a BOY?!

I am coming out of preggo hibernation to say hi and share our baby news. We are having a boy! What?! What do I do with a boy?? I don't have any brothers or close guy cousins so boy things are a foreign concept to my family, but I'm really excited none-the-less. I'm excited to see hubby with a son. He's already the sweetest dad ever with the little gal. I can't even imagine a mini him running around. Craziness. In less than 2 weeks I'll be in my 3rd trimester and that just sounds insane! February is right around the corner! The little man is kicking like a kook right now. I think that's him saying hi to you all.

The little man's first vintage outfit, from his Auntie Brigitte.

Little man clothes! Ah! And yay for 40% off GAP clearance sales!

Things consuming my brain right now are turning the guest room/office into a joint nursery for the kiddos, turning the gal's teeny room into an office/craft room, and Christmas shopping and crafting! Are you feeling the pressure yet? We're almost halfway done with shopping but I decided I'm going to craft a fair amount of presents this year so that's what my December will look like. How is Christmas prep going for you? Any handmade gifts in the works?

Well I just wanted to share our news. I have a few more posts in my brain that will hopefully make it onto the blog, but with this stunted piece of preggo brain, I make no promises. ;)

adelaide's 1st B.DAY BASH

It reads:

Adelaide Meriwether is turning 1. As we want the party to reflect her interests,

we decided to ask her what she would like the theme to be. She chose her two favorite things:

#1 was inappropriate

#2 was hair

As bizarre and repulsive as a hair theme would be, we decided that in order to appease our daughter, we will celebrate her birthday in the following way:

NO BALDIES ALLOWED*

Please bring your head of hair** and join us on Saturday April 30th @ 2 o'clock in the afternoon for some dessert to celebrate Little Miss Kookster's first crazy year of existence.

* mild baldness okay. ** hair extensions appreciated.

My little girl is one. I know everyone says this, but IT WENT SO FAST! I don't have a baby anymore, I have a toddler. I'm already freaking out about the day when she doesn't think I'm cool anymore. I'm sure I still have a few cool years before that. I'll have to savor them.

So... we had a party! It was all planned and crafted by hubby and I. The first detail to figure out about the party was the invitations. I don't have anything against themed parties, but I just didn't feel like a 1-yr old would care much if she had a theme. I tried to think of all of Adelaide's favorite things and the 4 that came to mind were breastmilk (hence the "inappropriate" invitation joke- I'm sure next to no one got it but it made hubby and I laugh), animals, hair, and being outside. I decided to pretend that the theme was hair because it seemed so ridiculous and I chose to have the party outside. With 30ish adults and 14 kids invited it's not like they would have all fit inside my teeny house anyway. After the invitations went out we got a few people asking if they were supposed to wear wigs, but we reassured them that no wigs were necessary. To go along with the theme, I made hair (the beards) and hare favors--- and that's where the theme ended.

Party prep took a month of nights since I was determined to make everything myself and as inexpensive as possible. The guest of honor would rarely let me craft during the day so after she went to bed, I got out my crafting supplies and spent hours with Psych on Netflix streaming. As far as decor, I made everything based on inspiration from around the blogosphere and pinterest. I didn't go by any tutorials as everything was pretty self-explanatory. The food was just all foods that sounded delicious to me. I didn't want to go overboard so I decided to do a cake in leu of cupcakes and I had been dying to try cake balls for a while so I decided this was the perfect opportunity. The cake frosting turned out quite runny as you can see in the photo but the cake ended up being delicious and I made way too many cake balls and had to snack on them for the following week to finish them up. Poor, poor me.

With a lot of help from friends and family on the day of, the party turned out great and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It was rewarding to see everything come together--- well, except for one tiny detail. We had carrots to put in a bucket for the kids to feed all the horses that live on the other side of our fence, but the horses were all gone for the day! Luckily we had other activities for the kids. I got hula hoops and sidewalk chalk from Dollar Tree and our stepping stones were decorated to the max by the end of the party. Adelaide also loved the chalk and carried it around the whole party. The cousins loved the beard favors except one who tried them all on before deciding he didn't want one. He was also the cousin to ask "when are you putting the music on for the party?" and "where are the favor bags with candy?" (He belongs to you, Ang.) A couple of the bunnies went home, but some were forgotten and still have to be delivered.

