A Special Christmas Gift

This past weekend the hubby started working on making Rileys play kitchen. He was in charge of building it and I was in charge of getting accessories together. I took a trip out to World Market and picked up knobs for the oven, a curtain to go underneath the sink and some "cooking" accessories. I am beyond excited for her to receive this gift at Christmas! She is going to love it!! I think I am going to paint it a similar color to the dining room table. I didn't want to make it to girly just in a case Avery wants to play with it later on. I will post a picture when it's all done!

So I Lied...But Not On Purpose Of Course!

Well, yesterday didn't exactly go as planned. Ohhh, I had a date, but not with myself. I had a date with my boyfriend, whose eyes are like blueberries, and when he smiles, his dimples make me melt. I even let him come into the dressing room with me while I tried on clothes. And then I thought, when he is 15, this will be very awkward, you know? Being in the dressing room with your mom and all. Avery was quite cranky right before I left so he came with me. But I didn't mind. He is the cutest thing ever and as soon as his eyes open from a rest, he is smiling.

Anyway, I got some new great things for this fall. I really enjoyed myself! When I got home, I hurried to get ready (I was in gym clothes and smelled really bad!) and went to the eye Dr. Where he proceeded to tell me that although my eyes look great, they are red and irritated from lack of sleep?! Really? You don't say? I look tired, which is another way of saying I look horrible. Thanks Doc.

When I got home, both kiddos were sleeping so I was able to cut into that wonderful vintage fabric that I bought last weekend. It was also the first time I was using my new peasant dress pattern. Which by the way is darling. 4 different dresses for the price of one pattern...awesome! I have made about 5 dresses for Riley in the past couple weeks and I am working on a post for the cost breakdown for them. A couple of them I have used designer fabric (which is easier to sew with!!) and the cost is still lower than a dress from Target!

P.S. Let me tell you a little secret...I dream about being a childrens clothing designer. But then I would never get any sleep because I would dream about all my ideas!
P.P.S I love the crockpot, I start dinner in the morning when I have the most energy and when I am pooped around 5:30...bam! Dinner is ready...nice...

Some Fabulous Weekend Finds!

After the craziness of DJ's birthday party (pictures to come!) Saturday morning I got a little time to go out for a fabric/rummage sale. It was a lot smaller than I had anticipated, which is probably a good thing. I was one of the first people there which means I got first pick on most of the vintage fabrics for $1.00/yard! I had a great time talking to the older ladies about where these fabrics have come from. I bought a peasant dress pattern for Riley off of Etsy and cannot wait to use some of these fabrics to make them! I love thinking about all the places these fabrics have been and think they will finally be used to clothe my pretty little girl! Hope you all had an amazing weekend

Mommy.

Sometimes I sit and think,"I cannot believe I am a mommy!" I have been so incredibly blessed by my children. I love to see them grow (just not to fast). I am in love.

WARNING: Scrapbooking will cause you to neglect your household duties and your personal hygiene!

That's right, I'm addicted...full on addicted!

My very first page was Averys "Womb with a view." And I am proud to say I got the idea myself, no inspiration except that I love robots =)

Rileys first page was her 1st Birthday page, since then I have made her 2nd, her labor and delivery (I cried the whole time I was making it), swim lessons, Mommy & Me, Daddy & Me, her big girl room & closet. For Avery, I finished his labor and delivery, 2 pages of me pregnant with him, hospital guests and alittle bro page. I am out of paper so I need to make a trip to Michaels, they are having a sale 5 for $1.00 rather than 59 cents a piece! I scoured the clearance section at Michaels and have used a lot of it! Michaels is moving to a new location here so they are trying to clearance out a lot of their products. Anything $5 or more I don't buy unless I have a 40% coupon. Luckily, every time you purchase, there is a coupon on your receipt!

I am going to try Walmart and see if their supplies and stickers are cheaper. My next page for both kids is our wedding, kind of like "where it all began." I have always wanted to know how my parents met and stories behind their dating life together. Pictures to come of the shelving unit my hubby made for me this weekend that houses all my crafts! I am in L.O.V.E!!

Switchin It Up

I have to admit, I have not really had any luck with my sewing projects lately. So I am trying my skills on some new projects. I made this Bless Our Nest sign last week and I am in LOVE! I made it out of this huge piece of plywood that was on our side yard when we bought our house. I had my hubby cut it up (One of my 2010 goals is to learn to use his tools!) so I can make many signs! I have so many different ideas that I probably need to scale them down a tad!

