Project 52 | Brand new | Week 9

 Motherhood makes

everything brand new

because there's nothing as wonderful

as experiencing the world

through your child's eyes.

Who knew the mail truck was so fascinating?? To both of them!

They spend a good portion of every day in this window, watching for 'trucks.'


Now I just need to find one of my friends willing to drive by my house for an hour everyday! Any takers???

But beware of the tantrum when it's time to leave the window :/

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori |katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography |surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family 

Project 52 | Consuming | Week 8

Motherhood is

consuming.

time. energy. focus. love.

but every mother needs an outlet.

and Nina is mine.

Sewing is my escape. It's my 'me' time. I create something useful, adorable, practical from scraps of nothing. I think while I sew. I process my day, my life, my feelings. 

Lately, life has been too overwhelming and painful, and I don't want to *think*... so I lost my sewing for a while. I couldn't sit and create while in my haze.

But a few weeks later, the irresistible itch always comes back.

Nina and I find something to make, and life seems to fall back into balance.

What's your escape?

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori |katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography |surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family 

DIY | Play Workbench **Update**

Yes, I know, I'm crazy....

After looking at the pictures, I decided I couldn't stand the green toolbox on the cute little workbench... so a few coats of spray paint later.... it's blue!! Except now I wish it was orange. But I don't have orange spray paint, so it's staying blue. Crazy, I know.

But seriously... it's cuter...

He loves this thing...

The hooks are particularly fascinating...

Wanna see more?? Check out the DIY workbench first post...

Check back for Project 52 tomorrow!

DIY | Play Workbench

Creativity is my sanity. It's what keeps me grounded, it's my outlet. And no matter what I am creating with... paper, fabric, wood, I love seeing something come out of nothing. 

Hubby and I love working on any type of project together. It's bonding time. Thanks to my awesome Dad, who had no qualms over taking his daughter out into the garage with him, I have a fair amount of woodworking knowledge. Hubby learned plenty from his dad and grandfather too, so between the two of us, we have happily acquired many tools, and have big plans for them. 

When I told hubs I wanted to make a play kitchen (under progress!) for Jarvis, he jokingly suggested we make a play workbench. What an excellent idea! It's actually absurdly easy! So with a babysitter Valentine's evening, we hit up our local hardware store, Menards and finished the majority of the base in one hour that evening!

Taa-daa!

It is 3ft tall, with the workspace hitting at 1.5ft. Perfect for him right now. If we need to raise it later, we have plans to add risers or wheels to the bottom.

Supplies list:

2x4s: $8.00 (used 3.5 boards)

Nails: $1.00 (lots extra)

Peg board: $2.79 (only used half)

Spray paint: $3.44 (lots left over!)

Large snaps: $3.99

Canvas scraps: $1.00

Total:  $20.22 

(with nearly enough material left over to make another one!)

The peg board accessories are leftover from Daddy's workbench in the garage as is the tool box.

All the tools were one of Target's red 'Christmas Packs' and were on sale for $7.99!

So here's the only 'process' picture I took- partway done! Our only mistake was using 2.5 inch nails instead of 3. They were pulling out too easily with the normal pull of the bench, so we had to use a little wood glue to help stabilize them (that's why you see the clamps below). But now that thing is very very sturdy!

Sorry- taken on my iphone!

It is sanded very, very well with an electric sander, and all nails are finished flush with the wood.

We painted the peg board blue to add a little pop against the orange tools. But left the rest of the wood natural.

I used canvas scraps I had laying around (from some Christmas present dop kits) to create little pouches to hang on the side to store his tools.

We didn't want to attach them by hanging them on extended nails (talk about toddler hazard!!) so I used heavy duty sew-on-snaps for the canvas side, and nailed the other side into the wood. They are easily removable but completely toddler safe.

And a slightly smaller one for the other side.

And of course, a little brand so we have no doubt who it belongs to!

Here's to hoping my little boy will enjoy working out in the garage with his Daddy (and Mommy) and will have a little creative gene of his own!

***Measurements have been posted HERE! ***

**Yesterday, while browsing Ikea, I found that they are now offering a play workbench as well... it's cute, but 4 times as much as our, and I think ours looks more authentic!!**

**I featured this project on Today's Creative Blog... check out all the other projects featured!

Up next... the DIY play kitchen, fit for a boy! Can't wait to get started on it!

Hugs,

C

Project 52 | Furry | Week 7

Motherhood is

furry.

because he was my first 'baby',

and he taught me how to love like a mommy.

With his homemade apple-cinnamon puppy treats 

(and no, I did not let him eat all of them at once!)

Can I EAT these mommy???

Yum, yum!

 Valentine's Day was my sweet puppy, Jean-Luc's 3rd birthday (pronouced John-Luke, but we just call him Luke). Luc was rescued from a kill shelter and was the runt of the litter, so we don't know his actual birthday. Just that it was mid-February, so we celebrate on Valentine's Day!


I think in so many ways, getting a dog or cat prepares you for motherhood. Luc CRIED all night long the first week we had him. He got into everything and couldn't be left alone at all. He pooped and peed all over my floor. He demanded attention and time. We had to plan to come home early let him out of the crate after dinner. He brought responsibility to our lives and taught us to plan for something beyond ourselves.We trained his habits and behaviors to match with our family and goals. And in return, he loved us unconditionally.


