I've taken a quick tour over to wordpress and am giving it a trial run. I migrated so everything you see here is also there but I won't be updating here while I'm giving wordpress its run. So...come on over and see me...
http://gracedbyemilie.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Last element for Landon's room
So yesterday we discussed potty training. Today wasn't much better than yesterday, especially since she's started to ask to go back to "baby diapers". I'm not sure what to do. She literally sat on the potty for 10-15 minutes when it was clear she had to go but held it, only to release her bladder within minutes of getting off the potty. I can say getting on my hands and knees to clean up messes at 7 months pregnant is not as easy as it should be. And she clearly isn't interested anymore so I'm in a funky spot. Do I stick with it because we started it and I don't believe it quitting...or do I take notice of the fact that she doesn't want to do it and give her more time to just be my baby. We only have 9 weeks together just us...I sure don't want to ruin a second of them with potty training dramas. We will see. As of bedtime tonight when asked if she wanted to use the potty in the morning or not her answer was, "um...baby diaper".
So I don't know. We're going to sleep on it, think on it, and pray on it and see how the mood strikes us tomorrow. It's a new day.
In the meantime I have finished the final element of baby boy's room decor. I moved the rocker from Em's room to his and put a different chair in her room so we could still snuggle/read/sit together when needed. He needed a lamp for his room because I'm a big believer in low lighting during evening hours to help get kiddos in the mood for sleep. I have always noticed a difference in Em if we leave her overhead light on versus getting ready for bed to the low lamp light. I put the most minimal bulb in those suckers too! We'd been on the hunt for the perfect lamp when my Mom found and ordered us the cutest little lampshade from Etsy. I had a lamp base sitting around in the spare closet so I'd thrown them together, but it just wasn't doing it for me. The lamp base was a pewter metal color and it just wasn't right in his room. So I got crafty and painted it!!! Unfortunately I didn't get a great final picture of it, but it's still pretty darn cute!
Since I didn't make the lampshade I feel it deserves proper credit be given to the maker. You can find her etsy store HERE. For the base it was a pretty simple change. I first painted the entire base brown using acrylic paint and a foam brush and let it dry. Then I applied an acrylic crackling medium over the brown. The medium says to let dry completely before covering with top color. THIS DOES NOT WORK!!!! It NEVER cracks for me when I do that. I usually go ahead and apply the top color while its still pretty tacky and it works pretty well. So I applied the blue lightly over the crackle medium. I think it works better if you don't put it on too thick and if I feel like its too thick, I take the side of the foam brush to dab it up a bit. I think it gave it the rustic look I was going for. It turned out pretty dark navy as it dried but it works really well for his room.
Now I can say his room decor is officially done. Ok...well baring the new blinds, but I plan on ordering those this weekend!! Now its just time to start working on making sure we have all the "stuff" he needs!
So I don't know. We're going to sleep on it, think on it, and pray on it and see how the mood strikes us tomorrow. It's a new day.
In the meantime I have finished the final element of baby boy's room decor. I moved the rocker from Em's room to his and put a different chair in her room so we could still snuggle/read/sit together when needed. He needed a lamp for his room because I'm a big believer in low lighting during evening hours to help get kiddos in the mood for sleep. I have always noticed a difference in Em if we leave her overhead light on versus getting ready for bed to the low lamp light. I put the most minimal bulb in those suckers too! We'd been on the hunt for the perfect lamp when my Mom found and ordered us the cutest little lampshade from Etsy. I had a lamp base sitting around in the spare closet so I'd thrown them together, but it just wasn't doing it for me. The lamp base was a pewter metal color and it just wasn't right in his room. So I got crafty and painted it!!! Unfortunately I didn't get a great final picture of it, but it's still pretty darn cute!
Since I didn't make the lampshade I feel it deserves proper credit be given to the maker. You can find her etsy store HERE. For the base it was a pretty simple change. I first painted the entire base brown using acrylic paint and a foam brush and let it dry. Then I applied an acrylic crackling medium over the brown. The medium says to let dry completely before covering with top color. THIS DOES NOT WORK!!!! It NEVER cracks for me when I do that. I usually go ahead and apply the top color while its still pretty tacky and it works pretty well. So I applied the blue lightly over the crackle medium. I think it works better if you don't put it on too thick and if I feel like its too thick, I take the side of the foam brush to dab it up a bit. I think it gave it the rustic look I was going for. It turned out pretty dark navy as it dried but it works really well for his room.
Now I can say his room decor is officially done. Ok...well baring the new blinds, but I plan on ordering those this weekend!! Now its just time to start working on making sure we have all the "stuff" he needs!
Monday, February 4, 2013
The adventures in potty training...a not so perfect experience
I spent the entire day chronicling our day of potty training to share with you. My intent was to keep a record of the journey to share our successes and failures. But we've hit the end of day two and I just deleted the entire post. I refuse to drag anyone else through the misery of an entire day of misses. We did not have one.single.hit. ARG!!!
I will say we got close once and she emptied her bladder right in front of the potty, she sure did try that time and I was proud of her, but the rest of the day were just plain misses. I really had high hopes coming into today. We started the process yesterday evening and after several misses we had a huge hit and she was so proud! We'd celebrated it properly and she was just thrilled. She told me several times today that she didn't need a "baby diaper" and was excited to pick a pair of undies to wear. But regardless of yesterdays triumph, today was pretty much a failure.
The only thing that makes it possible to trudge into another day of it tomorrow is the fact that she is slowly but surely and obviously getting it. This isn't our first attempt at potty training. When Em was 18 months old she regularly used the potty, but she wasn't physically ready yet. Two other times in the last year we've made an attempt at training but ended it with frustrated parents and too much laundry. After a single day neither of us could see any reason to go forward another day. This time there are clear differences that tell us its worth continuing, even as exhausting and frustrating as it is. One, she can't stand being in the wet undies - Previously she didn't care, so this is a huge step in the right direction. Two, she is communicating with us about it. Three, she's made progress by getting close to making it a few times. I really feel like if we stick with it we will get it this time, but it could take some serious time.
My biggest fear at this point is regression. Is spending all this time and effort only to have her regress in 9 weeks when Landon arrives. I've read TONS of blogs about kiddos regressing after the birth of a sibling. Despite that...we're going to keep trying. Because we believe she's ready and it's not fair to delay her milestones due to our fear of problems down the road. No use borrowing trouble.
The blog I read a few moments ago says day two is the worst...here's hoping they're right and tomorrows better! Frankly, it can't get much worse. We are a little busier tomorrow and have gymnastics and a dinner date, so we will be forced to put on a pull-up during those outings but hopefully we can still have a successful day.
Here are a few fun items I've learned so far...
1- Potty training while pregnant is not smart. Parents deserve wine after a day of this...instead I'm indulging on milk and cookies.
2- Her laundry isn't the only extra you'll be doing. There's the towels from clean-up, socks from stepping in it, and jeans from kneeling in it while you attempt to clean it. Oy!
3- As difficult as this milestone is mentally and physically for her it is mentally exhausting for the parents. Be prepared, go to bed early, allow yourself little treats throughout the day...you're going to need them.
4- You will ask the question "do you need to tee-tee (or you're particular potty word) in the potty?" over and over all day...you will sound like a broken record. You can't help yourself. Your constant fear of the couch/bed/rug being soiled will keep you asking. Invest in some white vinegar to dab on soiled surfaces after getting it as dry as possible. The vinegar neutralizes the urine to help get rid of the smell, but you'll still need to clean the item.
5- Preggo nose + urine = BAD
6- You need LOTS of "big girl (or boy) undies to do this. The last thing you want is to run out of clean undies and be forced to revert to a diaper. We went through at least 5 pairs today, including several pairs of socks and two skirts. Again...be prepared to do laundry. Of course you can allow them to run bare bottomed, but I want her to learn to remove her undies to go...we'll work on adding the element of pants once we can handle getting our undies down in time.
7- Don't show weakness!! It's like a wild animal, if they smell your weakness, they will exploit it. You HAVE to be strong and CALM!!! It doesn't do any good to lose your cool, this has to be a positive thing for them or they'll regress. You can be somewhat disappointed though. I happened to say at one point today "Oh no, you tee-tee'd in your panties again, that makes Mommy sad". When she made it all the way to the potty the one time today and then didn't finish making it, she said "oh man...mommy sad". I have to admit I felt awful for her because she really did try, but...I think she tried harder to keep from making Mommy sad...
