completed photo gallery

Drew often mentions that he loves the photos I take, but hates that they are trapped on the blog.  I agree!  When he was in London for work a few weeks ago I decided to create a photo gallery in our stairwell as a surprise for when he got home.  Choosing which photos to use was the hardest part!

I started by buying frames.  I wasn't sure how many or which sizes I would end up needing so I just got a bunch and planned to return the unneeded ones.  Although I saw a lot of beautiful eclectic frame galleries on Pinterest that isn't really my style so I stuck to all black frames.  Once I had the frames I made paper templates of their outlines and started sticking them up with scotch tape on the wall.  This was great because it gave me an accurate visual of how the final gallery would look!

Even though I wanted a consistent color palette I was hoping to find different shaped frames to make it visually interesting.  This was easier said than done.  I did manage to find this cute wooden plaque at Michaels (actually it's a base for a make-your-clock project!), painted it black, then modge podged the photo on top.  The picture is secure, but will peel off if I want to change it someday.

Photos are fun but I also wanted some text printables to break it up.  I found this one and this one on Etsy that I love!  The best part was that they were quick downloads so I didn't have to wait for the seller to print and ship them.  I was trying to get this all done in the week Drew was gone.  :-)

Although I love all the options on Etsy I was also trying to keep the total cost of this project low, so when I saw this idea I thought maybe I could do something similar myself - and I did!  All I did was create the text in Photoshop, print it out, scribble pencil on the back, trace the text onto canvas paper and then copy over it in a fine tip Sharpie.  Certainly not perfect, but great for this spot.

I also knew that I wanted to incorporate the kids' silhouettes somehow.  I love, love silhouettes and had been waiting for a reason to do some!  I'll do a separate post soon on how these were done (it was simple).

So, finally after a few days of planning and a lot of hammering - it's finished!  And I love it!

Heading up to the 1st landing...

Hadley and Asher's silhouettes...

At the 2nd landing...

heading up to the top of the stairs...

This is one of those projects that really makes our house feel like a home.  I love having these sweet kiddos to look at every time I climb the stairs (which, because of the sweet kiddos is, like, 183x a day - ha!).

Happy weekend, friends!

hadley fern {eight months}

Hadley Fern, you are 8 months old!

The months are going faster, I'm sure of it.  I can't believe my sweet girl is working on her eighth month already!

This month you've become quite the firecracker Hadley.  You are rolling everywhere and propping yourself up on your elbow to get at toys.  Asher constantly has to save you from his things because his tiny matchbox cars are your favorite - yikes!  When we take stuff away you get MAD.  It's fun.

Hadley, you've also gotten more vocal at other times.  I decided that you don't need to wake up to eat at night any more so I've started letting you cry it out.  It went well the first night or two, but last night you  hollered at the top of your lungs for an hour.  Mommy's standing firm though - I know you'll get the idea soon.  In the meantime, maybe cool it with the screaming, it's not attractive.

During the day you have become a much better napper.  I try to keep you on a consistent schedule and that helps a ton!  You nap 3x most days - at 9am, 12:30pm, and 4pm.  You are in bed for the night by 7pm.

You love food and eat everything I offer you!  So far you've had sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, apples, pears, peaches, avocado, oatmeal, and carrots.  You still love breastmilk too and nurse 5x a day.  I gave you a little straw cup to practice with and you did fantastic!  I was really surprised, but you grabbed the handles, put the straw in your mouth and started sucking from the first minute.  When Asher had a cup of water the first time he spit it all back out, but not you!  You drank a big gulp of water and went back for more.  There's no reason you need water right now, so you don't get as much as you'd like.  :-)

Still only have 2 teeth, but based on your drool and chewing I guess more are on the way.

For the vast majority of the time you are our happy Hadley - always greeting us with a big smile and crinkled nose.  You are just starting to raise your arms in asking me to pick you up.  I love, love that!!

Asher is still your favorite person.  When we're in the car and he talks I can see you in the rearview mirror leaning as far as your car seat straps will let you to peek around and try to see him.  I think we need to move your seat over so you can be side-by-side.  :-)

At 8 months, Hadley...

weighs 14 lbs 6 oz
wears size 6-9 month and 9 month clothes
wears size 2 diapers
no shoes yet, so I'm not sure what size your bitty foot is
loves to eat both food and mama's milk
loves her big brother like no one else
has 2 teeth with more on the way
sleeps 12 hours at night with 1 wake up that we're trying to eliminate
take 3 naps a day
rolls here and there and everywhere!
loves playing with all kinds of toys, especially the music table

Hadley Fern, another month bigger and we couldn't love you more!  Your personality is developing and becoming more fun.  Before you were born I thought we'd be a family of all boys, but now that you're here I know our family wouldn't be the same without you.  You are a precious blessing from God, Haddie - we love you.

flamingos of a feather

I took a couple photos of Miss Hadley in her summer best the other day.  I showed you all her "hey y'all" wave last week {she's so sweetly southern :-) } and here are the rest!

Asher wanted to get in on the action by getting in the way.

But I convinced him to give her a hug instead.

And they ended up holding hands.

