Labor of Love

We've been in our new house for almost two weeks.

And I've been painting approximately 12 of those 14 days.

I do it all myself and if you came over and looked you would probably be able to find lots of flaws and mistakes. You might think to yourself you would never hire me to come paint at your house.

But that's okay. Because this was a labor of love.

I'm hoping that the little people that I did this for won't care or notice my mistakes. And I'm hoping you won't either.

So here's a sneak peek of how I've been spending my days.





Sorry for the blurry photos. I've misplaced my camera amongst our boxes and things so cell phone pics will have to do for now.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Thanks to her Gampy, my sweet girl can finally see things that are "faaa way".





And she's tickled pink about the fact that he actually brought her two pairs of "noculars". One for the car and one for general outdoor use.

I've Been Working

on the paint chain gang.

Don't worry, it's completely self inflicted and I do strangely enjoy it.

We were able to close on our house this past Friday. YAY!

So on Friday night fresh off the closing high and with the help of my parents Camden and I went to Home Depot and got the paint and all the fixings so I could finally paint my own house.

You're probably thinking what's the big deal about painting your house? The big deal is that I've painted at least 30-40 rooms...in houses that don't belong to me and I've been waiting a long time for this moment.

I've got the base coats done in all 3 bedrooms. It took me 2 1/2 days. I know this seems like forever.

But have you ever tried painting?

How about painting with a 2 year old underfoot?

How about painting with a 2 year old underfoot and an 8 week old strapped to your chest?

You haven't? I didn't think so. Moving on.

The rooms look great and I'm so in love with the colors. So, it's onto the faux treatments. Camden's room is getting 8 inch wide stripes around the entire room. Bless my ambitious and perhaps clueless heart. Even armed with my AWESOME vacuum seal laser level I only got 3/4 of the room taped off today. I blame it on the many corners and weird angles of the room. That and the sweet 8 week old strapped to me.

The plan for Riley's room is to paint diamonds on one the biggest wall in the room. It's going to look so cute when it's done. As long as I can brush up on my math and measuring skills in the next 24 hours. Otherwise it might look a little more mad hatter than cute.

Tired of my rambling yet? Ready for some pictures? Because someone else has been working.

On the railroad that is.

Our Fathers

Happy Father's Day to the men who helped raise TG and I. We couldn't have asked for better examples on how to raise our own children.

We love you Gampy and Papa!

Smile

You make me smile like the sun, fall out of bed


Sing like a bird, dizzy in my head


Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night.


You make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe


Shine like gold, buzz like a bee


Just the thought of you can drive me wild


Oh you make me smile.


Back when I first met you I remember watching kids flock to you like the pied piper and thinking what an amazing Father you were going to make someday. The kind that would love your kids unconditionally, always have time for them, and of course play with them whenever they wanted.

I thank God that he chose me to give you the children that made you that Dad.

I love you so much TG. Happy Father's Day!

Throwback Thursday

I've had a day...

And a 1/2.

Ever had one of those? Where it just seems like everything that could wrong actually does?

Mine started yesterday at about 8:00 pm. That's why it's been a day and a 1/2.

And I could bore you with the details, but I won't. Instead I'll introduce you to an idea I got from a mommy blogger that has two of the cutest kids you've ever seen.

Her awesome idea came at the perfect time because yesterday I finally figured out where I had stored all of Riley's baby pictures online. I might have forgotten where I stowed them for a little while. Or for a year.

This is Riley and her very best friend. They were only 8 months old and like my very best friend always says, they were stinkin' cute.



When he was born, 6 hours after Riley, this little guy made me an "aunt" for the first time.

And one year ago today his little brother made me one twice over. I got to hold him when he was just a few days old. I snuggled him close and just smelled his sweet newborn smell. I can't believe it's already been a year since then, but he's grown into the most handsome and smiley little guy you can imagine. So today we want to wish him a very Happy First Birthday!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

No, Camden is not thrilled in this photo, but he was a second before I took it and a second after she had scampered off the couch.

In other news, Camden is 7 weeks old today.


And this is a picture of his big sister at 7 weeks old.


I can't decide what I think. When he was pulled out of my stomach the first thing TG said was, "He looks just like Riley!" It's been so long since she was that little and some days I think he does look just like her, but then I see pictures like this and I can't tell. There are definite similarities like their round heads, Mr. Burns hairline, and double chins. But I feel like her features were daintier somehow. Is that even a word? If it isn't, I'm making it one.

And so much for it being a Wordless Wednesday.

