From Pinterest to Reality {Baby Shower}

I am going to be an auntie again!! My sister who has been trying so hard for a baby and had an awful beginning to her pregnancy is finally almost enjoying being pregnant. Elle and I flew together out to CA to throw my sister a shower. Of course her baby has been uncooperative and her ultrasounds have been rescheduled(hopefully today we will find out if Baby Lopez is a boy or a girl). So we decided on a neutral jungle theme to match her nursery plans. My sister is not one for shower games or a big fuss so my co-host and I decided on...
From Pinterest

lilsugar via Pinterest

To Reality:



After searching etsy for cute designs that would fit our neutral jungle theme, I figured I could digi-scrap everything to coordinate much better. I bought this baby zoo kit from craft-tastrophic and had most things printed through Persnickety Prints(who I love!!). Plus I am thinking when my sister's baby finally makes an appearance I can use the kit to make a birthdate poster that can coordinate!

of course elle wore a theme dress!

Scrapping Our SD Trip

Months later...Our South Dakota Trip!

SimplyTiffanyStudios_52_Template_19 and A Perfect Day Kit by designs by Anita

deep musings at 3 am

Let me set the scene...3:45 am and a piercing cry rings out through our slumber filled quiet apartment. The type of cry that sets adrenaline and cortisol racing through my bloodstream as I stumble around trying not to wake my husband and trying to find the orajel and the baby motrin and the dropper thingee all the while that scream keeps ringing out. The scream that tells me Elle needs me desperately and is not going to soothe herself back to sleep as she normally would. So we take up residence on the glider--blanket, orajel, and a bottle in hand. In the dark we rock, trying to calm down. I think to myself wow babies are heavy--physically and emotionally. As Elle digs her face into my collarbone, trying to find that perfect comfort place, as I try to balance her on one arm and get comfortable enough to sleep on a rocker, she is heavy physically. As I feel her relax back to sleep but instantly tense if I make any move, she is heavy emotionally. I want so desperately to go back to sleep, as I watch the minutes tick closer to the point where sleep will be meaningless as my ridiculously early alarm will be going off; I think who am I to deny her this comfort of being cuddled and rocked. Should I put her back in her crib when she obviously will cry for awhile so I can try to sleep for 40 minutes more or do I stay on the rocker for awhile giving my baby the comfort she is seeking? It is a lot to handle emotionally, especially at 4 in the morning.

Scrapping Elle's Birthday

I clipped images of people's birthday wishes from my facebook page and then used a picture of her as a background.
The second one is using SimplyTiffany's 52 Templates 19 and Meredith Cardall's What a Hoot Kit. I really like how much space I had to journal and use 6 pictures from the day--I think it really tells the story of her party!

Scrapping 12 Months!!

Thanks to the free kit on Design House Digital Today--Kate Teague's Just Circles. I could make this page in about 30 minutes. The papers and elements are from Meredith Cardall's What a Hoot!

What a Difference a Year Makes

To my beautiful daughter Elle,
A year ago I couldn't wait to hear your cry(it made me cry tears of joy), now I can't wait for your laughter(it makes me smile).
A year ago I couldn't wait to see your face, now I still can't wait to see your face!
A year ago I couldn't wait to cuddle you, now I can't wait for you to settle down to cuddle again!

In the past year, I wondered if I would ever get a full nights sleep again, now I love waking up(in the morning after several hours of sleep) to see what today will bring for us.
In the past year, I wondered if I could be a good mommy, now I try to accept the doubt and make our own way with everything.
In the past year, I have wondered and worried about every milestone, now I try to remember that you are your own person and are doing it your way.

I always knew I wanted to be a mom, I never knew it would be so amazing.
I always knew I wanted a family, I never knew it would be so full of love.
I always knew it would be hard, I never knew how hard.(BUT SO WORTH IT!!)

I love you with all my heart and beyond, Elle Belle!

A video recap of year 1

A more reflective post to come later...

look what I made

Using this tutorial, I tried my hand at some subway art for Elle's party this weekend. I matched the colors to her invite and the fonts are Hoswer, Crazy Milktop Girl, and Chewy Stewie!

Favorite Baby Gear

Another birthday week post! Since I know several people who will be having babies soon and might need some recommendations on what pieces of baby gear we used.

We love our Chicco Key Fit Travel System--I know a lot of people are down on travel systems but I think it is the way to go. The stroller is the highest handles we found so we aren't stooping over to walk with the stroller. It is easy to open one handed and although it takes up room in our Prius, we have plenty of space for suitcases, groceries, etc. And Elle still fits in the infant seat! We also bought a jogger from a friend, which we use for 5Ks and hikes and stuff but it is not as good as the Chicco in my opinion.

(ours is the red color Fuego)

The Bumbo chair was one of the best things we bought. I even bought it at a second hand store so we saved some. Elle wanted to sit up but needed support so this worked well. We could put her on the table while we ate and she could see everyone and she could sit up and play.

We were really lucky that Elle loved the swing. She spent many hours in it and even napped in it at the beginning. The reason we chose this one is because it plugged in, so we could leave it on for hours! Fisher Price iGlide--it even has 2 modes--swinging and gliding.

This high chair, the Fisher Price Space Saver. We have a pub style table and there aren't high chairs that tall. Plus this is easy to clean and put away if we need to. It is comfortable for Elle.

