32 and keeping busy

I've been meaning to post an update for a few days now. This last week has been crazy. I was my birthday - turned 32! - and my parents and my brother came to town to help me celebrate.
What a great birthday I had. I woke up, rolled over in bed and peeked in the bassinet only to find my beautiful little girl grinning back at me. Right then and there, I knew it was going to be a fantastic day and an amazing year.

I had lovely time with my family and a great (dairy-free) dinner. And I already have the best present I could ever imagine, but I also got a cute pair of Juicy Couture sweats from my brother, a couple of sweaters and an awesome baby book from my parents and a winter coat from D.

I've also been kept busy by planning a surprise birthday party for my friend L. She is turning 30! It's incredible how much work goes into planning a party; thank goodness her husband is really taking the reins on this one.
Vegan(ish) living has been tough, but worth it. Maya's poos have been beautiful since I gave up dairy/meat. She has had virtually no gas either, which has been great because gas was a pretty big problem for her before. And the spitting up has even been greatly reduced. I just wish I'd gone dairy-free sooner!

I just need to find some better vegan resources. It's amazing how much sneaky dairy is in foods you'd never expect, like crackers and cereal. Whey powder, calcium stearate, casein - plus a million other ingredients - all "code names" for dairy based ingredients. Maya is so sensitive that I have really had to cut out any trace of dairy, even if it's just a little bit waaay at the end of an ingredients list. But it's so worth it. She feels better. I feel better. Down with dairy.

In other news, I'm almost finished with our Christmas shopping. It was soooo fun shopping for a kid this year. Maya is getting this from mummy and daddy this year. I think she's going to love it! It was a toss up between the Jumperoo and a play mat, but I think ultimately this will last a bit longer in terms of her interest.

I am finding myself so giddy thinking about the holidays this year. I haven't felt like this since I was a kid. Having a baby changes everything. I am so excited, happy and blessed to be seeing Christmas through Maya's eyes. She's going to have so much fun. I can't wait!

Speaking of Christmas, I am having Maya's picture taken with Santa this weekend. I think it's obligatory, despite the fact that I'm going to have to disinfect her afterwards (ewwwww just think of all the germs). But it's Baby's First Christmas and it's a must. I'll definitely post those photos when I get them.