DIY Weekend Project

As mentioned in my last post, Ethan has really taken a liking to books.  Whether it's when we are reading to him or when he's sitting in his room by himself flipping through them.  He really can entertain himself with them for quite some time.  

Anyways, he also has an abundance of stuffed animals everything from raccoons to a sock monkey.  The other day I had an idea.  I thought it would be fun to put his stuffed animals around a table stacked with books, kind of like a tea party.  The picture of it in my head looked good.   So I spent the last two days scouring the internet for the perfect table and chairs for his room.  I have one small obstacle and when I say small I am talking about lil man.  He is roughly 28" tall right now and all of the tables on the market are 20" tall.  I get it, most tables and chairs are meant for 2-3 yr olds but I just can't wait.  

Here are a couple of the ones I really think are cute.  The two sets are ones I would get that would be on the big side but he could grow into.  The coffee table from IKEA is 18" tall so it would actually work a lot better.  The stacking chairs come as short as a seat height of 10" so that would be better but still high.  

If I want to get good use out of a table now, I have two options.  One option would be to get the IKEA table and cutt the legs down several inches before assembling it.  The website states that it's made of solid pine so I think it can be done and its only $39.00 so it wouldn't be that big of a loss if I completely mess it up.   This would give him a small table for right now so he could stand beside it and look through his books.

My other option would be to hit up Lowe's and get some MDF and put one together this weekend.  It sounds simple enough.  I mean if my husband can make cornhole boards all summer then this should be cake, right? Plus it would be fun to sand and paint.  

Before I go any further I want to sneak this in.  Some sweet snuggle time with lil man this morning.

Ok back to what I was saying, so many things to do.  I also want to put together the indoor photography backdrop and flooring for Ethan's 1st birthday smash cake shoot.  I found several How-to's on Pinterest.  I like the easiness of the vinyl wood flooring idea but for a more realistic look they suggest getting some unfinished wood planks that come in packages and simply staining them myself.  The floor portion doesn't seem to complicated or pricey which is great because I have been searching for just the right backdrop for several days now.  I found one on a site called lemondropshop.com.  She really has some great backdrops but the cheapest one is a 5'x5' on polypro for $50.  Now if I was a photographer and used it for my business the cost would not be a big deal but I'm struggling with the idea of paying that his birthday pics.   The name of the one I like is "Blue Grey Grunge".   I love the fact each backdrop has a sample pic or two from photographers that send them in after purchasing the backdrops and using them in their studio.  To be honest, the picture below looks just like how I envision the one I want to put together, down to the color of the wood floor. We'll see how close I can get it. 

Finally, last night's drawing.  The colors are off from the original but I didn't have the right markers so I just had fun with it.  I would have done another one tonight but I haven't had a lot of time today since lil man has been on a needy kick lately.  He use to be like this in previous months when he was going through growth spurts so I'm not sure if that is the case or not.  

Article titled "Kid's Covers Have Grown Up" in PRINT Magazine

I hear lil man crying, gotta go.  Good night.

When Work is Fun

I am a little bummed that I didn't take the time to draw over the weekend.   However, the new year means working on some new material for work but since I get to be just as creative with work as I do my hobbies, its a win, win.  I began my whole work-from-home situation probably a month or so before lil man arrived which has been a year this past December.   Wow, seriously, WOW!  I haven't even begun to put things together for Ethan's 1st birthday which is next month.  Not that we have met a slew of friends since we have lived here.  That's okay, Nana & Papaw will come down and for pictures I do plan on doing some decorations.  Not to mention, I need to test some healthy smash cake alternatives.   I need a TO-DO list.

Here are a couple thoughts on his 1st Birthday look and feel.  Remember, its mainly for photos since its just the fam.  I think I can get it to all come together.  I hope.

Okay, put Ethan's birthday decor on the back burner for a minute.  We are doing some new advertising for our new branch office and this is the most recent piece I have done.  I still have several other things to get started but this is what I worked on, on and off, this past weekend.  Saturday was a bust since the Patriots were playing and hubs had a work event to go to.

These guys have the sweet life.  They kept an eye on lil man's movements for me.  

A quiet moment when he stops and gets absorbed in something on TV.  Strange but I think it was football.  Uh oh, it starts this early?  Geez.  He must make his daddy so proud.