We did have a bouncer seat for her when she was little, I used it mostly when I was in the shower but Elle didn't care for it much.

What I have learned about being a mom

It is Elle's Birthday week so I have a lot of fun and sentimental posts planned.

One year ago today I was trying to rest and relax in preparation for Elle to arrive but we moved into a new apartment the week before so there was so much to do.

Which is the first thing I learned--moving the weeks before your baby arrives is not ideal but I am glad we didn't wait because I imagine moving with a newborn would be worse.

2. I was not able to really decorate the nursery of my dreams(and in fact most of the crafts and decorations I made are still not hung) but the reality is we don't spend much time in her room at all. She sleeps in there and we change her and get her dressed. It isn't big enough to have a rocker in there so I am glad we didn't really spend a lot of money or time in that room. As she gets older, I think she will appreciate a decorated room a lot more.

3. I am a working, formula feeding, disposable diaper using mom. And proud of my choices because they are right for my family. But as a mom it seems every choice you make opens you up to a lot of criticism and side looks when other moms don't agree. You will answer a million questions about your baby and what they are doing and not doing and how much they weigh. And if you are a mom, you know what I mean and will get a chuckle out of this video...


4. Baby advice books are 100% right and 100% wrong depending on your kiddo and you and your family. The only 1 I used was The Happiest Baby on the Block. In the end, you decide what works for you and what doesn't. So look at a bunch but don't feel bad if it doesn't work or don't agree.

5. Your life will change but it is a good change. We do a lot of the same things we used to do prebaby we just do them with Elle and with a lot more equipment. I think our ability to eat out in restaurants may be ending as she is now mobile and not a fan of staying in the high chair. We have traveled in the car and flown several times. We have hiked. That being said I do miss being able to read on the plane or airport and going to the movies.

6. Your marriage/relationship will change. In good ways, but it is an adjustment and you have to make your marriage a priority too. It is easy to get lost when you are so focused on taking care of a baby and suffering from lack of sleep. Days when you just hope for a shower mean romance is on the back burner, but you have to be there as a spouse not just a parent.

7. Having a baby can be isolating. I spend a lot of time in my apartment with her, especially in the beginning but even now when it is 100 degrees and a park play date is just not going to happen. You have to ask for help; you will be amazed at what people will do for you--cook, clean, hold the baby so you can shower or sleep, babysit so you can get a pedicure, let you cry and tell you it will be alright.

8. Baby stuff takes over your house. Elle doesn't even have that many toys but our apartment looks like 1 big toystore/playground. And some days the most interesting toys are tags and empty boxes.

9. You will get excited and cheer some pretty unusual things; swallowing food, poopy diapers, sitting up, "words" they say, taking a nap.

10. You can't imagine how much you will love being a mom.

What I learned from Swim Lessons

1. The indoor pool in Fruita rocks: no sun, warm water, and big enough for a lot to be going on and we still had our own area for the babies.

2. It is important to have many cute bathing suits when you have 8 classes in a row!



3. There is an apparent mommy dress code that does not include bikinis--every other mom was wearing a tankini or long sports bras and jogging shorts. I didn't get the memo, and rocked my bikini. In no way do I have a great bikini body but it took me 30 years to gain the confidence to wear one so I do. And felt great, until the teenage older sisters started joining our class...looks like I need a little more time in the gym.

4. My irregularly napping baby did not like class scheduled during her "nap" time. Of course every other day she would fight sleep.

5. My girl is a social animal, she much preferred looking at other babies,getting the lifeguards to hold her, and smiling at everyone than working on her kicks and floats.

6. She is definitely her father's daughter, she is fascinated by how everything works--the rope with floats, the splash pad, the sprinklers, the lights--again way more interesting than learning to blow bubbles.

I wish I had more pictures, but I was by myself so just imagine...

wanna win a smart trike?

My trendy tykes is giving one away! Head on over there and enter!!

Food Issues

And they aren't mine!

Elle is almost a year old, and could care less about eating food. At daycare she will eat stage 2 fruits and veggies and sometimes more than 1. With me, I am lucky to get her to finish a stage 1. I offer her whatever we are eating, is possible. I offer her puffs, cheese crumbles, beans, tortillas, pizza crusts, bananas, pastas. And nothing. I know I shouldn't compare her to others, I just see many babies eating way more than my little one. It causes me anxiety, which she can probably sense which is why she probably doesn't eat for me. We have finally found a sippy cup that works, if only it wasn't so fun to spit out the water all over herself! Any advice or resources?

Elle's Year 1 Book!!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Cover: Sweet Little Birdies Announcement from Hello Love Designs (etsy)

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Garden Photo Shoot

I was so lucky to find Casey of Legacy Photography 11 months ago after Elle was born. She has a special for babies, we get pictures taken about every 3 months and then at the year she will put together a collage of your baby growing. I couldn't believe the great price and when we go in we don't just take a couple pictures and go--we do full on ohoto shoots with outfit changes and "sets" and this time we hit the Botanical Gardens for this series. If you live in the Grand Valley, check her out you won't regret it. Plus if you like her page on Facebook, she is doing a Winning Wednesday giveaway!!

Pinnable Me--1st Birthday Inspiration

We are in the midst of party planning for the Elle Belle, here are pictures I have "pinned" to help me plan the party.

Party Invite Picture(we did one in the botanical gardens today!!)
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Cake Idea(former student is going to make for me!)
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Would love to do a dessert buffet!
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