New toy and Crafts!

First I want to say a big THANK YOU to my wonderful mother and father-in-law who got us an amazing gift last week...one that counts for all our birthdays for the rest of the year!
I have been dying for a digital slr camera for a long time now and I LOVE IT!! The pictures don't even compare to a point and shoot camera! The only downside is that I think Jason and Logan might get sick of having a camera in their faces all the time!


So here's a couple of pictures I've taken-and these are in our poorly-lit apartment:





Well, any picture of her is perfect!

I've got a couple of occasions coming up soon that have required me to break out the crafting box. And oh man, have I been crafting! The clerks at Hobby Lobby know me by name now. Logan's birthday is in a week and a half (WHAT?!?!) so I've been working on banners, favors, and decorating cupcakes. I'm gonna try to bake and decorate the cupcakes myself and it's been a lot of fun practicing.





Check out the craft, I mean dining room, table:



This is the hairbow holder (in progress) that I made for my cousin who is having a baby girl in October:



The name plaque for my nephew Kade who will also be making his debut in October. I'm throwing a double baby shower for them in 3 weeks!



Logan's party favors:



There's more to do...better get crafting!

Splash Fountains

Logan and I had an impromptu play date at the splash fountains yesterday. We were shopping at Gymboree at La Centerra and she spotted all the kids at the fountains. Well, just try to stop her! She was in the water so fast and soaking wet before I could blink! She was the smallest kid out there! She laughed and squealed and ran her little heart out! It's so fun seeing your baby so happy!

Before she saw the fountains:

After:

Monkey Girl

My little girl has turned into a monkey. She crawls on top of and into EVERYTHING!

Empty cabinets:




and the dishwasher:





(so proud of herself!)

They Grow Up So Fast

I was sitting on the couch this morning, drinking my coffee and watching Logan play when I was struck with the realization that she is almost 1 year old! I never thought the day would come! When you become a new mom, people everywhere always say "Enjoy every second. They grow up so fast!" And I would always nod my head agreeingly, like I knew just what they were talking about. I had no idea! You can't possibly anticipate how time flies with your own child. One day you're worrying about supporting their tiny, fragile head and the next day you're catching them in mid-air as they take a death defying leap off the bed! Gone are the days of feeding every 2-3 hours, pumping in the backseat of the car, and counting wet and dirty diapers (not such a bad thing!) But also gone are the days of endless snuggling, immobility, and that delicious newborn baby smell. I miss my tiny 6lb 8oz bundle of perfection. In the same breath, I am filled with an aching joy and love for my 21 lb TODDLER! (how did that happen??) I actually feel my heart swell when she bounces on her little knees, reaches her goldfish crumbled hands up in the sky towards me and says "mamamama". Everyday is an adventure. She is fascinated with things like water bottles, remote controls, keys, toothbrushes (why do we have an entire house full of toys??) I love to watch her figure things out. Her blue eyes light up when she finally gets the purple triangle to fit through the right triangle shaped hole in her shape box. She is definately a determined little thing. Yesterday she was following Jason from the living room to the bedroom and for the first time, she kept trying to stand up and walk instead of crawl. Over and over again she would tumble over, stand up, take a few steps, fall down, repeat. She never got frustrated and she never took the easy route of just crawling. She would look back at me as I cheered her on but kept moving forward. I hope and pray that that determination and attitude to never give up follow her all of her days. And I pray that she knows I will always be behind her cheering her on. So, for now, I am soaking up every moment. The big bright toothy smile when she sees me first thing in the morning, the wonder in her eyes when she makes a new discovery, the short lived fits of horror when I take away the fork she somehow managed to get out of the dishwasher, and the turkey and cheese rug she creates around her highchair. I will hold on to her smell right after her bath and the 2 second snuggle I get every now and then before she is off on another adventure. After all...they grow up so fast.

Then:





Now:





Love,
Erin

Swimming

Logan has become a little fish! She loves the pool and gets so excited to splash and kick! She even likes to put her face in! I can't wait to get this girl into some swimming lessons someday!

Just reading the gossip mags

Latest Obsession

In anticipation of buying a new home, I've been slightly obsessed with all things decorating. Home decor blogs, websites, magazines-whatever I can get my hands on. And these are some of my favorite finds...

I LOVE the white woodwork and moldings in this home.
I believe it is quite possibly the best way to add charm and character to any room.

I love the neutral color theme here. Probably because it is something I can never have with 2 extremely large, extremely sheddy dark haired dogs!

Love the chairs in this Nate Berkus design

Love the bold graphic rug paired with the soft neutral furniture and the pop of green throughout

I like the colors here. It's sort of an eclectic mix of items that, when placed together, just works

This is probably my favorite room. Very traditional furnishings in the table, chandelier, and mirror, but the bold and colorful walls and chairs make it very fresh and modern.

Oh, to have a money tree...