Peanut is Finally Here!

I'm still around--just very busy these days with our newest addition. Peanut was born 2 weeks early on December 1st--and he weighed in at 9 lbs. 9 oz. and 22 inches long.



The munchkin and the peanut. Seeing them together melts my heart.



We are all enjoying our early Christmas gift. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season, too!

Our Weekend

We've been very busy putting up decorations...a little early this year, but with Peanut arriving any day, I felt an urgency to get it done! The munchkin loves it. He just sits and stares in awe which makes it completely worth all of the work!

For a Good Laugh...

I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable and ready to have this baby. This chart expresses my feelings perfectly. haha!!!

Check it out!

The awesome moms over at Birmingham Mommy have asked me to be a monthly contributor--I'll be writing about decorating and craft ideas that are easy and practical for busy families. The first column is up today!



And be sure to bookmark their site, because they have AWESOME giveaways, even for those of you who don't live in central Alabama. Recently they gave away a fabulous New Moon prize packet. (Team Edward or Team Jacob? Hard to decide after seeing Jacob in New Moon, right???)

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Thanksgiving Banner

Here's a twist on the oldest Thanksgiving craft ever--turkey hands! It's easy and simple, which is always good for busy families, right?

If you can trace your hand, then you can make this decoration. Here's what you need:

scissors
tape
a pen
construction paper in fall colors
twine
mini clothes pins
googly eyes
glue

I think it's fun to do this as a family craft, Dad included. Everyone traces their hands and cuts them out (we did about 5 hands per person). Mom and Dad can help the little ones with the tracing and cutting.

After everyone's hands are cut out, you can have a family discussion about Thanksgiving and gratitude. Maybe expand the discussion based on your children's ages and your personal beliefs--how others sometimes have needs for food or shelter, how you can help others by volunteering and donating, etc.

Then have each person write things they are thankful for on their paper hands. Again, Mom and Dad can help write for the little ones.


Once you have your hands finished, you can embellish them with little rectangular legs, triangle beaks, and circle googly eyes (see how you can work in teaching shapes?).


To finish it off and appreciate your family's handiwork, they can be clipped onto some twine or ribbon with mini clothes pins to make a Thanksgiving garland. String it in front of a window or on your mantle...anywhere that you can all enjoy it for the season.


If your children are like mine, they will love seeing their projects displayed prominently in the house.

Happy crafting and Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!!

{and check out Sweet Paisley, whose toddler turkey hands inspired me!}

Tagged!!

I've been tagged by Things with Feathers (who was my college roomie, BTW) to play along with this game...

So here are the rules: You Can Only Use One Word! Pass this along to 5 of your favorite bloggers. Alert them that you have given them this award. Have Fun!

1. Where is your cell phone? charger

2. Your hair? messy

3. Your mother? brilliant

4. Your father? wise

5. Your favorite food? pizza

6. Your dream last night? bizarre

7. Your favorite drink? tea


8. Your dream/goal? family

9. What room are you in? den

10. Your hobby? reading

11. Your fear? loss

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? loved

13. Where were you last night? insomnia

14. Something that you aren’t? reckless

15. Muffins? blueberry!

16. Wish list item? sleep

17. Where did you grow up? Virginia

18. Last thing you did? facebook

19. What are you wearing? sweater

20. Your TV? cartoons


21. Your pets? none

22. Friends? hilarious

23. Your life? happy

24. Your mood? sleepy

25. Missing someone? no

26. Vehicle? almost-paid-off!

27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes

28. Your favorite store? DSW

29. Your favorite color? red

30. When was the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? Sunday

32. Your best friend? several

33. One place that I go to over and over? Publix

34. One person who emails me regularly? Audrey

35. Favorite place to eat? pizza



Now I tag: I'm Just Saying, Faithful Days, Nikki's Nacs, Country Fried Mama, and Limited Cleverness. I think you ladies will have some interesting answers!!

Personalized Gift Ideas

When you're due to deliver a baby on December 15, it gives you extra motivation to shop early for the holidays, you know??

So while I realize that I may be alone in stressing about Christmas presents now, here are some lovelies that would make great gifts.



Family Silhouette Pillow



Personalized Names Necklace



Personalized Stamp



Anthropologie Monogrammed Mugs (for only $6.00!)


And finally a gift idea that you could easily adapt and do yourself. (The photo is REALLY small for some annoying reason, but click the link to see.)

Handprints on Canvas

I think I'll be doing these hand prints once the peanut is here!!

Happy Veteran's Day!!!