Just a quick note

Maybe one day I can get back into blogging, but for now... just can't seem to find the time! Everyone is well and good. Sorry for not updating sooner, but I hope things calm down sooner than later so I can get back into my beautiful blog world... I miss you all!!! For now here's a few pictures of our October happenings...Hayden's first Zoo trip... he didn't make it
I turned 29 for the 4th time!
Zoe learned how to tie her shoes! She is so proud!
Anual trip to the pumpkin patch... Hayden didn't really care.

I only cried a little

And only after we left. Zoe's first day of preschool was today.She was so excited and has been asking "how many more days?" for weeks now. Now her question is "how many more days until I get to go again?!" I expected she was going to love it. I knew she would not cry or be the child that didn't want to stay. I knew she would be on her best behavior. I knew she was going to make me cry... and I did.

Look what I baked!

I made this out of fimo clay. I plan to make many more yummy little do dads for Zoe to put in her doll house. Good thing she starts preK next week so I will have time to do these things without her knowing! Oh- I should add that I say "good thing" loosely- I am going to miss my little bug! This is my first time letting someone besides family or a close friend watch over my baby!

Just around the corner!

Fall is almost here! Once the pool weather is gone (btw- it never really hit St. Louis

this year- boo!) I am all ready for sweaters, fires, crunchy leaves, new colors, and all

things holidays! Although I'm not adding Fall items to my shop this go around that doesn't

mean they can't be requested! Here's a little peak of one such request...pssssst.. I have been working on a non- Etsy item to be shared very soon! :)

More on etsy

I feel like I have nothing to show you all these days but my etsy related items. I haven't been making anything else lately. Which is also why my posts are few and far between. I am trying to accumulate enough stock so I can do my first craft fair this Christmas, and boy does that take time. I did get started on some Christmas gifts the other day so soon I will be able to share something else... So for now here is a new sized hair clip... Big! These are 3 3/8 inches long compared to my regular sized clips which are 2 1/4inches in length. Plus they are a new fun shape!

Home again

We got home from our little vacation on Sunday. It was nice to just relax for a few days and forget all the day to day things that are always needing done. We swam, we putt putted, we ate ate and ate, played games, ate some more, and oh yea- did I mention how we ate. Zoe told Steven on the way home "Daddy- thank you for driving us to the lake."(this was Zoe after her first ever hole in one!)

I asked her what her favorite part was and she said "All of it" I guess we did something right. It was just nice to "work" on out little family. Spending quality time with the littles was my favorite part- oh yea and the outlet shopping!

...is for

B is for for Buh Bye... but only for a few days while we get out of town.R is for relaxing! Something Steve and I are in need of.S is for swimming... the only activity we have planned for our little trip away.

L is for lake... which is where we are headed. (Lake of the Ozarks)

U is for until next time, and

E is for Etsy.. where all of these letters and more can be found!

Behind

I am already behind! I have not started one thing for Christmas gifting this year! It boggles my mind as to what that second kiddo does for your time management!

Zoe was such an independent baby and now child, and Hayden is very dependant. This leaves me with only spurts of time to do things, and mostly those things consist of house junk. Zoe could occupy herself for what seemed like forever and Hayden is good for about 15-20 minutes top!Zoe slept like a champ, Hayden is STILL getting up in the middle of the night. This does NOT do well for me with my mornings, I spend half of my time just waking up ( I am soooo not a morning person to begin with)

Zoe, however, was NOT a snugly baby, and Hayden let's me cuddle whenever my heart desires. I love being able to take all of him in and not rush him along. Zoe has gotten so big I have no clue where the time has gone with her!Zoe never wanted help doing a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g! Hayden is glad to have you assit with whatever new task he is learning. I love being needed , I missed that with Zoe.

Zoe was tiny and always so itty bitty, Hayden--- well let me just say, that boy loves to eat! Thank goodness my tiny one was my girl... I think Hayden may need to play football!!!Zoe never met a stranger, Hayden is very skittish. Don't make any sudden movements with this kid... he will certainly cry! (And Steve- Please leave the room when blowing your nose- you know that gets him every time!!!!!)