Alright before I pass out from lack of sleep, here is my drawing for the day. Oh and I want to add, I use the Honest Company for Ethan's diapers since Day 1.  I have slowly progressed to the laundry detergent, then shampoo and now onto the Mult-Purpose Cleaner and Stain Remover.  I am not paid or supplemented by The Honest Company in any way, shape or fashion.   I LOVE the smell of this cleaner.  It is a light grapefruit aroma that is devine.  I mean, I can't remember the last time I used a cleaner and was like...ahhh that smells great.  Made without all of the bad stuff is the cherry on top.  I can see my product purchases broadening with them in the near future.

Picture from an article in HEALTH Magazine

Little man is stirring, so goodnight.

I'm Back! It's a New Year, New Start!

Oh man, talk about a hiatus.  I was suffering a serious creative block.  Well, that and raising lil man was and is my main priority.  However, I am finally starting to feel like routines are working well and he is soon to be 11 months so he is becoming a lot more independent in his playtime.  

I'm not sure how to go back and cover the lost time I was MIA.  Maybe a slideshow of him from the last 6 months might do the trick.  

Speaking of lil man, so much has changed.  He is getting so big!  Walking for starters.  He is still a bit wobbly but doing so great.  Just this week he started squatting down and picking things up and returning to a standing position.  Let's see, the words I can make out that he is saying so far are "Cat" and "Quack" a little bit of "Ma" but not quite there.  He understands what we are saying though.  You can say, "Ethan, where is the cat?" and he will go to the sliding glass door and say "Cat".  Or say, "Ethan, where is Da-da?" and he will either look or walk over to Dad.  We have now shut the doors to any rooms that are not baby proof and we let him practice his walking and explore by himself.  Before you leave me nasty comments, yes of course I keep an ear and eye on him and he usually is only doing drive-by's through the rooms.  When he goes to his room though and gets quiet I will check in and he is sitting in the floor with his books just looking through them.  We have a future book lover on our hands I do believe.   I really am amazed at how much he can entertain himself.

On to my creative block.  It feels like I hit these quite often.  Maybe its due to the fact I don't know where to begin sometimes or even what to draw.  I just can't seem to come up with anything original or I should I say something from memory.  

In December I came across this fantastic website that has definitely changed my approach to doodling.  www.crystalmoody.com  The neat part is she lives an hour and 10 minutes from my house.   Stalker! Just kidding. Maybe. No seriously.  Anyways,  I really can relate to her earlier outlook of admiring everyone else's work she found online wishing she could be that cool.  I can't tell you how many hours I have spent surfing the net looking at anything sketch, drawing, doodle related and daydreaming about how cool it would be to do that.  I know God had blessed me with the ability to draw.  I have loved doing it since days in elementary school when I doodled through most of my class.   I just need to USE IT!   

Back to Crystal Moody's website, she read lots of books in her year of creative habits.  One book that caught my attention was Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon.  What an eye opener.  Steal, Steal, Steal! I never thought of it.   I have been approaching drawing the wrong way!  It was one of those moments where you say "what else have I been doing wrong?" Ugh.  I quickly ordered it and sat back and drank it in.  Refreshed and with a new approach I started the NewYear doing a drawing a day.  Well that is my goal.  Typically I do this in the evenings when lil man is asleep and I can kick my feet up.  Here are a couple of the ones I have done.

Inspiration came from an empty animal cracker container we gave to Ethan 

An Indian from the front cover of my husband's book "The Heart of Everything That Is" he received for Christmas

My hubby is a passionate fly fisherman and is always wanting me to draw some trout.  He picked this fly from one of his Fly Fishing Magazines he recently received in the mail.

Part of an ad for a stock photography site I found in my PRINT Magazine

Red-Breasted Merganser from the "The Audubon Society Field Guide of North American Birds" guide

Red Fox from the Missouri Conservationist Magazine

The Indian was a nice break from my typical doodles.  Pencil sketch and trying to get that realistic look by creating shadows and all can be a little overwhelming for me.  Once I was finished I was pretty pleased and felt a lot better about doing it.   Human faces are not easy for me, as you can tell by the stock photo drawing I did.  I should probably focus a little more on realistic drawings so I can feel more comfortable with them.

Okay, back to the wee one who is hanging on my leg.

Happy Birthday America!

Happy 4th of July! This weather is still amazing me for July in Missouri.  It was a lazy day for both of us.  We didn't have any set plans to join up with anyone.  To be honest, we just haven't really established too many strong friendships since we have moved here.  Aside from several of Chris's good friends that are in the area that we have dinner with occasionally, we tend to entertain ourselves.  Which is alright by us for now.  I really miss our next door neighbor that moved to DC last year.  I guess that is the way it goes with military life.  They come and then they or you go. 

