DIY Footprint Art for Father's Day

Every year I have the same problem.. What do I get my dad (the man who has everything) for Christmas, birthday, Father's Day? Well, now that he's a grandpa I have the perfect solution: homemade gifts from Nolan. 

Grandpa Joe's birthday was this past weekend and we made him a salt dough stepping stone with Nolan's footprint. I think it would also make the perfect Father's Day gift, and we will be making different variations of it for Nolan's other grandpas. My dad loves boating, so for this one I went with a nautical theme. 

Supplies: 

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 cup water

Rolling pin

Toothpick or skewer

Paint

Craft spray sealer 

Small paintbrush

In a large bowl mix water and salt until dissolved. Gradually add flour until it forms a soft dough, I just used my hands for this part. Roll it flat onto a baking sheet with rolling pin. Shape into desired shape, I used the lid from a large pot to make a circle. 

Put a little flour on child's foot so it doesn't stick, then gently press into dough. Form anchor design around footprint with your finger. Write letters with a toothpick, or skewer, which I used since it was thicker and made bigger letters.

Bake the piece at 250 degrees for 2-3 hours (depending on thickness) until dried out. Let it fully cool then place on nonstick paper and paint it. I used acrylic paint. If you plan on your artwork being outside you'll need to seal it. Krylon makes a good spray sealer. All done! 

I think it turned out cute, not perfect, but grandpa didn't mind. :)

Next, I'm going to try making one out of cement and a cake pan! 

Mother's Day

We finally had our first barbecue at our house! Mother's day Sunday everyone came over for some steaks on the grill, and it was so much fun!

(I ran out of time to actually write on my chalkboard, so instead I draped a banner that I had made the night before over it).

My dad bought me a patio set for my birthday last month. I never got up the energy to go put it together, partly because I wasn't confident that I could do it by myself. So, all of the men pitched in the day of the bbq and got it put together pretty quickly. We have a huge porch and I'm so excited to have some furniture on it!

Along with the steaks we had some bbq chicken, corn on the cob, baked potatoes and taco salad. Yay for summer food! I also made a couple of different dips (one of which everyone is a HUGE fan of and so I will be posting the recipe soon), a cake, cupcakes, and some momaritas. 

That was my first attempt at making a cake banner. The cake was german chocolate, my mom's favorite.

I found some Mother's Day decor here, and printed some off for cupcake toppers. 

I also saw some momosas on pinterest and loved the idea, but since I wasn't having a brunch I opted for some momaritas instead. I thought it was cute. :)

Mother's Day to me has of course always been all about my mom, so it felt pretty weird when everyone showed up handing me flowers and cards as well. I got pretty spoiled. Someone must of read my post and seen that I love orchids. :) 

While I was trying to be a good hostess I totally forgot to take the 500 pictures that I wanted to get. 

But... I did at least get a mom's day related photo shoot in the week before...

Stevie's sister Ciara is moving to Georgia this week, so we decided to get some cousin photographs taken for their mom's gift. Nolan and his cousin Gavin were both being little stinkers that day, and the weather was not cooperating. So I was pleasantly surprised when we got the photos back and there were multiple adorable ones! I love that you can see their little personalities in them.

Gavin found a baseball and was NOT going to give it up for a picture.

We had bought them matching shoes and glasses but were never quite able to get both of them to wear either at the same time. 

White shirts, tan pants // Striped shirts // Jeans // Rocking Elephant  // Sunglasses

Photography by A&H Photography

As difficult as they were to get, I love the pictures. ..And so did grandma.:)

My first Mother's day was awesome. I can't wait to find many more excuses to have barbecues this summer! 

Nolan's 9 Month Pictures

Last month we got Nolan's pictures taken, again. I actually had a hard time coming up with ideas for them, as I feel like we've done so many themes already! 

Since his daddy likes fishing so much we decided to put him in a little boat and embellish his shirt with things from Stevie's tackle box. I do wish we would of had a mini fishing pole too though.:( We also got some more with the dump truck, of course, and then a few in just some different outfits. 

Nolan definitely was not as cooperative as he was during his 6 month pics, but our photographer is awesome and got some adorable shots! 

Outfit and hat by Carter's.

 

Overalls are Oshkosh, hat from H&M.

