home sweet crafts

So it took me a while but I have discovered (and become obsessed with) pinterest.  If you don't know what it is, only check it out if you have a lot of time on your hands.  Anyways, I found this gem on there (via this blog). 

The girl who writes the blog said she didn't know what the key was to.  I personally went and made a copy of our new house key and made my own:

I modified it to better fit in with our beach house and our love for the good ol' U.S. of A.  Can't wait to move in and put it up!

santa baby

I'm lazy and just getting around to post this now... But, a few weeks ago I took Gunnar to meet Santa!  He came to the local Library and little Guns got all dressed up to go see him for the first time.  A big, fat smile would've been great for pictures, even a hysterical breakdown would've been funny.  But my kid is just indifferent.  He is too cool for Santa apparently...

Granted he did just wake up from the tiniest of naps (since the library is 5 minutes from our house).  But still, it looks like he is just bored of the whole Santa thing.  C'mon kid, you don't want coal in your stocking, do you?!

And back at home, I tried to get a shot of his adorable outfit.  That didn't go over too well.  This photo had the least amount of screaming.  Not a happy camper, but oh so adorable!

I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner; less then a week away now!  I wish it would hurry up and get here and the days would just keep on going.  I know that's a horrible thing to say about my first baby's first Christmas.  It will be wonderful and we will get to spend time with our family, but what we really want is to celebrate it (and all the other holidays) with Dad when he finally gets home sometime in the coming weeks.  

But how great is this?... Patrick's Company's ADVON team arrived home early this morning!  What a wonderful thing for all those families to have their loved ones home in time for Christmas.  I was so excited for them I haven't been able to sleep since getting the updates a few days ago!  I am also incredibly jealous, of course (ha!) but mostly so happy they have made it home safe and sound.  Now, just waiting on our turn!  I have a feeling it will be like the last few weeks of pregnancy and the days will seem like decades.  BUT!  Compared to what we've already been through, it won't be long at all... 

jolly greetings

Please enjoy this selection of photos from our 2011 Christmas card:

My handsome Santa and his adorably faithful reindeer.  Special thanks to my sister, Kelly, for her time and patience in capturing these photos!  

Enjoy your holidays everyone!

now & then

Man, what a difference a couple of weeks makes.

12 weeks

 1 week

This is Guns' bed.  We are working on moving to his crib but he hates sleeping flat on his back.  But look how my boy has filled out!  When his legs are straight they dangle way over the edge.  And the straps used to be practically in his armpits.  We need to get him in that crib soon!

three months

My little man has hit the 12 week mark.  Crazy!  He is so much fun these days, I can't even begin to tell you.  I fall more in love with every smile, every arch of the eyebrow, and even every cry.

He has pretty much gotten himself into a routine.  I swear he is so easy.  He is getting so good about sleeping 6-8 hours at a time at night.  Always up around the same time, but just sits in his seat (haven't graduated to the crib yet) and plays with his mobile.  He talks to his giraffe and waits for me to get him out.  No fussing, just giggles.  He takes a nap around the same time every morning and afternoon.  And falls asleep around the same time every night.  Perfection.  We have play time during the day, whether its time in the Bumbo or on the play mat, and tummy time too.  He loves it all.

He talks a ridiculous amount, but he is apparently camera shy.  Everytime he sees the camera he just stares at it and stops whatever he was doing (except kicking and flailing... he never stops doing that).  That's why this video is shot from the side, I didn't want him to stop giggling.  You miss out on the full effect of his cute expressions, but you can hear him and it is adorable.  I love how he keeps sticking his tongue out and you can totally see his precious little dimple!

And his eyes are getting bluer by the day... oh he is going to break some hearts with those gems.

And just look at how big he is!

(disregard the red mark on his stomach.  apparently he has sensitive skin like his momma and he got that when I was tickling him)

Oh little man, how I adore you!

santa baby

That's the name of the contest the local radio station is hosting.  They are looking for the cutest "santa baby".  I might be biased, but I think I've got a winner...

PS:  this is also a preview of our Christmas card!

If you are interested in voting for little Guns, just go here, you do have to register, but it's really easy and you can vote 50 times!  Help me win a $500 gift card to the mall so I can buy my santa baby lots of cute stuff!

coming to an end

Today it is December.  You know, in case you weren't aware of that already.  Us Alpha Co 2D Radio wives are all very excited about it.  It marks another month down.  One month closer to seeing our heroes.  Not only is the year coming to an end, but so is the deployment.  Thank goodness!  I'm pretty sure none of us have actually been given any kind of window yet, but the end gets closer with every day that passes, no matter what the actual date is.  Tomorrow Patrick will have been gone 21 whole weeks.  I say that's long enough, he can come home now.

December also means colder weather.  I think we can say goodbye to the 75 degrees we had over Thanksgiving.  We won't be seeing that again until next Spring.  Sad face.  I tend to shut down when it's cold.  I hate it.  So to cope with the dropping temperatures outside, you can find me here:

See that little space? It's right... about... there ---^ .  That's my spot.  Snuggled in cozy with 3 of my boys.  The fourth will be home soon, and we have to leave his side open for when he does return.  Can't wait.  For now, Little Guns is my personal heater, man that kid is toasty!  Jack and Win do a pretty good job of projecting warmth as well.  All in all we are doing okay.

31 days to go until next month... and next year!  A year where hopefully we will have our "man of the house" around a whole lot more.  Here we go!

PS:  Remember this post when I told you I was done all my Christmas shopping AND wrapping?  Well I finished my Christmas cards last night.  Didn't even make it to the first week of this month. Currently looking for things to keep me occupied.  Unfortunately there's always cleaning to be done.  But that's no fun!  Maybe I'll hire myself out...

No time to wrap presents?  I'm your girl.  Need someone to address your cards?  Look no further!  As long as I can tote my kid along, I am willing and able...