14 months!

T, you are 14 months old!  Where does the time go???

~ you weigh 23 pounds

~ you wear size 4 diapers (for volume not girth!)

~ you wear 12 month and 18 month clothes, but the 18 month is a little big.

~ you've been teething like crazy... not a happy time at all.  your last 1 yr molar finally broke through this weekend.  you have 12 teeth and are working on your cuspids.

~ you are a great eater!  you LOVE mac and cheese and yogurt!  you want to feed yourself with the spoon or fork.

~ you say: momma, daddy, sout (scout), da (dog), no, wook (look), hello

~ you know the answer to: what does a dog say? woof, what does a cow say? moo

~ you LOVE to be outside.  you take off running when the door opens and get so upset if we don't let you go out.  I think swinging is your favorite, but playing in the little car or wagon is a very close second.
~ if I ask you for a kiss, you'll lean in to me and let me kiss your cheek.  it's a super special day when you lean in and kiss me.
~ we say "God is great" every night before dinner. you've caught on so quickly!  as soon as you're in your high chair, you clasp your little hands together waiting for us to start the prayer.  you love it so much that you'll take a few bites, clasp your hands, and look at us like, ok. it's time.  some nights we pray 5 or 6 times!

9 months!

* It's amazing how much more relaxed you are with baby number 2.  Little Miss was about 3 weeks late for her 9 month well baby appointment... with Miss Priss, she went on the day or as close to as possible!

Little Miss, you are 9 months old!

~ you weigh 21.6 pounds (80th percentile)

~ you're 28.25 inches long (60th percentile)

~ your head is 18.5 inches around (97th percentile)

~ you wear a size 3 diaper during the day and a size 4 at night

~ the 6-9 month clothes are getting a little short!  you look most comfortable in 12 month clothes.

~ your top 4 teeth are finally through (for a total of 6)!

~ you took your first steps at 9 and a half months!!

~ you "dadadadada" and "mamamama" and all sorts of other "talking", I'm sure trying to keep up with P.

~ you pretty much turn your nose up at all baby food now.  you want what we're having (and you get it)!!

~ you LOVE your sister and follow her everywhere!  y'all are adorable together.  you both get to giggling and that turns into all out belly laughs.  it makes my heart swell to hear that sweet, sweet sound!

Darling girl, you are such a light in my life.  I can't imagine my life without you in it!  It's crazy to think that you've been out in the world for as long as I carried you.  I want time to slow down just a tad!!

Possible Furniture Placement???

The ottoman is a place holder for a large wicker trunk

Ignore the panel that's hanging by one clip... a certain 9.5 month old thought she needed to hang onto it...

Online Design Consultation!!

I'm hoping she'll help me pull everything together and accessorize some trouble spots of the living room... mainly the fireplace and the wall above the couch.  I'm also wondering if there's a better furniture placement that's still conducive to tv watching... Lord knows LC has to be able to watch College Football in the fall.  (and yes, it has to be capitalized as it is an EVENT).

 

Notes from School!

Thursday was Miss Priss' last day of Mother's Day Out for the year.  Her amazing teacher put together a little scrapbook of projects and pictures.  One of the last pages is a letter from her teacher (she started in January).  Talk about making a Momma's heart proud (and that the constant reiteration of "Yes, Ma'am, please, thank you, no thank you, etc..." is working!)

Dear P*****,

I am so happy that I was able to be your teacher this year.  Your have such a uniqueness about you.  God has given you a joyful heart and a very kind spirit.  You have the courage to be a leader.  I love how you use your manners, and remind us of our Golden Rule.  You are a great example of how to treat others the way you want to be treated.

I have watched you mature, and learn so many things in our five short months.  I am so proud of you.  Thank you for coming to school each day eager to learn something new.  You have captured my heart, and I will never forget you.

Go to your next journey with the same spirit you have shown to me.  May God continue to open your mind so that you may learn and He may also continue to open your heart so you may always love.

Have a wonderful summer!  I will miss you.

Love,
Mrs. B******

Yum! Chicken & Pesto Baguettes

The new Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast: Weeknight Meals is all over the internet right now.  After trying a few recipes, I can totally see why!

I made the Grilled Chicken and Tomato Pesto Baguettes (pg 82) with a few modifications ... SO good and SO fast!  You can easily adjust the quantities to fit your needs.

