THE GOOD
* Nicholas has started smiling - I mean the real kind - not the smiles that slip out because of gas or while he's dreaming - but the kind where I tickled him or gave a funny face & he smiles so sweetly at me - makes my heart melt & keeps me sane during the other 95 % of the time when he looks like this . . .
aka . . . grumpy old man
* Ryan is in LOVE with his little brother - I mean can't get enough of him, always wants to be around him kind of love . . . not to mention he is a MASTER at getting that kid to take a pacifier when he's crying (which is super helpful to mommy)
* I've shed half my pregnancy weight, although the whole was ALOT (seriously - ALOT) so I still have a long way to go . . .
* Amazingly I have still been able to scrap - usually the 10PM - 2AM time frame - but a dose of scrappy time is always a good thing in my book :)
THE BAD . . . THE UGLY . . .
* Nicholas is a fussy one - like really fussy - usually the worst is from 3 or 4PM until 7 or 8PM - alot of screaming & crying & nothing seems to really calm him down but the bath - unfortunately giving a 4 hour bath doesn't work so . . . we work through the fussy :)
* My house looks like a bomb went off - I can never keep up these days - the laundry, the dishes, the mess Ryan makes as I tend to Nicholas - it is overwhelming at times but I know eventually it will all get done . . .
* I never feel good about my "mommy day" - I only feel as if I have survived it. Not that every day with Ryan before baby made me feel like a rockstar mommy - absolutely not - but these days I feel pulled in both directions & never feel like either is totally happy with me. There are times Ryan says things that break my heart because he wants more of me than I can give right now, and there are times I listen to Nicholas cry out for me as I try to tend to Ryan & it breaks my heart as well. I keep telling myself that my mother had 5 of us & we never, ever felt unloved - so I plug away - creating imaginary birthday parties with Ryan & his stuffed animals, changing diapers & giving bottles to Nicholas, preparing breakfasts & lunches & dinners for Ryan, try to make Nicholas smile with silly faces & tickles, reading Ryan stories & snuggling, telling them both as much as possible I love them.
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My mom always asks me if I am tired or says "you must be tired" - and yes I am - luckily I have been one who never slept much so I'm used to it. I've always capped out at 5 or 6 hours, never was a late sleeper on weekends, never really took naps . . . so that 10 to 2 time, yes well I could be sleeping and sometimes I do but often I scrap. Why some of you may ask . . . because in those late hours, when the house is quiet & I can think . . . I mean really think . . . I choose to spend that me time reminding myself why all this chaos of my day is worth it . . . every second of it . . . as I create pages that treasure all the wonderful moments that I sometimes forget about amidst the crazy of my day. It makes me happy . . . it helps me remember . . . it allows me start the next day with a smile in my heart :)
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On to some sharing . . .
SEI is running another sketch challenge this month on their blog & as a bonus, one lucky person who particpates & links their layout up at the link party the end of this month will win a $25 gift certificate to shopsei.com where you can pick out your own prize - how AWESOME is that???
Here is the sketch . . .
A close-up of the title work - love these cardstock stickers & how they look layered up behind the title . . .
Oh & the heart die-cuts - so many fun options on the 12 x 12 sheet & piled up they make the perfect corner accent!!!
I also created another layout with this collection . . . tugs at my heartstrings because this is a pic from the day Nicholas was born . . .
The heart sequence on this page was so fun to do - a bit time consuming but super easy. I used a Sizzix sizzlit die to cut the scalloped hearts. They come out in two pieces - the scalloped frame & inner heart. I glued down the frames & then glued just the center of the inner hearts down. Some quick stitching down the center of each column & then some folding of each heart inward created a fun series of heart embellishments. A super inexpensive way to add some fun elements to a page!!
I am still playing with all the fabulous little goodies sent to me by Melissa over at Pretty Little Studio - if you haven't yet checked out her adorable products be sure to HERE!!! I loved the vintage boy flashcards she has created & wanted to use them on a page of Ryan working hard at practicing his letters . . .
I think I am in love with the 8 x 8 notebook lined die-cut & that cute red bookprint paper I used at the top for the scalloped border!!!
By the way - a new collection is coming out called Hopscotch & it is perfect for the upcoming Spring/Easter season . . . check out the sneaks . . .
Just leave a comment on the Pretty Little Studio blog for a chance at winning an 8" x 8" paper pack of the new collection!!!
Alright . . . off to finish up a few things before my bedtime . . . lots more to share . . . just not yet :)
Oh a just throwing in a few extra pics of the new little man before I go . . .
ttyl - julie :)
