birthday blocks

Grammy's birthday was yesterday. The boys spent an afternoon creating a very special gift just for her. We took wooden blocks and adhered pictures and stickers to all sides. Then they used Modgepodge to give it a nice clear coat and to seal it.  They came out very cute. A very simple and quick gift!

happy days

Grammy and Grampy arrived late Monday night. The boys awoke yesterday so excited! They all have been having lots of fun playing the past two days. So many more good times to come I am sure as they are here for a few weeks. Yeah!

must be a surprise

So many people have asked me during this pregnancy, "Oh, It must have been a surprise?"

I guess because of the age difference it will mean between Landon and his little brother. Just about 7 years. People  assume it wasn't a planned pregnancy. Well, it wasn't but it also wasn't an unwanted surprise.
I'll share.

When Landon was 3 years old I became pregnant and was so delighted, only to soon find out it was an ectopic pregnancy, meaning there was no way I could carry the baby to term and be safe for myself or the baby. It was a sad time and took a lot of recovery physically and mentally. After several months we were finally ready to start trying again. However it just wasn't happening. I was becoming discouraged and anxious all at the same time.

Last Spring I decided that it just wasn't in our cards and that we were blessed with two wonderful boys so it was time to move on and accept that we were going to be a family of 4.  I sold or gave away all our baby and maternity things. I was content with our life as it was.

Then when things were hard,  Eric had been out of work for 2 months,  a surprise came our way. I was pregnant. It was a rather unexpected surprise but something we had wanted for so long that we were overjoyed, although a little nervous since we were unsure of what the future held.

Life is unpredictable and wonderful all rolled into one.  It is a big age gap but it will all work out. The boys are excited and I am sure will be super helpers and protectors as this little one grows.

I'll take a surprise like this any day.

sunday smiles

just jax and me

The boys headed out early this morning to go skiing with all this new snow we got. Although, I do not think we even got close to what southern New England got.

Jax and I went for our morning walk in the woods. Quiet, simple, refreshing and calming.

At times he can drive me crazy, but he is a cute puppy and loves his Mama. He takes off for a bit but  always comes back to see where I am and make sure I am OK. Love the connection a person can make with an animal. He is truly a special part of our family. One of his favorite places to sleep these days is right next to my belly. He keeps me warm and every once in awhile he gets a kick or two from the baby. 

two newborn hats

These knit up easily and quickly for my little man. The greenish/yellowish is kinda a weird color but I was using my stash. They are both a soft organic cotton yarn. Hoping he will get lots of use out of them. I usually always had a hat on the boys- even at home.

hearts 4 & 5 :: watercolor painting

We've been using watercolors the past two days. 

We took coffee filters and cut them out into the shape of hearts and then just gently painted on them with the watercolors.

We took watercolor paper, stuck heart stickers all over the page and then painted whatever we felt inclined to. Once dry, we removed the stickers and had a very neat picture with heart shapes.

William then proceeded to just paint some more pictures. It was a great morning of color. He has always loved to paint. As we have become more busy or concerned with other subjects I have let the creating time slide. One of my many goals is to try my best to have time for creating every day. These moments are some of the best we have with one another. It is peaceful and we talk and their ideas are wonderful. I am more relaxed and less stressed as well. So it's good all around. Plus we have beautiful pictures for our walls.

One problem I am finding though is how to hang them.  The boys don't want thumbtacks because it makes holes, but masking tape won't stay. Any suggestions???