February

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last blog! I wish I could say that I've been too busy, but I make time for what I want to so I guess I just haven't made time for it. We have been busy, though. Here are some pictures from the past few weeks.


We had a wonderful Valentine's day! I made a special biscuit recipe that my mom used for Valentine's day when we were growing up. I cut out heart shapes and put a spoon of jelly in the center. Sorry, I didn't take a picture, but they were yummy! Natalie went to visit Grammie and Grandpa for the weekend. She had a great time. Michael and I had a youth banquet Friday night. Saturday, we painted Laney's room (it's pink!!!) and enjoyed dinner and movies at home. I'll post pics of Laney's room once it's a little cleaner.





Natalie had little blisters on her ankles from a pair of shoes she loves to dress up in. Well, at Grammie's, they bled a little bit and she flipped out! I know the picture is blurry, but I thought it was so funny! She was fine once she had a band aide on her boo boo. Talk about a drama queen!



I finally painted my toenails. I can barely reach them, but it was worth it! They're pretty (at least for a few weeks)!


I've been meaning to post a picture of this shoe since Christmas. It makes me sick just looking at it. We got them for Natalie for Christmas. Somehow, when we were at Nana and Pops' house, the other shoe disappeared. We're not sure if it's still hiding somewhere, if one of the girls threw it away or what. It's a mystery to us. Either way, I have one adorable brand new shoe. It's only been worn once!



Last week I made velveeta mac and cheese for dinner. I think Natalie ate at least half of the box. She really enjoyed it!


These pictures were taken yesterday between church services. In the first one, Nat was playing dress up with her socks and shoes. I think I'm in trouble 'cause the girl loves shoes!

Here, I took my complete attention off of her for 2 minutes. How can a two year old do this in such a short time?!?


I've been continuing to work on my list of projects before Miss Laney arrives. Here are a few more I've finished. I found this pattern for a car seat tent here http://infarrantlycreative.blogspot.com/2009/01/car-seat-tent.html. The pattern was really easy! I went ahead and cut slits in the sides so the fabric can hang better. I did that after I took this picture. I aslo made a matching flower for the other strap. Now, I just need to get buttons to finish them off. I found some really adorable ones at Wal-Mart I just haven't brought myself to pay $2 for each of them. I think they'll be worth it, though, even if I pay almost as much for them as I did for the fabric. Anyway, I think it makes the car seat look much more girly.




I spent most of today making this dress for Laney. I found the pattern here http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2008/04/free-itty-bitty-baby-dress-pattern.html. I made the bloomers just from looking at a pair from another outfit. I think we'll bring her home in this outfit. I just love it!



I also made a nursing cover for my friend, Tricia, and one for me. I haven't taken any pictures yet. I'll have to post those in my next blog. To end this blog, I'm posting a picture of my growing belly. It was taken a couple of weeks ago (29 weeks), so I'm probaby a little bigger now. At least I feel like it! Our little Laney will be here in about 9 1/2 weeks or so. We're so excited!

Our Week

First I would like to say that while surfing through blogs for craft ideas, I've found several families who need our prayers due to the loss of a child or a sick child. The http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/ just lost their beautiful daughter. Please pray for them along with http://jennasjourneyblog.blogspot.com/. Their little boy, Brayden, is three weeks old and is still in the hospital due to some complications. You can check out Harper's progress at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/. I can't help but to thank God for my healthy girls! Sometimes it's hard to understand why God allows things to happen, but I have to remember that He is ultimately in control and has a master plan even when we don't understand.

On a lighter note, I made the first of many outfits for Laney. I have to say that the ruffles looked so much easier in the pictures I found. However, I learned some really good pointers and I'm planning on making another one for her this week.

The weather was cool, but really nice the first of last week. So, we played outside for a little bit. Natalie had a blast chasing bubbles. Here are a few other pictures of some of her favorite things: dressing herself, talking on the phone, coloring, and changing her baby's diaper.

A few months ago, the church gave Michael an extra weekend off and money for expenses. Well, we have been trying for a while to plan a weekend, but we've been really busy with church stuff. We realized if we didn't go this past weekend then we wouldn't be able to go before Laney comes. So, Natalie spent the weekend with Nana and Pops while Michael and I went to Dallas. We found an amazing deal on hotels.com. We stayed at the Prava across from the Galleria. It was awesome! Friday night we ate at Papa's Steakhouse. Oh, wow! I will never be able to cook or eat another steak without thinking of their steaks. They just melted in your mouth! It was such a nice romantic setting. Afterwards, we walked to Starbucks and just relaxed. Saturday, we walked around the Galleria for 6 hours! We had a wonderful time just window shopping without time restraints or chasing a toddler. Back at the hotel, we watched High School Musical 3 ( I know we're dorks). Then, we went to eat at Papadeaux's. It was pretty good. It's kinda hard to eat anywhere after you've had the perfect steak. We went back to the hotel and watched Get Smart. Sunday morning, we planned to go to First Baptist Dallas, but unfortunately, we didn't. We headed back to pick up Natalie and stopped for lunch on the way. Needless to say, it was a wonderful getaway!

