A Super Homemade Christmas Gifting

What a wonderful Christmas we had. McNugget received more stuff than we can even imagine. And Santa was very good to us too. One of my favorite gifts was this homemade jewelry rack from my sister. From the crackle paint to the industrial mirror wire, I absolutely adore it. :) I haven't gotten a homemade gift since I can remember; it just makes the holidays so much more special.

Repurposing and Reorganizing The Food Closet

One of the first things I recognized when we moved in 5 years ago was the need for a new pantry storage system. The one we inherited was makeshift and didn't even go all the way across the pantry (it left about 1/2 a foot or more of space! The shelves were wobbly, and things would often fall through the slots (i.e. hot chocolate packets) . All of this made it very hard to see what we had (which made me buy more!)

But we didn't want to fork out the dough for a new shelving system. So we waited. And waited. And WAITED.

Then we redid our closets and had a VERY long shelf left over. I asked my husband to repurpose the shelf into 4 separate ones that could give us more space in the pantry, and he surprised me with this one day when I got home from work!

Hello organization! I still need some storage solution (carts or baskets or tubs) for the floor and the door which has our lunchboxes, soda and formula. But I can now see everything! All the canned items are together! All the breakfast items are together! All the pastas and rices are together! All the baking items - guess what? They're together!! And of course, it was another 100% free project that was saved from the landfill. Go Green!

THAT was a good present.

Happy 5 Months McNugget

Happy 5 months Wiglet!

This month you're really starting to experience the world around you. You have found your hands, which are always in your mouth; and during the last week you've begun to grab my fingers (and your grandmom's from the photo above) with your mouth.  You're even starting to begin to reach for things with your hands, though its not constant yet. You smile when we read to you, and we've gotten glimpses of you looking for us. You've really laughed at us for the first time, and actually lean into our kisses. You watch the dogs, and adore your best friend Trotter.


I'm enjoying showing you off to the family and friends - and Thanksgiving was wonderful. I'm so looking forward to our first Christmas as a family. Now that you're really interacting with us, family time has become more important than ever. I like to lay with you on your bedroom floor and help you play with your jungle gym, which is the second toy that you've become interested in (after the jumperoo - which we can't live without).

You're such an easy baby; always sleeping through the night and waking up happy. The only time you cry these days is if you're hungry or overly tired. With all your experiences and observations, you have started to fight going down for your naps - and your screams of protest are the loudest noises you've made to date. You're a fantastic eater, though you're only drinking your bottles still. We tried rice cereal for the first time this month and while you ate it, you weren't a big fan. Maybe next month.

I love you. Always.

Your Mama

I've Been Hanging Around - and Repurposing Things!

Wow, its been a while. My bad. In my defense, I've been busy doing projects and getting ready for the holidays- and I have been 'capturing' these moments - just not sitting down to post about them!

A few weeks ago, the hubby gave me a present: my very own tool set. I took this as a subtle hint that he was tired of me waiting for him to help me hang, hammer, and level things that need to be done. So I took that opportunity to cross off a few of my projects. The one I'm most proud of is hanging a headboard and bedside lamps. 

BEFORE

AFTER

We've been long admiring headboards in magazines, store windows and on TV shows (hello Parenthood!) But we couldn't settle, and didn't want to shell out for a headboard. So after our recent bathroom demo, I took the salvaged tall closet door and saved it for our headboard. I was originally thinking of recovering it (and still may one day), but am loving the reclaimed modern look of it- which goes with our floating night stands.


The door was actually two seperate cabinet doors stacked one on top of the other and held together by a thick scrap piece of wood. That unfortunately stuck out too much and interfered with hanging the door flat on the wall. So I took the hinges (that had once held the door on the cabinet) and used them to hold the two cabinet doors together! And who doesn't love a free (and green) headboard?

We also needed some better lighting and more space on those tiny (but space-saving) night stands. Things were just not fitting between the cell phone, alarm clock, baby monitor and books. We picked up these two inexpensive plug-ins from Ikea.

