Little Dude is...

Here is Little Dude's preferred mode of mobility these days...the back-arch-scoot.  So helpful during diaper changes.

This little boy has been entertaining us with his antics lately.  Such a little ham.  Here's what he's up to:

• He's decided that solid foods might not be so bad after all.  He's still a pretty tough sell, but is gradually becoming used to the idea that food on a spoon isn't so bad.  I think he'll love feeding himself, but he still struggles with chunky food.  He does love the puffs, though!
• This little guy isn't crawling yet, but I know it's coming soon.  He gets so close, and then flops down.  It's cute, but frustrating for him.  He'll be much happier when he can move on his own!
• Thanks to Sleep Week, he's got such a good sleep rhythm down.  Up around 7, naps at 9, 12, and 3, and then down for the night at 6.  Sleep makes for a happy baby and momma.
• Lately, Little Dude has been shaking his head back and forth.  It's so cute and so funny.
• We've been doing baby signs with him {loooooved them with the Sunbean}, and he definitely understands what 'more' and 'all done' mean.  He's not signing back yet, but it's amazing to watch him respond to our signs.
• This guy makes more mouth noises than any baby I've known.  It's funny, slobbery, and very distracting at church.

We love this sweet boy!

Sleep Week: Victory!

You know you've found yourself in all of these positions.

Oh, man.  My kids totally rocked Sleep Week.

Let's start with the Sunbean.  She said that she wanted to sew the paci to her favorite animal's mouth.  Being the infinitely wise mama that I am, I went ahead and cut the tip off first.  No funny business around here.  The first night, there were tears and whines for upwards of two and a half hours.  Not constant, but still exhausting for everyone.

Then the next day for nap, it took her another 2.5 hours, but she went to sleep.  No crying this time, though.  I'll take it.  For bed that night, the little darling went to sleep in about an hour.  A far cry from her usually 10 minutes, but it was progress.  By last night, she was asleep right away.  Such a big girl.  Naps are pretty good, too.  Two days this week she fell right asleep, and two days it took her a long time.  Either way, she's still napping.  Winning.  She does, however, have an unnatural hatred toward the animal who now owns the paci.

Little Dude has amazed me this week.  It took him exactly one day to learn how to put himself to sleep, and doesn't fuss much.  Maybe 20-30 seconds.  Looooooove it.  Now he wakes up around 7, naps at 9, 12, and 3, and then goes to bed at 6.  Of course, he still wakes up at night to eat, but last night he did 5-hour stretches.  He hasn't done that since he was 2 months old.

So all in all, this week has been great.  It was stressful and exhausting for all of us, but the hard work is over.  All we have ahead of us is restful nights.  Ahhhhh.

I can't say it enough, but you've gotta check out Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  It's like scripture to me.

Have a restful weekend!

Quick Shirt Upcycle

 

I recently followed this tutorial to transform an old shirt of MacGyver's.  I'm loving the nautical look.

The best part is that it only took about 20 minutes.

Happy Sewing!

Monday Hodge-Podge

 

