amidst the construction...

...we have a little bit of holiday cheer going on. I love how our little tree with white lights instantly makes our house feel cozy and peaceful. First year without a "full" tree, and I kind of like it.

Our mantel, for the time being, "kinda looks like antlers"-brian

can't wait to add a new initial next year!!

amidst the construction...

...we have a little bit of holiday cheer going on. I love how our little tree with white lights instantly makes our house feel cozy and peaceful. First year without a "full" tree, and I kind of like it.

Our mantel, for the time being, "kinda looks like antlers"-brian

can't wait to add a new initial next year!!

amidst the construction...

...we have a little bit of holiday cheer going on. I love how our little tree with white lights instantly makes our house feel cozy and peaceful. First year without a "full" tree, and I kind of like it.

Our mantel, for the time being, "kinda looks like antlers"-brian can't wait to add a new initial next year!!

the biggest shocker ever (and some crafts)

So, this weekend Brian and I had the biggest shocker EVER thrown to us by our little peanut. Let me tell you, this goes down in my book as probably the most splendid surprise of all time. For those of you whose babies never took a binky or got rid of it early on, it probably sounds absurd to you that our now 2 year old still had one. But, from day one she has loved sleeping with it, and we've allowed it (in her bed) because well, we have enjoyed reaping the rewards of our good little sleeper. A long time ago we agreed that when she turned two we would get rid of it. Basically we put it off for the last month because I'm a huge wuss and I kept coming up with excuses. I was really not looking forward to how this was going to affect her (my) sleep. We decided to approach it by being straight up with her, and a day or two before I forewarned her that we would be all done with the binkies because she is a big girl now. We talked about her other big kid friends who don't have binkies anymore and that's pretty much it. The first time without it happened to be a naptime and it was everything I expected and more. She cried/wailed/whimpered for her binky/mommy for an hour or more. It was really, really sad to listen to. But.........

Guess what? That night she didn't even ask for it. In fact, all you could hear over the monitor was her little voice singing ho ho ho hosana. And then she just fell right asleep. And she hasn't asked for it once since!! I kid you not, we had prepared ourselves for several days, maybe even a weeks worth of withdrawals. We are sooooooo thrilled and so proud of her.

In other news... my wonderful, selfless mother came over this weekend to help me knock some things off my craft to do list. She tackled making curtains for Finley's room out of some cute green fabric I picked up, and lined them with black out fabric. I love the finished result! Thanks, mom!

I tried to fool around with my camera to get a better picture, but cameras are not my forte. The fabric doesn't look nearly as good in the pictures as it does in real life, but you get the idea.

While my mom was sewing, I worked on making over our goodwill dollhouse. I thought that this might take a couple hours, but it ended up taking much, much longer. I probably won't use craft paint again, because it took a million coats. I went with green for this as well, because I'm trying to tone down the bubble gum factor in her room. I plan to repaint a little coffee table thingy white and put some sort of cute storage underneath for all the accessories.

here is the lovely "before"



I thought shingles would be fun, without realizing I would have to cut and hot glue over 250 popsicle stick pieces.



a little paint, trim, and shingles, and here you go!

I love that little face peaking in from behind!

Next up: repainting finley's new (my old) headboard and nightstand.

the biggest shocker ever (and some crafts)

So, this weekend Brian and I had the biggest shocker EVER thrown to us by our little peanut. Let me tell you, this goes down in my book as probably the most splendid surprise of all time. For those of you whose babies never took a binky or got rid of it early on, it probably sounds absurd to you that our now 2 year old still had one. But, from day one she has loved sleeping with it, and we've allowed it (in her bed) because well, we have enjoyed reaping the rewards of our good little sleeper. A long time ago we agreed that when she turned two we would get rid of it. Basically we put it off for the last month because I'm a huge wuss and I kept coming up with excuses. I was really not looking forward to how this was going to affect her (my) sleep. We decided to approach it by being straight up with her, and a day or two before I forewarned her that we would be all done with the binkies because she is a big girl now. We talked about her other big kid friends who don't have binkies anymore and that's pretty much it. The first time without it happened to be a naptime and it was everything I expected and more. She cried/wailed/whimpered for her binky/mommy for an hour or more. It was really, really sad to listen to. But.........

Guess what? That night she didn't even ask for it. In fact, all you could hear over the monitor was her little voice singing ho ho ho hosana. And then she just fell right asleep. And she hasn't asked for it once since!! I kid you not, we had prepared ourselves for several days, maybe even a weeks worth of withdrawals. We are sooooooo thrilled and so proud of her.

In other news... my wonderful, selfless mother came over this weekend to help me knock some things off my craft to do list. She tackled making curtains for Finley's room out of some cute green fabric I picked up, and lined them with black out fabric. I love the finished result! Thanks, mom!

I tried to fool around with my camera to get a better picture, but cameras are not my forte. The fabric doesn't look nearly as good in the pictures as it does in real life, but you get the idea.

While my mom was sewing, I worked on making over our goodwill dollhouse. I thought that this might take a couple hours, but it ended up taking much, much longer. I probably won't use craft paint again, because it took a million coats. I went with green for this as well, because I'm trying to tone down the bubble gum factor in her room. I plan to repaint a little coffee table thingy white and put some sort of cute storage underneath for all the accessories.

here is the lovely "before"



I thought shingles would be fun, without realizing I would have to cut and hot glue over 250 popsicle stick pieces.



a little paint, trim, and shingles, and here you go!

I love that little face peaking in from behind!

