Whoa. That went fast.

Wow, how life has changed.

I began this blog with such good intent! Now, I barely have time to go grocery shopping. Or pee alone. I know you veteran mommies are snickering at me- but I swear for some reason I thought I'd be able to sneak in some blogging time. I was wrong.

Those eyes get me every time. 

Fast forward to now. My Little Man is about to turn TWO! He's amazing and crazy and wonderful and typical for a toddler- and I love him now more than ever. I could write a post just on the crazy feelings you go through as a new parent (I still might) but let's just say that we have been into the best "routine" yet and things seem to be more normal. The husband and I have a decent routine amongst eachother and with him and it works well... and he sleeps all night which has made life so much easier. The only trouble is that husband and I basically work opposite shifts, spare 4-5 days a month, so we are both acting as single parents for many nights since we work longer 12 hour shifts. It's hard, but we have plans in motion to change that next year.

Little Man and Mommy around his first birthday
Copyright Lydia L Photography

Mommy's Superhero

And speaking of plans, we're adding another little one to our brood! A Little Lady this time, which means lots of remodeling since our house wasn't quite ready for a second child. I hope to post those photos soon. She'll be here before the end of the year and honestly, I'm not so sure we are ready, but I'm pretty sure you never are.

As a result, the crafts and hobbies I hoped to discuss are on the back burner sadly. The garden is basically non existent right now (Florida heat is too much for this momma). I still scrapbook but only using the phone app for project life, as I finally had to admit defeat. I don't really cook much due to our schedules either. I was doing well with the low carb/keto diet, but then that had to change too. I haven't found a groove yet, work and life is too busy right now- but when I do, I'm blogging the crap out of it!

Our "stay cation" wasn't too shabby!

I love those little (HUGE actually) feet!

This picture makes my heart happy

Happy Family Vacations are very different now, but very awesome.

So for now I'm just posting a few photos from the past year or so. Life is so different and so amazing, and so difficult. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Giving hugs to his sister

Happy living :)

The Reality of Bringing a Life Into the World

Well, he made it, safe and sound! And healthy! We are so blessed in so many ways.  

When I first started this blog, it was mostly a place for me to posts the things I enjoy: crafts, gardening, cooking etc. I will add another topic: motherhood. 

Being a new mom is scary, and amazing, and wonderful, and awful all at the same time. My sweet Little Man is now 2 months old and I finally have my wits about me enough to discuss what being a new mom is like. I wasn't even going to incorporate it into this blog but it is literally in every aspect of my daily life and I feel like many of my followers may appreciate my candid commentary :) I thought about just talking about the wonderful things motherhood brings, but that's not reality and I feel it's better to be honest!

Let me start with childbirth. I don't really recommend it. In fact, I don't recommend pregnancy either, but alas, they are both usually necessary to bring a child into this world- though not always necessary to become a parent... now that I think about it, those parents who adopt are way smarter than me!

Back to childbirth- it's painful. I mean, really, really painful. I was under this delusion that the epidural works for everyone, so it should work for me.. why not? I'm healthy. Well, sparing some details, it DOESN'T always work... and so, childbirth is very, very painful. In fact it was so painful I felt betrayed by all of the friends of mine who had kids that didn't warn me EXACTLY how bad it was. I did get over it pretty quickly, but I feel like it's this thing that no one REALLY emphasizes.. NOTHING will prepare you for that kind of pain.

Regardless, eventually, you get this beautiful little person that looks like a cross between a wrinkly old person and the most perfect thing you've ever seen in your life:

Our Little Man :)

And then, just like that, you are a mother! How crazy is that? One minute you are sobbing and in complete agony and the next, you are a parent! The next few days were a blur, but a good summary is this: eat, sleep, poop. Rinse and repeat. Actually, that's what your newborn's life is like. Your life is more like scarf a cliff bar, nap for 5 minutes, change a diaper, feed your child, and fit a potty break in there somewhere (Oh and I won't mention how NOT fun those are!). I am thankful he is healthy, and actually had a decent sleeping pattern and rooting reflex when he arrived so feeding and sleeping weren't TOO bad. I tried my best to take as many photos and videos as possible, but in all honesty, my only two goals for the day were to shower and eat breakfast. Anything over that was just a bonus.

