A Layout and Christmas Candy

Hi everyone!

Ever get totally side tracked while you're trying to compose a post? It never happens to me. I want to share a layout with you; its a scrap lift of another layout I saw on Scrapbook.com, and I saved it to my Pinterest for future reference. Well, in the natural course of things, I went to the board that I wanted--well, not quite. Not before I browsed through the home page and pinned a few other things that really caught my eye. Obviously Christmas is on everyone's minds- because the Christmas theme isn't just showing up on cards! (Maybe it has something to do with how hot its been all over the place? Just taking a stab in the dark on that one...) Then I went to the particular board that I wanted.

The inspiration behind my layout came from Sasload4's layout 'Domestic Princess'. I absolutely loved the way she placed her pictures, and the strip of card stock bordering them with the stars inset in it. So pretty. I wanted to replicate it!

Here's what I came up with:

Rather than using three pictures, like Sandra did, I only used one- which is a 5x7. I put the border strip along the top- in an attempt to create a night-like sky. I also used black card stock to further enhance the theme. My girls like playing 'night-night'- they pretend to sleep; they'll lay on the floor, pretend to snore, then jump up shouting, 'wake up, wake up'! They get even more excited when mama and daddy play along with them. (I think its actually mama and daddy that inspired them to play this game in the first place!!)

The purple strip of card stock was stamped with an SU Easter set- the polka dots reminded me of stars in the sky that are far, far away and clear rhinestones help add the sparkle factor to my night sky. Pop a few stars up there, and a cloud or two, and voila! You're basically done!

So, now that I mentioned it, are you wondering what the items were that I found on Pinterest that snagged my attention?

I thought so.

 candles, adorable cutlery, and two fabulous cards- one of which I want to scrap lift into a layout.

Aren't the candles and the cutlery fabulous??! I have a grocery bag full of pine cones that mom collected for me, then gave me, and I've been somewhat cruising around looking for creative uses for them. This is definitely one that I want to try out! Also, I've found a way to use up this one particular set of cutlery that we don't like using! Yay!

Have a great night everyone. See y'all again tomorrow!

~a

And There You Have it

I'm bushed tonight. What a great day! The air show was amazing, and the girls really seemed to like it. The F-18 Hornet scared poor Maren, but we were prepared for it, so she sat in daddy's lap and he covered her ears with his hands. The way he cradled her made her feel so safe, I think, that she wouldn't let him take his hands away from her ears. She wanted to stay that way. And then, she fell asleep. So adorably sweet! Pictures will follow tomorrow. Promise!!

I just wanted to share one quick layout with you tonight, then I'm going to bed myself.

This is another 'just for fun' layout. I used the week 4 sketch for the monthly sketch challenge over at scrapbook.com. I also submitted this layout to Scrapping the Music- the 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' challenge. All because sweet Sharon suggested it. {Thanks, Sharon!!}

Addison and I were checking things out way up in the sky. She was telling me there were clouds, and birds, and the moon...I'm not sure what I was pointing at (because I can't remember), but I was pointing something else out to her that lives way up there. She likes referring to things up there as 'up sky', and other times its, 'up so high'. So, I mixed the two, and came up with 'the sky so high'!

And, the little 'joy' tag--just a little subliminal message there. Addison really is my pride and joy, and I wanted to let her know, in a subtle way, that's what she is to me.

Every single piece of patterned paper on this project is scraps. The strip that appears to be white, is actually light blue; it and the red/dark pink are from the Sweet Nectar 6x6 paper pad, the green strip is SU (a christmas paper pack), and the green/teal is Autumn Leaves card stock. The journalling spot was stamped using Old Olive SU ink on a scrap piece of Sweet Nectar patterned paper, and I spruced up a dollar store wedding tag by punching a circle and stamping the word joy on it (from the mini phrases SU stamp set) in Basic Black ink. The flower is Prima.