Both the headboard and lights required drilling, anchors, hammering, screws, tape measure and a level. But it was so worth it!

Really? You're that Distracted?

I know this post is several weeks overdue, but thought I'd share. I like to think I usually have 'it' together with this whole new role as a mom. I don't let my kid sit in diapers too long, we feed her on time, etc. But it is very possible to get distracted toating the little punchkin back and forth.

For example: several days after our halloween adventure pumpkin picking it went from being quite chilly to rather warm. And my car got warm. And it smelled. Like a diaper.

At first I thought - okay, just a lingering smell. But then I actually decided to find out why and looky what I found under the front passenger's seat. Yep. Here's hoping that that's the worst thing I find under my car seats forevermore.

Not My Stuff No More

With a whole new person and all her stuff to support and store, we're not waiting until the new year to clean out our closets. In the past month, we've gotten rid of 7 bags of clothes, 15+ pairs of shoes, 14 books and tons of miscellaneous items. Pluuus I've got a whole other shopping cart full of items to donate. Yikes - I keep a lot of crap.

Happy 4 Months McNugget!

Dear Daughter,


You're four months old. Your daddy and I just took you to your four month appointment - and we reviewed all your latest milestones with your doctor: you always hold your hands together - and you've recently "found" your voice. You're always talking and even laughing a bit now. You still love to stand up more than tummy time, but your favorite activity is your jumperoo. You could spend hours in that thing if we'd let you. You're built well enough too: 47% weight, 57% height and 95% head size - which means we have to get you 9mos hats I guess.


You and I are almost done reading The Secret Garden together - and you're really getting along well at school. You've developed a preference for me and your daddy over all other people and watch us as we walk around the room. You love to watch TV (especially sports with its fast moving colors) though I try to not let you. Everyday you interact more and more with the world around you. You've just started wanting to put things in your mouth, though most of it seems to be by accident still.


It's amazing watching you learn - I just don't know how you do it. You're so beautiful and awesome. And while you're my daughter first, you're already my best girlfriend. To the happiest girl I know - I love you everyday.


XOXO,


Your Mama

Caps For Sale!

I love the children's book Caps For Sale. And my husband's hat collection seriously sent my memory back 20 or so years to that very book to when I laid it all out (I also found a few others in the wash and down stairs - so this isn't even all of them!). I asked him (nicely) to thin out his hat collection by at least 5- and he did.

I took one of these hats for myself, but we were able to give away about a dozen to Goodwill!

Chili!

This is my second attempt at chili... and this time it came out awesome! I even have spiced tortilla chips to eat it with like they give at wendy's withe that new Baja salad. Bonus? The house smells amazing!

Office Prank

We pranked my coworker on her birthday a few weeks ago. FUN times. Seriously, I love having been a part of a good office prank.

Yes, that's actual black paint on the walls... I kind of like it!

Happy Halloween - Part 3 of 3

So we were trying to get our family Halloween photo together, and 'someone' (yes Trotter, I'm calling you out on the world wide web) felt left out... or maybe that I was ruining the picture.

Here's some out takes, and then the final - daddy, mommy & mcNugget - shot below.




Hope your Halloween was as good as ours!

Happy Halloween - Part 2 of 3

Here were the two best photos from McNugget's 'solo' portrait on Halloween. I love how happy she is and how beautiful her baby skin looks here!

Happy Halloween - Part 1 of 3

McNugget's first Halloween was a success! She got to wear her costume twice - once to her aunt's Halloween parade and to the neighbors house for trick or treating - she even was given one token package of candy (Fun sized Skittles) from Chris & Katie next door.

As I mentioned previously, I made her costume this year (as I hope to every year). No pattern - just sew-and-go! Why did I dress her as a flapper, you ask? Well, I really like her in red, and she can wear a headband like no other baby I know. I also LOVE historical era clothing. I made it a smidge small (forgetting to allow for the rapid growth that has apparently took place for her tiny body in the past few weeks), but we got it to fit.