8- This is the one time I've wished my kid went to daycare! LOL I know several people who's daycare did the brunt of their child's potty training. I'm incredibly jealous. But glad that we're in this one together. I'll be proud that we made it through this one day :)
We have a long road ahead of us. We are very close to being "out of diapers" and long from being "potty trained" but we're working on it. And at the very least we saved ourselves a few diapers today :) Wish us luck! (and patience!!)
I will say we got close once and she emptied her bladder right in front of the potty, she sure did try that time and I was proud of her, but the rest of the day were just plain misses. I really had high hopes coming into today. We started the process yesterday evening and after several misses we had a huge hit and she was so proud! We'd celebrated it properly and she was just thrilled. She told me several times today that she didn't need a "baby diaper" and was excited to pick a pair of undies to wear. But regardless of yesterdays triumph, today was pretty much a failure.
The only thing that makes it possible to trudge into another day of it tomorrow is the fact that she is slowly but surely and obviously getting it. This isn't our first attempt at potty training. When Em was 18 months old she regularly used the potty, but she wasn't physically ready yet. Two other times in the last year we've made an attempt at training but ended it with frustrated parents and too much laundry. After a single day neither of us could see any reason to go forward another day. This time there are clear differences that tell us its worth continuing, even as exhausting and frustrating as it is. One, she can't stand being in the wet undies - Previously she didn't care, so this is a huge step in the right direction. Two, she is communicating with us about it. Three, she's made progress by getting close to making it a few times. I really feel like if we stick with it we will get it this time, but it could take some serious time.
My biggest fear at this point is regression. Is spending all this time and effort only to have her regress in 9 weeks when Landon arrives. I've read TONS of blogs about kiddos regressing after the birth of a sibling. Despite that...we're going to keep trying. Because we believe she's ready and it's not fair to delay her milestones due to our fear of problems down the road. No use borrowing trouble.
The blog I read a few moments ago says day two is the worst...here's hoping they're right and tomorrows better! Frankly, it can't get much worse. We are a little busier tomorrow and have gymnastics and a dinner date, so we will be forced to put on a pull-up during those outings but hopefully we can still have a successful day.
Here are a few fun items I've learned so far...
1- Potty training while pregnant is not smart. Parents deserve wine after a day of this...instead I'm indulging on milk and cookies.
2- Her laundry isn't the only extra you'll be doing. There's the towels from clean-up, socks from stepping in it, and jeans from kneeling in it while you attempt to clean it. Oy!
3- As difficult as this milestone is mentally and physically for her it is mentally exhausting for the parents. Be prepared, go to bed early, allow yourself little treats throughout the day...you're going to need them.
4- You will ask the question "do you need to tee-tee (or you're particular potty word) in the potty?" over and over all day...you will sound like a broken record. You can't help yourself. Your constant fear of the couch/bed/rug being soiled will keep you asking. Invest in some white vinegar to dab on soiled surfaces after getting it as dry as possible. The vinegar neutralizes the urine to help get rid of the smell, but you'll still need to clean the item.
5- Preggo nose + urine = BAD
6- You need LOTS of "big girl (or boy) undies to do this. The last thing you want is to run out of clean undies and be forced to revert to a diaper. We went through at least 5 pairs today, including several pairs of socks and two skirts. Again...be prepared to do laundry. Of course you can allow them to run bare bottomed, but I want her to learn to remove her undies to go...we'll work on adding the element of pants once we can handle getting our undies down in time.
7- Don't show weakness!! It's like a wild animal, if they smell your weakness, they will exploit it. You HAVE to be strong and CALM!!! It doesn't do any good to lose your cool, this has to be a positive thing for them or they'll regress. You can be somewhat disappointed though. I happened to say at one point today "Oh no, you tee-tee'd in your panties again, that makes Mommy sad". When she made it all the way to the potty the one time today and then didn't finish making it, she said "oh man...mommy sad". I have to admit I felt awful for her because she really did try, but...I think she tried harder to keep from making Mommy sad...
8- This is the one time I've wished my kid went to daycare! LOL I know several people who's daycare did the brunt of their child's potty training. I'm incredibly jealous. But glad that we're in this one together. I'll be proud that we made it through this one day :)
We have a long road ahead of us. We are very close to being "out of diapers" and long from being "potty trained" but we're working on it. And at the very least we saved ourselves a few diapers today :) Wish us luck! (and patience!!)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Hello?? and the great Jinx!
First, before I get going...I have to ask...who are you?? HAHAHA! I really wanna know! Traffic has been steadily increasing so SOMEONE is out there reading about escapades with Emilie and the house/crafts/life. But I'm a little curious about the lack of comment/followers. I'm not complaining (really...I'm not)!! As much as I'd love to know who you are and hear from you (and know which posts you like/prefer) I mostly blog just for me. Its my little outlet. A place where I can brag about my amazing little girl, whine about the joys of pregnancy, or share some of my crafts/home improvement projects. But a good friend of mine started to blog about the time I resurrected this one and she's on a different media. She has many more followers and gets comments often. Yet...our traffic is usually pretty equal. So my question is... Is it more fun to silently stalk (I'm not judging...I do that on many blogs, lol), does Blogger make it difficult for you to comment/follow, or is my content just not worth saying anything about (which is totally possible)? I'd love some feedback if you don't mind...because I'm tinkering with jumping ship for Wordpress and can't decide if I really want to do that or not....
Now to the fun stuff. This blog is a great.big.JINX!!! I'm sure anyone who read my bragging post about my wonderful delight of a two year old was cursing me under their breaths or saying...just you wait..
...well...You got me!!
I have to admit in the scheme of the terrible two's my child is an angel. She really is. But in the last week she's decided to assert her independence in some very stubborn ways. First, she decided one day this week that she was done with the highchair. It wasn't even still the "baby" highchair with the tray on...nope she has at the table with the highchair booster in the table chair. But that was no longer going to work. She just kept saying, "No highchair" or "its too small". Now some of you are probably thinking I should have put her cute little rear in that chair and told her to deal, which I DID for a day or so. But honestly the meltdown fit and chasing her down to put her in it and then she was so wrapped up in not wanting to be there that she didn't eat was just not worth it. We tried the next day to sit at our lower (the kitchen table is counter height...not very kid friendly) dining table and it was...ok...but she lost interest in eating and was difficult to keep at the table. So after a day off I tried the highchair seat again...nope...not.going.to.happen. Finally I got smart and got our collapsible travel booster seat out of the car and strapped it into the chair the highchair seat used to be in. She didn't mind this, maybe it helped that I referred it as a big girl seat. But she is strapped in safely (a must at the higher table and for my sanity in keeping her seated) and seems happier. She actually looks more comfortable too because she can get actually under the table. Unfortunately this seat isn't meant for daily use so I'm not sure its a permanent solution, but its works for now.
Then lastnight she decided to assert her independence again...this time regarding her diaper! She decided after a diaper change that she was NOT going to wear a diaper. Adamantly refused. In reality this is probably a great thing because she's maybe showing some interest in potty training again (which would be amazing if she figured it out before Landon arrives) but it also means I have to diligently watch her and remind her and clean up messes. Not that I'm not always watching her, but its different when they're running around bare bottomed. I finally convinced her to wear some panties (the padded trainers...more for my furniture's sake than anything) but that only lasted until the next round of I wanna sit on the potty (that went NOWHERE) and more refusal of wearing undergarments. I finally moved the potty chair into the family room and let her go back and forth from the potty to playing...watching carefully for signs. She didn't end up needing to go again before bedtime and seemed to reason with me about wearing a diaper to bed but it was an interesting evening for sure. I like the portability of the potty chair but I love that we added one of these to her bathroom...
Found here. You can also find them at Home Depot but we went to two and both were sold out before we just ordered it and had it shipped free using amazing Amazon Prime.
She likes that it's sitting on the "big girl potty" and I like that it easily hides away or is there when needed. We've had more "hits" using this than her portable potty...but I think both are good to have.
So while we've had some definite shows of toddler independence and more "NO"'s in the last few days (from her) than we are used to, its neat to see the changes they go through. I'm interested to see if the renewed interest in the potty is a sign that she's actually ready this time. Before it was always my idea, but this time, she's mentioned using the potty twice in one week unprompted. Unfortunately both times it was mentioned AFTER the fact and she didn't need to go anymore, but hopefully we can get a few good "hits" and rewards for them and we'll be well on our way! Here's hoping!!
