And I always thought that I had nice eyelashes ...
November 30, 2012
lashes for miles
We're all a bit under the weather over here, but that doesn't stop me from pulling out the camera and getting up close and personal with my little sickies ...
And I always thought that I had nice eyelashes ...
And I always thought that I had nice eyelashes ...
November 29, 2012
bright and bold
I came home with a pretty big haul the last time I went shopping at the Salvation Army Family Store ... And most of the items were for my girl.
I don't know what it is about girls' clothing that just sucks me in.
There are so many colors!
And patterns!
And completely unrelated pieces that can be coordinated and layered!
I don't know what it is about girls' clothing that just sucks me in.
There are so many colors!
And patterns!
And completely unrelated pieces that can be coordinated and layered!
Onesie: Osh Kosh B'gosh (thrifted for $0.50)
Cardigan: Garanimals (thrifted for $0.50)
Jeans: Circo (thrifted for $0.50)
Socks: Walmart (pack of ten for $6.00)
Shoes: Old Navy (gift)
As much as I love finding cute outfits for my little man, picking out Pearl's wardrobe is turning out to be pretty fun as well.
I guess better enjoy it now ... Before she forms her own opinion and takes over!
November 26, 2012
baby blues (in black and white)
The kit lens from my camera broke at the end of October, so now I'm down to my 50 mm lens (until Christmas when, hopefully, I'll get something new to work with!).
As challenging as it can be to exist without a zoom feature, I can't complain.
Pearl is pretty photogenic no matter what lens I'm using.
As challenging as it can be to exist without a zoom feature, I can't complain.
Pearl is pretty photogenic no matter what lens I'm using.
November 22, 2012
running man
Before my husband's birthday dinner yesterday evening, I took Malcolm into my parents' backyard to let off a little steam ...
It seems that all this boy wants to do anymore is run, run, RUN!
Then run some more.
And, let's not forget about all the climbing and throwing and jumping sandwiched between all that running ...
It's going to be pretty rough (on all of us!) once the weather stays cold and the snow starts to fall.
It seems that all this boy wants to do anymore is run, run, RUN!
Then run some more.
And, let's not forget about all the climbing and throwing and jumping sandwiched between all that running ...
Sweater: The Children's Place (thrifted for $2.00)
Long-sleeved tee-shirt: Jumping Beans (hand-me-down)
Jeans: Jumping Beans (hand-me-down)
Socks: Tek Gear (hand-me-down)
Shoes: Smart Fit (hand-me-down)
It's going to be pretty rough (on all of us!) once the weather stays cold and the snow starts to fall.
November 21, 2012
happy birthday, honey
Last year at this time, we were having a romantic birthday dinner in Jamaica.
This year, things were a bit more "typical" as we spent the evening with my family and our wonderful children ...
But, no matter where we are or who we are with, I am so lucky to call this man my husband.
This year, things were a bit more "typical" as we spent the evening with my family and our wonderful children ...
But, no matter where we are or who we are with, I am so lucky to call this man my husband.
November 19, 2012
uh-oh ...
Pearl started crawling a couple days after she turned seven months old ...
Now, a couple days into her eighth month, and she's already trying to pull herself up the stairs?!
(It's hard to tell because the sleeper is a bit big on her, but she is totally putting her body weight down on that left foot!)
What kind of crazy joke is this?
Don't let that sweet little face (and chubby cheeks) fool you ...
This girl means business!
Now, a couple days into her eighth month, and she's already trying to pull herself up the stairs?!
(It's hard to tell because the sleeper is a bit big on her, but she is totally putting her body weight down on that left foot!)
What kind of crazy joke is this?
Don't let that sweet little face (and chubby cheeks) fool you ...
This girl means business!
November 16, 2012
pearl: eight months
Although Pearl officially turned eight months old yesterday, I decided to keep it separate from the "fashion" post and give my little girl two days in the spotlight.
That's not to say she doesn't get the spotlight around here ...
As a mobile baby who loves to explore and shout and make her presence known, she definitely gets her share of the attention (especially while Malcolm is napping ... Since they rarely like to overlap that sort of thing anymore).
Her personality just continues to blossom.
She can quickly go from loud and rambunctious to pensive and cuddly ... And she is laughably goofy.
