Gettin' My Sew On

Happy Friday friends!

We are leaving for the beach tomorrow, so I'll be taking off from the blog world to enjoy some sand between my toes.  Ahhh....I can hear the waves now!

I have shared with you before that I am learning to sew, but I haven't shared with you some of my easy projects I have completed for my friends that have recently had babies.

I have sewn quite of few of these contoured burp cloths from this tutorial.  It is super easy, and even a beginner like me can do these.

Have you seen my Gettin' My Sew On Pinterest board?  It's pinned with mostly easy projects that even a novice such as myself can do.

Here's another one of my favorites to do:



And here's a few I'd like to try:



I also have made a swaddle from a pattern I received at Christmas.

Do you sew or do you want to learn?

Natalie

Friendships of the Past

At many times in my life, I have experienced wonderful friendships.

When we're young, we have our friends that we grow up with and attend high school together.

Then we transition to college and make friends during the "growing up" phase.

After college, we head out to the workplace and find co-workers that become friends because you can talk about all things work-related and empathize with how much you dislike your boss or overtime.

I used to be the friend that always reached out to those that I knew at every point in my life.

I thought because I grew up with my high school friends that I needed to continue the friendship forever.

I thought since my college friends were supposed to be the "friends you keep for life" that I needed to continue to reach out.

After I left my work to be a SAHM, I thought it was important to continue the work friendships with those I had worked with for 4-6 years because we spent so much time together.

But in reality, sometimes friendships expire.  And it's ok to be sad.  It's ok to miss those friendships and to look fondly back at the memories that you created together.

I learned that just because you went to high school with someone doesn't mean you actually have anything in common.

The college friends that were supposed to be for life were only for those years of growth to adulthood.

The co-workers, were just that.  Once you leave that work you find you don't have that much to talk about.

I do have strong friendships and best friends from each of these periods of my life.  I have a few that I can talk about the good ole days when we were teenagers, college friends that I can talk about the crazy times and our sorority days, and even a few of my co-workers became some of my closest friends.

But I don't beat myself about those that are lost.  I don't reach out anymore.  I have made my peace with it, and I cherish the times we had.  I don't discount the friendship, but I understand it is one that can't move forward.

And if a few of them call me every now and then, I talk to them.  I don't hold grudges that we don't talk everyday.

People come into our lives for different reasons, and so I accept it for what it is.

How do you look back on friendships of the past?

Natalie

Trucks & School!

August has been super busy for us...we've had something going on almost every weekend.

This past weekend though was full of trucks and fun at the local "Meet the Fleet."

Nolan had a blast seeing all the tractors, firetrucks, police cars, bulldozers, and many more!  It was actually nice weather out, a lot cooler than last August.

Today my big boy went back to school.  As you can see by his facial expression, "No pictures mommy!"

And this guy was excited to have his mommy all to himself!

Happy Tuesday friends!

Natalie

A Busy Week in Our Household

Happy Friday friends!  Another week has gone by, and before you know it we'll be in September.

It was a busy week in our household with Conley's one year check up (12 month post coming next week), Nolan had MDO orientation, dogs had their vet appointment, and working on Nolan's upcoming birthday party in October. Check out my 3rd Birthday Pinterest page!

I also was busy on the blog with my giveaway (have you entered?), forum post and blog post at The SITS Girls.

***Nolan and his new nap mat for school, and the most ADORABLE shirts for his birthday!***

Oh and on Saturday I was hanging out with these girls celebrating Abigail's baby coming in October.  It was so great seeing everyone! Check out Sarah's blog to see the great details of the "You Are My Sunshine" shower that her and Kristy put together.  It was adorable!

(Kristy, Abigail, Sarah, Conley, and I)

How was your week?

Natalie

ZAZOO Kids Photo Clock Review & Giveaway!

I'm so excited today to share with you an awesome product I was able to review.  And at the end you're going to have your chance to enter to win one!

With Nolan still in a crib, I have many anxieties about transitioning him to a big boy toddler bed. Will he stay in his bed?  Will he actually go to sleep?  The list goes on and on about my worries.

So when I was contacted by ZAZOO Kids to review their photo clock I jumped at the chance.

We received this super cute fish framed clock.  They have such fun options to choose from!

You can personalize the clock with your own images, so your kiddo can wake up to a photo of themselves...and let's face it they sure do like looking at their own little faces.  You can also customize the music to your choice, and I have to say I like this feature the best.  They can wake up to "Here Comes the Sun" or something fun like that, and go to bed with sweet lullabies like "Twinkle, Twinkle."  The choices are endless!

