The One Little Word 2013

I love this idea from Ali Edwards: "Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2013? It can be something tangible or intangible. It can be a thought, a feeling, or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word—this is YOUR word."

I've never participated before (the original idea goes back to 2007), but now seems like as good of time as ever! My one little word for 2013 is:

I want to embrace all of the changes that are quickly approaching: Chris's graduation and our impending move to who knows where. I want to embrace my roll as mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, employee, aunt, cousin, and more. I want to literally embrace my children more and hold them tightly every day. I want to embrace change instead of shun it. I want to embrace golden opportunities. I want to EMBRACE 2013! 

(Gosh, now that I've said embrace so many times it sounds really weird in my head!)

I have something FUN to announce tomorrow! And NO I'm NOT pregnant :)

Happy New Year's Eve!

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The One with Favorite Layouts from 2012

I thought it'd be fun to share some of my favorite layouts from 2012 as this year is coming to a close! 

I'd say from looking at these layouts I have a patterned paper piecing fetish, I love bright colors, spray mist, machine stitching, and I tend to like to use multiple small photos. That's my style in a nutshell!

I ♥ scrapbooking!

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The One with Christmas in Washington Days 7 & 8

8 days down, 5 days to go!

FRIDAY DECEMBER 28TH 2012

We woke up at 5am and took Chris to the airport. He flew home to study for the Boards Part II while the kids and I hang out in Washington for a while longer. I miss him so!

I'm keeping up with Jane's monthly photoshoots and had fun with her 5th. I originally got the headband in my size, but I don't really wear headbands, so I hot glued it to a headband her size and she looked like a Grecian Goddess :)

Fox wanted some attention too, poor little guy standing in the doorway all by his lonesome!

Sheesh. Toddlers. Fits and tantrums one second and smiling and happy the next.

At noon Eric and Tanya came over, we packed up our bags, and headed to the cabin at Lake Wenatchee.

Jane and Fox were out like a light within a few miles. They definitely needed some shut eye after being woken up so early to take their daddy to the airport!

Allie, Tanya, and Eric, hanging out in the back. Eric was Mr. anti-social the entire ride with his noise-canceling headphones.

The first snow I've seen this year! So white and pretty!

 Dr. Evans will (not) appreciate this:

The second we got to the cabin my dad realized it was no bueno. A branch had fallen on the powerlines and ripped them from the house. No power = no staying. Sad. We drove 2 hours for naught.

We all had to get out and take some photos though! I didn't think Fox would like the snow. He didn't hate it, but he didn't love it. I'm sure if we had gone sledding he would have been all for it. He's an adrenaline junkie :)

 A picture of Allie taking a picture of Eric and Tanya amidst the beautiful forest. 

Fox likes to hold hands. Here he is leading me through the 3 foot snowbank and also tugging Grandpa along.

If only there was a fireplace to make the cabin warm we would have stayed. Alas, there's not, so we left shortly after arriving. 

 We drove straight to the insurance place in Leavenworth where my dad got some things straightened out and started to get power back at the cabin. It'll be a long process.

While my dad was doing that, I walked around with Fox and took some pictures.

Wenatchee River | Malm holding Jane in a warm and fuzzy blanket to shield her from the cold.

After finishing up at the insurance place, we drove a few blocks to our secret spot to get some pizza for dinner.

 While the pizza was cooking Allie, Tanya, and I walked around Leavenworth to take pictures. We all like to blog frequently so I'm sure we were a sight to behold, snapping pictures left and right every few feet for a few blocks.

Mmmmm, pizza! 

After dinner we drove the 2 hours back home. We spent a long time in the car today, but we got to see and do a lot so it's all good!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 29TH 2012

This morning I planned to be out the door by 9am to run errands and we were actually out the door at 9:45am. It takes a lot to get three people ready! First stop: the post office to mail out some 2013 calendars!

Then we went to Jo-Ann. It's still always a thrill to see my magazines on the stands :)

 Then we went to Michaels to use up a gift card and then Ben Franklin. It was a good morning - 3 craft stores in as much time! I love this display piece an employee made using the Sketchbook line by Amy Tangerine.

 What a fun way to use these Thickers!

Back at home Jane needed to take a nap. Success!

My family members are always doing something. Allie filled a huge frame with Polaroids and Instax photos then knitted a scarf and hat while my dad installed wood floors on the stairs. He's been working on them the whole time I've been here and he's about halfway through. They look great!

While the kids were napping I raided my sister's scrap stash and found some supplies to use to scrap some assignments. It was a fun challenge to use only what was on hand.  

 And now we're watching Dark Knight Rises while I bloggity blog.

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The One with Jane at 5 Months

This sweet angel baby of mine is 5 months new today!

Length: 25" (50-75%) 

 Weight: 14 pounds 9 ounces (50-75%) 

 Head circumference: 16.5" (50-75%)

What's new with Jane since the last month? Just a few things!
Fox has definitely been nicer towards her this month - even going as far as to give her hugs and kisses on demand! Progress!

She's still happy as always, but she definitely prefers to be held and doesn't like being in her bouncer as much. We have put away the swing so she mostly hangs out in our arms or on the floor under her activity mat or in a bumbo. No teeth yet! Thank goodness :)

 Jane has the cutest laugh, if you can even call it that - it's more of a half hearted giggle.

We still don't know if her baby blues will stay - but I hope so! I really don't think Fox's were ever this blue.

She does this funny thing whenever something is in front of her face: pacifier, toy, milk, etc: she attacks like a shark!
Her daily routine at 5 months is as follows: 6:30am - wake up and eat 8:30am - nap 9:30am - play! 1pm - eat then nap 4pm - play 6pm - bedtime routine: rice cereal, bath, fall asleep in my arms nursing 6:30pm - asleep for the night in her crib Anywhere from 11pm-1am - wake up to eat then we bring her into our room so as not to wake up Fox Sometimes she wakes up again at 2 or 3 or 4 or 5. She hasn't really gotten nighttime feedings down or eliminated. Much to my chagrin :) At 6 months we're hoping for sleeping through the night, or at least 6:30pm-4:30am.

She smiles so easily - just by looking at her you can get a smile.

She's a great observer and loves watching Fox doing whatever he does.

She's rolling over onto her side more and more but not all the way over. She's not really interested in sitting up or crawling either. That's okay with me! Once they're mobile it's a whole different ball game! I want her to stay my baby as long as possible.

Her neck is still tilted to her right - a mild case of torticolis - so we're taking her to a physical therapist next week. Hopefully it won't be too traumatic to fix. Keep you posted. 

She sleeps like superman! Or rather, superwoman - arms up!

Geez Louise she melts my heart like butter! I love giving her big hugs and smooches!

These five months have flown by! Slow down!

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