April 19, 2011

It was a beautiful day in Texas.... the 16th anniversary of the OKC Bombing (both me and mr. fix-it are from OK and April 19th is one of those "I know where I was" days)...  2 weeks before she was due... the day we met the Tiebreaker.   (Yea for making a comeback to blogging - I promise I have lots to talk about besides the newest addition, but... while I sit with her on the couch - she's sleeping and smiling those newborn smiles in her sleep! - I just want to catch y'all up and share some pics!)

mr. fix-it snapped this picture of me right before we left for the hospital for my 3rd csection. 

We did so many things differently this time.  We didn't find out the gender (we had with the big kids). 

And we picked a name before the birth day.  That was huge for us!  I still haven't decided what we'll call her on the blog (I'm throwing around a few ideas... like Punkin, which is sooo cute when her brother calls her that... or Sugar, which is what I call her.  TBD!) 

But I will share with you what the Tiebreaker's name would have been... if she would have been a he.  Max Edmund.  We went with family names (another first!) for both the boy and girl middle name choices. 

Here I am, with the hats I had made (from Etsy seller Brownies N Butterflies) for either occasion!

When my dear doctor called out, "It's a GIRL!" I just couldn't believe it!  I hadn't been able to feel one way or another the entire pregnancy... but even on the day she was born, her heartrate was around 110... and both Sissy and Gman had gone by the unofficial rule that girls had higher heartrates (Sissy's was usually in the 170s), boys lower (Gman's was usually around 120-140).

An even bigger shock... her size! She was significantly my SMALLEST baby, weighing in at only 6lbs, 10 oz. And at 18 1/2 inches, she was a good 2 inches shorter than her (consistently 90-100%tile) siblings.

As soon as Daddy shaded her eyes in the OR... she opened them!

It's amazing how all 3 trips to the OR were so special in their own ways - and completely different!  Waiting to find out the gender was SO INTENSE.  I was a complete bundle of nerves that morning, more than ever!  Waiting to hear.... is the most special surprise, like every Christmas rolled into one.  Amazing!

My first chance to hold her....

And the big kids come to meet her!  (That's mr. fix-it's mom, holding Gman.  What a lifesaver she was!)

You can see just how excited Sissy was.  No one had told her if it was a brother or sister until she walked in that room.  She was in love, instantly!

And she's so good with her... holds her so carefully.  This was the first time...

And then... on Good Friday... we got to come home.  And we tried - for the first time - to get a picture of all 5 of us.  Note that there's only FOUR people in this picture.  Someone wasn't cooperating.

So daddy tried to hold him.  Still not working.

He wanted mommy.  So he's holding my hand.  But only time (lotsa time!) will erase the look on a child's face after they've had a complete meltdown.  So.. this is what we got.  It's not the perfect picture I was hoping for... but it's real. ;)

And these days... look fairly similar to this first full day home.  Two sisters... relaxing and enjoying life.  And each other.  :)

My Canton Shopping List

Tomorrow, Mrs. Everything and I are running away!  ;)  We're gonna escape the stress of our daily lives (work deadlines, sick kiddos - you get the picture!) and go to Canton!  Mr. Everything informed us last night that you can't go to Canton with a list.  But we disagree... as long as it's a loose list... with room left for treasures you didn't even know you needed... it's all good!  So, just a few things I'm looking for:

1 - KEYS
So many ideas come to mind, especially for Sissy's Madhatter bedroom.  I love the color in the project below, and it would be perfect in her new room!  A little spraypaint, some scrapbook paper...  Well, that's how I'd make it semi-homemade.  The real how-to is here at Modge Podge Rocks!

Love the element of the keyhole in this collection - it's so Alice!  From Etsy seller Jordan James.

And for the family, I love the idea of this.  Y'all know that we move.  Alot.  It's what we do.  So we might as well celebrate it, right?  Love Stitched shows us how with this cute project.  She spray painted her keys, added the addresses, framed it all on burlap, and done!

Here's a close up.  But I'm thinking about chaging it up a little... 

I'd like to use big, antique-looking keys (I don't even have keys for any of our old houses!)....  And frame them - along with pics of the front of our houses - in an old antique window pane like this:

They come in options of more panes than this, and Mrs. Everything got one during one of our previous trips to Canton (it's so cute - full of their family pics).

These Vintage Medicine Bottles (from Etsy seller Jordan James) are perfect, too!  Maybe with a Drink me! tag around the neck of the bottle?

2.  Black/White/Lime Green

I'm working on an idea for possibly a playroom.... and I'm thinking black...white....lime green... possibly zebra!  Doesn't that sound fun?  A few sources of inspiration:

LOVE this zebra chair from Kirklands.  (It's already so reasonably priced, and this weekend, it's on SALE!)