Oh! And the butterfly- its one I printed off the internet. It was used as a template for this layout, and I decided to hang onto it in case I ever wanted to use those particular butterflies ever again. At that time. Since I've been re-organizing the craft space and cleaning it up again, I just figured I'd use it and get it out of the way. It worked perfectly on this layout- the colours were just right.

While this was in the works, I really struggled with it. I didn't know what direction to take it, or which direction to let it naturally take on its own. After ignoring it for a few days, and pondering it, I was ready to tackle it again, and it (wonderfully) came together rather quickly. And, the final product is swoon worthy, IMHO. I just love it...

I'm starting to think that I'm loving...loving brights against white backgrounds. I can't get enough of it. I want to do more and more, and I've been trying to figure out what I could use for white backgrounds, since I've run out of white card stock. Ha. I've actually been reverted to using the sheets that come in the page protectors when you buy new post bound albums. Anyone else do that? For the time being, that is...

Well, its time to go, but I'll be back again tomorrow.

Till then...

~a

Four Simple Words

34* hearing four sweet, beautiful words coming from their precious mouths: 'mommy, I love you'

We had an incredibly beautiful morning here. Finally at 11:30, I was able to convince the kids it would be fun to play outside. And, I'm glad they went, because they were out there until about ten to two. By then, dark clouds were rolling in, we heard a small peel of thunder, and it began to rain. It didn't come down really heavily until just a couple minutes ago, actually. Thank goodness Kyle got the front yard mowed! I finally have a yard that looks as nice as the rest of the neighbourhoods! (minus my flower beds. They've still got grass growing out of them).

Anyways, I was sitting on the deck, soaking up the sunshine, while the kids played in the backyard, when Maren joined me on the deck. She stood in-between my legs and laid her head in my lap. While she was standing there like that, and while I was gently stroking her head and talking with her, she suddenly said those four words to me. That's the first time she's said them to me without me saying them to her, first. 


{Melting heart} OH. MY. WORD!!!!!

35* Maren Avery and Addison Brie
36* Addison Brie and Maren Avery

On the same subject, Addison didn't sleep the greatest last night. She woke up a few times, and each time, I went in and got her re-arranged, covered up again and back to sleep. At four this morning, the last time she was awake, she was feeling pretty talkative. She asked for her kiki (blankie), and when I pulled it out from under her, I gently began stroking her forehead and whispered to her that I loved her.

I am not 100% sure, but I think Addison said, 'me too, mommy'.

37* love

There's one more thing that I absolutely LOVE today, but I won't be able to share it until either later today or tomorrow. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to post again today.

Do you ever marvel at yourself for creating something that you feel is so incredible, the stars must have aligned just right in order for you to have created that item in the first place?

Yeah, I feel that way about my latest layout. I'm so pumped about it I can hardly wait to share it! I actually love it so much, I have decided I need to make another one. The subject on this one is miss Addison. SO, the subject on the second one should naturally be miss Maren!

More

~11~ how utterly distraught she was when I left her at a friends so I could bring her sister and myself to the clinic. It broke my heart hearing her sobs- even when she was back in my arms and STILL not settling, and it was touching at the same time.
~12~ sweet little Nibbles, the puppy that goes bonkers when we come around
~13~ sunshine and warmth
~14~ slushies on hot summer days
~15~ camping trips and road trips
~16~ the sweet smiles they give when I turn around in the front seat to check on my previous cargo
~17~ gathering with relatives and loved ones and sharing a fantastic long weekend with them
~18~ a cleansing and refreshing shower after a hot, sticky and dusty long weekend!
~19~ freshly washed and dried bed sheets
~20~ snuggles with kitty

Simple Pleasures

Each day my children find something new to delight in and it makes me marvel at their careless abandon for simple joys. It's inspired me, as has a friends blog (you can find her over at kimscorner1.blogspot.com), although my reason for remembering these moments might be different than hers.