Here's a brief description of the ZAZOO Photo Clock:

For Young Children and Big Kids Too

The ZAZOO photo clock^TM  is the contemporary multi-functional answer for your early riser.  For young children who wake too early or do not stay in bed all night, this is the solution for you.  

The multi-media features ensure the clock will grow with your child for years and years of use. The alarm clock, rotating digital photo frame, music & audio book capabilities make this all-in-one a sure bet!

Easy to Use

The ZAZOO photo clock is easy to read.  When the photo alarm “goes off” the image changes.  The digital time is also displayed on the face of the photo clock.  Your child will quickly be able to associate the image changing to “awake time” or “rest time”.

A second naptime photo alarm setting makes programming for quiet time simple.

The audio alarm can be set to use along with the clock time only display options.

Photo Alarm Images

The clock comes with pre-programmed images  of “awake” and “asleep” photo options that help your child know when it is the appropriate time to stay in bed or get up and start the day.  

The simple images “come up” when the parent programs them to do so.

You can easily personalize the awake and asleep images so your own child is the star. Kids will love to see themselves in pictures on their photo clock.

Features:

• Photo Viewer
• 7-inch TFT LCD
• File formats: JPG, BMP
• Supports photo rotate
• Built-in speaker
• Built-in alarm, calendar and clock
• Resolution: 480 x 234
• High speed USB 2.0 jack
• Supports: Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick (MS)

Now the fear of moving Nolan to a toddler bed is less daunting knowing that I have the ZAZOO photo clock to let him know if it's time to wake up or time to go to bed.  We all know toddlers love a routine, and this fits right in with their obsessive compulsive natures. 

Now it's your turn to own one!  Enter the Rafflecopter below to win your very own ZAZOO Photo clock.

***I received a ZAZOO Kids Photo Clock to review, but all opinions are mine own.***

Giveaway will end on Monday, August 26th at MIDNIGHT EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Natalie

When Your Sweet Boy Isn't So Sweet

As some of you might have seen on Facebook, my sweet boy Nolan has become more of a handful lately.  (And if you aren't a fan on FB, please click at the right of the page...I'm at 87 likes and would love to get to 100!)

My sweet, loving boy has become a "no" boy.

Literally he says "no" to all kinds of things and in the most hateful manner.

He seriously sounds like a teenager talking back...I really thought I had a some more years before we reached this stage.

While we were at the grocery store, he yelled out and emptied out one of the bags in the cart as we were leaving.

At nap time, he slapped me on my shoulder, and said he didn't want to nap.

"NO I don't want to," and "NO I can't" are the most common phrases that come out of his mouth.

It's really like it happened overnight.  He's constantly testing me about EVERYTHING....and even the easiest of tasks or a meal have become a battle.

Where did my sweet boy go?

I realize he's finding his independence, and I try to keep my cool (very difficult at times), and we have been doing a lot of time outs.  I always follow through with the consequences because I know that's crucial when he's testing these boundaries.  I just hate that we spend so much time focusing on the negative.

Two was pretty easy with this boy....but the three's are going to give me a run for my money.

Have you been dealing with the "no's" too?

Natalie

Ham and Tomato Pie, My Fave Go-To Dish!

Recently, many of my friends in my mom group just welcomed baby bundle #2 to their families.  I don't know if you are familiar with Take them a Meal, but it's a great resource to use when coordinating meals for moms with new babies at home.  We've used it several times, and it works out great and even sends you a reminder.

One of the meals I love to prepare is Ham and Tomato Pie.  It is really easy and soooo tasty!

Ingredients:

• 1 (8-oz.) package diced cooked ham
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions (about 4 onions)
• 1 (9-inch) frozen unbaked pie shell
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 medium plum tomatoes, thinly sliced 
• 1 large egg 
• 1/3 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Garnishes: fresh basil sprigs, tomato slices
• 
  
• Prep:
• 1. Sauté ham and green onions in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat 5 minutes or until ham is brown and any liquid evaporates.
• 2. Brush bottom of pie shell evenly with mustard; sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon ham mixture evenly over cheese, and top with single layer of sliced tomatoes.
• 3. Beat egg and half-and-half with a fork until blended; pour over tomatoes. Sprinkle evenly with basil, pepper, and remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• 4. Bake on lowest oven rack at 425° for 20 to 23 minutes or until lightly browned and set. Cool on a wire rack 20 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve; garnish, if desired.

