Life in photos

The past few days we have been blessed with gorgeous spring like weather and we have been soaking up every bit of it. I hope that it decides to stick around. I love spring, but to be honest its more for selfish reasons... my maternity pants are all too small so I am looking forward to wearing flowy dresses!

We have been spending a lot of time outside. Nothing says Spring to me like all of the fresh flowers that are springing up around us. Not so much in our yard... because it is currently very bare after all of the renovating. Forsythia is my favorite spring flower, and lucky for me Brad's aunt has a lot of it that she doesn't mind sharing! Keating and I went for a little walk to try out our new double stroller yesterday and I decided to pick a bit. It just makes the house so much happier! Like a breath of fresh air. Also you may notice in this photo we swapped out our kitchen light. This change took place around Christmas, but it is just making its way into a photo. We wanted something bigger to take up the space. The old lantern is now hanging over the master bathtub. This light is from Home Depot if anyone is curious.



I'm not sure if I ever mentioned it on here, but a few years ago we purchased a 2 acre lot in the same neighborhood where we currently live. Initially this lot was going to be used to build a house on, but life had a way of working out and now we live a block away and also get to enjoy the perks of our little piece of land and pond. It is nice because our little property ties to Brad's aunt and uncle's big property.

Keating loves throwing things off of the dock, especially things that he doesn't really want to get rid of, such as bubble wands and balls. Yesterday I got to climb into the row boat 34 weeks pregnant to retrieve his new bubble wand. That was a sight to see I am sure... fat and uncoordinated trying not to flip out of the boat. I should be awarded mom of the year!

Brad's aunt has 15 chickens beautiful chickens that make for a fun afternoon with a toddler. We are lucky to have our own little petting zoo right down the street for whenever he gets the urge to go see the chickens. For everyone that is worried about germs, he doesn't really pet them. Chickens don't particularly care for 2 year old boys. Keating on the other hand thinks they are quite amusing.I have tried my hand again at doing at home haircuts. Last week before church Keating looked like he had a mop on his head. Being that it was Sunday morning when I decided that he needed a haircut, we had no choice but to give it a go at home. It really didn't turn out as disastrous as last time... but I do need to find a longer guard so that the top isnt so short. This kid has a head full of cowlicks. (I told you our yard needs a lot of work, as seen below!)

He was quite proud of his new do but I am not sure how I feel about him looking so old. He is more boy than baby now and that makes me sad!

He is still sweet and enjoys a good snuggle though. He also only has eyes for his mama. I am not sure how he is going to handle a second baby. I pray every night that he makes a smooth transition. I'm not sure if this is just him, or if all kids do this... but he has a collection of items that he must bring to bed every night. It used to just be his two lovies "night night and woof woof" but now he has added random animals, tractors, bottles of water, pennies... whatever he needs that day. Is this normal? Here he is with an arm full of stuff. I am glad I got this photo last week... because we are currently in the market for a new baby monitor...

This is the current state of the monitor after Ike knocked it off of the counter. Thankfully the sound still works, but the screen is obviously shot. Does anyone have any good video monitor suggestions? I would prefer not to have another Summer's infant because this one was junk long before Ike got a hold of it.

This weekend also involved some home improvement and a little prep work for Archer's nursery. All of the bedding is done, baby clothes have been washed, and we installed the hardware for his closet. We are waiting to move the computer/office out of there and it will be nearly finished. I made a few little/big artwork items that will be hung up as soon as they are complete. Here is a little peek. I think it is all coming together quite nicely.

To those that mentioned I had "employees" plural in jail... yes that was no typo. I hire an "eclectic" group of people to say the least! Oh the stories I could tell... maybe another time!

And to anyone who offered advice with Ike. Thank you for all of your encouragement and kind words. He has been doing MUCH better. No accidents in the house in over a week! Progress I am very happy to report!

I hope everyone is having a happy monday!

Full Plate

I am sure I'm not the only one that feels this way, but lately I have had a full plate. I use the term "full plate" because life has been crazy and hectic, but it is also rewarding and I am extremely blessed.

