Dear Eli...

January snow storm 2013

Dear Eli,

You have had so much fun this winter.  You love the outdoors in general, but you especially love the snow.  If it was up to you, we would stay out there for hours and hours at a time.  When we have a snow storm, you get very excited watching the snow fall and you can't wait to go out and enjoy it.  In the picture above you were sliding down our small hill in the yard and wiped out at the bottom.  You were covered in snow and giggling.  I thought it would have scared you, but of course you thought it was hilarious :)  One Saturday I went out to run some errands and came home to a fort you and daddy made while I was gone.  You loved it.  You called it your tunnel since he made a couple openings for you to crawl through.   You love your daddy and your "guy dates" with him!

You are such a big boy!  Before Christmas we decided to put you in the full bed in our guest room.  From night one, you have slept through the night all by yourself and you can tell you are quite proud of yourself.  We are in the process of decorating the room and changing it into your "Big Boy Room."  Hoping that your morning wake up time changes here soon, but for now we are 6:00 am buddies :)  I can't complain because you are in bed by 7:30 or 8, but you used to sleep till at least 7:00-7:30 every morning so it has been a little change. 

First Night In Your Big Boy Bed

I think you are almost completely potty trained day and NIGHT!!!!!  It's amazing!  This week your diaper has been dry in the morning for the past 4 nights in a row.  One night you even got up in the night to ask me to help you go potty.  And in the morning it's the first thing you ask to do.   I can't believe how overnight you just "got" it.  So proud of you little man and it makes life so much easier!  You even can go in by yourself and go pee during the day now. Your independence amazes me and how you are able to do things on your own.  Of course I still monitor you, but you always say, "mommy, please get out, I need to go potty on my own."  Just this morning, you told daddy you had to go and you said, "Please daddy, I need to pee in privacy" and you pointed your little fat baby finger at him to leave. This is one area that your strong, independent spirit has been a plus :)  In other areas, it can be a major power struggle sometimes, but you're learning that you can't do everything by yourself!

You talk incessantly and sometimes I have to ask God to give me grace and patience because you are on the go from the time you wake up till the time you go to sleep.  Yet, I'm trying to enjoy these moments, knowing that in a glimpse you will be big and I will never be able to get these little years back.   I do love to hear your little voice...and it makes me sad when I think about you growing up.  You talk in full sentences and even use your connecting words now.  There is nothing you can't say, we all have to be on our toes, because you are always listening and nothing gets by you.  You love to use words such as "actually, already, yesterday, etc" and you use them in the right context.  Your famous line is "Let me help you" or "Let me do it."  You want to help with everything!  

Last night before bed you said you wanted some "T-N-L" and we couldn't figure out what you wanted.  You kept repeating yourself.  Finally, you said with frustration, "Milky (milk), you know T-N-L-K."  It dawned on us what you were trying to say and we couldn't stop laughing.  Daddy and I usually spell "M-I-L-K" when we ask each other if you should have it at times because you would drink it non-stop.  If we said the word, you would want it so we try to spell things to keep you from understanding.  I think you have caught on though and you know exactly what we mean now.  You are too smart and like I said, NOTHING gets by you!!

You think because you use your manners that you will get everything you ask for.  It doesn't work that way around here, but you are pretty cute when you try.  When I correct you or tell you not to do something, you look at me with a sweet face and you say, "I love you so much mommy,"  How can I be upset when you say that to me, haha.  You are such a character and you know it!  When you eat something and you REALLY like it, you always tell whoever cooked it, "mmm....Thank You, this is really good." 

You are the hardest little worker.  I am impressed by your work ethic at your age.  I can give you a chore or project and you actually know how to complete it.  I'm a little worried that you may have a tad of OCD since you love to clean things all the time, haha, so I try to emphasize that its not a big deal when things get messy since I know when I was your age I was quite the perfectionist.  I've changed through the years and have gotten better in that area and I don't want you to deal with perfectionism like mommy did growing up.  I have to remember you are only 2 even though you act like you are 5 sometimes!

Your sense of smell is incredible.  You pick up on scents every time we go into a room and sometimes you don't keep what you are thinking to yourself.  You often will say, "It is very stinky in here....it doesn't smell better" haha and you don't care who's around. At least we know that sense of yours is working well!

