monday . . .

These days . . . living on little sleep & LOTS of caffeine from my diet cokes :) Definitely "winging it" - balancing 2 little ones throughout the day . . .

doing some dancing . . .

some building . . .

decorating babies (this one makes me giggle) . . .

doing "paperwork" as Ryan calls it (thanks dad - you are rubbing off on my child) . . .

taking pics . . .

snuggling . . .

and growing . . .

growing . . .

growing . . .

I have been scrapping (gasp - yes I have found some time for myself - here & there) - but they are assignments I can't quite share yet - soon, soon, I promise!!!

Thank you for all your comments - I appreciate you all continuing to check in on me & my blog!!! Be back soon :)

ttyl - julie :)

sunday . . .

Little man waving hello (okay - not really but it looks like it doesn't it???)

My little sleepy monkey :)

The many faces of Nicholas . . .

Just thought I'd share a few pics!!! Hope your weekend was fab!!

ttyl - julie :)

thursday . . .

This little man turned one week old yesterday . . .

Gotta love the "sleepy hands" :)

Ryan is starting to settle in as big brother - but it has been quite a week - lots of ups & downs - happy moments & lots of tantrums :) I'm constantly trying to reassure him but at the same time set some boundaries - he is definitely pushing the envelope with behavior but I know all this will work out - it will just take time. I have caught moments of him really trying to spend time with little Nicholas - but being that he is quite the napper right now - I'm sure he is not the most exciting playmate :) Ryan did enjoy setting up his playmat & helping him test it out :)

We had a family pizza party the other night - Ryan & I made hats & a banner - daddy & him went shopping for all the ingredients :) I was encouraged when Ryan wanted to make Nicholas a hat too - check out my 2 guys :)

Here are the pizza makers . . .

And me - I am hanging in here - a bit tired but less tired than I was pregnant believe it or not :) I have already shed off 30 lbs in a week which sounds absolutely ridiculous (and yes I am eating) - that just goes to show you how much water I retained towards the end. It was the same with Ryan - I blew up like a balloon the last month or two - so much swelling. Anyways - still a long way to go to get back to "me" but I am saving that worry for another day :) I did get in a bit of scrapping the other day (gasp) - it felt good - unfortunately I can't share as it was for some DT assignments. I do have a few older assignments to share . . . SEI just featured a layout I created for my January assignment - totally fitting for this week as it is titled "Big Brother" featuring SEI's Monsterville collection :)

A close-up on the title work - love the blues & greens in this collection!!

Another close-up on my doodled border - don't have a sewing machine people - no worries - a little faux stitching doodled border is a fun way to add a little something to your layout :)

I also have a few layouts from A Page 4 All Seasons to share!! First up is my layout for the February "All the Rage" autoship club. This one features the Lovebirds collection by Fancy Pants. Love the quote border strip I used as a title - "Love doesn't make the world go round. Love makes the ride worthwhile." - so true!!! If you are interested in purchasing this layout - check out all the details HERE.

A close-up of side one . . .

And side two . . .

I also created an extra holiday layout that is up for sale. It features the Fancy Pants Traditions collection . . .

A close-up of side one . . .

And side two . . .

This is up for sale as well - check out all the details HERE.

Hope all is well with each & every one of you - a HUGE thanks for all your sweet comments on the last post - I feel blessed to have such kind, caring online friends out there & truly read each & every comment!! Thank you all!!!

ttyl - julie :)

P.S. I am working on a new collection of scrappy tunes - click on the player in the sidebar to listen if you'd like - there is one song with a curse word - but I like it anyway - please don't be offended :) Enjoy!!

saturday . . .

you never really know what a miracle it is . . .until it happens . . .

a precious, little gift, all bundled up . . .

I had forgotten so many things . . . the smell of their skin . . . one could just drink it in . . .

the silly little grumpy faces . . .

the adorable little breaths . . . tiny fingers & toes . . .

as difficult as the last 39 weeks might have been, as well as the heartbreaks before that . . . well this moment, it was all worth it :) I couldn't have asked for anything more & I feel so blessed to have this little man in my life :)

In survival mode right now . . . little sleep & a big brother named Ryan needing LOTS of time & reassurance from mommy. I didn't realize how difficult the transition might be for him - being the center of my world for the past 4 years he is trying really hard to be a great big brother but I think it is tough for him & he is a very sensitive kid. Working on tackling (and treasuring) each day as it comes . . . thank you all for your constant support, warm wishes, and prayers!!! Be back soon - promise :)

ttyl - julie :)

monday . . .

SORRY - I had hoped to post last night but it didn't happen!!! A BIG CONGRATS to . . .

Paisley Petals!!!!!!

Paisley Petals said...