As much work as the party was, I can't wait for the next party to plan and am already thinking of excuses to get friends or family together--- home movie screenings, Saturday brunches, clothing swaps. We'll see what actually comes to fruition.

I've included the details from the party below. If there is any interest in tutorials and downloadables for the beard and bunny favors or decorations, I'll try to put something together. I linked up the recipes, but want to note that I made them all non-dairy so that I could eat them. :) If you are interested in my non-dairy tweaks, I can do a post including them as well. Let me know if you have questions about any of the details!

INVITATIONS: Designed by hubby and I.

TABLECLOTH: Lace vinyl from Joann's over a white plastic tablecloth from Dollar Tree

GARLAND: 90 feet of fabric with index card and Dollar Tree doily half circle

HAPPY BDAY BANNER: Dollar Tree doilies glued to the back of a Party City banner

FRINGE BACKDROP: tissue paper and streamers (I hadn't even seen this post or tutorial before, but this is the perfect tutorial, except my fringe was shorter.)

HARE SOFTIES: Sewn by me.

BEARDS: Sewn and designed by me.

FOOD: Strawberry cake balls with cream cheese frosting dipped in dark and white chocolate (generic cake ball instructions), Coconut cake with raspberry preserve filling and cream cheese frosting, peanut butter rice krispie treats, popcorn and pretzels drizzled with dark chocolate (not pictured), Mike & Ikes, Newman's Own tangerine and strawberry licorice, and Lemonheads

BEVERAGES: cucumber water, lemonade, Hansen's flavored water, and root beer

LATELY.

Lately I have been crafting and decorating and thrifting and getting ready for A's 1st birthday party. I seriously cannot believe she is turning 1. Insane. I have been loving actually accomplishing things. When the birthday madness is over, or when I feel like I am prepared for the event, I will be back with photos of my craftiness. But for now- a picture of my gorgeous girl as shot by April Christine Photography. If only I had those blue eyes. Yes, I am jealous of my 11-month old.

oh HOLY NIGHT

Merry Christmas! It's been another month of no blogging and limited internet access. The excitement in the last week for me is that my little babe has finally started sleeping in her crib. For the last 7 months she has been sleeping in bed with me. Go ahead, shake your head at me. I shake my head at myself too. It was one of those things where it was okay and convenient in the beginning but then it was habit and I didn't want to bother with training the girl to sleep in her crib because I was afraid I'd be horribly sleep deprived from her waking a million times a night. After one horrible night where she wiggled all night in bed and kept me awake I decided it was time. She cried for a while the first night before falling asleep but then slept through the night in her crib! Oh, the glories of not having to go to bed at the same time as your child because they sleep with you. Uh-huh. I know. It's ridiculous. I'm ridiculous. If I had known the wonders of relaxing after your child has gone to bed, I would have tried to send the girl to her crib sooner. In the last week I have caught up on some e-mails, painted my nails, cleaned the house, eaten Spekulatius and goat milk icecream, and simply rested while baby has slept in her crib. Glorious. Hubby and I had a discussion of the whole new world that has opened up to us without a child in our bed all the time. It is a life changer. All that to say- #1. Let me be a lesson in what not to do with your child. I am much too laid back at times and it ends up biting me in the rear. Or for you nursing moms, it ends up nipping me you know where. #2. Here I sit without the child, blogging in the quiet with a lit Christmas tree and frogs croaking outside. I am happy to have found a time to do so again. So lovely.

--- Photo by Elsie Marley. You must check out her DIY Christmas decor. With all the amazing tutorials out there, I am likely to be crafting Christmas decorations up until Christmas Eve!

MATCHY-matchy

I'm not one for mother/daughter matching, but if I could get my hands on these in my size too, I might just change my mind this once.

such a BEAUTIFUL FACE

Photos by April Christine Photography

I just have to share a close-up of my beautiful girl. I can't get enough of that face! What a blessed woman I am to be a mother on this Mother's Day!

welcome to the world, ADELAIDE

Photo by April Christine Photography

On April 27th at 3:23pm, after an attempted natural labor turned emergency c-section, Adelaide Meriwether Grace entered the world at 6 lbs 9 ounces and 18.5 inches. She is more beautiful than I could have imagined and is the sweetest milk-guzzler you'll ever meet. Hubby and I are so thankful for our surprise gift from God. One of these days I will return to blogging a bit more regularly, but for now- I'm hanging out with my little girl and learning how to survive on no sleep and next to zero time without her latched onto me. If she wasn't so cute, I might completely lose my mind... ; )

maternity shoot SNEAK PEEK

This last week my talented friend April took my husband and I out into the field behind my parents' house for a maternity photo shoot. I just got some of the photos back and wanted to share. I love them and am happy to have a record of my time with this bump- soon to turn into a little baby. Less than 2 weeks till our little girl is due to arrive!