The costume... (which took about an hour and a half to make, and was under $15)

The try-on...

On Halloween - it was cold!
The meltdown... yes, I'm wearing a 1920's-era paperboy costume to match her.

The 'good' shot of us... and this is the best one - even with the odd smile I have and her not looking at the camera...

I love Halloween. Can't wait to make her many, many more costumes and really enjoy it with her!

Just When You Thought You Had It All Together

Got up and went to the gym for the 4th time this week! Even made myself a fresh smoothie (yum!). Signed in, dropped off my stuff in the locker room (I was already in my workout gear) threw on the headphones and hopped on the elliptical.

10 minutes into my workout, a middle aged, overly smiley gentleman tapped me on my shoulder. I pulled off my headphones and hear "I'm in a bit of an embarrassing situation".

(You think you know where this one's going right?)


Then it hits me. "I saw you come out of the men's locker room this morning." Wha-what?!?!

Yes. I full-on used the men's locker room to stash my stuff. Apparently, the stellar folks (who I really do like) at the Y thinks it is HILARIOUS to swap the locker rooms ever few days. (I knew that they switched it, but I thought it was just on the weekends!) I have no idea why they do this- but I guess I'll have to pay attention to the tiny desk sign as I walk in, and the GIANT red/blue women/men signs on the doors. How did I miss them?!?

So anyway, this very nice guy and I had a big laugh about it and I spent the rest of my workout enjoying the fact that no one can mistake me for a man (take that stupid kid who asked me if I was a boy or a girl when I was 7).

So please join me in singing your choice of either Aerosmiths' Dude (Looks Like A Lady) or Frankie Valli's Walk Like A Man in your heads for the rest of the day.

Dusting off my running shoes

15th - 18th - 20th - 22nd - 23rd - 25th - 26th. What do those dates have in common? They kicked off my new gym regimen this month!

I'm absolutely determined to get back in the fitness saddle - and my pre-baby jeans. It's been 3 months, I can't stand only having 4 pairs of pants that fit, and it is getting too cold for just dresses (heck, even the stockings aren't comfy on me yet).

So I'm taking full advantage of the first month free trial membership until my work has a good gym discount to offer me next month. I'm LOVING it so far - whether its a quick trip at lunch or getting up early before work... I haven't hated a minute of it yet!

I'm also contemplating doing a turkey-trot 5k. I can easily do a 5k on the elliptical, but haven't tried it running out in the open yet. Wish me luck!

Who Said Keywords Didn't Make Sense?

I was looking at the site traffic stats for this blog - and this had me laughing:

That's how people find this site?? Hello, that's my life: McNugget's Daddy (i.e. the husband), sitting on the couch, watching television. lol... complete sarcasm by the way... Actually when he DOES watch tv, he prefers the new Ikea chair he got for father's day - or is usually over his 'boyfriend's' house watching the game.

But I must mention our couch a lot... its really the most photographed item since it's always where we can find the dogs. Hmmm, maybe we really should get a prettier (and smaller) sofa since it's photographed so much! Also, I seriously loved TV when I was little- and am a little worried mcNugget is starting to like the 'pretty pictures' more than is good for a peanut like her...

I'm going to have to work on getting some new keywords.

"Falling" In Love

I LOVE fall. Seriously, we have a relationship. I may have gotten a bit hot and heavy with summer (heck, I was pregnant!) but Fall is my season. And here's why:

McNugget Mondays - Our Pumpkin is Getting so Big!

We had a great weekend with our baby-girl! We (accompanied by her Grandmomme) got her 3 month photos done at the mall, and then we visited the Disney store - where I have photographic proof she's cuter than any Disney character (don't tell me you wouldn't do this with your kid given the chance!)

Saturday night she rolled over in her sleep for the first time. Waking up on her stomach was quite a scare for her (and me!). I can't believe how much she's developing these days.

