My Top Ten Posts of 2012 (with Linky)

Everyone seems to be listing their Top 10 Posts of 2012 or giving their Traffic Report for the year 2012 so I figured I'd join along!

This is really an exciting post for me for a few reasons. I started blogging (for myself) back in 2009 but didn't take it seriously until close to 2011 so this was really my very first full year running my blog as a business site rather than just a blog. It is my first full year of watching stats and paying attention to things like SEO and what readers want, what they search for. It was my first year paying attention to my audience and seeing what path they take once landing on my site. I just peeked at my stats for the year (instead of just checking my monthly stats like usual) and I am amazed at some of my numbers and it was also fun looking at my top posts. A few I already knew of, but a few surprised me.

It's really all very exciting to me and I can't wait to start this new year and I can learn how to improve. I've made some fantastic blogger friends who have helped me along the way and taught me so much. We've also learned a lot together and shared some awesome ideas!

So here we go...

My Top 10 Posts of 2012!

 

1. Thanksgiving Kid Crafts on My To-Do List
2. "Laters, Baby!" 50 Shades of Grey Woman's Clothes
3. Christmas Crafts for Baby, Toddler and Pre-School Kids
4. We Had Tickets to Disney, but We've Been Re-Routed to Holland
5. Homemade Non-Toxic Finger Paint for the Tub
6. 19 Weeks Pregnant
7. 20 Weeks Pregnant
8. Ovacue Fertility Monitor Review
9. Down Syndrom: Can I Have a 'Do-Over'?
10. Applecheeks Cloth Diaper Review and Giveaway
     

So there ya have it!

My Top 10 Posts of 2012!

I was surprised at a few of these. I did not expect my 50 Shades of Grey post to take off the way it did. Of course that was a very popular book trilogy this year, but I really just contacted Northwind Threads to get myself a shirt for review haha. I knew a review would be super popular - but not THAT popular! This post fights for the number one position every single month! Maybe now that we are further away from Thanksgiving, it might have a chance at staying at number one?

My weekly pregnancy posts are always being clicked on. Another thing I did not expect to generate any traffic. I really only posted these pregnancy updates to keep track of my pregnancy. And for my family and friends to check in and see how my pregnancy was coming along. But it seems that people do searches for "19 Weeks Pregnant" - or whatever week... and they land on my site. Cool!

I was happy to see my two Down Syndrome posts show up. That puts a smile on my face. As emotional as it was to be told I was having a child with Down Syndrome was, I am glad to be able to share my experience with others. I hope that post and my other Down Syndrome post "Down Syndrome: Can I Have a "Do-Over"?" really help someone who is having or have just had a child with Down Syndrome. I know that it was posts like that, that helped me when I first found out.
Oh and I am also excited to see my finger paint for the tub post! Awesome!

Are you posting a "Top Ten of 2012" post?

If so, link up! We'd all love to visit you and see your top ten posts of the year!

Wordless Wednesday with Linky: Merry Christmas

Since I am posting this Tuesday night... and it is still Christmas...

 

Merry Christmas!

 

If you plan on leaving your link, please do so in the linky provided and not in the comments. If your link is left in the comment section, then it will be sent to spam. Thanks!

 

Bath Toys from Munchkin Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

I've been trying to stock up on little toys for Baby Jack because when his therapists come out to give him his therapy, they use the toys we have in our home. I thought it would be good to start getting some bath toys now that he has started grabbing for toys in front of his face.

Munchkin sent me a few of their bath toys. Gracie has been playing with the toys so far because Jack needs another month or so before he can really enjoy them.

The 7 Stack & Spill Friends is a bunch of stacking cups with holes. You fill them up with water and then let the water drip out. These stacking cups are for babies 6 months and older and aids in the development of fine motor skills. The cups also have a number and animal on each of them which is great for leraning too.

Homemade Melted Snowman Ornament: Gift from Child

I have mentioned a few times how Gracie, my 3 year old, has been coming home from pre-k with a lot of fun recipes and crafts. And now since it is closer to Christmas, she started coming home with cute little gifts that she has made herself.

Today I wanted to share the Christmas ornament that she made in school this week.

"You Melt My Heart"

She told me that they used salt in this ornament and a candy corn for the nose. She did not know what the eyes and mouth were made of, some kind of tiny black ball - but it's so cute!