Reason number one for the full plate, Ike. (yes I am aware I brought this upon myself) This dog could be the end of my sanity as I know it. He is a digger (as seen in the photo), a chewer, a barker, a toy thief, an instigator, a bully, and the most stubborn beast I have ever come in contact with. This dog refuses to be house broken and this is not the first dog we have attempted to train. He will go outside, and then two minutes later, there is a pile of crap on the floor. I. dont. get. it. If you have any house breaking tips, please send them my way. We are doing EVERYTHING that we have read, following all of the vet's orders, and using our best judgement and he still refuses to stop going in the house. Please tell me there is light at the end of the tunnel! We have been through 2 CASES of Costco sized paper towels as well as 3 cans of carpet cleaner. When will it stop!? He does have a sweet heart though, he's just a VERY large/ crazy puppy. Thankfully our fence is complete and he enjoys playing outside.
Speaking of our fence, we are happy to have another item checked off of our house project list. It blocks out the view of our neighbors unsightly house and contains dogs and children =) The weird angle of the fence to the right has been corrected since this photo was taken. It was a bit awkward. Keating has loved the excitement of power tools and digging going on to get it constructed. He has seen a shovel used one too many times and has started perfecting his skill. Such a "helper"! He is still getting in to everything and cant be left alone for one second... not one. I have learned that his day to day clothes need to fall into the play clothes category because he tends to get everything dirty. Boys will be boys.

Case in point when he is left alone for one second... he gets into my purse for "chapstick" and comes out looking like a clown. He was very proud of his handy work, his dad was not as impressed with his son wearing lipstick. Good thing red is a good color on him!

Even though our house is hectic, we do have a few nice calm moments, fleeting as they are. My favorite part of the week is getting a sleepy, crazy haired boy out of bed on Saturday morning and making pancakes with him. It is still shocking to me how big he has gotten in the blink of an eye. I know he is going to be a great big brother.

And speaking of little brother... Last week while Brad was out for a dinner meeting, Keating and I got the curtains hung in Archer's room. This is somewhat humorous for a few reasons. Brad has forbidden me to hang curtain rods because I do an awful job. I think I did okay this time, it is straight and not even falling off the wall, yet. Its also funny because Keating really was a huge help. I would ask him to hand me things that I needed while I was standing on the chair and he was the perfect assistant. Seriously, what 2 year old comprehends "Keating can you hand me the drill bit?" and does it? I kept the photo in black and white because the color was off since it was taken at night, and I didn't want to spoil the surprise.

That is our life lately, crazy, hectic, and lovely. I wouldn't change a thing... except maybe the house breaking issue. That really needs to stop. I keep reminding myself of the song "It wont be like this for long" These moments pass by so quickly that they need to be savored. As Ferris Bueler would say "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in awhile... you could miss it."

Soaking it all in {Im a working mom}

As the great philosopher Ferris Bueler once said "Life moves pretty fast, if you dont stop to take a look around once in awhile... you may miss it" =)

That really is one of my favorite quotes and it is so true. Lately I have been soaking it all in. Soaking it in because starting March 1st, I am a working mom. This is bitter sweet for me for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I wont get to share my entire day with Keating anymore. I'll no longer be a stay at home mom.

Going back to work has been a huge internal struggle for me. There have been many prayers and many tears. I kept thinking things like, "What if I miss something important? Like his first steps?" I prayed for a sense of peace about the situation, and that everything would just work out... And what do you know, everything just seemed to fall into my lap. Gotta love it when that happens!

I have found a job with a great company with a lot of mothers. They truly understand what I am going through, and they really get the importance of family. That was such a relief. I did not want a job where I was a slave to my desk. Also, my office will be seven minutes from my house once we move. You can't ask for a shorter commute than that! I think it is so reassuring that even when we feel like our lives are up in the air, that God's got it covered. When we are struggling to make difficult decisions and even having to do things that literally break our hearts, that God already has everything worked out.

It is still going to be incredibly hard those first few days to leave my baby, but I feel great knowing that he will be staying with my cousin and her little girl. He will have a playmate to entertain him and get real interaction with another kid. Then in September he will be starting a mothers morning out program at my mom's preschool. He already feels right at home there, so it should be an easy transition.

This past weekend was a perfect family weekend. I felt like everything is just as it is supposed to be now. For the past 7 months, I have felt out of sorts. Getting adjusted to being a mom and having a family, and then we moved into my parents basement until we are able to move to our house. We are so thankful that we have been able to stay here, but I am READY for a house of my own again!!

We have finally closed on our house and now we can officially get excited about renovating it and making it home. We spent the weekend furniture shopping and taking advantage of presidents day furniture sales. We went to about 6 furniture stores where we stuffed Keating full of snacks to keep him entertained. He was so good, I still cant believe it. We found a new King bedroom suit that I can't wait to use!! I love Brad and all, but I need my space to sleep! I also decided on new couches that are being custom upholstered. I thought that would be really expensive, but was thrilled when I found it for a steal! I cant wait to show y'all what I picked out! If you try really hard, I bet you can guess what color the couches are!

Well, I am sorry for how lengthy this is. I didn't intend for it to be. I am sure by this point, only my MawMaw is reading! Hey MawMaw!