BABY buys

Cate & Levi Bear


Purple Baby Mocs from KaBoogie

Oh dear.... I'm already struggling not to buy all the fabulous and funky baby goods out there and our little girl hasn't even made her debut yet. How much harder is it going to be when she is out in a few weeks and looking all cute? I think I'm doing a good job picking and choosing things to get for her though. These are just two purchases I have to share. Both are made from reclaimed materials, and don't worry- I got the bear on sale on Gilt and even had a credit to help out. And the mocs? They are seriously the cutest baby shoes I have ever seen. I can't wait to put them on a pair of little feet! Some things are just too adorable to pass up...

that's a DIAPER BAG?!

My first baby shower was on Saturday. It was very fun and my dear daughter was showered with the most adorable dresses, baby things, and such. I was showered with this amazing Timi and Leslie diaper bag! Everyone ooed and awed over it. I can't wait to fill it with bottles and diapers and toys and pacifiers.... And yes, I owe you photos of our house. The piles are getting smaller and it is almost clean. It will take a while to decorate... hopefully under 6 weeks as my attention will be off the house and on a teeny tiny person around then. Photos will be heading your way soon!

ich liebe HABA

Well, I definitely have baby on the brain these days. With nearly 10 weeks left until my due date and 2 baby showers coming up, I've been reading, researching, and registering all things baby. In my baby travels, I have found a German toy designer I love. I am anti-plastic and anti-overly complicated, annoying toys, so Haba is right up my alley. Haba makes adorable wooden and fabric toys in bright basic colors. I am having to refrain myself from registering for 20 or so of their toys... and I might have to learn to share with my daughter too.

THE crib bedding

Have you noticed that I am an indecisive person? If not, I will tell you- I am an indecisive person. The things I planned for our house a year ago are a world apart from my ideas now. Remember the post I did detailing the nursery? Yeah... not happenin' anymore. I think I will just have to tell you what's going on as I do it so I don't fake you out again. So here is the actual nursery plan #1- the bedding. I just ordered this PB Kids Brooke Crib Quilt and Bedskirt (thanks, mom!). I also registered for a yellow gingham bumper at Target and then I am going to mix and match different patterned fitted sheets- dots, stripes, and flowers in all colors. Every crib bedding set I had seen so far and thought I might go with, I liiiiked, but this one that I ordered, I love!

It's so nice to be surrounded by things we love. My mother-in-law told me the verse "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17) reminds her that God gives us perfect gifts and so she doesn't buy anything unless she loves it. It may seem kind of silly, but it sticks with me and whenever I find the perfect thing on sale, I know it's a gift from God. : )

baby's VIEW

If I was a baby, I'd love this view. A pinwheel mobile is such a great idea.

GLIDER/RECLINER blues

I'm in the market for a glider/recliner. Apparently these are not easy chairs to come by for less than $1000 unless they look like huge, ugly marshmallows. I know, I know- how can a marshmallow be ugly? They are so soft and white and fluffy! If they are tan or brown or hunter green, have rolls on their little marshmallow bodies and form the shape of a chair that looks strangely like your grandparent's favorite easy chair- that is how they can be ugly. I don't know if that made any sense, but it did in my pregnant brain, so it remains. All that to say- all the glider/recliners I want are out of our price range. I could settle for a traditional wooden glider for the upcoming baby days of our life, but if we are going to invest in a glider, why not make it a comfortable and stylish glider/recliner that can live on in our living room for years to come? I'm looking for a Craigslist miracle!

LIAM'S nursery

My friend's son's nursery was featured on Design*Sponge today. Not that I am surprised. I've watched the progress on the baby blog and it's amazing. I've never seen that color paint on a wall or anywhere before, but it's looks just perfect. Jason and Marta have awesome taste. Check the room out in more detail over here.