The card attached to it says, "You Melt My Heart" on one side and on the other side it says, "Love, Grace". I love this! It's so so adorable because we have been watching Frosty the Snowman a lot lately. And the whole idea in general, 'melt my heart' - too cute!

I think this is such an awesome idea for a child to make as a gift to someone like parents, grandparents or maybe even a teacher?

Cut Down a Christmas Tree at Abbey Farms in Aurora, IL

 

Our Visit to Marmion Abbey Farms in Aurora, IL

 

For the last few years, we've been talking about getting a real Christmas tree, but I just do not see the point of going to a Christmas Tree 'stand' on the side of the road and picking one and going home. I always thought it would be fun to go to a Christmas Tree Farm and chose one. Even if it's already cut, going to a farm would be so much more fun and it would be even more fun if you get to cut your own Christmas tree!

 

This year, I searched for some local farms and I came across Marmion Abbey Farms in Aurora, IL... the same town I've lived in for the past 12 years! I had no idea there was a Christmas Tree Farm so close to my home. I can not believe I did not know they even existed - and this is why I am so excited to tell all of you about our visit!

 

Abbey Farms has it all. They sell Pumpkins during October, Christmas Trees and hand made wreaths starting on Thanksgiving and so much more. The Marmion Campus is 300 acres, 220 of which are the farm.  They plant 15,000-20,000 trees a year which include 6-8 different varieties.

Of course we were excited to see their 220 acres of U-Cut Christmas Trees and go searching for the perfect one.

Elf Magic Fun - Meet Randy!

ELF MAGIC

 

Elf Magic is the original Christmas Elf tradition (been around 50 years, not like some others you may have heard about!) These Elves don't want to sit up high and 'watch' you... these Elves want to be loved and played with!

 

That's right! These Elf Magic Elves come to "life" during the night and during the daytime they can go along with your child where ever they go. Gracie plays with her Elf all day long and even sleeps with her... yes, our Elf is a girl!

 

There are lots of Elves to chose from:

 

We chose a girl Elf with blond hair... kinda like Gracie.

 

We left crackers and ice water out for our Elf one night (that is what Elves like to snack on) and in the morning guess who showed up?

 

Meet Randy!

 



 

We woke up to a surprise!

 

"Randy" is here!

 

She came with a scroll...

 

She was in the North Pole looking sad and Santa asked why she looked so sad. She said, "Well Santa," with a drop of a tear, "There's a little Friend out there I'd like to be near. I've worked so hard. I've checked the list twice, and my special friend, Gracie, has been so very nice!"

The poem in the scroll is so sweet! Santa mentions Baby Jesus and the reason for the season and I LOVE that. The poem also mentions that our Elf is coming to stay with us for a bit to be loved and to play and hide. I am so glad this Elf can be played with and it won't sit up on a shelf somewhere.

Christmas Crafts for Baby, Toddler and Pre-School Kids

Christmas Crafts on My 'To-Do' List

I have been browsing my Christmas Pinterest board, where I have been saving Christmas Craft ideas all year long. I am going to pick out a handfull of them to start doing with Gracie and my daycare kids and possibly Jack too, if there is one that is geared more towards babies.

Here they are...

Wordless Wednesday: O Christmas Tree! #Linky

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Since Thanksgiving is over, can I say "Merry Christmas"? I'm not much of a fan of "Happy Holidays" so... Merry Christmas! We put our tree up last Tuesday but it's not totally decorated...

It's too bright in the house, so you can't see the pretty red lights... but they blink to a 'light show'. Do you see that rectangle thing in the tree? It is attached to the tree and you speak to it. You tell it which song you want it to play and it does! It's so cool!

If you get a chance, peek though some of my other Wordless Wednesday posts!

Friendly Debates with the Danielle's: Real or Artificial Christmas Tree?

Welcome to Week 58
of
Friendly Debates With The Danielle’s!

Each Week Danielle from "Happenings of the Harper Household" and I (Danielle) will host this awesome meme and we would love for you to link up and join us. 

There will be a question each week that will require you to decide where you stand regarding that topic, then of course share those thoughts with the world!

RULES:

1.) Please follow the hosts via Facebook: Danielle B. & Danielle H.
2.) If you link up please leave a comment so we can visit you.
3.) This is a meme, so you MUST answer the question in a blog post.
4.) Link directly to the blog post in which you answer the question.
5.) Grab the button and place either in your post or on your blog.
6.) At the end of your post leave a suggestion for the following weeks topic.

