A Treasure Found!

I discovered a charming new etsy shop this morning that I just couldn't resist and have to share!  Visit Seasonal Delights for handmade vintage shabby chic treasures!

If I Were Rich...

 I would shop at Anthropologie...

And So A Crayon Tote Sprouted...

Once a seed is planted in my head, I am restless until I have time to grow my idea from thought into reality.   I saw a similar crayon tote in a boutique recently and thought...I could make that...

For measurements and very basic directions click here.     

Now in the back of my mind is...I wonder if I could make a quilt?

A Cake, A Card, & Chopsticks

This weekend I made my first carrot cake from scratch for Papa's birthday.  Check out Alton Brown's recipe if you are up for this baking challenge.  Lesson learned: let the cream cheese frosting set in the fridge the entire ten minutes Alton calls for.  I rushed it and ended up dealing with frosting in a semi-melting state.  My little helper ended up abandoning me to sample the carrots and go to the park with dad.  

AJ and I also made Papa this joy fold card.  Check out splitcoaststampers for an easy to follow tutorial on how to make this little paper masterpiece.  It only took us 13 tries before we snapped our prize winning shot that made it on the card.   

And I'll leave you with my favorite quote of the weekend:

"AJ, no, we don't use chopsticks on the dog!"

poor Latte...

AJ's Thomas Apron

To wrap up the day, I threw together a quick, easy Thomas apron for Little Dude.  

When I found him to model his new apron for a pic, he was in mommy and daddy's bathroom with daddy's gel and mommy's hair spray fixing his hair...

Instead of Doing the Dishes...

I crafted!  A mom has to prioritize her free time...

Girlfriend's Hat

Howdy!

AJ greeted me with a "Yeh-ha momma!" and a kiss Saturday morning before he and daddy saddled up to go down stairs for breakfast...daddy was also wearing a cowboy hat.  What a priceless way to wake up.  

Sprinkles & Floats

Our Valentine festivities began by AJ and I making homemade sugar cookies on Friday as Abby Cat slept all snuggled up in her swing.  

Following the great sugar cookie adventure we decorated cookies as a family Saturday evening.  AJ was in Heaven as we set several bottles of sprinkles out in front of him...being two and a half, he believes sprinkles are a universal condiment that should be used at EVERY meal.  He was not content until every last tiny sprinkle was used.  And although mommy proceeded to eat many cookies, AJ just licked sprinkles off his cookie then added more sprinkles and licked them off...repeating this pattern until his cookies was a soggy mess.  At least he only used one cookie for his sprinkle addiction.  

Saturday night after the kiddos were tucked into bed, Andy and I enjoyed Dr. Pepper floats, Godiva chocolate covered strawberries, and a movie.   

Growing Dinosaurs & A Hooter Hider

In between playing with his trains, growing dinosaurs, and practicing his shapes( right now a circle is "round and round" or "wheel" and a triangle is "house"  as in the roof of a house...we will keep practicing our shapes) AJ has become a great little helper with his little sister.  He makes sure she always has her shoes, binky, boppy, honey bear, and hat.  He also been great about sharing with Abby...we just have to keep a close eye on what he is sharing...like his chicken nuggets and cheese...yikes! 

With the ease of breastfeeding this time around I have found the need for a nursing cover, but I wasn't about to pay between $25 to $50 for one.  With a receiving blanket, a piece of ribbon, and about five minutes behind a sewing machine, I had my own Hooter Hider!  

A Colorful Valentine

Check out Abby and AJ's colorful valentines!  We unwrapped crayons, broke them into half inch pieces, melted them in a heart shaped mini muffin pan at 300 degrees for 7 minutes, and let them cool in the fridge.  So fun, easy, and affordable!  

A Quick Recovery & Abby's First Play Date

Being a new baby momma is so much smoother this time around.  I am up and around, already enjoying my kiddos and planning projects!  I am Percocet free and enjoying motherhood with multiple children...even breastfeeding...which I cried through the first time before abandoning it altogether after 7 weeks.  (I still plan to transition Abby over to formula when I return to work...don't be a hater.  I admire moms that breastfeed full time...I am just not one of them.  I may try and hang onto one bedtime breastfeeding...we'll see.)

I just keep thinking...poor AJ...he survived his infancy as his parents fumbled through with a serious learning curve.  I am surprised with the ease of balancing a toddler and an infant.  AJ is adjusting.  Bed time has become pure hell...as this is the time that AJ seems to express his confusion over the decrease in attention.  We still follow the same bed time routine...bath(attempt daily...but have ran out of time a couple nights), brush teeth, put on p.j's, put together a couple puzzles, read three books, blow our noses(he seems to need this part of the routine), and tuck him in.  It is like he saves up all of his new sibling angst and fights for his freedom right when he should be winding down to sleep.  We are working through this...but are gladly accepting any ideas or suggestions.  

I am blessed with the most amazing friends in the world...the kind that help you clean your house when you are 9 months pregnant(even vacuum your stairs!)...drive for hours to visit you at the hospital...bring you meals when you come home with a new baby...bring you a vanilla Dr. Pepper when break down and cry at work due to exhaustion and pregnancy hormonal insanity...and look forward to doing fun craft projects with you!  

With my super fast recovery, we were able to venture out for our first play date Friday with one of these amazing friends.  It may have been more of a play date for momma than it was Abby, but is was fun...check out all the cute matching girliness!  

Big Brother and Bath Time

AJ snuggled loved Abby and helped with her first bath since we have been home.  More pics on the family web page later today.  

Going Home

We were able to go home today, just in time to welcome Aunt Jess!