2011 in a nutshell

This year was one for the record books!

Christmas Craft 2

I love the holidays, and I love to give gifts.  This year I made crafty gifts for my teacher friends instead of giving out the usual bags of delicious but fattening candy.  My goal was to give them something they could use in their classrooms, so I made "Santa"tizer. I also made them teacher emergency kits, but I'll save those for another day since Amelia is going to want to eat soon.

I saw this idea on Pinterest, but there was no link to how they were created, just a picture.  So here they are, step by step.

Supplies:
hand sanitizer (I got mine at the dollar store because they were $2 each at Wal-Mart)
red paper
black paper
silver paper
white paper
double stick tape
clear labels

Step One:
Measure your sanitizer bottles, and cut your red card stock into strips that are tall enough to wrap around, but leave room for the white fringe at the bottom.

Step Two:

Scallop the edges of strips of white paper, and attach to the red paper with double stick tape.

Step Three:

Wrap the "coat" around the bottle, and attach with double stick tape.  My mom used hot glue on some of hers, but the glue made the paper bumpy, so I used tape.

Step Four:

Cut belts out of black paper and belt buckles out of silver paper.  I cut slits in the silver squares I made and threaded the black paper through, then attached them with more double stick tape.

Step Five:

Print your message onto clear labels and attach to the fronts!

Easy, inexpensive, and a great gift for teachers!

One down, Five to Go

Alright, I admit it.  I tend to take on more projects than I have time for.  I get it from my mom.  She's been retired for a whole two weeks now, and has remodeled her bedroom and bathroom, sanded and refinished her kitchen floor, made Christmas presents, etc.  I think the busybodyness runs in the family.

I've decided to make a bunch of our Christmas presents this year.  With me not having a paycheck right now, it only made sense to keep our Christmas budget a little smaller.  Besides, it was a good excuse to get crafty.

There are currently five projects I am working on finishing, and I will post them when they are done.  Here's the first one:

Amelia's hands are adorably small, so I made an ornament out of her handprints to give to the Grandmas this year.  They turned out pretty cute, and were relatively simple to make.  I say relatively because Amelia still clenches her hands up most of the time, so I had to have a helper to get her hand to lay flat.  Thankfully, Melissa's daughter is 6 months old, and we made some of her hands, too, so I had assistance.

So I present to you, my dear readers, my first tutorial for Christmas crafts:

Baby Handprint Ornament

Supplies:

glass ornament balls big enough for your baby's hand

clear embossing ink

embossing powder

embossing gun

q-tips

paper plates

paper towels

baby wipes

ribbon

extra adult to assist

The project was simple.  We used the clear embossing ink with a roller applicator to get the girls' hands covered, then stamped their handprints onto the glass ornaments.  I sprinkled the powder over the ink, making sure the area was covered.  Before I used the embossing gun, I used a q-tip to clean up the handprint and get the extra powder off.  After they were embossed, I tied a small ribbon to the top, and wrote the year and Amelia's name on the back with a sharpie.

I didn't get pictures of the process, because there was a small mishap with the ink spilling, and I was busy cleaning up as we went along.  Here are the supplies, though:

The paper plates were handy because I sprinkled the powder onto the balls while holding them over the plates, and I was able to use less powder because I used the excess powder for the next ball.

I think they came out pretty cute!

December Is Here!

Well it snuck up on my faster than I could have imagined, and now it's already December.  I can't believe this year is almost over!  My internal clock is now based on Amelia's birthday, and I am having a hard time believing that she is already 11 weeks old.  I'm having an even harder time believing it's been almost three months since I spent a day at work with my students.  I am also struggling to remember what it's like to work full time.  Sigh.  In one month, I'll be getting my back to work clothes laid out!

As much as I love my class, and teaching, I would rather stay here with Amelia.  I find myself getting a bit possessive of her with others.  Even Tim.  I just don't want to share her, especially knowing that I am going to have to leave her so soon.  I never thought I would feel this way.  I was so sure that I would be able to have her, get cleaned up, and get back to the classroom, knowing that she was in good hands with whoever I left her with, but that's not the case.  I'm going to go ahead and assume it's all the hormones that make me so very attached.

It also helps that she looks like this:

Seriously?  I made that?

I have a feeling that I will spend my entire first day back crying and checking my phone every five minutes to make sure everything is ok.  In the meantime, I have crafts to get done, a house to scour, and books to read.

Gratitude Day 30

I grumpy again today so I was having a hard time thinking of a topic to be grateful about. I broke a present I was making, my house is a disaster, and I'm running out of steam for the evening. So I flipped through my phone for a picture that might help me relax and found this one of Tim showing Amelia the Chtistmas tree. Tonight, I am grateful that I have so much to be thankful for that I could create a month's worth of posts about it. I am also thankful for the infectious joy that Tim brings to the holidays. I am excited to share this with Amelia!

Gratitude Day 29

I am grateful for the talents I was given in the creativity department. I am so glad my mom took the time to teach me how to use her power tools so I can create fun gifts for others! I am also grateful for the Internet, where I find fun ideas!