If we choose your suggestion you will be mentioned and linked to in the following weeks post.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE:

Please respect each others opinions. This means no bashing of other blogger's in comments on their posts. Kind words and genuine questions are encouraged. If you strongly disagree with someone else the place to address your view point is in a post on your own blog. If we find that you have blatantly disregarded this you will be removed from the linky.




THIS WEEKS TOPIC 

 Christmas Tree: Real or Fake?

What do YOU say?

#ConnectingFlights - Definitely a MUST SEE!

Recently, a blogger friend of mine had a Buddy Pass for her flight home. A Buddy Pass is basically a ticket similar to a stand-by flight but a little lower-end because these tend to come from an employee of the airline. My friend, Mimi from "Woven by Words" kept having her flight bumped. And bumped. And bumped. She was desperate to get home so she could get to work on Monday and keep her kids in school without missing any days. As she was hanging out at the airport, she was chatting with all of us on Facebook. I told her that maybe this was 'meant to be' and maybe she would meet someone really inspiringly (that's a word now) awesome or famous or maybe something super exciting would happen due to her flight delay.

Well, Mimi didn't meet anyone interesting, but Shannon did in Connecting Flights.

Have you seen this new movie trailer, Connecting Flights?

If not, check it out NOW! It looks like a movie I would LOVE to see!

It's about two random people who's flights get canceled due to the weather and they are stuck staying at the airport longer than expected and fall... in love... among other things.

Stay Home and Christmas Shop at eBay this Year

Every year we go Christmas shopping on Black Friday. We always plan ahead by using the Black Friday ads and we decide WAY ahead of time what we are going for, which store comes first, second, third... and we have a well thought out mission.

Our original plan for this year was to do the same. As the Black Friday ads are coming to me in my email, I am not seeing the items that I need to buy for my family.

I decided to try Christmas shopping on eBay. eBay has their gift guide up which has made it much easier to find what I am looking for.

Send Gift Baskets for the Holidays with 15% Off Coupon Code!

 

Now that Thanksgiving is upon us... it's time to start thinking about those gift baskets that need to be sent out and what's better than doing it with 15% OFF from Gift Baskets Plus?!?

 

If you've never peeked around giftbasket.com - GO NOW! They have an awesome selection of baskets!

 

Check out all the food baskets they have available: 

• Food & Drink Gift Baskets
• Gourmet Gift Baskets
• Wine Gift Baskets
• Coffee & Tea Gift Baskets
• Fruit Gift Baskets
• Candy Gift Baskets
• Chocolate Gift Baskets
• Kosher Gift Baskets
• Cookie Gift Baskets
• Cheese & Meat Gift Baskets
• Beer Gift Baskets
• Snack Gift Baskets
• Organic Gift Baskets

Then you have your speciality baskets for speical occasions like: get well, thank you, birthday, baby, sports, pets, spa, military and so so much more! The selection is amazing and there is something for everyone!

 

That's enough for every occasion you can possibly think of - not just Christmas time! Do you want to know what I want? COOKIES!



I might have to find a reason to send of some of these to myself haha!

The awesome folks at GiftBasketsPlus.com are offering my readers a 15% OFF COUPON CODE!

Just use the code: 15OFF to get your discount!

WIN a Personalized Christmas Ornaments from 'Ornaments with Love' - Ends 11/26

Ornaments with Love has been selling personalized Christmas Ornaments for the past 16 years!

There are ornaments for everyone because Ornaments with Love has so many categories to chose from! Here is just a short list of some of the ornaments they offer: Families, Babies, Couples, Grandparents, Friends, Hobbies, Professions, Military, Pets, Teams and so much more!

Every year my family gets a personalized ornament made in our mall. We make one for our Christmas tree, one for my mom and step-dad and one for Mike’s mom. For the grandparents, we usually put the Grandparents along with all the grandkids.

Last year, I was able to review an personalized ornament from Ornaments with Love. This is the one I chose to have made:

I love my ornament, isn’t it adorable? 

 

I was two months pregnant last year with Baby Jack so this year I was excited to be able to add him to our new 2012 personalized Christmas ornament... This is the one we chose:

 

 

I LOVE this because this is our first personalized family ornament with Baby Jack's name included!

Santa is Evil! Debate with the Danielle’s

Just Joking!