We didn't go and watch the fireworks anywhere since Ethan is still so small and I didn't want bug bites or the loud booms freaking him out.  Okay and I'm really really tired.  So we went for another stroll this afternoon and had some playtime indoors while I got a few things done that I just can't without Chris around to help out.

My brother got him this life-size jack russell dog and he giggled so hard playing with him.  Look how strong his muscles are getting holding him up all on his own.   We were talking with my brother and sister-in-law this morning.  They too have a little one only 3 months older than Ethan.  She got me thinking of scheduling Ethan's days.  Amelia has a schedule that they got her on and it is working out so well.  Ethan is such a good baby that I really haven't thought about it.  I mean I feed him on demand, which is usually every 3-4 hours.  And since he is breastfed he doesn't sleep through the night.  

I decided to start tracking his naps and feedings so I could see if he has put himself on a schedule.  I guess I have just always worked off of his cues to determine what he needed.  I understand methods that work for some babies may not work on others.   

What are your thoughts on putting babies on a schedule?  Does it matter if they are formula fed or breastfed?   

It wouldn't be a day off for Chris without an outing to Lowe's.  Then again when you are in a town that really only has a Lowe's and a Wal-Mart you find you spend quite a bit of time there.   Actually we had to get more birdseed.  Poor husband, he married an animal lover.

Can't have a 4th of July celebration without grilling out.  I decided to go all out for a bacon wrapped filet and a ribeye instead of the usual burgers and dogs.  I really did try and keep it healthy tonight but I seem to find a holiday as an excuse to go to Culver's and get some yummy custard to finish off the night.

A pic of the beautiful night sky and a bright crescent moon.  Little man is already sacked out so we are off to bed to get some zzzz too.  Yep, we are official fuddy duds.

Be safe this weekend.  When I was at the grocery there was A LOTTA liqueur being sold.

Picnic in the Park

Hubby's unit picnic was this afternoon.  While I still dripped sweat the entire time, it really was a perfect summer day.  The high was 79 and again there was a nice steady breeze.  Since pregnancy though I have become a puddle of sweat on a regular basis.  I have read that most women suffer mainly night sweats during pregnancy and postpartum while breastfeeding.  Well my internal thermostat must be broken, because I sweat the entire day.

I was a little bummed about this year's picnic.  Last year one of the officers brought THE BEST brisket I have ever eaten.  Oh so mouthwatering.   This year there just wasn't anything that stood out, correction, the banana pudding someone brought was pretty awesome.

See the blue twin camp chair?  Yes, that is ours and for whatever reason the group doesn't mind hanging out in the sun.  As you can see I'm standing under the tree taking the pic and enjoying the shade.   Yes, I felt a little unsocial.  That's okay, I can now use Ethan as an excuse.  Ha!

Ethan got to inspect Noelle's wrist rattle.   This is his first interaction with another baby and seemed pretty intrigued.  She, on the other hand, is not that impressed.

Just another shot of pretty wildflowers from our walk this evening.  When we got home Chris didn't tell me my Warby Parker glasses came in the mail.  I just heard about them a couple of days ago from another blog I came across.  They have a great program where you can select up to 5 frames and try them on in the comfort of your own home and return them with the enclosed shipping label.   For $95 you get anti-reflective prescription lenses, free shipping and 30 day return.   For that price, I was sucked in.

This is the "Welty" frame.  I think I'm diggin' them.  I feel smarter already.  :-p

Since I haven't had any personal time to doodle, here is a filler for my creative outlet.  This is an ad I am working on for my company to go into a local Homes Magazine.  

Goodnight All!

Perfect Weather!

Why can't everyday in summer feel like today?  Its a high of 75 and breezy.  I'm so jealous of San Diegans.  I hear its an average 75 there year round.  I sure hope they understand how good they have it.  It should be in the 50s tonight.  Maybe I can talk hubby into a fire. 