She definitely fits right in with the rest of us!
*See Pearl's seventh month, here.
That's not to say she doesn't get the spotlight around here ...
As a mobile baby who loves to explore and shout and make her presence known, she definitely gets her share of the attention (especially while Malcolm is napping ... Since they rarely like to overlap that sort of thing anymore).
Her personality just continues to blossom.
She can quickly go from loud and rambunctious to pensive and cuddly ... And she is laughably goofy.
Stats:
Height: 27.5 inches
Weight: 16 pounds
She definitely fits right in with the rest of us!
*See Pearl's seventh month, here.
November 15, 2012
sunshine in november
When the weather is warm (nearly seventy degrees!) and the sun is shining in Cleveland during the month of November, you have to stop and take notice!
For me (in addition to spending lots of time outdoors), that means dressing the kids in "cute" clothes and taking lots of photos in the natural light.
Luckily, Pearl was happy to oblige ...
While the sun (and the seventy degree weather) may become a bit scarce around here in the very near future, I will always have the pleasure of seeing the smile on this little sunshine's face ...
For me (in addition to spending lots of time outdoors), that means dressing the kids in "cute" clothes and taking lots of photos in the natural light.
Luckily, Pearl was happy to oblige ...
Long-sleeved shirt: Cherokee (thrifted for $0.50)
Onesie: Baby Gap (gift)
Jeans: Circo (thrifted for $0.50)
Whale shoes: Old Navy (thrifted for $1.00)
While the sun (and the seventy degree weather) may become a bit scarce around here in the very near future, I will always have the pleasure of seeing the smile on this little sunshine's face ...
November 14, 2012
it's potty time
Although we seem to be in the thick of it, there hasn't been much talk of toilet training around these parts for two main reasons ...
One, that sort of thing doesn't make for the most interesting blog topic (especially if you don't have children at the same stage of development).
And, two, if I'm being completely honest, I'm not really pushing the issue.
As much as I would love to have only one child in diapers, I am of the mindset that the whole process will progress so much more smoothly when Malcolm is ready (really and truly ready) to train ...
Right now, although he pees on his little potty like a pro before nap time and bed time, or before we leave the house (and poops when he wants new toys), I have a little boy who is full of excuses ...
"Not right now."
"Maybe next time, Mom."
"Me just don't like it!"
He has never initiated a trip to the bathroom ...
He is more than happy to just lay around in his wet (and/or dirty) training pants until I make a move to change them ...
Maybe I'm being too relaxed about the whole thing, which is causing my kid to be lazy and complacent.
Maybe I should have been more proactive and started putting him on his little potty from the moment he turned two years old.
I suppose I could hold some sort of "bathroom boot camp" and force him to sit on the toilet every 30-45 minutes (as some family members have insisted) ... But (again, if I'm being honest), I just don't see the point.
I feel like that sort of technique trains me, not him.
When he's ready, he'll do it.
According to WebMD, the average boy is toilet trained at 38 months of age
Malcolm is right there ...
He took his good old time with the whole talking thing (I have to continually remind myself that my little chatterbox didn't really start talking until about eight months ago!), so who is to say this little adventure won't be more of the same?
As long as I can send him off to pre-school in normal underpants (a little less than a year from now), I think we're on the right track!
One, that sort of thing doesn't make for the most interesting blog topic (especially if you don't have children at the same stage of development).
And, two, if I'm being completely honest, I'm not really pushing the issue.
As much as I would love to have only one child in diapers, I am of the mindset that the whole process will progress so much more smoothly when Malcolm is ready (really and truly ready) to train ...
Right now, although he pees on his little potty like a pro before nap time and bed time, or before we leave the house (and poops when he wants new toys), I have a little boy who is full of excuses ...
"Not right now."
"Maybe next time, Mom."
"Me just don't like it!"
He has never initiated a trip to the bathroom ...
He is more than happy to just lay around in his wet (and/or dirty) training pants until I make a move to change them ...
Maybe I'm being too relaxed about the whole thing, which is causing my kid to be lazy and complacent.
Maybe I should have been more proactive and started putting him on his little potty from the moment he turned two years old.
