Lookey what I made!

About a month or so ago I bought a clever little machine called a Cricut. It basically cuts out shapes, letters, animals, and pretty much anything you can think of as long as you have the cash to throw down for their cool, but expensive, cartridges. I had been coveting one of these since I saw the invitations and banner that a friend of mine made for her granddaughter's birthday. So, when it went on sale ($100 off!), I couldn't resist!

And holy WOW! This thing is pretty awesome once you figure it out. I may or may not have wasted a ridiculous amount of paper before the light bulb went on and I realized that although this thing doesn't come with nearly enough directions, I had the entire interweb at my disposal! There is a plethora of information on these things, of course. Even pictures of and instructions on how to create amazing cards. I don't really have the time (or patience) to sift through all of that though. I only have maybe an hour and a half increments to play with the darn thing, since anytime I try to do this when Haeden is around, he becomes obsessed with the electrical cord.*

A couple of weekends ago I came up with the idea to make a mobile using the Create-A-Critter cartridge. I ordered up a clip mobile that is meant for photographs or flash cards (also very cute idea) and spent Saturday night after Haeden went to bed and nap time on Sunday creating this:

Please excuse the crooked picture frame. Haeden can juuuuust about reach that now. But as for the mobile, I'm fairly proud! I could never have created this with scissors. I probably would have tried and then stabbed myself in the hand about halfway through from sheer (pun intended!) frustration. There are just so many things you could do with this machine. I'm thinking these little guys would look adorable framed, too! Maybe even print off the first letter of the animal name and make your own flashcard-inspired art!

* Will this child ever learn "NO!"?

Daycare Woes

A week ago Friday Haeden was being watched, as always, by my mom and grandmother. Mom starts work at one o'clock and Grandma comes over to take care of Haeden. They generally take a little snooze together and then have a snack and play until we get off work and pick him up. Actually, she usually leaves around 4:30ish and Mom takes a  lunch break until we arrive. She's a saint like that.

Anyway, last Friday I received a phone call from my step dad while I was at lunch. I missed the call originally and when I realized it was he who called, I didn't know whether to freak out or laugh. There are only two reasons to get a phone call from John. Emergency or accidental butt-dial.

I immediately called him back and had to choke back the tears while he told me everyone was on the way to the ER. Grandma had fallen (again) and not only had she broken her wrist, she had knocked Haeden over in the fall and was pretty much in shock. The paramedics were having a hard time getting a reading on her blood pressure, which was usually high. Although he was quite calm, I could hear the fear in his voice.

Fifteen minutes later, I arrived at the hospital. In fact, I ended up right behind the ambulance as I drove into the hospital parking lot. I hurriedly jog-walked over, hoping to catch them before they took her back. Being that I looked like a bit of a mad woman, the paramedic noticed me and told her I must be there for her since I had a very determined look on my face and I was coming right for them. Much to my relief, they waited and told me that her bp was under control now and she'd be just fine. And other than the fact that she's pissed she can't play tennis for a while, she is.

All of that just to say we have to put Haeden in daycare full-time. We found a licensed in-home daycare that will hopefully be a home away from home until he starts kindergarten. Or, better yet, until we win the lottery and Mama can quit her job! No more shopping sprees until then, I can tell you that much! But we all know that sweet little face is absolutely worth my lack of a stylish wardrobe!

Haeden goes to "Nana's" (that's what the kids call her) Tuesday. Wish us luck, please. This story is to be continued...

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

Wow. It has almost been three months since I last posted. I am clearly a slacker and although the handful of you who actually read this have probably given up on me, I am returning. Prepare yourselves for my comeback! (Do you first have to be popular and/or talented to have a comeback?) Anyway, here is what you missed:

1. I started a new job in early June. Same company. New and more important sounding (key word: sounding) title. Minuscule raise, but overall a much happier place to work.

2. We took a lovely vacation to Buffalo in late June. Well, mostly lovely. It's a sixteen hour drive. Haeden threw up all over himself at about hour number six. It was quite pungent, and it was everywhere. We stopped at the first exit and Dan ran into a Kmart for paper towels, cleaner and an air freshener (which may or may not have made the smell worse). He removed and cleaned the car seat while I tried to wash Haeden down with wet wipes. I think we drove for another half an hour before stopping. I quickly bathed Haeden and myself and put him in his pack-n-play with his sippy cup of milk. Not even five minutes later the projectile vomiting occurred again. And do you know why? Some idiot (me) was feeding him spoiled milk. Yeah, not one of my proudest parenting moments. He paid it forward that very night by repeatedly punching, kicking and slapping me while sharing the double bed with me and Dan. He spent the rest of the trip in various states of illness, including fever, runny nose, diarrhea, and eventually ear infection. Since this is not the first time he has gotten sick while out of town, I'm thinking the kid doesn't like to travel. Other than Haeden's cooties, the trip was marvelous. The weather was amazing, the scenery magnificent, the food was delicious and fattening and it was wonderful to see the Hubert clan all together. Pictures to follow at the end of the post.