MONSTER booty

Oh dear. I have started looking at baby clothes. There are too many tiny little outfits asking to come home with me! And these Monster Booty Crankpants are just too hilarious and precious...

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IT is a GIRL

via Millie Molly Moo

Last week my sister and I were both using that phrase because on Monday I had my 19-week ultrasound and, luckily, all of my little baby's modesty was left at the door. Then on Thanksgiving my little sister gave birth to her first child, a beautiful Jewel Marie. As my sister and her husband chose not to find out the sex during pregnancy, it was a wonderful surprise to learn we are both adding girls to the family. My doctor says she doesn't count on anything till birth so I guess there's always a chance our girl will be a boy who will later learn to hate that we referred to him as a she for 4 months in the womb. But until proven wrong, I am going to plan for pink, pink, pink!

NURSERY plans

I know I just told you the news, but I'm going to throw you right into the midst of the baby planning with my plans for the nursery so far. As we just found out about this family addition during our remodel, what was going to be our walk-in closet is now going to be a nursery- a teeny, tiny nursery. I was planning to hold off all nursery window shopping until we find out if we will be having a Hubby Jr. or a Heidi Jr., but both hubby and dad said-- you need to pick a paint color now before the flooring goes in. So the planner in me wilted a little bit knowing that I'd just have to pick bedding and then a color and forget about an all pink room if we have a girl. I have bounced back a bit because I actually like the bedding that was chosen, regardless of gender... and the blue wall, yes blue, was chosen to be sky, not because we are thinking this baby is a boy. I wouldn't tempt fate like that. So without further ado, and without making you read anymore jumbled thoughts from this pregnant woman's brain, I will share the plans- so far.

The bedding:

from The Land of Nod

The inspiration:

didn't record sources- let me know if you recognize them

One of the first nursery images I grabbed upon finding out I'm pregnant was the cloud shelf. I love the idea of a sky blue wall with a couple of cloud shelves on it. We may or may not paint a few clouds as in the photo above. The sunrise bedding plus the sky wall has turned the nursery into a sort of sky theme. I don't want to make anything too matchy-matchy and I am not planning to make sure that everything that enters the room is related to the sky, but I think it is a nice backdrop for anything else. 

A couple of accents:I am a Katie Daisy fan as I mentioned in the giveaway post. Katie donated this print and two others to the giveaway and then I saw it in a nursery on ohdeedoh. I really liked the idea but it wasn't until this morning when I was looking at the bedding that I realized it is perfect for my own nursery! Yes, this print will definitely be making an appearance in the room.

I also posted on one of these little rain mobiles recently. I am in love with them, but my budget is limited (yes, so much so that I don't have $20 laying around to buy one), so I am thinking I will either make a mobile inspired by this- maybe one with more clouds to go above the crib- or enlist my crafty sister to make one for my shower gift. 

Those are all of the definite plans I have so far. We haven't even started thinking about furniture yet. The room is big enough for a crib, a dresser, and a rocker. I may be able to squeeze a storage cubby or something in there since there is no closet (as it was supposed to BE a closet), but we'll see. I am happy with the plans so far, and I know the colors lean towards a boy, but if we are having a girl, I have plans to add pops of pink and other girly colors. Oh goodness... who knew that when we started the remodel almost a year ago that we would be adding a nursery when we ended it? Surprise, surprise...

crooked shmooked NEWS

-----

Hi friends! I sort of dropped off the face of the earth there for a couple of weeks! Well, my disappearing act has not quite ended, but I want to update you on my crooked shmooked life. Life keeps throwing hubby and I curve balls and although I don't like to talk about everything going on, I figure this is some news you need to know. Hubby and I will be expecting a little addition to our family on April 17th. I'm still in shock when I think about the reality of it as it wasn't planned, but it's true! I am pregnant and have just started my second trimester which is hard to believe. Due to my health issues from the last year, this pregnancy isn't exactly taking it easy on my body, so I am just focusing on resting and getting the nourishment the baby and I need. I don't know if the pregnancy will start getting better anytime soon or if, as my mom confessed was her experience, I won't feel better until labor. Just know that I am thinking of you all and wishing I could be more present on here, but I'm thinking of this little person growing inside me more. Blessings to all of you!