wrapping ideas

I love wrapping gifts in unique ways for people.  Here is a wine bottle that I wrapped.  I made the tags using washi tape, wrapped the bottle in kraft paper, and tied it all together with the ever-faithful bakers twine.

And caramel corn...

Ellie

{three months}

This happened on November 5th but better late than never, right??

So, at 3 months, Jonathan….

…has his hands in his mouth at all times.  He is constantly sucking and drooling.  He sucks on those little fingers so hard that I can here him from across our home!

…is eating a new formula.  His old formula just wasn’t settling well with him and he was still not eating well.  We LOVE his new formula, Gerber Good Start Protect.  It is wonderful.

…is doing a lot of “full- body smiles” – he pulls his feet up when he smiles and swings his arms around. 

…just laughed his first squeal of delight today (11/18) when he was playing with his dadda.  It was the most wonderful sound!

…loves his sleep.  He loves to be put down at night to go to sleep.  Boy does he let you have it if you try to cuddle him to sleep at night.  The boy loves his alone time. J

…enjoys a couple of toys!  He can pick them up and bring them to his mouth and suck to his hearts content.  We named this giraffe Gilly after this wonderful sketch on Saturday Night Live.

…is starting to sit in his Bumbo chair!  He always looks part happy, part concerned, and part proud when he is in it.

…wants to “stand” all of the time.  When we put him on his feet (with us holding him up of course), he smiles so, so proud.  What a big boy!!

…now smiles at me during Stroller Strides.  I must look really funny doing lunges and squats. 

…has found his feet.  He hasn’t started sucking on them yet but stares at them like they are the most glorious things around.  Aren’t they???

…is still a talker.  And I love it. 

We love you baby boy!! 

P.S. Matt, if I forgot anything, will you add it in the comments??  Thanks J

december daily

Ok, I'm doing it.  I am going to join the club and make a December Daily album.  Basically, it's a way to enjoy and document all of the celebration that leads up to Christmas.  Every day you take a picture (I'll do it on my iPhone and print it through Postal Pix - love) and then add it to your album with a little explanation. It can be a big holiday event or a small moment.  The key is to have much of the album done before December so you can just enjoy December.  Here I go.....  wish me luck.... :)

As a side note, all of my December Daily pictures will be posted in Instagram so if you'd like to follow me there, my name is ellieabney.  

birthday card

It was my friend Beth's birthday yesterday and I decided to make her a card.  We are both slightly obsessed with the chevron trend right now so when I saw this tutorial, I had to make the card. Immediately.

My dear husband got me the typewriter I really wanted (eek!!) and I had to use it to write the card sentiment.  And to title the envelope. 

I made this while the babes was sleeping soundly and I was drinking a big cup of coffee.  Crafting + coffee + happy baby = the perfect way to start the day.

halloween in pictures

Happy (late) Halloween!  This is Matt's second favorite holiday so we always stay busy.  Here are some highlights.  Enjoy!

Sleepy baby at the pumpkin patch.  I want to chew on his cheeks.  I think I will! :)

with Dadda

with Momma

with friends

Dumbledore and Harry ....  tee hee!

Han Solo and Chewie.  Aren't they both the cutest?!

The cutest Chewie in the world.  

And for a random side note, I'm trying to win a kit to do a December Daily album over at Elizabeth Kartchner's blog.  If I post here, I get to enter to win an extra time. :)  Keeping my fingers crossed!! 

blog your heart

From http://www.stephaniehowell.com/

I have been reading Stephanie Howell's blog for a long time now and love it.  I love the creative inspiration.  I love her stories about her 4 precious girls.  But more than anything, I love how honest she blogs.  Her blog is about creativity, her scrapbooking, and her girls, but more than anything, it is a place to be honest and share her heart.  I have been so inspired by her posts over and over again and have decided to participate in her blog your heart challenge.   All I have to do is blog what is on my heart and blog honestly.  So here goes...

1.  I love being a mom.  I love my little boy more than I thought possible.  I am so thankful for him and for the opportunity to be able to stay at home.  Sometimes I go a little stir crazy so I'm working on ways to get out of the house and have adult conversation.

2.  I'm not super happy with my post baby body...although who is?  I am in Weight Watchers and I love it (post to come about a little make over I gave my tracker).  But it's also hard.  I'm not getting fast results.  I also joined Stroller Strides this week.  It's a great program where you work out in the park with other moms.  There is also a coach so she pushes us and has the work out planned.  

