Baby's First Time Seeing The Ocean

Good afternoon my dears, 

We ended 2020 with a beachfront cottage staycation. It was relaxing watching the sunrise and sunset from our porch. We watched lots of Disney + and went for long walks on the beach. I made friends with an eager golden retriever who kept bringing me his tennis ball to throw for him.

Hope you enjoy these pictures of Drew seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. He kept sticking his tongue out to taste the salty air. His hair also got a little windblown. Seeing everything for the first time through a his eyes, really is a delight.

- Our Family -

- Sears Landing Beach Grill - 

One of our favorite restaurants on Topsail Island is Sears Landing Beach Grill. The waitresses are so friendly ~ and adored Drew. Which is something we're not used to, since we haven't really eaten out much, if at all, during the pandemic. They make the yummiest fried green tomatoes and have the freshest seafood ~ amended according to whatever the fishermen get on the daily catch. 

- Throwback -

Here we are at Sears Landing back in 2013, it's the year my Dad passed away, and it's the year we lived for a few months on Topsail Island, as newlyweds. Here's my blog post from our last visit. Can't believe all these years later that we got to visit with our son, Drew. Definitely a memorable moment for both of us.

After lunch, we took a scenic drive along the coastline, to our old home ~ a duplex, overlooking the marsh on the north side of Topsail beach. Its where we lived during our first Christmas as a married couple. Its always fun to reminisce.

We walked along the beach everyday ~ both in the mid-morning while other dogs were getting their walks, and in the evening, right before the sunset as the sky turns a tranquil shade ~ like cotton candy.

- Our Vacation Family Home Movie - 

Sending you all our best wishes for a happy and healthy 2021, 

Kiki Nakita 

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Baby's First Christmas

Good afternoon my dears, 

We are nestled into the new year, and yet I still have our Christmas post in draft. It is hard to write the emotions we felt; happiness, joy, contentment. It was a Christmas dream ~ one that we've prayed about for almost five years, to have a baby, to become a family of three.  

We started our Christmas preparations early, to allow a moments of grace, and the ability to be present and in the moment. Despite the pandemic, we were still able to do some of our favorite family traditions and stay in touch with family and friends virtually. Here are a few highlights of our Baby's First Christmas. 

- Our 2020 Christmas Card - 

Our miracle baby boy, Drew, was the ⭐of our Christmas card. 

Drew's reaction to seeing Santa Claus aka Daddy, for the first time. 

Video chatting with family, who got to see Drew opening presents for the first time.

- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Family Home Movie - 

Best wishes, 

Kiki Nakita 

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Bloglovin' 

Thanksgiving & A Little Catch-Up

Good afternoon my dears, 

This year, we've stayed home, stayed safe, worn a mask, and socially distanced ourselves on the rare occasion we are out in public. There are many reasons as a family we have chosen to do this; in particular because at the beginning of the pandemic I was pregnant, we had a newborn with no immunity, for our elders, and for cancer patients (like my dad was) who are immunocompromised. Pediatric cancer has especially been on my heart lately, and I have shed many a tear because innocent newborns, babies, infants, and toddlers have died because their immune systems have been compromised. I couldn't ever live with the thought that I could've in any way contributed to their demise. 

- Thanksgiving - 

For that reason, we decided to forgo our annual tradition of going to The Biltmore for Thanksgiving. Instead we celebrated, just the 3 of us, at home. It was the most prefect day - the weather, the food, and getting to see Drew in his cute Thanksgiving outfits.

We have been ordering our groceries through the instacart app most of this year. A few days before Thanksgiving the food was delivered to our front door, I rolled up my sleeves, and I spent 9 hours in the kitchen, yes, you read that right...nine hours, preparing our Thanksgiving dinner. 

Menu 

Turkey, ham, popovers, sweet potato casserole, au gratin, roasted brussel sprouts, roasted carrots, and cranberry jello. For dessert, we had pear and apple pies and pumpkin spice choc-chip bundt cake. 

