So We Had a Baby

Oh hey there. So it's been a few months.

3 to be exact.

And basically the most important thing that you need to know about what's been going on with us during that time is : We had a baby!

On October 16th we welcomed sweet, handsome Greyson George Romney into the world.

Our days are now a little crazier and our nights involve a little less sleep, but what an immense blessing this babe has been to us already. I am simply overwhelmed with love for both of my kiddos.

There is so much more that I want to say about how I love my sweet babies, how I appreciate Blake, how we've been adjusting to life with two kids. I will definitely be writing more soon,

but the truth is that both kids went to bed before 8:00 tonight and all I really want to do right now is go to sleep!

More to come... :)

- e

Baby Boy's Nursery Inspiration Board

1. Jenny Lind Crib  2. Custom Crib Bedding  3. Anthropologie Picture Frame 

4. Three-Tier Bin 5. Let Them Be Little Print via Pinterest 6. Desert Animal Prints 

7. Wild & Free Hoop 8. Ikea Expedit Shelf  9. Ikea Ektorp Chair 10. Ikea Faux Sheep Skin Rug 11. She's Crafty DIY Wall 12. Aden & Anais Blankets  13. Ottoman Pouf Pillow 14. Teepee

15. Boy's Print 16. UO Chevron Rug

Here's a little sneak peak at some of the things we're considering for Baby Boy's nursery!

We'll be going a little bit tribal while still trying to include some of those classic little boy touches :)

There are so many other details & fun items that I would have loved to include . . . I don't know how I'll ever choose (or find the bucks to actually make this come to fruition).

We'll be using a lot of things that we already have and trying to DIY as much as possible, but I'm determined to have this little guy's nursery done while he's still an infant at the very least.

Notice I don't say by the time he is born, because let's be real, that probably won't be happening.

What are your favorite places to shop for nursery décor?

- e



Art by Annie

Annie has dubbed this painting "Happy Cat"...though it sometimes changes to "Loud Cat"...or "Happy Dog".

Almost daily, I get at least one of these requests: 

"Annie draw?"

"Annie paint?"

"Annie paint with brush?"

I know they might not look like much to you, but to us they are examples of her exploring her creativity & sense of the world around her. Though I have to admit, it is so comical sometimes to hear how she interprets her creations & what her explanations for some of them are.

Though we've been enjoying the outdoors as much as possible (which to be honest, hasn't been nearly enough - poor Annie - but this pregnant mama sometimes can't handle the heat) these have been some favorite ways to spend our time inside lately.

Hoping to explore more craft projects as the summer draws to a close & the long winter days begin to creep in.

What are your go-to indoor ways to craft with your kids?

- e

Chugga Chugga

Tonight, as a final hurrah ending my parents' time up in Park City, we did the Heber Valley Train ride on the Heber Creeper through Heber Valley & the Deer Creek Reservoir.

Complete with twinkle lights & one of the most solid oldie's mixes I've ever heard, we rode, sang, & danced our way across the mountains. Annie shares her grandpa's love for trains & talked about riding on one nonstop, all day, until the big moment finally arrived - I'm pretty sure they were both in heaven :)

As usual, we forgot our camera.

Making it my mission to just start carrying the thing around with me absolutely everywhere I go.

On the agenda for this week: clearing our closets, dressers,  cabinets, & shelves, & taking stock of unused furniture in preparation for a yard sale we'll be having this weekend.

Fun.

- e

Our Week in Pictures

Our week, according to Instagram :

Finished up celebrating Annie B's birthday! 

Spent a morning of celebration & relaxation by kidnapping this lady (one of my best Utah gals, Becky ) for a birthday treat at the spa, courtesy of her sweet husband!

We spent another fun-filled weekend in Park City with my mom & dad!

We have been SO spoiled having them visit between all of the fun activities, amazing food, & help with Annie - they even kept her for two extra days so that Blake & I could have a break & enjoy some time to ourselves :)

I love, love, love this cozy mountain town - even though it's right in our backyard it feels completely different from our desert valley.

I would move there tomorrow...so if you have any job contacts send them our way!

Annie and her best bud Makayla (Annie calls her KK) at the zoo!

A few more zoo pics!

- e



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



Wednesday Words of Wisdom

via

So much truth in one simple statement.

Food is very important to me.

And I don't know about you, but when I don't have it I tend to get a little "hangry".

So, if you happened to have an encounter with me on Monday morning anytime before 12:30 PM - let me just apologize now.

I had my glucose test that morning and was therefore not allowed to eat.

Cruel & unusual punishment could be another name for it.

Ah, the joys of pregnancy.

11 weeks until we meet our guy :)

- e

Just FYI :

My top is from Anthropologie! You can find it, here. They have so many amazing flowy tops that can totally work as maternity shirts and will be awesome post-pregnancy as well  - hallelujah! 

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!!)