On Sunday, mcNugget, Daddy & I went to pick pumpkins for the first time! We also took her first hayride - our friend Steph (that's her centered in the second to last photo) lives on an awesome farm with Clydesdale horses and they do the hayrides at another farm every year. mcNugget's cheeks got a little sun/windburned, but otherwise we had a great family day together!

So excited for Halloween!!

Happy 3 Months Baby-Girl!

McNugget,

You are three months old today. You and I have spent the last 93 days together - learning about each other, smiling and sqealing when we see each other, and just getting to know our future 'partner in crime'. While your daddy is busy taking care of us, we snuggle on the couch and watch TV (including shows that I will never let you watch when you're old enough to view the tv as more than just flashing lights and sounds). At night I read you a story or two, and get you ready for bed, watching you - while you're taking in everything around you.

My favorite things are listening to you on the monitor as you wake up in the morning. It seriously is the best way to wake up, knowing that you're in the room next to me getting ready for another beautiful day. You are the most pleasant and beautiful baby - everyone says so. Even your horrible colds haven't gotten you down.

You're always ready to give us a smile when we talk to you and you realize that you recognize us. You're starting to expand your reach beyond just your tiny clenched fists, and are just now learning to grab on to things (like my hair and earrings and your blankets), and that physical interaction puts me over the moon. Your daddy helps you do your 'tummy time' nearly everyday, and we can see you getting stronger each week. I love giving you kisses which you open your mouth to feel. Your favorite things right now are 'naked time' after your diaper changes, sucking on your hand, and waking up after a good long nap. Taking photos of you is getting harder as you kick and move all over, but that challenge makes me laugh.

We are so very lucky to have you as a daughter; everyday you give us a gift by just being you. I am dreaming about our next three months together which will include a full new wardrobe for you - and many more adventures of Mommy & McNugget.

Love you always baby-girl. Hugs and open-mouth baby kisses from me to you.

Your Mama

McNugget Mondays - Its getting spooky 'round here

Tommorrow Macers will be 13 weeks old, and Wednesday she'll officially be 3 months! This week has been tough (with that cold that won't go away) - which just happens to sync with her new found love for putting her hands and clothes in her mouth. She's an absolute drooling monster.

We spent the weekend doing lots of laundry, enjoying the weather with walks, and halloween decorating. In the "spirit" of our upcoming first Halloween and the number 13 - Here's her best impression of our 'all-black' cat Tyrone - you can see him eerily eyeing us in the background below.

I also made her a tutu and her halloween costume... posts to come soon!

McNugget Mondays - Week 12

Tomorrow our little girl will be 12 weeks old, and this week was the biggest change yet - she was baptised! I'm waiting on all the great photos from my cousin, but here's one I like of her and her godparents from my own camera.

We had a lovely party at our house afterwards- with tons of fooding, family, and friends. The day was everything we wished it could be, and we are so very lucky to have so many people love us and McNugget and be there for her big day.

Friday Foodings- Breakfast!

Yum-o! I've been hooked on smoothies for breakfast. Strawberries on sale and almost black bananas, some yogurt and juice, ice to thicken it up. Seriously yummy, and better than the sugary cereals I was eating while I was preggers.

Its Daddy Time!

"Someone" has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. Only this little punch-kin could get him to get out of bed at 5:30 am - to buy clothes and hair accessories for her - to drive her around - to feed her and take her on walks. And she's loving every minute of it too... They are official "bottle buddies" during football games, and she loves snuggling with him and having him make her laugh.

Cheers for good dads; McNugget has one of the best.

McNugget meets the Godfather

McNugget has finally met her Uncle David... er, I mean "the Godfather". :) How tiny does she look now!?

McNugget Mondays - Week 11

She'll be 11 weeks old tomorrow, and is now sleeping through the night! That started this weekend, coinsiding with her first cold (thank you daycare). She's suprisingly happy still- our little trooper. She's also actually watching TV and computer screens now. This week she looks like me, though last week she looked more like her daddy. :) I love my little punch-kin!