The floral arrangement was delivered a few days before. 

Drew and Daddy 

Drew and Mama

- Virtual Tea Parties - 

One way I've been entertaining myself while staying at home, is with virtual tea parties. I had one with my dear friend, Sherry, from the blog Our Love Story and one with author, Susan Branch, along with 1,000 of her other fans. I sipped on Earl Grey tea with honey and nibbled on homemade sugar cookies. 

My Susan Branch Christmas books. Her latest, Home For Christmas, is about her 1956 childhood Christmas. 

- Granny and Grandpa- 

Before I say goodbye to you, I wanted to share a picture of my Granny Smith. Growing up, we would often call her Granny Apples because she always had curtains with appliqued apples on them in her kitchen. 

My Granny's life events all happened in December. She was born on December 27th, 1938 in Kudowa-Zdrój. During the second world war she was sent on a cattle train to West Germany to work on a farm because she was from Lower Silesia  - German, but not German enough, I guess. She married my Grandpa on December 12th, in Yorkshire, England and followed his career in the British Army all around the world. She gave my Dad and Auntie Di an idyllic childhood in the 50's, 60's and 70's and and was an involved Granny during the 80's, 90's, and 00's. Sadly, she passed away suddenly on December 8th, 2010. 

This year was 10 years. Yet it still feels like yesterday. She loved Christmastime and was one of those Christmas in July shoppers, so preparing and having a happy Christmas is how she'd want all of us to celebrate her, and her life. This year I finished converting her 8mm film reels into digital videos. She was a keeper of memories, a storyteller, and loved by her children and grandchildren - the best legacy of all. 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2021. 

Stay safe at home, 

Kiki Nakita 

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Bloglovin' 

Baby's First Halloween & Fall Catch-Up

 Good afternoon my dears,

Its been awhile since I did a catch-up on my blog. Things are starting to get into a routine with Drew, which makes time for blogging, etc. much easier. 

- Decorating the Porch - 

Our Halloween tradition was a little different this year. Instead of going to the pumpkin patch, we walked around our local garden nursery, Pike's Place, for fresh flowers and pumpkins to decorate our front porch. I even got my boys, Cory and Drew, to wear matching denim shirts for a front porch picture.  

Momma and Drew on the front porch.

- Drew is 5 Months Old - 

Drew turned 5 months old a few days before Halloween. We've given him the nickname, Drew Bear, ever since he was born, so we decided to dress him up as a bear cub for Halloween. I may be partial, but isn't he an adorable bear cub?

- Mary & Martha- 

A few months ago, I signed up with Mary & Martha. They are a Christian based company that sells faith based items. I was able to get an early start on buying Christmas presents 25% off for Drew. I especially love the items from their All Creatures Great & Small, God's Rainbow Promise, and Woodland Friends collections. 

- Fall Baking - 

We've been staying at home as much as possible during the pandemic. We're both homebodies, so Cory working from home has been ideal. Its given me a lot more time to cook homecooked lunches and dinners, and time to bake delicious treats. 

These pumpkin spice cupcakes were from a baking kit at Aldi's, the cupcake liners were from Sophistiplate (which I caution you to only take a peek if you have some sense of control), and the toppers were from Michaels. They were the perfect Halloween treat.  

These mini banana bread loves were homemade using Grandma Griffith's recipe. They were so delicious, even without the chocolate chips. In a small loaf pan they only take 25 minutes to bake. Delicious sliced with a spread of unsalted butter. 

We'll be taking down our Fall décor and putting up our Christmas décor over the next few weeks. I like to have everything decorated, the presents bought and wrapped, cards addressed and stamped, and the pantry stocked before December 1st, that way I can relax and enjoy the holiday season. 

Hope that you're all doing well. 

Stay safe and cozy, 

Kiki Nakita 

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Bloglovin'