Survival Mode

That's where we are at the moment! Alex and I are in full blown don't get sick survival mode. Both the kids have double ear infections, Sydney has pneumonia and Nathan might. We opted against an X-Ray confirmation since the ear infection medicine would kill out the pneumonia too.

Days are long, nights are even longer. I spend the nights bouncing back and forth from one crying child's room to the other, while Alex tries to help and still get some sleep!

The weather has been cloudy and cold, making it easier to stay inside all day. Cartoons are on, pretty much all day. I never knew Disney Jr was on until one! Really who lets there kids just sit in front of the TV until one? Well, me lately! But only because they are sick! Nathan has taking a liking to Jack and the Neverland Pirates! He even had me make him a head band just like Jacks! Today if I find the time I plan to make him the whole outfit. I know it would up his spirits! We'll see how that plan goes, I'm pretty tried!

If you haven't already please head over to the So You Think You're Crafty blog and vote!

Hope everyone is healthy in your neck of the woods!

Double nap...say what?

The stars have aliened! Both my babies are sound asleep...

AT THE SAME TIME!!

If you have two (or more) kids you know how wonderful (and rare) this is!

If you don't just let me enjoy it, k?

Okay!

What to do, what to do...laundry...no way!

Mop, well I did do that a few days ago, it can probably wait a few more days!

Finishing sewing my cousins (late already, but I wont see her for another two weeks) birthday present, nah! Instead I'll eat my lunch alone in silence, who knew silence could be so nice!

 I'll blog, cuz well it's been a few days,

and then if I'm feeling dangerous I'll catch up on my favorite blogs,

 and maybe pin a thing or two!

Yup sounds like a great use of a nap time to me!

Hope your day is going well too!

Eggs Eggs Eggs

Our chickens that I wrote about here, are now turning out 4 eggs a day! Wowa! They have really been a great buy, Nathan loves them! He checks daily for eggs and even has his own egg basket to bring the eggs back up to the house in! He was putting them in his jean pockets! I'm shocked he didn't break any!

His very first egg!!

We just took an old Easter basket that was a stuffed dragon, and cut up an egg carton to fit in it. He has room for 6 eggs in his basket. Hopefully all 6 chicken don't start laying daily! That would be a lot of eggs!

So in the spirit of using more eggs, I"ve been baking! Sydney eats eggs for breakfast every morning and Nathan will a few times a week, but they just can't keep up!

I made these tonight, I've got to say they were nothing to write home about. Bummer!

These cookies however were a hit! I made two batches in one week! Before you think we are huge fatties, let me tell you that our house is a very busy place! We have a visitor (usually a few) every other day! We love it! But it sure makes the cookies go fast! Now go make yourself some yummy cookies!

What I Nathan didn't give a cookie!

Or maybe he did!

this is me raw..

I've never really noticed it, I guess it's rare that I need to. But I must say I have the very best family support system to lean on a in the world. They are all there. Always. Willing to help us out in any way. It's amazing, and awesome, and such a blessing.

Sydney is prepping for surgery. The same week as her birthday party, a week before her actual birthday and Christmas. We are so busy, so overwhelmed with everything that all the 3 listed things entails. But it is what is best for her. It's operate Thursday, or wait til March when her surgeons has another opening, so Thursday it is.

Meanwhile I'm running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Last minute Christmas gifts, everything I need for her party, all of Nathans normal daily activities, "Post Op" appointments, Etsy orders, and all the normal daily mom duties. It's been crazy.

Then there is the surgery itself. To say the least I am a terrified nervous wreck. Putting my sweet little girl to sleep is easily one of my biggest fears. She is so small, and has so much life ahead of her. It terrifies me. I can  hardly talk about it without tears streaming down my face.

 But her hearing is suffering. I sat there holding her during a hearing test waiting for her to respond to the sound. The sound that I could clearly hear, and she didn't. The women conducting the test looked at me, I looked at her, tears rolling down my checks, we both knew. Her hearing is compromised, in her left ear. I sat in the parking garage and balled my eyes out. She is prefect I don't care what any doctor says.

This surgery will correct her hearing. It will get fluid off her ear drum, allowing it to move freely and respond to sounds. Noises will no longer need to get through that fluid before it reaches her eardrum for her to hear. She will no longer face ear infections constantly. Her speech development will happen normally. This surgery is what she needs, it will make her life that much better. But with any surgery there are ricks. That alone is enough to make any mom lose sleep in the weeks leading up to the surgery. But the risks are minimal, and the rewards are large. So we move forward, with faith that it will work out perfectly. And I whole hearted believe that it will, but that doesn't mean that I don't cry in fear daily when I look at her sweet, innocent face smiling happily at me.

We are doing what we and our trusted pediatrician feel is the best choice. She will feel better on the other side, she will be able to hear clearly.  This is where I am in life. A choice. A choice to take a small risk with great rewards. We'll risk it, because we can't not. We love her, we want what is best. This is what we believe it is. Pray for her. Please.