Let me talk a minute about how absolutely overwhelming those first few days are. Your whole life's routine is changed, and you may do fine or it may completely overwhelm you. And that's ok! You will find a new normal, and in just a few short weeks, you will forget what it was like to be able to take a shower at your leisure instead of in that (very) short window of time when baby is fed, sleeping and has a dry diaper. I'm pretty sure those three things never happen all at once in the first 2 months of life, but when the planets align.. take it for what you can!

Lots of people come to visit you after you have a baby. And you feel awful, the pain doesn't end when your gorgeous little person arrives, it lasts for weeks.. and weeks. No one told me that either, and I don't know why I didn't think about it, but it does make sense. I'm kind of a wimp when it comes to pain, so take that for what it is, but I was so uncomfortable for so long. All I wanted to do was sit and rock my child to sleep and I couldn't do it because it hurt so bad to sit down! Do not underestimate the power of ibuprofen and a couple fluffy pillows.

The best advice I can give a person going to see a new baby. Bring food. And diapers. My favorite visits were the friends that called me and said they were bringing dinner, but that they weren't staying for it! No offense, we love our friends, we just weren't very good hosts and it totally took the pressure off!

There are a lot of firsts that I didn't think about either. His first smile probably is my favorite :) Nothing warms your heart more, and nothing will make you forget you got up 4 times after midnight any better than a beautiful toothless gummy grin. 

The other firsts that I didn't think about include the first time I had to breastfeed in public with my little "apron".. that was interesting, and awkward- I only knew how to breastfeed with a boppy or a pillow.. so that took some getting used to. Also, our first grocery store trip was thankfully uneventful but I was on high alert to make sure no one's grubby hands touched my baby! The same went for our first trip to a restaurant.

Another first I didn't think of? My first pang of mommy guilt. Oh man, is this the most under rated, under discussed topic of parenting. I first felt guilty when he was 3 days old and not making enough wet diapers, that we had to supplement him until my milk came in. Then it was the circumcision. Then it was not realizing he had been laying in a sopping wet onsie which was why he wouldn't settle down. Then it was his first bath, which he hated. And the most recent?

Formula.

I GLARED at that bottle for a solid 30 minutes. I have exclusively breastfed but my supply is decreasing and he's growing so his demand is increasing.. and I'm working 12 hour shifts- which means I only pump twice in a 12 hour period. So, I had to give in to supplementing with formula. I teared up as I gave him that bottle. I'm ridiculous, I know. I think motherhood has made me that way actually. I went to great lengths to find a formula that was free of corn syrup and sugar as well as GMO and pesticide free. You would think that was easy- it wasn't. BUT I found one and bought some "just in case". Well that day came and I was pretty upset.. but then I realized something.. my sweet boy was no longer fussy because he had a full belly. He was still getting some good stuff from me, but also filling his belly. And I didn't die of guilt. And now, I feel a little silly about that tear I shed, but at the time, I felt like a failure. 

Mommyhood so far has been awesome. My Little Man is doing so well, I could not ask for a better child. And he's such a cutie to boot, total bonus. But Mommyhood also has it's darkness.. the guilt can be all consuming if you let it. And interestingly, no one talks about it FOR REAL. It's passively mentioned as a joke, but it's awful to feel guilty about everything. And then there are women who develop postpartum blues, and even depression. And, though I think I may have had a touch of the blues, thankfully I was spared that agony. It amazes me what a taboo subject it is. Your hormones change very drastically- it's okay to be teary eyed about not having time to do a load of laundry!! Not saying I did that...... well, maybe at least once. Oh, hell, my poor/wonderful husband knew right when to just stop and hug me. And we'd laugh about it. And it was okay, but in our 8 years together I had never been that weepy and labile before, it took me by surprise. 

