Baby's got a name

After looking through thousands of baby boy names we finally came up with 6 that we put up on the fridge to think about.  Well and wouldn't you know it, we decided on one New Year's Eve and it wasn't one of the final 6.  It came to us in a random flip through of the baby book and we loved it. 

Baby Martin is now, Charles "Zane" Martin.

I am so happy to have a name for him and to start thinking of him in a more personal way.

Now that we have Summer all setup in her big girl room I am in full gear to get Zane's "baby lodge" complete.  I was inspired by this picture I found on Pinterest.

And these lodge-type animal silhouettes...which I plan on recreating in a different way.

In order to get this look I had to find me a barn door.  Well that would cost a bundle (in the city) so I decided to make one.  

Step 1:

Step 2:

 Testing my stain - this came out so good I will have to incorporate it in some way. 

I realize that I am incapable of just buying a pre-made room.  I have the need to handmake just about all elements involved...maybe not the easiest method but one I enjoy.  I will keep you updated as the "baby lodge" progresses.

To Summer, From Santa

Santa's Elves gave Summer a wonderful Christmas!  Mr. & Mrs. Claus was in charge of transforming the masculine guest bedroom into Summer's Big Girl Room.  She created handmade tissue flowers to brighten up the walls and spray painted the lamp bases along with new bedding and drapes to complete the girlie transformation. 

Summer's reaction was WOW!

Christmas Decorations, Santa's helper and workshop

Christmas is five days away and we are in the spirit!  Summer fully understands that Santa Claus is going to fill her stocking...and she knows which one is hers.  She wants hot dog buns and lollipops!

She made this Santa Claus at the library Christmas party.  We have it on the tree along with her letter to Santa and any Christmas cards that have Santa's picture on them.  All things Santa belong in the tree. 

This year I am highlighting my crafty skills.  At the front door I have made hanging ornaments as well as signs that were inspired from the Pottery Barn Kids magazine.   

Summer has been quite the little helper!  She is on the NICE list.  In this photo, she was helping me do laundry, putting each piece one-by-one in the washing machine. 

She even helped me grate cheese for taco night. Advanced for a two year old, I know:) 

She is happy to teach her baby how to stir. 

Santa Claus is decorating Summer's Big Girl Room for Christmas.  Who knew Santa was so crafty!  What IS he planning to do with all of these flower pom poms? 



We've Got Tubes

After a year and a half of ear infections, Summer is getting TUBES.  We are thrilled.  She is such an excellent patient.  Look at this happy smile.  We were in the waiting room at the outpatient surgery center at 6:30am

Arg! I can't seem to get these to upload correctly and I hate that.  Sorry you have to turn your head. 

Anyways, here Summer is in the pre-op room and she changed into the cute hospital fish pajamas.  At this point she had received 5 stickers from the nurse and that was pretty cool. 

This picture is after she had her "giggly juice."  The doctor said this would be a good indicator of how her first year of college would go.  I am proud to say, Summer was a mellow drunk.  The doctor said that some kids get wild and even take their clothes off (those kids have to live at home during college).  I was asking her to point to different body parts and she was getting them a little off...her "nose" was between her eyes.  Funny!

The surgery went great and it was over faster than I could have a cup of coffee and text everybody.  At this point Summer was a little camera shy.  We came home and watched Toy Story 3, ate alot and drank alot and she has been enjoying a long nap (3 hr 45 min so far).   

Doctor says she should be ready to do normal activities tomorrow. 

Thanksgiving and more

This year we had a great Thanksgiving at the Martin's new home here in Asheville.  It was great to have them so close.  Chad's uncle and cousins came up and there was a house full of fun! 

Summer loved playing with Brooke and getting to be the BIG cousin to Kate.

She got some love from Jonas, who is just a few months younger than her. 

But nothing was more satisfying than loving, helping, talking gently to baby Kate. 

Great memories and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year, if not sooner! 

Today we went to a playdate with our MOPS group to see a police officer and a K-9 officer.  Summer didn't see what the big fuss was about...we have one of these at home (minus the training).

What was more fun was to hold Madelyn while her big sister pet the dog and her mom took pics.  Little brother better get used to being "handled" quickly because she is ready for one of these "babies" to have all to herself. 

I am totally jumping around here topic-wise...but here is my first wrapped gift.  I have always wanted to wrap in brown craft paper and go simple.  This is the year!

2 year old logic: if your chicken and rice soup is hot put some frozen strawberries in it! 

Summer showing off her Cheerios tower...she can build them high!

Measuring and stirring Cheerios, while wearing her apron, is her new kitchen task.  It really helps me cook dinner to have her hard at work.

Pregancy Update_22 weeks

Time is flying by with pregnancy #2.  Possibly because I am very busy with #1 and don't have the luxury of sitting around daydreaming about what he will be like.  I have been feeling pretty well.  I have back pain if I stand too long and need a nap every couple of days, otherwise I am normal.  My only cravings have been for fruit, mainly oranges (just like with Summer).  In the mirror I feel huge but people keep saying I am not showing that much.  Here is a recent picture I took to show baby's growth.

We still don't have a name yet for this little boy.  Feel free to make a suggestion in the comments.

Cookie Decorating, Giving Thanks and Birthdays

Are these the cutest Gingerbread girls (and boy) ever!

Mid-November, Summer and I hosted a Cookie Decorating Party for her group of friends.  We gave each of the girls these cute gingerbread aprons (thanks Mimi) and they loved them.  They all took turns adding ingredients to the bowl, stirring and passing it to the next person.  They rolled out the cookies and cut them with gingerbread men, Christmas tree and gingerbread house shaped cookie cutters.  Then they iced them and decorated with M&Ms.

These are Summer's cookies...you can tell whose mother was taking pictures and not "providing guidance" in the decorating process.  They were still yummy!  By the way, they are sugar cookies as I couldn't find an easy box of gingerbread mix (maybe they come out closer to Christmas).

 Before Thanksgiving we got this yummy recipe for pumpkin muffins (a can of pumpkin and spice cake mix-powder only).  We baked them and sprinkled with powdered sugar and delivered with a cute "hand"made note of appreciation to our neighbors.

Also before Thanksgiving were a couple of birthdays (I am still behind on-woops)!  Happy Birthday to Aunt Bebe and to Nana.  We went with Granddad and Nana to dinner to celebrate.  I'm not quite sure if Summer thought the dessert and singing was for her or Nana?