Gratitude Day 28

I'm so grateful for good friends who helped us decorate our tree! It takes a lot of work to put ornaments on a 9 foot tree, thanks Megan and Tyler!

Gratitude Day 27

Today I am very grateful for old friends. We had lunch with Nancy, Travis, and Spencer today. It was so nice to catch up with old friends that I see only once a year or so.

Travis is deploying this week, so if you're the praying type, please say one for him and Nancy, as the next 6 months are going to be difficult for them.

Travis took the pictures today, and I don't have any of the three of us on my phone, so you get another picture of Amelia. This time she's in her adorable polka dot Minnie Mouse dress.

Gratitude Day 26

I've been slacking on my thankful posts since I've been out of town, but I'll post more when I get home tomorrow. Today? I'm thankful for lazy days spent wrapping presents with my MIL. We wrapped all I the presents we got on Thursday night and Friday morning, and had a good time hanging out while the boys golfed!

Gratitude Day 24

I'm thankful again today for my little turkey!

Gratitude Day 23

I am very grateful for Paul's new school, which he loves. For a kid who could have easily hated school, it is amazing that he thinks of school in a positive light. Yay New Way Learning Academy!

Gratitude Day 22

I am so very grateful for Costco pumpkin pie today. If you've had it, you'll know what I mean, and if you haven't had it? Then go have some now.

Seriously. Right now.

And since I ate all of my pie, I will give you a picture of Amelia when she was jaundiced in the hospital and sort of looked like a pumpkin.

Gratitude Day 21

Today I am grateful for my Dad, who had been my unwavering #1 fan since I was a kid. I have learned a ton from him over the years, and I can't wait to see Amelia learn from him as well. I always know if I need someone in my corner, he's the one to call. If I ever have a bad day, he will cheer me up with his wicked sense of humor.

Gratitude Day 20

I am EXTREMELY grateful for Huggies today. Without them, my daughter's outfit, as well as my shorts, would have been ruined. Guess what happens when your two-month-old doesn't go number two for a few days?
...
It all soaks back into her system? NO. It comes out in a MASSIVE mess all at once. Thankfully, Amelia was wearing her trusty Huggies, and only a small amount got on our clothing.
Praise the person who invented disposable diapers, and kudos to those brave souls whose kids were the control group for testing the absorption of said diapers.
I LOVE HUGGIES!

Gratitude Day 19

Thank you God for college! Today I am grateful that I was able to go to college debt free, and able to graduate with a degree that I'm actually able to use.

I am also grateful that my Wildcats beat the Scum Devils in the Territorial Cup this year. :)

Gratitude Day 18

Today I'm giving thanks for the fact that after 30 years, my mom was able to retire today! Thankfully she will be able to spend more time doing the things she likes to do!

Gratitude Day 17

I know I shouldn't be giving thanks for so many "things", but some days I am just really grateful for my stuff! Today, I am extremely grateful for the Moby Wrap, which allows me to get things done even when all Amelia wants to do is be held. I love sitting on the couch letting her snuggle with me, but sometimes we need to get things done, and the Moby is the only way I have use of both of my hands! Amelia camped out in the Moby all afternoon while I baked and decorated cupcakes, and did the laundry. I'll post pictures of the cupcakes after they are revealed to their recipient tomorrow. I don't want to ruin the surprise!

I am also grateful to the nurses in the NICU today, as the March of Dimes has named November 17 National Prematurity Day (thanks for the info, Lia!). We are extremely lucky that the medical community has come so far and they were able to help our 33-week-old angel come home healthy and strong after only a few weeks!

Gratitude Day 16

On days when I don't have a picture to represent what I'm thankful for, like today, I will subject you all to pictures of Amelia. Katy took a ton of really good ones, and I feel the need to share them! By the way, you should check out her other photos here. She's a wonderful photographer and bow designer. I am grateful to have her in my life!

The other thing I am grateful for today is the breastfeeding support group at Northwest. I was super nervous to go the first time, and I am really glad that I did. Even if I don't have questions about nursing, it is really nice to go and be with other new (and veteran) moms who understand what I'm going through. I always leave the meetings feeling better about what I'm doing, especially after a night like last night. I don't know what it was, but I did NOT want to get up for Amelia's second feeding, and Tim didn't get up because he hadn't been able to sleep earlier in the night (eye roll). It was good to go and hear from other moms who have had those moments of thinking, "what did I get myself into here?" Luckily I always snap out of those bad moods when I get that chubby kid in my arms (and turn on dvr'd episodes of Ellen to keep me awake).

PS- Amelia had her two month shots yesterday. She got measured, and she is 21 inches long and weighs 9lbs. 2oz. Dr. S said if she had been a term baby, she would be in the 90th percentile. Yay!

Gratitude Day 15

Today I would like to give thanks for my extended maternity leave. Having Amelia early was scary and challenging, but it gave me an extra two months at home with her that I wouldn't have had otherwise. I am so grateful to have this time with her, and I am learning that if I don't get my to do list done, it's ok. My house can be a little bit messy so I can spend more time hugging my daughter and no harm will be done. I am very lucky to have a job that allows me as much time off as teaching does!

