I am blank because....

I've seen these going around on numerous blogs, and of course I thought it was super cute and wanted to write a post doing something similar. So here I go!

I am weird because...





I started x-mas shopping in January.
I have x-mas presents for 2012 already.
I make tons of list, but rarely revisit them.
I would much rather stay in than go out.
I have an obsession with free stuff.
I don't like manicures/pedicures. {I'd rather do it myself}. {And I don't do a very good job}.


I am a bad friend because...



I am terrible about making plans.
And sticking to them.
I am horrible at checking my phone.
And answering messages, emails, calls, etc.
It takes me days , sometimes weeks, to check my voicemails.
I have to say no, a lot.
I often prefer to spend my weekends with the family, every time.
It's hard. Very.



I am a good friend because...



I am a good listener.
I will do anything for my friends, as soon as they ask.
I'm very giving, and don't expect anything in return.
I give good advice.
I am very supportive.


I am sad because...



Time goes by way too fast.
I feel like I should be doing more sometimes as a mother and wife.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
My friends live so far away.
Winter is coming and I hate driving in the snow/ice.
My to-do list is never ending.
I can't please everyone.
Elliana gets more bumps and bruises now that she started walking... sad face. 


I am happy because...


I love my little family of three.
God has blessed my life.
I have a career that allows me to not have to put my child in daycare.
Christmas is right around the corner.
For My baby's health.
For My health.
For My husband's health.
I get amazing kisses from my baby girl.
Hopefully 2012 will hold an addition to our family.


I am excited for...

Christmas!
Swim lessons with the baby girl.
All the milestones to come.
Welcoming another nephew in the family!
To see what 2012 has in store for us.

Better late rather than never {12 month post}

I already wrote your letter to you on your birthday. So this will be just for memory purposes of what you have been up to this month.

It's been such a fun month for you! And a very big milestone one, as you started walking just a couple days before your birthday! You are also babbling away.

Your stats/details {and of course pictures} of the past month:

Again, what an amazing 12 months it has been baby girl.

Thanksgiving came and went.

Well there you have it. Thanksgiving. Came, and went. And now? We creep closer and closer to Christmas.

{Thanksgiving Morning}

Here at the S household, we had a wonderful holiday with our family. We had Thanksgiving at our house this year (first time ever), and while you may think that means that we cooked and prepared, I am here to tell you otherwise.

{All pretty and ready!}

Yes guys, my dear parents and Andrew's parents, and his grandma brought the dishes. Andrew's dad brought the goods and made the fried turkey here, and we? Well we provided the booze {which was equally as important if you ask me, although I did not get to partake!}

Speaking of fried turkey, I hope you all got to enjoy a piece of this heavenly creation. I mean honesty, it is one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted. And Andrew, my sister, and myself devoured that stuff in all its glory. Yum. {I need to make sure my FIL makes one of those for Christmas top}.

When it comes to stuffing our faces, I feel like I was a glorious big fat FAIL. I only had one plate {which wasn't even full} and my stomach hurt so bad that I had to lay on the couch to rest it off. In fact, it didn't get "better" until around midnight.

Overall, this Thanksgiving was just plain wonderful. We laughed. We prayed. We gave thanks. And we just enjoyed one another. That? Is the best type of holiday.

And? We all got excited about the thought of how close Christmas really is.

So after our family left, we hung out as a little family of 3 for a bit... before... I had to go to work.

Yes. I had to go to work. And although I had thought that I would be upset, I was surprisingly okay with this. I mean the only thing left to do was lay on the couch and watch football. And, you guys know how much I love football.

So I kissed my little family and headed out. And the craziest thing happened as I was driving.... I shed a couple of tears. Quickly picked up the phone to call Andrew.... to tell him how thankful I was for him and Elliana. I was. I am. So very thankful for these two beautiful amazing loving people in my life.

And I am most thankful to God for blessing me with this amazing life that I have because of these two.

I hope you all had a warm, loving, memorable thanksgiving full of thanks and family.

And I leave you with the best family portrait from the day. Ahem.

Seriously, Thanksgiving Edition!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my bloggy friends!!
I hope you all are getting ready to enjoy wonderful food with all your family friends. Remember all the wonderful blessings that this life has given to us all. Even the little things.

So this Seriously Thursday is going to be Thanksgiving Style.

I'm seriously thankful for......

1. My family. Including my parents, brother and sister, my husband and daughter, and my wonderful in-laws. It's small. But the amount of love is so huge and I couldn't have been blessed with a better family.