I'm so thankful to have a healthy, happy baby. He is my world, OUR world actually.  I can't imagine if he was sick, unhealthy, if he was a twin, if I was a single parent.. the list goes on. For those mommies who don't have a happy or healthy baby, or those that have multiple outside factors that make being a new mom even MORE overwhelming- I will say a prayer for you tonight! 

Such a smiley boy

I love that sweet face! 

I will continue to post about project life. It took a little back burner.. lots of photos but no journaling! I really want to keep track of all the things that happen in the next year so I will be getting back to it! One thing at a time :)

Happy crafting :)

Our World Traveler Nursery

He's due any day now, so I figured I can finally share a few shots of the nursery :)

We went with a "old world" or "world traveler" theme for a few reasons. First, I wanted a theme that would grow with him.. what 3 year old boy wouldn't love maps and planes and sailboats? The second reason is that we are sailors, and it is a hobby we both very much enjoy. My husband also enjoys flying (full size and model) airplanes. Plus, we enjoy travelling so that's a bonus. 

I think I'll post some before photos so you have an idea of what we were working with..

Pale Yellow was just not going to work.. neither was that fan...

We chose the lower blue- I didn't want a crazy bright room!

We chose to paint the walls instead of replacing them.. we will eventually drywall everything but time and money were inhibiting factors...

So after many weekends, weeknights, shopping trips and craigslist searches, we are pretty much finished! The closet doors aren't done, so I'll hold off on photos of that for now. In the meantime..

His nursery is officially my favorite room in the house. I just sit in that chair and rock sometimes.. imagining how our life will change, how this room will welcome a newborn. 

We are so excited he will be here soon! 

Happy family time :)

I Heart 5th & Frolic!

So PRETTY. So, so, pretty. These cards are just gorgeous.

I've been using project life since January of 2010... when there was only one edition- cherry. Now, don't get me wrong, cherry is nice, but it's soooo dark! I like bright and airy, and it was way too dark for MY taste. I also love the rain and cinnamon editions, but they were also just a bit too dark for me- fortunately, NOW I have options :)

I have to brag a bit too.. I went to Michaels today, armed with the knowledge that Project Life items were 40% off today, and also knowing there was a 15% off sale items coupon on their mobile app... and I saved a TON of money on next year's album necessities. I'm still using and loving the seafoam kit, but I had been eyeballing 5th and Frolic, and I'm so glad I snagged the last one! I spent $57 for the full core kit, 2 big variety packs, design G pack and a corner rounder. For curiosity's sake, I went on amazon and compared what I would have spent with shipping if I could have gotten 5th and frolic online... $123! And that did NOT include the corner rounder. I love saving money :)

(BTW I think the sale ends on Labor Day!)

So on to the review. 

This line is very different from the previous ones I have chosen. (to recap I've used: Cherry, Amber, Clementine, and Seafoam) All the previous editions have pretty clean lines and graphics. The 5th & Frolic edition is very messy. By messy, I mean, the cards resemble vintage linens and library cards, complete with stains and such. At first I was a little put off by them.. but the more I look at them, the more I like it. It forces me out of my type A box and makes me look at things asymetrically. 

Oh look, pre-stained :)

Lots of ledger style cards- which I really like!

The line is also quite girly- and manly- all at the same time. Dear Lizzy (the designer) has mixed pretty vintage patterns with ledger/library style cards, hearts and trees, pennants and foxes! You could definitely use this as a heritage album, but would have to be choosy with all the pink. There are also very cute branches, trees and houses.. very heritage-ish :)

Here are the front and back 4x6 and 3x4 cards:

And here are the 4x6 "journaling"cards. I have separated them so the top card is one side and the card just below it is the other side (prints with journaling). 

They only have room for journaling on one side, which I found a little odd since I thought the purpose of these cards was to be able to add extra journaling. I guess I will be purchasing (or printing a freebie) a 4x6 blank grid card! They are still very cute though :)

And now, the everyday cards :)

Below are the title cards. Again, very different from the previous editions in that they are not uniform. Each card is unique- and there are quite a few patterns to choose from.. only 3 of each title card if that tells you anything!