• First and foremost, it's Sleep Week here at the homestead.  Both of my kids have naughty, naughty sleep habits.  I've reached my breaking point, so this week is going to be rough.  For Little Dude, he's learning how to put himself to sleep.  So far, we're doing great.  He fussed for his morning nap, but fell asleep on his own and in his bed.  We did this with the Sunbean at 4 months, so we're a little behind with the dude.  But he's doing great!  As for the Sunbean, she's still using a pacifier {insert guilty mommy look here}.  I know.  It's ridiculous.  She's just such a good sleeper {12 hours at night + a 2-3 hour nap} that I hate to mess it up.  But it's time {it's been time for 2 years...}.  So for FHE tonight we're sewing her pacis inside her favorite stuffed animal.  Here's hoping she doesn't tear open the animal tonight.
• Have I told you about my calling?  I teach the 10-year-old Sunday School class.  The kids are way smart, and I have to work really hard on my lessons to occupy them for the full hour.  But the really incredible part is after my lesson when I go with them to Singing Time.  These kids are like some kind of elite choir.  They all sing {even all of the boys!} and they all harmonize.  The music leader teaches even the 3-year-olds melody and harmony.  It's so amazing to sit there and listen.
• I'm getting excited about Valentine's Day.  I know that sounds odd, but I remember holidays being a really big deal when I was a kid.  It occurred to me the other day that it's my job to create that for my littles.  So the Sunbean is getting jazzed for another holiday {she loooooved the Christmas season}.  I've got some fun meal ideas, and I ordered some super cute things on etsy.
• MacGyver and I have decided to get serious about getting rid of this 'happy weight' we have.  You know, the weight you gain when you get married and happy and comfortable and have no one to impress.  Since January 2nd, we've both lost 7 pounds.  Go us.
• Do you have an iPhone?  You need the camera+ app.  It's so amazing.
• On Saturday, we spent the whole day at our friends' house.  You know, the ones who have 3-year-old twins and 4-month-old triplets.  Our 'baby gift' to them was to paint the less-than-appealing wood paneling in their family room.  Wow.  What a day.  Our painting 'plan' is always for MacGyver to do the rolling and I do the cutting in {trim work}.  So, I ended up doing 2 coats of cutting in and then 2 coats on all of the crown moulding and baseboard.  My body still aches!  Aside from that, the triplets {who are usually such mild-mannered babes} were having a bit of an off day.  And then you factor in that we had 7 children 3 and under in one house for the whole day....well, 'loud' is an understatement.  But we had such fun hanging out with our friends all day, and the room just looks great.  Such an improvement.
• We visited the local science museum on Friday, COSI.  It's so great.  The second level is devoted entirely to children in kindergarten and younger.  Like, if you have an older kid with you, they can't come in.  It was awesome to just let the Sunbean explore and do her thing.  Not awesome?  Carrying around my 22-pound 7-month-old for 3 hours.

Happy Monday to you!

When You Forget the Stroller...

I Heart Free Art

I suspect I've been flagged at Lowe's.

I've been doing some projects around here, with one central theme:  free.

Thanks to Pinterest, I've discovered that the best material for free art supplies is paint chips.

Here's what I've made with paint chips + mod podge:

 

We have this terribly awkward wall in our kitchen.  It's a walkway + has stairs on both sides.  And just for good measure, the thermostat was hung with no rhyme or reason.  But these (heavily inspired by some at World Market), help.

  

The folks over at Young House Love did something akin to this.  We've got this guy hung near our TV.  You know I got the frame at the ol' GW.  Excuse the awkward angle...the sun was producing a glare.

So if you need me, I'm the crazy lady squirreling away paint samples from Lowe's.

Also?  These are terrible iPhone pics...my computer recently decided to start rejecting my camera card.  Awesome.

I Did 52

Last year, one of my big goals was to learn more about my camera {cannon rebel xs}.  I wanted to learn more about shooting manual, and more about editing.

 I got Photoshop at the end of 2010, and started stalking some photogs on Facebook.  I decided to try a 'challenge' set forth by one of them, called "Let's Do 52".  The idea was to challenge yourself to take a fresh photo each week.  It was a great way to make sure I got my camera out each week and to make sure I challenged myself to try new ideas and techniques.

I'm really happy with my progress in 2011.  I learned a lot, and I feel comfortable with my camera.  I've even had 6 different people pay me money for photo shoots!  That's something I never thought would happen.

So if you've got the time, check out my 'Let's Do 52' tab.  Here are some of my favorites:

I'm not doing a specific challenge this year, since my camera is already a part of my daily life.

How about you?  Did you complete any goals in 2011?

The Sunbean is a Sunbeam

Most of you probably know where we get the nickname 'Sunbean'.  There is an LDS children's song with the lyrics "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam".  When the Sunbean was small, she would sing 'sunbean' instead.

Yesterday, it became official.  She's a real Sunbeam now.  When a child is 3 on January 1st, they start going to Sunday School, and the class is called 'Sunbeams'.  She's not in preschool yet, so this is her first foray into organized education.

I really thought she'd march right in without any problems, but she was actually pretty hesitant.  There were a few tears shed, but thankfully her favorite teacher was there to save the day.

I teach the 10-year-old Sunday School class, so I saw her about midway through, and she was doing great.  When I picked her up after church was over, this is what she had to say, "Primary was fun!!  At first I was sad, but then I got happy.  And I got a book and stamps and snacks."

So the Sunbean is a Sunbeam.  And growing up so fast.