Disneyland

It truly is a magical place! We went on Friday, and what a great day we had! It was one of those days were we were celebrating how wonderful our kids, and our lives are. We have been so blessed. We let Nathan have the treats he asked for and just enjoyed time together, watching his face light up at meeting Mickey, riding rides, seeing Goofy in the parade, hearing Buzzs voice from around the corner and the excitement when we round that corner and there he is! Wonderful! That glow of excitement in his little face. Just wonderful!

Sydney slept for a good chunk of the time. She rode a few rides, but for the most part we just watched. Next year she will be right there with Nathan though! Nathan is so cute, the thinks he asked for were popcorn, a churro, and a Mickey balloon. But once we got to the women selling the balloons he decided that he would rather a Buzz balloon, Buzz it was! And while he and daddy rode autotopia, Sydney and I shopped and purchased one large lollipop for him! Which might I add lasted for the better half of the day! Well worth the 3.95! He also asked to paint his face, which is something he has asked for a few times, yet it never seems to work out. Either he is asleep in his stroller when we get to the face painting (LegoLand) or they are closed (Wild Animal Park) or we just can't seem to find someone to paint his face (this Dland trip) he forgot though. So when we are finally able to get his face painted it will be all the more exciting to him!

All in all, in was a wonderful day! Family time truly is the best! It saddens me that Nathan is growing up so fast, but days like that make me realize just how special each and every stage is.

Thomas!

On Sunday last week we went to see Thomas! If you have a little boy you know how exciting that is! The "A Day Out with Thomas" tour made a stop in the county next to us, it was about a 45 minute drive, so worth it! Nathan really loved it! Thomas the tank engine took us for a ride on a real train, there were activities for the kids, a petting zoo and temporary tattoos! A huge plus to the day was that little Miss Sydney didn't cry in the car either way!! That's huge! She cries in the car 80% of the time so you could imagine our surprise and pleasure when we made it there without crying! Then back! Wow, a good day all around! Now get ready for picture overload!

"She digs me"

pictures...

I need a post with some pictures!

 I just realized my last few post have been photoless!

What fun is that!?! 

So here are some random photos!

Ya know to make up for the lack of them last week!

Cable Knit Pillow tutorial coming tomorrow!!

It's Raining

it's pouring, Nathan is snoring!

My little man has come down with a cold. Which he of course shared with momma and dadda! Prayers that Sydney doesn't catch it too!

It's raining here today, so I guess it's a good sick day. It's 3:08 and we're all (expect dadda who is at work) still in our PJ's! Both kids are napping and I'm resting! Last night was rough, both kids were not sleeping well, so Alex slept with Nathan, and I with Sydney. I'm so glad it's Friday, and Alex will be home for the next 2 days!

Have I mentioned on this blog that I have an awesome family? Oh, I have!? Well, in case you didn't know, I have an awesome family! My mom showed up today with Starbucks Peppermint Mocha's, the ingredients for chicken noodle soup, and a special treat for Nathan (oreos) What an awesome mom, huh!

So I whipped up the soup, while she played with Sydney! Dinner is done and that's a nice feeling, when you're not feeling well! Thanks Mommy, you rock!

 I've got a fire going, and I plan to cozy up next to it, read my new Say No to Auto photography book, and rest until one of my little ones awakes!

Have a nice day my lovely readers!

Pinterest.

You really are in awesome site, I freaking love you!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you've got to check it out!

Pinterest, it's an online pinning board,

so much better than having a ton of book marks in a file labeled "future projects" or "inspiration". Which brings me to my point.

Christmas is fast approaching,

I have lofty dreams of presenting numerous family members with lovely handmade gifts.

Many of which I've found inspiration for on Pinterest.

But...I waste too much time sitting there pinning when I should really be crafting!

Ah the dilemmas of my life!

So...I guess I should stop blogging,

 pinning,

watching The Nate Show (my new obsessions)

and getting to craftin' huh!

Ok

Ok

I've talked myself into!
If you need me...I'll be crafting!

Dear Anthropologie

I love you!

Really I do, you are full of wonderful beauty.

I could browse you for hours on end, and spend... well lets not go there!

  I go there for inspiration, knocking your beauty off is a fabulous pass time.

 It is rare that I actually buy things, but I have been eyeing this adorable egg dish for months.

Since we got the chickens I've been thinking that I needed it.

You know cute country charm!

My aunt gave me a gift card, so why not!

It was $14.99, that's all i purchased.

I strolled out happy as a calm, adorable sky blue egg crate in hand.

Fast forward to today.

Today I met my mom for lunch, and after lunch we walked a crossed the street to Ross.

Ross is such a hit or miss, but today while strolling the "kitchen" aisle,

there it was a stack of 5-6 ...

my egg dish!

The egg dish I just bought from ANTHROPOLGIE yesterday for $14.99.

