Our Snow Days!

Man, I wish it would always snow in winter! Unfortunately that probably isn't going to happen here, and if it did then everyone in Oklahoma would be complaining nonstop about how inconvenient it is....but let me get off of my soapbox and tell you how we have enjoyed our white days!

This was just a beautiful snowy day, and I think here in Norman we got about 6-8 inches. Hubby's school got canceled Thursday and Friday so we were able to build a fire and snuggle. We bundled up the little one and took him outside for a bit to experience how the flakes feel--he didn't know what to think about it!

^This one is funny because whenever Nick wears a hat, Brad just stares at him like he is an alien.
(don't you love his tiny mittens???)

Thankfully we have a 4x4 that I could take to work Friday and Saturday night. I don't know why people keep asking me if I'm "going to go to work in this weather"....come on guys--I work at a hospital....in the ICU...it doesn't close!!!! I have to be there rain or shine, flood or blizzard. The only two times I have missed work was in August of 2008 when I was in a hurricane in Jamaica and couldn't get a flight out in time, and last month on Christmas Eve when we had the blizzard and I physically could not get to work.

Last week I started working on some home decorating crafts that I've been thinking about for awhile. I will probably put up pictures as I finish them, and then at the end show you a before/after of the room that I'm working on. It involves handmade wall art, curtains, a table runner, and topiaries!

And I am proud to say that I filed our taxes last week! I like to get it done and out of the way as soon as we have all of our many forms in. I claimed a lot of exemptions last year on maternity leave so that my paycheck was bigger, so thankfully because of Nick's education credit we will still get a big chunk back. I was joking with my dad about how you know you are a real adult when you have to wait for like 10 forms to come in before you can file your taxes! This week we are going to make a trip to the county assessor's office to file for some discounts on our property tax. Every little bit helps since in our neighborhood the property taxes are through the roof. The are in NY that we want to move to has higher property taxes also, except their housing prices are a lot lower than here so it evens out pretty well. You get a lot nicer bang for your buck...plus it's just a beautiful area :) *sigh*

7 Months Old!

This happy little boy is now 7 months old, and I can NOT believe that in 5 short months he will be one! Yikes!

At 7 months old you:

• sleep about 12 hours every night
• go to bed between 8 and 9pm and wake up between 8 and 9am
• you still love your paci when going to sleep or fussy
• LOVE to eat anything and like everything we give you
• eat 3 meals a day--solids first, then about 9oz formula each time
• babble a lot
• are wearing size 3 diapers
• are wearing 6-9 month clothes
• got your first haircut today
• sit up very well, but are not crawling yet
• scream with laughter when we tickle your ribs
• get very excited when you see a dog or cat come around
• feed yourself cereal puffs by the handful

For Christmas, my mother-in-law got Bradley this inflatable bathtub duck and I just got it out today. I think it's a hit! It makes it so much easier to bathe him because he can sit up without me worrying if he is going to knock his head on the tub.

(This one ^ is before his haircut)

Yes I grudgingly gave him a haircut today...and I will say that it looks a lot nicer now that it is all the same length. No more wispies! It's funny how light his hair has gotten since he was born.

Here are some random shots from his monthly "photo shoot" that I had to share with you!

My Little Man

I had some cute pictures that I've been taking over the last few days, so I thought I would share them with you!

This is Bradley checking out his powder. Yes, I closed the lid first! I love the naked baby pictures.

Last week we went to two birthday parties! One was our neice Zoe who turned one on the 21st. We drove down to Elmore (where my inlaws live) on Saturday and had a little party for her then. And yesterday we went to my friend Merrie's baby RoseMerrie's birthday party. She turned one on the 20th! She is the cutest little girly, and it's so funny watching her walk around because she is about the same size as Brad and looks like a little doll wobbling around. Too cute! She was kind of flirting with Bradley...

And of course one of momma and baby! I love my little guy.

PS: Guess who is going to be 7 months old tomorrow??!!

Happy Boy--Pics & Video

Um, is he not the cutest thing ever? Yeah I think so too! He got to bed a little late last night because I insisted on taking him with me to Michael's and Walmart. He is getting really good at sitting in the cart like a big boy! *sigh* He's growing so quickly. I recently crocheted a shopping cart cover and we tried it out--works nicely! I would have taken a picture, but the Walmart people would have looked at me funny...I'll sneak one in soon.

This morning he woke up very happy so I sat him up in his crib (yes he can sit unassisted, but can not sit himself up yet) while I put away his laundry.

Then he laid in our big bed and played with his toy while I brushed my teeth and put my hair up.

Then I got him dressed and {tried} to clip his fingernails...but when I got down to the last 3 he flinched and I may or may not have got some skin...okay I did, and he cried, and bled. Of course I apologized profusely and promised him I didn't mean to do that. I don't think he cared. Poor little guy--I would put a bandaid or something on it, but I think he would just eat it off! So here's another happy picture of him from yesterday!

And to end, a video of my little man in his crib:

Our 7th Anniversary

Yesterday was our anniversary and we had a great time! I worked Saturday night, so after a few hours of sleep Sunday, I got up and we dropped Bradley off at grandma's house. Then we hit the road and drove 2 hours to Krebs, OK which is a little town founded by Italian immigrants in the early 1900s. We ate at the famous Pete's Place (look at their website) and loved the atmosphere and food. Each table was in it's own private room, and the food didn't seem to stop coming! All together we had salad, garlic bread, spaghettic with sauce/meatballs/ravioli, sliced cheese and olives, and our main course was grilled chicken and fettuccine alfredo. Delicious! We tried some of their peach beer which was...different. We are not beer drinkers but this one wasn't too bad.

