The 8th Month

These days time is flying faster than I thought it ever could. In the first 6 weeks of Carter's life a week seemed like a day and a day could seem like a week, I was adjusting to a whole new world and it wasn't easy! He has changed so much over his 8 months of life. And I can now say I'm a pro at being a mom. Boogers- no problem. Poop - not that big of a deal if it gets on me now, it washes right off ;) Holding him and 5 bags of groceries, diaper bag and unlocking the car -just another day in the life. Changing a diaper to a boy who won't sit still for one second - simple.

He now flips to his belly the minute I lay him down to change it. It seems like years ago when he couldn't roll over, or even lift his head.

He's no longer a tiny baby, he is a person with real emotions, not just hungry and sleepy. He will get devistated when we shut a bedroom door right before he crawls in. He is happy to see me when I get home from work, with swinging arms and a huge smile.

He has been crawling for a couple months now, and let me tell you he is fast. I see him across the room turn away, turn right back around and he's at my heels, AH! Like a scary movie when someone shows up out of no where. lol

He loves everything he isn't supposed to have, like in our guest room, aka, my storage for future "projects"

oh hi mom, should I not be in here?

He is his own person, saying "uh" "mmm" and other grunting sounds. He lights up when its time to eat. He knows his name and understands what I am saying I just know it. :)

He has 6 teeth and another one coming in on top.

He can stand alone for long periods of time, and he loves to watch... the weathermen? yes his favorite thing is Rick Mitchell our local weather guy. Before he could even crawl when his theme song came on Carter would stop and stare for the whole thing, then go right back to what he was doing. Its pretty hilarious.

Still watching... just can't get enough..
He is such a big boy now, everyday I don't think I can love something that much, but everyday I just love him more! The months are going by faster and faster, I hope I never forget how special this time is!

Finally! Done with the my table and chairs

This is my table before, (can you tell I have a baby?) it is just solid wood, clear finish, very sturdy, and I like the look of it so I thought it would be easy to just refinish it. Then I decided to just paint it. Little did I know it would take me about 3 months to finish!

This is the whole dining area before, the blond wood with the yellow walls all faded together, and was very drab, the picture on the wall added nothing but boredom also. Everything was exactly the same color. ugh it needed an update.

The first thing I did was sand it all over, not even a hardcore sanding really only enough to rough it up, it was very hot that day back in late May. I wasn't a big fan of the sanding part.

Then we did 3 coats of brown paint, I wanted the brown to show through the black like aged a little. This was the most time consuming part because of the dry times.

It turned out like this. I like it, although it doesn't show up in real life very well, so for the chairs I skipped the brown and just did black, it was a little too much work for not enough results.

So I got done with the table and then I had to do the chairs, I was just going to have them recovered and paint them, but I couldn't find any fabric I liked and I was very ready to get this project done. The chairs set around the table primed for about a month. So little by little I carefully painted around the fabric. But finally it is done! I'm still working on the wall decor in this area. I love that star, but haven't come up with a solution for what to put with it. I also spray painted the tacky gold light fixture. It looks completely different and really adds to the table I think.

Before, Yuk! a little dusty

After MUCH better, cleaning it alone made it look different! lol

So here it is the whole dining area, it took forever, but I'm SO glad I did it, I feel like it really brings a new feeling to the space!

Before and After Party

I have really been wanting to make something with chalkboard paint ever since I found out about it. It comes in spray paint even. So when I found this thing at the Goodwill I saw its potential.

A dark blue frame with a rose tinted flower bouquet. The frame didn't even match the print inside? Oh well I knew it could be my chalkboard Ive been looking for. Only $3!

Here is how it turned out!

Much Better!

I just took the glass from the print and scratched it up with sandpaper then put about 4 coats of spray chalkboard paint on it. Sprayed it white and then used tan paint I already had to paint the lattice part inside. Now I just need to find a place to hang it, its just sitting on a bench in our living room for now. So I think the total for this was about 10 bucks, with the spray paint.

Garage Sale Find

Ok before I started to read all these blogs out there I really had no interest in garage sales, and especially the Goodwill. Well that has changed. After reading this blog I was inspired! She does amazing transformations using things she finds at Goodwill and garage sales.

I love crafty stuff and didn't realize I could use that "skill" to transform junk into things that look new, (ok maybe different, not new :) ). Once I saw thrifty decor chicks blog my mind was racing with ideas. So I started garage saleing;
I found this...It's a tray for $2. This is the back of it because I was so excited about redoing it, I forgot to take a before picture of the front. It looked the same, with painted flowers in the middle. So after some spray paint, I turned it into this...

To do the letters I printed out our name from word, in font I liked, then used an exacto knife to cut it out. (I have a lot of time on my hands at work sometimes). Then used a sponge brush to add green paint. SO easy! Here is a better explanation of the stenciling.

I just love doing these things! I like to think about who may have painted the tray in the first place, when was it and where did it come from? What all has this little tray seen over its life, ya know!? Ok anyways...

I found this little gem at the Goodwill, its my current project. My projects take a few weeks to complete. I only do about 30 minutes of work on them at a time, because of the little guy.

This thing is really hideous. But I think I can make it into something cute! Hopefully.

Ready for Fall

My favorite season has always been the summertime. Recently I have found my self loving fall more and more. I think this is because I haven't had school to dread. Now life just goes on as usual through summer and into fall.

I am so ready for it this year. I'm ready for cooler weather, where you can still get away with flip flops, but wear a long sleeve shirt. The sun is so hot in the summer and even the look of outside is like a sauna. It seems like in the fall the sun gives off a softer glow to the outdoors.

I enjoy the laid back feel of fall, and to be honest I'm ready for it to get dark earlier. Not too early but a little. The fall also means football, eh I don't really care about it, but I did enjoy making treats for Jamie and his friends last year for the games.

Everything is turning orange and gold like the trees are going to rest a little before going into full hibernation for the winter. I hope this fall we have time to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Also, another time in fall I like is Halloween, Not the dressing up part, I'm over that. Halloween is always the real turning point into cooler weather. After Halloween last year I found some adorable treats to make and couldn't wait until this year to make them! :)

Little wienie mummies. How cute! I can hardly stand how much I love when food looks like something else! Especially little animals and stuff. This would be so easy to make, just wrap biscuit dough around a hot dog!

And these.. !!

I know, Halloween is far away still, but I have had these little things saved for a while and I just couldn't keep their cuteness to myself anymore.

Speaking of cuteness. I have been thinking of ideas for Carter's Halloween costume. How darling would he be in this!

He will be almost 10 months old by then! :( I have a feeling he will be walking too. Here is another funny one I came across.

Its still the middle of summer but in my mind I have gone on to fall, and it can't get here soon enough! :)

Don't have this guy be your best man

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Every one's reaction cracks me up though, especially the bridesmaid that is almost crying. Poor bride!

crazy baby

This is how Carter is now that he is crawling. ;)