Homemade Cloth Baby Doll Diapers

I saw a template for these and HAD to try them right away. I have a little girl who will LOVE these come Christmas day!! Might come in handy with that baby that will be under the tree...the one that really wets!! Shhh...don't tell!

They are adjustable...long strip of velcro on the front...so you can put them on tiny babies...

or bigger babies. How cute are these??

Super soft fleece on onse side and flannel on the other. Can't wait to see her use them. I made 6 - 3 large and 3 smaller. Now to make the changing pad to go along with them!

Sweet Birthday Boy

First photo shoot at 4 days old. Our Christmas Card in 2002.

First birthday...
Look at his chunky super hero self!

Second birthday...
Third birthday...

How in the world? Really - he was just new, just fresh, just here. My sweet boy arrived on a snowy day in Ohio seven years ago today. He was the smallest of my babies, and the worst delivery story...but we'll save that for another time. We brought him home, put him in a manger, and took a Christmas card photo. The angel in that story was questionable...but again...another story for another time! I love that his name is Nicholas and he was born in December. He was actually due on Christmas Eve. His middle name, John, was in honor of my Grandpa - John Brown. He passed away two years before Nicholas was born. It still warms my heart when I say his name, and I know Grandpa Brown would have enjoyed his namesake. Nicholas was a sweet baby who never cried. He gently tolerated being passed from brother to sister to sister to sister and back again.

We've enjoyed getting to Nicholas so much and can't wait to see the man he continues to grow into. Nica began his birthday celebration today with cinnamon rolls and ...

A SIGNED t-shirt from the Cake Boss! Aunt Saucie Rocks!!

In this one he's say "Mi Familia" just like Buddy does in the intro to the show. So funny. He had a great start to his day. Happy birthday Nicholas John. We love you so much!

I'm having an idea....

about what to do for our Christmas card this year!
If you know me, which I assume you do if you're reading this...or if you don't ...here's a glimpse into one of my *issues* -- I can't send out a "normal" Christmas card! Ever!

It has to be different. Creative. Not previously done.

And I finally came upon some inspiration! Can't wait to get them in the mail!!!

I love this time of year. The wonder is never lost on me. The miracle of Jesus coming to earth as a babe. Not in a palace made of gold and fine stone. Not in a comfortable, warm room with graham crackers and apple juice for Mary. Not anything like that. He came in a cold, smelly, drafty barn. His first visitors were shepards - people who were at the bottom of the list in society those days. It was all designed just that way. Just a little glimpse into what he was willing to do for me. That's always the biggest thing for me...but I also love the tradition of it. It's so much more fun to be a mom during the Christmas holiday than when I was a kid. And I have GREAT Christmas memories! Going to break out the Christmas Cd's now. Oh - it's beginning!! I LOVE this time of year!

One more set of birthday...

Birthday Pictures!

weren't they just babies a minute ago?

The end.

of the season...

of the day...

and the game.
Great season, Cubs. Good sportsmanship. Strong teamwork. Positive attitudes. We're proud of you!

IHeartFaces Excitement!!

The theme is excitement... this one about does it! This is the SOOTC shot - didn't do anything to it. Lazy, I know.

Before, After, and Thank You

Today was the day!! Nathan got his braces off! This is the last photo of him with his tinsel, railroad tracks, mouth metal! I've grown attached to his braces in an odd sort of way. I'll miss them. He won't!

Here's the AFTER!!! Check out those awesome teeth!

Nathan earned points with Dr. Werner (little plug - check out the shirt!) for the fifteen months he wore his braces. He got points for wearing his shirt, keeping his teeth clean, cooperation, etc. He could have taken a gift card to any number of stores in the area. Instead, he chose to take the Starbucks card - and treated his dad to a drink! He told Chris that since he paid for the braces - he would buy him a drink. Such a good, good boy.

He's officially metal free. And lovin' every minute of it!

I Heart Faces * contemplative

Contemplative: [according to IHeartFaces] thoughtful observation; full or deep consideration; dreamily or wistfully thoughtful: a pensive mood; expressing or revealing thoughtfulness; quiet modes of apparent or real thought; can be marked by some sadness, but doesn't have to be.

This is Levi. He was three months old in this photo...and when I read the definition this week - I knew it was the perfect fit.

Iheartfaces.com - go, learn, be inspired!

Kati 2, 3, and 4

Sweet baby...her 2nd birthday picture.

Third...

And 4th!

Just a Thursday Morning

Love the sun in this picture...and the curls...

Mean faces...

Happy face...

wrap it up with a little trampoline. I think fun was had by all!