There it sat on the Ross shelf with a $2.99 price tag!

The EXACT same dish.

I could have died!

So lesson learned Ross and Anthro at times carry the same items!

I'll be headed back to Anthro tomorrow to return my $14.99 egg dish,

 which has been replace by a $2.99 one!

It's seriously the exact same dish, both have the same stamp on the bottom.

Anthro I still love you, but I'm a bit let down.

I'll browse you again, but for now I'll watch the Ross shelves with a much wider eye.

We got chicks!

Yup thats right folks!

I'm a country girl now!

I am the proud momma of 6 baby chickens!

They are so cute, which is going to be short lived but of well!

 Nathan is so excited about his chickens!

He holds them daily!

There are fresh eggs in our future!

1st

Last weekend Alex decided that he wanted to take Nathan to his first movie!

They went to see African Cats! Nathans choice!

We showed him the trailers for African Cats and Rio,

not surprising he choice African Cats!

He loves lions, tigers and such so of course he picked it!

He last 2/3rds of the movie before Alex had to give him snacks to sit still!

They watched the whole thing!

He came home to tell me all about lions!

It was a success!

While the boys were learning about Africa,

Sydney and I were learning about the beauty of pretty toes!

I decided to use a gift card I had for a pedicure!

Of course Sydney was the hit of the nail salon

and all the women working there wanted to paint her toe nails too!

Why not!

Be hold,

the best they could do with a little one who is always moving!

All her movement rubbed a lot of it off before it could dry!

Oh well there is always next time!

It's hard...

I'm learning new things daily.
Things aren't always easy but they are worth it.

March 2008
Pregnant with Nathan so sick I didn't think I'd survive,
He is 2 1/2, and worth every painfully sick day.

Feburaury 2009
I can't put every cent to my name into buying this boarded up house (while holding a newborn)
That boarded up house, is now a beautifully remodeled house we call home.

January 2010
Alex "I think it's time to make Nathan a big brother"
Me "I can't be pregnant again, I never want to be that sick again"
April that year we announced baby Brawner was on her way.

December 2010
A cold rainy night begging for an epidural saying "I can't do this, help me please"
10 minutes later I was holding a beautiful newborn (whom I delivered drug free)

I'm stronger then I give myself credit for.
I can do it.
With Alex by my side, my family supporting me
And a belief in myself
I can do whatever I sent my mind to.
Yet sometimes I need to be reminded of this fact.

Life is not always easy but it is oh so very worth every struggle.
I love my family,
The courage, strength and lessons I receive from them on a daily basis.
Smile!
And believe in yourself!

Momma Lesson #482

Spring spruce up is in full motion around here!
And I'm lovin it!
Today I painted a desk that houses our computer.
It was a stained wood
and well... ugly!
So I painted it white!
It looks great now, and tomorrow I'll show you!
I used an oil based paint for this project.
I painted while Sydney napped and Nathan happily played outside with Duke and his tractors.
When Sydney woke up
I set the roller down in the pan (filled with white oil based paint)
checked on Nathan, he was still playing in the grass a crossed the driveway.
So I ran inside to grab Sydney.
I changed her, grabbed the bouncer and headed back out.
Let me just add that Alex was in the grass working on his golf cart.
I rounded the concer headed outside and there was
Nathan roll painting my black car with oil based white paint.
The car Alex just bought me for Christmas!
I screamed, ran outside and Nathan said "mamas car pretty now"
Al came running over and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw!
In those few short minutes in took me to change Sydney
he hit both sides and the back plus all four tires.
I didn't grab a picture before we frantically starting scrubbing it off with gasoline.
But now I wish I had!
The beauty (and bummer) in oil based is it doesn't wash off with water!
Thankfully we were able to get in all off with gasoline.
Except the treads of the tires,
which is fine by me all things considered!
Momma lesson of the day: Never ever ever leave a toddler alone with paint near you car. Ever!

Pictures Pictures Pictutres!

I love pictures.

Let's just put that out there right off the bat!

I mean my kids grow and change daily

I don't want to forget anything so

I take lots of pictures.
We have lots of framed photos

And this is the arrangement we used to make it not seemed too cluttered on our walls!

It was inspirited by Martha Steward!

But now I can't find the link to it.

Good thing Alex loves me because

every single on of those 22 frames are exactly one inch apart.

Look at him working hard to make it look great!

I love how it came out!

And in case you were wondering 90% of the photos on this wall were taken by Patrick of

Anibaldi Studios

He is AMAZING!

He goes above and beyond to befriend your kids before taking their picture so they give you those REAL smiles in the photos!

He is creative with poses and totally open to what you want to do.

He has captured my family 4 times in the past 2 years!

Yeah we like him that much!

Here is some of his work

If your in San Diego, Riverside or Orange County I highly recommend him!

He does Weddings, Engagments, Newborn and Families!

Tell I sent ya!