Ah, I opened the screen door to let the breezy morning air fill the house.  This is my opportunity to take a walk now before the muggy, heat is sure to return.  I left Sammy at home and off Ethan, Fenway and I went.  Along the way we always pass this area of Queen Annes Lace also known as "Wild Carrot".  It looks so pretty and actually smells like carrots.  Have you heard the story behind the flower's name Queen Annes Lace?     Queen Anne was known for making delicate lace and she pricked her finger and a drop of blood landed on the lace.  If you look at the center of most of the blooms there is a purplish or reddish dot in the center.  Something I didn't know until lately was that it is actually edible.  According to ediblewildfood.com 

I also passed this at our next door neighbors house.  Pretty sunflowers huh?  We can thank the local birds for taking some of the sunflower seeds from our bird feeder over to the neighbors yard.  They randomly grow in our backyard as well.  A nice by-product of taking care of nature.  I'm sure the neighbors don't mind either.

My walking buddy today.  I left him off his leash since he does so well.  Poor Sammy, he is probably unhappy we left him at home.

The start of another rather expensive pitcher of tea.  Looking forward to a tall glass of it tomorrow.   Cold brewing really is the way to go.  No cleanup involved.

Chris brought this little wireless speaker home from work the other day.  I didn't hesitate to find a use for it.  If I haven't shared this already, I'm a huge Jazz lover, well that and classical.  Basically any relaxing music genres i.e. zen, chill etc.  I like that it is wireless, so I put my iPhone on the XM app and enjoyed some relaxing Jazz while I fixed tonight's dinner.

Little man was feeling pretty mellow today.  So we captured his little footprints.  I kind of fudged the left foot a bit so it now looks like he has six toes.  Oh well.  I used some non-toxic ink sheets I got off amazon and they did turn out pretty good.  The ink doesn't come off as easy as the instructions say though so he looks like he's ran around on asphalt all day.   I've been meaning to get back on Pinterest and find the salt dough recipe to make some foot and hand impressions.

Off for another stroll.  Happy Hump Day!

Progress is good

Ethan has been showing a lot of progress lately with building his little muscles.  He started out hating tummy time and he finally worked up to about 5 min without pitching a fit.  We really have been seeing a lot of new things he has started probably in the last week and a half.  From the new sounds he is trying to make, hand coordination and desire to sip a little water out of a sippy cup.

He seemed uninterested in anything except sitting up.   Whether you are on the floor with him, he's in your lap, etc he wants to sit up and see things.   He will let you know that too, Mr. Fussypants.  We thought the Summer Infant Super Booster Seat would give him just that while helping build his little back and stomach muscles.  He loved it.  If we have Baby First TV on he happily plays while watching it.  I understand some people view TV watching as a no-no for a child under 2.  I don't feel too bad letting him watch it though.  Baby First TV is not like the cartoon networks, its actually an educational teaching and I only let him watch about an hour a day of it.  Not all at once but in little increments.  

He is now starting to take interest in having you hold him up so he can stand on your lap and will bounce up and down.  So we thought it was time to get an exersaucer.  This is the Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper.   Yet again another hit with little man.    Its amazing how fast these little guys grow.  

 Samson isn't too interested in what Ethan's doing.  He's taking his usual afternoon nap.

Wow, what a hot day it has been.  We tried going for a walk after dinner around 6:30 and it was just way too muggy.  You felt like you were melting.  So my husband hit up his stock pile of freeze pops while we watched some TV and let it cool down a bit more.  Ethan has shown more interest in our food lately.  Especially these brightly colored, cold sticks of sugar.   If I wasn't around I'm sure my husband would let him have some even though I have lectured about not letting sugars and junk into his little system.  I haven't even introduced solids yet.

My plan has been to breastfeed him until he is at least 6 months old.  However, since I have been working with a personal trainer, my milk supply is always a concern.  It would be so easy to just stop now so I could control my calories, he would probably sleep through the night and we could finally transition him to his crib.  Since he was about 3 months old we started co-sleeping.  That was about the time he outgrew the glider we had by the bed.   Co-sleeping just makes it so much easier with night nursing and I can keep a close eye on him.  I am a very light sleeper so I am constantly checking on him.   To my surprise, I feel like I get sleep even though it is broken up so much.   Its a lot better than having to get up and go to the nursery every time I need to feed.  I really don't know how this whole transition will go and let's be honest, I am not looking forward to it.  I love breastfeeding him and I think I will go into withdraws when the time has come.  :-(

Ah, finally it cooled off and the breeze was nice.  So we ventured out again for a walk.  Look how beautiful the sky was.  I'm not sure how those ray like things were made in the sky but I thought it was pretty neat.  Almost looks photoshopped by nature.

Okay, so what are some of your ideas on transitioning a little one to his crib while trying to ween from breatfeeding?  Agh! I want to stick my head in the sand about all this.  Do share tips that worked for you!