You have such a sweet nature and are very loving to everyone you meet.  I admire this quality about you.  You would love on anyone no matter who they are.  You are definitely a people person and now that the separation anxiety is subsiding a bit (Thank God), you make friends everywhere you go.  It doesn't matter where we are, you gravitate to kids and you love to play with them.  You especially love playing with older kids who help you play and learn.  

Here are a few pictures as a family recently and some pictures of you this past Christmas...

Christmas 2012

Santa came to visit at children's church.  You loved him and you bossed him around all morning!

Christmas morning...Santa left you a note and you found your stocking full of gifts from him.

Your big gift from mommy and daddy this year.  You love your kitchen!

Our Little Family...

 Your matching j.crew flannels :)

Buddy, you are the apple of our eye and we are so proud to be your parents.  We know we are learning as your parents and we apologize to you all the time as we try to figure out this thing called "parenthood."   We know we aren't perfect.  We give you to the Lord and ask him to help us everyday on our journey together as one!

Love you so much,

Mommy

Thursday Thrifty Finds Including Explosive Crates!

I love thrift stores and I love a good deal.  It makes me happy and is one of my favorite pastimes. 

Thursday is for Thrifty Finds. 

While the hubs has been on vacation this week, we ended up going north for a couple days to visit the in-laws.  My mother-in-law loves thrifting and going to antique stores so we made an afternoon of it this week.  We went to the Fairfield Antique Mall in Fairfield, Maine.  This is the same place where I found my mantle in my living room last year.  Their prices are fairly reasonable depending on the vendor and it's like a field trip when I go there.  It is so fun to just walk around and check out all the treasures that fill the booths, even if I can't afford them.  I just like to touch and dream! I constantly have ideas floating through my head when I walk through a place like this.  I find I have to try to keep my focus because I can get side tracked very easily :)  My mother-in-law loves redoing and re-purposing furniture so it was fun throwing ideas around as we looked.

My main mission was to find old crates for Eli's big boy room that we are renovating.  I would like to stack a couple as a nightstand/bookshelf and use some for toy bins.  I found 2 and they ended up being 50% off which was an added bonus ($15).  I loved that on the side it said "High Explosives...Dangerous" meaning powder dynamite was packed in those crates.  I knew Nate would love it since he worked for Maine Drilling & Blasting in college and Eli would think it was great because anything that explodes in his mind is awesome!   Here they are.  Can't wait to use them!!

Next item that I have been on the hunt for in my searching is an old scale for in my kitchen.   I love the old, vintage look of a scale for decorative purposes but also it can be used for cooking/baking as well if needed.  Here is a creamy/white one I found. Most of the scales I found in the past were anywhere from $35-$60.  This one was $15 which couldn't be passed up. When I brought it home, it was quite dirty so I scrubbed, disinfected it and with the use of a magic eraser it looked so much better!  It does have rust on it, but for me it's just added character! I may do a paint touch up, but I'm undecided for now. 

Eli has been using his big highchair for his stuffed animals and boy baby that he owns.  I have been looking for a small one that he could use in his playroom with his kitchen set, but everything I've seen has been pricey for the quality.  I wasn't searching for one on this particular shopping trip, but in the midst of looking I came across this sweet little highchair.  AND the BEST part....it was on SALE!  The tag said, $3.00. I thought it was a mistake so I took a second glance.  But sure enough, it was only $3.00 at checkout.  I couldn't believe it.  Eli is in LOVE!  He could not wait to get it home to feed his bear :)

This last item is not one I was hunting for either but I have been wanting one in the back of my mind.  It is an old crate looking box that could be used for multiple purposes.  I intend to use it as a table display with either seasonal decor, condiments/silverware for parties and could also be great for displaying craft supplies in jars in the middle of the table when I have girls over for crafty get togethers.  My mother-in-law has some of these and I think they are adorable.  This one had "old tool box" on the tag, but it also is similiar to some that are old chicken feeders.  I liked this one in particular because of the shape.  Here it is....what would you do with it?

Well, these were my thrifty finds for the week!  Stay tuned in the coming weeks as I give you some ideas on re-purposing cheap finds on a dime.  This week I bought a picture frame for 25 cents at Goodwill.  I plan to do a project with it this week, so post to come!  This Friday we are starting our big project in Eli's room.  Expect a post about the beginning process of the floor by Monday.  Happy Thursday !!

