new additions!

We are excited to announce a new addition joining our home!!

Two actually!

Oh, wait. What kind of new additions are you thinking about?

 If it involved the cast of Glee, then I think I like you!

If you were thinking a baby... well, don't get your hopes up. Mine definitely aren't. 

Nope, just some free time to sew my own monogrammed pillow shams!! 

And chase around a sassy flapper.

Sigh. In the words of Hartley, "you are so bootiful." 

let the festivities begin!

While everyone else was facebooking it up about decorating, I was forcing myself to get the house clean first! Boy, was that motivation! Since moving into the house, I've really enjoyed decorating for Christmas. I love the lights! I love my Willow Tree nativity! I love the ornament tradition (and I get teary eyed when I think about what to get Hartley.. and hopefully future babies).

Without further ado! My recent crafting.. Erika, take notes. :)

Over the summer I worked on a silhouette of Hartley. And when the time came to use it, I was so ready! I cut out the shape on wrapping paper (yes, the one that's been framed in our dining room) and put some neutral/textured fabric behind it. I LOVE the result!

A few weeks ago I saw a Christmas card holder on pinterest. While Marshall was clearing out the woods in our backyard, he helped find the perfect twigs and some sand to construct the centerpiece. Please send cards this way! Until then, teeny tiny ornaments are adorning it.

Monster baby loves the ornaments!

And trying to get behind the tree to play hide-and-seek.

I picked a few ornaments from Marshall's stash that I thought Hartley would enjoy.

Choo-choo train.

A bike. And there's also a "Bajor/Big dog" (Major).

Hartley's first ornament. It makes me cry.

Ok, crafty stuff. The above will become pretty ruffly trees.

Today I made a gathered ballroom skirt for the tree. Out of an old fitted sheet! I love free.

Some balls for you. Some balls for me.

I got this wreath at Goodwill for $1. Unfortunately I didn't realize when I cut off the burlap strings it started falling apart. So I tied some ribbon in a few spots to hold it together. Hot glued some balls. (how many times can you say balls at Christmas and get away with it?). And added more ribbon to hang it.

And then one ball fell off and shattered. So I glued another ball on. I've got lots of balls.

The most recent and frustrating craft was a stocking. I don't like it. I'll get back to the drawing boards on that one..

And in other news, Hartley turned 22 months old over the weekend. I haven't gotten around to posting anything but not much has changed since 21 months except she talks.so.much. I love it, but I also love it when she's asleep and there's silence.

And...

We got handmedowns this week.. So of course, we dressed up as a bunny. And this morning, we pulled out big girl panties!!! Stay tuned to see how that goes. Hah.

Hartley's Birthday - the PREvent

I still can't believe Hartley is almost one! We decided to have a small, family party. We'll save the big bucks for another year. Like when she gets married.

Marshall's photo, Amanda's editing magic

I did, however, want to decorate. I have never really planned a party, so I wasn't sure how this would go. But, I'm really excited with how I was able to decorate very inexpensively.

I created her personalized invitations using already owned ribbon, buttons, and rhinestones. I simply created a design I liked on a piece of paper. Along with my best friend, Mr. Scotch. Not the drink.

Then I scanned it and added some font lovin'. Snapfish had their 99cents prints deal going on, and my mother-in-law and I "split" the package. They were free. :)

I found some great bargains at Hobby Lobby. Scrapbook paper was 6 sheets for $1. I managed to make her banner, paper globes, and other decor with the paper. Again, I love you Mr. Scotch. I wanted to display her monthly photo shoots, too. We went banner style again and strung them along with some of the scrapbook paper flags.

The most expensive purchase included 2 pink tablecloths ($12) from Big Lots. I made my own yellow table runners with fabric from one of my Grandmommie's projects. I'm sure she's really proud of me. :)

I thought the tables needed some sparkle, so I busted out all the glass jars I could find. Tied coordinating ribbon and popped in a tealight candle. Hartley was really helpful with this task. She even hit the put-the-shape-in-the-hole milestone! Considering the round tealight went through the round jar mouth..

We'll be having Little Caesar's pizza, cupcakes, and a few other snacks. Hartley's cousins have swirly straws waiting for them. I think I'd like to get a little extra something for favors as well.

Hartley's Grandmommie found her birthday outfit. I've learned that white is not the best color for babies- and that's all I could find for birthday shirts. But Momma found a pink shirt and we've layered it with a onesie.

I made her birthday hairbow. Unfortunately, we're at the stage where she just pulls it out as soon as I clip it in.

I'm really excited about her party. I went pretty neutral with colors so we can use the decorations for years to come. And I can use the pink tablecloths for Valentine's Day, Easter, and my birthday!

Speaking of Valentine's..

Her Valentine's Bow. I saw another bow that I liked, so I may attempt another..

So, it's birthday week around here. And I have my emotional moments. Often. Hartley is in another stage- pulling everything out of drawers. This morning she pulled out one of her hooded towels (that she hasn't worn in a few months because it's too short).. and I flashed back to this memory...

One week old.

Tear.

Happy Holidays..

Happy Holidays! While the merry bells keep ringing...

Happy Holidaaaaaaays. To you!

Hartley sends many "babas. dadas. mymamas. and pdddts" to you and yours.

We're very blessed to receive some amazing handmedown Christmas decor. I mean like, everything. My Momma moved around the time we did, so we "inherited" a good bit of decor that didn't fit into their new home.

Like this tree. And all the trimmings. :)

These are the only Christmas decorations I've bought. (glittery sticks from K-mart, after Christmas discount!)

Marshall's family has a neat tradition (which I'm now aware most normal, loving families do) where they receive an ornament every year. The ornament usually portrays an important milestone or interest that year. So far we've received picture frame ornaments, but last year we got our "parents to be 2009" ornament. I haven't found the perfect ornament for Hartley this year.

And then there's this beauty. This Willow Tree nativity was a gift from Mama Jean last year. My favorite. I still need to collect the creche and some other accessories. They look very homeless right now.

This time a year ago, I happened to be 8 months pregnant and at hormone central. It didn't help I would go to the mall a lot and walk around. There's a Hallmark store and they have a beautiful selection of Willow Tree. So if you can imagine- me, hormones, big belly, and sculptured moms and babies. I would stand there admiring and become very emotional. Every.time. If only Butterfly Kisses had started playing. :)

I decided to go ahead and tempt Hartley with bright and shiny things. She's allowed to play with the shiny, decorative boxes- but that's all.

I take after my Momma with this, I guess. Aside from removing breakables in reach and covering electrical outlets, our house has remained decor-friendly. It's taking a lot of consistency and patience, but I don't feel like I should change the way our house looks/decorations because of a precocious baby. Hartley clearly understand no touch, it's a matter of her obeying. She has done very well, though, with the tree and space heater. The trashcan we're still working on. :)

Anyway, we're busy gathering gifts, making batches of baby food, and working on another tooth! Oh, and recovering from colds and allergies.