Countdown....

I feel like this entire last week has been a countdown.....My sweet sweet baby turns two in just two days!! Perhaps being snowed in had something to do with all of the time I had to sit and think, and if so, I'm thankful for that. Sometimes it's good to slow down, reminisce, think about the past and dream about the future.

My life has changed SO much since Ellie arrived two years ago. I think that I was always meant to be a mom, and even on days where motherhood doesn't look quite like I thought it would, I wouldn't want things to be any other way. I have everything I could have ever wanted because I'm a mom! 

Elliott has brought a whole new meaning to my life, and that's why we will spend this weekend celebrating. I cannot wait to share Ellie and celebrate her two years of life so far with all of our closest family and friends on Saturday. And on Sunday, we get her (mostly) to ourselves to celebrate some more. 

Birthdays have a whole new meaning when you're a mom.....I mean, thinking back to where I was and what my life was like two years ago? It's a lot to think about. 

I'm so grateful that God chose me to be Elliott's momma! 

So here's to a weekend of celebrating! Ellie's official two-year post will be up later....but I will be spending most of my time this weekend counting my blessings with my little family!

Wordless Wednesday: Snow Day

Maybe it's just us in the Pacific Northwest, but snow is a big deal!

I get annoyed at the people who freak out over a little dusting of white on the streets, and I get especially annoyed at those who can't figure out how to SLOW DOWN when driving in snowy or icy conditions....and sometimes, I even get annoyed when schools shut down around here for less than an inch of snow. But if I'm being honest.....I LOVE the snow, and I am totally giddy like a school girl over this storm that's passing through our area right now! We usually get one decent snow apearance each year, and I believe this week we've got it. Today alone we accumulated 7 inches of the fluffy white stuff, and it sounds like there's more on the way tomorrow! 

We're pretty much trapped in our neighborhood, since the only two entrances/exits are steep, icy hills. (Trust me, we tried. Scott got stuck this morning and had to leave his car on the side of the road and walk home.) Since none of us do well when we are cooped up, we spent lots of time playing in the snow today. And tomorrow? We're planning a snowy walk to Fred Meyers to pick up a few things, and maybe even grab some Starbuck's for the walk home. Pretty exciting, eh?

Well, I think it's pretty fun and exciting.....as long as the snow is gone before party time on Saturday!

Linking up today with Jenni From the Blog, Live and Love Outloud, and Naptime Momtog.

Project 366 Rewind: Days 8-14

I cannot believe we are already past the second week of the new year! I finally feel like "Holiday Mode" is creeping out of every day life, and we are slowly getting back to normal......just in time to celebrate some little girl's second birthday this weekend! It will be a fun weekend of partying and celebrating Elliott's precious little life. I can't wait! I know this week is just going to fly by, but before it does, here's a look back at last week:

This week's theme was "chilly", and it was actually perfectly chilly around the PNW! As I type this, I'm snuggling some fuzzy sweats and socks, because we even had snow over the weekend! Only one of my photos really shows anything "chilly", but we also had lots of comfort food this week, which I totally blame on the cold weather ;)

Besides the chilly weather and comfort food, this week we enjoyed bath time and making funny faces in the car. I also had yet another banner (and other fun party decor) to work on, and we attended a super fun birthday party on Saturday.

I'm spending my free time this week putting together Elliott's party decor and last-minute details, so you'll be seeing lots of pictures of those goodies next monday! 

My Week in iPhone Pics

I have felt like a totally scatter-brained blogger lately! I'm so sorry if you've emailed me, or just not seen many comments from me. It seems like when I get a chance, I'll whip out a few posts, and then I don't even look at my computer for days on end! I've been super busy, but hopefully blogging and connecting with all of my bloggy friends will make it back onto my to-do list soon!!

Let's catch up a little, shall we? Here's our last week via iPhone Pics:

All in all, we had a pretty good week! Every evening of mine has been spent crafting up a storm for Etsy orders, and to get ready for someone's 2nd Birthday party.....which is in less than a week!! Seriously, you know this week is going to be full of my tears, reminiscing, and taking trips down memory lane. At the end of the week I'm going to have a two year old!?! Hold me!

And, if you want to link up your iPhone pics too, go see Amy and then do it!!

FlashBack Friday: Woah!

I know that I've posted this picture before. And I'd like to say this is the last time I'll use it on this blog. 

But I really can't make any promises.

It's definitely not the most flattering picture of myself. I mean, I was 41(and a half) weeks pregnant, and trying to act happy about it. I wasn't. 

I was excited, and I was anxious, and I wanted to meet my baby girl.......but I definitely wasn't happy about being so large and uncomfortable.

This picture was taken almost exactly two years ago. I almost don't even recognize myself. I mean, the well-manicured eyebrows and the highlighted and perfectly trimmed hair are a dead giveaway to the fact that I didn't yet have a child. Sure, I was carrying one around inside my stomach, and this caused me to dress like a laid-off yoga instructor.......but still, it's obvious that I had time to take care of myself. 

There's something about a first pregnancy that makes it different. Special. 

Actually, a lot of somethings make it different. I know that any pregnancy I experience now or in the future will be incredibly different from my first. The newness and magic of it all will hopefully still be there. But the time I had to just cherish little baby wiggles and plan out every piece of the perfect layette and every nook and cranny of the nursery......things like that will be much different.