My 2nd project is Averys scrapbook/baby book. I received the most amazing scrapbook/baby book for my baby shower when I was pregnant with Riley from my aunt. It actually could be one of my all time favorite gifts. Many hours went into it and I absolutely cherish it. I have never scrapbooked in my life but I figured I could go page by page through Rileys and make Averys, just the boy version! The problem is, my wallet does not like scrapbooking! I spent $30 to get me started, this doesn't include the album!! Which is $50 on EBAY! So I figured that I would only buy materials when they are on sale or if I have a 40% off coupon. I was able to buy a set of 20 decorative scissors on ebay for $12.00, which retail for about $30 I think. I have decided that I will do a page per month per child. I still need to play catch up on Rileys but my first page for her will be graduating Level 1 of swim lessons! Although she hated every minute of it, I just have to document it!

A Heavy Weight

I was so completely saddened when I read this post by Farmgirl Paints. But it was such an important reminder that I am raising a little girl and I want nothing more than for her to love herself, just as she is. But I was plagued with fear that I would not be able to instill this in Riley. I was quickly reminded that I myself have a poor self image, when that night Jim took a picture of me and I couldn't stand the following; my double chin, my chubby cheeks and the reminder that I still have a lot of baby weight to lose. I failed the see the woman that my husband loves so much, the happy person that I am inside and the one forever loved by God. I have to admit, I have struggled with this the past week with the thought of Riley feeling bad about herself one day. It was such a huge reminder that I need to pray for the young woman Riley is going to become!

What We've Been Up To!

We have been mighty busy around here. Playing in the creek, driving all over town looking for Toy Story toys, finger painting in the backyard and spending endless hours staring at the most gorgeous, smiley, happy baby boy! I feel like life is going by in lightening speed and I am just trying to soak up every minute with my two little ones. I have even found a little time to get my craft on. I have been working on a baby shower for a special someone who reads my blog, so pictures will have to come after! =) Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

A bit of Randomness

This picture has really nothing to do with my post except for the fact that my husband is hot and I think my daughter is so dang cute!

I have been feeling lately like there are not enough hours in the day to get things done. I think it's just because what I could do in an hour before I was pregnant now takes two hours because I am so tired!

I got up early this morning and decided to go for a power walk before it got to hot, we are suppose to have a high of 95 degrees and boy does it feel extra hot when you are pregs. I got home from my walk, had breakfast on the patio and read. Did I mention Riley slept in until 9am, which made all of these wonderful things possible before she woke up. Then I fell back asleep! For 2 whole hours! I have never felt this tired in my entire life. I told the hubs that I feel like I could sleep the day away. Little boy is moving around alot but I can definately tell he is bigger than his sister was. This won't be hard because she was a wee 6lbs 15oz. Knowing that soon I will have a son is such a surreal feeling. Part of me is scared to go into labor and the other part cannot wait one more second. I have been having contractions every day so I hope he comes soon!!

Soooo Easy!

A couple of weeks ago I ran across this tutorial on Ruffles and Stuff and thought I had to try it out. It was so super easy and fun, in fact, I made about 3 different ones for Riley out of my old tops. I decided to skip the belt on all the dresses but I am sure it would be easy enough to make those as well. My model is pretty cute if I must say so!

Baby Update:

We had an appt today and I am 1cm. I tried not to get discouraged and so far I am doing pretty well. I wasn't dialated with Riley until I went into labor so I am holding on to that. So I am spending my days walking walking and more walking!

Everything is temporary!

Or so I have been telling myself that all day! We've had somewhat of a rough couple days with Riley. So this morning I took her to the Dr. and poor girl has a sinus infection and double ear infection =( boo! Her pediatrican gave us an antibiotic and told me to give her Dimetapp Cold and Allergy, because it would wipe her out. Well, that sure didn't happen. Her eyes are droopy but she would not take a nap! I took all her toys out of her room and her books in hopes that she wouldn't be distracted but the girl can find anything to play with. It looks like 6:30 bedtime again until we can get back to a routine. She weighed in at 28lbs! I knew I was carrying a heavy girl but my goodness! Pregnancy is so much harder the 2nd time around, not only am I carrying my "new weight" I am hauling around a toddler!

Anyway, enough complaining for now. Jim finished painting the little ones room lastnight (bless his heart) and I have been really getting the URGE to get it done, which goes right a long with my personality. My friend Stephanie made a darling mobile for her little one who is due right after us. I told her I may need to copy her idea! Here are some things I came across today while looking for ideas. I am thinking about purchasing the bird decals and I have an antique window that is painted blue that I am going to put over the top to give the illusion that it's another window (does this make sense?!)