Pittsburgh Steelers #1

When Riley was 3 weeks old, Gampy sat down with her and had a chat about where her football allegiance would lie. It was a very serious conversation complete with an explanation of the Three Rivers, the history of the team, and the beauty of the Steeler's logo.



And when he was done they agreed she would be a Steelers fan for life.



Fast forward 2 years and a few months and in a 4 day visit Gampy taught her the Steelers' fight song, how to recognize the logo on cars, and that the #1 in all forms means Pittsburgh Steelers.

I didn't realize the extent of her education until we were in an elevator one day and I told her she could press the number 1 button. As she reached for it with her little finger she looked at me and said, "Pittsburgh Steel-yers". I almost died with pride on the spot.

Not wanting to slight our son, when he was 7 days old Gampy gave Cam the same talk. Like his sister before him Camden agrees it's Pittsburgh baby, all the way. Fist pump.



Hey, start them young, raise them right is what I always say. GO STEELERS!

Seen and Heard

SEEN:

In the past month or so, Riley has started to enjoy bits of time playing quietly by herself and it could not have happened at a better time! Usually she will just look at me and say "I gonna go play wit all my coys" and then take off to the play area or her room. Actually I think this all started when I dumped out a humongous box of Little People on her floor because I needed the box it was in. She didn't really show much interest in them this winter, but now...



She just loves setting up the little houses and putting all the vehicles in a row.

HEARD:

Riley: Daddy, I tell you secret.
TG leans in
Riley: Daddy stinky. PFFFT. (It's a game we play where we pretend to tell her a secret and blow a raspberry in her ear)
Riley: Go take shower Daddy!

Riley: Brudder awake now?
Me: No honey he's sleeping, try to be a little quieter.
Riley: Okay, I will. I will Mommy.
2 seconds later
Riley: Brudder awake NOW?
Camden crying
Me: Ummm...
Riley: BRUDDER AWAKE NOW! HI BABY BRUDDER!

I'm holding Camden in my lap while he "stands up" over and over again. Riley is crawling on TG's lap. She bangs her head into Camden. They both start to cry.

Riley: I so sorry!
Wailing now
Riley: Brudder get me!


Ahhh such is the life with two.

Mamarazzo Take 2

Sigh.

Once upon a time I wrote this post. I was determined to make it into more photographs with my then only child.

Now over a year has gone by, we've added another child to our family, and I'm still in hardly any of the photos that we have of our children. In fact, if it weren't for my talented bestie, I might not be in ANY of the photos with our children.

To be honest though, I hadn't really thought much about it until I ran into a sweet graduating senior I know at the pool yesterday. She was telling me how when she has kids she's going to make sure she's in lots of pictures with her babies. She even went so far as to say she'd marry a professional photographer if she had to. When I asked her why, she told me it was because there are almost no photos of her Mom and her together when she was a baby because her mother was playing mamarazzo. She was truly sad about it.

And all I could do was sit there and mentally fast forward to when Riley is 18 and having this conversation with some married with children woman at the pool. It made me truly sad too.

It also made me decide to take action...again. So here we go, armed only with my little cybershot I'm taking charge, even if it means all the photos feature me...

In my workout clothes,


With my sloppy ponytail and arm fat showing,


Flanked by two of the sweetest children I know.



Hey, at least I'm rocking my summer tan already.

Ramblin'

It's a rambling kind of day. Mostly because I have lots of little thoughts instead of one big one. And because it's hot and my brain always starts to mush when it gets warm. Speaking of hot...

Today after the littles and I went for a walk/jog we met TG over at our gym's pool. Riley got to splash and play while Cam and I chilled out in the shade. Everybody around us kept asking how old he was and then would exclaim when I told them 6 weeks. What? Am I the only mother of two that takes their 6 week old out of the house?



And is it just me or does he just look double in size already? Speaking of double size...



Here's my two peas in a pod before their naps today. Riley gets the biggest kick out of laying in her crib with Camden. She tries to offer him a pacifier (I'm holding out...for now) and shares her blanket with him. Hopefully she won't kick up too much of a fuss when her beloved crib becomes Cam's new digs in a few weeks. The plan is to move her to a big girl bed when we move to our new home.

Speaking of our new home...it's officially finished! We did the walkthrough yesterday and there are a few paint touch ups and other things to be done, but for the most part it was complete. TG and I just kept walking around looking at each other with our mouths hanging open in disbelief. This has been such a long journey for us and we are so thankful for how it has all turned out. We are scheduled to close next Friday and we're keeping all our fingers and toes crossed that we'll get to closing on time. Riley has been on a countdown and loves telling "all her frends" that "Ridey house awlmost donnnne. _ more weeks! Mommy paint Ridey room pink. Baby brudder's room bluuue."

