Yesterday…

We used to have Superman living with us.  Now we have a Ninja Turtle/Darth Vador/ Batman. His very own creation.

Kaylee and Jake thought I lost my mind. 

Jake: “Mom, you know we are going inside the store.”

Kaylee: “ He is not going like that to the Open House tonight!” 

Yes, I knew we were going inside the store and no, he did not go like that to the school open house, but he did go like this to Sam’s Club and I really didn’t care.  I was on a mission and in my project mode.  I had Enrichment on my mind and this awesome frame we were going to make and I really needed my pictures…now.  So lucky for Drew I did not fight that battle.  I thought it was hilarious and refreshing instead.  Don’t you sometimes wish you could be a kid again and not have a care in the world?

I do. 

Yesterday we both won.  He was happy in his costume and I was happy to get my pictures.

The End.

A Little Bit of Ady {4 Months }

This is an update especially for Aunt Beth.  Be ready for picture overload.  I would say sorry for that, but I’m really not! :)

Ady loves to be read to.

(Kaylee reading her homework to Ady)

She is starting to grab things in front of her.  She is more interested in the book itself than actually listening to the story.

Ady…

She isn’t stingy with her smiles.  She is even giggling now.  It is the cutest thing E.V.E.R.  Drew was making funny faces at her in the car today and had her laughing so hard.  Her tickle spot is under her chin.

She loves her birds. 

  

It’s fun to watch her have tummy time in her crib.  She thinks the birds on her sheets are toys.  You can hear her scratching them, trying to pick them up. 

She loves the camera. (Most of the time)

Once she figures out I’m taking pictures of her, she won’t take her eyes off me.  I love that.

 

I could sit and watch her play for hours.  Her hands amaze me.  They are so little and petite.  I can see every single tiny movement and all of the effort and concentration she puts into grabbing a toy and bringing it towards her mouth for inspection.  She’ll sit and stare at the toy for awhile, while I sit and stare at her and watch the  amazement in her face over one single little toy. 

 

I had a different blanket in mind for her favorite one.  She chose this one.  She snuggles up to it all. the. time.  Most of the time it covers her face like this.  I’m glad I got some pictures of her this way because

 Blanket + Ady = LOVE

 

This btw, is a typical day on the changing table.  I can hardly get the blanket out of the way to change her diaper or get her dressed.  She reminds me of Drew that way. 

4 months is my favorite.  I love everything about it.  She is mesmerizing to me.  Even when we are having a bad day.  I honestly love being with her and can’t get enough of her.  I’m trying to figure myself out that way.  I’m sure I felt the same way about my other babies. They were pretty amazing themselves.   But this time I can really feel myself taking the time to relish in everything that comes with a baby.  I think there is something to be said for “enjoying your last baby”.  I think the 4 year spacing helps too.    In fact, sometimes I find myself feeling sad that this is it for me…I will never hold my very own 4 month old again and never watch her rollover again for the first time or figure out how to hold a toy.  Sometimes it makes me want to have another one.  Did I really just say that?  Then I quickly snap back out of my dreamland and into my reality.  The reality that I have 4 beautiful children and I know that is good for me.  So I hold her tighter and appreciate my life just how it is because

I. Am. Smitten.

Projects, Projects, Projects

I am bombarding you with project posts!  I have been a busy bee.  Do you remember my list?  I am tackling it one thing at a time and  making progress.  I am having a lot of fun too.  It’s giving me a break from all the mommy chores.  It’s taken me longer to do them all than I wanted, but what’s the rush, really?  I tell that to myself all the time these days!

I finished my families silhouette’s. 

They are on a wall in our office off of the entry way.  I’d been meaning to do these for a long time and I’m so glad I did.  It was another easy project to mark off the list.

 

I am in LOVE with my pantry door.  That sounds crazy doesn’t it…but it’s true!  This is why:

I get to look at this Vintage Book Wreath close to 100 times a day.  It is made from pages in an old book.  When I made this wreath, I wasn’t planning on hanging it on my pantry door, mostly because that doesn’t sound like a place worthy of such an awesome wreath.  But really…I loved it there. 

It made me happy. 

And I got to thinking…

I would get to enjoy it from the front entry

        

and every time I walk through my dining room. 

I would also get to enjoy it while I’m in the laundry room

and most importantly…

I would get to enjoy it while spending plenty of time in my kitchen.

So the pantry door is where it will stay

because I think it is worthy of such an awesome wreath!

Here is the link if you want to know how to make one.  wreath  :)

4 Month Stats (and an easy project)

Ady had her 4 month check up yesterday.  It went much, much, much better than last time.  She cried a little with the shots (of course).  Right after I picked her up she smiled at the nurse.  Cute!  I had a hunch that she was starting to teeth and the doctor confirmed that my little hunch was right.  I also have a hunch that this teething business is going to take it’s sweet little time.  We have our good days and bad days, but for the most part she is handling it like a content little angel that loves her mommy. :)

Stats at 4 Months

Weight – 11 lbs. 14 oz.  (25%)

Height – 24 in. (50%)

Head – 15.8 (25%)

Since I’m on the subject of Ady, I might as well share a super easy project I did for her room.  I’ve been sorting through my computer, getting ready to print pictures and I realized that I didn’t really have anywhere to set picture frames in Ady’s room.  I only had one more wall left that needed something, but I wanted more than just one more picture to frame.  I was browsing at Hobby Lobby one day and ran into the perfect idea, but it was the wrong color.  I was set on this idea, so I made my own.  

