Throwback Thursday : Making Room for Baby

Seriously terrible iPhone photos - but the only ones I have!

Came across these photos from a ways back & thought I would use them as a little throwback post. Annie was such a little thing & just starting to get into trouble :)

We recently started making a few changes around the house so that we can start getting baby boy's room ready. Annie has been sleeping in a big bed (a queen thank you very much - spoiled little lady) for most of the year, so it was definitely time to move her crib out of her room and rearrange a few things.

This was such a bitter-sweet feeling.

The realization that she is getting older.

She is truly no longer a baby.

Soon, the time that was "just the three of us" will be no longer.

But with this comes another sweet spirit to love.

Another hand to hold.

An eternal bond with another little soul for Annie & for us.

I never really finished Annie's room - something I've felt so guilty about - & have never really been fully happy with it. I went in a completely different direction than I ever planned & then it was just too late to turn back.

I know people - first world problems.

So, while we're getting ready for our little man we're also going to slowly make some changes to Annie's room as well. I guess I've just decided that this in this phase of life, while we're still this young & our tastes are still changing, our house will be constantly shifting.

Honestly, this could be an every phase of life thing for me, but who knows.

Trying to be grateful & focus on what I do have & all that we've been able to accomplish with our home.

Looking forward to changes ahead.

- e



Entry Gallery Wall

Here are some epically horrible photos of the gallery wall we recently finished in our entry hall.

There's nothing like an event where people will be coming into your home to light a fire under your butt & get you to finish a project you've been putting off for months!

We wanted to spend very little, if any money, on this wall & tried to make use of frames that we already had. We also found a few frames for just a couple of dollars at a second hand store & painted them, helping to cut down on the cost as well. Throw in a frame or two from Ikea & Hobby Lobby, plus a few coupons & you have a pretty economical little project.

Now if I could just figure out how to take decent pictures of my house & we can all be happy campers!

- e 

Annie's Second Birthday Party

Last weekend we celebrated Annie's second birthday with a little Saturday morning brunch .

It was such a fun day & was made so special by the family & friends who were able to be there , though there were definitely many who were missed !

This party was basically one giant DIY project & I had such fun putting it together !

Check it out !

*sources & other info at the bottom of the page 

I made this wreath out of coffee filters! I followed this tutorial from the blog Lolly Jane.

The burlap and doily bunting was another DIY courtesy of Lolly Jane, here.

These flowers were also made from coffee filters. I sort of modified this tutorial, here . Obviously I did not dye mine - I used regular coffee filters for the white & organic coffee filters for the brown.

As favors, we gave out these recipe cards that I designed with an attached cookie cutter so you can cut your French toast into fun shapes!

And here are some pics of the B-Day Girl!

Here are some fun facts from Miss Annie now that she's TWO :

My nicknames are : Annie-Bananie, Annie B, & Ann-Bannan .

 My favorite foods are : turkey, pickles, cheese, tomatoes, berries, grapes, juice, yogurt, "mac-y" & "chicken nugs". I also like fruit snacks, chocolate chip Fiber One Bars,

M&Ms, & suckers as special treats .

My favorite shows are : Barney, Little Einsteins, Calliou, Super Why, Doodlebops, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Scout & Friends, & The "Neigh Neigh" Videos .

My favorite songs to sing & dance to are : Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,  If You're Happy & You Know It, Hokey Pokey, Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Popcorn Popping , Do As I'm Doing, Teddy Bear Teddy Bear, You Are My Sunshine, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, ABCs, Raindrops, & Five Little Monkeys .

My favorite books are : Twinkle Twinkle Little Star & Other Nursery Rhymes , Clifford Books, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Goodnight Moon, Bunny's Noisy Book, The Potty Book, Petunia, & The Annie Book . 

I've learned so much : I know all the letters of the alphabet & some of their sounds , I can count to 15, I know my colors, animals & their sounds , & I love to read books to myself . I can also put on my own shoes & buckle my car seat .

I can spell my first name & I know that my full name is

Annie Lynn Romney.

I love : trains, driving, painting, coloring, reading, chalk, cooking in my kitchen, swimming, dollies & babies,  animals - especially bunnies & doggies, bath time, dancing, holding hands, my grandparents & aunts & uncles & cousins - immediate & beyond , going to the park - the slides & swings are my favorite, kissing owies, playing on the dinosaurs with "KK", pillows & blankies, & bubbles . 