I am really big on having Averys name somewhere in his room but didn't want to do the letters like I did in Rileys room so I thought of doing a banner made out of burlap. I found some online that I like but will need to tweek them a bit to match his room.

Horizontal Time

According to my midwife I am suppose to be having 1 hour of uninterrupted horizontal time every afternoon to help stop my early contractions. Did she notice the two year old I brought to the appointment? You know, the one that was crawling all over me and would barely let the midwife conduct the appointment?

Anyway, Riley has decided to try and stop taking her afternoon nap. Every time I think about it, I want to cry. Long story short, rather than laying "horizontal" I have been sitting on the couch doing crafty fun things as my way of resting. It's a pain to haul all my stuff to the touch (fabric, glue gun, pins, etc) but I am really trying to do as much resting as possible. For instance, yesterday Riley wanted to play in her sandbox so I took an extension cord outside so I could plug in my glue gun (my bestfriend).

Here are some of the things that I have been working on lately. The $5.00 boring white Ikea lamp is vamped up with some fabric flowers. And who says a boy and girl can't have matching outfits? Yes, these are for the 4th of July. I am due the week before so I wanted to make sure their outfits were done before Avery makes his appearance!

Monday Mumbles

This past weekend was unusually productive in our household. When we have had guests over they cannot believe how much we have finished on our house in such a short amount of time, yes there have been tense stressful times but for the most part, I don't feel like it's over taken our lives by any means. Like I have said in previous posts, this has been my husbands life long dream, to own a home. He happily fertiziles the yard, mows the lawn, turned our in ground hot tub into a huge sand box for Riley (his proudest moment!) He stayed up late touching up paint and did I mention he drove me to Corning, Paradise and across town all this weekend to check out some craigslist purchases. And let me just say, it was well worth it! We scored an antique dresser/changing table for the little mans room, a desk, and two wing back chairs (that recline!) for our formal living room!

We are in the middle of potty training Riley. This has been WAY harder than I anticipated. I just want to make sure we are doing what is best for Riley in the approach we are taking. Plus, when you are 7 months pregnant, bending over to wipe a booty and clean the training toilet is rough! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Big Time

Today marked a big day in our household, Riley had to give up her crib for her little brother. Jim's parents were gracious enough to give us this antique toddler bed. Jim said it's about 100 years old. We spent yesterday sanding and painting it. Because it's an antique, the size of a standard twin mattress was too long. So my handy husband worked away yesterday to cut and secure it back together. I have to admit, when he was explaining it to me, I was picturing something quite "ghetto." I really should give my husband more credit because it was seamless. He even braced the bottom so if there happen to be any monkeys jumping on the bed that it would hold. I just bought these darling green/creme damask sheets and a big girl pillow for her at Ross today. I will don't have a bed skirt or a bed spread but it may take me a while to put those together.

Shout out to my sister in law Becky who scored the antique style R for her wall. I am in L.O.V.E! Next up is the transformation of our littlest boys room!

My little Sicky

This was Riley two days ago at Table Mountain and today she is sick in our bed with a bad head cold. It breaks my heart every time she is sick. As mothers we feel the need to protect and when she gets sick sometimes I feel like I haven't protected her.

Riley has gotten sick a lot in her first 2 years. From the time she was 12 months to when she was 20 months she caught the stomach flu 8 times! After many prayers and research, we took her to have blood work done and found out she has an immune deficiency. It's nothing really serious and we are hoping she will grow out of it. But unfortunately she catches everything.

I brought her in bed with us lastnight after she woke up crying and she kept falling in and out of sleep because she couldn't stop coughing and sneezing. She kept leaning over and rubbing my face and arms. I swear, she is the sweetest little girl. It warmed my heart that she was so sick but wanted to give me comfort as well. When I was in the earlier stage of this pregnancy she would come rub my back and sing to me.

One of her favorite shows is "Yo Gabba Gabba" and they sing alot of songs. So in her sleep last night she started signing, "Keep trying, keep trying, don't give up, don't give up." She is a huge reason why I keep trying and don't give up! Love you my little girl!

I love me some Matilda Jane

I was browsing ebay one day and ran across the most fabulous childrens clothing line called Matilda Jane. I immediately became obsessed with the feminine ruffles and vintage looking outfits! I did a little more research and found their website, unfortunately they are REALLY expensive. I splurged on ebay and bought this dress for Riley when she was about a year old. It probably is the cheapest item that they sell, besides leggings. Luckily she is two and this dress still fits, so I am sure I got my money out of it!

They also make the most adorable ruffle pants, again, these were really expensive so I went out and bought the pattern and have been making them for Riley since last year! I made these ruffle pants after I copied a Matilda Jane look.