That being said, I am not looking forward to going back and having to miss out on a single smile, tear or coo. :(

Gratitude Day 14

Can you feel it? Can you smell it in the air? Can you sense the underlying excitement? The holiday season is upon us, and today I'm grateful for the holiday spirit that is taking over. When Paul was here this weekend, we spent some time with our neighbors, and all of the kids were very excited that the elves in the house were moving around while they were playing and not paying attention to them. It was really neat to see the kids getting so excited about the mischievous elves, and made me really excited for the years when Amelia will be old enough to enjoy these festivities as well!

The holiday season is also fun because so many people come home for the holidays, and I get to see friends who have moved away. I know Charlotte and Laura will be home for Thanksgiving, and I'm looking forward to spending time with two of my favorite girls!

Two Months!

Yesterday was two months since Amelia was born. I cannot believe that much time has already gone by. I still feel like this is all surreal! We had another photo session to mark her second month of life yesterday, but she was decidedly less cooperative than she was last month. Here are a few of the photos, including one I took today, too.

Amelia and her adorable Guess Baby outfit from Grandma Wittrock:

Amelia getting ready to karate chop the scrabble tiles and pull her bow over her face:

Posing on the Minnie chair, which she can no longer lay on because she's too long:

The biggest challenge for me has been looking at her by her gestational age instead of her birth age. Since she wasn't due until November 1, we are supposed to look at that as the date for her developmental milestones. It's hard when she is two months old by her birth day, but I can only expect her to do the things a two week old baby is doing. Luckily for us, one thing she does do well is sleep for a 5-6 hour stretch almost every night. Unfortunately right now that period usually ends around 2am, when she decides she wants to be awake, and gets very upset if we put her down!

Speaking of her gestational age, I didn't get to take the traditional belly shots in the later weeks, so Amelia and I posed for one on her due date, at 40 weeks:

Gratitude Day 13

Today I am grateful for my little brother. Paul came into our lives when I was 19, and has been a big part ever since. He came down this weekend to spend some time with us and we had a blast. He played with some friends' kids, helped watch Amelia, took Tonks for a walk, and played video games with Tim and I. Paul is a special kid, and I am very thankful that I get to be a part of his life!

Gratitude Day 12

Today I would like to take a moment to appreciate the beautiful desert I live in. The Tucson mountains make a great backdrop for my walks, and provide many Kodak moments. Tonight they were obscured by clouds and rain, but this photo, which I snapped a few days ago, makes me smile.

Gratitude Day 11

Today I am giving thanks for all of the men and women who serve in our armed forces and protect our freedoms. I am also thankful for their families, who sacrifice seeing their loved ones for months on end in order to keep us safe. Thank you!

Both of Amelia's great-grandfathers were in the armed forces, so they are featured here today.

Gratitude Day 10

Thank you, God for the Internet (especially Pinterest) for helping feed my creativity addiction and teaching me to enjoy cooking dinner! I am grateful for all of the people who post easy to follow, step by step instructions for meals, like crockpot buffalo chicken sandwiches. Yum!

Gratitude Day 9

Today I would like to give thanks for quiet moments. Our lives can get very hectic these days, and the quiet moments we do have are few and far between. It is nice to catch one here and there, and I love being able to enjoy them more, especially now while I am not focused on anything except Amelia.

Tim commented to me that he understood why I didn't get anything done during the day after having Amelia fall asleep on his chest for the first time. :)

Gratitude Day 8

Today I am grateful for the amazing technology we have in our lives. My iPad keeps me well entertained while I am nursing Amelia in the middle of the night, providing hours of distractions. I know it's not as important as family or friends, but sometimes having a smart phone, tablet, or e-reader seems like the best thing in the world.

Gratitude Day 7

Today I am grateful for rainy days. I woke up early this morning to the sound of rain on the roof and the comforting smell of wet desert around. Amelia and I spent much of the day snuggling on the couch in the cold. It was a great day.

Gratitude Day 6

Today I am grateful for hockey. Since I was 10 years old, hockey has been a big part of my life. While I was pregnant, I didn't get to play, and got a new perspective as a spectator. It was, admittedly, a lesson in patience to be on the sidelines for 9 months.

Tonight I got to dust off my equipment and play for the first time since February. Although I still haven't been on the ice, playing roller hockey satisfies my craving for hockey for now. I missed the feeling of being out there and tonight was a great reintroduction to the sport. Hopefully I can continue to play this game that I love. It has given me countless memories, dozens of friends, and much more.

Gratitude Day 5

Today I am thankful for mothers. My mother, her mother, and Tim's mother. I have not always been as appreciative of my mom as I should have been, but I am becoming more and more aware of just how amazing she is as I get older. I am so grateful for all of the things she has done for me over the years, and all of the things I continue to learn from her.

Amelia and I had a great time on Wednesday, when we met my mom and Tim's mom for lunch in Casa Grande. It's so nice to be able to take time to do these kinds of things while I am off of work. I am glad that my relationship with Tim's mom is good. I am looking forward to Amelia having a close relationship with both of her grandmas!