I suppose I could hold some sort of "bathroom boot camp" and force him to sit on the toilet every 30-45 minutes (as some family members have insisted) ... But (again, if I'm being honest), I just don't see the point.
I feel like that sort of technique trains me, not him.
When he's ready, he'll do it.
According to WebMD, the average boy is toilet trained at 38 months of age
Malcolm is right there ...
He took his good old time with the whole talking thing (I have to continually remind myself that my little chatterbox didn't really start talking until about eight months ago!), so who is to say this little adventure won't be more of the same?
As long as I can send him off to pre-school in normal underpants (a little less than a year from now), I think we're on the right track!
November 8, 2012
on the move
It's official.
"Layered" onesie: Circo (thrifted for $0.50)
Now she is a full-fledged mover ...
"Layered" onesie: Circo (thrifted for $0.50)
Ruffled leggings: Just One Year (pack of two for $8.00)
Socks: Walmart (pack of ten for $6.00)
Pearl has (abruptly) moved from the "crawl with a purpose" phase to the "crawl because I can" phase.
Gone are the days of my little girl moving only to obtain an object, and then sit happily with it.
Now she is a full-fledged mover ...
A curious little creature that wants to get into everything and explore everywhere!
And, as a result, (as her onesie in these photos states) she has turned into quite the attention hog.
I can't take my eyes off of her for a second!
The real fun has begun!
November 6, 2012
second verse (same as the first)
As of November 1st, our house was officially off the market (again).
Yes, the second year of "attempting to sell our house" has come to a close so that we can enjoy the holidays without the the potential of open houses and random showings hanging over our heads.
Not that we got a lot of those anyway ...
(Although we did get more than last year)
Things are still sluggish in the Cleveland housing market. Foreclosures are everywhere and, it seems, people would rather pay half the price for a fixer-upper than buy our ready-to-live-in, full price home.
I don't blame them, of course.
I mean, if (and when) we do sell this house, that is just the sort of house we'll be looking for ... One that is big and cheap, that will provide us some extra growing room.
But, for now, it's back to life as usual in our "old" house.
Time to just settle in and enjoy the charm of its nearly hundred-year-old construction.
Time to make it more liveable for us and our current needs ... Which includes finishing the basement "play room" project so that our living room isn't overrun with toys anymore.
Time to have fun with the kids and build new experiences and memories ... And think back on old ones.
As much as I want to get out and start a new chapter of our lives, I know that, when this "on the market" stuff ends with an actual offer and sale, it will be bittersweet.
This is our first house!
We purchased it over seven years ago.
We pulled down yards and yards of wallpaper, pulled up carpet, painted rooms to our liking, fixed up the kitchen (and added a dishwasher!), remodeled the bathroom ...
It was lots of work.
Lots of hard work. A labor of love.
So, until next year, when we start the whole process all over again, we will enjoy this house and consider ourselves so very lucky to call it home.
Yes, the second year of "attempting to sell our house" has come to a close so that we can enjoy the holidays without the the potential of open houses and random showings hanging over our heads.
Not that we got a lot of those anyway ...
(Although we did get more than last year)
Things are still sluggish in the Cleveland housing market. Foreclosures are everywhere and, it seems, people would rather pay half the price for a fixer-upper than buy our ready-to-live-in, full price home.
I don't blame them, of course.
I mean, if (and when) we do sell this house, that is just the sort of house we'll be looking for ... One that is big and cheap, that will provide us some extra growing room.
But, for now, it's back to life as usual in our "old" house.
Time to just settle in and enjoy the charm of its nearly hundred-year-old construction.
Time to make it more liveable for us and our current needs ... Which includes finishing the basement "play room" project so that our living room isn't overrun with toys anymore.
Time to have fun with the kids and build new experiences and memories ... And think back on old ones.
As much as I want to get out and start a new chapter of our lives, I know that, when this "on the market" stuff ends with an actual offer and sale, it will be bittersweet.
This is our first house!
We purchased it over seven years ago.
We pulled down yards and yards of wallpaper, pulled up carpet, painted rooms to our liking, fixed up the kitchen (and added a dishwasher!), remodeled the bathroom ...
It was lots of work.
Lots of hard work. A labor of love.
So, until next year, when we start the whole process all over again, we will enjoy this house and consider ourselves so very lucky to call it home.
