project life 2012: i'm doing this...

this is my third year with project life. 
complete honesty: years one and two are incomplete.
i will get to them, likely in a monthly/major event format but, i'll get to them. one day.
today, my focus is on this year. staying current. making the most of year three.
doing things differently.
better.

i'm taking a lot of iphone photos and processing them through instagram. instagram syncs to a great app called momento that pulls together those photos plus my facebook and twitter feeds in a calendar. why is this important? this way, my journaling is nearly done for me in a virtual format. i go in and make notes about milestones and anecdotes but, the rest is there and ready for me to draw on when i sit down with my album and photos on tuesdays.

my approach this year is fairly simple.
use the amazing, colorful cobalt kit and design a page protectors.
add a bit of washi tape and a sticker here and there (pulled from my "extras" box, pictured below) and, most importantly, just get it done.
even with a toddler and a newborn underfoot, i am doing just that.  i'm making documenting their lives, our family, a priority and i'm enjoying it. 
without stress.
i love that.
 

 

 

 

one month of jack...

My sweet, tiny baby,
Somehow it's been a full month since you wailed your way into the delivery room and captured our hearts. You have a sweet disposition, are easy going and a good sleeper and eater. You truly are the most perfect addition to our family!

At one month you:

• weigh 9lbs, 5oz and are 20 3/4 inches long
• are wearing newborn clothes but, not much longer
• wear size 1 diapers
• eat about every 3 hours during the day and cluster feed in the evenings for a few hours before bed
• have a head of straight, dark brown hair and your front hairline has just started receding
• have beautiful grey-blue eyes, for now
• only cry when you are hungry or need to be changed
• sleep best when swaddled tight and in your snugabunny rock and play
• nap in your bouncy seat a couple of times each day
• like being worn in the Moby Wrap
• started smiling at us around three weeks, the sweetest sight :)
• get kisses good morning and good night from your big brother and like to watch him play
• have excellent head control and like to look all around when doing tummy time on our chests 
• track us across the room when we are walking around or you hear us talking

We love you so much and are so grateful you have joined our family.
I love you to the moon and back, and again,
Mama

introducing jack...

jack elias

our new baby boy was born on

february 8, 2012

9:34 am

7 pounds, 19.5 inches

we are all doing well

adjusting to being a family of four

mom and dad to two

being a new big brother

resting when we can

and

loving every minute

one little word: embrace

The past several years I've reflected on the concept of one little word as the the calendar flipped to January once again.  But, I never fully incorporated the idea into my daily life or into my memory keeping.  With so many changes coming this year, it seems now is the time. My one little word for 2012:

embrace

My one little word is wound up in my goals and hopes for this coming year...

to embrace becoming a mother of two
to embrace my husband and how hard he works for our family
to embrace the home we live in right now and the the home that is out there waiting for us
to embrace the little moments every day that make life so good
to embrace my role as family historian, with both my camera, words and project life

2012...I'm ready to embrace whatever you have in store!

thirty-three in, six to go...whoa!

Little bitty boy,

I have been carrying you in both my belly and my heart for the past 33 weeks. Wondering who you will look like, about your personality and your place in our growing family.  There are still moments, some days, where I don't feel very pregnant, likely lost in the daily toddler mama activities, work and household duties.  But, you are quick to give me at least hourly reminders that you are with me and growing big and strong.  You are on the move near constantly these days. Rolling, kicking, pushing out.  Watching you move in my belly has become my favorite source of entertainment in quiet moments.

We have been a bit slow in getting things ready for you.  Slowly getting the room together that you will share with your big brother until we find a new home.  Clearing out space for your tiny clothes.  Starting to stock up on diapers.  While we may be slow in these physical duties, it is no reflection on our anticipation and joy awaiting your arrival.

In no more than six weeks we will find out whether you will look, to my predictions, just like a mini replica of your big brother.  No more than six weeks until we hold you in our arms, give you your name and welcome you to our brand-new family of four.

I love you to the moon and back already,
Mama

Two years ago...

Two years ago today, the meaning of Christmas Eve forever changed for our family with the arrival of our sweet little boy, George.


We love you to the moon and back again, G!!!


xoxoxoxo,
Mama

sweets of the season...

Christmas is nearly upon us and our life from early November to now has been a whirlwind of G's second birthday preparations, a bout with the croup, getting our nursery ready to fit both our growing toddler and our baby-to-be, holiday shopping, crazy work schedules, my sister's wedding and a partridge in a pear tree ;-)

Though juggling all of this has had it's challenges I have also been very aware of our many blessings:

• a healthy pregnancy and feeling this new life move and grow
• a happy, healthy, energetic and sweet as can be toddler
• a warm home that we own and enjoy
• gainful employment
• the love of family

This past Sunday we attended church and gave thanks for all of your blessings while celebrating Advent.  After mass, we walked over to the church hall where a coffee hour and luncheon was set to begin.  George was enamored with the lights on the christmas tree and, of course, the many cookies ready to sample.

 Look at the joy on his little face!

And, speaking of cookies, this year I attended my very first cookie swap.  Though there are favorites I bake nearly every year, I wanted to try something new and festive for this event.  In one of my online groups another mom had posted a recipe for Peppermint Meltaways that seemed to fit what I was looking for.  Though more time and labor intensive than I had anticiapted (note: take butter out to soften before leaving for church), I was happy with how they turned out.  If you have a few hours of dedicated baking time before the Christmas festivities this weekend, you might want to give them a whirl...

Cookie:
1 cup unslated butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

Glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (or more to taste)

2 to 3 drops red food color, if desired

Candy canes or hard peppermint candy, crushed

Combine butter, powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour and cornstarch. Beat until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate until firm (30 to 60 minutes).

Heat oven to 350°F. Shape rounded teaspoonfuls (I used a small cookie scoop for uniformity) of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets (be gentle with this as the still warm cookies are quite delicate). Cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and enough milk for desired glazing consistency in small bowl. Stir in food color, if desired. Drizzle over cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy. Alow to set out until glaze/icing hardens.

 

Note: I made a triple batch and decided to ice the cookies rather than use a looser glaze.  The frosting set up/hardened nicely when set out overnight. I ended up adding at least three times the recommended peppermint in the frosting as I preferred a stronger flavor.  Add more to taste as you mix and decide on the consistency you'd like.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and may all the blessings of the season be with you and yours...