2. My husband and daughter. I know they are included in the "Family" but I have to sit here and tell you guys how absolutely amazing this little trio of mine is. The three of us. I always dreamed of us as a little girl. Thought of this life as only a "fairytale" and ones that princesses live. But here I am. Living that life. And I am so thankful the Lord chose these two to be part of my family.

3. My home. It's perfect to us. It's spacious. We have plenty of room to grow. It provides us shelter and warmth. It's reliable.

4. My Career. That allows me the opportunity to be a SAHM and not have to put my child in daycare. It's been a complete blessing, and I am so thankful to do something so rewarding and not have to sacrifice time with my family.

5. Health. My daughter's. My husband's. My family's. And my own. Too often we take our good health for granted... and I am faced with sickness all around on at work which helps to remind me how important it is to live each day being thankful for the health that we have.


6. Christmas being right around the corner. It's such a beautiful holiday. And having the family close together just makes my heart all warm and fuzzy. And my daughter hopefully getting into the spirit!

Again, happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Your Answers. FINALLY! {Part 3}

I'm only a {million} days behind on this part 3. That's because you guys had such amazing questions and I was just rattling my brain thinking of the best way to answer them. So wa-la {however one spells such a word}, here they are!

Amber asked...

"My question is who did you get to design your blog, or did you do it yourself?"

-I actually designed my blog myself. It took me a while (like all night because I am type A), but after much research and browsing around on the web, I finally mastered it. I'm actually surprised I have not changed it yet, but I have a feeling I will once the new year approaches. Nothing drastic, just change it up a little bit.

Lindsay Asked...

"What you tat is. you said you have one, but what and where is it???"

-My tattoo is a chinese symbol that means "dream." I got it the day after my 18th birthday and it is on the right groin area {you know, keep dreaming you can get in my pants. No, more like "follow your dreams}. Right below the bikini line where no one but my dearest husband can see it. And to this day, I still love it. Don't notice it 90% of the time, but love it nonetheless.

Lay Asked...

"When did you move from Russia to the States? How long did it take you to learn English? Have you ever been back since then?"

- We moved to the States just a couple weeks shy of my 7th birthday. I picked up English pretty quickly. We moved in the summer before first grade started, and my dad would give me 50 words a day in the summer to learn. And when school started, I just kind of picked it up. I do have to say though, I peed my pants twice when I started school because I was too afraid to ask to get up to use the restroom. And I remember it like it was just yesterday. {Sorry, I know that wasn't part of the question. Just wanted to add that in there}. And no, I have not been back. I am the only person in my family who has not, and it really kills me because all of my family members (aside from the immediate ones) are back there. Including my grandparents, 10 aunts/uncles, and like 30 cousins. I keep saying every year that this will be the year... but every year, something always happens to come up.

Lauren Asked...

-"What did you pack in your hospital bag? (I'm not due till April, but its never too early to start getting ready right!?)"

-I aswered this question in part one. Here is the link!

"Diapers for free!?! Hook a girl up! Give me the down low!"

-I wrote a post on getting cheap diapers. Am working on another post though. In the meantime, here is a link to the diaper post I did a while back.

MrsrsM4 Asked...

"Who watches Elli when you are at work? Does she go to your mom's or does the hubby watch her?"

-I watch her during the day. When I first went back to work, I was still on days and my husband was in grad school, so my mom and husband watched her during the week. I switched to nights shortly after and now I watch her during the day. Best decision every made. I never miss a moment :)

Tammy Asked...

"Question #1 is, how much coffee (or whatever is your caffeine of choice) do you need to drink to stay functional on such minimal sleep?"

- Well. I don't drink coffee. My drink of choice is coke zero and I used to obsess over diet mountain dew. I haven't drank diet dew since getting pregnant with Elliana, and I am now no longer drinking any type of soda except an occasionl drink at work. So no more caffeine really for me! {Except sometimes}

 "#2: If you weren't a nurse, what would you be doing? (I mean, besides Coupon Queen and Photog Extraordinaire, lol.) I often ask myself this, but deep down think I'll probably be a nurse forever and ever in some capacity."

-Oh goodness. So many things. Photographer for sure. That would be awesome. Also, I would like to one day be a professor at a big University (plan on going to grad school). Being a lawyer would be super fun if it didn't require so much of my time away from the family. But above all else, a SAHM without the night shift life of a nurse so I can actually sleep :)

Ashley Asked...

