plain and simple

switching rooms

Aislin and Esme switched rooms two weeks ago (too many reasons to list).  Now, Aislin has the pink room with the tree and birds and her own bathroom (she LOVES this!).  Apparently, Aislin has always wanted a pink room so she is super happy.  She picked out some new bedding from Target and loves her new big double bed and bigger room. 

Esme got Aislin's old room, which was red (never again!).  Three coats of primer and one coat of paint later, is a nice bright light blue- totally fits my little mama!  We didn't buy anything new (though I really wanted to!) we just kept what we had and switched it up.  I still have one piece of art to get framed for Esme's room, but otherwise it is finished. 

Aislin's:

Esme's:

 

The art over the twin bed is by Aislin- she made it while we were waiting for our referral- it is a lion, elephant, monkey and hippo

how cute is this doll?  my aunt got it from the bahamas

 

Esme LOVES her little birds.. here she is signing bird (so cute!)

I'm learning!

Baby girl is finally getting some hair, so I have been trying to play with it and figure out the best system and products for her hair.  My sister-in-law sent us a bunch of products after Esme got here, so I am using those plus adding more!  I am determined to learn how to do her hair and take care of it so it doesn't get all dry and breaky. 

Ok, so I know this is only two ponytails, but it is a start :)

a blessing in disguise

A year ago today we received a referral for a beautiful baby girl that was not meant to be ours.  We fell in love with her through her photos, only to find out a few months later that she would never be ours.  At the time we were so heartbroken and sad, but people kept telling us that it was a blessing in disguise.  I definitely did not want to hear that then, but now I know that is exactly what it was. 

Our blessing.

 

 

 

 

We love this girl SO much!

Seven!

My little guy turned 7 last week.. SEVEN.  I just can't believe it..

opening presents after his basketball game:

Star Wars party at the bowling alley with his friends

 

pretending he doesn't like everyone singing to him

AND just to show you how much he has grown.. this was last year when he turned six:

just a few things...

I have quit work! YAY!!  I was working 3 days a week at the Montessori school Aislin and Declan go to.. taking Esme with me and I just was not happy.  Not only was it nearly impossible to get any work done with Esme getting into to everything, by the end of the day I was so frustrated and tired that I didn't want to spend any time with *any* of the kids.  Not good.  So, while I will still do random things for the school every once in a while, I now have so much time to spend with Esme and my other two sweeties!!  I love it! 

Now, speaking of work...I haven't done any kind of scrapbook related design in almost a year.  A YEAR!!  I can't believe it has been that long, but truthfully, it was a good break.  I am just now getting that feeling that I need to get back to designing... I am *dying* to find something.. I would really just love to design fabric (dream!) but would also love to get back into the scrapbook industry, too.  I am going to start working on my resume and try to see what is out there.  Ok, yes, I know I just said I quit my job- but designing I can do from home with Esme like I did with Aislin and Declan and it is good for me, good for my creative self :)

I am still making my quilts and loving it- just got some sweet Basic Grey fabric the other day (love the crossover to fabric!) and I can't wait to make something out of it!  Pics later!

My friend is also teaching me how to knit- I am really liking it!  Of course, all I have made is scarves so far.. but it IS winter and we do need at least 2 scarves each (haha). The blue one was my first one (yes that is my huge chin), and the pink is what I am working on now...

 

Declan is turning SEVEN tomorrow- I can't believe it!  I'll post some pictures tomorrow of his birthday!  He is doing great at basketball and really liking it- his games are so cool!

Here is my little style mama outside of Target last weekend.. she is to sweet!

 

Esme is doing *great*... walking everywhere, talking all the time, eating everything in sight!  She is the sweetest, friendliest girl ever!! I know, I know, I say that all the time, but she is!  She is amazing!  She also is very headstrong, which is funny when you think about a tiny little one year old trying to do stuff she knows she isn't supposed to do.  Most of the time, I have to hide myself so she won't see me laughing when she tries to be defiant!  She is also growing some hair (YAY!) but I still haven't figured out what to do with it yet!  I need help :)

Here she is in the sandbox for the first time- of course it was all in her hair, mouth, down her socks, everywhere- she loved it!

 

and just a cute smiley one:

more tomorrow!!

has it been that long?

I'll just post a photo today :)  One from right after Christmas- everyone in their pj's cuddled up on the couch- big kids playing their new DS things and Esme hanging out just watching.  I just love it.  I swear it feels like we have always been a family of 5 though just last week we only hit 4 months home with our sweet girlie!