The past two mornings I have headed to work at painfully early morning hours. Not nearly as early or painful as my former TV morning news hours, mind you, but early nonetheless. Sunday night I set out Charlotte’s clothes, shoes, socks, hair bow and jacket for Greyson. Last night I was wiped and just told him that this morning would be “Daddy’s choice” for Tuesday’s toddler wardrobe.

I called him mid-morning to check in.

Me: “So what did you dress her in?”
Him: “Her Abby Cadabby shirt and jeans.”
Me: “Oh! I bet she loved that! You’re a good Daddy!”
Him: “Yeah, it wasn’t that cold so I just put on her jean jacket instead of her parka.”

::record scratch::

Me: “You put her in a jean jacket?!? WITH her jeans?!? Greyson! You can’t do that!”
Him: “Uh, yeah you can Amy. I did it.”
Me: “You had our baby dressed at school in unidenim?!? You can’t have denim on denim! Please tell me you fixed her hair!”
Him: “Yeah, I fixed her hair, with a big DENIM bow! Ha!”

My male coworker, also a young father, was listening to this conversation with a shrug and confused face. He obviously sided with Greyson and saw no problem with the double dungaree outfit. The women in my office were on my side.

Female coworker: “Oh, my God! She’s rockin’ a “Canadian Tuxedo!”

I had to chuckle at this. I had never heard that term, but now plan to use it liberally.

Charlotte is a two-year-old, and as such, had no interest in keeping her jacket on once she got in the house. Her tantrum was no match for my picture taking. This was the outfit. You get the picture.

I consulted my very cool and very fashionable step-brother about this faux pas. He said only someone in high fashion or a celebrity could pull it off. If you Google Canadian Tuxedo, this is what pops up.

I think my toddler wore it better.

In case you didn’t already know.  I GEEK OUT over Christmas cards. I LOVE them!  I can’t wait to display them.  They are the only Christmasy thing I leave up well into January.  I made our card this year.  It makes me chuckle.  I find myself stealing glances at my silly little family.  It’s very “us.”

I’m worried not everyone will get the joke if they haven’t seen “Elf.”  Oh, and the “2” sort of looks like a “1” now that I look at it.  Oh well.  They’re printed now. What do you think?

I bought an Elf on the Shelf, but I decided to hold off this year. After an extensive discussion on with other moms on Twitter, I decided she was a little too young to fully understand and appreciate the Elf. Plus, I knew she would try to touch it. That’s okay. We have a little elf in our house this year.

I can’t stop looking at this elfish little face. This picture of Charlotte perfectly captures the mischievous nature of my little girl. Oh, how I hope this stays alive in her! Even if it drives me crazy in later years.

Let’s hear it for little elves!

By-the-way…when did you start Elf on the Shelf? Did I do the right thing by waiting? I mean, she just turned 2.

Dear Catherine,

May I call you Catherine?  I hear you hate to be called “Kate”, which is insane because that’s all anyone in the entire world calls you.  They spell it with a “K” too.  Rude!  Speaking of the entire world, we all heard your wonderful news today!  Congratulations!  You’re expecting!

Rex Features

I think I speak for everyone when I say we are psyched for this kid.  I personally hope it’s a girl.  I would really love to see the clothes you dress her in.  I mean, Suri Cruise is cute in her Fendi boots, but we could use a fresh kid-style icon.

Sorry you had to make the announcement because you’re puking your guts up and you’re all dehydrated.  Morning Sickness is extremely undignified.  I feel for you.  I hope William has been holding your hair and keeping the dog out of the way as you vomit.  If I was pregnant with a royal baby I would expect my uterus to act a little more regal.

I have a favour to ask of you.  (See, I put a “u” in there.  Did that appeal to any of your British sensibilities?)  Please, please blog about your pregnancy.  Seriously.  It would be the most fantastic thing ever to hear about your gestation.  I know that’s weird.  It was weird as I typed it.

Sorry.  It’s true.  I would read every word about your acne, heartburn, sciatic pain, and birth plan.  Ooohh!  Are you gonna go natural?  I figure a Duchess could have an Evian water birth.  What about an epidural?  You could go Hollywood with a scheduled C-section.  I bet you could get any OB you want to deliver your baby.  Us commoners have to hope our favourite happens to be working the day we go into labor.  (Did you catch that “u” too?)  I imagine you have to go with some knighted doctor your Grandmother-In-Law picks.  Sorry.  I hope Sir Cervix Inspector of Wilshire is nice and lets you eat more than just ice chips.  My nurse let me have a popsicle.  You probably won’t have to pay for it.  I bet it’s covered under the fab healthcare you Brits enjoy.

I know you’re feeling lousy and hormonal and you have to get fat in front of everyone.  So, no pressure when I remind you we are dying to see your maternity clothes!  You know whatever you wear in the next nine months is going to transform maternity fashion for the next ten years.  I am not ashamed to say I’ll dress my future bump in total “Kate” fashion.

Ah!  What if you live tweeted the birth?  You know lots of women are doing that now, right?  Oh, my God the Internet would cave in on itself if you tweeted a picture of the royal baby from the hospital.  You have to tell us all what it’s like to bring your baby home to freakin’ Buckingham Palace.  I mean, who does that happen to?!? Only you girl.

In all seriousness, I really hope you start feeling better and enjoy this time.  There’s nothing like being pregnant and bringing home your baby.  Cherish it.  I know it’s different for you.  This kid is technically property of the British Empire, but YOU are the mother.  He or she may be everyone’s prince or princess, but it is your baby.

I hope you get to feeling better soon.  Consider my suggestion.  Maybe that way you can tell your own story of your baby.  We all want to share your joy.

Sincerely,

Amy

P.S.  The Olympics were great.

P.P.S.  Could you convince the Spice Girls to do a reunion World Tour?

I look at these pictures and I. can’t. even…

This beautiful child is ours.  It blows my mind how much she has grown.  I look at the 2010 picture and it seems like a million years ago and only a moment go.  She was our newborn at only 5 1/2 weeks old.  Last year she was my sweet one-year-old, 13 months to be exact.  She was this funny little baby/toddler hybrid.

This year Charlotte couldn’t WAIT for her turn to sit on Santa’s lap.  She pulled her little two-year-old self up on Santa and smiled for the cameras.  She quietly told Santa what she wanted for Christmas. (A baby doll.  She’s been practicing her request.)  Then she gave Santa a hug and waved bye-bye.

It was ridiculous how proud we were of her.  We’re feeling all Christmasy around here.  Happy December!