Happy Last Day of August!

Happy last day of August! 

We're excited to say goodbye to this August heat and hello to the cooler fall weather. The fall is probably the best time of year here in the 505 and we can't wait for all the fun fall activities to begin.

Addy and I had the privilege of meeting this handsome man yesterday. His mom's sweet and joyful spirit during this rough time blew me away. Check out her blog here. She recently posted a video of baby Jude opening his eyes and it's the sweetest thing I've ever seen. He is a very loved little boy.

Linking up with Paper Momma's Wordlessish Wednesday.

Sleeping Babies

Addy's new favorite thing is to fall asleep without her swaddler.

And my new favorite thing is to take pictures of her falling asleep without her swaddler and show them to Matt when he gets home. I'm sure he sits in anticipation at work, wondering what position she fell asleep in this time. Ha!

I don't know what it is but, I can't get enough of this sleeping baby. I sneak into her room during her naps multiple times during the day and I find myself telling others how she fell asleep on her stomach and how cute it was. I've even invited others into her room to get a glimpse of her sleeping.

I know I'm not the only one who does this. I've read numerous blog posts about Mom's sneaking in to peek at their little ones off in dream land.

Why do we do this? After how hard we work sometimes to get them to fall asleep, why do we risk the chance of them waking up again just to get a glimpse at their sweet angelic faces?

Maybe it's the sense of accomplishment we feel after getting a hyper baby to calm down and fall asleep. Or maybe we just missed them that much during the 15 minutes they were asleep?

I think it's because time seems to stand still when they're sleeping. Even though sleep actually helps her grow, it seems that during that brief spans of time that is her nap, Addy stops growing. She's frozen in time as an almost 6 month old baby and I can't help but steal little peeks to soak it all in and maybe snap a photo sometimes too.

Miscellaneous Monday

Happy Monday Morning!

A few miscellaneous things to start the week:

1. I am hosting my first giveaway! Enter here
2. Matt found my ipod this weekend! It's a million years old, white with the little turn dial thing and doesn't hold a charge but I love it! All the music on it is super old too but at one point I spent a lot of money buying those songs and when I thought I had lost it forever, it made me sad.
3. Addy and I listened to my "Morning Worship Music(upbeat)" play list while eating breakfast. I made that play list when I was in school and I had to walk a long ways to class every morning.
4. I miss those good ol' school days sometimes
5. Today begins my new lifestyle. I'm joining Matt on the Paleo diet. Goodbye sweet cookie stash and handfuls of potatoes chips for lunch, hello tuna for breakfast.
6. Tuna for breakfast? Yuck!
7. As a part of my new lifestyle, I am also trying to fit some exercise into my daily routine. Thankfully, it's starting to get a little cooler here so Addy and I can go on a walk and not have to get up at the crack of dawn to beat the heat.
8. I am hoping that the changes in my eating habits and the little bit of exercise will give me more energy and maybe help me fit into my winter clothes.
9. Don't forget to enter the Beauty Unveiled Giveaway!

Beauty Unveiled GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

Today is a special day in the 505 because today I am hosting my very first giveaway!

In an effort to grow the gifts God has given her, my sweet friend, Erica, recently opened an Etsy shop called Beauty Unveiled. 

Here's what Erica told me about her shop:

"My Pastor recently gave me a book called "The Creative Call" by Janice Elshiemer and I had no idea that it would be wrecking in the best way possible. It made me realize that I was an artist. Not just any old artist, but Jesus' very own artist. And that when I create something it's not me thinking and creating, it's the Holy Spirit through me. Sometimes I think I can do things on my own, you know? Sometimes I think that I'm the creative one but when I truly sit and ask Jesus to create through me- I get thrust into a deeper communion with the Ultimate Creator and get to co-create with the Guy who created it all. Creativity exploded in me and I just had all this stuff that I had made... just sitting there. So to continue this journey of knowing God's heart more deeply, I started my Etsy store, Beauty Unveiled, so I could boldly share Jesus' creativity in the most "me" way I could."

If you click on over to her shop, you can see she has talent and a sophisticated, classic taste. She also loves to co-create! She was one of my favorite crafting buddies when we lived in the same town and today she has generously agreed to give this pretty black and white floral headband to one of YOU! Isn't that nice of her?

So to enter this giveaway,

Make sure you are follower of my blog,

Visit Erica's shop,

And leave a comment telling me which item is your favorite.

You will have until Monday September 5th to enter. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday.

Be sure to visit her Facebook page and leave her some love.

Good luck!

I'm Dreaming of a PINK Christmas!