Zoe could go go go all day long and be ready for more, Hayden loves his schedule and does much better when we just stay home and relax. This has really limited our going to do things.Zoe was/is so outgoing, Hayden is very shy and sensitive.

These two kids are so different, but oh so lovable and even if my time for Me right now is limited... I wouldn't have this any other way!

Pink Pink Pink

I should have titled this post "Better Late Than Never". You know...cuz Zoe's birthday was almost 5 months ago! I did want to share a few cute ideas I did for her day.

Party favors included...

A Cupcake Pencil Topper (pink for girls brown for boys)

A Monogrammed NotebookAnd A Candy Filled Pillow BoxA Pink House Birthday Cake

Pretty Pink Flowers From Daddy!

When Zoe requested a Pink Birthday I knew it would be fun! We added brown so we were able to suit the boy cousins- so it was more of a neapolitan day but don't tell Zoe that! We had streamers and balloons. Of course all of the plates and cups were pink.. I even had pink MnMs, and pink treats and other candy. What a very sweet day!

Her gift this year was a doll house. The kind that requires assembly, and HOLY MOLY was that a chore! The family all bought furnishings for her pretty pink doll house (would you expect her to pick any other color?!) We still have some decorating to do but that is something we will work on in time. Like I said- What a CHORE!

A Little Show and Tell

I have been super busy making and listing items for etsy lately. I have a bunch already listed and am working each day to list more. I have some new little embroidered items up for grabs. Mainly all of this fuss is to get myself ready for my first craft fair in December. Yes I said December. In order to have enough stock I have to get started now. I am listing everything I make in etsy first, because basically I am not picky if it sells now or later. Then if the items are still around come December I have something to add to my table. Here are a few of the new things I have been piddling around with... (is that really how piddling is spelled?)

Large Hair Clips

Baby Shower Hair Clips with Poem

(When you are born you will be so small

You might not have any hair at all

...etc...) Monogrammed Paperclip/Bookmarks

Monogrammed Momo Pad Covers

Plus monogrammed pencil toppers, pencil holders, ribbon bookmarks.

For my friend Katherine!

Isn't this a great picture!

Good thing that isn't a real lizard!!! Katherine-The kids truly love your little gifts.
Hayden sucks on the little lizard so much it is usually sopping wet!
More pictures soon- I promise!

Take me out to the ballgame!

For Father's Day this year Zoe gave Steve tickets to go to a Cardinal's Game. Just for the two of them. Zoe has been to one once before but she was only about 16 months old- so this was basically her first game. Oh and the fun they had! Cotton candy, soft pretzels, pop corn, hot dogs, peanuts- a rousing chorus of Take Me Out To The Ballgame! Then to top off the fun- it was Run The Bases Day at the stadium- this was a surprise! I think Daddy was just as excited to get down on the field.

I am thinking this might have to be an annual Father's Day gift!

This makes me smile...and no it was not staged!

Because I don't have enough to do...

I think I am going to open a second etsy shop! Here is the banner I have been doodling around with, and I think I really like it.

Before I knew what my first shop was really going to be all about I made and sold a few other things. I ultimately decided to go with little embroidered creations on felt. One of the items I had played around with were drink tags. Sort of a drink charm but these are disposable...here is a couple that sold. Every time I use these for gatherings everyone loves them. So after thinking and googling and thinking some more I decided on The Paper Martini for my shop name. I hope to add other paper items with a party theme in mind. Possible wedding favors or birthday favors???? I am still thinking about it. I do know I plan to make these items as made to order instead of making then listing. I think this would work much better this way.

CHEERS!

2774

That is how many posts behind I am on bloglines... that is scary. Me thinks I may have to hit the "mark all read" and just start from scratch.