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2 bolillo/hoagie rolls

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt

pepper

1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered

cooking spray

Classico sun-dried tomato pesto

lettuce

2 slices of low fat Swiss cheese

pre-heat grill

cut rolls in half lengthwise

place chicken between 2 pieces of heavy duty plastic wrap and pound chicken with mallet to an even thickness.  salt and pepper to taste.

flatten bell pepper quarters with the back of your hand

grill chicken and bell pepper until chicken is done and bell pepper is tender.  place cut sides of roll halves on grill the last few minutes to lightly toast and top chicken with cheese to melt.

assemble sandwiches by layering lettuce, chicken, bell pepper, and pesto

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We added baked chips as a side and are STUFFED!

8 months!

Little Miss, you are 8 months old!

~ you wear a size 3 diaper during the day and a size 4 at night.

~ you wear size 6 month, 6-9 month, and 9 month clothes.

~ you are waking up once during the night... I think your teeth are hurting. (note the drool string)

~ you're crawling on all fours and have abandoned the army crawl.

~ you are more confident when cruising the furniture. you hold on with 1 hand and sometimes it just a few fingers. you like to let go, but fall on your bottom.

~ you'll walk if we hold your fingers.

~ you are a drama queen when you fall and bump your head. you cry like nobody's business, but are easily comforted.

~ you've started squealing really loudly. I think you're just trying to make sure we hear you over sister!

~ you're blowing raspberries at me, on me, on the table, basically wherever you can get your little mouth.

~ you are a momma's girl! I'm not complaining at all, and I LOVE when you reach for me. I see this look of just complete adoration in your eyes.

You are more of a blessing to me than you could ever imagine! I love you so much and can't wait to see the little girl you're growing in to.

Coffee Table Redo

I've been on the hunt for a new coffee table to replace the upholstered ottoman LC built a few years ago. I really wanted a round one, but when I saw this for $30, I couldn't pass it up. It's HUGE! 3 ft by 4 ft!!

(owner's picture)

When we moved, Pottery Barn sent a coupon for PB and a coupon for 2 free pint samples (any color) at Benjamin Moore. I had the paint guy mix up Wedgewood Gray for one of them. I sanded the table, rolled on a few coats and poly'd the top. LOVE it!!


Yes, I know I need a rug... desperately... but I can't find anything I'm totally in love with that isn't a bazillion dollars!

Easter

The Easter Bunny visited before we went to church! The girls each got a pair of jammies, an outfit, and the annual swim suit! Miss Priss also got a pair of sandals, a truck, a slinky (that was in sister's basket to make it look a little more even) and a small pack of Skittles.

Our church had an egg hunt before the service. LC stayed home with T while she napped and then met us there. Luckily they split it into age groups, so the little ones had a chance to fill their baskets! Miss Priss is patiently waiting for them to start.

And they're off!

I think she picked up all the eggs in this corner... way more eggs than little ones.
After church we came home and tried to take some pictures of the girls together. Miss Priss did not want to sit nicely with sister and proceeded to throw a fit!

I love the look on T's face... like she's thinking, "are you kidding me? P, you're being ridiculous!"

7 months old!

Little Miss, you are 7 months old!

~ you wear a size 3 diaper
~ you wear size 6 month, 6-9 month, and some 9 month clothes
~ you are still sleeping through the night. You now go to sleep about 7 or 7:30 and wake up about 7 or 7:30!
~ you are moving and grooving! you sit yourself up. you army crawl SO fast! and you'll occasionally push yourself up to all fours and crawl. you pull up to standing and are cruising the furniture. I think you're going to walk even earlier than sister!
~ you still get SO upset when you can't see me. I think I need to call you Roo since you don't ever want me to put you down!
~ you say "bu-bu-bu" and I'm trying my hardest to get you to start your mmmmms!!

I love you so much, and can't imagine my life without you!

Transformation

*Sorry for the poor photo quality. Photos were taken with my phone.

This is the original light fixture in our formal dining room. There's nothing wrong with it, just not quite my style.

I picked up this brass beauty for $14.95 at our local Habitat for Humanity Restore. 10 lights, great curves, horrendous brass! But never fear... a little spray paint goes a long way. (I'm really proud of my ingenious use of the plant hook, so I could have 380 degrees of painting!)

