Fun Idea!

O.K.. My challenge is to choose my favorite room in my house and blog about it. Jaime came up with this cute idea. I decided upon Laura Beth's nursery. I just feel at peace in there. My mom, Randi, Landon, and I decorated it. Mom and I chose the colors and decor. Landon put together the furniture. Papa Randy helped me paint the monogram and hung the beautiful chandelier. My favorite parts are the chair and the painting my mom had done. The painting states my feelings perfectly. I have spent many nights sitting in that chair rocking my baby girl. Most of the time I just sit, close my eyes, and try to "soak" in the moment as I know they don't last long. I have said many prayers in that chair. Mostly just thanking God for this amazing gift he has blessed us with.

One Year Pictures!!

Here are some of Laura Beth's one year pictures. Of course she fell a few days before and got a black eye to go with her runny nose. Isn't that how things happen! She wouldn't smile as usual.. I call her my little professor, always studying the situation. My favorite shot ended up being one that was not planned or posed. I was pulling her clothes off and she just has on the tutu. I ordered a 16x20 of the shot in black and white with the tutu pink. Sooo sweet!!

Miss Independent!

My child is little Miss Independent. I wonder where she gets that from. :) For a while, I thought she was pushing my hand away because she didn't want to eat babyfood. I stopped feeding her babyfood altogether until I realized it was actually that she didn't want me feeding her. So, now she wants to feed herself. She can't quite get the food onto the spoon so I guide her in getting the food onto the spoon and then she can put it in her mouth. Needless to say there's a big mess afterwards. I try to save the messiest meals for dinner so we can go straight to the bathtub afterwards.

I LOVE THESE SIPPY CUPS

These sippy cups are my favorite of the week. I am going to make one for the babies/toddlers at Laura Beth's birthday party. They are too cute!! I am going to do the boys with the striped fabric.

I did these two bibs this weekend. The reversible one I made from scratch but the other one is some I keep in stock. You can never have enough bibs!

Towels and more

Here are some monogrammed towels I did for a wedding gift. I am about to work on two more sets for two other weddings. I love mine in my bathroom.

Etched Glass

Here's a glass hurricane vase etched with a W. I want to offer etched products. I think these would be great wedding gifts, or hostess gifts. I also love the etched tea pitchers. I will have to do one and post it soon.

More Designs

It is funny to read previous blogs. :) I was "having so much fun" taking care of Laura Beth while Landon was sick. Oh, how fast that changed. By Sunday, being a single mom was not so appealing. I was so glad to see Landon appear from the basement. I went to Target. He asked what I was going for and I just said to walk around and see if there is anything we need. Moms will understand how walking around aimlessly in a store by yourself can be so enjoyable. We spent Valentine's Day at home. I cooked Landon a cake and dinner. Friday was his birthday. He went to play in a golf tournament and his mom came to visit Laura Beth and I. The highlight of the weekend was cleaning out the garage on Sunday. Finally!!! I had everything in place and organized when Laura Beth was born but over the past year we accumulated way to much stuff and I am now housing my classroom supplies too.

Over the past week, I have been working on some more products. The diaper bags are popular along with the monogrammed bloomers and diaper pouch. I have one of the bags for Laura Beth and have worn it out over the past year. And, my diapee wipee pouch is one of my favorites. It is perfect when you are somewhere and just want to grab the essentials for a diaper change. I created a similar pouch. My design is about an inch bigger. I always wish I could fit one more diaper and some diaper rash cream. I am pondering adding some sort additional pocket for the tube of cream.

My website is still stagnant. I am very concerned as I paid for half of it already and the designer is not responding to my correspondences. I am at a loss as to what do at this point. Ahhh....

And she's off.....

My baby is walking! Laura Beth has been trying to take a few steps for about a week or two but in the past two days she is really trying. Today at playgroup she was showing off I guess and taking numerous steps. Then tonight she would walk halfway across the room. I know she is just going to get quicker in the next few weeks. Of course, she has some bumps and bruises to show for it all. I just can't believe how fast time flies! We visited a friend tonight whose baby is a week old. He is so tiny and sweet. It just blows my mind to realize all this happens in just 11 months! So exciting and so much fun. I just love watching her grow and become a little person. The babies in our playgroup are starting to really interact and just cracking me up. Today, they would fuss for the same toy and then they all crowded at the back door intriqued by Alice and Scott's dogs. They were pushing and pulling on each other trying to get a spot at the back door. So cute!!