~1~ riding in the grocery cart, which always makes her erupt into squeals and giggles
~2~ the way she holds my face in her soft, warm hands and looks unabashedly in my eyes
~3~ oh how my heart melts when she does it!
~4~ pleasant surprises and the blessings that accompany them
~5~ a pending visit from a missed, dear friend later this summer
~6~ the way they both go nuts over their bath times
~7~ how she says "cookie", "no" and "peeka" in that sweet, angelic voice of hers
~8~ listening to her talk in her crib at bed time. The happiness and contentment she exudes in those moments make me so proud!
~9~ finally having some common ground with a relative and *finally* getting over my inferiority complex around her
~10~ warm, sunny days

Tomorrow we are leaving for the weekend; I am looking forward to the annual family camping trip. It was something I dearly missed when we moved to Saskatchewan! I'll post how things went when we return.

Happy long weekend everyone!

Not Over

You are still suffering, poor, sweet girl.

It just seems like one thing after another keeps popping up for you, making getting better a little harder to achieve. Boo!

Daddy and I braved the awful weather and driving conditions to bring you back to the doctor to learn that your ear infection is still angry looking; we're going to keep giving you medicine until Friday. Tomorrow was supposed to be the last day. I mentioned the diaper rash you have, and after looking at it, he said that its fungal in nature. Which would explain how angry it looks!  And, sweetie, I am soo sorry for the pain I put you in every time I clean you up and put cream on your rash. It feels hot to my fingers, and I am certain it doesn't feel nice to you, either.

I watched you all afternoon and this evening while you took your bath, and I am certain that even sitting is not desirable to you; instead of sitting on your bum in the bath, you stayed on your hands and knees, and any time I tried setting you down on the floor so I could do something, you would instantaneously break down in tears. (And, I am soo thankful you have tears- I was worried you were dehydrated from all the diarrhea you've bee having- its why we brought you back to the doctor in the first place. As soon as he began assessing you, the tears sprang into your eyes. Thank goodness!) Mama doesn't even know how to hold you so that you're comfortable. Diaper rashes are one thing; ones as bad as this are a totally different ball game, and I do not wish them on anyone!

You're still fairly irritable and cuddly; you had a hard time getting comfortable with me, but you looked pretty comfy snuggled up on your daddy's sturdy chest this afternoon. I'm glad he had the opportunity to spend time with you like that. He's been so busy lately, he hasn't seen much of you or your sister for the last couple of days. And, I'm glad you had the opportunity to spend some quality time with your daddy. I know how much you love him, baby!

Miss Addison- I am soo proud of you! For the last two nights in a row, you've slept so good! Bed time was at 7:30 and its now 10:15, and you haven't woken up and cried (or screamed) once yet! Normally its usually within an hour or two of putting you down. You are soo amazing!

BUT, you are awake now. You must be hungry!

Snuggly Soft

The surest sign you aren't feeling good is cuddling.

Baby, you are not a cuddler--when you're feeling good. But, when you are not, its all you want to do.

And, today was one of those days. You snuggled up to be, curled up in my arms, dozing off and on all day long. When you weren't throwing up, that is.

Throwing up on me.

Thank you for making clean up so easy! All I had to do was change my clothes and rinse you off and change your clothes (four or five times, but who's counting?!) I'm pretty sure it isn't always going to be as easy as this!

And, dear sweet Addison, thank you for being so sweet and happy and self-entertained most of the day. I know you're not feeling good either; it just didn't seem as bad as your sister.

You both are so special, and mean the world to daddy and I, and it makes us feel so awful that you're feeling awful. But, like I told your daddy, if making you feel better means sitting on the couch all day long cuddling you, then I feel like I've done my job.

Its exhausting, but that doesn't matter. All that matters is you!

Treat

Yup, you treated me tonight.

Its been *sooo* long, and I missed it.

What you did will definitely be cherished:

You woke up crying--screaming--and daddy beat me to your room and attempted to comfort you. I came as quickly as I could from the basement, and swiftly took you in my arms, making sure binky came along with us. Daddy told me someone had a poopy bum, but I didn't know who. (You'll learn when you grow up what an awful 'sniffer' your mama has). Then he told me it was you.