MAKEOVER Monday...Elias' Big Boy Room Mood Board!

Monday is for MAKEOVER...

We are in the process of getting ready to renovate our guest room into Eli's Big Boy Room.  The guest bed will become Eli's and when we have company, it can transition back into the guest room.  We have plans in the works and since Nate has some vacation time this week, we will be tackling the foundation of the room, floor and walls.  In preparation for planning out his room, I have been putting ideas aside of what I wanted.  I envisioned something that could grow with him as he gets older and that can adapt to any child sharing the room with him as well in the future.  I decided on a "Discovery" theme which encompasses so many different things. I knew I wanted to see white board and batting molding on the wall with a navy blue on the top portion.  Here is a mood board I created with the vision that is going on in my head.  I obviously am not going to buy most of the items on this board because the price is way above our budget, but it gives me vision for what I'm looking for when I am out and about shopping and thrifting.  I created this board using Polyvore.  

 

Where to find the items above:

Atelier Task Table Lamp Polished Nickel
restorationhardware.com

Serena & Lily Ronan Euro Sham
serenaandlily.com

Deer Head - White Lacquer Large 39"
zgallerie.com

Camp Nightstand
potterybarnkids.com

Catalina Cottage Bedroom Set
potterybarnkids.com

Madras Quilted Bedding
potterybarnkids.com

The Land of Nod: Kids' Bedding: White and Blue Stripe Sheet Set in...
landofnod.com

The Land of Nod: Boys Pillows: World Map Throw Pillow in Kids Throw...
landofnod.com

The Land of Nod: Kids Throw Pillows: Letter E Throw Pillow in Throw...
landofnod.com

The Land of Nod: Kids Rugs: Grey Chevron Patterned Rug in All Rugs
landofnod.com

The Land of Nod: Kids Storage: Canvas Number Storage Bins in Storage...
landofnod.com

The Land of Nod: Kids Storage: Wire Wall Storage Bins in Shelf & Wall...
landofnod.com

Cast Metal Letter Objects
restorationhardware.com

Have any of you created mood boards on Polyvore.  It's fun and allows you to figure out exactly what you want by seeing everything put together before taking the plunge and making an investment in reality.  Below are a few more ideas that we are implementing in the room....

Board-and-Batten on the walls

 Nate and dad are installing bamboo flooring like this, this week to match the nursery.

Navy/white block quilt (if I can find one) and old vintage wood

 Maps/ Maybe Adhere one to a lamp shade

Make toy storage out of crates from Michaels. Stain, stencil lettering and put castor wheels on them.

 I will keep you posted on the room as changes are made and things evolve.  See you again soon!  Happy Monday!

Dear Eli...

Dear Eli,

Oh how I miss you as I write this right now.  You are off having a sleep over with Grammy and Grampy for a couple days.  This is something that you do about once a month since they live a little further from us. You love going to your grandparents house.   You often go to Mimi and Buppa's on Saturday nights so daddy and I can have a date night.  We are VERY BLESSED to have parents who care for you,  love and adore you more than anything.  You get so excited when you know you are going to have a sleep over.  You love to help me pack your bag and you rattle off things you remember doing the last time you were there.  Your face lights up in anticipation of your visit and your sweet smile is priceless.  Although we look forward to a little alone/quiet time, I CANNOT WAIT to hold you and see you after a short time apart.  I get this inner excitement like a little kid on Christmas when I get to see you :)  It really is a blessing the relationship that you share with both sets of grandparents.  You are one special little boy!

This past week you have been so intrigued and interested n the book "Heaven is For Real."  You request it every night before bed and you love to help narrate it as I go along.  You ask a million questions about Jesus and the Angels and Heaven.  It's amazing to watch your little wheels turning as you take it all in.  You are very observant of the little details and just the other day we were at a friends house and you made reference to something in the book.  You saw a crown that belonged to the little girl and you said with excitement "look at this crown mommy, it is just like the one Jesus wears."  I had to think about it and remembered the picture from the book that you were relating it to.  I really believe your spirit absorbs more than we realize because you tell me every morning that Jesus visits you in your room.  Daddy asked you the other day what Jesus  says to you and you thought about it for 10 seconds and then said, "He said I get a baby sister."  I wasn't there in the moment, but daddy said he knew Jesus was speaking to you by the way you told him.  He said it brought tears to his eyes because you really believe it.  I asked you the same question later that day and you gave me the same answer word for word.  For me, this ministered to my heart because I've been struggling with wanting to have a little sibling for you.  Through you telling me this, you have brought hope to mommy's heart.  I know in His time this joy will come true!