They will be different not only because I won't have the time that I did back then, before I was a parent, but the whole experience will be different because I am now a different person. I don't remember much about that girl in the picture above. Sure, I have the same basic likes and dislikes (like a love for cheese-and-pickle-sandwiches and a strong dislike for public speaking), but I'm essentially an entirely different person. I thought that I knew what being a mom would be like......but that girl up there? She had no idea.

It's been a wonderful, fantastic, fun, eye-opening, life-changing two years. Parenthood is everything I thought it would be, and so much more! Being a mom has truly changed who I am. I really don't know where I'm going with this other than the fact that looking at pictures from before Elliott was born is really mind-blowing. To know that person in the photograph, and not know them, all at the same time......my, how much has changed in a short two years!

Wordless Wednesday: Ice Cream for Dinner

Last night I took Elliott out on a little date. We ate ice cream for dinner.

 This girl has been kind of a fuss-bucket lately. Whiny, defiant, strong-willed and just down-right toddler-ish.

 And yesterday was a looooong day of just her and me. We ran a bunch of errands, and despite what we will call the terrible two's, we had a decent day. She put up with a lot of driving around, sitting in shopping carts, and waiting in boring lines.

 So I felt that a treat was in order. 

I would have taken her out for ice cream after dinner, but seeing as this little chicklet hates food lately, I figured that would be asking a lot. 

Ice cream was our dinner.

 And while this might not be the healthiest of habits, I see a lot of it in our future. 

I mean, come on, we are girls after all!

Linking up with Naptime Momtog, And then, She Snapped, The Paper Mama, and Live and Love Out Loud.

Happy Wednesday to you!

Project 366 Rewind: Days 1-7

I'm so super excited to be participating in a 365 challenge.....although this year it would be 366! 

Yep, it's leap year!

I'm excited for the challenge of actually using my camera each and every day. 

I'm excited for the memories that this will help me capture, and I'm excited about what this will do for my photography skills. This first week, all of my pictures were taken inside, and most were taken right before Ellie's bedtime (if not after! whoops!). I'm going to challenge myself to take pictures earlier in the day, and in other settings. Here's my first week's worth of photos from 2012:

This week's theme, or prompt, was "fresh start". 

Considering my child is half-naked in most of these pictures, I'm sure you can tell that we're having a fresh start with potty training! 

I've started and given up on potty training so many times already, but on the verge of her second birthday, I'd say we're almost there! 

With the new year, we gave potty training a fresh start, and I think we're on to something good ;)

And since I'm new to all of this, I'm pretty excited about the collage template that I'm using. 

I love how crisp and clean it is, and it's seriously easy to use! 

I snagged it from a blog called Simple as That. 

I found her blog thanks to Sarah, and now I'm hooked! Rebecca blogs about photography, scrapbooking, crafting......her pictures are gorgeous, and I think you should stop by and check her out!

Also, click on the button below if you'd like to participate in the Project 366 Rewind. I've already told you how excited I am about this......now it's your turn to see why!

My Week in iPhone Pics

I'm going to try and share a lot of iPhone pics on here again, like I used to! 

It's so fun......cell phone pictures are such a big part of my life, as silly as that sounds ;) 

I always always have my phone with me, so some moments are best captured with it! I'm just learning how to use templates in Photoshop, and I'm testing them out today 

(because obviously I need all the practice I can get! Ha!)

So here's a little bit of our week, documented in iPhone pics!

 Elliott is too cool for school......that's why I like to copy her and we wear matching socks ;)

 I ordered myself some leopard-print-sequined Sperry's as a belated Christmas present.....a little daring for my wardrobe, but I love them! Scott and I were entirely too amused by Ellie's adorable Happy Meal French Fries. And, Ellie's bed is getting a little crowded these days!

 Scott and Elliott couldn't be any cuter during pre-dinner playtime......and I'll leave you with E's new "Cheese face". Love.

I hope y'all are having a great weekend! I know I am ;)

Birthday P-inspiration

If you know me, then you know that I've been planning Ellie's birthday party since the day after her birthday last year. I had a cute little theme picked out immediately after her 1st birthday. 

I like classic, general themes for parties so all year long I had little thoughts and ideas for the perfect polka dot party. There are lots of fun ideas for polka dot birthday parties, especially for two year old girls. 

But when your daughter suddenly develops a love for horses, and you buy her a horse-on-a-stick as a Christmas present and she freaks her freak out over it.........you might just have a light-bulb moment and ditch the polka dot party idea faster than you can say "Yee-haw!!!" 

Needless to say, we've switched gears. And I couldn't be more excited!! 

Here's a little inspiration from good ol' Pinterest that got my creative juices flowing:

via

I've pretty much stocked up on horses-on-a-stick and red and white accessories. Oh and the cow print balloons?! Might be my most favorite part of this party.

via

I love how simple and fun this party is! We are going with lots of horses and red bandannas.....but I'm adding some girly touches ;)

via

I love this party for all the fun themed games and activities. I'm excited about some little crafts we've got planned and of course we'll be having a cowboy photo booth!

via

And this party is way cuter than any party I plan could ever be.......but I'll give it my best shot ;) 

I'm rounding up my mason jars and cow-pie cookies and we'll see what we end up with!

Wordless Wednesday: Peek-A-Boo

I see you!

Linking up today with Naptime Momtog, And Then, She Snapped, and Jenni From the Blog