In the meantime I'm going to keep begging for a chocolate IV. Between the baby seeming to drop and adding a new phase of discomfort, my toddler inserting her independence, and finding out that instead of the little tax refund I was hoping for...we OWE...I'm deserving that IV. I really...really...really...am!
I see my doc on Monday for my 30 week checkup...think if I show him this he'll write the order??!!?
Now to the fun stuff. This blog is a great.big.JINX!!! I'm sure anyone who read my bragging post about my wonderful delight of a two year old was cursing me under their breaths or saying...just you wait..
...well...You got me!!
I have to admit in the scheme of the terrible two's my child is an angel. She really is. But in the last week she's decided to assert her independence in some very stubborn ways. First, she decided one day this week that she was done with the highchair. It wasn't even still the "baby" highchair with the tray on...nope she has at the table with the highchair booster in the table chair. But that was no longer going to work. She just kept saying, "No highchair" or "its too small". Now some of you are probably thinking I should have put her cute little rear in that chair and told her to deal, which I DID for a day or so. But honestly the meltdown fit and chasing her down to put her in it and then she was so wrapped up in not wanting to be there that she didn't eat was just not worth it. We tried the next day to sit at our lower (the kitchen table is counter height...not very kid friendly) dining table and it was...ok...but she lost interest in eating and was difficult to keep at the table. So after a day off I tried the highchair seat again...nope...not.going.to.happen. Finally I got smart and got our collapsible travel booster seat out of the car and strapped it into the chair the highchair seat used to be in. She didn't mind this, maybe it helped that I referred it as a big girl seat. But she is strapped in safely (a must at the higher table and for my sanity in keeping her seated) and seems happier. She actually looks more comfortable too because she can get actually under the table. Unfortunately this seat isn't meant for daily use so I'm not sure its a permanent solution, but its works for now.
Then lastnight she decided to assert her independence again...this time regarding her diaper! She decided after a diaper change that she was NOT going to wear a diaper. Adamantly refused. In reality this is probably a great thing because she's maybe showing some interest in potty training again (which would be amazing if she figured it out before Landon arrives) but it also means I have to diligently watch her and remind her and clean up messes. Not that I'm not always watching her, but its different when they're running around bare bottomed. I finally convinced her to wear some panties (the padded trainers...more for my furniture's sake than anything) but that only lasted until the next round of I wanna sit on the potty (that went NOWHERE) and more refusal of wearing undergarments. I finally moved the potty chair into the family room and let her go back and forth from the potty to playing...watching carefully for signs. She didn't end up needing to go again before bedtime and seemed to reason with me about wearing a diaper to bed but it was an interesting evening for sure. I like the portability of the potty chair but I love that we added one of these to her bathroom...
She likes that it's sitting on the "big girl potty" and I like that it easily hides away or is there when needed. We've had more "hits" using this than her portable potty...but I think both are good to have.
So while we've had some definite shows of toddler independence and more "NO"'s in the last few days (from her) than we are used to, its neat to see the changes they go through. I'm interested to see if the renewed interest in the potty is a sign that she's actually ready this time. Before it was always my idea, but this time, she's mentioned using the potty twice in one week unprompted. Unfortunately both times it was mentioned AFTER the fact and she didn't need to go anymore, but hopefully we can get a few good "hits" and rewards for them and we'll be well on our way! Here's hoping!!
In the meantime I'm going to keep begging for a chocolate IV. Between the baby seeming to drop and adding a new phase of discomfort, my toddler inserting her independence, and finding out that instead of the little tax refund I was hoping for...we OWE...I'm deserving that IV. I really...really...really...am!
I see my doc on Monday for my 30 week checkup...think if I show him this he'll write the order??!!?
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
The final countdown
Yep...I did that. I created a countdown. Why? Honestly my reasoning is a bit off. I was having a bad day at work and wanted to know how many days until I get a two month (unpaid) work vacay!! Sick huh?? On this particular day I was deserving my break. Now I completely understand that it will be no vacation, it will be two months of sleep deprivation, exhausting, JOY, and stress...but it will be MY stress! My family stress. No clients, deadlines, bosses or co-workers to bug me. Ok...one co-worker will bug me...but she's allowed :)
Now wasn't it just last week that I posted something about 75 days until baby?? And obviously days have passed since then but even so opening up the countdown to show we're now under 70 days gave me a mini-heart-attack!! The days are definitely passing and it won't be long before I get to share a picture of my beautiful baby boy with you all! As we get into the last final bit I'm starting to ready things. Little things that don't probably won't matter but make me feel more prepared. Like yesterday, I went and treated myself to two pairs of pretty pajama pants at Old Navy (I bought them slightly big but not huge, they aren't low waist so they will go above my incision nicely). They are pretty colors and I have tanks and hooded jackets (lightweight) that will be perfect to complete the outfit while still providing comfort and easy access to nurse Landon. I know some people wear the gown until the moment they check out, for various reasons. But when I had Emilie I felt so BLAH in the hospital, so this time I'm prepared with my cute pajama/outfits and a new pretty robe from my Mama. I packed bobby pins and ponytail holders because I'm not delusional enough to think I'll "do" my hair, but I can make it presentable. And I will be forcing myself to put a little makeup on each day. Look better to feel better!!!! This probably won't happen the first day, I'll be stuck in the bed/gown for 24 hours after surgery on the epidural so I can't pretend I'll look cute. But I'm also not allowing many visitors that day so it shouldn't be a problem. But as soon as they remove my catheter and epidural on Wednesday I'm going to take a shower and get myself presentable! Hold me to it!!
I've half packed my hospital bag! At the urging of a friend who was right last time, so I started packing it when she started urging this time. I have my robe, nursing stuff, toiletries (sample sizes), spare hair brush, hair items, and new pj's ready to go. The tops aren't in there yet because they are items I'm currently using, but as it warms up I'll be able to throw them in.
Starting next week as I make big meal items I intend to make an extra meal (double the recipe) and put it in our freezer. I'm hoping by the time baby arrives to have a handful of freezer meals ready to go for days we need them.
I still haven't bought the items I need for the baby but am giving myself until March before I have to figure that one out. February's extras budget will be going to new blinds for his room (and the final other two) so that he has working blinds. Then come March I can start purchasing items we need. It's just how it is and we should have plenty of time!
Now here's my funny. I think I've written about how I like to plan...but God's plans usually are a bit different than my own. My Mom mentioned the other day just how "easy" our plan was for Landon's arrival. They've got their hotel room booked for my hospital stay, my aunt is lined up to come stay with Emilie, everything is just ready to go on April 9th. Um...uh oh...that's really well planned... I'm just not going to say anything else about that, but if you remember how well planning works for me...well you get the point!
Friday, January 25, 2013
The Makeover....Part 3
I promised I'd do it, so here it is folks! The master bath makeover!!! This one took forever and we're still not nearly done with it, but its a vast improvement already!!!
In order to fully understand, you'd have to see the before...and while I KNOW I took pictures, I cannot find them ANYWHERE! BUT... I do have the pictures from when we were buying the house, so while its not our stuff in the bathroom, the bones are the same.
This is my husbands intended side of the bathroom...notice all the BRASS?!
This is my intended side, look at all that wallpaper?!!
Even brass surround closet mirrored doors...yuck...have I mentioned that I'm not a brass person???
So shortly after moving in we started to tackle the major project of the master bath. It was easy to start, the wallpaper was basically peeling in spots and was tempting to rip off. Even the little one liked getting in on the action!
Look how short her hair was then!! That was just a few months ago!! And just in case your wondering, she'd apparently been playing in Mommies closet before this since that's one of my shirts she's sporting toga style over her pj top :)
The first step was to pull down the wall paper, what a beating that was. Even though it was peeling around the edges it was firmly stuck in other areas and there was a LOT of it!!
Here's a decent shot of what we were working with, probably original to the house. We took down the contractor grade mirrors and got to work pulling it all down.
