Artistic Touches

As a follow up to the last post, we wanted to show you the true final product from our photo project.  So here you go!  We're really trying to put some more "artistic touches" around the house.  Sometimes we feel like our walls have been neglected over the past 5 years since we moved in, so it's nice to finaly be giving them some life.  I think these turned out great!  

These went up on either side of our TV entertainment setup and I think it really balances out the whole wall nicely.  :)

Somebody else was feeling "artistic" the other day as well.  We were outside to enjoy the nice weather and clean out our cars.  They had been desperately needing to be vacuumed out and washed.  While we were doing this, Reeegan hopped up into one of the front seats to play.  Well, it turns out there was a red pen in the console that she was able to discover...this is what ensued..........

We have no idea why she decided to draw on herself, but we're just thankful she chose her belly over the leather seats!!  The girl does love to draw though.  Maybe she will be an artist... ;)



Photo Project

We had a wonderful weekend.  It was busy and went way too quickly, but it was wonderful.  Friday night was very low key, Jason watched March Madness while I finished the first hunger games book.  I know I am little behind, I resisted as long as I could.  Jason read these books months and months ago and has been telling me how great they are.  Teens being forced to battle to the death = not really my thing.  But with the movie coming out next week I promised him that I would read the first one so we could go see it together.  I really hate to admit it, but it was good.  So good, that I am currently reading the 2nd book.  Its not really my fault though, I have to know how it all ends! 

Saturday morning we woke up in time to get Reegan to swim lessons, except we forgot that it was an off week since it was spring break.  Oh well, we were there, swim suits were there, so we had a family swim.  The rest of the day we spent picking up, cleaning, Jason painted 2 coats on the trim in what will soon be Reegan's new room, and after nap (Reegan's, not ours unfort) we headed outside to play (again Reegan) and clean out, vacuum, and wash the cars.  We were very productive.  That night we went to dinner with great friends at Gram and Dunn on the plaza.  I recommend it, it was very good.  The 6 of us gave it 1 1/2 thumbs up (out of 2 of course)!  We decided that we are going to start doing this once a month or so.  We'll try a new restaurant, maybe enjoy a cocktail and spend a fun evening together. 

It had been a busy few days, so Sunday morning we let Reegan sleep in.  We weren't able to make it to Sunday school, but I did make homemade apple cinnamon pancakes and then headed off to church.  We went out to lunch with our dinner for 8 group and then off to run errands.  I know, how thrilling, chores one day and errands the next!  It was nice being so productive and we were all 3 together so it was nice.  We ate dinner at home, relaxed a little and when our little one was off to bed, we started in on our project. 

I saw this idea online a while ago, but can't remember where.  I adapted it a little and I think it turned out great.  I usually dont share things like this, but I thought it turned out so cute that I had to share.  I found these cheap picture frames from Walmart ($4) that we wanted to turn red in order to add some color to our living room.  Jason did this part, I stayed inside away from the fumes.  Before...     

After...

You also need some fabric, the coloring is a little weird in this photo, but I love the fabric.  I bought a yard and a half so that I made sure to have enough...I had way more than enough.  You probably only need 1/2-3/4 yards and that was for 6 8x10 picture frames.

You don't need the glass at all, get rid of it or use it for something else.  Cover the backing of the frame and glue it to the backside.  Does that make sense???

I used fabric glue, but regular glue is probably fine too.  I was looking for wood blocks to put behind the picture to give it some dimension but couldn't find any, so these wooden circles did the trick.

The hardest part was trying to find the pictures we wanted to use.  I just used regular 4x6 photos, I wanted something that I could easily (and cheaply) switch out. 

Glue the spindles or blocks to the back of the picture to give it some depth. 

Glue the other side of the spindles to the back of the frame covered in fabric. 

Now put it in the frame. 

I wanted to make sure these dried really well and therefore they are still not hanging on our wall.  Its tough when Jason and I work opposite schedules.  I think we'll post them tonight and I'll try to post a pic once they are on the wall.  We think they look super cute, plus they were cheap and easy!  Doesn't get any better!

I have a few other projects that I'm currently working on.  I love being done with school and having the time to once again do things that I enjoy and don't feel guilty about spending a little bit of money since I'm now contributing financially. 