3. Since one vacation per summer is never enough, I made plans to visit my sister in August. The kicker is that she didn't know it! My mom and sister planned a little mini vacation in the mountains of North Carolina. They (along with the BIL) rented a house in  Hendersonville and planned to meet up. What my sister didn't know is that Haeden and I were tagging along. I had to keep that secret for three LONG months. I can't keep anything a secret. I tell people about their presents before their birthdays and I actively search for my own presents because I just can't handle the suspense! It was crazy hard and other people almost blew it a number of times. My hubby even posted to FB that I was going to be gone all weekend and she freaked out and called everyone trying to find out if I was there. I had to come up with some ridiculous story at a moment's notice to convince her that it was just Mom waiting on her arrival. Thank God my sister is gullible. And the end result?! Awesome! She flipped out and screamed her head off, scaring the daylights out of Haeden who then screamed his head off. Very funny stuff!
4. I turned 27 last week. I'm officially in my late twenties now. It's surreal to think that ten years ago I was starting my senior year of high school. So much has happened since then. I think I'm in a pretty good place at the moment, although I do wish I had my degree. Or better yet, if we're gonna dream we ought to dream big. I wish I had my own bakery. Ah well. There is still plenty of time, I hope.
5. Haeden had his 15 month wellness appointment (re: shots! boo!) yesterday. I didn't even realize he needed one of these, which is why he just had it yesterday (already 16 months old). Anyway, he has finally put on a little weight and is up to 24lbs 9oz and 32 inches long. He is in the 50th percentile for both categories. He's really fallen as far as the percentages go, but it isn't something I'm worried about. The boy does not sit still. I mean ever. Even when he's sleeping he is constantly moving around (just ask my bruised ribs). The only other thing that stood out during the appointment was that he isn't talking yet. I figured it wasn't something to worry about until he was two, but the pediatrician says otherwise. According to the experts, he should be regularly using at least six words right now. I don't think he uses any words on a terribly regular basis, other than maybe mama and dada. We have heard all sorts of things in the past: eyes, eat, up, doggy, fish, but for the most part he just babbles. He is big on the pointing and grunting though. Maybe he should be a caveman for Halloween?! Anyway, if he doesn't expand his vocabulary to at least twelve words in the next two months, the want us to make an appointment to have him evaluated by a speech therapist. I still feel like this is jumping the gun, but we'll see what happens.

So, that's the summer in a nutshell. I will try to post more regularly from here on out since I know you all have missed them so (Hi Mom! Hi Dad!). And now for the pictures...

Letchworth State Park - NY

Letchworth State Park

Grandma's swimming pool

With Aunt Robyn

Haeden's Room

I have been wanting to share Haeden's room for quite some time. It has definitely been a labour of love for me, and like any other room in the house, is always evolving. I still have a few details in the works, but here are some pictures Dan took over the weekend:

This is the view from the door. Thanks to a tutorial from Young House Love, I was able to make the crib skit and valances myself.  You don't even have to know how to sew! Normally I would consider the Jenny Lind style crib and changing table too girl for a boy's room, however, we were on a budget and the changing table was handed down from a friend. We were able to find the matching crib and mattress on Craigslist and it sealed the deal, feminine or not!

View from the very comfortable rocker, which just so happens to be the most expensive item in the room. Totally worth it though!

This is another DIY favorite. While I was pregnant, Dan, the kids and I each created a watercolor for Haeden's room. It's pretty easy to guess which one is Dan's, but you probably can't tell the difference between mine or Daniel and Patrick's! These are hung up above a small bookcase which created some storage space for small toys, shoes, and books, of course! In the picture above, you can see that there are two pull-out bins that allow hidden storage, which is key in any kid's room, I think!

Here is the top of Haeden's dresser. The ABC print is from Penny People, an adorable shop on Etsy. I love this print, and if he ever thinks he is too old for it, I'm just going to hang it up somewhere else in the house! The fun elephant lamp base came from Pottery Barn and although it was more than I was hoping to spend on a lamp, I think it suits his room perfectly. In the future I will replace the lampshade with something a little more punchy.

I got the idea to frame an article of clothing from another blog a long time ago and decided to pick up an inexpensive shadowbox frame at Michael's. One of Haeden's newborn onesie's fit perfectly and I couldn't resist tacking in his hospital I.D. bracelet and copy of his footprint. Also hung over the crib are two of our favorite newbie shots of Haeden. I love having these little reminders of how small he once was. It still seems like yesterday!

I found a tutorial on how to make your own silhouettes and totally went to town making these for Haeden's Grandmothers. You know I had to keep one for his room! I made the mini dinosaurs out of paper and the larger one is Haeden's first piggy bank, gifted to him by his Grandma. And Dan and I could not resist setting up a few messages for Haeden with the old-fashioned wooden blocks. There is another set on the bookcase that says "Sweet Dreams 2 Haeden".

That just about does it. Hope you've enjoyed our little nursery tour. I absolutely love this room and the fact that it makes me smile every time I enter. Okay, so maybe not every time. Definitely not during those 3am wake-up calls!