My most FAVORITE picture from this session:

He always does that with his lips and it is so darn adorable.

 

Tie from 9 Month Bump. Jeans from H&M.

Outfit is Carter's, shoes are Sperrys, bowtie from 9 Month Bump. 

Outfit from H&M.

Ugh, my heart!... I sure do adore this little boy.

Photography by A&H Photography

26 of my Favorite Things for my 26th Birthday

It has been a little while since I've written a post. So since today is my birthday I put together 26 of my most favorite things, just in case anyone wants to stop by with a gift. ;) Totally kidding....

I'm not a huge fan of my b-day anymore, especially because the number keeps on getting closer and closer to 30. I don't have any big plans, I'm just hanging out at home with my favorite little baby. Best birthday plans ever. 

1. I'm obsessed with candles. I have multiple in every room (out of the reach of tiny hands, of course). My absolute favorite scent is Bath and Body Works Mahogany Teakwood. 

2. Framed pictures. If you know me, you know I cannot take enough pictures. I love decorating our home with memories, and what's better than a bunch of framed ones all over our walls?

3. Acrylic organizers. Is organizing considered a hobby? If so, it's my favorite one. And these organizers are both pretty, and functional. 

4. MUGS. The only dish that I prefer to be mismatched. It's way more fun to pick out a different one each morning. 

5. Mason jars. I can think of a million uses for them. The best are the blue tinted ones!

6. Tea is usually what fills up my mugs. Chai tea, to be specific. I love these k cups. 

7. Favorite meal? Pot roast, my momma's pot roast to be exact!

8. Boom Chicka Pop popcorn. So many flavors. All. So. Good.

9. Food steamer. It was originally purchased to make vegetables for Nolan's baby food. But, after I learned how easy it was to use, and how good the food turned out, I started using it to make a lot of our meals. I'm now always looking for new steamer meal recipes.

10. If I'm out and about without my chai tea, I always end up at Tim Horton's getting a small iced latte, with one sugar. 

11. Monthly subscription boxes. It's no secret that I'm in love with Birchbox, and I'd love to try out some others. I'm thinking about getting FabFitFun and Fabletics, as I have read good reviews on both.

12. Benefit they're real mascara. I have short, thin lashes and this has been the only mascara I've been able to find that really thickens and lengthens them. 

13. Dermablend concealer and foundation. If you need something covered, get this makeup!

14. Clip in hair extensions. Super easy, and currently super necessary with my post partum hair loss situation. 

15. Honest company products.  Everything I try I fall in love with. Currently obsessing over their shampoo, which makes my hair so soft! 

16. Fabulous bras by Victoria's Secret. I'm too embarrassed to admit how many I actually have.

17. Another VS favorite: The Everywhere legging. Makes you look skinnier, and feel skinnier.

18. Assets spanx. These are a post baby discovery, and in my opinion, totally necessary in anything form fitting now.  

19. Wristlets. Before mom life I would always have my purse with me. Now, it is so much easier to keep the basics in a little wristlet and throw it in the diaper bag. All time favorite is my Coach. 

20. Converse. Another thing that has changed with being a mom; my shoes. I used to always wear heels outside of work, now I love slipping on my converse to go anywhere. It's even better when I put Nolan in a matching pair. :)


21. Not that I currently need them as a SAHM, but when I am working I live in my Iguanamed scrubs. They are SO comfortable! 

22. Coupons. I love nothing more than a good deal. Send all unused coupons my way!

23. Gift wrap. I have a good sized collection of it under my bed. I really enjoy decorating gifts, color coordinating them, and probably making the box look better than the actual gift inside of it is. 

24. Tracer projector. So this is a fairly new purchase, but it is SO cool. I have soo many projects in mind for it. 

25. Orchids. Oh so pretty. 

26. My most favorite thing of all: My family and friends, of course. 
And I'm not just saying that so they'll bring me a gift.. ;)

Nine Months of Nolan

As of April 2nd my little Nolan is 9 months old! He's a wild little ball of energy and I am just having so much fun watching him grow and learn new things. It's crazy how much they can change in just a short month, so here goes another monthly baby update. 

Age: 9 months

Stats: Weighs 22 lbs 4 oz and is 29.5 inches tall.