Hahaha… I thought that would get your attention!

Welcome to Week 8
of
Friendly Debates With The Danielle’s!

 <a border="0" href="http://wedonthaveitall.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx280/mbishop62604/DebateButton1.jpg"width="150" height="150" /> </a> Wanna Play? 

Christmas Shopping Panic Starting to Set In

Well…

It’s that time again.

That time of year when I realize that I have not kept my promise to myself (yet again). I promise myself every single year that I will start putting money aside for Christmas shopping or I promise myself that I will start making purchases for Christmas presents early starting in October.

Of course I did not keep this promise to myself. Again.

So now it is panic time. Christmas is less than a month away and I have 5 kids to buy for. Unfortunately my 4 older kids are old enough to know what they want and they (and need) and this stuff is not cheap!

I need my kids to have their own computer so my thought is to buy them netbooks. My son has had his own laptop (which HE saved for and purchased himself) but it just clonked out. He does most of his school work on the computer and now my 7th grader is starting to do a lot of work on the computer and then next in line will be my 6th grader. The most logical thing (to me) is buying them each their own laptop or netbook.

They do want a computer, but it is their second choice. Their first choice is the new iPod. Go figure. That item is more for entertainment purposes, so of course they want that first.

I also want to try to get the girls some new boots (so they stop borrowing mine!) and my son a video game with headset that has has been wanting. Ugh! This stuff is expensive! So, I am not sure what I am going to do but I do want to get them all this stuff. I might take advantage of the buy now, pay later options like http://www.ellos.co.uk/. Not sure yet. I will also probably do layaway at a store or two.

We’ll see. Either way, I hope to get everything on my list. Most of these things will benefit me also, so I can’t complain, right?

This post is in association with Ellos.

Get a Personalized Ornament from "Ornaments with Love"

Ornaments with Love has been selling personalized Christmas Ornaments for the past 16 years and have been on the internet now for 6 years.

There are ornaments for everyone because Ornaments with Love has so many categories to chose from! Here is just a short list of some of the ornaments they offer: Families, Babies, Couples, Grandparents, Friends, Hobbies, Professions, Military, Pets, Teams and so much more!

Wordless Wednesday: Family Photos {#linky}

Hello everyone… Welcome to “Wordless Wednesday”, although here it will never be ‘wordless’. It’s a fault of mine – I can’t keep my mouth shut, haha.

Today I wanted to share some family photos from last weekend. We all went to a nearby park and took some photos. They turned out okay. I am not totally ecstatic over these, but they will do.

My hope was to use the best one for our Christmas cards this year.

Oh and speaking of Christmas Cards… be sure to stop by my other post to win 50 Free Christmas Cards from Tiny Prints!

Anyway, I decided to wait to order the cards until after Thanksgiving.

Reason?

50 Christmas Cards From Tiny Prints, How Generous!

GREAT NEWS!!

I just got word from Tiny Prints that I can giveaway…


50 FREE Christmas or holiday cards!!

Snap the Perfect Family Photo with Shutterfly’s “Family Photo Days”

Well… it is most definitely that time of year again!
It’s time for that family photo that you stress about every single year. The family photo that you are hoping to use for your Christmas Cards. Accomplishing your perfect family photo can be a huge pain, but if you plan ahead, it will turn out perfect!
This year though, Shutterfly is here to help!

Tiny Prints Christmas Cards for Us This Year

It’s almost that time again…

Time to start thinking about this year’s Christmas Cards!

Last year and the year before,I started doing something something new. I am never happy with our studio photos. Never. I always tell the photographer what to do and what NOT to do, but they never listen. So last year and the year before,  I decided to do our own photos for Christmas Cards. This year I will do the same thing.

Take a look at our self portrait photos from last year that I used on our Christmas cards… not the best, but this year we will do better:

I have been browsing Tiny Prints Christmas Cards  and I have found so many that I love. I am not sure if I want a flat cards or folded cards this year. We have done flat cards many, many years until last year and I finally tried folded cards.

I am starting to lead more towards the un-traditional Christmas colors lately like the pinks, blues, light greens and browns.

Here are some of my Tiny Prints favorites:

Have you started thinking about Christmas Cards yet?
Do you buy a box of cards or do you use a photo to personalize the cards?
Take a peek around Tiny Prints and tell me which one’s are your favorites!

WIN 50 FREE CHRISTMAS CARDS!