Awww, good luck on the 12th, if not sooner! Can't wait to see the siblings & new baby layouts you create :)

JANUARY 7, 2011 8:21 PM

Please email me ASAP with your mailing address at dailyscrap@gmail.com & I will get the October Afternoon goodies to you :)

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone!!! I am beyond ready to deliver this baby & we are just 2 days away!!!! I can't believe it :) I will pop in tomorrow night with a few page kits I created for A Page 4 All Seasons :) Hope all is well!!!

ttyl - julie :)

friday . . .

I love this!!! I found it the other day and pinned it on my Pinterest "Words to Live By" board. I knew I wanted to use it on a layout & found the perfect pic while searching through my photos.

This is Ryan outside this fall, enjoying being outdoors & looking so cute with his puppy dog cuddled up beside him - love it!!! Almost all supplies are from the November Polka Dot Whimsy kit - such a great mix of goodies in these kits!!!

A quick close-up of my "messy" border stitching (had fun with this) & this great stitched tag & butterflies that were included in the kit . . .

Love playing with title work - both alphas were included in the kit & the typed strips I did myself :)

One more close-up of the journaling . . .

I also had an urge to play with some of October Afternoon's Campfire line - LOVE IT!! Although my family doesn't really do the camping thing - we do enjoy the outdoors & I have tons of outdoor pics that are perfect for this line :)

A quick close-up on the cute, cute, cute chipboard & stickers this line offers . . .

And my title work/journaling . . .

When ordering my own stash of October Afternoon, I ordered a bit extra - thought it would make a GREAT giveaway!!!!

So . . . if you'd like your own stash of OA Campfire goodies that includes an 8" x 8" paper pad, coordinating word stickers & label stickers, coordinating tin pins, and coordinating wild cards . . . just leave a comment below to be eligible for the drawing :) I will draw a winner Sunday night . . . happy Friday everyone :)

ttyl - julie :)

(P.S. 5 more days until baby arrives!!!)

wednesday . . .

sourced from HERE

. . . even though I am tired & weary from carrying this little one & trying to entertain my 4 year old at the same time . . . even though my feet are swollen and the only shoes I can currently squeeze into are flip-flops & crocs . . . even though I am down to 1 pair of pants that I can get into (oh & they are yoga pants so going out anywhere where I actually have to wear an outfit is not happening) . . . even though my belly is so large (seriously) that I have become one of those pregnant women whose belly actually hangs out below their shirts (and I bought long ones people) . . . I will be grateful.

On Wednesday morning, January 12th, at 5:30 (unless he decides sooner) I will be headed into our local hospital to be induced & bring this "big" little man into this world. This time next week, I will most likely (unless I have a crazy long labor - please no) be holding a baby - my baby - for the first day of his life . . . what a journey this has been . . .I can't wait to meet him :)

Instead of nesting, I have been doing 2 things . . . becoming obsessed with Pinterest . . . seriously check it out . . . it is addictive . . . HERE is my board :)

and . . .I have been playing in my scraproom - creating just a bit & organizing - it is still a bit of a mess - too many supplies for the space (I am a scrapbook supply hoarder for sure). Hoping to add some upper cabinets and/or shelves soon. I had the fabulous opportunity to play with some of the new Echo Park Wintertime papers - Pam's January Creative kit over at My Creative Scrapbook was full of them, as well as TONS of other coordinating goodies!!! Check out this gorgeous kit . . .

Here's the the January sketch for MCS . . .

And here's what I came up with using the kit . . .

A quick close-up of the layering of all the fun stickers, chipboard, journaling cards, and papers in the kit!!!

And one more close-up of the journaling . . .

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the bright, cheery colors of this collection!!!!

As you know, I am a DT member for SEI & they are coming out with 6 NEW collections for Winter CHA - check them out:

I believe some of these goodies are on the way to me right now - can't wait to play :) In the meantime, I have done some creating with the SEI Kris Kringle line to showcase some fun winter pics I have. Love the versatility of these holiday papers :)

Check out these fabulous SEI die-cuts with a hint of added bling & that little bird - don't you just love him :)

another close-up showcasing these fab die-cuts and some quick journaling :)

I also created a sketch to go along with this one :) On the SEI blog we are challenging you to use this sketch and some SEI products to get creating yourself!!! Feel free to link this up to the blog link party at the end of the month :)

Interested in another sketch??? I created this one for a special challenge over at Let's Scrap this month . . .

Interested in playing along???? Sign up at Let's Scrap & find out all the details HERE!!! Oh & the prize????? Shyloh from A Page 4 All Seasons has generously donated 2 page kits for one lucky winner . . . check them out . . .

Be back soon with an October Afternoon creation & a giveaway!!!! FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

ttyl - julie :)