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December 16, 2020

Christmas 2020

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… a really crazy year.

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are here. The end of 2019 feels like yesterday and at the same time feels too good to have happened. The carefree life we all lived before this pandemic feels so out of reach, I’m struggling to grasp my mind around it. It’s not that this state of the world will ever feel normal, but COVID has impacted so many parts of our lives that going back to the way things were seems unattainable. I mean, imagine booking concert tickets, hugging a friend you randomly run into, or having a dinner party where you share a plate of appetizers with people not in your household. It sounds crazy, doesn’t it?

Maybe that’s why this time of year feels extra special to me.

Despite the complete shitshow this year has been, I’m really looking forward to Christmas. My immediate family hasn’t been under the same roof in almost a year, and I am ecstatic to have them here. Jude is still young, but he’s really enjoying everything that comes with the holidays and it’s Heath’s first Christmas, which is always special. My brother hasn’t seen Jude since he was 11 months old and I can’t wait for them to see each other outside of FaceTime, and he has yet to be able to meet Heath. We won’t be spending much time out of the house due to the fact that we want to be as safe as possible, but to be able to play board games together and keep our Christmas traditions going sounds like a dream after being a part for so long.

I’ve talked about this before but Christmas Eve is much more of a celebration for my family than Christmas. My mom makes stuffed shells while my dad makes a big antipasto dish. We open one gift on Christmas Eve night – a tradition my husband brought into our family, and then on Christmas day my mom makes waffles after we open gifts. Typically we eat something non-traditional that night (tacos has been a popular dish in the past) so this year my husband will be making dumplings.

My husband and I are SO excited for Jude to open his gifts! I try and take a more minimalist approach when it comes to toys (my husband on the other hand is a big kid himself and loves toy shopping) but we picked up some things for Jude we knew he would love. He’s been on a real Toy Story kick, so we picked up a Woody Doll for him – we’re calling this the “big gift” because we know he’s going to absolutely lose it when he sees it. Outside of a few other things, we also got him a Melissa & Doug cleaning set since he loves to help us “clean” the house. Another gift I can’t wait for him to open is his Slumberkins doll from my parents. Not only are they incredibly soft, but I love the meaning behind each one. We purchased Heath more practical items since he’s too young to open gifts, but I’m so excited to create memories as a family of four. And if you didn’t think I was that type of mom to buy us matching pajamas for Christmas morning, you were wrong.

In the past, I always thought that decorating too early for the holidays was rushing time, but I’m a full-blown believer now in getting a Christmas tree as early as possible. It’s so nice to have the magic of the holidays in the house earlier, and especially now that we’re all stuck at home, it’s nice to enjoy it longer. (Side note: I’ve still yet to find a tree topper I like. Hopefully in 2021 I’ll find “the one”) This is also the first year that we’ve lit the menorah. We always had ours out this time of year, but now that we have children, we’re putting more effort into celebrating Hannukah as well since we want the boys to know both holidays. They’re lucky kids!

I understand that a lot of people feel completely burned out from 2020. So many people have experienced unbelievable heartbreak from losing loved ones to COVID and it has put so many things in perspective for me. I am so grateful for the health of my family and for the birth of my son this year, and although Thanksgiving was the first holiday we weren’t able to spend together, I know how lucky I am to see my family for Christmas. This year’s celebration will be that much sweeter.