November 5, 2012
run away! run away!
Cooperation (from weather and children) is a wonderful thing!
Happy (belated) Halloween!
Happy (belated) Halloween!
November 2, 2012
a difference of opinion
Every now and then my husband have the same discussion.
He thinks that I am "sharing too much" on this blog and it makes him nervous.
I think that my blogging habit is fine just the way it is ...
I try to assure him that I am careful.
I'm not posting any naked photos of our kids (as cute as their little butts may be), and, for him, I don't post videos.
I'm vague in regards to where we live.
I don't openly share our last name.
Besides, how many readers do I really have?
This blog is more for me (just another way to document what's happening in our household) than anyone else. I like to take notes, keep track of everything ... It's the scientist in me, I think.
As an avid blog reader, I tell him that I've personally read lots of blogs (with much, MUCH larger followings) where so much more is shared ... And those authors (and their families) seem to be okay.
Or else they wouldn't be doing it, right?
Yet, I can understand his concern ... And I like when his papa bear instinct comes out.
He's a bit less internet-savvy than I am. He definitely doesn't read blogs (he doesn't even read this one!), so he doesn't have the same perspective as I do. He definitely doesn't get it.
So, I put it out there to any other bloggers that happen to be reading here ...
What do your spouses/significant others think of your blogging habit? Do they approve? If, like my husband, they have a difference of opinion, what is your compromise?
He thinks that I am "sharing too much" on this blog and it makes him nervous.
I think that my blogging habit is fine just the way it is ...
I try to assure him that I am careful.
I'm not posting any naked photos of our kids (as cute as their little butts may be), and, for him, I don't post videos.
I'm vague in regards to where we live.
I don't openly share our last name.
Besides, how many readers do I really have?
This blog is more for me (just another way to document what's happening in our household) than anyone else. I like to take notes, keep track of everything ... It's the scientist in me, I think.
As an avid blog reader, I tell him that I've personally read lots of blogs (with much, MUCH larger followings) where so much more is shared ... And those authors (and their families) seem to be okay.
Or else they wouldn't be doing it, right?
Yet, I can understand his concern ... And I like when his papa bear instinct comes out.
He's a bit less internet-savvy than I am. He definitely doesn't read blogs (he doesn't even read this one!), so he doesn't have the same perspective as I do. He definitely doesn't get it.
So, I put it out there to any other bloggers that happen to be reading here ...
What do your spouses/significant others think of your blogging habit? Do they approve? If, like my husband, they have a difference of opinion, what is your compromise?
November 1, 2012
malcolm python and the holy grail
When I thought of this year's (coordinating!) costumes for my kids (Sir Galahad and the Killer Rabbit from "Monty Python and Holy Grail"), I had visions of how I was going to get the "perfect picture" and post it on this blog.
Long story short, the wind and weather up to this point, did not allow for the staged awesomeness that I had in mind ... So some pictures from this past weekend's indoor trick-or-treat church event will have to suffice.
Here's my knight ... And winner (for the second year in a row!) of the kids' costume contest!
Maybe, if I am really lucky, I can get my "shot" in this weekend when (hopefully) the rains stops and things dry up a bit ...
Long story short, the wind and weather up to this point, did not allow for the staged awesomeness that I had in mind ... So some pictures from this past weekend's indoor trick-or-treat church event will have to suffice.
Here's my knight ... And winner (for the second year in a row!) of the kids' costume contest!
Hooded sweatshirt: Circo ($8.00)
Long-sleeved tee-shirt: The Children's Place (thrifted for $1.00)
Pants: Jumping Beans (hand-me-down)
Socks: Tek Gear (hand-me-down)
Shoes: Smart Fit (hand-me-down)
Fabric, felt, and supplies (for tunic): Pat Catan's Craft Store ($7.00)
Foam sword: Foamies ($2.97)
And here's my sweet (but killer!) rabbit ...
Fleece "rabbit" hoodie: Old Navy ($17.00)
Long-sleeved onesie: Babies 'R Us (thrifted for $0.50)
Fleece pants: Old Navy ($11.00)
Socks: Unknown brand (hand-me-down)
Maybe, if I am really lucky, I can get my "shot" in this weekend when (hopefully) the rains stops and things dry up a bit ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)