Random Thoughts on New Year's Eve

As I sit and type this, my body is telling me I am not tired....who would have thought I would still be up at 10:15 New Year's Eve?!

Justin and I were talking tonight about how our lives have changed just in the past five years! We remember when I first moved to Illinois, how we always had to go out for New Year's and bring in the new year with a few cocktails.

We also talked about our memories in Joliet at Bobby's Tap one year--I think that was the year we walked home and made a pit-stop and the infamous Joe's Hot Dogs for some late night snacks!

This year has definitely been one to remember and we are looking forward to 2011!! We lost my mom's mother on September 23rd (seems just like yesterday). My mom's mother was here in Lincoln at Madonna Rehabilitation Center and there wasn't a day that went by that we didn't stop and visit...Kayin even knew the directions coming home from daycare. The day she headed home in June was bittersweet--so lucky she was able to go home for some time, but yet hard on us to not have those visits with her at Madonna. When word came that she had to have another surgery three months later, we knew she had a tough road to fight. She fought until she had no more fight in her... she had family by her side the whole time supporting her.

Our little bundle of joy will arrive sometime in February and if all goes well, his birth day will be February 22nd. It's kind of crazy to think that we are having a boy...we are hoping I can make it to full term without going on bedrest. Kayin is looking forward to being a big sister and keeps asking if I "am done making him yet"!

Christmas Eve, my brother and his wife announced that they are expecting a baby in July!!! We couldn't be happier!!! Kayin will have lots of practice by then!

We hope to post some pictures soon! We went through our camera and realized it's been some time since we have put any up!

Handy Hands

Justin scored this 9-drawer dresser at a garage sale this summer and it has found a PERFECT home in Kayin's new bedroom!! With a little bit of TLC, a couple coats of paint, and new drawer pulls, it has turned out quite cute!! I will post before and after pics next!!
Tried to get her doing the "Vanna White" pose but this is as good as it got. :)
Kayin was insistent on helping us put on the drawer pulls...and she did a great job!!
Daddy even let her help with the drill a little bit!
Can't seem to get enough Harper pictures on here...he was laying down behind the chair downstairs and the pile of hang up clothes fell on him. As you can tell, it bothered him quite a bit...NOT!!!

Tis The Season

My attempt at redoing our wreath for the front door--got the idea from my sister-in-law and added a few different touches...if only I could find battery operated white lights to put in it!



I came upstairs from doing laundry and to my surprise, found not only Kayin snuggled up in her new blanket...but Harper too!! Can't you just sense the EXCITEMENT in his eyes?"Baking day with a friend...Nutter Butter Santas!! So cute and SOOOOOO EASY!!
An assortment of the ingredients...this doesn't include my pile of "junk"!

Redecorating Part 2

Kayin playing with her Little Tikes Nativity Scene...although I try and put them in the correct spots, she would much rather just play with them.
In the midst of making room for the new baby in the house, we had to do some rearranging. Kayin is now downstairs and LOVING IT!!! The headboard and footboard came from a salvage find from my husband. We painted them up and they look brand new! Her dresser was another garage sale find that we painted...lots of storage and perfect for all of her clothes!

Redecorating

We have been planning and deciding on lots of little things for the lil' man's bedroom and I think we have finally agreed on major decisions...one being his name!!We aren't telling the name until he is born (but if you are close, most likely, Kayin will tell you his name). When Kayin was born I scored some wooden letters at Hobby Lobby and painted them to go with her bedding. Fortunately, as I was walking around Hobby Lobby last weekend on Black Friday, I scored...AGAIN!!! This time, the letters are finished with an antique look and all we have to do is hang them on the wall!!! And yes, for those of you who are guessing, his first name will start with a "K"...and don't worry, the sex hasn't changed! It was confirmed again last week with another ultrasound.
I have been reading a blog of a friend and they are adopting a little boy from Ethopia and she recently made a mobile for his room. I got this idea from her and although it took a little longer to make, we are completely in LOVE with it!! His room is really starting to come together and we can't wait to see all the pieces in place!
If you couldn't tell by the vintage name sign, we are going with a vintage/antique look in the room. I scored these at my parents place...planning on filling them with marbles or something of that sort, but they are awfully hard to come by.
When we found out we were having a girl the first time around, we had no problem picking out bedding (a shout of to Pottery Barn Kids) and coordinating accents. However, this time around, it was proving to a daunting task. Justin suggested this fabric and as I kept looking at it, it grew on me! So, we bought enough yards to make curtains, a bed skirt, and a crib bumper...on my grandma's sewing machine that I acquired right before she passed away.
These are the curtains with the pattern fabric at the bottom. We were going to paint the room, but with all the accessories, it's coming together!