Ideas, Materials... Now I Just Need To Create!

So Pintresting has been addicting over the last little while. There are so many ideas that I am really looking forward to making some things. Griffin is taking hour plus naps BY HIMSELF (although in our bed; one battle at a time) so I even have the time! I have purchased a number of materials for a bunch of different projects.

First I bought fabric and notions for our family stockings, so excited to make them! I bought most of what I need but now I am thinking I want to line them so I need to get fabric for that before I start. Although I have different plans this is my inspiration:

Source: etsy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

They will be burlap with red button and ribbon accents.

Secondly I have bought a picture frame for a memo/calendar board for our house. A way to keep track of who is where, when; right now it isn't as big of a deal but come April when I go back to work it will sure be helpful.

Source: fey-next2heaven.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I bought this exact frame but my papers will be different.

Today I went and bought a frame for a Christmas card display I want to make. I need to pick up some ribbon and paint still, but thanks to the Thrift Shop I have only spent 50 cents so far.

 

Source: redthreaddiy.com via Sarah on Pinterest

So Now I have a bunch of projects I need to work on... next week, because this week is already full!!

Six Months... ALREADY!!

Early in the morning of April 24th, 2011 my life changed forever; it was 12:35am when my little boy was born. His birth wasn't "perfect", and we were a little scared, but looking back it feels like so long ago that we were in the NICU wondering what was going to happen next.

Hours after Griffin was born. CPAP, Oxygen, and IV fluids and antibiotics attached.

These last six months have flown by, it is so hard to believe he is already half way through his first year of his life. He has learned so much; how to eat, roll over, sit, smile, laugh, babble, kiss... oh the list goes on. Although those first days were scary, he has grown into a beautiful baby boy, who is healthy, and happy. For that I am grateful!

Curling shoes and all, he is beautiful to me!

 While he has been learning and growing so have I. He has taught me patience, flexibility, and taught me how to love more deeply. Of course he has also taught me how to live with less sleep than I would like, and that diapers get yucky when a baby starts eating solid foods! Although I don't love the these things they are a small price to pay for the giggles, smiles and kisses that I am paid in. Really he has taught me that I love being a mommy, it is the best job in the world!

The three of us! 

I have loved these last six months, and I am looking forward to tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. I am just so in love with my little boy, how can I not enjoy each and every day with him! 

Happy First Half Birthday my little man! Love you forever and ever!

Happy Birthday!

 To My Wonderful Husband!!

My husband gets a little closer to me in age today (yes, he is younger than me). I have been keeping a secret from him for months and I got to surprise him last night with his gift; an ASUS EEE Pad. He has been talking for months about wanting a tablet computer, so with the help of a friend I figured out what to get him. I had my parents buy it so to hide the credit card purchase (I bought it online) and paid them cash I snuck out of  the bank account. It has been hidden under the spare room bed for a month, and FINALLY I gave it to him! Griffin and I have been talking about it a lot, I was worried his first words might be "eee pad", but he helped me keep it a secret. He had asked for a specific dvd for his birthday so he knew that something was up when I came out with a bigger and heavier box, but when he finally realized what it was he squealed and giggled like a school girl! It was so much fun to surprise him with something he wanted. Apparently he had no idea, which means my accomplices and those I talked to did a great job and helped me keep it a secret (Thanks Pasith, Mom, Dad, Ashley, etc.). Sometimes giving some one a surprise is even more fun than getting one!

Thankful Picture Post

  Thanksgiving is this weekend! Here are some of the things I am most thankful for:

My Little Boy

Every morning when I wake up next to this little one I am so thankful for him. I really do know how blessed we are to have this little one in our lives. He makes each day brighter and more joyful. Can't help but love him to pieces!

My Husband

 

 

 My husband rocks! He is so invested in our family and I am so grateful for that. 

My Family

I am so thankful to have such awesome parents, they really are the best parents in the world! My brother and sister (in-law) are pretty great too! I am so thankful that Ashley is on maternity leave right now too, she is a wealth of information for me, and I love our days in the city together. Remember when there was only 6 of us, we are so much better now!!

