The Great List {04.15.13}

This week has already started off as a crazy one. Imagine lots of kids, rain, and being stuck indoors all morning. I guess crazy is the new normal around here. I swear I hardly remember what happened this past week. But...I DO remember the wonderful weekend we all had, so I'm going to focus on that.

1. Leila had a sleepover at her Aunt Val and Uncle Stefan's place on Saturday. Val came to get her by 9 am on Saturday and brought her home happy (and tired) just after noon on Sunday. Leila was in heaven. She ate chocolate cereal for breakfast, slept in a big bed with Aunt Val, had hours of pretend play, got a mani/pedi, went out to eat and to the park. Phew. Needless to say our apartment was very quiet with Leila gone. Fun weekend.

2. Jeff and I were able to get a lot done. I finally finished organizing the kids' closet. Huge improvement already! I just need to get some hooks and hang a shelf...well, Jeff does. Our apartment is so tiny I feel I have to constantly work on keeping it organized. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with all the stuff we have in this small space so finding time to organize is important.

3. A friend brought us lasagna for dinner Friday night. It was nice not having to cook dinner. Some nights when I cook we end up eating at 7:00 pm which doesn't work well with Leila's bedtime. There was even enough for leftovers! That made two nights this weekend that I didn't make dinner. It's the little things!

Hope you have a great week! 

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D.I.Y. Custom Name Art

I first saw this custom name art on Etsy when I was pregnant with Leila.  I wanted to purchase the decorated letters to hang on the wall above the changing table, but just couldn't justify paying someone to do something so simple.

Deciding to do it myself turned out to be easier than I expected!  My sister and I finished these letters for Leila just four days before my due date. 

With Carson's arrival, I figured I should make his name art a priority on my to-do list.  With the help of my mom and Aunt Carrie we finished the letters in just two days.

Custom name art {for your baby's nursery}

What you'll need:

• Wooden letters to spell your child's name (I picked these up from Michael's.  They had a few sizes and colors to choose from.)
• Acrylic paint for the sides (gray for Carson, brown for Leila)
• Mod Podge (I liked the matte finish)
• Paint brush
• Sponge brush
• Coordinating scrapbook paper- one for each letter
• Cardboard or newspaper if you are messy like me
• Scissors
• Pencil

Do-it-yourself directions:

1. Paint all edges of the letters with your acrylic paint. Make sure you do a sloppy job so that a little bit of the front of the letters get some paint too. (Just in case you cut the paper too small or misplace it on the letter slightly.)

2. Trace the letter on the back (or front) of the scrapbook paper and cut it out with scissors. With some of the prints I chose it was easier to line up the pattern by tracing the letter onto the pattern itself instead of the back. This ensures it will be straight if it needs to be.

3.  Paint the Mod Podge on the front of the wooden letter. Be sure to get all the way to the edge. Adhere the paper letter to the wooden letter and smooth out the wrinkles with a clean cloth. (pictured above)

4. Leave the letters out to dry overnight. 

Ta da! It's easy and perfect for your child's bedroom.

Linking up this week with Mama Dish for their{Moonlight & Mason Jars} Monday Night Link Up Party. Go check it out!

The Great List {4.08.13}

You might think it's strange that I love Mondays, but it's true. Jeff is usually off work and our beach town has settled down from the weekend. Time for a fresh start with lofty goals to conquer everything on my to-do list. It has been a great week and I am really proud of myself (and Jeff) for hanging in there and not going too crazy.

Photo by Natalie Chiles {San Diego Newborn and Family Photography}

 1. This guy doesn't like to be put down during the day, but I'm not complaining. Jeff and I each do our share of holding him while the other is playing with Leila or maintaining our home. I don't feel tied down like I did as a first time mom, not knowing what to expect. I realize soon enough he'll playing and exploring on his own.

2. I made it out of the house by MYSELF and the TWO KIDS. Three times! I feel like a rock star. We started slow with a short walk on the bay. I ended the week at the park for two whole hours. Now, if I cared how I looked (or smelled) I may not be as proud. Details, details.

3. Amy and I have encouraged ourselves to get into some sort of routine to help calm the toddlers. I am planning to cook more with Leila, create things and get crafty, and plan activities to get us out of the house even if it is for just a few hours. Time to hit Pinterest and waste some time on the internet. Fun!

I couldn't help but throw this other photo in of Carson from his newborn shoot back when he was one week old. Love! 

Photo by Natalie Chiles {San Diego Newborn and Family Photography}

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Come back each week for my newest list and don't forget to check out Betsy's list each week too.  Warning...positive thinking is addicting!

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Just grab the button, add it to your post, and come back to tell us about it.

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The Great List {4.01.13}

It's Great List time! 

Well, we made it through another week with a newborn and a toddler. I certainly couldn't have done it without help! 

Jeff and our kids...every time we say kids it blows us away that we have TWO!

1. I have been lucky to have so much help during this adjustment period. Jeff, of course, steps up and makes sure Leila has everything she needs while I am busy with Carson. My parents, aunt, and uncle have been watching Leila a lot in the mornings. My mom has been coming to get Leila out of bed at 7:30 so I can start my day smoothly, without being pulled in too many directions. My friend Lauren took Leila to play with her daughter on Friday while Carson and I went to a doctor appointment. My aunt has been making us dinner and it's being delivered to us (and a bunch they froze for us too). My mom has been doing our laundry. The list goes on and on...

2. After a stressful few days, Carson has finally made it past his birth weight. We are nursing as often as possible during the day and I'm taking Fenugreek pills to help increase my supply. The doctor was pleased with his 4 oz weight gain in less than two days so she is officially not worried anymore. Phew!

3. I made it to the beach this weekend! We live so close and do not take advantage of it like we should. My dad and uncle stayed home with Carson and just us girls spent some time with our toes in the sand. It was so relaxing.

4. I have to say good-bye to my mom, dad, Aunt Carrie, and Uncle Pat today after THREE wonderful months of them living less than a mile away at "The Beach House". A lot has happened since they arrived, and although it will be tough to say good-bye, I am so grateful they were here. Next year they are staying even longer...hooray!

I hope you take time this week to step back and reflect on what's GREAT in your life!

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Come back each week for my newest list and don't forget to check out Betsy's list each week too.  Warning...positive thinking is addicting!

Want to write your own list?  

Just grab the button, add it to your post, and come back to tell us about it.

Share some joy...

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