I pulled off all the loose pieces, and Miss Priss helped me organize them!


Ready for paint!

And here she is after 2 cans of black satin spray paint. I didn't prime or sand... just knocked the dust off with a paper towel. I knew I was going to buy a cord cover, so I didn't bother painting the chain. I used spray paint made for metal, so it was $4.97 a can at Walmart. In hindsight, I would've just used the generic $.97 can.

LC finally hung the fixture this evening.

I bought the shades at Garden Ridge for crazy cheap and the cord cover at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon. I LOVE how it's completely transformed the room and accentuates the toile curtains I sewed!



Cost breakdown:
fixture - $15
paint - $10
shades - $21
cord cover - $9
Total - $55


I'm going back to Restore to save another ugly brass fixture that will replace the breakfast nook light!

Bubble bath + jacuzzi tub =

Eagle Escapades 2010 - Team Omicron

If you follow me on twitter or Facebook, you know I spent Friday night at Eagle Escapades, the dance competition of Greek Week. The girls worked their hineys off and it totally shows! I wish I could find the other teams' videos... there is NO comparison on the caliber of dancing!!!

Momma Needs a Brand New Bag!

In a little over a month, we leave for Vegas with the Semi Homemades!! I can't wait!

I'm on a mission to make some spending money I can use for a really guilty pleasure... like a new Louis Vuitton.

These items are in pristine condition! I don't think I'll ever get down to a 2/4 again... I'm ok with that since it wasn't a healthy weight for me. Email me if you need more specifics or pictures!!

If you don't like the price, make a reasonable offer! No need for this stuff to sit in my closet if it can be happy in yours!

Nine West pink and white polka dot trench coat. Size small. $50 SOLD
NWT Michael Kors Brookville wristlet in luggage. LC bought this for me Christmas 07 and we missed the return window. $50 $40

NWOT Kate Spade Flatiron SMALL Thea bag in black. Never used. Stored stuffed and in dust bag in the green box. $50 $40

Ann Taylor Loft black tweed dress. Size 4. Looks fab with a black turtle neck and black tights! $25 SOLD

Laundry by Shelli Segal. Size 4. Makes a darling Easter dress! $40 SOLD

Silk J Crew dress. Size 2. Another darling Easter dress! $40 $25

Express pink chiffon dress. Size 4. $25 $15

Ann Taylor fuchsia and light pink print dress. Size 2. Perfect for Easter! $25 $15

6 months old!

Little Miss, you are 6 months old!


~ you weigh 17 pounds 8 ounces (77th percentile)
~ you're 26 1/4 inches long (67th percentile)
~ your noggin is still big! 17 1/2 inches (92nd percentile)
~ you still wear a size 2 diaper, but if they made 2-3 Swaddlers, it would be perfect!
~ you wear size 6 month clothes
~ you are sleeping through the night!! You go to sleep about 9 or 9:30 and sleep until 6:57... yes, it's that exact!
~ you scoot after things you can't reach. You push up on your knees and lift your little hiney. You LOVE to get Daddy's phone and my laptop! In no time at all I know you'll be crawling around the house.
~ you sit up for a long time if I sit you up.
~ your 2 bottom teeth are through the gum.

~ you love your Momma! Whenever I leave the room you get so upset. It makes my heart so full to know you love me as much as I love you.
~ you are such a joy! Your laugh is infectious!! You are so easy going. You make having 2 little girls in 23 months SO easy and fun!!

5 months old!

Little Miss, you are 5 months old! Time is FLYING little one!

~ You still wear a size 2 diaper
~ You wear size 3-6 month or 6 month clothes
~ You continue to be such a happy girl!
~ You are completely moved to your crib... no more pack n play in Momma and Daddy's room.
~ You are trying so hard to crawl! You can push your little bottom up in the air, but don't quite know what to do next. Or, you do a little army crawl.
~ You are teething like crazy!! You are a drool monster and are constantly chewing on your hands, your blanket, my finger, a toy, really anything you can get in your mouth.
~ You LOVE your oatmeal cereal and try to feed yourself.
~ You have such a precious laugh! You think your sister is hilarious, and you love when people laugh at you.