Giftyness Meme

Okay, I think I am a *little* crazy for doing this, but I just couldn't resist. It sounds like SO much fun. And I'll be getting something awesome from my super-talented friend, Danielle. So here goes:

The first 4 (four) people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:-

• What I create will be just for you.- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make! (I will make every effort though)-


• You will receive your item within 365 days, that's one year. (or sooner).


• You will have no clue what the item is going to be. It could be a story or poetry (unlikely). It could be a piece of handmade jewelry or an art doll (slightly more likely). I may draw, paint, collage, or crochet something (quite probable). I might bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!


• I reserve the right to do something extremely strange (completely possible, but not likely, afterall- I DO want you to like it!)

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you have to repost this meme and make and send out FOUR surprises of your own.
So -- who's in?

Bed update

Well, we are two weeks into the big-boy Bed. Or, as Weston calls it, his 'Weston-sized bed.'
And I thought it was time for an update.
Because, quite honestly, I am shocked, surprised, thrilled, and absolutely grateful.

NO crying. NO trying to get up. NO late night visits to our room. NO tantrums at naptime.

This is what happens every single night:
Family prayers, brush teeth, read story, lay him in bed, sing song, kiss goodnight, lights out.
Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep... for 12 hours.
Morning: Weston plays and reads in his room for about a 1/2 hour.
Then I hear "Mommy, Weston awake, get Weston up please." Repeated until I come get him. (which is usually in less than a minute because he has been so gosh-darn good.)

This is what happens every single naptime:
Read story, lay him in bed, sing song, kiss, lights out.
A little bit of talking and playing and then sleep...for 2 hours*
He does cry a little when he wakes up, or I just hear him moving around and talking and I get him.

I feel blessed. I really do. Because sleep habits have definitely taken time and discipline at our house and haven't been the easiest.
But this. This is just heavenly. What a great, great kid.

* this coming from the child who decided last month that he didn't want naps and would cry for 30 minutes in his crib after I put him down.

ps. the shorts in the pic. are absolutely my very favorite. I love them. And when I brought them home from Old Navy, Weston wanted to put them on right then. No matter that it was snowing. Oh spring, come quickly.

Tave - 9 months old!!

Our sweet Tave is 9 months old.

Some of Tave's highlights from this month:

• He loves loves loves to play with Weston. He doesn't even mind getting squished, sat on, and wrestled with. But he draws the line at basketball hoops on his head...see pic below!
• He started eating solids. Not my choice...he decided that he must have what we have. And he goes to great lenghts to get it.
• His favorite foods are: eggs, bagels with cream cheese, pizza, pretzels, cereal, and fruit. He also eats baby food still and oatmeal. He hates bananas and doesn't really appreciate when we have him try green veggies. But hopefully he'll get over that soon.
• He has been teething this month, but nothing has shown up yet. Fingers crossed that it does soon!
• His bedtime is 7-730 ish and he sleeps until 5 or 6, then eats, and goes back to bed until 730 or 8. Usually. We've had a few rough weeks because of teething where he's waking up more than normal. not fun - for us or him!
• He LOVES to be sitting up and has started rocking forward. (the beginnings of crawling... very beginning stages!)
• He hasn't really cared to try crawling. He is so content and happy all the time that it just isn't important to him, I guess. :)
• He enjoys playing with toys that make noise, especially music.
• He dances and bounces to music as soon as he hears it. And he sings. SO darling!
• He has gotten to spend time with both Grandmas this month!
• He absolutely LOVES people. He smiles all the time and loves to watch everyone around him.
• He started clapping this month! He loves this and will clap for us all the time!
• He discovered the joy of balls!! He really loves when Daddy bounces a big ball in front of him.
• He has really started to notice other children. He really likes being in on the action with the kiddos.

Dear Tave,

You are getting to be so big! You have really grown up this past month and are developing such a sweet and fun personality. This month has been a little hard for me. 9 months is so close to 1 year old. And I just don't want my baby to grow up. I love love love this darling, adorable little person that you are becoming. I love your snuggles, your hugs, your wet kisses and giggles. I love being your mommy and seeing your bright smiling face first thing in the morning. I love watching you and Weston laugh together and seeing your face light up when Daddy walks in the room. I love watching you dance and sing your little songs and I can't wait to see the exciting things that you will discover next.

You bring so much joy to our family. We never knew what we were missing until you came into our lives. We are so grateful that we are a forever-family.

We love you.

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Valentines

To Love and Be Loved...

I love these two munchkins more than I ever thought possible.

I know this quote is often used, but it describes parental love so well:

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. - Elizabeth Stone

For Valentine's Day we made hearts together and wrote the names of people we love. (thanks for the idea Amanda S.) Weston LOVED picking who we wrote on each heart and then coloring them.

We gave the boys some treats, a special book, stickers, and a balloon. It's safe to say the Balloon was HIT!

My Love and I in front of 'the wall of Love'. ;)
We had a fabulous afternoon date of dinner and quality time together. It was much needed and oh so special.
After the kiddos were in bed we played 'Ticket to Ride' with Liz & Ammon. Great company and great fun!!

The night was topped off with these delicious cupcakes from Cupcake Chic. If you are craving a fantastic treat...check them out. (Thank you, Trista & Matt, they were SOOO wonderful!)

