Spring decorating

So, now that it's spring, and the weather has even felt like summer at times, I am totally in a color/pattern kind of mood.

I think I probably have about 127 pillow covers that I have made over time.  Ok, maybe not that many, but it's a lot.  And, I just ordered more fabric to make more.  I just can't help myself.  Some day, when I have so much time on my hands to do whatever, I will open an Etsy shop mostly because I love fabric, but until then, I will continue to add to my pillow cover collection.

So, here are some pictures around the house of what I did; all things that I already had.

I switched around the bed pillows.

I realize I haven't shared any guest room pics since we switched the rooms around up on the 3rd floor.

These curtains I made years ago for our bedroom.

I am so glad the huge black dresser fit in this room.  I thought it woud be too big for the space, but it fits perfectly and we don't really have any other furniture in the room so, it works.

And lastly, the sofa in the living room.

I just ordered a couple yards of fabric to add a little more color.  But,  all this pattern inspiration has really made me want to change the curtains in the living room.  Maybe not permanently, but I like the idea of switching things around a little bit for the warmer months.  I really like our gray curtains that I made a few years ago, but I am craving some more color and pattern.

So, here is what I have been lusting after:

These first 3 are from Anthro.  Oh, Anthro, I love you, but why do you have to be so expensive?

Coco Floral Curtain

Soraya Curtain

same one in blue

I mean honestly, spending $150 plus on one curtain panel?!  I could never bring myself to that.  This one from Urban Outfitters is  a little friendlier on the wallet, but it would still cost about $70 for two panels.

Bird Flourish Curtain

I think my favorite are the first 2 yellow ones from Anthro.  I made the gray curtains for under $40 (for both panels).  So, I started to look for some fabric that would mimic the yellow pattern.  This is what I came up with:

Fabric.com has this for $8.50 a yard.  With free shipping, plus coupons, I should easily be able to make these for under $40.  So, I ordered a swatch and am hoping the color and fabric will work.  It is a slub cotton, which is supposed to be a little more linen-like, perfect for curtains.  

I'll just have to find the time to get these done.  But, to save that much money, it will be worth it.  And curtains are probably the easiest thing to sew.  I'll keep you updated!

I Love Spring

Testing out the blogger app for my phone

Wish List

I've had one of those weeks where it felt like everything just kept going wrong.  Does that ever happen to you?  Highlights include breaking my phone, the dog running away (because I left the gate open), and yesterday when I got a parking ticket, I literally just laughed.  Because it only seemed appropriate with how my week was going.  Oh well...the dog was found, I got a new phone, and the $15 parking ticket is not breaking the bank. 

So, instead of dwelling on the awful week I've had, I'm looking to the future!!  My birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, and I'm excited about it.  So, I've been doing some online window shopping to brighten up my not-so-great week.  

I've had my eye on this vase from Anthro for years.  

When my sister-in-law, Gwyn, was home from Uganda back in September, she had a fossil oil cloth bag that I liked a lot.   It looks like you can find some on ebay here and there, but I found this similar one from Boden.  I like this one because it seems like it is a little more sturdy and can stand up on its own.  In the summer I can pack lighter for Brady and won't need a huge diaper bag.  This bag would be perfect to just throw stuff in and go.

I love simple jewelry from Etsy.  I got a few pieces for Christmas that I love, but realized they're all gold.  I like this silver one.  

I think a shift dress like this is perfect for a cool summer evening.  This one from Gap is cute, but the Old Navy version has a much friendlier price tag.  

I'll be turning 29 this year...it's the last year of my twenties, so I really plan to live it up!!  

6 months

Brady is 6 months old today.  I can't believe how quickly time goes by.  It's going too fast.  Even though there have been some rough days/weeks over the past 6 months, I would never wish this baby stage away.  I'll never get these moments back.  So, I'm doing by best to cherish them.  That doesn't make the difficult days any easier, but it helps keep things in perspective.

I love this picture.  It was taken the morning after Brady was born.  I remember exactly how I felt in this moment: pure joy.  I was so happy to have him on the outside, to just hold him.  I was happy that I could eat food that morning after the c-section the day before.  I was enjoying the time that it was just the 3 of us- Rob, Brady and I.  Rob asked me if I wanted him to hold Brady while I ate, I didn't.  I just wanted to snuggle him and love on him.

At 6 months, Brady already has a distinct personality.  I could tell when I was pregnant with him that he was going to be a nut.  I remember the morning of my c-section, the nurse put the monitor around my belly and Brady did some type of large movement.  The nurse looked at me and said, "um, how did he do that?  How does he have the room to do that?"  I said, "oh, he doesn't...but he does it all the time".  There were nights at the end of my pregnancy where he would just go crazy, for hours.  And now at 6 months, he is seriously crazy some times.  He cracks us up, but it also makes us a little nervous.  I realized last week when we were on vacation that Brady is super social- and if someone near him is not paying attention to him, he will do whatever he can to make them pay attention to him.  He is a ham, and he knows it.  He's a super happy baby, and loves to be silly, but when he gets mad, he gets really mad.  He also puts everything in his mouth, and I know when he starts crawling we are in serious trouble.  He's so different from Aiden, but I know they will be best buds.  They already love each other so much.