Maybe picture something like this, but with LIME GREEN where the blue is?  From Etsy seller Art by Kristi.

And I think this is so cool - you purchase these great frames by the lot!  From Etsy seller Mountain Cove Antiques.

 

3. Clocks

Besides keys, the other element I'm going to focus on for Big Sister's new bedroom is clocks.  I'm picturing a wall of clocks and hoping to work on it in Canton.  Because the clocks don't even have to work, I'm hoping to find some steals!  Just a few for inspiration:

Etsy Seller Cyber Moon

Etsy Seller Cyber Moon

Next 3 clocks by Michelle Allen Designs

 

4. Teacups

What would a Madhatter room be without a spot of tea?  Most specifially, I want to figure out how to score some teacups (which are always so girly and prissy) and paint them so they're funky!  And I'd like to try my hand (maybe with mr. fix-it's help!) on this diy Teacup Lamp.  I totally think I can do this...

Check out the DIY at Be Different, Act Normal.

Who knows?  Maybe we'll come across something like this, even!  (From Etsy seller Whimsical Collections)

 

5. Vintage Trucks/All American

We can't leave G-man out!  I've already scored several great items for his first Big Boy room, but I'll be looking for anything Vintage Trucks or All American (think navy blue, red, stripes!) to finish pulling his room together.  I don't have anything specific in mind, but a few ideas:

Etsy seller Simple Block Sayings

Okay, off to bed!  Gotta be well rested for a FULL day of shopping and girly time!  It all starts with pumpkin spice lattes at 8am!  I'll be back to show off my treasures.  Happy weekend!

Orange! Power!

Omg, did y'all catch that game last night!?!  (I *might* have really struggled to get to work today... after staying up for the game and getting so freaked out, uh passionate... that I couldn't go to sleep afterwards!  The Pokes beat the Aggies by kicking a field goal with 2 SECONDS left!  Agh, the stress of it all!)

So, in preparation for Homecoming weekend (just 3 wks away!), my sister and I just placed our order on these adorable dresses for Sissy and her cousin.  From Etsy seller Oh Sew Sweet Boutique.

They're gonna be Oh Sew Cute!!!  Go, Pokes!

Oh, Alice!

It's come to my attention recently... just how closely my emotional well being is tied to our HOME.  Most specifically, I'm at my happiest and most creative when I'm entertaining, decorating, project-ing (that's a word, right?)  And so... this summer.... (in the Summer House)... I just haven't been myself.  Have I? ;)

So, I'm going to start virtually working on the new house.  I'm starting with Big Sis's Madhatter room.  I was going to explore a couple more options and build storyboards around them, but... let's be honest.  I've had that on my to do list for 5 months, and it's not any closer to happening.  So... here we go!

I came across these Antique Keys in my search for a 'key to Wonderland' feel... and I figured, at $5, they'd satisfy my need to buy something (even though that's not fitting in the budget right now!) 

Right before I sealed the deal on this purchase, I decided to browse the rest of Queen Flourishes antique shop on Etsy.  I came across this Vintage Frame and I'm wondering if a) I can pop that picture out and replace with something else, b) if I could spraypaint the frame black, and c) if I'd even love it after all that.  What do y'all think?

She also has this Vintage Silver Creamer set, but looking at it again, I'm undecided.  I originally got a funky/creepy feel for it, but... I'm looking for teacups/teapots with lots of fun color, so maybe I stick to that.

I'm building my ideas on KEYS and CLOCKS - can't wait to share with y'all!

G-man just keeps on TRUCKIN': A Semi-Homemade "TRUCKER" party!

Keep on truckin'. 

The theme:  To say G-man is obsessed with trucks is like saying that - last year at this time - I kinda liked pirates.  In other words... that boy is all about trucks!  He seems to love all trucks, so I settled on Vintage Trucks (because I was considering it for G-man's Big Boy room - can't wait for you to see it!)

The invite:  Right after I started contemplating vintage trucks... we spent a weekend at Mr. Fix-it's parents' house.  Just so happens his dad owns this old truck that was perfect for the front of G-man's invite:

And it just so happens that I was throwing a Surprise Party for my mom's 60th the weekend before G's birthday.  In Oklahoma, near all our family.  So... because the Summer House just doesn't have much capacity.. ;)  ...and because 2nd birthdays in the Semi-Homemade house are family-only affairs...we held the party at my parents' house - aka The Truck Stop! 

The back of the invite:

(I'll have to share my mom's party with you later. But imagine attending a surprise party in your honor... and then being told another party is being thrown at your very own house. Later that day. But I had taken care of every detail, so nothing for her to worry about!)

The decor:  trucks - everywhere!  While brainstorming bedroom ideas, I had seen so many amazing vintage truck finds that I just couldn't pass up!  Some of them did double-duty to set the stage for G's trucker party!
 