Most of all he taught me that motherhood isn't perfect, that you aren't going to always LIKE every minute, but that you will always love the ones that make you a mother.


So Happy Birthday my sweet, annoying puppy dog, we love you!

Luc got a sister just a month after he came to live with us, and believe me, Juliette owns him, haha!

She jumped in this picture and wanted to see just what he was getting to eat!

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori |katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography |surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family | 

Project 52 | Splish-splashy | Week 6

Motherhood is...

splish-splashy

because bathtime's never been so fun,

for any of us!

Me and my puppy love to drink out of the shower head...

(couldn't catch them both at the same time this bath, but I'll keep trying!!)

Puppy drinking the shower head, I'll just drink like a big boy out of my cup!

I swear, he put that up there by himself... and it was too funny to pass up!

SPLISH-SPLASH!! 

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori |katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography |surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family | wicked kate

this much [13 mos]

my last few posts have been kinda down (and obviously people agree based on the lack of comments, haha), so here's an upper!


linking up with styleberry blog in her *this much* project


While the rest of the country is 'freezing' and having snow/ice days... we had a warm spell today!! I think we topped out at 37degrees today, so very warm!! Now that Jarvis is walking, he can actually play out in the snow, as long as it's not too cold. I had planned to take him out to play earlier in the day, but between a doctor's appointment for him and a late nap, it didn't work out. 


But as soon as Daddy got home and Jarvis finished up his dinner, we headed out to play for a while! It was a little too dark for good pictures and took some major editing (so they are not the best quality), but you got to get it when you can- may not be warm enough to go out for another month or two! But I got to hang out with my boys and actually ENJOY the snow for once!!

 this much [13 mos]

All photos taken by my hubby, edited by me.

Oh, and all you Texans out there, this is real snow :) But check out the melting patches of pavement thanks to the warm temps today!! Yay!

Project 52 | Fragile | Week 5

52:5

motherhood is

fragile


and precious,

and sometimes much too fleeting.

This was a hard week around here. 


Our sweet 'Duckie' was due on Wednesday. And all week we have been facing the dreams and thoughts of how our lives should be right now. But instead of sleepless nights rocking a newborn, we lie awake grieving the loss of Job.


I wasn't sure I wanted to share this picture on here, it just seems so very personal. But I know our family will appreciate this at the very least. After a lot of thought and debate and prayer and searching, Hubby and I found the perfect urn. 


I don't have any more words right now, but I can only imagine the beauty of heaven and I rest in the hope and love of my Lord.

I can’t imagine heaven’s lullabies

and what they must sound like 

But I will rest in knowing, heaven is your home 

And it’s all you’ll ever know…

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori |katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography |surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family | wicked kate




(Those of you who are just now joining me for Project 52 may not know Job's story, click on Duckie to read about our precious child.)

Project 52 | Hard Decisions | Week 4

52: 4

motherhood is

hard decisions.

that sometimes your child doesn't like.

at.

all.

but is better for them in the long run.

This week, after seeing a pediatric occupational therapist for Jarvis' triphalangeal thumbs (see labels on the side for previous posts), she noted a slight deviation (curving) of his thumbs inward. Particularly on his right hand. So she sent us to the hand therapist and he is now fitted with the night splint you see above. Right now it's a testing period, we will check for any noticeable changes and evaluate where to go from here. We are in the process of getting a referral to a hand surgeon (most likely to Minnesota) to get a little more thorough check up.


He doesn't mind it that much really,
 he just wants to do is chew on it, which is fine, the splint is very hard...
except if the tape gets wet enough, the he can just pull it right off. 
Awesome.


Never been more glad he uses a paci at night!




(please ignore the yogurt on his face, he REFUSED to let me wipe it... 
pick your battles, right?)

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori |katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography |surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family | wicked kate

PS: as a hobby photographer (with no plans to ever be professional!) I would love any advice or tips on how to improve!




Hugs,

C

12.5 months

So, a while back I said I was going to do a 12 month post.... sorry I am just now getting around to it! I have lots to share though!


First off, let me share a few photos from his first birthday party! We had quite a blast with a lot of friends and Gammie and Grandpa, who flew up for the celebration!

The birthday boy at 11:20, the exact time he was born!

Gammie with the 1 year-old!

Playing with the barn set from mama and dada!

Jarvis' party was construction themed, and I have to admit I may have gone a bit overboard, but I had fun! I purchased a 'printable' package off of etsy and was able to print everything I needed so the party was cohesive. Here are a few pictures of the party (much more on shutterfly!).

Avocado/Chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese/cauliflower icing for the kiddos.

I branched out and tried some new things (with guidance from the Make a Cake series over at make it and love it), for Jarvis' birthday cake. It was a carrot cake with applesauce, dried apricots and dried dates, and covered in a cream cheese/cauliflower icing. I made all the fondant decorations myself from scratch (which was surprisingly more difficult than I had imagined!).