Once we got the wallpaper off and cleaned the mess we had to Kilz the walls to prime and protect them. Then we had to tackle the job of texturing them. We weren't comfortable with the idea of spraying it ourselves (and the aerosol options were so strong we tried one small section and were forced out of the house for the rest of the day!!) so we did the Behr premixed texture and rolled it on with a textured roller and then knocked it down with a putty knife. Once the walls were ready to go were able to paint and finally had some semi normal looking walls again! It was a process to be sure! We also replaced the brass faucets with oil rubbed bronze faucets (very easy to do, hubs did it himself!). We later replaced the contractor grade mirrors with framed mirrors from Hobby Lobby (they were 50% off and I was sooo excited the day I found them). And since you know I couldn't stand the brass, we took down the mirrored closet doors, taped them off and spray painted the surrounds with a Rust-oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze metallic spray paint. While we had the spray paint out we also painted the light fixtures and air vent. We may have been spray paint happy, but I like the way it turned out, lol. We eventually couldn't stand that the shower surround was also brass so we taped it off and painted it with a Rust-oleum Painters Touch, Oil Rubbed Bronze metallic paint. This actually worked incredibly well, it took a little trial and error not to drip and definitely took two coats,but the shower surround looks fantastic!! Finally we added a shower curtain rod and two curtain panels at the bath tub to add color and texture. We didn't put the swinging saloon doors back up because we like the openness and light that came from the toilet room without them.
Entrance to our made-over master bath
Here is my husbands side. No more brass!!!
My side. I like that we didn't put the swinging saloon doors and have more natural light from the toilet room. It also feels bigger in that area!
Images of the mirrored closet doors finished.
The last lone piece of brass in our bathroom is here on the bathtub. I will likely tape off the faucet and use the Rust-Oleum paint (not the spray) and get rid of it, but I haven't had the guts yet...I'm a little nervous I'd just make it worse...although, in my opinion...it couldn't be by much! LOL
We still have some work to do. We'd eventually like to add some crown molding (like most of the rest of the house that is begging for it), we will need to refinish the cabinets and eventually the tile will need replaced. But it is MUCH better than it was when we moved in. This was our first big project we tackled when we bought the house and we learned a lot from it. There are some things we'd like to have done just a little differently but nothing that was a huge oops, lol!
And just in case you're wondering, I wasn't given any perks for suggesting Kilz or Rust-oleum products, its just what we used and really liked. I'm a huge Rust-oleum fan! Everything looks as good as when we finished it, even if its only been a few months but its a really inexpensive way to change the look of your space and its easy to work with.
In order to fully understand, you'd have to see the before...and while I KNOW I took pictures, I cannot find them ANYWHERE! BUT... I do have the pictures from when we were buying the house, so while its not our stuff in the bathroom, the bones are the same.
This is my husbands intended side of the bathroom...notice all the BRASS?!
This is my intended side, look at all that wallpaper?!!
Even brass surround closet mirrored doors...yuck...have I mentioned that I'm not a brass person???
So shortly after moving in we started to tackle the major project of the master bath. It was easy to start, the wallpaper was basically peeling in spots and was tempting to rip off. Even the little one liked getting in on the action!
Look how short her hair was then!! That was just a few months ago!! And just in case your wondering, she'd apparently been playing in Mommies closet before this since that's one of my shirts she's sporting toga style over her pj top :)
The first step was to pull down the wall paper, what a beating that was. Even though it was peeling around the edges it was firmly stuck in other areas and there was a LOT of it!!
Here's a decent shot of what we were working with, probably original to the house. We took down the contractor grade mirrors and got to work pulling it all down.
Once we got the wallpaper off and cleaned the mess we had to Kilz the walls to prime and protect them. Then we had to tackle the job of texturing them. We weren't comfortable with the idea of spraying it ourselves (and the aerosol options were so strong we tried one small section and were forced out of the house for the rest of the day!!) so we did the Behr premixed texture and rolled it on with a textured roller and then knocked it down with a putty knife. Once the walls were ready to go were able to paint and finally had some semi normal looking walls again! It was a process to be sure! We also replaced the brass faucets with oil rubbed bronze faucets (very easy to do, hubs did it himself!). We later replaced the contractor grade mirrors with framed mirrors from Hobby Lobby (they were 50% off and I was sooo excited the day I found them). And since you know I couldn't stand the brass, we took down the mirrored closet doors, taped them off and spray painted the surrounds with a Rust-oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze metallic spray paint. While we had the spray paint out we also painted the light fixtures and air vent. We may have been spray paint happy, but I like the way it turned out, lol. We eventually couldn't stand that the shower surround was also brass so we taped it off and painted it with a Rust-oleum Painters Touch, Oil Rubbed Bronze metallic paint. This actually worked incredibly well, it took a little trial and error not to drip and definitely took two coats,but the shower surround looks fantastic!! Finally we added a shower curtain rod and two curtain panels at the bath tub to add color and texture. We didn't put the swinging saloon doors back up because we like the openness and light that came from the toilet room without them.
Entrance to our made-over master bath
Here is my husbands side. No more brass!!!
My side. I like that we didn't put the swinging saloon doors and have more natural light from the toilet room. It also feels bigger in that area!
Images of the mirrored closet doors finished.
The last lone piece of brass in our bathroom is here on the bathtub. I will likely tape off the faucet and use the Rust-Oleum paint (not the spray) and get rid of it, but I haven't had the guts yet...I'm a little nervous I'd just make it worse...although, in my opinion...it couldn't be by much! LOL
We still have some work to do. We'd eventually like to add some crown molding (like most of the rest of the house that is begging for it), we will need to refinish the cabinets and eventually the tile will need replaced. But it is MUCH better than it was when we moved in. This was our first big project we tackled when we bought the house and we learned a lot from it. There are some things we'd like to have done just a little differently but nothing that was a huge oops, lol!
And just in case you're wondering, I wasn't given any perks for suggesting Kilz or Rust-oleum products, its just what we used and really liked. I'm a huge Rust-oleum fan! Everything looks as good as when we finished it, even if its only been a few months but its a really inexpensive way to change the look of your space and its easy to work with.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
I'm a wimp
I am a total wimp! I realize this. I'm weak. God created women to pro-create, our bodies were built to do this.
...BUT.. He must have missed a little something in my design because my body doesn't do this well!
(Before I worry anyone, we had our 28 week check-up and ultrasound and baby boy is doing great! Fluid levels are where they should be, nothing looks abnormal, everything is absolutely fine. Maybe other than the fact that my little guy is already just over 3 lbs at 28 weeks! WHOA! BIG BOY! I'm not counting on that too much though because they told me that Emilie would be a 9 lb baby and was delivered 7 lbs 8 oz. SO...as good as sonograms are, they're measurements aren't always that accurate.)
I'm having pain, a lot of pain. The Doctor palpated the area and said it was the edge of my liver. Apparently because I have virtually no waste there is very little room inside my body to accommodate a growing uterus without pressure on my organs. Again...something was off in my design (Seriously!). Now I know other women who are even shorter than me (ok, maybe only a handful) who don't have any issues. But my 5'-1" (on a good day) frame just apparently can't handle this with much grace. It doesn't help that my pelvic bones are apparently quite narrow so the uterus is pushed up higher, further irritating my organs. As uncomfortable as it is and disconcerting to hear that my organs are being pushed on, they believe everything is still A-OK. So...75 more days and we'll be past this phase and have a sweet little boy in our arms.
But this is where I'm a wimp...I will never claim to be one of those glowing pregnant women who "adored being pregnant". Give me a break!!! Its uncomfortable, my clothes don't fit, my face is getting fat, and the foods that sound good/don't sound good just drives me nuts. I loved my life with my little family of three, I am looking forward to my life with our little family of four, but after this....
I.AM.DONE!!!! NO MORE! First, I don't feel that maternal urge to have more. Second, I don't feel like going through this again...I am fully willing to admit it, I am a WIMP! I don't WANNA! And I won't. Luckily I can't have a lapse of judgement later or a "whoops", that just isn't possible after the hysterectomy we are doing with the cesarean. But what brought me to this rant was facebook...
I was scrolling through my facebook feed the other day when I'd wrapped up my work for the day. I'd stayed home and banked some hours while Emilie was at gymnastics with Daddy so I got wrapped up early and she's still napping...Ahhh ME time! I needed it. ANYWAYS... As I scrolled through I saw a friend that is due in just a few weeks with her third baby commenting about already planning for #4! WHAT?! They know exactly how long after this one is born they'll wait before trying to get pregnant again. Mind you, we're young...I graduated with this person so we are both just under thirty. It's enough that I'll have my two before thirty (we wanted to be young parents - fun parents, lol) but she'll have 3 and be working on 4 by thirty?! NO WAY!!! While I almost commented..."you're a better woman than I" I decided to say nothing... because I wasn't sure how it would be construed and my Momma taught me that "if you're not going to say something nice...don't say anything at all". So I kept my mouth shut. Well...on that forum, lol!