Now, not so bare.

These have been around forever, but I loved the look of it in a picture frame, hanging from ribbon with a bright fabric inside.  I’m a sucker for ribbon and picture frames.  This solved my problem though.   I was able to make it match Ady’s room perfectly and now I have an easy way to display and switch out pictures.  One wall complete…except for the actual pictures.  I’m still working on that.

 

All I did was spray paint an old frame, cut out some cardboard the same size as the inside of the frame (my husband actually did both of those things for me…thank you!), and then wrapped the cardboard with some puffy batting, hot glued it to the backside, wrapped the fabric around that and hot glued it as well.  Then I cut the ribbon and made a criss cross pattern.  The dots on the fabric threw me off for a minute.  I had to line the ribbon up with the dots just right so it looked even.  Lucky for me they matched up perfectly.  Then I tied the bow and hot glued the ribbon to the back of the frame.  I had to add the green knob because I love knobs!  I love hot glue too.  :) 

A little rearranging {Kaylee’s room}

Kaylee was feeling left out and neglected.  She watched her brothers move into the same room and rearrange all of the furniture.  Then she watched us put a nursery together for Ady, all the while saying, “Mom, I really want to put my bed at an angle and can I get a new lamp?” To which my reply was the typical, “Not right now.  Maybe later.” 

Finally, a couple of weekends ago, she got what she wanted.  I had been wanting to move a table out of my room and put it in hers for a long time, but I knew I would be stuck with this big empty hole and I didn’t know how much it would bother me.  I really wanted to start tackling my bedroom, so I took the plunge.  Kaylee was at a friends house one Saturday, so Casey and I decided to surprise her.  She came home to her furniture moved all over the room, just like she wanted.  When she got home she helped us clean out all of her toys and organize drawers and her closet.  Then her and I had a late night shopping.  There was no budget for this, so we had to make do with what we had for the most part.  We bought a new lamp, some picture frames, baskets, a pillow and a vinyl lettering quote.

I wish I had taken some before pictures, but I forgot.  Here is the after:  

Bed at an angle as you walk in the room.  (Kaylee’s idea)

As I was taking these pictures the other day, I was thinking about the furniture in her room.  For the most part there is some sort of meaning or story to them.  I don’t think I have bought any pieces of furniture in her room and that’s how I like it!  For example, her bed frame was my Grandma’s. 

Grandma’s Bed

I inherited it after she passed away.  I love this bed.  Kaylee loves it too and appreciates the special meaning behind it.  She always tells her friends, “That was my mom’s grandma’s bed.”

Bookshelf

Until recently, this was the home for her Barbie’s and accessories.  She has decided that she is too old for them now.  It makes me sad that she thinks she’s too old for toys.  They are in a bin in her closet now, just in case she wants to play with them.  We made this a little more grown up with baskets and picture frames. (Don’t look at all of the empty picture frames.  That’s next on my to - do list.)   Casey made this bookshelf for her several years ago. 

Nightstand

This hasn’t always been Kaylee’s nightstand.  This used to be my mom’s and she gave it to me.  It has been painted many different colors and has been used in many different rooms.

Desk Area  

This is the table and chair I moved from our room into Kaylee’s.  It’s a perfect fit in here.  This was given to me by my Aunt Barbara.  I love the shabby chic look of it.  I’m glad I finally found it a perfect home.  Kaylee absolutely adores it.  I think this is her favorite thing in her room. 

Mirror

 

I love the mirror above the table.  Then it could either be a vanity or a desk.  My Aunt Barbara also gave me this mirror, years and years ago.  Before I was even married!  Casey made the white picture frame.

 

No story here.  This is just me adding my little touch.  I’m all about the glass knobs these days and I love how it looks with the shabby chic.

 

We sort of went with the dream theme.  Kalyee and I found this pillow while we were shopping so we had to get it.  It softens the look of the chair too. 

This is above her bookshelf.  That’s the vinyl quote we got.   I love vinyl quotes!  They are so fun.

 

Dresser

  

This dresser used to be an ugly brown color. I stole it from my brother years ago.  He was living with us and then moved out and I just happened to convince him that he didn’t really need it anymore.  A couple coats of paint, some sanding to distress it and fun hardware makes it all Kaylee’s!  There are a couple of empty drawers  if anyone wants to come visit. ;)

It makes me feel happy and warm when I can step into one of our rooms and feel connected to other people by the stories behind my furniture.  It also makes me happy that Kaylee knows the stories in her room and that she can be overheard telling her friends all about them. 

