someone's having a birthday tomorrow!

I'm thinking she'll be a whole lot more interested in presents this year. While her main one is out in the backyard, I wrapped a few small ones...

...including some new farm animals for her collection. Don't tell her! Ignore the sad wrapping job - those things are tricky!

By the way that little frame sits on a platter my mom gave me from Nora Fleming. You can get lots of different minis and a keepsake box (or two) to store them in. Awesome gift.

speaking of firsts...

Hannah had her first dip cone at The Dairy Lane:

...and Joseph had his first go in the jump-up:



He was more interested in chewing on the side, but to each his own.

I do not have a smart phone, so there is no photo uploading to Facebook going on. That's where Joe comes in. However, it doesn't stop me from taking pictures wherever and whenever. I send them the old school way - you know, picture messages. I can also send them to my email. Which is how I can post them here. What else we've been up to...

Doctor's appointments.

 

{Hannah only has one more month of wearing her "magic shoes"!}

{Joseph had his follow-up appointment at the cardiologist. You may remember he was born with a small hole in his heart along with a couple of other places where things didn't completely develop before birth. I am happy to report that two of the three places have resolved themselves and the tiny hole (or VSD if we're being technical) will most likely never be an issue, much less something involving surgery. We'll have another follow-up in six months. We are very thankful. Still, it is scary looking at him having the EKG.}

Friday, we went to our first WACO high school football game. So fun! {Hannah wore her GT cheerleading uniform. "Go Tech!" she yells. Love it.}

A walk to the farmer's market.

Look at them with their feet propped up...can you believe it? I promise I had nothing to do with that.

Napping on the porch...

Now that is some good sleeping.


More porch living...

 I hear the porch calling me right now actually. I am so glad I bought that furniture.

Speaking of porches, Sunday we had dinner with friends on their porch. And it is a beautiful one. They have twin girls who are precious. Thanks Deana and Ken for a wonderful night!

first day of preschool!

...Telling Joseph it's her first day of preshooool!

I don't know who was more excited this morning - me with all the pictures or her! It's overcast and windy but we managed to get a few pictures and to school on time.

Is Joseph smiling because he knows he now gets three uninterrupted hours with Mommy every morning?!

"i do"

It's Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, overcast. I'm sitting here on my back porch, under fans that feel so good {thanks, honey}, with Joseph fidgeting by my side, and an iced coffee. I love iced coffee and I'm trying out this recipe from Pioneer Woman. Delicious.

We've had a busy summer and I cannot believe that it's September (and my baby girl is almost two).

She's a great big sister. She always wants to give Joseph kisses and help me. In return, he smiles at her. She loves it. On this particular morning, I put her in his bassinet to "cuddle." How sweet is this? God is so good.

She confiscates my phone every chance she gets. She likes to hold it up above her head like this. "Cheeeeeeese!" So...do you think maybe I take a few pictures of her?

She likes to play at Mary Thomas's house.



 ..and likes to get all dolled up and come find me.

She's something alright.

As for the post title. I am not sure where this came from, but Hannah answers almost every question in the affirmative by saying "I do."

Do you want to go outside and play?
"I do."

Would you like some water?
"I do."

Are you hot?
"I do."

That child...


Two weeks ago, Joseph turned 4 months old.

He was sick for about a week with a tummy bug (we think) coinciding with his four-month shots, waking all through the night fussing, but he's doing better. He slept through the night last night. Joe and I were very grateful. He's also started teething and I think we'll start seeing those little white chiclets soon. We've tried rice cereal, but he's not loving it...yet.

Last weekend he was baptized. I am waiting on the pictures, but will post them as soon as I can.

Time has gotten away from me. Joseph finally fell asleep...just as I need to feed him again before we leave to go play with some friends. Typical... I'm thinking Daddy and daughter are asleep inside the house. Hope you are having a nice long weekend.

the nursery: part 5

The last project to be completed was Joseph's dresser. This is the dresser that has been passed down (and passed down again) and now is making it's appearance for the second time in a nursery. When Joe and I first got it, we painted it as you see it below. We had some spare paint and this is what we came up with. It's home was our guest room. It's contents, Joe's winter apparel.

I chose paint to match the slate blue in the seersucker fabric. After lots of sanding and two coats of paint, I still had problems with the uneven paint surface due to the knobs (which in all previous occasions, had been left on) peeling the paint in large spider-like pieces. So, with advice from a friend who is an expert in painted furniture and a nice man at Ace Hardware, I ended up fixing the patches with paint filler...and more sanding.

After more paint and new knobs, this is the finished product:

It is not the highest quality piece of furniture, but it is old. And I like the story of it's life. It is definitely a sentimental piece. I like the imperfections and naturally-distressed look. Wonder what my great-grandmother would think about her dresser now...
 
Joseph's room is finally complete. Everything came together last week as we prepared to have guests in town for Joseph's baptism. Nothing like planning a party to get your rear in gear. My mom came during the week to help both with the work and with the kids. {Mom, you have no idea how much we appreciate your help. Thank you!} And so, I finally had time to finish nursery #2. I'll take some pictures and post soon.