But while I don't WANT to have another baby after Landon, I realize that as a woman I am a bit of a wimp. I couldn't physically/mentally/emotionally do this all again. I'm done. So for someone my age to be able to do it twice what I will, I have to applaud her for her strength and endurance...but maybe question her sanity?!
Some women are called to have big families and lots of babies...great for them! But this Momma is D.O.N.E. DONE! I'm excited for my little perfect family of four, one girl & one boy. I'm thankful that God made the decision that we WOULD have another and I'm excited to learn about mothering a boy. I have to believe that God knows more about me than I know about myself to have graced me with a little boy to raise. I just never imagined having a boy. Don't get me wrong, its not that I didn't WANT a boy...it just wasn't what I pictured. Now I'm thankful for the opportunity raise a strong young man to present to the world. But again, while I'm grateful for both of my children...I'm equally grateful for my need of a hysterectomy, lol! Is that awful??
So while having several more children isn't for me, I do applaud those that have the heart to do so. They are stronger than me. I am not strong enough, but...I have to believe it takes strength to know your weaknesses, so I'm content to call myself a big fat WIMP here. Because its me, its my journey with my family. And in just 75 short days, this phase of our journey will be forever behind us. What a crazy thought!
...BUT.. He must have missed a little something in my design because my body doesn't do this well!
(Before I worry anyone, we had our 28 week check-up and ultrasound and baby boy is doing great! Fluid levels are where they should be, nothing looks abnormal, everything is absolutely fine. Maybe other than the fact that my little guy is already just over 3 lbs at 28 weeks! WHOA! BIG BOY! I'm not counting on that too much though because they told me that Emilie would be a 9 lb baby and was delivered 7 lbs 8 oz. SO...as good as sonograms are, they're measurements aren't always that accurate.)
I'm having pain, a lot of pain. The Doctor palpated the area and said it was the edge of my liver. Apparently because I have virtually no waste there is very little room inside my body to accommodate a growing uterus without pressure on my organs. Again...something was off in my design (Seriously!). Now I know other women who are even shorter than me (ok, maybe only a handful) who don't have any issues. But my 5'-1" (on a good day) frame just apparently can't handle this with much grace. It doesn't help that my pelvic bones are apparently quite narrow so the uterus is pushed up higher, further irritating my organs. As uncomfortable as it is and disconcerting to hear that my organs are being pushed on, they believe everything is still A-OK. So...75 more days and we'll be past this phase and have a sweet little boy in our arms.
But this is where I'm a wimp...I will never claim to be one of those glowing pregnant women who "adored being pregnant". Give me a break!!! Its uncomfortable, my clothes don't fit, my face is getting fat, and the foods that sound good/don't sound good just drives me nuts. I loved my life with my little family of three, I am looking forward to my life with our little family of four, but after this....
I.AM.DONE!!!! NO MORE! First, I don't feel that maternal urge to have more. Second, I don't feel like going through this again...I am fully willing to admit it, I am a WIMP! I don't WANNA! And I won't. Luckily I can't have a lapse of judgement later or a "whoops", that just isn't possible after the hysterectomy we are doing with the cesarean. But what brought me to this rant was facebook...
I was scrolling through my facebook feed the other day when I'd wrapped up my work for the day. I'd stayed home and banked some hours while Emilie was at gymnastics with Daddy so I got wrapped up early and she's still napping...Ahhh ME time! I needed it. ANYWAYS... As I scrolled through I saw a friend that is due in just a few weeks with her third baby commenting about already planning for #4! WHAT?! They know exactly how long after this one is born they'll wait before trying to get pregnant again. Mind you, we're young...I graduated with this person so we are both just under thirty. It's enough that I'll have my two before thirty (we wanted to be young parents - fun parents, lol) but she'll have 3 and be working on 4 by thirty?! NO WAY!!! While I almost commented..."you're a better woman than I" I decided to say nothing... because I wasn't sure how it would be construed and my Momma taught me that "if you're not going to say something nice...don't say anything at all". So I kept my mouth shut. Well...on that forum, lol!
But while I don't WANT to have another baby after Landon, I realize that as a woman I am a bit of a wimp. I couldn't physically/mentally/emotionally do this all again. I'm done. So for someone my age to be able to do it twice what I will, I have to applaud her for her strength and endurance...but maybe question her sanity?!
Some women are called to have big families and lots of babies...great for them! But this Momma is D.O.N.E. DONE! I'm excited for my little perfect family of four, one girl & one boy. I'm thankful that God made the decision that we WOULD have another and I'm excited to learn about mothering a boy. I have to believe that God knows more about me than I know about myself to have graced me with a little boy to raise. I just never imagined having a boy. Don't get me wrong, its not that I didn't WANT a boy...it just wasn't what I pictured. Now I'm thankful for the opportunity raise a strong young man to present to the world. But again, while I'm grateful for both of my children...I'm equally grateful for my need of a hysterectomy, lol! Is that awful??
So while having several more children isn't for me, I do applaud those that have the heart to do so. They are stronger than me. I am not strong enough, but...I have to believe it takes strength to know your weaknesses, so I'm content to call myself a big fat WIMP here. Because its me, its my journey with my family. And in just 75 short days, this phase of our journey will be forever behind us. What a crazy thought!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Denial is a great place....
Until the awkward moment that you step out of denial and feel totally unprepared and want to hyperventilate and jump back into denial!!!
I like to tell myself (and anyone else) that we still have almost twelve LONG weeks until the baby is here. And most days, when I'm in pain or exhausted or WADDLING!!! I feel like it is twelve LOOONG weeks...
...Until today standing in the baby aisle at Target realizing I have a maximum of 79 days until this child arrives and I am so incredibly unprepared.
What exactly haven't I prepared?? Well...he has a cute room to come home to so that's a start. He has a carseat to get home from the hospital in (Em's old baby carseat/carrier) and he has some clothes. I was feeling guilty today because I personally haven't bought him a single outfit. His amazing Aunt Brittany passed down clothes from her boys so his closet isn't lacking too much and his equally amazing Grammie Gigi bought him a few outfits too. Even my friend Kate bought him a couple outfits...but his Mommy...nope. Nothing. Not.a.single.one! By this time Emilie's closet was over flowing! But I had hit up the Divine Consignment sale and I didn't HAVE to do that because Brittany and her boys spoiled us! But I still feel a bit guilty that I'm not doing for him like I did for Em.
See...he HAS clothes!!! Note the pink bouncer hiding on the side, lol...poor kid, he'll probably be stuck with that one!
Then there's the STUFF. He has a swing (Em's) and pack-n-play (again...Em's) and a tummy time mat (again...Em's) seeing a pattern here?! I didn't have to go buy him the gear like we did with Emilie because we have it.
But Emilie didn't take a bottle (ever...we failed miserably there) so I didn't keep any for a "next" baby. I don't currently have a single bottle in my house.
Emilie also didn't take a pacifier and the few I did purchase during the week or two she did (only because her reflux was so out of control) were PINK! So I have ONE blue one of those that I tried and she hated stuffed away in a drawer. And since there will be several hours before I can try nursing due to my extended surgery, I want him to be given a pacifier to see if we can hold off on giving him a bottle. I WANT him to take a pacifier because Em didn't and had a real issue with self soothing. I don't want to have to nurse to soothe like I did for Em...I will if I have to, but if there is a way to help him help himself, I'm all about it!
Blankets! That's one of those things they say never to ask for because you'll end up with a ton...well...again all of Em's were PINK! I did not do gender neutral with that little girl apparently, lol! And the few that were probably just didn't survive. I need to also get my hands on a few swaddle me blankets because those were lifesavers for Emilie but they didn't last to save because the velcro wears out.
Diapers?! Yea those things that we'll be buying in excess soon. We have zip, zero, none...unless you think a princess pull-up might work?!
Sigh...I still have 12 weeks (God willing!) and realistically I have a few more weeks until I reach the panic zone. I was fully stocked for Em's arrival by 32 weeks; I remember that because we had our first bad appointment with dropping fluid levels and failing placenta at 31 weeks. I was relieved quickly that IF we had to have her we were at least ready for her. So I can go hide in my denial bubble for another couple weeks right?!
To our credit...he does have a cute room!
The swing will move to the living room once he's here and his tummy time mat (which if you look closely is stuffed under his crib right now) will move in front of the window.
My little cowboys room :) I may just have to nickname him cowboy, lol!
And I DO have a nice new NOT PINK diaper bag from Grammy Gigi to use for him, so that's another item to add to my "Have it" list, lol! He still needs new blinds for his room, his are broken and currently don't open. Little man will need sunlight to help him get his days and nights straight!
