Holiday Gift Ideas

It’s a good thing we’re not planning on spending any extra money this holiday season (hello, baby just around the corner!) or I would be all over these items. Instead perhaps you’ll enjoy them. I threw in a flew splurge items to shake things up too.


Organic Pussy Willow Wreath, VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer, Flor Modular Carpet Tiles


Ceramic Measuring Cups, Hand-Spun Lambswool Wrap, Mary Jane Crocs


Tree House Print, Heather Bailey’s Trash Ties, Ripple Ring


24-7 Reusable Bags, Rock Solid Tipi, LOMO blue supersampler camera


Le Creuset Caribbean Round Dutch Oven, Tiffany Signature Ring, Domino Magazine, Jagged Flower Silhouette Note Cards

We also have a ton of holiday gift ideas over at our Blog Tribute to Audrey Hepburn.

In a related shopping vein, does anyone have a comfy backpack to recommend? We’re planning on forgoing the typical diaper bag in lieu of a diaper backpack and would love some suggestions! (Ditto for a digital video camera! We’re saving up for one of these!)

The upshot of memory-loss

I’ve found a benefit to my pregnant-induced, terrible memory. Today grapefruits arrived in the mail and I was so surprised! Last week I knew they were coming — Dad called to ask how many to order for us this Hanukah — but I *totally* forgot about them by this week. So, when that yellow box from Pittman and Davis showed up on our front porch, I hooted with excitement, did a little dance and got pumped to eat some grapefruit. (Thank you, Spritzer family!)

For those of you who don’t know, grapefruits are big in the Spritzer household. Every winter a case would arrive at the house for Hanukah and we’d slowly work our way through them. We’d peel and eat them with Dad, a special father-daughter ritual that I loved. (Grapefruits also tend to show up at special events, like after my bridal shower — see the last photo in the set). We Spritzers just can’t get enough of them.

Nowadays grapefruits are an indulgence. I buy them when I am really in the mood for them or as a special treat. Something to savor. They tend to be just too expensive for every day eating.

So now, thanks to my family, we have a case of them to enjoy. Oh, I am in heaven. Excuse me while I go peel one. I’m going to eat it while I enjoy the rest of our Hannukah presents from Mom and Dad (another Spritzer tradition: books for gifts!).

We are so going to make grapefruit and avocado salad this week.

Rainy weather, cozy socks.

Love cool, rainy Northern California winter days. Just the perfect weather for staying warm, drinking tea, and being with friends. And today I enjoyed all three things. After yoga class, three of us (plus two babies!) walked over to a local tea shop and had some social time. (Yes! Mamas can have a social life after babies are born!) I loved the tea shop — all organic! super cozy! so delicious! Just the perfect winter destination. And so nice meeting and getting to know new people. I think I am going to totally embrace the whole mama-baby playgroup thing.

Virtual Baby Shower

In case you haven’t heard, we’re hosting our baby shower online!

Because we have friends and family scattered across the country, we’ve decided to forgo the typical baby shower gathering. Rather than travel to New Jersey or Northern California or New Mexico, you can participate sitting at home in front of your computer. All our friends and family can then take part, feel included, and not spend a cent.

Our first Baby Shower activity is a photo matching game. To join in, please email Carrie one of your baby photos, as well as a photo taken recently. Then we will all get to guess which baby photo belongs to which friend! Photo submissions are due by December 21st, so please hop on it and email me your photos!

David and I hope you all join in. The more folks participating, the more fun and the greater challenge it will be!

UPDATED: No stress if you can’t find photos to submit! Everyone is welcome to join in and play the guessing game!

And please stay tuned to learn more about our next virtual baby shower activity…

Monthly Baby Polls  

We’ve also been hosting polls about the baby! Check out and vote in our month six poll (what color hair will the baby have?) and month seven poll (when will our baby arrive?). Our month eight poll will be online soon. (Please email Carrie or leave a comment bellow with topic suggestions!)