I hope your weekend was just as great! 

Ernie Miller & 25 Weeks

To prove just how big baby boy I am getting, here is a photo from 25 weeks.  My goal this pregnancy was a 25 pound weight gain, the low end of the recommendation.  However, I'm on target for the 30 pound weight gain.  Right smack inthe middle of the recommendation.  I'll take it, it could be a lot worse!  Plus I want this little one to be healthy, so if it means a couple extra pounds, then I'll deal with it! 

We had a busy end to our week and a really busy weekend.  I'll tell you more about the weekend in the next post, but Reegan and I stayed busy last week.  We went to the playground with our friends Jamie and Haylee and spent a fun time just the two of us at Ernie Miller Nature Park.  This place is less than 2 miles away, but in the almost 5 years we have lived in our house, we have never been.  I think its because they don't allow dogs and whenever we want to go for a walk/hike we like to take the dogs.  I wasn't sure what to expect but it served as an enjoyable time just the two of us! 

We walked and Reegan would run ahead whenever there was a fork in the path to tell me which way we should go.  This park is huge, many miles, so while she wanted to be the decision maker, I had ultimate control.  We stayed close to the visitors center. 

I don't think we'll come real often, but it is a great place for a change of scenery.  Beautiful with lots of birds. 

Of course, we had to take a break for snack time!  A snack is always needed...

We were almost done, right outside the visitors center when Reegan ran up ahead of me and laid down.  Not sure what she was thinking, I asked her if she was tired and she laughed and said no.  Got up, ran off and did it again.  Whatever makes you happy girl! 

I always send lots of pics to Jason at work or post them on instagram (if you don't have this app, get it!).  We miss him while he's at work and I wish he also only had to work 3 days a week, so we could have more time together.  I'm spoiled, I know.  Weekends are great, but they are too short and always filled with a million things that we have to do, mainly things that didn't get done during the week.  I'm trying to be better about getting a ton of stuff, cleaning and grocery shopping, done while he is at work.  Unfortunately, working nights gets in the way :)  I often need to sleep while Reegan is napping and that cuts into uninterupted chore time.  I've found a pretty good balance, but I'm still working at it! 

Springtime

Springtime is here and this is my favorite time of year!  Didn't I also say that about fall?  Its the warm weather that I love and we have moved our afternoon playtimes outdoors.  Enjoying it more than everyone is Reegan.  She has been coming home from daycare smelly and covered in dirt! 

Drawing is still a favorite activiy, but chalk is tricky because Reegan doesn't love getting her hands dirty...

Lots of "big girl walks" meaning no stroller and Reegan gets to pick where we go. 

We have a lot planned for the coming weeks/months.  Quality time with our only child AND getting things decorated in the big girl room and nursery.  Yicks...only 15 weeks to go.  Stay tuned, we have a lot going on!!!

Auto Show 2012

As our family is continuing to grow, we know that a bigger vehicle (SUV) is definitely on the horizon.  So, on Saturday we thought we'd take advantage of the annual Auto Show up at Bartle Hall to do some preliminary shopping.  We also thought this would be fun for Reegan because she could climb in all of the cars and SUVs and there would be tons to look at, so we didn't figure we'd have trouble keeping her entertained.  :)

...We were right!  She had a blast!!  In fact, she went crazy.  I'm talking non-stop, run from car to car, climb in - climb out, scream the color of each car, run some more, and never stop for more than 5 seconds CRAZY!  Putting pictures of her in this post were somewhat difficult because when looking through them there only a select few where her face wasn't blurry.  :) 

She really liked being in the driver's seat and holding the steering wheel...

Trying to find some good tunes...

We brought her stoller along in case she got tired of walking...HA!  She only rode in it long enough to pound a couple dozen apple slices for a snack (to re-fuel herself) and most of the time she was the one pushing the stroller every which way.  Think she's ready to be a big sister??  ;)

The Mercedes area (of all places) had a big cargo van that just had two front seats, so we let Reegan up into the van and she continued her party.  She ran back and forth, and she danced to the music from the nearby Karaoke stage...

...Karaoke.

I personally got distracted from all of the running around once we got near the Ferrari that was at the show.  Ahhh...someday, maybe...