One of my favorite parts of the party! These were the favors the kiddos got to take home, homemade truck crayons... sadly, they were all disappointed they weren't chocolate! haha!

With Grandpa in the construction hats the kiddos decorated!

Birthday boy chowing down on his cake! Took some encouragement, but he finally dug in!

Our family, with the little blue-bearded boy.

Jarvis was quite thrilled to have Gammie and Grandpa up here for a visit!

And now, onto an update about his progresses!


Probably the BIGGEST change we have seen over the past few weeks is sign language. J and I have been signing a few signs to Jarvis since he was about 6 months old, but he only really ever picked up on one, all done. However, the day he turned 1, the silly baby started signing back like crazy!! He now signs, all done, more, milk, cheese. We are currently working on eat, bread, water, diaper change, fruit, yogurt, and many more! He has definitely figured out he can communicate what he wants and we will give it. He wakes up from naps signing milk and asking for his bottle. He will crawl up to the fridge and sign milk, milk, milk! No matter what he is eating, he will sign more and cheese, his favorite thing to eat! Now mama and dada are frantically learning as many as we can!


He is also starting to associate actions with objects or books. His current favorite book is Eight Silly Monkeys (remember the song about them jumping on the bed and falling off and bumping their heads?) and he loves to read it over and over again. He will go searching through the books, bumping his head with his hand, looking for that book. If we say, 'where's the bonk your head book?' He bumps his head with his hand and looks around for the book. It's fun to see his recognition and connections!


He still loves chasing the puppy and kitty and giggles like crazy when he gets close and they run away... poor animals!


On the walking front, we are still oh-so-close! He has taken several steps now (up to 5 at a time) but still seems a little hesitant to try any more. His favorite activity right now, however, is walking circuits around the house behind his little lion walker. (check out the videos on youtube!) If he runs into something, he fusses until someone turns him around so he can keep right on walking! One of these days, he'll get brave enough, and then watch out world!




And an update on a few of our goals for this year, we are transitioning even more to table foods (for a week during his 'wonder week' he refused EVERYTHING on a spoon, even yogurt!). He is still getting purees, but is eating more veggies and fruits as finger foods. Although he is hesitant to try a new finger food (even if he loves it as a puree) unless Mama and Dada are eating it too! We have also dropped the afternoon bottle that he normally got after his nap, 1 down, 3 more to go! But we are taking it slow and giving him plenty of time to adjust. He is drinking alot more milk out of his sippee cup, so we are not concerned about taking away the bottles nutrition-wise, just comfort-wise. 




Hmmmm, think that's it for now.... I'll add more later if I think of it!


Hugs,


J, C, & J

Project 52 | Exhausting | Week 3

Here we go again, another week. 


My dear friend Shawna, over at styleberry blog, is doing Project 52, but in her own way. She is focusing on all the little bits of motherhood that are often brushed under the rug. The things that we don't want to forget, but that fade in the joy of our children.


After feeling little inspiration this week for the theme with the project 52 I was using, I've decided to jump ship. I've decided to join Shawna and capture all the little things that make motherhood. No matter how beautiful or un-beautiful they may be. I feel more inspired with this theme. And although I won't be following her weekly themes, as they are whatever is speaking to her heart at the moment, I will be following the heart of her project, and posting whatever is speaking to me. 

52: 3

Mother hood is...

 Exhausting.

physically. mentally. emotionally. 

and some days are just

no makeup, dark circles, ponytail type of days.

and that's just perfect. 

Now, not every day is like that. I believe being a stay-at-home mom is a job, and should be intentionality treated as such. But some times, even the best of babies don't sleep. And so neither does mama. And those days, simply being with Jarvis in my lounging clothes, no makeup, ponytail and the deep dark circles of exhaustion is more than enough.

I'd rather not be sleeping because I have him, than be sleeping because I don't.

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori |katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography |surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family | wicked kate

Project 52 | Cold | Week 2

In last year since the AF moved us to North Dakota, I have developed a new respect for cold.


For the frostbite in 2 minutes, frozen nose hairs, can't breathe, feel it through 3 layers of clothes, icicles on your eyelashes type of cold.


For the your car won't start, mailbox is frozen shut, even salt refreezes, 2 hours of shoveling snow type of cold.


But it's beautiful. No denying that. The North Dakota winds create gorgeous 6 foot snow drifts with little waves.




So for this week, I went fairly obvious and braved the -13 degree weather (with a -25 degree windchill) and up to my waist drifts to get some snowy pictures!

52:2 | Cold

Snow clinging to a tree in our backyard

 Love the way the sun shines off of this one..

Trying to get some individual snowflakes... 

My favorite thing about the snow: the way the light makes it sparkle! 

And for amusement's sake...covered in snow!

It may not look it, but that is thigh high snow on the side of our house. 

And as part of this project, I will be linking back to  all the blogs participating:

styleberry blog |  bump meet baby | capturing memories | capturing my time |cyan baby bliss | fitori | katie clay photography | new mom adventure | phreckle face photography | {rik-see } photography | surviving endrometriosis | the buckeye homestead | the vandyck family | wicked kate


Go check out their blogs and posts for this week!


Hugs, C