I am a little addicted to the iPad.

I call it the "IP".

I still suck my thumb .

Everyone says I look just like my daddy, but I look just like my mommy's baby pictures too .

I am an observer, memorizer, thinker, & solver.

I am very sensitive & tentative.

I love to tell stories & I think I'm very silly .

That all seems like so much and yet I know there is more!

We love you our little Annie Lynn - everything that you are

and everything that you will be .

- e  

Some other sources & FIYs :

- The "A" & "2" are both from Hobby Lobby .

- All burlap (I just purchased a yard or two) & twine used for bunting, wrapping the cupcake stand, wrapping the silverware, & for topping the mason jars were also from Hobby Lobby .

- The hearts used on the cake topper & cinnamon buns were created with glitter scrapbook paper, mini wood skewers, & hot glue - all from Hobby Lobby . I created a heart template to make hearts.

- The flags used on the quiche were made from a strip of glitter washi tape from Hobby Lobby and were wrapped around mini wood skewers, then cut on the ends .

- Organic coffee filters were purchased from Target (I had a hard time finding these!).

- Regular coffee filters were purchased from Walmart, although they also have them at the dollar store.

- The cupcake (or in this case quiche) stand, mason jars, & all doilies were purchased at Walmart .

- Straws were purchased from Pioneer Party in Lehi .

- The crate was leftover from another project & was bought at Michaels . I painted it white .

- The invitations (adding that picture soon!), labels, & recipe cards were created by me .

- Annie's dress is from Carter's (a gift from her Aunt Brittani!!)

Valentine's Printables and A Freebie!

I'm sure you've seen some of the adorable prints floating around on Pinterest .

Today I've rounded up just a few of my favorites ! 



FREE! Download here .

$17 - Available for purchase , here .

FREE ! Download here .

$22 - Available for purchase , here .

FREE ! Download here .

$18 - Available for purchase , here .

FREE ! Download here .

$25 - Available for purchase , here .

And last , a little freebie from me !



FREE ! Download here . Print is 5x7.

Enjoy !

And P.S. - here is an exceptionally terrible Instagram shot of the Valentine's Day treats that Annie & I put together for our friends & neighbors this year .

Hearts & labels made in photoshop by me.

 Straws & other crafty supplies from Pioneer Party in Lehi .

- e

A Mustache Bash

Over the weekend I hosted a baby shower for a sweet friend of mine who is expecting her first little one, a baby boy, in just a few weeks !

I had such fun planning this shower and am so grateful to everyone who contributed to making it such an amazing day for Becks and her little guy .

Here are a few photos of our Mustache Bash for Baby Kenneth !

*Most of these photos were taken before we finished up , and don't include our super cute front door banner or the area where the food was set up ! My husband very kindly took the photos for me while I was making last minute adjustments and while I am so grateful, some are just not my favorite .

Love you BW .

Also , please excuse my naked windows above the table - working on pelmet boxes for those : )

*sources & more info at the bottom of the page

A blown up version of part of the invite.



My first attempt at doing something fun on a chalkboard. First of all , I HATE touching chalk . HATE IT . But , I love the look of chalkboard signs !
The top part took me so long that I just wrote in the second line .

But , I'll definitely be practicing more !



This picture kind of kills me - the angle , the unfinished table , the highchair to the left and cutoff window on the right , but hey , you get the idea .

Two of Becky's sweet sisters who helped with the food and games - SO grateful for their help !



Me with the lady ( and gent ) of the hour !

My sweet girl helping mama prep !



This theme has been pretty trendy lately , but I just love it !

What's a party theme that you're loving right now ?

- e

Other sources & FIYs :

- The printable of the invitations, food labels, & water bottle labels were designed by me.

- Striped Straws & "It's A Boy" lollipops are from Pioneer Party in Lehi.

- Banners, letters, mustaches were made using a Cricut which I borrowed (have to get me one of those!).

- Mustache sticks were made with the Cricut mustaches & bamboo skewers - just hot glue!

- The chevron runner on the table is fabric from Hobby Lobby wrapped around a piece of corkboard.

- Tissue poms were premade from Hobby Lobby (didn't have time to attempt that DIY haha).

- Onesies were monogrammed by one of Becky's oldest friends!