We did actually get to look at a bunch of different SUVs while we were there.  And we feel like we've narrowed our eventual purchase down to 3 or 4 choices.  It is definitely something that will be a huge decision.  We know that our little boy will be here soon, and we don't necessarily need to decide by that day.  But we've got a good idea of what we want in a family-hauling vehicle and we're excited about what we've seen so far. 

Randoms

I find that we have one picture here and there, but I never take the time to blog about those.  So, here are a couple random pics from the last week (or 2). 

I'm not doing a great job this pregnancy documenting through pics like I did with #1.  Here is a rare shot we did remember to take.  This is from a couple weeks ago when I was 22 weeks along.  No more hiding that belly under my pre-pregnancy clothes.  I'm still in that kinda akward phase, my regular clothes don't fit comfortably (or at all) and maternity clothes are still a little big.  Since this picture was taken I feel like baby boy (can I blame it all on him or should I mention that I can't get enough ice cream lately) is really growing!  I'll have to update with a current picture soon

A little ball of personality..

I was playing with my camera (since its been 1 year since we got it and I still have no idea how to fully use it) and Reegan was acting like the flash was hurting her eyes.  So funny!

I also realized I never updated after we went in for her 2-year check-up.  She is healthy as can be and weighs 28lbs (65-70%) and is 35.5inches tall (90%).  Isn't 36 inches where you have to start paying for your child to enter a lot of places?  I think I will be rounding down for as long as possible.

This little one has been sick again this week with a cough and runny nose.  So I did what all rational, sane parents would do and brought my stethoscope home from work to listen to her lungs.  I know, I go a little overboard sometimes.  She thought that was pretty cool and wanted to listen too.

Then she had to listen to everyone's heart: mine, coco, teddy, and minnie.  She did spend some time looking for Bella, but fortunately for Bella, she was outside at the time. 

In case you were wondering, Reegan is feeling much better now.  It was a few days and nights of not eating much and not sleeping at the appropriate time.  I think we finally got her back on her normal schedule.

Swim Lessons!

This beautiful, mild winter has reminded me that Summer is going to be here before we know it.  What do we do in the summer?  Swim!  So, this lead me to sign Reegan up for swim lessons.  Saturday was the first one. 

She looks thrilled doesn't she?

She was a little apprehensive about it, we haven't been to the pool since the summer and honestly, she probably doesn't remember ever going to the pool.  Luckily the class is parent/child, so she had her security blanket "aka" daddy with her. 

Trying to blow bubbles!  She is just like me and doesn't like getting water in her ears, but this part didn't bother her too much.

Who knew chasing/swimming after a ball could be so much fun!  She has so much enjoyment in all activities even the smallest ones,  So much so, that I have found myself enjoying things through her.   

Finally got it :)

Largest kickboard you've ever seen? 

They were supposed to be blowing bubbles here, but Reegan is a people-watcher, so the bubbles didn't happen.  Maybe next week!

The weekend went by way too fast and we have a busy week ahead of us.  Hopefully the weather will allow many trips outdoors for some fun!



Playground Fun

It's been so nice lately we decided after Jason got home from work to stop by the elementary school playground thats only a couple blocks from us.  He haven't gone too many times so Reegan wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to do.  It was a lot of back and forth from the slide to the swings. 

Since this one is 2 now, we do everything on our own.  EVERYTHING.  The swing was no different.  Forget the toddler swing, she wanted to ride the big swing all by herself and get on all by herself.  She also wanted to get off mid-swing while it was still moving.  Thats a lesson were still working on but I think she's going to learn the painful way. 

Reegan also wants to put on her clothes. shoes and sweat shirt included by herself, take off her diaper, pick out her food and pretty much do everything by herself.  It is becoming much tougher and taking a lot longer to get out the door most every day because of this.  "No me" and "Ree Ree do it" are becoming two of the most commonly used statements in our house.  Oh and "mine" is used all the time too.  Nope, sorry baby, but nail clippers, bottles of lotion, and hot coffee are not yours...

Reegan is growing up a little too fast for me, but it's fun to see all the new things she knows today that she didn't know the day before.  A little frustrating at times too...