"What are the names of the fonts you used in your header? Love them!"
-The font names are: Marker Felt & Brush Script. I used Paintbrush for Mac.

"Can you speak Russian fluently and if so, are you teaching any to Elliana?"
-Yes I can. And yes I am trying. I need to do it more, but I often times forget, and speak English to her. Shame on me. Thankfully my mom is only speaking Russian to her. And I will work on it some more.

"What's your favorite thing about having a daughter?"

-Knowing all the wonderful things that are ahead for us. Being best friends with her. Seeing myself in her. Having a daughter is just so special, it's hard to put into words. A part of me is in her. And knowing that I am her biggest influence. That she will turn to me one day for guidance. That I get to be the one she looks up to. And of course, dressing her. Shopping with her. Getting our nails done. Oh I could go on for days!

"What's the strangest encounter/interaction you've ever had with a patient?(I ask because my mom is a RN and always comes home with strange stories involving her patients). "
-Ha. I have had my fair share. Believe me. But the one that will always stick out to me is a patient that I had a few years back. She had a urinary tract infection. Around my mom's age. And when I went to start an IV on her... she starts saying to me "I know what you are trying to do to me. You are trying to take advantage of me. You want to get in my pants..." And so forth. I died. Literally. "Um excuse me ma'am, I need to step out..." And never return. I mean the things she was saying just totally blew me away. She was normal one minute, and the next, totally wacky.

Halley Asked...

"How often do you and hubs get it on!?

-Ha. Love you girl. Well... it depends on the week and what we have going on/how good he has been :) . But normally couple times a week. That's a good week. That's just me being honest.

"Are you a list person?! Like to do lists?"

-Yes and no. I make TONS of lists. LOVE lists. But then I never follow up on them. For whatever reason, I hate going back to those lists. I just make mental notes, and for the most part, 90% of the time, I can remember what is on those lists.

How does your house stay in order with you working as much as you do?! Like things to get done, errands to do...etc

Well. For one, I have great amazing help {the Husband} and he is a clean freak. So that is awesome. Also, I just really think it is important to live in a clean, organized home. But I don't believe it needs to be that way 100% of the time. We don't have to wash the dishes right after dinner, but most the time we do. We don't have to pick up all the toys at night, and most of the time, we let it slide. And so forth. I think it's important to relax and take time to enjoy life rather than always clean, but I also think it's important that when you do have the time, use it wisely.

Amy Asked...

"When you found out you were pregnant did you buy a larger car? What kind of car do you currently drive and why?"

-No we did not. Not to sound "snobby" but since you asked... I purchased my 530xi {bmw} a year prior to having Elliana and it is a very large sedan. Very spacious. And super safe for a family. So a couple months after she was born we actually sold Andrew's old school 1998 Honda Accord {great car, I had the same one in high school} and purchased him the same exact car as me. To us, safety is number one. But eventually I would like a big SUV when I have to truck all my kiddos to their soccer games. Since I'm planning on having 3-4 kiddos, I need me a big one, like an Escalade! Hint hint husband.

Lori Asked...

"My question is about the diet you said you are starting! I would love to know what kind of diet works for you"

-About that. I need to get started. I will let you know when that becomes successful... hopefully sooner rather than later.

Marjorie Asked...

"Since you do make up everyday, what's your daily makeup routine?

- Great question. Let me start by saying I am NOT, repeat, NOT a makeup goddess. Nor do I try to be. I can't do anyting fancy, and I just stick with my "usual." I do however hope to one day expand and broaden my knowledge in the makeup department.


1. wash fash.
2. too faced brush foundation.
3. clinique powder over face.
4. estee lauder blush
5. eyes; mascara always, liner most the time, eye shadow depends where i'm going.
6. nude lipstick, covered by a lip gloss


There you have it. Pretty simple, and boring, but ME!

Tracy Asked....

"Where do you usually shop for Elliana, and how many outfits do you usually get her for each season or do you even have a limit? "

-Macy's. Zulily. Totsy. TJ maxx. 

-I don't have a limit, just whatever deals are out there. But usually I have a full closet for the following year. And save anywhere from 60-90%. Totally worth it, and would recommend this method to anyone who is capable of doing so!

-And another secret? Great money saving tip? Use these outfits that you buy a year in advance as x-mas gifts!! Smart.


And in case you missed all the other questions.. click on the FAQ tab to scroll through all of them! Go on, do it.