Napping in the Bathroom

This isn't a usual occurrence...my hubby was gone at school when I bathed little man and got him dressed. Well I need a bath too, so I buckled him into the bouncy chair, supplied him with several toys, and situated him in front of the shower doors so that he could see himself because they are mirrored. I should also say that I had the heater on in there so it was nice and toasty.

About 10 minutes into my shower, he started being very quiet. So peeked out of the doors and this is what I found:

I thought that was too cute! So as soon as I got out, I wrapped him in a blanket and put him down for nap (for which he only slept 30 minutes)--after I took these pictures of course!

Now this next craft I finished, have an open mind. Look at it from a baby's perspective! It is for my niece for her first birthday next week. I looked and looked on the internet at all my favorite craft sites for an easy sewn doll idea but I didn't really find what I was looking for. So I did this from my own pattern and winged it!

It has ribbon tags for hair because babies love to chew on tags. It is soft and plush with button eyes, hand-embroidered face and a bell inside for a little jingle. Too bad my little guy isn't a little girl cause she would have like 30 of these!! I'm putting this up in my shop now....

Crafts and a Video

So I have been a mom for 6 1/2 months now, and it JUST now feels like I am getting into a new "normal" routine. I only work two shifts a week and it still feels like I have no time. Ha! This is coming from a girl who is notorious for being on the ball and all around gettin' r done. Hm. Thankfully I have found time here and there to craft (usually after little man has gone to bed) and it helps me to keep my wits about me. Household projects and cleaning on the other hand--well they come after hubby time, baby time, and me time!!

Without further ado, here is one little diddy that I whipped up last week. It is a ribbed hat with the cutest little pompom on top. I probably could have made it a little longer, but it seems like when I do they always end up covering his eyes!

For the next craft, this was a COMPLETELY original idea of mine, and a quite good one if I do say so myself. I haven't seen these done anywhere (yet) and I thought it was a great substitute for the usual blanket or plaque that has their name and birth info on it. Those usually get put away as they get older, but a picture lasts forever! His room is safari themed so I put a little giraffe on it, and hand embroidered the words. Otherwise I kept it pretty simple.

Our neice Zoe has her first birthday coming up next week, so I've been crafting some goodies for her also. I made her one of these in pink and brown...

...and also one of these just cause it's cute! This was unfinished wood, and I hand painted the frame and letters then added the embellishments. I hope she likes!

To end this, here is a video of my little man today just being a happy boy and talking to his mama. Enjoy!

(ps. The embroidered frames are for sale in my SHOP HERE)

Zuccini, Squash and Green Beans, Oh My!

Those three yummy veggies are the latest addition to our freezer full of homemade baby food! I bought them at the grocery store the last time I went, and my hubby surprised one day while I was sleeping after work and cooked it all. Isn't he the sweetest?? So far baby likes them all--I don't think there's a food that he's met that he doesn't like.

We've been keeping pretty busy. I started a craft blog/store that you should check out if you like the things that I make. Have a browse and let me know if you see something you want! Follow it and check back often because I'm always making new stuff. Here are a couple of things that are my latest:

^I like to call this a neck cozy. It is perfect for keeping your neck warm without all of the bulk of a full length scarf. It connects together under your neck with a cute button.

^And this one is a cute little hat with a flower sewn on. There is a matching button to accent the colors. Very cute on your favorite little girl (or you)!

Other than keeping busy with that, I got all of my Christmas decorations taken down except for the tree--that is hubby's domain. Now if he would just put the totes back up into the attic.... Little B is getting bigger by the day. He is sitting up very good now but doesn't like for us to go out of his sight! Nick has started back to his classes; only one more semester after this!

Happy New Year 2010

This is my first post of the year--but I am not going to post a list of "resolutions" like most. I don't make a list of high standards at the beginning of the year just to be let down when life happens and I can't get everything done. No, I like to do a spot check at the end of the year to see where I'm at in my plan. It is more gratifying to look back and be glad of the things that I have done than to look forward and dread the things I must do.

1. Had a baby
2. Lost all of the baby weight
3. Got closer than ever with my mom
4. Learned new techniques and projects for crocheting/sewing
5. Making all of Bradley's baby food
6. Nursed for 6 months
7. All credit cards paid off
8. Grown as husband and wife through our son

That's it off the top of my head. I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year last night and hopefully not too much alcohol was involved. Sadly New Year's Eve is one of those holidays (like St. Patrick's Day) that has evolved into a wild excuse to booze it up.

To end this post, I am proud to say that I have {mostly} finished arranging my craft area! Nick and I share a "recreation room" and I have one corner and one double closet. Well the closet is still a disaster area, but the corner has come along nicely!

I do many crafts in this space including sewing, crocheting, knitting, and scrapbooking so I had to clear off the tables and still keep my needed supplies visible and reachable.

^This is a custom-made hat for a fellow blogger that is being modeled by Bradley for sizing purposes. He enjoys it!

And last but not least, a new hat idea that I came up with to weave a ribbon through spaces on a crocheted hat. I also learned a new technique for crocheting flowers in rounds, and added a coordinating button to top it off!