{Encouraging Diaper Bundles}

I get a new niece today! Hannah is actually in labor as I type this. I wish there was a way I could be with my sister to celebrate this new life. Unfortunately with my little one, I wouldn't be much help! Yesterday, I prepared a package to send to her! In it was some fun/encouraging diaper bundles! I bought a large pack of new born diapers, on half of them I wrote fun and encouraging notes to make night time diaper changes a little more fun! Someone did this for me, and it really was great, I looked forward to reading them in the middle of the night! Also, it is a great reminder that there are women everywhere doing this, and it will not last forever!  

{Scrap Paper Schedule}

Its official! C man is on a schedule! After weeks of everyone being miserable and completely sleep deprived, we were at the end of our rope. He was not napping, barely sleeping at night, and cranky all the time. I didn't know what to do so I was feeding him every 2-3 hours! We had to do something! 

I pulled out one of the many books that I bought before Cal was born, dusted it off and decided I needed to actually put things into practice! I chose the babywisperer book because  it is full of testimonials and it really made sense to me! Also, the author Tracy Hogg doesn't use the CIO (cry it out) method, which sounds completely miserable! We desperately needed to figure out how to get Cal to fall asleep in his crib, and not in our arms! We used Hogg's "pick up, put down" method along with her "shush pat" method. Cal is making progress and now it only takes him a few mins to fall asleep in his crib! 

Needless to say, everyone around here is happier and more rested. I found myself always looking at the book to remind myself of this new schedule, so I decided  to write it down and post it to the fridge, it's a good reminder for me and especially for mikie. Sometimes I find myself wanting to stray from the schedule having it posted helps me stick to it! 

Its hanging on the Fridge for all to see!

I took this picture of C man this week. I have fallen back in love with my DSLR and my static lense. Hopefully I start using it more! 

{Go Easy Momma}

A quick read for all you new Mommas and Moms to be out there. As I watch my friends prepare to be moms, whether pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or with brand new babies. I keep thinking what is the most important thing I’m learning right now or what would my advice be. 

I have scattered thoughts through out these long days, and it is rare that I have a minute to compile my thoughts into one cohesive paragraph. I just keep coming back to the some place, the same thought; I just have to share it. I am 4 months into this new life, so I have no perspective, I’m in it, and I’m eyeball deep in the thick of it. So bear with me as I share what’s on my heart.

 So here it is:

 Go easy on yourself momma, give yourself grace, have time to be frustrated. You are weary, you are emotional, you are tired, and you don't know what you're doing. All those books, all that advice, all those Pinterest articles.....take them with reservation. Your precious baby cannot be compared to another, and you cannot compare yourself to another mom. Some things are just out of your control, but this time is sweet. It will end, even though these weeks feel like years. You will want them back. That screaming baby, that exhausted smile, the drool, the spit up; all of it. One day it will all be over, and you will want it back, you will want to kiss those cheeks, stroke those little feet, see his tiny face erupt into a gummy smile. So momma go easy on yourself. You will have days where the laundry will pile up, the kitchen sink might be full, but it is OKAY! You will have days were you feel no progress is made, where sleep is a distant memory, and taking a shower is not an option. So please go easy, get through this day, and then you can tackle the next one! You are strong, you are smart, you are beautiful, you were made for this, you can do it Momma! 

I'm still alive...

3 months!!! I made it!!!

Somehow I survived! I think this is the time the surviving stops and the parenting begins! Please forgive me for the lack of posts, I trust that you understanding that the past three months have been a little crazy!

Look at our guy! He is growing so fast!

Ceramic Ornament

{Scrap Fabric Toddler Apron}

We live and work with a handfull of people, mostly families. These people are not only our neighbors, and co-workers; but they have become our family here. I would like to think we have become each other’s family. We live life with these people, the happy, the sad, and the celebratory.

We are fortunate to be bystanders and watch as families and children grow and change. Living where we live, I sometimes have to be resourceful. I don't always have time to grab birthday gifts and cards at a store. So here is an apron I made for one of our tiniest little friends. Unfortunately, there is no tutorial because I pieced it together as I went. I started by doing a little pinterest research hoping to find a tutorial that had very detailed step by step instructions. Of course, I couldn’t find what I was picturing in my head, so hear is my attempt:  

I picked out my fabric and drew a template on a piece of construction paper. I googled the average size of a two year old, but if you are making this for your little one you can size up the template to him or her.

This was my first attemp at making ruffles, here is a tutorial I found helpful!

 I used pre-made bias tape for the ties.

Here is our messy kitchen table! Hoping for a desk soon  so I can re-locate all of my crafting!

 Here it is!

Last Minute Card {DIY}

Most of you already saw these pictures on Instagram or Facebook . For those of you who were wondering how they were made I thought I would share a quick post. They are actually really easy to make and the embellishments on the blank card and envelope took less them 10 MINUTES!  Here is what you will need:

{1} Blank Card and envelope. (if you are really crafty you can Make your card and Envelope from card stock. I bought mine from MICHAELS. They have a ton of color options.

{2} Martha Stewart Printmaking Silk Screens. (That's how I made the letters and Fish) These are my secret weapon, I use them from everything! She has a variety of packs, with many different themes. They can be used on any surface with any kind of paint, and they can be washed and used over and over again!

{3} Craft Paint and Washi Tape. Can be bought at any craft store.

Honestly I had no intentions of making this card, but every time I made the hour drive to town I forgot to buy one. Luckily, I have a pretty extensive craft collections, and I had all of these supplies at our house. Now that I know how easy it is, I might be making handmade cards more often!