The Babies

 

 I am so thankful that Griffin will grow up with cousins. Mika and Maddie are the beautiful girls in my life, and I can't wait to see these three in about two years when they are running around and causing all sorts of trouble!

Of course there are oh so many more things to be thankful for: my warm house, the food on my table, the material blessings,my health and the health of those close to me and of course the love of my Lord! My life is blessed!

Not Creative, But Productive

** I wrote this post On Saturday, I meant to take a picture of all the food cubes, but haven't so I am posting anyway**

For the last three days I have been shopping, chopping, boiling, and puree-ing a ton of food for one little baby boy! Now that he is eating cereal (although it seems rice cereal is the all out fav.) I figured I needed to start thinking about the other food he would be eating. After researching (internet, but more importantly Ashley) I made a list of food for him. We went to Gimli and after a lunch date with Jay I went SHOPPING (G stayed with his daddy at work). I was pleasantly surprised on what I spent, I obviously bought food for Jay and I too, and didn't spend a ton over the normal amount! AWESOME!!

I started on Thursday night with some stuff I had in my cupboards like lentils and split peas. Last night I did a couple more, and today have sent the ENTIRE day making food. The last three are currently cooking :). Here is my list of that I made:

1. Lentil
2. Split Pea
3. Carrot
4. Sweet Potato
5. Pears
6. Plums
7. Blueberry
8. Peach
9. Parsnips
10. Green Beans
11. Butternut Squash
12. Peas
13. Chicken
14. Beef
15. Pork
16. Broccoli
17. Black Bean
18. Kidney Bean
19. Navy Bean
20. Cauliflower

Some I can start to use soon-ish, others will have to wait, but for now I am done. I know that there might be favourites that I need to make more of, but at least he will get a taste of a bunch of stuff. I will also give him mashed banana and avocado but I don't need to cook, blend those two. Since I wrote this my case of apples came so I will make apple puree sometime soon too!

For the record I tasted most of them, and I would have loved a smoothie made from the pear, peach, and blueberry cubes!

Be Creative!

Don't just "pin" it; actually make/do it! So I have been pinning lately on pinterest, and now I actually need to do something creative! I have made a list (on the side bar) of things I want to do before I go back to work (the ones with * I want to do before Christmas). Griffin and I are getting into a rhythm, so I could probably get some projects done.

I want to make stockings for us. Jay has his childhood stocking, and I have mine; it is time to have matching stockings! I might pick up fabric this weekend so that I can start on this project soon. The other thing I want to do before Christmas  is make a card display; maybe like this one:

The other things on my list can be done whenever, but need to be done BEFORE I go back to work. The first is a couple of eye spy bottles (for work, not G yet). They are bottles filled with birdseed and a bunch of little items. Kids can use the list to find the items. This would be great for fast finishers, etc. Finally I want to make a quiet book for G. He will be too young for it right away but i have more time now to make it. I know my sister-in-law has talked to my mom about making some too... maybe we will have to have a quiet book assembly line one of these days! I have a feeling this project will be a lot of work, but oh so worth it once it is done.

I hope to post pictures as I complete my projects.  As I continue to "pin" I may just add to my list!

YUMMY!!

So after a few rough nights of many, many (like 4-5) night feedings we decided today was THE DAY! Griffin had "solid" food for the first time. He is sitting by himself (for a few seconds at least), interested in food, and HUNGRY! Let's face it my Little Bear is not so little! I sort of feel like it is too early (he will be five months on Saturday), but man did he eat and eat, so maybe he is ready! To make things even better I am sitting here on the computer, my baby is in his crib SLEEPING!! Not sure if it is because his belly is fuller or because he is getting older and less clingy.

He was so cute that we couldn't resist taking pictures and a little video (http://www.youtube.com/user/Boazapalooza#p/a/u/0/ItjeWF7yoiU) too!

So next step is baby food making! I really want to feed him the best food possible (hence the breastfeeding battle) so I am planning on making my own food over the next couple of days. I have a list of purees I want to make; apple, pears, peach, pea, carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash, green beans (I will give him avocado and bananas too). I plan to introduce one at a time and wait four days before adding a new food. Should I make meat purees now too? What other yummy foods should I make? I am kinda looking forward to this new stage! :)