The woman who started Matilda Jane has two boys and the reason she named her company that was because she said if she ever had a girl, she would name her Matilda Jane. I told Jim, if we were having a girl, thats what I wanted her to be named, I just think it's so cute!

Daddy's Girl

A couple of days ago I was doing the dishes while Jim and Riley watched Enchanted, which is currently Rileys favorite movie. It was towards the end of the movie when they call go to a ball and dance the night away.

I looked up to find Jim and Riley dancing together. He was holding her in his arms and dancing around the living room. She lightly had her eyes closed and the biggest smile on her face. I could see from her expression that he was doing something very special with her. At the end, he dipped her and kissed her. It was one of the most joyous moments of my life.

My husband has invested in our daughter more than I could have ever imagined. She definately is a daddys girl and I am ok with that. When I found out we were pregnant with her I knew that she would be a well taken care of little girl. I know she will always know that her daddy adores her and loves her more than she could have ever imagined. I feel blessed that she has my husband as her daddy.

2 years ago!

Dear Riley,

Two years ago today I was sitting at home wondering if what I was feeling was contractions! I was nervous and really excited. At 2am tomorrow your daddy drove me to the hospital. I was only 3cm and to be honest, my contractions had stopped. I hadn't slept in a really long time so the midwife advised me to take Tylenol PM and snooze a little. Daddy and I laid in our hospital room wondering if it was really time. At 5am my contractions started again, I would fall asleep in between contractions, which were every 4 minutes. Finally at 8am, our midwife came in to check me and I was 6cm. She said, "Go ahead and let your family know, the baby is on her way!" We were in shock! After a couple of phone calls the family started arriving. We all hung out in our room, watching my favorite movies, Oceans 11 and Oceans 12. Daddy and I walked alot, up and down the parking lot and all around the hospital. I sat on the big blue bouncy call alot and tried to picture myself pushing you out. Fast forward to around 6pm, the midwife broke my water and it was on! You were coming full speed and I was nervous. I just remember saying in my head, "Lord, help me" You see, I knew I was in labor this whole time but once I was fully dilated reality hit that I would need to push. you. out! Daddy did not leave my side through one single contraction. If he had to go to the bathroom, he would run in real fast, go and get back to me as soon as he could.

After I pushed for over an hour, the midwife said, "Go ahead and pull your baby out." I reached down and it was the first time I touched you.

I have always known how much God loves me but I never could quite get it. I still don't but what I do know is this, He loved me enough to bless me with you. You helped me grow up. You loved me from the moment you came out. You have helped me be a better person, be more compassionate, more forgiving. You brought my mom and I back together. You amaze me everyday. You are brilliant, beautiful and smart. You love your daddy so much. You love your big brother so much! I cannot imagine ONE DAY without you in my life. When I am away from you for 10 minutes, I miss seeing your face and hearing your voice.I find myself looking at pictures of you all the time and reminiscing about all the fun things we have done since you have come into our life. I pray that daddy and I can give you the life that I never had and I am not talking monetary possessions, I am talking about a home where God is the center.

I can't wait for many more birthdays with you little one. I love you so much, Love Mommy

My little Monkey

I have been a little MIA lately in the blogging world. My days have been filled with organizing the house, getting ready for the move, running after my almost 2 year old and an occasional shower. I am 20 weeks along and finding it hard to keep up with Riley.

We decided not to do a party this year because lets get real here, I am exhausted! And we are moving soon and lets just say, my house is a little scary at times. I had the idea of taking her to the zoo to celebrate her birthday. So we made the hour and a half trip to the zoo and I have to say, this was the best idea ever! We went on superbowl Sunday and there was nobody there! We could let her run around and not have to worry about her getting lost in the crowds. It was great! I had been asking her for weeks what animal she wanted to see the most, she would always say "kangaroo." But something came over her and when we got there, all she could think about was snakes! Luckily they had a red-tailed boa snake on display and she was allowed to pet it as much as she wanted. We practically had to rip her away from this huge snake. Jim was such a proud daddy that his little lady loved touching a snake. He said that was the highlight of his day!

We are hosting a family pizza party tonight for her birthday. I really wanted to make a fun cake so I found that you can get fondant at Michaels. Can I say, it tastes yucky but it looks great! Pictures to come later.

2

I have to admit I was slightly disappointed when I finished her birthday outfit. But she said to me, "Mommy, I love my birthday outfit!"
The pictures actually don't do justice to how cute the outfit is. I am hoping to get some outside so I can share it all with you! I can't believe my baby is going to be 2 soon. The past two years have been the best of my entire life, these are the years I have been waiting for!