You are the greatest little helper.  You want to help me do everything.  It's so funny to watch the excitement in your eyes when you are able to help me cook, vacuum, fold laundry, make the bed, and even clean the toilet.  I know this excitement for cleaning will not last forever, so I'm trying to savor these moments we have :)  For Christmas, Mimi and Buppa bought you a little dyson vacuum and you go all over the house with it.  You tell me all the time, "I help you clean the house" and then you sing the song "clean up, clean up everybody everywhere, clean up, clean up, everybody do your share."  You are the best help and you love leaving your mark in the kitchen.  You make eggs with me every morning.  You tell me "we have to have a bowl and a whisk."  I crack the eggs, and you help stir all the ingredients in one by one.  I find that you are more into eating food when you help prepare it.  So thankful that you are not a picky eater.  You have a very diversified appetite.   One of your favorite things to eat is Pad Thai.  You ask for "snacks" all the time when you are hungry.  Some of your favorites are raisins, bananas, cutie oranges, cheese itz, black olives, cucumbers and dip, applesauce and yogurt.  You do not like me helping you.  You like to do it all yourself and you like to sit at the table like a big person.  You do a great job at getting most of the yogurt and applesauce in your mouth without making a mess.  You even peeled your own cutie orange this week after I got it started for you.  If there is a will there is a way with you.  You will figure it out no matter what!

Some of your favorite toys right now are your cash register (from Grampy and Grammy), breakfast play dough set from (from Great Grampy and Grammy), dump truck (from Mimi and Buppa) that you fill with your stuffed animal friends and you haul them around the house and your camera (from Uncle Jordan) which you take pictures of anyone and everything.  You love playing outdoors and if it were up to you, you would never come in.  Daddy built you a fort with a tunnel in the snow recently and you thought it was a big deal.  You loved having that alone time with him!

We usually go to Sams Club for our monthly routine grocery run and in between for staple items that we run out of.  It is our families weekend shopping date.  We don't usually tell you we are going because you get so excited and ask for "pizza" all the way.  When we drive into the parking lot you exclaim, "Sam's Club" and immediately want out so we can go in for our weekly date.  I think you love this place because many of the employees know you by now and you love all the taste testers that they put out to try.  When we leave you expect the lady at the door to draw you a picture on the receipt because that's what they always do.  If someone fails to, you make note of it and ask why there is no picture.   You carry that receipt with you like you've won a great prize!

Football season is big around our house and you are catching on to it.  You know daddy's favorite team is the Patriots and you know the difference between all the sports when you see them on tv.  We went to your first hockey game last Friday night and you had a lot of fun.  It was a UMaine game which daddy was excited about since that was his school and you were able to wear your hockey jersey.  You loved the mascot "bananas" the black bear and the funny thing is, is that daddy used to be that bear that skated on the ice in Orono.  Everytime the guys in front of us clapped and cheered, you joined in and clapped with them.  Buppa and uncle Tyler were at the game and you decided that you would rather sit with them over us for part of it.  When we went to take you away, you were not happy.  I can tell that you love your male bonding time :)

Now that you are "officially" potty trained during the day, you have now become more independent with it.  You like to go in and get on the potty all by yourself.  You know to put your little toilet seat on top of the big seat, you push your stool up to it and you know how to pull your underwear down.  As of this week, your new thing is wanting to stand instead of sit.  Surprisingly, you do this quite well and you look like such a big kid.  I feel as though you are growing up so fast and you are only 2!  We haven't had a poo accident in 2 weeks so we are on a roll.  This is one happy momma here :)

Can't wait to see you my little man!  I miss you when we are apart.   I can't remember life without you in it because you have always seemed like you were a part.  "You are My Sunshine", as I always sing to you.  This is OUR song and it never grows old!