I grabbed a diaper and the wipes and brought you into the living room so we wouldn't disturb your sister--who was sleeping on her tummy with her tushy sticking in the air. Talk about cute!! I quickly changed your stinky bum, then turned off the light and sat with you in the dark.

For a while, you gently stroked binky; eventually you found my t-shirt collar and held onto that for a while. Just when sleep was about to completely overtake you, you slipped your hand under your chin, resting on my chest, and the slits where your wide blue eyes are, closed even further.

I whispered 'I love you' a couple times, while I watched you fall asleep--sweet moments like this make me fall in love with you all over again. I am so glad I had the chance to cuddle you to sleep--it makes this mama relieved to know your tummy feels well enough to let me do this for you, and it makes her ridiculously happy that you openly welcomed it.

Of course you would, though. That's how I put you to sleep for the first 8 months of your life! And, I think you miss it as much as I do, which is why you scream so much for my attention every other time!

You are a sweet, sweet girl and I love you immensely, baby.

What You Do

You have our routine down pat, and I think its just too adorable (not to mention sweet!)

Every night after you finish your supper, and after you've played with daddy for a bit, you crawl through the living room, through the dining room and through the bathroom door to sit and play on the floor next to me while your sister enjoys her bath.

With your--or your sisters--or any one that just happens to be available--sucky in your mouth.

First, you greet me by climbing into my lap and standing there. Then you turn and hang on to the tub and greet your sister, watching her for a few minutes, with your ESPn (as auntie likes to call it) in full tilt, telling her to hurry up, its your turn. Then, I set you down and you grab the purple pail that stores your bath toys, turn it over and proceed to play.

When you're not trying to play with the garbage in the garbage can or stick your hands in the toilet.

You are so smart, and you're growing up so fast!!

Two Extremes

These days have been bittersweet since I posted last.

My household is coming along- my children are happier and daily I see more and more progress in the right direction, especially for sweet little Addison. There are still concerns with her overactive reflex in one knee and lack thereof in the other. The questionnaire the specialist sent has been put in the mail, and now we continue the waiting game.

Since her tummy has stopped hurting, she's begun blossoming in new ways. She is still the most relaxed and happiest during her bath times (and active, I should add), but she's becoming braver as the day goes on, as well. She can turn herself on her bum (in a sitting position) 90 degrees at a time and she's begun bouncing- slightly- in the jolly jumper. She's sitting up more and she's staying happy for longer periods of time; for example, we just spent the last hour and a half hanging out in the dining room while mama scrapbooked and the twinlets played. When she got tired of the exersaucer, I put her on the floor with some toys, and she continued playing there until nap time.

IMPRESSIVE!

Maren is much happier now that she is mobile and can get around on her own. She explores the house daily: yesterday she discovered magnets on the fridge, and commenced taking them off and playing with them. Then she discovered her diaper bag by the back door this afternoon- with toys in it- BONUS!!- and played there for a while. When she gets tired of that, she tours around the kitchen and dining room, playing under the swing, trying to pull the leaves off mama's plant by the patio door, plays with some boxes that I've got stored in the opposite corner of the dining room for 'Maren-proofing items', or the highchairs which are stored in front of the china cabinet.

When the house is quiet, I begin wondering what's going on. (Usually they are zoned out in front of the tv, though there have been times where Maren's been where she shouldn't be- like playing with the garbage can in our bathroom...)

WHile my heart is brimming with pride and happiness that my girls are finally regaining some of their long-lost happiness, my heart is hurting for my dear sister. My heart is consumed with worry for her over her failing health, wondering what the future is going to hold for her. Last time we talked, the doctors had a general idea of what they think is going on, but it isn't definite. The prognosis isn't definite as a result, as well.

I am prepared for the scariest possible scenario, though I am hoping that doesn't come about. I am worried that because its taking so long for the doctors to find out what's going on, her liver is going to suffer permanent, irreparable damage (it already is...), meaning surgery, liver transplant or worse. There's nothing like hearing the words, 'your liver is starting to fail.'

I suspected it, but wasn't prepared to actually hear it.