• Enjoy!!!

Natalie

Old School Blogging: My Boring Fridge!

Tag I'm it thanks to Alison!  This month's Old School Blogging is all about the fridge.  And I must say mine is not fabulous or awesome.  But hey it keeps the food and drinks cold, so that's what matters, right? RIGHT?

On the outside of my fridge you will find old save-the-date magnets, my Christmas cards with the kids, and their birth announcements.  I just haven't quite been able to let them go as babies just yet.

You will find invitations, other people's baby announcements, and thank you notes.  And of course artwork from my little artist!  During the school year, it's covered with a few more pieces.  Oh and dentist appointment reminders and a family photo with Santa.

Inside you will find left over juice drinks from the party, milk sippy cups, pumped breast milk, normal milk, unsweetened tea, and some various beers leftover from my husband.

Nolan's muffins, leftover lima beans for Conley, baby yogurt, strawberries, and blueberries.

I realized I have like three containers of relish...and I don't even eat relish.  They are all within the expiration date so I can't throw them away just yet.

There's tubs of butter and hummus.  Cheese slices and cheese sticks.  As a matter of fact, I think my fridge looks a little empty.  Guess I need to grocery shopping tomorrow!

What's in your fridge? Link up with Elaine and join the fun!

Natalie

The Birthday Bash

Conley's first birthday has come and went in the blink of an eye.  It's hard to believe that now he will be heading straight to toddler-hood.  However for now since he's not walking he will be my baby for a little bit longer! 

The party was a whale theme.  I wanted to keep it fairly simple since we were having at the splash pad/playground.  And to be honest, as much as I love all those Pinterest ideas I have decided not to stress myself out about it.  Because in the end, he's not getting anything out of it.  So why not keep it simple and let the kids have some fun without momma losing it?  I know some really find enjoyment in it, and that's cool just not for me.  And with two kids under three?  It's hard to get anything accomplished these days.

We had it at 10:30 in the morning since I knew it would be a hot day.  Good thing because the heat climbed up to 90 degrees and super humid! 

I just went with a few snacks such as mini-muffins, fruit tray, Goldfish and Annie's fruit snacks for the kiddos since it was in between meals.  (Perfect party times are snack times so you don't have to worry about feeding a whole army!)

I ordered "I AM ONE" banner, water labels, and favor tags from this site on Etsy.  I had these fun hats in the party favors.

I ordered this adorable design from this Etsy shop for the invitations and printed them at home.

Ok now enough about the details and to the real fun---the photos! Here's some of the decorations.

And the cakes!  We had a sheet cake and cupcakes for everyone, and a small smash cake for Conley.
I ordered them all from Publix and think they turned out great!

Getting ready for the birthday song and his cake!

Sweaty head Nolan and the birthday singing with friends.  A lot of my friends in my mom group have recently had baby #2 so there was plenty of baby wearing which I loved! One of my friends just had a baby and brought him---just 10 days old!

Let him eat cake!

Splash time!

And another party was going on at the other pavilion, and they had a special guest.  Nolan had to check it out...can you tell he was in heaven? I love the photo of him talking to the firefighter...asking some funny question as usual I am sure.

I think the party was a great success and that Conley had a blast.  Hope you had a good weekend too!

Natalie

Just a Little Hiking...

This past Saturday we decided to make our first hike with both boys.  It was a round trip of about two miles, and I'm happy to say the boys did great.  Here's a few photos from our adventure:

Conley was so wore out he fell asleep in the pack...which if you know him is so unlike him.  That kid rarely falls asleep on long trips in the car!

Do you go hiking with the whole family?

Natalie

Eleven Months-Another Late One

So this week my baby boy turns one, so as you can see this post is a month late.

Conley you are still a great eater and pretty much will eat most items, but there are a few things you won't eat.  You love drinking from your straw sippy cup.  We've started a little whole milk, but you'd rather drink water instead.

We've started to call you "Baby Godzilla" because you are a destructive little guy.  You love to attack Nolan's fire station.  You have a fascination of knocking over any toys, hitting them together, or even throwing them.

Boy oh boy do you have a temper and a scowl when you have something taken away from you...usually something you shouldn't had.  Or if a toy is out of your reach watch out!

Besides that you are usually a happy guy with the biggest grin!  Now that smile has three bottom teeth.  And we can now see about four top ones about to make their arrival.

Happy belated 11 months my baby boy!

Natalie