean, bending over?  Who can do that? 

As the commercial asks, "How DO you clean your feet?  You bend, stretch, and you can't reach!"  Yes, how DO you clean your feet?  I know I have just given up.  Bring cleanliness back to your loved ones and "LITERALLY change the way you bathe FOREVER!"

Awesome gift #4:  I know jeggings are all the rage these days, but I still need COMFORT along with my fashion.  Pajama jeans are the fabulous solution to that conundrum.

Looks like denim, but feels like PJs!  Not only stylish and sexy, but soft and comfortable!  In my opinion, I wouldn't limit this gift to the ladies on your list.

Awesome gift #5:  Why have a boring old pillow when you can have a PILLOW that is also a PET??

Okay, confession:  I actually just want one of these.  It's probably leftover jealousy from never having a pillow person like DJ on Full House (I wanted the one that looked like a window).

Plus, that commercial gets stuck in your head.  "It's a PILLOW.  It's a PET.  It's a PILLOW PET!!"

Get shopping!  Don't give a boring gift card when you can get one of these wonders!  Enjoy your last few shopping days, folks!

Quick Request

Hey all,


I'm working on a special Etsy Saturday edition featuring the shops of all my friends -- in real life and bloggy-style.


I'm already aware of some of your shops (i.e., Melissa, Sara, Hayley, Arlene, and Sarah), but I might not know of some others.  If you have a shop, let me know about it either in the comments or send me an e-mail @ veronicachunkymonkey {at} gmail {dot} com.


Thanks!

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Well, it's official.  My mom and dad always warned me I would have a daughter EXACTLY LIKE ME.  And apparently I do.  I made a little mini-me, in terms of temperament.  

I discovered this when my mom brought over my baby book for me to look through.  In the "4 month milestones" section, my mom wrote:

LIKES:  Being naked!

DISLIKES:  sleeping, naps, not getting her own way, not being able to do things she thinks she should be able to do.

Karma, people.  It's for real.