Just for my remembrance:  Kaylee helped me decorate the ENTIRE room.  If she didn’t like something somewhere then we didn’t put it there.  Luckily, we both have the same taste and can see things the same way.  After we were all done, she could hardly wait to show her friends, so they came over.  I was in the other room and could hear them tell her how creative she was.  Then she modestly said, “I get it from my mom.”  That made me step back about 20 years.  I could hear myself saying those same words to my friends growing up, “I get it from my mom.”  I can’t believe that I am old enough to see the full circle!! 

Funny…

*I went upstairs to tuck the boys into bed the other night and this is what I found.

 

I should have figured they were up to something when I hadn’t heard from them in awhile.  I didn’t really think much of it that night.  I just thought,  “Oh how cute.  They were being creative and decided to take charge and show off their work.”  I said goodnight and went about my night.  The next morning I looked closer and actually read what their notes said.

That is Jake’s handwriting.  It says: Boys most of the time.  I have no idea what the drawing is???

 

This one says: Only girls that have long hair can come in.  Hmmmmm….I think he considers my hair long.  I think what he really means is, “No certain sister and her friends allowed!”

 

Just in case we didn’t quite understand, they drew a picture.  Point made!  Do you like the short hair?

Drew had to back up his brother and put his 2 cents in.  He calls these scribble marks his “Listes”, not “Lists”.  I had a good laugh.  It’s been a couple of days since then and they are still hanging on their door.

*I’ve been doing a lot of minor rearranging around our house lately.  Drew has seen me and been paying attention more than I thought.  He came home from preschool today with a Valentine present for me.  After he hid it in my bedroom and made me go find it, he took it upstairs to his room and told me he was going to find the perfect spot for it.  This is what I found.

The gift was the heart with the picture of us together at his school party.  He hung it like that and then leaned our family Christmas card in front of it.  (He’s been carrying that picture around for awhile now).  He told me the Tiger had to have a bed and then layed it in front like that.  All I could do was smile at him and think, “I’ve really messed my kids up.” (with the decorating)

*Casey has been wearing his contacts lately instead of his glasses.  The other day Drew made his day.  He told him that he looked like a teenager with out his glasses.  We both thought THAT was really funny!

Happy Valentine’s

Yesterday, Drew and I spent time making Valentine’s for his preschool party today.

He worked really hard.

 

I traced the hearts for him onto the cardstalk and he, ever so patiently, cut the hearts out with decorative scissors of his choosing. 

He even helped me run them through the printer.

Then he chose the color of Starburst to attach, while I taped them on.  He went the extra mile with the crayons.  Everything has to have crayons!

He was pretty happy about the outcome and enjoyed a wonderful party at school today.

Happy Valentine’s!

Love,

        Drew

My Wish List aka: my {ME} list

Projects are consuming my mind, but not consuming nearly enough of my time.  I feel like I run in circles all day long, getting the necessities done while all these jumbled up thoughts and project ideas float around in my head.  When I do have “me” time -  a chance to be creative and productive for myself,  it’s at night and I am too dang tired to start something else.  So, instead of doing something about it right now at 9:30 p.m. I will sit here in my peacefully quiet house in front of my computer and look at my list in hopes that tomorrow will be a more productive day (and hope that little miss Ady will sleep for longer than 30 minutes at a time tomorrow.  I love seeing her face and all but….)

{My Wish List} – in no particular order:

*Get my dining room wall done.

*Finish my family’s silhouette’s.

*Rap up some finishing touches on Kaylee’s room and Ady’s room.  (We moved some furniture around in K’s room and got a couple of new accessories this weekend.  That wasn’t part of my plans.  It just sort of happened and now I have to finish it).

*Spray paint a couple of minor things.

*Change a million and one pictures through out my house.  It’s time to update.

*Print my blog book for 2009.

*Scrapbook my kids seasonal pages.

*Can I just say…Scrapbook, Scrapbook, Scrapbook?  2008 and 2009, Ady’s baby book and my kids’ ornament books.

*Make a book wreath.

*Make a mobile for Ady.

*Work on my hallway wall upstairs.

Ha, ha, ha!  I am making myself laugh right now!  All of that is going to take me half the year alone at the rate I’m going, so I might as well add in a couple more things and make it ‘My Wish List for the year 2010’.  Here we go:

*Give my bedroom and bathroom a makeover.

*Go on a hunt for a small table for the entry way and for the hall upstairs.

*Make curtains for the game room and get some new lampshades.

*Get new hardware for my entertainment centers in the family room and the gameroom.

See, I have all of these plans, I just need the time and energy.  That is the story of my life, but I’m sure I’m not the only one.  So, either I will disappear for a while and you can think of me being a happy busy bee getting all of my wishes completed or you will see me often, reporting all that I have done.  Whatever mood I’m in I just hope to be making the most of my “me” time! :) 

Now I’m either going to crawl in my cozy bed and read until I fall asleep, or sit on the couch with my husband and watch some DVR’d shows.  Both sound pretty awesome!  Good Night…