And finally, the journaling cards. There are a TON of them, lots of options! There are quite a few horizontally aligned cards too, so for those of you who don't always use design A, this may be a nice kit for you!

I have to say, I LOVE the little cartoon graphics.. unfortunately, they are mostly on the horizontal cards, which is disappointing (see the branches and foxes above!).. but I like the little vertical house design for sure! Maybe it will force me to use different page protectors!

So there you have it, 5th & Frolic. What do you think? I love the light and airy feel to it... it kind of reminds me of a 1950s clothesline if that makes any sense? The patterns are soft, and the colors are sweet. I'm especially excited because this will be used during our son's first year of life :) He will have his own album, of course (I'm using Becky Higgins' sweet baby kit from many years ago to document a monthy recap of his first year).. but this will be a part of our family album! I can't wait to use it!

Happy Crafting :)

Updates!! Lots of them! And a cheap and easy chicken recipe!

So, I have been MIA over the last several months, but I have a great excuse! Several, actually.. 

The first? My husband and I are expecting our first child! We are very excited but I will tell you this pregnancy has consumed me! I was nauseous for the first 20 weeks, and now that we are about 35 weeks along and the nursery is about done, I have just a few moments of time where I can blog! I can't promise anything, but I will be home for a good chunk of time, so I hope to post something more frequently.. and fair warning, there might be some baby photos to go along with that.

Our little guy :)

The second? I've become an entrepreneur. Twice. I'm not sure if it was early nesting or if things just fell into place but I now have two small businesses. The first is a photography business. I'd been taking photos of other peoples' children for so long, it was about time I got paid for it. If you are interested, my website is Courtney Marie Photography. I will probably include photo tips and such on this blog, when I can.. but for now I'll leave you with some cute photos :)

What a cute toddler she is! She was so good for this shoot!

A client's little one- adorable!

The other business is a Mary Kay business. I get all sorts of reactions on this one! No, it's not just grandma's makeup :) Yes, I absolutely love their products. No, I'm not crazy. I have a lot of skin reactions and finally found some products that have improved my skin, even during pregnancy. Plus, living in the south means a high risk for skin cancer and they have a great daily facial sunscreen that agrees with my skin. I probably won't mention it again on this blog, but if you are interested, send me an email to craftyhobbyhouse@gmail.com and I'll be glad to give you more information :)

I've also gotten back into a healthier eating pattern (for the most part). Pregnancy has disrupted this, but I have been loving some new recipes and will share as I get them. I try to eat a higher protein, lower simple carb diet but on busy nights and when we are on a super tight budget (when are we NOT) I have to go to the staples of rice or pasta- but I still try to make those as healthy as possible. Here is a recent recipe I got off of BigOven (love their app!!) that was yummy- although it doesn't look like much-- it's easy and cheap (add frozen veggies and it's a little more healthy!)

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake

Main Dish  »  Casseroles     Original Yield: 4      Sized to 4 Servings

Easy to Make. Kids Love it!

photo by Rayel

Ingredients 1 10.75-oz can Cream of Chicken Soup; Regular or 98% fat free 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper ground 1 1/3 cups Water 1 1/2 pounds Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast Halves about 4 - 6 3/4 cups Rice; Uncooked Regular long-grain white 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (4 oz) Shredded 1/2 teaspoon Onion powder Preparation Mix soup, water, rice, onion powder and black pepper in 2qt. shallow baking dish. Top with chicken. Sprinkle chicken with additional pepper. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 F for 45 min. or until chicken is no longer pink and rice is done. Uncover, sprinkle cheese over chicken, the cheese melts from the heat of the chicken. For a nice addition stir in 2 cups of fresh or canned, or frozen vegetables into soup mixture before topping with chicken.

An update on the garden? Nada. Being prego killed my motivation this summer.. but I do want to have another winter garden. I'll probably update you all now and then!


And finally, I've really slacked off on project life :( I've been taking occasional notes, and keeping up with taking photos, so it won't take too long to catch up but I hate having to catch up! I plan to be better when our little man arrives.