Merry Chrismukkah

Merry Chrismukkah

Where Babies Come From

It is 12:17 A.M. Officially December 23rd.

For most people, it's Christmas Eve-Eve. The night before the night before the big man comes down the chimney.

For me, this day is much more than that. For me, it's December 23rd: THE DAY YOU GET A BABY.

On this day last year, I woke up with an IUD appointment and went home with an ultrasound photo. (That would be Dash.)

On this day two years ago, I brought a baby home from the hospital. (That would be Max.)

Needless to say, around here, no one needs to ask where babies come from. Clearly, they come FROM SANTA. 


(The gig is up, dude. Well all know what's REALLY in that huge belly.)

And so on these first, early moments of December 23rd, I find myself wide awake. Wondering...

How the hell do you seal up a chimney?

Where Babies Come From

A Nook of One's Own

When I was a kid, we moved a lot. A LOT.

One of my favorite homes (notwithstanding the fact that it was in some hick town in West Virginia) featured a cozy breakfast nook, complete with built-in booth. And while I can't say I remember much about the second grad (besides desperately wishing to break my arm so my classmates could sign my cast), I DO have fond memories of that breakfast nook.

Sitting side-by-side with my brother, writing carefully as he dictated a letter to Santa. Throwing blankets over the table to make a fort underneath. Noshing after-school bowls of Schwan man ice cream (is that still a thing?) while mom started dinner.

That house was just one of nearly a dozen childhood homes. But it was the only one with a breakfast nook. And as an adult, the kid in me has always yearned for a nook of my own.

And now, at the tender age of 36, I may finally get one.

I knew I had to have this house the minute I peeled my eyes away from that glorious gas range and spied a small, light-filled "bonus room" just off the kitchen.

The current owners use it as a media room, with a couch on one wall, opposite a TV.

I have other plans. Plans that look a lot like this:

Perhaps with more comfortable seating, since this area will still need to function as a TV/game room.

But with less STAINABLE fabric, since my children are boys/filthy animals who never met a sofa they couldn't ruin in under five seconds. Maybe vinyl or leather with a more vintage vibe. Like this:

Or this:



A tucked-away breakfast nook for so much more than breakfast. For cheerios, cartoons, high chairs and homework. For fingerpaint, laptops and Cake Boss reruns. For informal family gatherings and not-so-quiet cups of coffee. For early, early mornings and late, late nights.

Our messes. Our memories. Our butt-prints on vinyl. 

Is it weird to be this excited? Pin It

A Nook of One's Own