Sizes: 4 in diapers, 12-18 months in clothes, 3 in shoes.

Words: Mama, dada, and we swear we have heard him say a few other things. For example: "egg roll" :))

Milestones: He is crawling all over the place. It takes just seconds and he's across the room. He is our little explorer, and is already into EVERYTHING.

He pushes himself off the ground into a downward dog position, but he hasn't figured out how to get his upper body up from there. 

Waves hi!

Understands what "No" means.

Foods: Nolan LOVES tofu! He cannot shovel it into his mouth fast enough. He also likes blueberries and asparagus. 

I used to make him breastmilk popsicles, but now I've been trying fruit ones and they're a big hit. I usually give him one while I'm trying to make dinner, it keeps him occupied. I use these cute little popsicle molds.

Side note: Stevie gave him a bite of cheesecake while I wasn't in the room and he apparently was not impressed, good boy Nolan!

Favorite Things: This musical dino toy is definitely his favorite right now. He likes to put all kinds of toys in it, and then push on it to stop it from popping. I think it is currently broken from that.
Throwing dishes out of the dishwasher as I put them in it.

He loves to open and close drawers, I put my hand in-between so he doesn't slam his in it and just let him go to town!

He is still obsessed with animals. Real, stuffed, animated; he loves them all. 

Least Favorite Things: Getting dressed, he fights me the entire time. It takes so long to get out of the house nowadays!

Getting his face wiped after he eats. He will literally scream as if I am seriously injuring him. I really need to buy these flavored wipes.

Looking Forward To: Taking him to swimming lessons! 

And, I'm still waiting on him to sleep through the whole night.....

Nolan Matthew you've brought me so much joy. I can't wait to see what you have coming for me this next month, but please, stop growing up so fast!

 

  

  

 

Our Easter

Finally getting around to sharing our Easter! I dropped and broke my phone earlier in the week, so I've been without one until today. Luckily, I learned my lesson from a previous broken phone and made sure all of my photos were backed up! I couldn't wait to look through the Easter ones again, as Nolan was looking pretty darn cute that day. :)

The night before, I made some "carrot" footprints with Nolan, and some chocolate covered strawberries for Stevie and I.. Which were also carrot themed. :)

I kinda overheated the chocolate, which made it clumpy and hard to cover the strawberries. But whatever, they still tasted delicious! Along with some iced coffee and adorable bunny print straws.

Easter morning Nolan slept until 11am! We brought him out to his Easter basket, and he just sat there and smiled. Then, started pulling all of the grass out of it and into his mouth.

 

 

I got him dressed in his cute little man suit. Then of course, needed pictures next to his basket again. That is, after I stuffed all of the grass back into it.                                    

That little yellow truck was a hit. As well as the bubbles. He LOVES the bubbles. My favorite was the God Gave Us Easter book. I can't wait to read it to him again as he is older. It does a great job of explaining the true meaning of Easter.

I had bought myself a white dress to wear, and Stevie a teal button up that matched Nolan's. I didn't feel like a matched my guys so I tried to find a necklace that would coordinate their outfits. I couldn't find one anywhere, so I sort of made one. Nolan's bow tie was navy, teal and orange. So I bought an orange and a teal necklace. I took off a teal flower and replaced it with an orange one from the other necklace. Then, I painted a couple flowers navy blue, and the centers of all the flowers with an orange or a blue with some acrylic paint I had at home. 

 

I think it turned out good, and it matched his outfit perfectly.

 

Oh, then Stevie didn't like the shirt that I got him and ended up wearing one that did NOT match us. Men, always messing up our plans. ;)

...Nolan and his daddy kinda always look like twins anyways though. 

We had four stops to go to and made it to them all on time.... almost. Nolan got super spoiled at every one of them, and we got super stuffed with Easter brunches and dinners.

 

 

Nolan's grammy and grandpa repainted that old rocking chair for him. 

I tried to get in a little photo shoot by my Aunt's barn. Stevie was just about over my picture taking by then, and Nolan just wanted to get down in the grass and play. I still got a of couple cute ones though. 

Also snuck in a selfie..

At the end of the day Nolan's Easter basket count was up to six! He is a very loved little boy, and all of his grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles sure did get him some cute stuff!