Love these two!

a visit from aunt erin

My sister was in town visiting last week and we loved seeing her!  Since my parents live nearby she stayed at their house and Asher was constantly asking me "Where's Aunt Erin?  When is she coming to Asher's house?"  We went swimming together one day and I think that clinched it for him - she's a lot of fun.  :-)

Hadley loves her Aunt Erin too.  (and is much more willing to sit for photos - catching the theme around here lately??  ha!)

Sweet girls are too cute together!

Grammy came over to play sometimes too.  We love her lots as well.  :-)

 Please come back again Aunt Erin - we miss you!

three and a half

Last week Asher turned 3 1/2.  I didn't mention it on here at the time, but I was all too aware that June 13th marked a special day for him.  Actually, I still think about his "monthly birthday" on the 13th of every month.  :-)

3 (and a half) is the best age!  To be honest we had a little rocky patch around 3 and seem to be coming out of it for the most part.  I think part of it was the age and part of it was adding Hadley to our family.  Asher was more argumentative, more whiny, and needed more, um, direction in kind living than ever before.  ha!  These past few weeks, however, he's been my sweet boy all over again.  We have so much fun together!

Asher makes me laugh all day, every day.

Whenever I suggest doing something he likes, he will stop whatever he's doing to clap his hands and say "Wow!  That a GREAT idea Mommy!"

He also loves to tell me "don't worry Mommy" (usually about little things like when I'm talking out loud and say I can't find my socks) and "I'm so proud of you Mommy!" (when I find the socks).  Asher is a born encourager.

Last week my sister was visiting and when Erin told us that her husband had tiled their bathroom Asher exclaimed "That's amazing!"  He was clearly impressed with Uncle Ryan's skills.  :-)

This boy loves music!  He plays his instruments all the time and has inherited his Daddy's love for songs.  I have an "Asher playlist" on my phone now and he asks to listen every time we get in the car.  His current favs...

"Little Talks" Of Monsters & Men
"I Will Wait" Mumford & Sons
"Ho Hey" Lumineers
"The Obvious Child" (aka - the drum song) Paul Simon

Not exactly your typical preschooler playlist, but it's what he likes.  We sing lots of bible songs, Twinkle Twinkle and the like at home.

Yesterday we were listening to music during dinner and he came over to Hadley in her highchair, grabbed her hand and said "Haddie, let's dance!"

For the past few months Ash has been potty trained!  I was worried for awhile that it wouldn't happen before he went to kindergarten, but once we took the plunge in April Asher did great.  Waiting until he was ready was key.  He's still wearing diapers for sleeping, but during the day he is aces at using the potty.  This will embarrass him to death when he's a teenager, but I have to share...whenever he's going poo he insists on holding my hand and says "Here comes the big poopy!"  hahaha!!  You know you love someone when you're willing to hold their hand while they poop.

Asher's love for his sister continues to evolve.  She's becoming more curious and getting into his things more - which doesn't exactly endear her to A, unfortunately.  This has given us a lot of opportunity to talk about being generous and kind to other people.  :-)

Hadley grabbed Asher's panda in his bed the other day and A snatched it away from her saying "No Hadley, that's MY panda!"  I stopped him and explained how that's not a kind way to talk to our baby sister and suggested that instead grabbing he could say something like "Oh excuse me Hadley, but that's my panda.  Here's a ball for you."

So that's exactly what he did.  Whenever she grabbed anything he would say,

Excuse me Hadley, but that is my panda.
Excuse me Hadley, but that is my alligator.
Excuse me Hadley, but that is my doggie.
Excuse me Hadley, but that is my Elmo.

(he sleeps with a ton of stuff)

I was cracking up.  We still didn't get to the heart of the matter - sharing with your sister - but is was so adorable and hilarious I figured we'll have lots of time to get it down.  :-)

Asher is still a picky eater.  He has a dozen or so foods he loves and is very, very hesitant to try new things.  He loves hummus, but won't eat pizza.  Go figure.   I am grateful that he has a well-rounded diet.  Even though he only likes a few things they are all from different food groups so he has meat, veggies, fruits, and grains every day.  Oh and fruit snacks.  Brother loves him some fruit snacks.

Asher is such a fun kid.  He's really moved out of the baby and toddler stage into little boy territory.  He does things that are just goofy.  Like right now he scooted his play kitchen away from the wall, crawled behind it and is yelling for help because he's "really, really stuck!"  This kid.

I love how excited and appreciative he gets.  There isn't much you can do for him that doesn't earn you a big hug and thanks.  Every person we see is "our neighbor" and gets a big wave from A.

We recently joined the Y near our house and I'm able to put Hadley in child care for an hour while Asher and I go swimming.  He loves this one-on-one time with Mommy and so do I!

Asher Thomas, three and a half years ago you joined Daddy and I on this journey and changed our trajectory forever.  We love you to the moon and back little man, can't wait to see what you come up with next!

wordless wednesday :: hey y'all

daddy's girl

I wanted to get some pictures of Drew and the kids on Sunday.  Asher (naturally) wanted nothing to do with it, but Hadley didn't disappoint.

Sweet thing sure loves her daddy!

Maybe it's just because they look so darn alike.

Or maybe it's because she knows he's completely smitten.

Either way they are a pair!  But they love Asher too - when he's willing to sit with them.  :-)