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Sunday, June 3, 2012

Multiples

I don't shop much anymore. For myself that is. I get a top here, pants there, which is fine and has suited my new stay-at-home-mom lifestyle. And as anyone who knows me will tell you, I have a closet full of clothes. Last summer I didn't wear most of my summer clothes because I was still carrying around pregnancy weight and I was nursing. So I went to Old Navy, got myself some jersey dresses and skirts and some nursing-appropriate tops and called it a day. Very helpful.

Well, this year, my size XS tanks were just too tight and too short and after wearing most of them for 3-5 years, it was time to retire them. My mom used to be a store manager at Gap so I have alot of great clothes from the store, but I looked at the tags of the items in my consign/donate pile and the majority said '06 and '07. No wonder I was sick of them.

So on Memorial Day I headed out to the Leesburg outlets with one goal in mind: Old Navy. I really like the casual clothes at Old Navy. They fit me well (except pants), like the fun colors and prints and they last for several seasons which is great considering the price. I was greeted by a large "All Items in store 40% off!" which was a great thing to see at 10am. I went through that store so fast you would've thought William was with me in the stroller (I was alone). Went into the fitting room, had a stack of clothes and I left with half. What surprised me was how many items I bought multiples of.

Black and khaki shorts

Shown multi-stripe and the purple stripe

Purple and turquoise


I also got another top or two including this pretty embroidered one:


Of course, not only did I get a new summer wardrobe so I won't be thinking much about clothes until fall (I think…), but I spent just over $100 thanks to the massive sale. Happy birthday to me!


Thursday, May 31, 2012

Fourteen Months

Today William is 14 months old! I feel like he has gone through so many changes since the beginning of May that it deserved a blog post. By the way, every month I write a letter to him in my journal which then goes into his baby book. I have been vigilant about keeping up with this because it is a nice summary of major activities for the month (1st vacation, sleeping through the night, etc) and I also talk about developmental steps (words, climbing, etc).




Unfortunately, May was a month of illness for our little guy. At the beginning of the month he developed bronchiolitis which meant nebulizer breathing treatments, an antibiotic and a steroid. Just last week he had a fever of 103+ degrees for three days (peaked at 103.9) and then he developed a rash all over his upper body that took five days to vanish as mysteriously as it showed up.

We went on a five-day vacation to Hilton Head, South Caroline for AUntie Blair's wedding and made an overnight stop in Charleston to see the Larsons. Their daughter Brynnleigh was born the day before William so it was fun to see them play together.




Despite being pretty sick twice this month, we are back to our "normal schedule." I am now waking him from his morning nap after one hour since he was waking at 5:30am for the day which is just too early for me (and him, even if he doesn't realize it). Now he is waking up at 6:45am, napping 9:30-10:30am and then again after lunch from 1:30-3:30/4:30pm and going to bed just before 8pm.

Pretty much all of his summer clothes are 18m (it helps that The Children's Place does 12-18m so they fit now and still will in August), except bottoms are still 12m because he has a little waist. He is in a size 4 shoe and I just bought him a 4.5W from Stride Rite.


William can say several words clearly: Momma, Dat, Nana, shoe, cat, ba-ba, ball, tractor, truck and car. He says "side" for outside which is his favorite place. He also makes animal sounds of a cow, pig, sheep, dog, and goat. There are several follow direction actions he understands even thought he can't say the words. My favorites are: Get your shoes; Let's go outside (he goes to the door); Bring Momma the _____; Give me kisses; Let's watch Sesame Street (goes to the TV); Let's go upstairs/downstairs; I need help with clothes (goes to the laundry room). When you tell him to share, he hands over whatever he is holding. We taught him this for toys, but it has worked well for cell phones and keys too. One of his favorite actions of mine is when he walks up to me when I'm sitting on the floor, puts his legs over mine to sit on my lap and then gives me a big hug :)


He just mastered climbing down the stairs on his own, sliding/stepping down on his belly. This is nice since we have never installed a gate at the top of the stairs, only the bottom. Believe it or not, he never tried to go down without supervision, and now if he tries to, hopefully he will go down the "right way" and not get hurt.



Happy fourteen months little boy!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Made by Me Monday: Split Letter Tiles

A couple months ago I started making these elegant split letter tiles using my Silhouette Cameo. I designed the split letter in the Studio software using the Regal font. They have been popular for weddings and housewarming gifts. The one in our kitchen has three names: my husband's, mine and our son's. I didn't include a date since we have been married almost four years and since William's name is on it, the date wasn't relevant.



This is one I made for a customer using a different font and brown vinyl instead of black. They are getting married this summer and this is a bridal shower gift, so we included their wedding date. I hope they like it!



Yes, these are available for sale too…just send me an email MemorableDesigns@gmail.com


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

My Best Friend's Wedding

I officially don't think I will be a bridesmaid again until my sister's wedding in the coming years (and Brittany, I better be the Matron of Honor!). I am okay with this revelation :). We recently spent five days down in Charleston/Hilton Head, South Carolina for the wedding of my best friend Blair and her fiance husband Joe.

The ceremony and reception were held at the beautiful Colleton River Plantation in Bluffton and we got ready at the Dye house, overlooking Colleton's Dye golf course. The wedding was at 6pm, but we were "on call" at 9am (make that 9:40 a.m. after my dose of Benadryl…don't ask, and a coffee/bagel run to Panera). I was Blair's photographer as she was getting ready so of course I am going to share some pictures with you!











Thursday, May 17, 2012

Made by Me: Customized Kids Water Bottles

Why haven't I been blogging so much lately? Well, I am happy to "report" that my small business, Memorable Designs (on Facebook and Etsy) has been doing pretty well and keeping me busy! If you've been following me for awhile, you know that I spend alot of time with my Silhouette Cameo which is how I create, design and cut my creations. Initially banners were the most popular, but right now it is these cute 15oz BPA-free water bottles (only $7!!) that are taking the cake.

Before:

After:

Some of the cute designs:

 
 

 



















I am about to do my second and third local show in town which is where children got pretty excited about the idea of picking their own design and having their name on a bottle. I have sent a handful of bottles up to my hometown (thanks "old" friends!) and to California. As I mentioned above, I charge $7 and a design (pretty much anything -- really!) and name are included. Shipping for one usually runs $3, but I check with USPS first before charging anyone.

Super cute birthday party gift, party favor, treat for a sports team, summer camp accessory, etc. Just send me an email (MemorableDesigns@gmail.com) or visit my Facebook page. Hope to fill an order for you soon!!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Water Baby

William loves the water, oh yes he does.
He loves the sprinkler and the pool.


He loves the beach, the boat and anything wet.
Hey Mom, I want to swim, get ready, get set!