There's only 2 challenges to throwing a party at my parents' house.  Long distance parties are complicated (so much to pack, grocery shopping to do once you get there, etc.).  And the lighting isn't the greatest.  Meaning there is exactly zero natural light.  But imagine this without the harshness of the flash - it was so fun!

This is my grandmother's sideboard.  That clock is older than anyone I know.  Perfect for our vintage truck theme.  I ditched the original color scheme of light blue and lime green as soon as I ran across so many great things at Hobby Lobby in red and light blue.  Such a happy color combo!

There's so many fun finds on this table.  First of all... those super fun trucks on the tablecloth are from one of my favorite Etsy sellers, that isn't actually a party shop.  Debbie from Paper Quick can make anything, I'm convinced.  She did the toy soldier's for Sissy's Nutcracker Sweet party last year.  And she created these trucks for me (I ordered them in red and light blue and I'll use the small ones in G's birthday book!)

Fun sippys for the kids (another cheap find at HL!)  And I loved the popcorn napkins... perfect with the menu of Truck Stop fare.

Remember how much I love the nearby nostalgic candy & popcorn store, Mom & POPcorn?  I had them do a custom mix in the birthday colors... blue rasberry & cherry... YUM!

The party hat on the right (and the tag in the background) is part of a printable party set I won earlier this year from Esty seller Parties by Hardie.  Their parties are such an amazing value and include everything you'd need for a custom party.  Everything had G-man's name and age on it, and the whole thing was easy! 

You'll see more of the trucker hat later.  I ordered them on Amazon.  To get a reasonable price, I ordered adult size hats, but they adjusted small enough to fit.  This seller had tons of colors for under $4 per hat!

The food:  I snapped this shot before the food was ready.  Just cupcakes and mnm's (we just didn't have parties at my house growing up without 'em!)

The napkin rings and placecards are both from my Parties by Hardie set - love the way it came together.  And that matchbox vintage truck (from Target) was perfect, too!

I picked out these chalkboard canisters for my birthday last year and I just love 'em!  Add a paper vintage truck from Paper Quick and done.  Perfect!

Dinner was a hot dog bar (because after all, we were at a truck stop!)  We had it all - ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, chili, cheese... then we also grilled brats, had Truck Stop Nachos, Mr. Fix-It's Famous Guacamole... and various sides. 

The cake:  Cupcakes and toppers have become my M.O.  So... I'm thinking I'll switch that up for Sissy's next birthday.  But they were perfect for G-man's low key 2nd.  Cheap cupcakes from Sam's (their colors are always right on!), printable toppers in my party pack from Parties by Hardie.  Doesn't get easier (or cheaper!)

The guests:  Big Sis and her cousin Ainsley, cheesin' with their dogs!

G-man does low carbs.  And guac.  ;)

G-man with his Magaw (Sissy came up with that name... and we're still not sure where it came from, but it's not going anywhere!)

G-man loves trucks.  And tents.  This was G-man heaven.

The games:  I'm not really one for games.  Maybe because Sissy and I prefer to just eat and mingle. ;)  But... the 'trucker' theme wouldn't be complete without trucker hats.  And since custom hats for tots cost $25+... We decided to DIY.  Like I said... $4 hats, a set of markers, and we were set!

Daddy helps G-man pull his trucker hat together...

Sissy was concentrating.  G-man looks like he's inspired. ;)

G-man's trucker hat wouldn't be complete without... a TRUCK!

My sister and I try on the girls' handiwork.  (There's a glimpse of the banner that read: Happy Birthday G-man!  I just don't have the time right now to blog-ify it and take G's name out.  But trust that it was all truck and looked great!)

Seriously, these kiddos spent more time on these hats, than the 4yos spent on THREE activities combined at Sissy's last party!

Cousins!

Time for gifts!

Some of my fav gifts!  My sister got G-man the Vintage Truck pillowcases for his new room (from Etsy seller Branch handmade.)

He also got his own tool set - you should see that little man in nothing but a diaper and a toolbelt!

Good ole fashion fun:  Growing up, it wasn't a party without homemade ice cream.  We did it one better by making it an ice cream bar.  Fudge, caramel and candy toppings... mmm!  Perfect for a hot July day!

Happy Birthday, G-man!

To my sweet little man... It's been amazing to watch you grow and change this year.  Daddy and I love that you are 'all boy!'  And Sissy adores you (to a fault, sometimes!)  It's so fun to be your momma.  Can't wait to see what this year has in store!  You are loved. 

On a side note... I've been trying to finish this post for what feels like ages!  But kinda fun that I FINALLY finished it on Aug 7... the day we had picked for him to be born.  :)
xoxo,