Precious Moments

As we stood together in the kitchen in the wee hours of the morning, waiting for your bottle to finish heating in the microwave, you caught sight of kitty. He appeared to not have been fed at bedtime, so was rubbing against my legs, purring loudly his reminder that his ever-empty tummy needed to be refilled.

Leaning across my chest, you looked down at the floor and smiled when you caught sight of him again, little squeaks of greeting escaping your lips every now and then. He had you so excited, that when we sat down on the couch to feed you, the bottle was the last thing on your mind.

Good thing kitty decided to follow us, because while I changed your diaper, there on the living room floor, kitty came up (overcoming his recent fear of you and your sister) for a short petting session. I bet that made your night: seeing kitty *and* getting to pet him!

Knowing that you have a soft spot for animals melts my heart, but what made it melt further?

Kitty walked around you to your other side, and rubbed up against your jolly jumper while I finished up changing your diaper. I looked down at you briefly, while I was wrapping up your wet diaper, and your fingers were curling and uncurling in his direction- in a 'come-back-here- motion.

You are too sweet!

Waiting Game

I've been trying so hard to keep the despair and negativity I'm feeling towards Addisons' disposition, health problems, temperament (take your pick--I'm not sure what the right word is to describe the situation, though I feel that health problems is the best way to describe it) out of my blog, but tonight I'm unable to avoid it.

Just in the way that we have to wait again for a referral to a new pediatrician. I am hoping, earnestly, that we do not need to wait long (as in 3 months long). Not knowing what is wrong has gone on long enough. She was doing so well up until the middle of November, and then things went all awry again. She doesn't sleep well at night, waking up howling, as if she's hurting somewhere; holding her and cuddling her doesn't help anymore, either. When I hold her, she pushes away. She isn't hungry; typically she wakes within an hour or two of eating.

She's begung crying at frequent intervals throughout the day again- for the most part enough throughout the day that I dare not leave the living room where she's playing, because as soon as I start doing something, the crying begins again.

Her appetite remains on the poorer side--one day she'll eat fairly well (for her) and the next, she eats next to nothing. For a while, even rice cereal didn't go over so well. In the last week or so, it seems to be getting better again, thankfully, because breakfast and supper tend to be the only meals where she eats (in my mind) adequately.

Naps aren't going so well, either--for both girls. Maybe its teething; I'm not sure. Typically, they would nap an hour or a little longer each time they went to sleep during the day. They were having a quick snack at 5 pm and then heading for another quick, short nap after that, tying them over until supper time at 7, and then bedtime at 8. Not anymore. Now we're not napping at all after 2, and the naps we do take are only half an hour long.

Thankfully for Maren, she's starting to sleep through the night. It might not be every night, but three out of the last four nights have been all-nighters for her. Thank you, baby!!

I've been bringing Addison to the chiropractor, which unfortunately isn't making a big enough difference for us. It isn't really helping. Her pediatrician, who we saw last Monday, didn't have the time to listen to my concerns, so sent us home with an inadequate diagnosis (slight ear infection--so take amoxycillin and an antacid for tummy troubles). Today, we went to another doctor, this time in town, and I am not totally satisfied with what he had to say, either. I was hoping he would have some insight into the situation; either he was playing it safe or he really didn't know.

The chiropractor isn't able--and hasn't been able to over the last three visits-- to get Addisons' right knee to reflex with her rubber mallet. She is a bit concerned about it, so asked me to have it checked by someone else. We did, and now we're waiting for another doctor to have a look at it. We hear that this pediatrician is really good; his waiting list is long, but once we get in, we won't be disappointed.

Dear Lord.

The first time we were referred to him, we had to wait three months. At the time, that was wwaaayyyyy too long. Thank goodness our current pediatrician came up with the diagnosis of colic. It may not have been the right or accurate one, but what he prescribed certainly made a difference.

Not anymore. Now there's something else. Oh, she still has her happy moments. And when she does, she is soooo sweet. I just wish they happened a little more frequently.

