Made It Monday – Photo Collage

Finally!  This project took a year to complete…

First, I found out I was pregnant…

Then, six months later, I was ready to pop!

Finally…  Six months after “popping,” this little human has taken over!

I just ordered the photo collage to frame and hang in our bedroom…  I can’t wait!

**The idea came from Pinterest, of course.  Too cute to pass up!

 

Any projects in the works at your house?

Made it Monday – Pool!

We finally “made it” to the pool this summer!  (Which is silly…  We live in a neighborhood with two beautiful pools…)  Between the summer being a little cooler than usual, our vacations, the pool hours (opening at 10am), avoiding the peak sun times, Hubby getting home around 4:30…  And Sawyer’s dinner and bedtime rituals beginning at 5:30pm…  We just hadn’t made it to the pool yet.

It’s August!

And we’re so pale!

(I usually half live at the pool during the summer!)

But we finally made it.  Sawyer was wearing all the ridiculous sun-protection clothing and sunscreen.  He looked hilarious.  (But I saw the news last week – apparently, we’re all going to get skin cancer.  So might as well protect the next generation from the very beginning…)

We started gradually.  I sat on the step with the little guy.  He dipped his toes and we splashed a bit.  He was slow to to smile.  But eventually thought that was pretty cool.

Then, we let him stand on a step.  Since he loves standing anywhere – that was a big hit!  Now we were having fun!

Mike eventually took him into the water and pulled him around a bit – then the smiles really came!  And he started kicking – loving it!

He was perfectly happy lounging in Daddy’s arms, enjoying the show that all the other kids were putting on.  He was entranced by the splashing and laughing and yelling.  The pool “noodles” even caught his attention – curiosity peaked.

So cute.  What a fun way to spend our Sunday afternoon!

Isn’t it funny how the simplest things become magical again, once you have a baby in the house?  Watching them experience things for the first time is so enchanting.  The wide, bright eyes.  The wonder.  The uncertainty.  The excitement.  The joy.

It was pretty clear to the other moms at the pool that it was Sawyer’s first trip to the pool.  (They all had that knowing smile and chuckle as they watched us…)  One mom even offered to take our picture.  I love it!

Did you accomplish any goals lately?  (I hope they were as fun as a day at the pool!)

Remembering Today

“What do you want to remember about today?”

The fact that it is an ordinary, everyday kind of day.  Nothing extraordinary is happening.  Nothing spectacular.  Nothing over the top crazy fun.  It’s just a day.

And it’s worth remembering.

Remembering…

…Sawyer’s big smile and giggle when I went in to get him this morning – sitting up in his crib, gripping his monkey, bouncing up and down with excitement as Mommy wished him “Good morning!”

…Toys and blankets scattered all over the floor in the loft.  Giraffes, mooses, books, balls, rattles, a “minky” blanket, the star that plays classical music when shaken…  All kinds of fun to be had!

…His first glimpse of Elmo.  A big smile.  Suddenly interested in what it is happening on the TV.

…The drool-y, messy, open-mouthed kisses that have begun.

…Walking away to change the laundry, and peeking back to see Sawyer crawling towards things that are off-limits – with a grin on his face.  Oh boy!

…Watching the dog sprawl on the blankets, til the little boy make a beeline for her.

…The hubby coming home for a quick lunch break – with kisses for both of us.

…Sawyer giggling with black beans, sweet potatoes, and cereal in his mouth – and oozing out…  What a mess!

…The fragrance of clean laundry.

…The warm taste of fresh coffee in the morning.

…Catching a glimpse of this:

…The feeling that life is good.  I’m where I’m supposed to be.  I’m loved – and have so much to love in return.

 

What is worth remembering about your day?

Thankful Thursday

In the midst of all of life’s uncertainties and frustrations, I truly believe there is always something to be thankful for…

So, once a week, I will be making a list of what is making me smile. I’ll start with 10… But no need to limit if they just keep flowing!

I’d love to hear what you’re thankful for, too! Leave a comment. Or if you write a blog, post what you’re thankful for and share your link in the comment section!  I’d love to visit…

Here’s mine:

• Bananas.
• A cleaned out fridge.
• Homemade baby food – that I made!

• A new recipe that was delicious last night!  (Jamie Oliver’s Beef Hash – Yum!)
• A new shower curtain that makes me smile.
• My desk is finally cleared off and ready for creativity!
• The little man is army crawling… and fast!

• Plans with a girlfriend this afternoon… and they include chocolate!
• Quiet.
• So many new blog followers – Thank you!  You all make me smile!
• Little red wagons – and little boys’ obsession with them.

• A visit last weekend from a good friend.

Gotta love a friend that adores your kid this much!

• A walk on Tuesday with my mom and the grandkid.
• Peek-a-boo.
• A cool week…  I’ve loved it!
• The hubby got up with Sawyer at 3:30am – and I got to sleep.  Thank the Lord!
• Lotion that smells so, so good!
• Music – loving the new Jason Mraz song “Love Someone.”

What’s on your list today?

 

Just for Fun – Photos

So, at some point, when I get my life together and my days have more of a “flow” to them – I’ll get back into being crafty and cooking… And share my successes (and flops)! But lately, everything has been about the babe. But there’s a few things I’m having a lot of fun with – and they do involve a little creativity…

One of my favorites is an idea I got from Pinterest (of course). I’ve been taking monthly pictures of Sawyer – every month in the same chair (the rocker in the nursery), with his big giraffe (“Porter,” who used to seem HUGE!), and whatever book he likes most that month. I have to say – I look forward to the “photo shoot” because it’s so silly and fun. Especially now that he’s his own little character!

 

But my favorite pictures each month are the “out-takes.” Oh my goodness. We have so much fun – and now that he’s developing his own personality, these pictures make me laugh! The sideways grins, the furrowed brow, the foot suspended in the air, manhandling the giraffe, eating the book, lunging at me, staring off into space… We may take 50 pictures to get that one good one – and I may keep another 10, just because I can’t bear to delete them. I love this time with him every month – and capturing these little pieces of who he is at this moment.

The “official” monthly pictures get posted on Facebook for friends and family that are far away… And get printed for his “Project Life – 1st Year” book. But I have to think of something fun to do with the out-takes… Maybe an Instagram collage? Maybe a photo book at the end of the year? I don’t know, yet… Have any ideas? I’d love to hear them!

Here’s a few of the funny pics… Hope they make you smile!

 

Have a great weekend!  See you on Monday!