So while I'm not TOTALLY unprepared...I'm feeling that way today. At some point in the coming weeks I'm going to have to bite the bullet and make my way down those baby aisles throwing things in the cart. While I normally love to shop, I've not been able to do that yet. I can't explain why...I just haven't. So hopefully soon I'll be able to start marking some things off my list. And hopefully Monday at the Dr we'll get a good report that things are still looking up and we'll make it 79 more days! Because as much as I want to be done with the hurting, waddling, and waiting to meet my little cowboy...he needs to bake. I prefer well done little boys ;)
I like to tell myself (and anyone else) that we still have almost twelve LONG weeks until the baby is here. And most days, when I'm in pain or exhausted or WADDLING!!! I feel like it is twelve LOOONG weeks...
...Until today standing in the baby aisle at Target realizing I have a maximum of 79 days until this child arrives and I am so incredibly unprepared.
What exactly haven't I prepared?? Well...he has a cute room to come home to so that's a start. He has a carseat to get home from the hospital in (Em's old baby carseat/carrier) and he has some clothes. I was feeling guilty today because I personally haven't bought him a single outfit. His amazing Aunt Brittany passed down clothes from her boys so his closet isn't lacking too much and his equally amazing Grammie Gigi bought him a few outfits too. Even my friend Kate bought him a couple outfits...but his Mommy...nope. Nothing. Not.a.single.one! By this time Emilie's closet was over flowing! But I had hit up the Divine Consignment sale and I didn't HAVE to do that because Brittany and her boys spoiled us! But I still feel a bit guilty that I'm not doing for him like I did for Em.
Then there's the STUFF. He has a swing (Em's) and pack-n-play (again...Em's) and a tummy time mat (again...Em's) seeing a pattern here?! I didn't have to go buy him the gear like we did with Emilie because we have it.
But Emilie didn't take a bottle (ever...we failed miserably there) so I didn't keep any for a "next" baby. I don't currently have a single bottle in my house.
Emilie also didn't take a pacifier and the few I did purchase during the week or two she did (only because her reflux was so out of control) were PINK! So I have ONE blue one of those that I tried and she hated stuffed away in a drawer. And since there will be several hours before I can try nursing due to my extended surgery, I want him to be given a pacifier to see if we can hold off on giving him a bottle. I WANT him to take a pacifier because Em didn't and had a real issue with self soothing. I don't want to have to nurse to soothe like I did for Em...I will if I have to, but if there is a way to help him help himself, I'm all about it!
Blankets! That's one of those things they say never to ask for because you'll end up with a ton...well...again all of Em's were PINK! I did not do gender neutral with that little girl apparently, lol! And the few that were probably just didn't survive. I need to also get my hands on a few swaddle me blankets because those were lifesavers for Emilie but they didn't last to save because the velcro wears out.
Diapers?! Yea those things that we'll be buying in excess soon. We have zip, zero, none...unless you think a princess pull-up might work?!
Sigh...I still have 12 weeks (God willing!) and realistically I have a few more weeks until I reach the panic zone. I was fully stocked for Em's arrival by 32 weeks; I remember that because we had our first bad appointment with dropping fluid levels and failing placenta at 31 weeks. I was relieved quickly that IF we had to have her we were at least ready for her. So I can go hide in my denial bubble for another couple weeks right?!
To our credit...he does have a cute room!
The swing will move to the living room once he's here and his tummy time mat (which if you look closely is stuffed under his crib right now) will move in front of the window.
My little cowboys room :) I may just have to nickname him cowboy, lol!
And I DO have a nice new NOT PINK diaper bag from Grammy Gigi to use for him, so that's another item to add to my "Have it" list, lol! He still needs new blinds for his room, his are broken and currently don't open. Little man will need sunlight to help him get his days and nights straight!
So while I'm not TOTALLY unprepared...I'm feeling that way today. At some point in the coming weeks I'm going to have to bite the bullet and make my way down those baby aisles throwing things in the cart. While I normally love to shop, I've not been able to do that yet. I can't explain why...I just haven't. So hopefully soon I'll be able to start marking some things off my list. And hopefully Monday at the Dr we'll get a good report that things are still looking up and we'll make it 79 more days! Because as much as I want to be done with the hurting, waddling, and waiting to meet my little cowboy...he needs to bake. I prefer well done little boys ;)
Friday, January 18, 2013
What are little boys made of??
When I was pregnant with Emilie the theme of most people's comments centered around how much life will change. This time I suppose that is evident. This pregnancy the theme is something like:
- I hope your ready for a boy!
- Boys are completely different that little girls
- You're in for trouble having a boy...
Not the most reassuring comments to someone who NEVER dreamed that God would give her a boy. I'm seriously, I honestly never saw it, if I was dreaming/thinking of our future I only saw girls. There was a time I saw THREE little girls in my daydreams, thankfully the hysterectomy will keep that from coming a reality, three anything is too much for us, lol! But a boy?! I was NOT prepared for that. And while we've known it was a boy for around 15 weeks now, I've still not really come to terms with it. So I went looking for what exactly having a little boy might be like...
So...this means...
He will basically be loud and dirty. Awesome!! But did you see part of that third sign??? SLEEPS SOUNDLY!!! Maybe this baby will SLEEP!!! That was our biggest struggle with Emilie. She was also barely felt in utero, I didn't feel her very often and they wanted to me to do kick counts frequently because her fluids were low...it was so hard to get counts on a baby that barely moved. Landon on the other hand moves all.the.time! He literally beats me up on a frequent basis. So since they are very different in utero (other than my instincts tell me he's also breech-- we'll find out about that on Monday) hopefully their sleeping patterns will be totally different and he will just be the wonderful sleeper my little girl never was. Here's hoping!
Also here's hoping that I can figure out all this boy stuff and keep up with my little man. Dirt, bugs, cars...ooooh my.
- I hope your ready for a boy!
- Boys are completely different that little girls
- You're in for trouble having a boy...
Not the most reassuring comments to someone who NEVER dreamed that God would give her a boy. I'm seriously, I honestly never saw it, if I was dreaming/thinking of our future I only saw girls. There was a time I saw THREE little girls in my daydreams, thankfully the hysterectomy will keep that from coming a reality, three anything is too much for us, lol! But a boy?! I was NOT prepared for that. And while we've known it was a boy for around 15 weeks now, I've still not really come to terms with it. So I went looking for what exactly having a little boy might be like...
So...this means...
He will basically be loud and dirty. Awesome!! But did you see part of that third sign??? SLEEPS SOUNDLY!!! Maybe this baby will SLEEP!!! That was our biggest struggle with Emilie. She was also barely felt in utero, I didn't feel her very often and they wanted to me to do kick counts frequently because her fluids were low...it was so hard to get counts on a baby that barely moved. Landon on the other hand moves all.the.time! He literally beats me up on a frequent basis. So since they are very different in utero (other than my instincts tell me he's also breech-- we'll find out about that on Monday) hopefully their sleeping patterns will be totally different and he will just be the wonderful sleeper my little girl never was. Here's hoping!
Also here's hoping that I can figure out all this boy stuff and keep up with my little man. Dirt, bugs, cars...ooooh my.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Encourage their inner artist
I was laughing tonight as we finger painted with Em about how many little "art projects" we've done in just two short years. I wish I had photographic evidence of all of them, but when I started looking I realized I did photograph a lot.
I believe that encouraging the inner artist in our children is hugely important. I think nurturing their creative side really is as crucial as teaching them to read and count (I was equally surprised at how many pictures I have of Em reading...the kid LOVES books). Not just because I'm a designer... BUT maybe I am a designer because my family encouraged creativity in me. My Mom always had blocks and puzzles for me, and when I solved them, she got new ones to keep me always challenged. My grandmother is an amazing crafter. She started me sewing before I could probably tie my own shoes. She always had a project for me to do and it's some of my best childhood memories. I try to make sure Em and I are always doing something to spur her creativity and once I realized I had so many pictures of our fun, I thought I should share them :)
Before I trusted us with real crayons or paint, we "painted" with food. Here we're using yogurt but we've also done ketchup and mustard for some color fun.
We started to color with crayons by her first birthday. We experimented with all different types and sizes and had lots of fun learning what she liked best!
We started building before by her first birthday as well. This was good for working on our fine motor skills but building and creating something with the blocks was fun too.