Speaking of friends...to make the time pass quickly we've been spending lots of time with them lately visiting the fountains, malls, parks, farms and wineries in our area. We went to a playdate at our besties a week ago and Riley got to try out the huge giraffe that they have. The thing is super tall, and solid enough for even 36 lb Riley to ride on. It is not however strong enough to stay standing if she tries to climb it herself, which she learned the hard way.



And speaking of super tall...Father's Day is next weekend and I still don't have anything for Tall Guy. Thoughts, clever ideas, HELP!?! What are you all doing for your husbands and fathers?

Monkey WHAT?

Umm. I wrote a post this week about how Riley copies us a lot lately.

I also wrote about Camden being sick this week and because he's so young I've been keeping a close eye on his temperature to make sure he doesn't have a fever. Of course in young babies you take a rectal temperature. Clearly Riley has been paying attention because yesterday I turned the corner into my room and saw this.



That would be Riley taking a rectal temperature on her baby doll that has a hole for "pee pee". And yes she was sticking the thermometer not so gently into that hole to "ceck my baby's temerrture".

When I showed TG this picture he said "Gosh, don't leave her in the room alone with Camden!"

I think Camden agrees.



Because that sure does look like the closest thing to a concerned face a 6 week old can make.

Cake Balls

Err ahem, more like globs I guess.

Let me start at the beginning.

I've been reading Kelly's Korner blog for a while now and I've seen cake balls in some form or another on there several times. I always thought, who makes cake balls instead of just a cake? Well, apparently smart Southern women that's who.

This Sunday while out antiquing in our favorite place I got the chance to try my first cake ball and I fell in love. So much so that when I went on my usual grocery shopping trip this week I put the ingredients for them on my list. Cake mix, frosting and melting chocolate. Easy peasy.

You can use any cake mix, icing and dipping ingredient that you like. This is where I say go big or go home. I love chocolate so of course I got chocolate fudge cake, milk chocolate frosting, AND chocolate and peanut butter morsels. If that's wrong, I don't want to be right.

Following Kelly's recipe, I baked the cake per the box instructions and while it was still warm I crumbled it in a bowl. I added the tub of frosting to this and mixed well. Then the bowl went into the refrigerator to cool for at least an hour (while I scrubbed, fed and got children in bed). Once the mixture is chilled you scoop the cake out in little balls and then dip them in your melted chocolate. This is where mine went globby.

Typical tool snubber that I am I scoffed when I saw that Kelly recommended using a melon baller to scoop the balls and a fancy egg separator to dip them in the chocolate. I figured my fingers and a regular spoon would create the same look. WRONG.















Turns out the little melon baller makes perfect bite size balls instead of giant, wonky looking clumps. And that egg separator? Keeps your cake balls finger print free.

Anyway, as ugly as mine turned out, they sure do taste good. And even if I wouldn't ever serve my first batch to you all (mostly because I'm too busy eating them myself), I hope you'll give them a try and let me know how yours turned out.

As for me, I'm calling up my personal Pampered Chef consultant to get a melon baller and egg separator. And I just might be eating a cake ball while I'm doing that.

Seen and Heard

SEEN:

My two kiddos relaxing on my bed.


Camden came down with his very first cold this past Friday. It was a scary thing listening to my 5 week old cough through that night. Starting at 11, he was rotating between being awake, asleep and crying about every 2 hours that night. In between feeding him on demand I would lay him back down propped up in his cradle in the hopes of both of us getting some much needed rest before the next round. I told my bestie there was NO WAY I would have been able to sleep a wink if I didn't have the Angelcare Sound and Movement monitor. If you've never heard of it and you have a young baby or are about to, click the link. It will save you many sleepless nights I guarantee.

HEARD:
Camden and I returning from the doctor. Riley runs over to greet us.

Riley:
Mommy and brudder are home!
Brudder not sick anymure!
I sooo 'cited!
Yay, Ridey!

Don't you just love her?

Monkey See

Monkey Do.

Riley is big into imitating me, TG, and well pretty much everyone these days.

Sometimes her mimicry is pretty cute. Like when she sees me coo at Camden and then she repeats it with the exact same high pitched tone of voice I'm using.

Other times it's not so funny, like when we accidentally say something that we don't want her to hear and repeat. Like when I stubbed my toe the other night. We definitely don't want her copying that.

But, this is something she's seen a lot of lately, and it's pretty darn cute.