What a perfectly love-ly day!

I sure love my guys!!

Another New Nephew!

Cousins!!

We had a fun day with Syanne while Chels, Rob, and Mom were at the hospital.
The kiddos were so funny together.

Aydrien Raiden

Born February 12, 2009

8 lbs 14 oz, 20.5 inches long

We love each of our nieces and nephews so much. It is always so amazing to see a new little life come into this world. We are so excited to get to know him and see his little personality develop!

We were able to visit Chels & Rob and meet Aydrien the day after he was born. The kiddos (West, Tave, Kapria, & Syanne) were all pretty excited to play and be together so they didn't make it into any photos.

What a great day!

Potty training???

West has been asking for his own 'Weston-sized toilet'
We figured that meant it was time to get one. So we ordered it (I realize the color is hideous... I let him pick it when I should have just chosen myself, oh well--too late now) and it finally arrived! Weston was so thrilled.
But potty-training really hasn't started and I am okay with that.

For now, he sees it, likes it, and knows he'll get a treat if he goes in it. I'm of the mentality that when he's ready- it will happen. We'll encourage and reward, but not push. (of course if he's 5 and not toilet-trained, I'll probably do more of the pushing, but for now we can wait!)
So we'll see what happens...

And this is just proof that a BOX beats pretty much anything else out for FUN!!!
What cuties we have!

Busy busy

3 kiddos under the age of 3
It was a crazy, fun, busy, hilarious, tiring, awesome, wonderful day.

Lunch was one of our quieter moments...since they were all happily eating and 'stuck' in their chairs. :)

I sure love these kids.

New Nephew!!

Our darling little nephew arrived!
Owen Robert
8 lbs 4 oz 20.5 inches long

We just can't wait to meet him! I see these adorable pictures and I am SO excited to hold him this summer.
We love you guys and are thrilled for you!

Visiting Ava ~
The boys are so interested in Ava... it was so sweet how Tave kept reaching for her.
We had a fun visit and are so so so excited for this summer when these 5 kiddos will ALL be together!

Celebrate!

We finally got around to celebrating Jeff's birthday!!!
Jeff asked me for a Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie for his birthday and on February 8th (a full 2 weeks later) he got his wish. :)
Thanks to all who celebrated with us. We had a great time.

Happy *un* birthday Babe!

Dear Weston,

Last night you slept in your own little bed for the first time. You were fantastic. You slept through the night and when you woke up you stayed in your room and played with toys and read books. Daddy and I are so proud of you. You are turning into such a fun, sweet little boy. You are taking a nap in your bed right now and doing so well. We read stories and sang songs and you were ready to go to sleep in your bed.
This was a big step for me and daddy-- it means you really are growing up. I am a little sad at that thought, but I am even more excited to see the person you are becoming. I love seeing all of the new, exciting things you are learning and doing and watching your abilities grow. You surprise us every day.

We love you!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Weston-size Bed!

Weston has been so excited for his bed. He calls it the 'Weston-size bed'.

He did so great helping Dad put it together.

He was SO thrilled to get into it. He got tons of books to look at in his bed.

And for the first time ever he said his own prayers kneeling by his bed. (usually he likes me or Jeff to say the prayer)

Our little boy is growing up!!

We'll see how he does through the night...

Handmade

For those of you who know me, you know I love to make things.
From simple construction paper crafts with my kiddo to a quick daytime sewing project or a two-year crocheted afghan. I love it all.

One of my blog-friends always posts her latest creative projects. I love seeing what other people are crafting...

So I thought it would be fun to show you all what I've been up to.

Here is my latest favorite thing for the kiddos:

Isn't she a doll!!
I made this little hat for her 1-year birthday. Weston was so excited to give it to her.
He also kept asking for his own hat. So we went to the store and I let him pick out his favorite colors. He picked the blue and green, I added brown in there and then made Tave's to match. I am so in LOOVE with these hats. They are so stinkin adorable.

The more I look at Jocelyn's the more I am loving the solid look. What do you think, stripes or solids?!

*********Additional info on the hats *********

I've had some comments and emails about the hats... so for those of you interested: I bought my pattern from etsy. Here is the direct link to the actual hat pattern I purchased. (click on hat pattern) It is copyrighted so I cannot give you the pattern, but you can purchase it or I can make you a hat. (the pattern author does give permission for that)

And here is the link to the etsy shop if you want to browse other patterns that are available.

If you are not interested in making this yourself, I would love to make one for you. I love to crochet and these are so much fun for me. Just leave a comment or email me to talk about prices and colors. Thanks so much!

Valentine's Day Ideas

My friend, Des, has some fun Valentine's Day ideas on her blog. I haven't done a lot of creative things for this holiday, so I would like to hear about some of your favorite things to do or any successful Valentine's gifts for your loved ones.

The picture above was our first Valentine's day...cheesy, I know. But it was fun to make and Jeff loved the study snacks. ;)

A fun visit!

We visited Al & Evie this week!
Weston adores Evie..they had such a great time playing.
And Tave just loves watching kiddos, so of course he had a blast.
Then, Al spoiled me and had Weston stay and play for a few more hours while I went home and put Tave down for a nap.
Thanks Al & Evie, we loved spending time with you!