5 Years Ago...

2 kids and 25 pounds ago...

(Honeymoon pic!)

we had no idea how happy we'd be 5 years later.

Bj, I'm so grateful you chose me.

Have a wonderful day, Grandpa Rob!!

Aaaaaanddd...we're back!

Ok, sorry about the break in the action. We just kinda got taken over by meetings, being busy, sick and...stuff for a while there. We didn't have to make the Urgent Care trip, thank God. Ears seem fine, we're just dealing with runny noses and coughs now--almost done, I think. I'm ditching the alphabet (not that I COULDN'T make it, Mom, I just don't want to--it's stressing me out. :) )

The weather has been absolutely perfect lately. So beautiful! Abby's been practicing riding her bike a lot and is getting good! She looks so grown up pedaling along! She's also discovered glue sticks and scissors...there are bits and scraps all around the house, and gifted "masterpieces" adorn the fridge. She's really enjoying "school"--we enrolled in an Early Childhood Family Education class here at the elementary school--there's sibling care provided for Alex (which he LOVES...it's usually only him and one other little boy, very close to his age, in a HUGE room, FULL of the coolest toys!). When we get to class (on Monday mornings), there's a half hour of free playtime, then "circle time" (sing songs, teacher tells a story or does a puppet show, etc), then mommies go in a different room for grown-up conversation (!!!!) while kiddos (all 3 years old) stay and play. She's a little shy still, and doesn't always completely participate, but at least she wants to go back, and she doesn't fuss when I leave for the Mommy Time!

Alex is usually crabby at me when it's time to leave his buddy and room full of toys. He's started getting out of his crib, which is a joy (note the sarcasm?). He hasn't figured out how to be subtle yet though...he'll get out of his crib after bedtime, flick the light on and start playing with noisy toys...he's busted pretty easily. He's insistant that he be called "Doot Doot"--he'll correct us if we call him anything but. He says "No! DOOT DOOT!" when we slip up and call him Alex or Baby, or Sweetie, etc. Everyday he has more to say.

PICS!!:
This is why I rarely shave my legs...this was a mommy-shower-time activity. I took these after removing the steak knife...Abby said, "I used the knife to open it! It was VERY helpful!" I'm sure it was...(they're HUGE cottage cheese fans, by the way.) No need to bother with bowls, or even spoons for that matter.

Some favorite playthings:

Waiting for Daddy...

Sunny fall days!!

Bj is still busy, busy with work. I've also picked up another day a week at work, so our time together is precious. Our 5th anniversary is coming up next week! He's already given me an anniversary gift, and it's a good 'n!!! A SCOOBA!! I don't think he realizes it, but he's given himself a little competition--I LOVE this thing, can't get enough! I would highly recommend it to ANYONE! I can nap and wash the kitchen floor at the same time! Yippee!

Anyway, I'm in floor heaven lately I guess--besides an effortlessly clean kitchen floor, Uncle Rick installed some killer new carpet for us! It's a dream come true and looks sooo fantastic! I love vacuuming it. The whole place looks bigger, brighter and cleaner, yay! He's the bomb, thanks Rick!

Okee dokey...I've got some videos trying to upload, but they may be too big...we'll see! Have a fantastic week!

Just stopping in to say "Hello, we're alive." Barely...battling the sickies this weekend/week. A trip to Urgent Care may be warrented tomorrow--we'll see how little ears are feeling in the morning.

We've been trying to adjust to the fall shift toward busy-ness. I'm reluctant to drop the summer ease for what feels like the more time demanding fall run around, and it's taking a bit for us to "find our groove". The balance between "have to", "want to" and "should" is so delicate, something is perpetually falling between the cracks. I suppose that's a sign that there's too many "somethings".

I've got many pictures and a couple videos waiting for upload, so I'll be back with more and better stuff soon--just wanted to poke my head up and give a wave! Hope everyone's weeks are going well!

J is for...

Oh the JOY!!! Sometimes I see some textiles that take my breath away. I've almost cried over fabrics...I get that twirly feeling in my tummy and--just can't even stand it! There's my embarassing secret. 2 things can overwhelm me emotionally--the kids and fabric. :) SO, when I saw this:

Well...surely you understand! ;) Unfortunately, it's $120 at Urban Outfitters. Right. So, I've officially begun the hunt for the right fabrics to give the same feel. There's more satisfaction in doing it yourself anyway, isn't there?!

The relative success of my Etsy shop has allowed for (squeal!!) a rash of guilt free fabric buying! These were today's acquisitions:

Don't you LOVE them?? I know you do! The pink version of the green one was featured in the October issue of Martha Stewart Living...another one of those "take your breath away" moments...it was a feature on pieced and quilted crafts, by Joelle of one of my favorite online shops, PurlSoho...see how beautiful?

I think part of the Take Your Breath Away Factor has to do with the "I can DO that!!!" feeling. Knowing that I can really make something THAT wonderful, with these very same hands that are usually shackled to the monotonous tasks of dishes and diapers.

I also found this:

on clearance at Urban Outfitters...those are little mod-vintagy birds pirched on those leaves! Fantastic! I swooped that sucker up faster than you could say Jiminy Cricket! Haha! Last one too, or so said the "availability checker"!! Hmmm...not sure what its extreme makeover will be yet--maybe some throw pillow covers, possibly a skirt? Part of a quilt? Oh, the possibilities!

This was also a super-score today from Fabric.com...a jumper for Abs?

Ahhhh...that feels better! Bj just says, "I don't get it." when I'm spouting joy over fabrics/textiles/craftiness. But when I put it here, I can at least imagine that someone is reading and appreciating along with me--maybe even feeling a little twirly?

So, thanks to my Etsy shop for all the J is for Joy!! Go check out Etsy and buy handmade!

That Time of Year...

Colors are all so much brighter in the fall--the sun is so gold, the trees are all decked out in their finest, the air is so clean! There's always such a promise of change, something new around the corner--fall is laced with anticipation!

We took a trip to the orchard this week--the weather was absolutely perfect. Alex started out like this:



But it didn't take long for him to wake up! We had such a fun time--feeding and petting the critters, sampling the apples, browsing the shop, playing on the tractor, the maze, just enjoying the day!!

These guys are so friendly and nice! We enjoyed them lots!


Such a sweet puppy!!



"He really likes you, Mommy!"

The sheep however...not so friendly. Didn't even say "hi".

And this is me after waiting for Blogger to upload all the pictures!!

Everybody have a great weekend, full of bright colors, crisp air and anticipation!

I've received some complaints about the banner still being too wide...sorry about that! I'll edit it as soon as I get a minute!

I is for...

I love you.

Alex says, "Mommy! Aye ya yoo! Daddy! Aye ya yoo! Nana (his version of Abby)! Aye ya yoo!" He practices his "I love yous" a lot in his crib before he falls asleep at night.

Abby says, "Mommy, I love you this much." (holding her thumb and little finger just a half inch apart) I say, "Abby, that's not very much!" Stretching her arms out wide, she says, "Ok, I love you THIS much!!"

In the car, Abby wriggles out of her carseat straps...I threaten to pull over if she doesn't get them on immediately...she says, "Oh, because we have to be safe? Because you love me?" I say, "Exactly." She says, "Daddy loves me too."

Can't ever have too many I love yous.