For something fun here is the outfit I made Zoe for her birthday. It was nice to make something not pink, but then when I realized we were having a Pretty Pink Birthday Party I had to step up and make a birthday party outfit too! I will share birthday party goodness on another post... even if it was 4 months ago!

Our house is a very very very fine house...

Ok not really, but that song has been in my head since I began writing this post!

So much has happened in the past few months. Plenty of home renovation stories. Tears, blood, sweat, more tears. I have grown to really appreciate and hate my home all at once. We are still a bit unfinished so I will wait to share any good pictures of the redo. But I will share what I have learned along the way.

(My silly little girl!)

First-Since we went without a kitchen for a while I learned that we eat healthy because I actually like to . I had convinced myself that our eating habits were of necessity and that eating any old junk food boxed concoction or fast food crap would be oh so good. Nope- makes me feel like shit. I get cranky. Then I have the extra added pleasure of gaining a bit of extra pounds. So back to cooking lots of veggies and making better choices. I like it that way and I feel good that my very picky four year old is now asking to try things like carrots and green beans and is liking them! Score one for mommy!

(poor little guy fell asleep mid-bite!)

Up next- I absolutely love being a stay at home mom! I had to send the kids to my parents for a week during the renovations and I missed out on Hayden's first tooth and the first time he rolled over. I love my mom but the only reason it seemed that she told me was to rub in the fact that I missed it. But I guess any doubts I ever had about choosing to stay home was wiped clean. I know this is what I was meant to do. I know that I am needed and I need them. I love being here for both of my kids. I love that they can sleep in the morning and have no schedule (until the fall when Miss Zoe starts pre-K) I love that I know how they are being taken care of and I never ever have to second guess it. I love all that comes with it!

(barefoot summer fun!)

Third- I learned that I am stronger (physically) than I ever thought I was. I put in more effort and energy and let me just say Steven is proud that I was right by his side the entire time.

(6 month old picture with his Charlie Bear.. his t-shirt says "It's fun to be me" and I belive it!)

Who knew my house could teach me these things!

Now--- I certainly cannot leave this post without give you a couple of pictures! I added a few here and there of Mr. Hayden (my 6 month old who is the size of a 9 month old!!!) and of course my Zoe Bug!

Gone for too long

Dear blog,

I have missed you so very much. I know my lame excuses for ignoring you just don't make the fact that I have neglected you any better. We have been busy-true. We are still busy- true. There never seems to be an end to all of the busy days. Rather than give you a laundry list of reasons why I have not given you any attention I will simply share with you some of the fun details about our time apart. I will try to catch you up on... Me!

For now I will leave you with a few images of a rather large special order I have been working on for the past couple of weeks... they are to become bedding for a special little baby entering the world in Oct. I do not know her, and probably never will, but I hope these little birdies make her smile and coo.

Until next time,

Me

We are in home renovation hell!!!!!

And there does not seem to be an end to it!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Just popping in to say "Happy Mother's Day" to all my blogging mom friends! Hope you had a nice, relaxing, sleep in late, do nothing, quiet, peaceful, non-fitting kiddos kind of day! I know that chances of that are pretty slim but if you get in at least 2 of those items consider yourself lucky!
Happy Mother's Day!!!

I interrupt this blogging break...

...to show you why I am taking a blogging break.

Repainting kitchen cabinets, new back splash, and hopefully new floors. Refinishing hardwood through dining room, living room and hall. Don't you just adore all of the paint splatter ... we also found cigarette butts under the carpet pad. N-I-C-E!

As you can see we have loads to do.

And just for good measure here are a couple of the cuties!

A scene from sidewalk- chalkapolooza.

Senior Chubbers sporting his fancy new shades!

Hayden and his biggest fan!

The computer is so so fixed right now. Still have some organizing of the ol' files to do, but it is working. I am still on a break for now. With everything we have going on I just can't keep up with it all. Still wanted all my blogging friends to know I really am trying to read but am not doing such a good job keeping up. Oh I will be back with tons to share... one day....sigh