3.  I'm learning to give myself a little grace with #2.  I just had a baby.  It's going to take time.  

4.  Jonathan's reflux is acting up again.  He hasn't been eating well for about a week and a half now.  It's scary because of our experience when he was a month old with him not eating and gaining weight.  We are starting him on an additional prescription today so I hope that helps.  

5.  I can't tell you how much I love fall weather.  The rain and clouds yesterday??  DIVINE.  

Ok.... I think that's all for now.  Thank you for reading!!  

nursery

I've been wanting to share pictures of our nursery here for awhile but can't even begin to dream of doing it better than The Why We Love Photographers.  They captured J's room perfectly.  More importantly, they captured the love we have for our boy.  Check it out!  They are fabulous.  Go here.


*** Update:  I need to give a huge shout out to my friend Beth who helped so much with my nursery.  Thank you!!

a to z

This is an old picture of me from last fall enjoying my first pumpkin spice latte of the year.

So I've seen this list around the blogosphere and thought I'd participate!

A. Age: 28
B. Bed size: queen
C. Chore that you hate: cleaning the bathroom
D. Dogs: Nope.  They actually kinda scare me.  You never know what to expect!
E. Essential start to your day: A kiss from my love and then smiles and cuddles from my boy.
F. Favorite color: to wear?  Grey.  I've also been loving orange not on my person but everywhere else.
G. Game: mmm.... probably Ticket to Ride.  Maybe catch phrase?  or celebrity?  
H. Height: 5'8"
I. Ideal Day: Matt at home so our little family can be together.  A walk and some coffee.  Cuddles with my boy.  Time to craft.  Finish it off with a movie.
J. Job title: Stay at home mom
K. Kids: 1!!  A sweet little 11 week old baby boy.
L. Lives: in Pasadena.
M. Movie: Father of the Bride.  For Halloween, Matt and I have scary movie nights and my favorite by far is Misery.  
N. Nicknames: El, Boo, and all sorts of funny names that Matt gives me.  My brothers always called me homegirl and sometimes still do.  Ha.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Ughhh....  don't bring it up!  As you all know, we were in the hospital for 3 days and nights figuring out Jonathan's weight gain issues.  Of course, we also stayed overnight in the hospital when we had him in August.  That one was happy.
P. Pet peeves: People correcting you when it isn't necessary. Mean people.
Q. Quote from a movie:  mmm.... "I said Good Morning, Gill."  -  What About Bob.  That one isn't my favorite but it was the first one that popped into my head.
R. Right or left handed: right
S. Siblings: Andy and Peter
U. University: Azusa Pacific University
V. Vegetable you hate: Celery.  So gross.
W. What makes you run late: Everything.  My own brain - I always think I can do so much more in a small amount of time than I can.  
X. X-Rays you’ve had: On my arm when I was in 6th grade.  I fell off a trampoline (while just trying to get down, mind you) and had a hairline fracture.  
Y. Yummy food that you make: I love to bake.  Pumpkin cookies are a favorite.
Z. Zoo animal: Giraffe!!!

If you all decide to participate on your blogs, leave a comment so I can read your list!

two months

Our little babe is two months old already!!  I seriously can't believe it.

So at two months, our little guy...

... is smiling a ton!!  Unfortunately he didn't smile at all during this photo shoot but he is such a happy boy!  Whenever I get him out of the crib he greets me with a big smile.  melts. my. heart.

...weighs in at 11 pounds 9 ounces and is 22 3/4 inches.  He is in the 50% for weight (huge relief after his slow start to gaining weight) and length and 75% for his head.  Yup, he's got a big head.  It's for all his brains.

...recognizes his momma and dadda.  He knows our voices and responds to them.  When I start talking, he'll turn his head to find me.  He still loves to "talk" with me.

...has reflux.  Not fun.  Poor little guy.  We have him on medication now and is doing MUCH better.  He is eating about every 3 1/2 to 4 hours and is taking down 5 ounces.  Good boy!!

...still LOVES his bath.  Dadda tries to get home by bath time every night and they both just love it.

....holds up his head while burping.  Baby boy has a strong neck holding up that beautiful big head!

...is starting to sleep a lot longer at night.  Sometimes he gives us 5 - 7 hours of sleep!!

...still loves his swaddle.  When he is ready to go down for his naps, I swaddle him up and he gives me a little smile.

...is spending more time on his tummy.