So, Happy 6 month Birthday to our Brady boy.  You make our lives brighter.

Party #2

I've been trying to write this post for a week now.  As promised, here are some pics from Aiden's family party a couple weeks ago.

I had so much fun with his birthday this year.  As I mentioned before, we made a big deal about him not being allowed to chew gum until he turned 4.  So, I decided to do a bubblegum theme.  Here's the excited birthday boy.

The most exciting thing I did was the cake....

It was surprisingly easy.  I found a picture online and then just went at it.  I baked a 9x13, cut it down, and a circle pan for the top.  I was super happy with the results.

I also did some special decorations.

A table full of gum...

I made this little garland with pics from each year of Aiden's parties.  My favorite is the first year...he screamed after we sang him Happy Birthday.

I found this idea on Pinterest.  You just thread a needle and put the balloons on.  So simple and looks great.  I will probably do this for every party now.

It was a great day.  

Here's Aiden's favorite gift from Uncle Richie and Aunt Nicole.

I love this picture...Aiden literally surrounded by people who love him a lot.  

Brady with his great-Grammy

Happy Birthday!

Love this kid.

4

I know I always use the excuse that life is crazy for not blogging, and it's true, but I've realized it's just life, and I'm not sure it's going to get any less crazy any time soon. 

So, the big deal around here recently is that Aiden turned 4 on Sunday.  I cannot believe he is 4.  I love this kid...

I have to admit that I have some guilt about his birthday last year.  If you remember, I was terribly sick with migraines from pregnancy.  It was probably the most difficult time of my life.  I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but to be so sick like that and not able to take care of my family, it was really difficult.  And these past few weeks have made me remember that time last year.  I remember having to cancel Aiden's friend birthday party because I was too sick.  I remember the day of his family birthday party, when we announced I was pregnant.  I got one of the worst headaches that morning and I remember sitting on the edge of our bed wondering how I was going to get myself downstairs.  I remember sending Aiden to school for his Valentine's party and feeling guilty about the lack of effort put into his Valentine's.  

Remembering that season in life, I feel overwhelmed with joy about the blessing that came out of that....

and I would definitely do it all over again.  But, I feel so blessed with where we are now, the family we have, and being healthy is an amazing blessing in and of itself.  

So, this year, I've decided to go all out for Aiden's birthday.  He really gets it this year, so it's been so fun to plan things with him and see the excitement he has.  He also is just so sweet and appreciative, which makes doing things for him so fun.

So last Saturday we had his "friend" party at the YMCA, and it was a success.  

He had a blast and we really enjoyed getting to see him with all his friends.  

I also was able to help out with Aiden's Valentine's Day party at school, which I loved doing.  He's growing up so fast.   I love seeing him interract with his teachers and peers.  I am a very proud mama.  

Tomorrow we are having family over to celebrate and I'm planning on doing a bubblegum-themed party because we made a big deal about Aiden not being allowed to chew gum until he turned 4.  He now asks for gum from the time he wakes up in the morning.

So, I'm hoping to be back soon with more pictures.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  

Surviving Winter: Dry Skin

Writing this post seems a little silly since it has not felt like winter around here at all recently.  It was 64 degrees yesterday...it's strange, but I like it because I really do loathe winter.  I loved being able to run out yesterday with no jacket on, no heating up the car.  I'm sure we have some cold days ahead, but I will enjoy the mild winter as long as it lasts.

On that note, one of the reasons I have a hard time with winter is my skin.  I have terribly dry skin and in the winter it is horrible, and I hate it.  So I thought I would share a couple of my go-to products.

Rosebud salve

This stuff is awesome.  I have been using it for years and in the winter I basically use it anywhere that I have dry skin.  At night I often slather it on my cheeks or under my eyes before bed because I get really dry in those areas.  Also, right now I have a cold and have that horrible under-the-nose raw skin.  So I put it there too.  It also says on the package that you can use it for diaper rash- which I've never tried but wouldn't doubt that it would work.  Also, this little tin lasts forever, like years.

Neutrogena hand cream

I will attribute using this to my mother.  She informed me of this stuff way back in the day- probably while I was in high school.  My hands get so dry in the winter they often crack and bleed.  I use this every night before bed because it is kind of greasy and it usually keeps my hands moisturized through the next day.  I still try and use just regular hand lotion during the day, but this is the stuff that I need to use every night or my hands will start to crack.  Also, a little goes a long way, so it also lasts a long time.

Neutrogena body oil

I don't have this issue all the time, but sometimes the skin on my body gets so dry that body lotion just doesn't cut it.  When I was pregnant with Aiden (who was born in February) my skin was so dry and itchy it was awful.  I used this stuff every day.  Again, I find it best to use at night before bed.  I shower and then while your skin is damp you slather it on.  My skin has to be pretty dry and bothersome to do this, but if it is, this stuff works great.  The next morning when I wake up, I feel so much better.  It also has this very light scent that I love.

As I write this, I'm realizing that all of these things I use at night so they can work while I'm sleeping.  And by sleeping I mean nursing Brady.

So, there is my 2 cents on battling dry skin.  I hope like me, you are enjoying the more mild weather so  far.  And, Happy Groundhog Day! Apparently he saw his shadow.