Love you so much!
Mommy

Full House Tour of the New Year with Before and Afters...

Welcome to our full house tour of the new year!  I will include some before and after photos with certain rooms.  Our house is continually evolving, so stay tuned for some updated posts on DIY/projects taking place in the upstairs space of our home here in the near future!

*First Floor....

Entry

Painted the interior of all the exterior doors a black from Valspar called "Midnight."

The hubs built the built in here.  This was previously a coat closet but there were too many doors in that small space so we made an entry nook with a bench, hooks and storage.  Plans are from Ana White.  This woman's site is AMAZING!  You must take a look!  Cost for materials...Less than $100.

Mirror from Goodwill, $1.99

Downstairs 1/2 Bathroom

Painted walls in Valspar "Ocean Storm" (a dark pewter/gray)

My in-laws built that beautiful shelf which was a Christmas present.

Painted vanity "Decorators White" like in the kitchen.

Spray painted bench in Krylon's "Ocean breeze".  Handed down from my parents.

Before photos of bathroom.  About 5 months prego with Eli here.

Playroom 

 Painted walls in Olympic's "Gold Buff"

View from playroom into the entry.  Across from bathroom and pantry.

View from playroom into the living room.

Kitchen

 Painted cabinets Benjamin Moore's "Decorators White" and the bar is "Midnight" like the doors.

Shelves cut from old wood found in basement.  Painted same as the cabinets.

Love this sign which was a Christmas gift!

 Before photos of the kitchen...

Dining Area

 Painted walls Olympic's "Slate".  Need a more proportioned rug for the room.

Armoir is from my childhood.  Painted it "Ocean Storm" like the bathroom, distressed the doors and put clear knobs on it.  

Painted interior of exterior door to deck the "Midnight" as well.

Before photo of the dining area.  Painted all the wood work in the house Olympic's "Prairie Winds."

Living Room

Painted walls Olympic "Bamboo"  all the way up the stairs into the upstairs hall.

Light fixture is the next update in this room.

Before photos of the living room.

Our family on both sides was a HUGE help in the painting department!  What a blessing!

Eclectic Family Picture Gallery up Stairway

Continually adding to this collage.

*2nd Floor...

Upstairs Small Hallway

That was my nightstand from when I was Eli's age.  I painted it black.  Nate's great gram made the doily so it is very special as well.

Master Bedroom

Planning to paint bedroom (again this winter) and revamp it a bit.  This room is in need of some decor love.  Needs new lighting (painted the brass ceiling fan temporarily when we moved in) and hopefully will make a headboard soon!

Before photo of the room.  Mother-in-law working hard at helping us paint.

Upstairs Full Bathroom

This bathroom has future plans.  New paint job this winter on walls and vanity, new mirror and lighting and changing tub out at some point to a soaker with a tiled wall.

Nursery

Painted tree on wall to match Eli's digger bedding.

Painted walls Olympic "Lettuce Leaf" green and slanted ceiling blue with clouds.

The hubby and I painted those trucks on the wall for Eli before he was born. The old mirror was Nate's before we met, and I painted it dark brown to match the decor.  Made the origami star for Eli's 2nd birthday and didn't want to throw it out after the party so I hung it from his light. 

Glider rocker is very sentimental because it's from my grandparents who passed away years ago.  Little night table is from my sister, Caleigh, who used it as her doll armoir when she was little and the light is from his other auntie Nicole.  Blanket was handmade by long time friend of the family. Love how a lot of the decor and accessories in this room all have sentimental value from somewhere.

Bamboo hardwood floor that the hubby put in a couple years ago.  Planning on putting this in the guest room soon, which is turning into Eli's BIG BOY room.

Before photo of the room.  Dislike but only one I could find.  About 7 months prego with Eli here.

Guest Room: aka- Soon to be Eli's Big Boy Room

Getting a complete overhaul: New flooring, molding on wall, new paint color, light and boy decor. Stay  tuned for updates on this room soon!

Great Grandma helping to take wallpaper off the walls in guest room.  Everyone pitched in somewhere and we are so thankful for all the hands and love that was given to our home!

Thanks for stopping by!  Will continue to update the "house tour" page as things change and evolve!