What started as just putting pieces together has already grown into building castles, and cars, and then putting people in the castles/cars. I can see her imagination growing every time we play :)
Play-doh is another one of those that started as just fine motor skills and learning to play with the texture, but has grown into creating things and she loves it!
Here we're still getting used to the texture
Now we've advanced to stamping the play-doh
To creating entirely different (may I say abstract) pieces
Finger painting was a progress too. We started with "clean" finger painting...
To handprint painting (a gift for Grammie Gigi)
To full on finger painting fun!
And don't forget things like stickers, drawing, and decorating!
Ok so usually they end up on paper, but our first gymnastics coach would put a sticker on their noses after class if they'd been good and we went through a sticker face phase.
We love to draw with pens and pencils but seem really drawn to our new magnadoodle lately.
She loved decorating her own cookie at a Christmas party.
And we MAY have let her help "re-decorate" our master bath...
Apparently pulling down tacky wallpaper looked fun...and honestly, her little fingers were great at the job! LOL
I hope you've enjoyed my trip down creativity lane. We've done plenty of other crafts but I'm not always good about the camera (luckily that shouldn't be a problem anymore). It's fun to watch them learn to do a project and morph into REALLY doing it. When we first started to color it was purely scribbles on paper, now she picks colors with intent and does her best to color objects, not just all-over. It's also been a great way to teach her colors and shapes without it being boring for her.
Creative thinking is a huge part of my career, but more, it's a huge part of me. I love a good project...I love to create something with my hands. I hope to instill that love into my children.
I believe that encouraging the inner artist in our children is hugely important. I think nurturing their creative side really is as crucial as teaching them to read and count (I was equally surprised at how many pictures I have of Em reading...the kid LOVES books). Not just because I'm a designer... BUT maybe I am a designer because my family encouraged creativity in me. My Mom always had blocks and puzzles for me, and when I solved them, she got new ones to keep me always challenged. My grandmother is an amazing crafter. She started me sewing before I could probably tie my own shoes. She always had a project for me to do and it's some of my best childhood memories. I try to make sure Em and I are always doing something to spur her creativity and once I realized I had so many pictures of our fun, I thought I should share them :)
Before I trusted us with real crayons or paint, we "painted" with food. Here we're using yogurt but we've also done ketchup and mustard for some color fun.
We started to color with crayons by her first birthday. We experimented with all different types and sizes and had lots of fun learning what she liked best!
We started building before by her first birthday as well. This was good for working on our fine motor skills but building and creating something with the blocks was fun too.
Play-doh is another one of those that started as just fine motor skills and learning to play with the texture, but has grown into creating things and she loves it!
Here we're still getting used to the texture
To creating entirely different (may I say abstract) pieces
Finger painting was a progress too. We started with "clean" finger painting...
To handprint painting (a gift for Grammie Gigi)
To full on finger painting fun!
And don't forget things like stickers, drawing, and decorating!
And we MAY have let her help "re-decorate" our master bath...
Apparently pulling down tacky wallpaper looked fun...and honestly, her little fingers were great at the job! LOL
I hope you've enjoyed my trip down creativity lane. We've done plenty of other crafts but I'm not always good about the camera (luckily that shouldn't be a problem anymore). It's fun to watch them learn to do a project and morph into REALLY doing it. When we first started to color it was purely scribbles on paper, now she picks colors with intent and does her best to color objects, not just all-over. It's also been a great way to teach her colors and shapes without it being boring for her.
Creative thinking is a huge part of my career, but more, it's a huge part of me. I love a good project...I love to create something with my hands. I hope to instill that love into my children.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Life with a two year old is...
AWESOME!!!!!
It's seriously awesome. Yes, she's more opinionated, yes sometimes she pushes my buttons (she IS two!) but 98% of the time she is a dream to be around! I love it. I'd always heard of the "terrible two's" and so far they really haven't been bad at all, we're only half way through though and I've actually heard that three is worse...so we'll see!! I bet for us, three actually is worse, because she'll be having to share Mommy and not used to that.
Yea...I'm just going to pretend that's not going to be an issue for a few more weeks.
What's hilarious to me is that when Em was an infant...I LOVED having an infant! I was having so much fun with my little baby. Then when she was a creeper, I LOVED having a creeper, it was even better. I have truly loved every phase of my little girls life and each one has been better than the last. So while in another year I'll think 3 1/2 is better than where we are today...I LOVE having a two year old!
This is Emilie after I was trying to take a picture on friday to finish her most recent photo book. She literally climbed up on the table and said "my turn Mommy, take MY picture!"
Those beautiful big brown eyes get me every time! They really do, she is insanely hard to say no to!!
So these are just a few of the silly things she's done recently that make me laugh:
1- Today as I was running out the door to head to the Dr for my nasty glucose test (BLEH) she says, "Bye Mommy, drive safe!" HA! Seriously?! Apparently I say that a lot when people leave!
2- I find it hilarious that she will change the subject if we even think about discussing pottying in the big girl potty but she will run and hide to do her business. So if you're in my house and see her in her playhouse or her tent -- beware! The area is probably about to be fumigated!
Seriously...my two year changes the subject!
Tonights convo went a little something like this as I changed her diaper.
Me: "Em, I think you should go teetee and poop in the big girl potty, not in your diaper anymore"
Em: "Um...I want my monkey pajamas, not the hearts"
Sigh...happens every time!
3- If she really wants something (like candy) she will climb up very close to you and WHISPER it in your ear. Its precious! And again, very hard to say no to! And its continued because she's smart and it WORKS!
4. She is a sponge! Be careful what you say near her because she is using language I have no idea where she gets (not talking profanities, I mean grown up words I wouldn't expect to come flying out of my two year olds mouth!) And making connections. Like today when I yelled at Abbey and Em was across the house I heard..."ooooh Daddy, Abbey's in big trouble!" For a little girl that's never been in "big trouble" I couldn't help but laugh from across the house that she'd made that connection.
5. Tonight after I got her in her pajamas I said, "ok Em...what's next" "Oooh Mommy (exasperated with me), I get three books and we read books" So I went to get her milk and we sat down to read. She will quietly sit through long books and enjoy them and then after the last one she said "Ooookay, its time for bed" and got up to go to her room! LOVE IT!
Ok...I do realize none of these things are earth shattering things my two year old is doing, they aren't probably even that funny to most. But that little brown eyed girl lights up my life, she makes me laugh at every turn. And she is sooo compassionate. If I'm upset or if a friend is upset, she immediately runs to hug them. So I'll say it now like I did at every other phase...two and a half IS my favorite age thus far! I love it. She is sooo much fun right now!
But just in case I missed some fun along the way...we're about to do it ALL OVER AGAIN!! This time with a boy...oh my this Momma is in for trouble!! I have no idea what to do with a boy. NO IDEA!
It's seriously awesome. Yes, she's more opinionated, yes sometimes she pushes my buttons (she IS two!) but 98% of the time she is a dream to be around! I love it. I'd always heard of the "terrible two's" and so far they really haven't been bad at all, we're only half way through though and I've actually heard that three is worse...so we'll see!! I bet for us, three actually is worse, because she'll be having to share Mommy and not used to that.
Yea...I'm just going to pretend that's not going to be an issue for a few more weeks.
What's hilarious to me is that when Em was an infant...I LOVED having an infant! I was having so much fun with my little baby. Then when she was a creeper, I LOVED having a creeper, it was even better. I have truly loved every phase of my little girls life and each one has been better than the last. So while in another year I'll think 3 1/2 is better than where we are today...I LOVE having a two year old!
This is Emilie after I was trying to take a picture on friday to finish her most recent photo book. She literally climbed up on the table and said "my turn Mommy, take MY picture!"
So these are just a few of the silly things she's done recently that make me laugh:
1- Today as I was running out the door to head to the Dr for my nasty glucose test (BLEH) she says, "Bye Mommy, drive safe!" HA! Seriously?! Apparently I say that a lot when people leave!
2- I find it hilarious that she will change the subject if we even think about discussing pottying in the big girl potty but she will run and hide to do her business. So if you're in my house and see her in her playhouse or her tent -- beware! The area is probably about to be fumigated!
Seriously...my two year changes the subject!
Tonights convo went a little something like this as I changed her diaper.
Me: "Em, I think you should go teetee and poop in the big girl potty, not in your diaper anymore"
Em: "Um...I want my monkey pajamas, not the hearts"
Sigh...happens every time!
3- If she really wants something (like candy) she will climb up very close to you and WHISPER it in your ear. Its precious! And again, very hard to say no to! And its continued because she's smart and it WORKS!