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FOLLOW ALONG @jillbadlotto
If you don’t take a photo of palm trees, are you If you don’t take a photo of palm trees, are you even in Florida? 🌴 Just realized today is Monday, not Sunday, which means it’s Bachelor night. I’m all in this season and fully invested, because what else do I have to do on a Monday night other than judge a ton of people on a reality show? Also, what is up with Queen Victoria?
We are HUGE @DisneyPlus fans in this family and no We are HUGE @DisneyPlus fans in this family and now that Jude is getting older, we’re really loving family movie nights! So we’re SO excited for Disney+’s new original movie Flora & Ulysses, streaming February 19th! Flora & Ulysses is about a girl named who befriends a squirrel she rescues named Ulysses, and learns he possesses unique superhero powers that take them on an adventure that changes Flora’s life. I also love that it’s based on a book, and I can’t wait for Jude to watch it since he’s obsessed with the squirrels in our neighborhood. 😂 You can swipe right to check or visit the link in my bio to watch the full trailer for @Floraandulysses, streaming exclusively on Disney+ February 19th! @DisneyStudios #FloraAndUlysses #DisneyPlus #ad #hbtfloraulysses
Got a little weather FOMO when I saw it was snowin Got a little weather FOMO when I saw it was snowing in Chicago, but we took the boys to a nearby botanical garden (we were the only people there) and enjoyed the 70 degree weather so much, I stopped missing the snow reaaaal quick. 😉 Also the @sollybaby wrap may be our most used baby product. It’s so comfortable, easy to put on, and Heath absolutely loves it. I may start carrying Olive in it when he’s too big for it.
Hooray for 3 months! 💙We’re officially out of Hooray for 3 months! 💙We’re officially out of the fourth trimester and we’re really starting to see his little personality come through. He gives the most hilarious judgmental looks (who can blame him? He’s a 2020 baby), smiles when anyone talks to him, and loves to watch his big brother play.  He’s only been here for a few days but he’s loving the Florida sunshine! ☀️ #heyheathjoseph #childhoodunplugged #babyboy #lifewithlittles
After driving 24 hours we finally made it to paren After driving 24 hours we finally made it to parents’ house in Florida! Driving with two kids under two, two dogs, and enough suitcases to dress an army was hectic to say the least, but it’s always the crazy ideas that make the best memories. And even though we’re not going anywhere, the change of scenery and ability to be outside is going to be such a treat for us. Jude is already living his best life in nothing but a diaper while Olive has already traumatized the ducks in the backyard. 😂 Side note: this gallery wall at their house is my favorite, and I can’t believe how much Jude looks like my dad as a baby (third photo from the top left!) #heyjudeharrison
Proof I own sneakers. Also proof I don’t really Proof I own sneakers. Also proof I don’t really know what to do with them because I wore them in wet snow. 🥴 Took this guy to his 2 year appointment today. I can’t believe we have an almost 2 year old! #heyjudeharrison

FOLLOW ALONG! @JILLBADLOTTO

If you don’t take a photo of palm trees, are you If you don’t take a photo of palm trees, are you even in Florida? 🌴 Just realized today is Monday, not Sunday, which means it’s Bachelor night. I’m all in this season and fully invested, because what else do I have to do on a Monday night other than judge a ton of people on a reality show? Also, what is up with Queen Victoria?
We are HUGE @DisneyPlus fans in this family and no We are HUGE @DisneyPlus fans in this family and now that Jude is getting older, we’re really loving family movie nights! So we’re SO excited for Disney+’s new original movie Flora & Ulysses, streaming February 19th! Flora & Ulysses is about a girl named who befriends a squirrel she rescues named Ulysses, and learns he possesses unique superhero powers that take them on an adventure that changes Flora’s life. I also love that it’s based on a book, and I can’t wait for Jude to watch it since he’s obsessed with the squirrels in our neighborhood. 😂 You can swipe right to check or visit the link in my bio to watch the full trailer for @Floraandulysses, streaming exclusively on Disney+ February 19th! @DisneyStudios #FloraAndUlysses #DisneyPlus #ad #hbtfloraulysses
Got a little weather FOMO when I saw it was snowin Got a little weather FOMO when I saw it was snowing in Chicago, but we took the boys to a nearby botanical garden (we were the only people there) and enjoyed the 70 degree weather so much, I stopped missing the snow reaaaal quick. 😉 Also the @sollybaby wrap may be our most used baby product. It’s so comfortable, easy to put on, and Heath absolutely loves it. I may start carrying Olive in it when he’s too big for it.
Hooray for 3 months! 💙We’re officially out of Hooray for 3 months! 💙We’re officially out of the fourth trimester and we’re really starting to see his little personality come through. He gives the most hilarious judgmental looks (who can blame him? He’s a 2020 baby), smiles when anyone talks to him, and loves to watch his big brother play.  He’s only been here for a few days but he’s loving the Florida sunshine! ☀️ #heyheathjoseph #childhoodunplugged #babyboy #lifewithlittles
After driving 24 hours we finally made it to paren After driving 24 hours we finally made it to parents’ house in Florida! Driving with two kids under two, two dogs, and enough suitcases to dress an army was hectic to say the least, but it’s always the crazy ideas that make the best memories. And even though we’re not going anywhere, the change of scenery and ability to be outside is going to be such a treat for us. Jude is already living his best life in nothing but a diaper while Olive has already traumatized the ducks in the backyard. 😂 Side note: this gallery wall at their house is my favorite, and I can’t believe how much Jude looks like my dad as a baby (third photo from the top left!) #heyjudeharrison
Proof I own sneakers. Also proof I don’t really Proof I own sneakers. Also proof I don’t really know what to do with them because I wore them in wet snow. 🥴 Took this guy to his 2 year appointment today. I can’t believe we have an almost 2 year old! #heyjudeharrison

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