September in Reverse

I cant believe it is really October! September flew by for us!

Sorry for my absence, I have been spending all of my free time reading this little gem...
I wanted to finish it before the first of the movies comes out next month. It was QUITE good! Now I have much more time for blogging and reading your blogs.

We weren't all that busy in September, hence the lack of blogging material. But here is a peek at what we were up to.

We hit up the state fair for a few fun rides, some fair food, and LOTS of people watching!
Blue especially liked taking in the sights from up high! He loved everything about it, from the loud music to flashing lights. He stayed up WAY past his bedtime soaking it all in!


He also turned 7 months old.

He has learned to go from laying to sitting all on his own. I have also recently learned that he can now stand up in his crib. I nearly had a heart attack seeing him on the monitor the other day reaching over the railing. We lowered the mattress immediately!

He is starting to look like a little boy, not a baby anymore. That makes me a little sad that he is growing up so fast!


He is trying SO hard to crawl. It really frustrates him that he cant get all of the motions together. He can get one little scoot right now, but that's it. I hope he holds off a little while because I know he will be into EVERYTHING! He is such a nosey little digger! I really need to start baby proofing!


We also celebrated Brad's birthday in September. Blue and I surprised him with breakfast in bed... then I made it an official rule that when it is your birthday you get breakfast in bed. Mom's orders! If I don't get it on my next birthday I will be a little peeved! =) (Brad if you are reading this, then I suggest you go ahead and put the reminder in your phone now!)


October has so far been busy for us, and we have much more to come! I just love fall and the amazing weather we have been having! I hope it sticks around a while!

If you knew me...

You would know....

• I was born into a really loud Cajun family, seriously... VERY LOUD! My son has also inherited this trait!
  

• My favorite movies growing up were The Goonies, Troop Beverly Hills, Lucas, and Grease. My sister and I watched these movies OVER AND OVER AND OVER. If you haven't ever seen or heard of Troop Beverly Hills or Lucas, then I highly recommend them! Ironically these are all really inappropriate movies for a little kid... what were you thinking mom!?
• I am oddly obsessed with composition notebooks. I think I have mentioned this before... but seriously, oddly obsessed. Something about the black and white spotted covers just calls my name! I always feel the need to buy them! I think I may start jotting down our family happenings so that we have record, and I have reason to use them!
• I think a perfect night, is one spent in the backyard with good friends, enjoying a glass of wine and making smores in the fire.
• My idea of camping or roughing it is a Holiday Inn. Not that I haven't ever camped or won't camp, but sleeping in a tent on the cold hard ground is just not fun to me.
• You know how they say a girl turns into her mom, well I am on my way and I think that's fabulous! Except, that I inherited her knack for being clumsy. Walking into things, stubbing my toe, and always hitting my funny bone... all payback for years of making fun of her injuries, I suppose!
• I have a horrible memory.
  
• I am great at spelling. Brad calls me numerous times a day to ask how to spell something, he has yet to stump me! Ironically, I never won a spelling bee.
• High school fun fact. I was a member of the ping pong club {yes my school had a ping pong club}...... there may have been a boy I had a crush on that influenced this random extra curricular activity.... just maybe. My other (real) activities included cheerleading and student council.
  
• I have a fine arts degree in photography and printmaking. Now if I could just figure out what to do with it!
• I CONSTANTLY have ideas of things I want to craft, decorate, sew, paint, sketch, knit etc. My mind goes a million miles a minute and I have tons of half done craft projects. It drives Brad crazy! In our next house I will hopefully have my own room for my creative whims!

I have plenty more, but I cant divulge all of my secrets!

Back in Action!

Yep, Im still here! I have been busy lately with multitudes of things such as Keating, feeding my starving little beast, TRYING to keep my house clean (Im a crappy housewife!) and working on a few samples to revamp my etsy shop. I cant wait to show yall! I think I will do a giveaway! Stay tuned!
Life feels like it is finally returning to normal. Keating is sleeping 4-6 hour stretches at night. It is wonderful! He's still in the lamb chair.... but whatever works! He isnt ready for the crib at night yet, he likes being close to his mama! :)

Here he is chillin' on his play mat.

I cant believe he is almost 6 weeks old!

After much thought and prayer, Brad has decided to resign as Chief. We are ready to put all of this behind us and move on. We know there are much better things in store for us, and that this is all in God's will. We are trying to rent our house since it wont sell. Hopefully that happens soon!

Now onto some current events...I still cant believe these idiots are running our country... running it straight into the ground.

anddddd thats all I have to say about that!