4. She is a sponge! Be careful what you say near her because she is using language I have no idea where she gets (not talking profanities, I mean grown up words I wouldn't expect to come flying out of my two year olds mouth!) And making connections. Like today when I yelled at Abbey and Em was across the house I heard..."ooooh Daddy, Abbey's in big trouble!" For a little girl that's never been in "big trouble" I couldn't help but laugh from across the house that she'd made that connection.
5. Tonight after I got her in her pajamas I said, "ok Em...what's next" "Oooh Mommy (exasperated with me), I get three books and we read books" So I went to get her milk and we sat down to read. She will quietly sit through long books and enjoy them and then after the last one she said "Ooookay, its time for bed" and got up to go to her room! LOVE IT!
Ok...I do realize none of these things are earth shattering things my two year old is doing, they aren't probably even that funny to most. But that little brown eyed girl lights up my life, she makes me laugh at every turn. And she is sooo compassionate. If I'm upset or if a friend is upset, she immediately runs to hug them. So I'll say it now like I did at every other phase...two and a half IS my favorite age thus far! I love it. She is sooo much fun right now!
But just in case I missed some fun along the way...we're about to do it ALL OVER AGAIN!! This time with a boy...oh my this Momma is in for trouble!! I have no idea what to do with a boy. NO IDEA!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Need a smile? I can share one
I needed a little pick me up tonight. I tried icecream but amazingly it just didn't do it. But this did...
My baby looks so big today, and she has a smile that will melt your heart. Thankfully when my heart hurts, I can look in her eyes and almost immediately I feel better.
I don't handle change well. I love to change THINGS, but I hate when things change. I know that sounds confusing but its true. I found this and find it really true and inspiring...
While I don't like change and while the current changes are upsetting at the moment, I'm going to try to dance to the music and just take it one day at a time. Everything changes, nothing is constant. Even the thing that once was the constant...will eventually change. I guess it is kinda like music...listening to the same note all day would be boring right? So I suppose change is good. In time, all change is good...
My baby looks so big today, and she has a smile that will melt your heart. Thankfully when my heart hurts, I can look in her eyes and almost immediately I feel better.
I don't handle change well. I love to change THINGS, but I hate when things change. I know that sounds confusing but its true. I found this and find it really true and inspiring...
While I don't like change and while the current changes are upsetting at the moment, I'm going to try to dance to the music and just take it one day at a time. Everything changes, nothing is constant. Even the thing that once was the constant...will eventually change. I guess it is kinda like music...listening to the same note all day would be boring right? So I suppose change is good. In time, all change is good...
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Happy Birthday!!! To...ME!!!!
Ok, I know I promised to show our master bath makeover but honestly I haven't had the time to get the pics together and frankly the stats on the last two makeovers have been incredibly low compared to other recent ones...so I'm not in a big hurry. But I do promise to get to it in the next week or two, I know your dying to see what I meant by killing all the brass :)
Today is...
MY BIRTHDAY!!!
I don't usually like birthdays, in fact, I kinda dread them. It's not about the age thing, its about the anticipation and then let down. I know, poor pitiful me. I think it started with my 21st birthday. You know, the one that you get crazy excited for, its supposed to be a night of fun with all your friends?! Well...being in college with a birthday a week after Christmas meant 90-95% of my friends had gone home for Christmas break (apparently I had already come back) and weren't around to celebrate with and the few friends that stayed in town AND had already turned legal so we could go out together were all stuck at home because we had a HUGE ice/snow storm the day before. Welcome to living in Northern Kansas!!! I loved every moment at KU, I loved living in Lawrence, but the winter weather was less than fun at times. So I ended up spending the night alone in my apartment iced in. Awesome!! LOL Anyways, since then I've kinda had a sour taste in my mouth about birthdays and nothing until now has been quite enough to shake it. But today was AWESOME!!!!
The hubby did an amazing job surprising me (even with the two year old tattle tale who ratted him out before I figured out what was going on, lol). I don't normally like surprises, but this was the kind I can enjoy. Harmless fun. I woke up to this...
Ok so the kitchen's a hot mess after the hubs staying up until 2 a.m. to quietly bake and ice a cake without waking his girls, but I could easily look past that. He made me a birthday cake and had a little gift for me. Which was not allowed because he blew the budget at Christmas, but when has he listened?! LOL
Help blowing out the candles :) I'm guessing he couldn't find the right numbers for the candles but his reasoning was I was his "perfect 10" ha! But super sweet!
Cake for breakfast was a huge hit!!!
After breakfast we had a nice relaxing morning at home and then got cleaned up and went to split a burger at our favorite local burger joint. It was AMAZING!!! Then we all came home and succumbed to a food induced coma...which was equally amazing! We planned to let Em ride her bike outside after nap but it just never quite warmed up enough so instead we gathered around the newly refinished coffee table and played as a family for a while. After a bit we got ready and headed out for dinner at P.F. Changs. One of my favorite restaurants and quickly becoming a birthday tradition (as 3 out of my last 4 birthday dinners have been there).
My cutie ready to go :)
We had a nice dinner with my inlaws, aunt, and cousin. We enjoyed all of our favorite appetizers, split a few entrees and then dug into the Great Wall of Chocolate! Have you ever had this thing? If not you MUST!!! This is a web image I just found because I was in too much of a hurry to EAT IT to take a picture...
I won't lie...I ate half of one myself! It's incredible. We got two for the table and Braden got something else he was dying to try. It's my favorite restaurant dessert anywhere and I get it once a year on my birthday...so I feel no guilt for eating as much as I did...maybe except for the fact that I've not quite come down off my sugar high to go to bed, lol!
Pretty birthday flowers from my inlaws!
Overall it was a great and very special birthday. I think it's renewed my faith in birthdays! I'm so grateful to have such a loving husband and family to make today great!!
One more year to 30!
Let's make it good!!
Today is...
MY BIRTHDAY!!!
I don't usually like birthdays, in fact, I kinda dread them. It's not about the age thing, its about the anticipation and then let down. I know, poor pitiful me. I think it started with my 21st birthday. You know, the one that you get crazy excited for, its supposed to be a night of fun with all your friends?! Well...being in college with a birthday a week after Christmas meant 90-95% of my friends had gone home for Christmas break (apparently I had already come back) and weren't around to celebrate with and the few friends that stayed in town AND had already turned legal so we could go out together were all stuck at home because we had a HUGE ice/snow storm the day before. Welcome to living in Northern Kansas!!! I loved every moment at KU, I loved living in Lawrence, but the winter weather was less than fun at times. So I ended up spending the night alone in my apartment iced in. Awesome!! LOL Anyways, since then I've kinda had a sour taste in my mouth about birthdays and nothing until now has been quite enough to shake it. But today was AWESOME!!!!
The hubby did an amazing job surprising me (even with the two year old tattle tale who ratted him out before I figured out what was going on, lol). I don't normally like surprises, but this was the kind I can enjoy. Harmless fun. I woke up to this...
Ok so the kitchen's a hot mess after the hubs staying up until 2 a.m. to quietly bake and ice a cake without waking his girls, but I could easily look past that. He made me a birthday cake and had a little gift for me. Which was not allowed because he blew the budget at Christmas, but when has he listened?! LOL
Help blowing out the candles :) I'm guessing he couldn't find the right numbers for the candles but his reasoning was I was his "perfect 10" ha! But super sweet!
Cake for breakfast was a huge hit!!!
After breakfast we had a nice relaxing morning at home and then got cleaned up and went to split a burger at our favorite local burger joint. It was AMAZING!!! Then we all came home and succumbed to a food induced coma...which was equally amazing! We planned to let Em ride her bike outside after nap but it just never quite warmed up enough so instead we gathered around the newly refinished coffee table and played as a family for a while. After a bit we got ready and headed out for dinner at P.F. Changs. One of my favorite restaurants and quickly becoming a birthday tradition (as 3 out of my last 4 birthday dinners have been there).
My cutie ready to go :)
We had a nice dinner with my inlaws, aunt, and cousin. We enjoyed all of our favorite appetizers, split a few entrees and then dug into the Great Wall of Chocolate! Have you ever had this thing? If not you MUST!!! This is a web image I just found because I was in too much of a hurry to EAT IT to take a picture...
Pretty birthday flowers from my inlaws!
Overall it was a great and very special birthday. I think it's renewed my faith in birthdays! I'm so grateful to have such a loving husband and family to make today great!!
One more year to 30!
Let's make it good!!
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