Unfortunately, Natalie was sick all weekend. She was in a good mood, but she ran fever and developed a nasty cough. So, off to the doctor we went this morning. The doctor said she has a nasty winter cold. We stopped off at Chick fil A on the way home. Just me and Nat. We had a good time. When we got home, I checked her temp 'cause she felt warm. Grrr...she had at least 102. So I gave her some tylenol and her prescription. She slept pretty much the rest of the afternoon. She's feeling better, but I'm keeping her at home for the next few days unless there's something we just have to get out to do. So, if you don't see me for a while, you'll know why.

Craig's List

Okay, so I've looked on Craig's list, but I've never bought anything until yesterday. I found someone who was selling a bag full of 2T girl clothes. Well, Miss Natalie needs some, so I thought why not. I met her in Tyler last night to pick them up. I paid a whole $25 for all these clothes! I think I got a steal of a deal! Some of the brands that I got were The Children's Place, Gap, Old Navy, Austin and Ashley and Nike. There were even a few 3T clothes that Nat can wear next summer. I also got three pairs of shoes-Keds, The Chilren's Place and Stride Rite. I can't think of anywhere that I could have gotten this good of a deal.

Here's a few recent pictures of my beautiful Natalie. She's growing up so fast! I can't believe she'll be two in a little over a month!

You can't even tell she was sick in the picture where she's wearing the Dora pj's.

Tag! You're it!

I have been tagged by my cousin Amy. Here are the rules:


1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3) Explain the picture.
4) Tag 4 people to do the same. No cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)



This picture was taken when Natalie was four months old (obviously my pictures are or

ganized way too well!). We were visiting Michael's parents. Natalie has grown way too fast! Laney will be this size before I know it. I just need to stop blinking and maybe the girls will stop growing so fast. :)

I'm going to tag Jen Kindle, Meg Hilliard, Trishia Griffin and Amanda Kindle. Have fun!

Bloggy Giveaways

Okay, for the past couple of days I've been spending way too much of my extra time at http://www.donttryit.com/bloggy_giveaways/ entering all the wonderful giveaways. There are so many there's no way I'll get to even half of them! Anyway, I would really like a diaperbag from Kalencom. I can't bring myself to pay for one, but I would LOVE to win one. If you're expecting, needing a new diaperbag, or have a friend who's expecting, then check out http://katydidandkid.blogspot.com/2009/01/reviewgiveaway-babywit.html for your chance to win one. Good luck!

Another giveaway I would love to win is the $50 Target card featured on http://www.aniowamom.com/an_iowa_mom/2009/01/day-1-of-a-week-of-giveaways-an-iowa-mom-tradition.html#comment-6a00d83451f1c369e2010536ff9ec4970c. I love Target's dollar aisle and their kids clothes!

Curtains

Here are the pictures of Natalie's curtains that I promised. They just seem to finish off her room.

I also made a curtain for our food cart. It's not perfect, but hey, it hides the food since we don't have a pantry. By the way, who builds a house without a pantry?!?

New Year's Projects

So far this year, I'm doing really good on starting and finishing some new projects. Right after we found out we were having a girl, of course I had to make her first bow. I also finished a headband I had started for Natalie but never finished it because she was too big for a headband.



One of my friends, Fallyn, is having a little boy. So, I made a diaper and wipe case for them. I found the pattern online. It was pretty easy, but it turns out to be way too small. So, I'm going to enlarge it for next time. I think it still turned out cute. I'm amazed that my stripes lined up perfectly! I wasn't even trying!

I've been wanting to make Natalie something to keep her crayons organized, so I made her a crayon roll. It was so easy! I also made one for her friend, Carson, who just turned two. Fill it with crayons and put it with a coloring book and you have a great gift!

I don't remember if I posted this picture or not, but I finished Nat's stocking for Grammie's house before Christmas. She loves Cinderella so it was perfect!

I said I would post pictures of the shirts I made for grandparents for Christmas. Well, here they are. I put on the letters and stiched around them, then one of my friends monogrammed the rest of the names on. I think they turned out great and of course all the grandparents loved them.

I also made all three of us matching pj pants for Christmas morning. I got the idea from my friend's mom. We may look nerdy, but I think we're cute!

I also finally made curtains for Natalie's room on Monday. I plan on hanging them up later today, so I'll have pictures soon. Natalie went to visit Nana and Pops this past weekend, so Michael and I worked on a few projects around the house. I finished painting the entryway and painted some of the trim in the hallway. Michael pulled up the peel and stick stuff on our bathroom floor and laid tile. Yeah! We're one step closer to getting our bathroom done. It looks great! Now, we just need to tile the shower. That'll be another project for another weekend.

I need to post some pictures from Christmas one of these days. I just need to make the time to do it. Hopefully, it won't be too long.