For my own sanity--and for the sake of my dear child--I am not sure I can wait that long again, either.

Frolicking

in the bath has been yours and your sisters' favorite past time since your very first bath. (I even like to think you enjoyed it while you were still in the womb...)

When you were really little, you would just lean back and soak up the warmth--and the pampering. (Who wouldn't, right??)

As you continued to grow, and further enjoy your baths, I began wondering (just recently, truth be told) when you were going to start cooing and smiling during your bath. Typically, you're preoccupied with kicking your feet and keeping your hands out of the water as much as possible. Once, you kicked so hard, you got water in your face.

{Insert snicker (hidden, of course) here}

Shock passed over your features, and then a very visible (though mental) shake of the head, and you continued to play. Funniest thing, up to date, your mother has ever seen. From you, that is.

The sweetest thing your mother has ever seen, up to date, while you're playing in the bath, occured this evening.

All of a sudden, you stopped playing, there was no expression on your face, and you stared hard into the water you were soaking in. (It scared me because I didn't know what was going on--were you going to poop right there in the tub, were you going to cough, fart, spit up???) Nope. You looked up, looked right at me, and smiled the biggest and brightest smile.

Oh dear, sweet Addison.

{Insert swoon here}.

I laughed a little too loud (in delight, of course), and I think it scared you, because all seriousness returned in the very next instant. Dang it!! So, I began to whisper to you, and in the next instant, you began cooing. And talking. And smacking your lips together--just like a fish--all while still kicking your feet. Oh, and playing with your bath toys.

After drying you off, we took a quick detour into the living room to tell daddy about your new milestone, and the entire three minutes we stood there talking, you continued to smack your lips together like the sweet little fishy you are, and every once in a while your leg would lightly thump my thigh-- you were still kicking. And smiling. (You continued right through getting lotioned up and dressed in your jammies, too!)

To finish off our amazing bath time, I walked into your room to get your sister dressed, only to find you passed out. In bed. With your binkie above your head, your mobile playing, and your sucky hanging haphazardly from your relaxed lips. I pulled your blankie from under your feet and back on top of you, re-adjusted binkie so he was in your arms again, and pushed your sucky back into your mouth.

You never stirred.

After such a wonderful day, this evening was the icing on the cake.

I love you, Miss Addison

Poop Throwing Monkeys

I am pretty sure I've heard this phrase from a movie that I watched on tv, or in the theatre- with friends, not without- at some point in my life. I don't know what movie its from- or if it was even a movie, for that matter. Maybe it was a phrase from a tv show or commercial on tv. It was something graphic, and I was watching it. Those two are definites.

Wherever or however I came across that quote I'll probably never know, but I think of it every time I think of my children getting hold of their diapers- undone diapers I might add- mid change- and pull it out from underneath themselves and fling it.

Yes, that's right. Fling. it.

(well, its more like grab it, wave their arms about like they're playing with a toy, and as a result fling it. But, whatever works).

I am not sure if its intentional or unintentional, but I do not like it. One of the girls got hold of it the other day and dropped it on the floor- upside down (oh dear Lord) and its contents fell out. I should mention that its contents are not absorbable like liquid is. They're solid. (Again, a hearty oh dear Lord).

I mean yeeessss, my children are monkeys- and one moreso than the other, but the other one is catching up quickly! And yeeessss they are cute and adorable and sweet and cuddly, but they are also destructive. The typicaly quiet and docile twin has been taking lessons from her sister, and has begun kicking anytime she's held or being changed- but I never thought the day would arrive where I have to worry about poop flinging babies! If they're not flinging it around, they're getting their fingers in it and wiping it all over their clothes and bodies and *gasp* the curtains!!! (Not to mention mommy).

And, yeeeesssss, I am horrified-sweet little girls don't do stuff like that, but on the other hand...its kind of amusing. They are teaching me to be quick and always stay one step ahead of them. What will be next??

I'm going to have to invest in a steam cleaner for the curtains as well as the carpet in their room.

Or, should I just tear it out and opt for hardwood, like the living room?