Presents aren't everything.

This year my side of the family has decided not to exchange presents.  The only presents will be for Teagan & Kyra.  Teagan is going to be hilarious this year and I can't wait to see her face as she opens the presents and then more then likely plays with the paper instead.  Oh well, who needs presents when you have pretty paper?
I was telling Josh the other night that a few years ago the idea of not getting presents at Christmas, especially from my own parents, would have made me upset.  Downright angry actually.  I was a selfish brat and I am willing to admit it.  It's funny how having a family of my own has changed my way of thinking.  This year I'm not bothered by the no present thing.  The lack of material things.  I can't wait to head to our hometown and see my side of the family for goodies and some "oldie-goldie dancin'" before going to Josh's parents for a Christmas Eve story.  To let Teagan hear how Jesus was born in a manger just one more time for good measure.  I can't wait to share Christmas day with our family.  I can't wait for our families to come over and see Teagan and Kyra.  To love on them and play with them and to just be.  That's it.  That is probably the most awesome present I could receive this year.

Sweet presents from faraway friends.

Teagan and I have both been very lucky when it comes to meeting people through the blogoshpere.  She and I both have made several sweet friends whom we can't wait to meet face to face someday soon!  Teagan has received some sweet mail the last week and we wanted to show you all some of this fun stuff!

First, Teagan got a package from her sweet penpal, Eva.  Nessa over at Moments & Impressions and I have been talking for a while and I can't wait to hug her sweet neck in person! Eva recently sent Teagan sidewalk chalk and finger paints! Teagan used the finger paints to make Father's Day presents and she loves playing with the sidewalk chalk! I managed to grab a picture of her latest artwork before it rained the other day!

Then there is sweet Getty! Her mom, Kate, and I seem to be kindred spirits.  Each existing from a different coast of the US.  One of these days I will get to hug her neck too! I can't wait! She has such a strong life force about her! She is definitely a lady you want on your side! Her sweet Getty is bravely fighting SMA.  If you don't know what SMA is then visit their website or search for it on my blog.  I've written about it a few times.  Trust me, once you read about Getty, your heart will have a permanent lasso around it and you won't be able to get out!  But realize, this is not a bad thing!  Kate has recently decided to start an Etsy shop where all the proceeds will go to the Getty Owl Foundation.  She asked if Teagan could be a "test owl" for some of the items she is going to sell.  I instantly agreed! She sent Teagan a matching pillow and blanket! Teagan loved it so much that she pulled it out of the box and laid down in the middle of the kitchen floor with it! She is such a ham!

Teagan's Christmas

Well, in about 23 days Teagan will be celebrating her first Christmas.  This time last year she was celebrating inside my belly.  This time last year I had my hospital bag almost packed and anxiously got through Christmas wondering with each weird feeling if we were going to have a Christmas or New Years baby. 
As Christmas approaches this year Josh and I have had numerous conversations on what we will get Teagan for Christmas.  Josh has jokingly (well, probably not really) said he is just going to wrap a box up for her because she will get more joy out of a box then most anything else we could get her.  Honestly, he is probably right.  We've decided that Teagan isn't going to get a lot for Christmas because we don't want her thinking presents is what Christmas is about and to be frank she will be 11 mths and is not going to remember that we didn't get her a million things for her first Christmas or that we did.  Each set of grandparents has gotten her one big thing and I'm sure a few little things.  Josh and I have bought her an adorable stuffed owl from Dwell Studios that when I opened the box I actually squealed a little bit.  It was also all I had not to give it to her right then.  Josh will be making Teagan shelves for her room that go along with the new theme we have started in there.  I've bought her a few stocking stuffers and she will get some books.  That is pretty much all she will be getting from us.  She has enough clothes and toys and has never gone with out.  I "rotate" her toys she she never gets bored with them. 
Are there things I've found that I just wanted to jump on and buy her that very second? Yes.  There are so many things I would love to give to her but honestly it's pointless right now.  We don't have a lot of storage space and we aren't rolling in the Benjamin's so "stuff" is something we are trying to do without.  I have to admit it has been an adjustment for me because I am quite the shopaholic.  I have a hard time passing up any kind of sale and feel like Teagan or I "need" everything I see and like. 
I don't want this post to sound all "holier then thou" because it's not.  It's a decision Josh and I made as parents.  I just remember growing up having and entire playroom of toys and to this day I can only remember 10 out of probably hundreds.  I don't want that to be Teagan.  I want her to appreciate everything she has.  Sure she will still have her favorites but I don't want her to have a bunch of unused or unwanted toys laying around the house.  We will also probably do the "clean out" process after Thanksgiving every year to make room for the new stuff.  If there is stuff she doesn't love anymore then why not give it to somebody who might want to love it for a while? 
Anyway, this post went a little longer then I'd hoped.  Here is that adorable owl she is getting for Christmas this year:

Stuffed Owl from Dwell Studios