Next up: repainting finley's new (my old) headboard and nightstand.

the biggest shocker ever (and some crafts)

So, this weekend Brian and I had the biggest shocker EVER thrown to us by our little peanut. Let me tell you, this goes down in my book as probably the most splendid surprise of all time. For those of you whose babies never took a binky or got rid of it early on, it probably sounds absurd to you that our now 2 year old still had one. But, from day one she has loved sleeping with it, and we've allowed it (in her bed) because well, we have enjoyed reaping the rewards of our good little sleeper. A long time ago we agreed that when she turned two we would get rid of it. Basically we put it off for the last month because I'm a huge wuss and I kept coming up with excuses. I was really not looking forward to how this was going to affect her (my) sleep. We decided to approach it by being straight up with her, and a day or two before I forewarned her that we would be all done with the binkies because she is a big girl now. We talked about her other big kid friends who don't have binkies anymore and that's pretty much it. The first time without it happened to be a naptime and it was everything I expected and more. She cried/wailed/whimpered for her binky/mommy for an hour or more. It was really, really sad to listen to. But.........

Guess what? That night she didn't even ask for it. In fact, all you could hear over the monitor was her little voice singing ho ho ho hosana. And then she just fell right asleep. And she hasn't asked for it once since!! I kid you not, we had prepared ourselves for several days, maybe even a weeks worth of withdrawals. We are sooooooo thrilled and so proud of her.

In other news... my wonderful, selfless mother came over this weekend to help me knock some things off my craft to do list. She tackled making curtains for Finley's room out of some cute green fabric I picked up, and lined them with black out fabric. I love the finished result! Thanks, mom!

I tried to fool around with my camera to get a better picture, but cameras are not my forte. The fabric doesn't look nearly as good in the pictures as it does in real life, but you get the idea.

While my mom was sewing, I worked on making over our goodwill dollhouse. I thought that this might take a couple hours, but it ended up taking much, much longer. I probably won't use craft paint again, because it took a million coats. I went with green for this as well, because I'm trying to tone down the bubble gum factor in her room. I plan to repaint a little coffee table thingy white and put some sort of cute storage underneath for all the accessories.

here is the lovely "before"

I thought shingles would be fun, without realizing I would have to cut and hot glue over 250 popsicle stick pieces.

a little paint, trim, and shingles, and here you go!

I love that little face peaking in from behind!

Next up: repainting finley's new (my old) headboard and nightstand.

our thanksgiving tradition

One of my very favorite family traditions is heading up to the mountains on Thanksgiving morning to cut down our Christmas tree. This year was especially interesting because the snow was soooooo deep (above my knees). Thankfully, Brian's family came prepared with enough snow shoes for almost everyone in the group. But even with snow shoes on it was still really tricky to maneuver around in the snow and i sort of thought i miiiiight go into labor when i had to carry finley back to the car. As usual, we had a great time and we have LOTS of pictures to prove it (it's bound to happen when Brian's mom and I get together). And now, let me introduce you to what many of you wait for all year long.....

Brian, in his onesie snowsuit. Try not to be afraid.




Grandma had to make the trek without snowshoes!

If only there was a way to photoshop finley's whiny face into a smiling face...it could've been a Christmas card option!

don't worry...we're only using the very top of the tree for our "table topper tree".

not happy taking a face plant in the snow :(

with grandma
I LOOOOOVE THESE TWO!!

After our excursion we headed to my family's house for yummy food and relaxing. Sometimes I hate to use the word "blessed", but that's the best way to describe how we feel. This year we are especially thankful for: God (duh), our hilarious daughter, both our amazing families, our friends, our church, our health, our baby girl on the way, my easy pregnancy, Brian's new company and the doors that have opened for him, and our home that brings us lots of joy and comfort.

Tomorrow I'm making my first turkey. Since it's a no no to eat deli turkey when you're pregnant I've gone without it for seven months. I am really excited about having tons of leftovers for sandwiches. Wish me luck!

our thanksgiving tradition

One of my very favorite family traditions is heading up to the mountains on Thanksgiving morning to cut down our Christmas tree. This year was especially interesting because the snow was soooooo deep (above my knees). Thankfully, Brian's family came prepared with enough snow shoes for almost everyone in the group. But even with snow shoes on it was still really tricky to maneuver around in the snow and i sort of thought i miiiiight go into labor when i had to carry finley back to the car. As usual, we had a great time and we have LOTS of pictures to prove it (it's bound to happen when Brian's mom and I get together). And now, let me introduce you to what many of you wait for all year long.....

Brian, in his onesie snowsuit. Try not to be afraid.




Grandma had to make the trek without snowshoes!

If only there was a way to photoshop finley's whiny face into a smiling face...it could've been a Christmas card option!

don't worry...we're only using the very top of the tree for our "table topper tree".

not happy taking a face plant in the snow :(

with grandma
I LOOOOOVE THESE TWO!!

After our excursion we headed to my family's house for yummy food and relaxing. Sometimes I hate to use the word "blessed", but that's the best way to describe how we feel. This year we are especially thankful for: God (duh), our hilarious daughter, both our amazing families, our friends, our church, our health, our baby girl on the way, my easy pregnancy, Brian's new company and the doors that have opened for him, and our home that brings us lots of joy and comfort.

Tomorrow I'm making my first turkey. Since it's a no no to eat deli turkey when you're pregnant I've gone without it for seven months. I am really excited about having tons of leftovers for sandwiches. Wish me luck!