Monthly Roundup: December Books and Favorites

This year… Wow. 2023, it was a crazy one. I’ve been processing and reflecting a lot lately. This year was both incredibly joyful and also insanely tough. We navigated Year 1 of being parents and experienced all the highs and lows that come with watching your baby grow and learn. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, had a thyroidectomy surgery, and have been slowly recovering for months (it’s been a bit more challenging than expected).

2023. What a year. Like previous years, I am wrapping up my 1-Second Every Day video challenge and will be posting that on New Year’s Eve. Watching how it has unfolded brings back so many little moments from this year; it truly was a memorable, life changing year.

But before we officially say “goodbye” to 2023, I wanted to take a moment to share December highlights. There will be a bonus blog post on Sunday that shares my 2023 favorites! This month has flown by in a blink but so many fun things happened! Let’s dive in.

{ONE} Girls Day to Longwood Gardens

My mom, sisters-in-law and I have a tradition of going to Longwood Gardens at Christmastime. I couldn’t go last year because I was 39 weeks pregnant and waddling, so I was excited to return this year. Longwood Gardens’ theme was retro Christmas and I was obsessed. They always do an amazing job but I loved the theme and especially fell in love with their PINK and LEOPARD PRINT display. Are you KIDDING.

{TWO} Vienna’s First Birthday

Vienna turned one this month. I went into detail about all my thoughts on this milestone in last week’s blog post. We threw a Winter ONE-derland-themed party and it was truly magical. I’ve been planning/thinking about this theme since April, and to see it come to life was so fun. Luke baked the smash cake and we had winter-themed snacks like a charcuterie tree and a veggie snowman tray. Vienna LOVED it and especially enjoyed the balloon arch and eating all the icing.

{THREE} Holiday Break

I work for a university and one of the perks is having two weeks off around Christmas for holiday break. It is glorious, and yes, I look forward to it all year long. The week before Christmas, Vienna and I ran errands, played with her new toys, and attempted her first craft. During nap time, I read books, wrapped gifts, drank hot chocolate, and enjoyed every minute. I’m so thankful for the time of R&R.

{FOUR} Christmas

This Christmas was truly magical. It was technically Vienna’s second Christmas, but the first one she was able to enjoy it (last year, she was 3 days old). She loves the Christmas tree and enjoyed ripping all the wrapping paper. She was a rock star during the marathon of a few days visiting family and traveling around the state. She did great even with skipped naps and being out of her routine. It was memorable experiencing it through her eyes.

{FIVE} Books I Read in December

I’m once again looping the books I read this month into the monthly roundup. With these books, I officially reached my 2023 reading goal of reading 50 books (currently at 51).