Happy Birthday!

Joshua's 30th birthday (30, I know!) was last week.  We celebrated with some friends on Saturday in the only way we know how - with lots of pizza.  Yes, indeed, we had Papa Del's, Filippo's, and Pizza Hut bread sticks.  The evening was topped off with a Dairy Queen cake.  We're predictable at this house, but we know what we like.

Happy birthday, Joshua.  I hope this next year is the best yet!

One Month!

Where has the time gone?  Our little Forrest is a month old, and we're finally getting the hang of this thing (sort of).

Memorable moments:
- Smiles becoming more frequent.

- Changing formula - We now have a much happier baby!

- Newborn onesies getting snug.

- Packing up to go to Labor Day - stressful but accomplished.

Things we've learned:
- What's ideal may not be reality, and that's okay.

- Cribs are overrated.

- Cloth diapers are overrated (though we haven't given up hope just yet).

- It is possible to get all house chores done while wearing a baby in a Moby wrap.  (Did I mention thank goodness for Moby wrap?!)

The Long and Short

So the last three weeks have been the shortest and longest of my life.  Looking back, I can't believe that three weeks have past since the arrival of Forrest.  It's hard to believe, yet it seems that he's been here forever.  I can't imagine not having him.

Things we have learned in the last three weeks:

- Thank heavens for the Moby Wrap sling, or I would get absolutely nothing done around the house.  It seems that my adorable son will not be content unless being held... around the clock.  We're working on getting some things figured out that will hopefully make him more comfortable (read - scream less!).  Until then, we're spending lots of quality time together :0)

- Small victories, such as completing a load of laundry should be celebrated.

- Being a mom really was a good choice.  I love my little boy, despite the fact that he is the neediest  thing at the moment!

 (First, and only, independent nap, lasted exactly 21 minutes.  It was great!)

Happy Birthday Forrest Edward

August 2012 - A life changing month.  More to come later.

Curtains and Other Projects

So no baby yet, and I'm getting quite impatient (read annoyed, sore, uncomfortable, etc).  Don't whine.  Don't whine.  Don't whine...

While waiting, I've been working away on a few little projects, the type that make me smile.  Today I whipped up a curtain for the kitchen window.  Is this the exact same curtain I made three years ago in Peoria but with different fabric?  Yes.  I know what I like.

While in Peoria, my living area was mostly greens, reds, and goldy-yellows.  In the new house, I'm getting crazy and going for turquoise.  I'm thinking of something bold like turquoise damask for drapes in the dining area.  Oh, I do love to look at fabric!

Today's sewing success has overcome yesterday's paint mishaps.  I went to Lowe's to get samples of the perfect shade of light spa blue/gray/green.  You know the one?  It's all over decorating shows and magazines right now.  I have in mind the first one, and below is what I came up with.  I hate them all.  I am so bad at paint.  I suppose I will try again.  How many samples does a girl have to buy?

Here's to another week of waiting (for a glider and a baby)!

Enjoying the View

Yesterday all of my goals of being productive went right out the window.  The temperature was finally reasonable, so the deck, view, and some reading had me for most of the afternoon.  I thought I would share.

Although not a giant ocean or lake, this little pond with the trees, birds, and quiet neighbors really leaves me feeling relaxed and not missing the pizza wedge yard, ugly neighbor gardens, and chain link fence of Peoria.  Do please ignore the dead lawn and plants.  The drought here is terrible, and things were too far gone when we moved in.  Next spring, I'll be back into action on landscape beautification.  Can't wait!

Preview

Dad and Mom visited last weekend to see the new house and put the nursery together.  Those folks are such worker bees!  Here are a couple of preview pictures, with a full tour to come once the glider is delivered.  (It seems I should have ordered it a couple weeks earlier.  Where is Amazon Prime two-day shipping when you need it?)  

It's a great feeling to be (almost) done with the baby's room.  While I do understand that he probably won't care about the decor when he first arrives, I do feel good knowing that things are in place.  Yesterday was the 37th week marker, so we're ready to go whenever, really.  I'm still feeling energetic and not complaining too much, but I do have to say that it will be nice to be able to bend over to tie my shoes again :0)