Here Comes Santa Claus... Now Go Away

Christmas is right around the corner, and I for one cannot wait for it to just get here and then go away!  It's true: I don't like this time of year.

My husband likes to call me a Grinch, but I don't think I'm Grinchy.  I just don't really like this time of year.  The days are like a minute long with no sunlight, and it's cold outside.  The roads are clogged with holiday shoppers and it takes forever to just get some groceries.  Yes, this time of year is not my strong point.  Kinda makes me sad because I used to love Christmas as a kid.  Maybe next year will be different with my little man.  He'll be over a year old and more aware of things.  Right now, he's my little sweet, aloof loaf of bread. :)

Evan with his cousins: from left, Fiona, Amelia, Evan, and Clover

This picture was taken at the family lodge up at Penn State.  Steve's side of the family is exploding with kids. These four were all born this year!  It's nice his cousins will be pretty much the same age.  And he's the only boy!  He'll definitely be comfortable around girls.

I've also been getting some sketching done.  It's been crunch time because of Christmas, and I've managed to stay on top of things.

I did this sketch for Steve's cousin, Brian.  His dog recently passed away and we wanted to do something nice to commemorate her.  I was really happy with how it turned out.

Well, I hope to be able to touch base before Christmas comes.  I gotta run and feed Evan now.  We've started him on cereal!  He's doing pretty well with it so far!

-Nikki

Jolly Jumping Baby!

Steve ordered a Jolly Jumper for Evan recently.  These things are AWESOME!  Only sold in Canada, not distributed in the US (no idea why), Steve ordered it online and it was delivered yesterday.  Here's a pic of Evan enjoying his jolly jumping time!

He's just getting the hang of standing.  No jumping yet.  Can't wait for it!

-Nikki

Freedom!

Just dropped my little one off (along with 16 ozs of breast milk) with his grandma, and I have the day to myself!!!!!!!  This is so exciting!  I can actually get some much needed work done.

See, this is me, excited.

I so need a haircut. :)

It feels so good that I feel guilty.  I love my little man, but it's hard to get my work done with him.  Especially yesterday... he was quite demanding.  I consider myself a very lucky parent because my boy sleeps thru the night very well.  During the day, however, he is not so easy.  He gets bored quickly and always wants attention.  I don't mind giving it to him, but it's impossible to sketch or get work done on the computer.

Steve has the magic phone to keep Evan occupied.  He has the new Iphone 5, and he plays music videos for Evan constantly, which he LOVES.

Father and son... awww!

I did, however, manage to get a sketch done for my sister-in-law's brother.  It's a Christmas gift, and I'm almost positive he doesn't read my blog, so I can post the finished product.

Other than my eternal to-do list, things are going very well here at home.  Christmas is coming up, and I'm actually pretty much done shopping for gifts!

I'm off to get more work done.  Wish me luck!  Never enough time in the day.

-Nikki

Oh, the Holidays

Holy craziness!  I finally have a moment to breathe... it seems like the family has been on the go since Thanksgiving (which was lovely and full of babies!).  We celebrated Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's house, and between all of us, there are 3 babies from this year and one toddler from 3 years ago.  So, there was a lot of commotion with cries, feedings, and diaper changes.

I finally finished and sent off a sketch.  This dog's name is Nikki (me in dog form!) and was kind of a challenge for me to sketch.  I normally don't do full body sketches because they are time consuming.  But, I decided to do this one to stretch my artistic muscles.  Here's the finished product.

I always love the framed finished product.  Once I get the sketch in a frame, I feel so happy and proud of myself.  It's done!  I hope her owner enjoys it, too!

Other than sketching (I'm currently working on Christmas gifts, so I can't post those until I send them off), I've been busy with Evan and a million other things.  I'm almost done Christmas shopping, which is a shock!  Seems like with a kid I've slashed my buying list in half.

Evan's a little over 3 months now and he is getting so big!  I took a picture of the two of us the other day since it seems like we have NO photos together.

Me and my baby!

He loves his little saucer!  It's a good place for him to contemplate and take his morning poop. :)

I'll be back to share more sketches and other home projects I'm working on.  I've been scouring Craigslist and I purchased a few pieces of furniture.  So, I can share before and after pics with you!  Have a great rest of the weekend!

-Nikki

Talk About Slow...

My "to do" list is just piling up, and with a 3 month old I feel like I am moving in slow motion.  I've been working on my sketch off and on for the past few days, and I'm finally liking where it's going.

I should be done with it by tomorrow.  Just some more shading and tweaking left to do and then I'm done.

This little monkey is just slowing me down!  Good thing I love him so much!

Serious baby!

-Nikki

Pouty Cuddle-Saurus!

So cute! 

Evan has his pout perfected!

I'm working on my sketch, too.  I have about 50% finished.  I can't wait to share the finished product!  Hopefully Evan let's me finish it today.  Keep your fingers crossed!

-Nikki

Random Television Musing

I wouldn't say I'm a reality TV show junkie, but I definitely do like certain trashy TV shows.  Real Housewives of Beverly Hills?  Love it!  Jersey Shore?  Can't get enough!  It's an addiction I'm not proud to admit, but hey, I'm only human.

So, I was watching TV yesterday, and I happened to come across Christina Aguilera's new video, My Body.  Not sure if any of you have seen the video, but if you have, don't you think Christina could be Snooki's twin?  I'm convinced they were separated at birth, only to be brought back together by the magic of Hollywood and reality television!

Of course Christina is a much paler version of Snooki.  But still!  Isn't it freaky?

-Nikki