...grew out of his newborn car seat insert and went on his first road trip to San Diego (more on that later).

be still my heart....

beer and crafts

I had a nice little break on Sunday.

ellie

one month

Well, this is going to be more of a post about 1 1/2 months.  The plan was to make it a one month post but things changed for us.  When we went to Jonathan's one month appointment, we found out that our sweet boy wasn't gaining weight.  After supplementing his feedings, we ended up being admitted to the hospital because he couldn't keep any food down.  After ten hours in the emergency room and three days in pediatrics, we discovered that he wasn't getting enough milk from me so his belly couldn't handle the supplemental formula.  He's doing WONDERFULLY now, praise God.  He gained a pound and a half in a week and is thriving.  So, these pictures were taken after he started packing on the pounds and were taken much closer to one and a half months.

So at six weeks, this darling...

...is loving his formula.  He is eating 4 ounces 8 times a day.  He scarfs it down.  I mean SCARFS it down.  During his nighttime feedings, he keeps his eyes closed and snorts his way through his bottle.  Giving up nursing him was hard but seeing how much he is thriving using formula makes it so clear our decision was right for him.  

...is so much more focused than before.  He can find his little toys on his activity gym and just stares at them with such focus.

-...loves music. All music.

...loves being on his belly.  Whenever he is fussy, switching him to his belly solves the problem.

...can recognize our voices.  

...has found his voice and loves "talking" to us.  Lots of grunts and groans.  Such a boy. :)

...loves going on walks with his Momma and Dadda.  We love it too.

...spends lots of time on his play mat.

...always has his arms straight out and his hands in fists. 

...is still cross-eyed a lot.  So funny.

Oh, and the teddy bear?  That is Michael Mike Mike.  It was Matt's teddy bear as a little boy.  So precious.

Love this little guy.

Ellie :)

drumroll please...

My baby boy has arrived!  Almost six weeks ago!!  Ok, so I'm a little late to share the BIG news here but I guess you can say I've been a little preoccupied.  Before the details start to get a little fuzzy, I want to share the birth story of Jonathan David Abney (aka the cutest baby in the world).  Ha!  Ok, so I'm a little biased.

On Thursday, August 4th, I woke up for the second night in a row at 3:30 am...after not falling asleep until 12:00 am.  I got out of bed and my mind was racing with to do lists and things I had to accomplish.  Yep, I was nesting big time.

I was so busy that day.  I visited my friend Jessie and wished her a happy birthday.  I ran errands.  I had lunch with my friend Deb.  I ran to Bellies, Babies & Bosoms in Montrose to pick up a few last minute necessities.  Then, I got home and started working on a project.  I was home for maybe 30 minutes when, as I was talking to my parents, my water broke!  I wasn't convinced because it wasn't the HUGE gush that you always see on the movies.  Plus, he wasn't due until August 12th.  I owe my boy big time for not making me go through another week of labor in the summer.  My mom was convinced and so was my doctor so we headed to the hospital.

It was all divine.  My friend Mariah was working in labor and delivery and was my nurse that night (By the way, she was amazing.  Truly my hero.  I am forever grateful to her for bringing my sweet boy into the world).  My parents barely made the last flight out and made it in time for Little J's debut.  Jonathan was so considerate and came on Thursday night thus capitalizing the weekend and allowing family to stay longer.  The timing was so amazing.

Anyway, 13 hours after my water broke, my sweet angel came into this world.  At 6:40 am on Friday, August 5, 2011, I finally became a momma.  And it is amazing.  My sweet husband was such a support through the whole labor.  Without him and my wonderful epidural, I don't think I would have made it.  My mom was also in the delivery room and it was such a special moment to share with her.

My heart swells as I think about that special day.  I thank God for my sweet baby boy.  What an honor it is to get to be his mom.

If you made it through all of this text, congratulations!  Now onto the pictures...

Oh goodness I was huge.  And so ready to have that baby.  

Looking at each other for the first time.  I will never forget that moment - being able to look into the eyes of my baby that I had been dreaming about for so long.

Here he is.  All 7 lbs 10 oz and 19.5 inches of love.  

Sleeping with Dadda.

Officially a family of three!!  His sweet little face kills me.  KILLS me.

We had a skinny little baby and his take home outfit doesn't come close to fitting.  Ha!  I have a feeling we'll look back on this one for a long time and just laugh.  

my wishlist

A girl can dream, right?

1.  a vintage type writer for my crafty pursuits

2.  something pretty from this shop 

3.  but more than anything???  for my sweet baby boy to come :)