I am having so much fun with Laura Beth this week. Landon is sick and usually I would be overwhelmed without the help but I must say we are just having a ball together. Daddy is quarentined to the basement with the flu. Laura Beth is also trying her best to talk. She attempts to say so many words. It blows my mind sometimes. Right now, she tries to say: Mama, Dada, Bye, bye, Diaper (i know seems silly but really!!), Thank You, Bottle, Potty (when I let Sadie out and say "Go Potty" Laura Beth mimicks me say Poeee, Poee), No, Cookie, Meme, Nana, Nae, Nae (LeNae... her teacher at Mommy's Morning Out), Yaha (for Laura), and Paula (or more like Pawya). While I read her the book Quiet/Loud last night, it reads "whispering is quiet, screaming is LOUD" and I always whisper the first part and then when I say LOUD....she mimicks me saying WOWWD. Today when we got to the part, "sniffles are quiet, sneezes are LOUD .. AH CHOO" she cracked up laughing. We just sat in her bedroom reading that page over and over again... laughing together.

Oh, the joys of motherhood!!!

Pictures and Parties

Friday, we went to get Laura Beth's 1 year pictures taken. Landon took the day off of work and we all spent the day together. We took her to have her picture taken and then went to lunch. She did pretty well with pictures. She wouldn't offer up too many smiles but she never really does in pictures. I think they turned out well and I am going to order a portrait of one of them. In it she is wearing a tutu and reaching her arms out. It's such an innocent, sweet shot. It was a great day! I had the photographer get a shot of the bloomers I monogram and sell. They are a popular item these days and just adorable under dresses. I think they look so cute under the tutu.

Saturday we went to Reid and Renee's for Clara's 2nd birthday. They had real ponies! Laura Beth didn't want much to do with them however. Renee knows how to throw a party. It was a western theme and everything was just perfect. Unfortunately I ended up catching a bug and was sick all night and into Sunday. Then Landon picked it up and has been home from work sick today. I pray Laura Beth doesn't catch it!

Monogram Central!!

Here are a few of my lastest monograms and creations. I did these for my number one customer, Erin. :)

Last weekend we visited Vienna. Laura Beth and I had lunch with Meme, Aunt Frances, Wendy, Jason, Mema and Grandaddy. The first picture is of Laura Beth and her great grandparents. Grandaddy is her only living Great Grandfather. They both just adore her and she is lucky to get to know her great grandparents. Next is a picture of Wendy and Jason. Wendy is Landon's cousin. It was great to get to visit with them. Then there is a picture of Laura Beth on her rocking horse that Aunt France and Uncle John gave her for Christmas. It is soo cute, and even makes horse noises. She likes to play on it. And last, but not least another picture of Laura Beth and Poppy. He just can't get enough of her. :)

Girls Weekend!!

30 here we come!! Christine, Olivia, Tiffany, and I met up in Charleston for a girls weekend. We decided since we will all be turning 30 this year, we'd celebrate early. It was a perfect weekend! We arrived in Charlotte Friday afternoon in time to hang out, get dressed up and enjoy a glass of wine. Then we headed out to an amazing dinner at a restaurant name ... Five (I can't completely remember). Next we went to an 80's club called The Breakfast Club. We took a step back in time and danced the night away to some 80's classics. Saturday was spent recuperating. And, then we were off for some Mexican and a movie. We saw 27 Dresses. A movie I think was written about Christine. Too funny!! I had a great time and it always amazes me how the four of us "just get each other" and always have a blast together. We are such completely different people and live miles apart but when we meet up, it's like we just pick right up where we left off. I cherish these friendships and thank God for them.

Sunday, I stopped by to see the McDonald family. I used to babysit Madison (now Maddie), Megan, and Anna while in college. I spent many years taking care of the girls and they were such an important part of my life. Megan was my flower girl in my wedding. They moved to Charlotte a few years ago and I haven't seen all of them at once since my wedding. It was a great visit. They are now in 7th, 4th, and 3rd grade!!! I felt old!! They are still the cute, wonderful family I remember.