Linking up again with Gussy Sews. Each week she sends out an inspirational prompt to build a blog post around and then link back to her site. It's a great way to get the creative juices flowing and meet other bloggers. This week's prompt was "Your Favorite Color." Can you guess what my favorite color is?

I realize it's only August and we have months to go before we should even start thinking about Christmas (I have a strict no-Christmas-music-before-Thanksgiving rule), but I couldn't help but get a little excited while we were at Hobby Lobby the other day picking up some last minute items for Addy's room. They had the cutest ornaments for mini trees and I have decided that Addy will need her own pink Christmas tree this year. And if Matt would let me, I would totally do an all pink Christmas, but since there's no way that will happen let's have fun dreaming shall we?

First things first, we will need a tree,

Source: pinkplusorange.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Or maybe two or three.

Source: google.com via Lizz on Pinterest

And some stockings hung by the chimney with glee

Source: nabefabric.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Or maybe some boots instead, either is fine with me.

Source: google.com via Katie on Pinterest

A wreath for the front door

Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Katie on Pinterest

And presents galore!

Source: mialinnman.blogspot.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Oh, and I forgot my favorite thing....

Source: purlbee.com via Katie on Pinterest

The ornaments sparkling...

Source: flickr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Hidden among the tree.

Source: weheartit.com via Katie on Pinterest

If you could decorate your tree in any color, what would it be?

Twenty Six

Today is my 26th Birthday and although it's only ten o'clock, I have a feeling it's going to be a good one.

I haven't been a big fan of Birthdays in the past but I think it's time to change my thinking on them. It seems like such a shame to take for grant it the gift of life I have received.  

My twenty-sixth year was a good one, filled with more blessings than I deserve. I received the best gift in a 6 pound, 12 ounce package six months ago and the presents have just kept coming after that.

This morning, I was able to take time to reflect on the past year, it's highs and lows. The highs have out numbered the lows. God is good and in the years to come, I want this to be the theme of my Birthdays. Instead of focusing on the number of phone calls, text messages and Facebook posts I receive, I want to spend the day in thanksgiving, not forgetting all the gifts I have received throughout the year.  

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Light."

James 1:17

So today I am thankful for a beautiful baby girl, a loving husband, supportive family (both blood and by law), sweet friends and a new house, among many other things.

A year ago today, 25 years old and 12 weeks pregnant.

I can't wait to see what God has planned for my 27th year.

Don't Try This At Home

I am all about finding fun, money saving projects online and love to get tips from other bloggers, so here's a tip on a project to avoid. Seriously, don't try this at home.

Source: grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

I found this tutorial on how to turn an old bath towel into a bath mat and I thought "hey, I could do that!" I had two old bath towels and only needed the matting, which cost like two bucks. What a cheap, easy, resourceful project! Super excited to get my DIY on, I told almost everyone about it and what a great idea I thought it was. I could just hear the compliments from my house guests, telling me how happy their feet were to get out of the shower and step onto a soft, fluffy rug. "And you made that?" They would say in awe.

Well, about twenty minutes into this project, with little pieces of my dark blue towel all over the floor and only a corner of the rug completed, I decided I didn't really care about how happy the feet of my house guests were.

This project was taking up way to much of my precious nap time and I wasn't that happy with the results. The towel was really hard to cut into and it turned out to be a super messy project. So now, I have one and half old blue bath towels and a whole lot of gridded matting. Is it bad if I just throw it all away? At least I tried right?

Good thing I wasn't entering one of those Pinterest Challenges, because I would have seriously failed.

Praying for the Pelton's

 A sweet family we knew in school has been up in the 505 for the past couple of weeks anticipating the arrival of their sweet baby boy, whom they knew would be born with disabilities. They knew that with his birth, their life would drastically change but they chose to embrace this change and prepare to welcome their sweet baby into the world.

When Jude Matthew was born on Monday morning, they learned that he would face even more challenges than they had anticipated. They received bad news on top of bad news. He would need open heart surgery, but before that, surgery on his little brain because he had undergone a stroke. They had to move hospitals, functioning on very little sleep and all the while, Mandy, Jude's sweet Mom, was recovering from an emergency C-section.

Several times they have been given the option to take him off life support and make him "as comfortable as possible" or continue to fight for his life. They have continually chosen to give him a chance at life.

I've been following Mandy's blog this week, which she has been diligent about updating amongst all the chaos, and I have been blown away by her faith in this tough, tough situation. Her and her family are hurting but each post is filled with so much praise.

We spent some time in the NICU when our baby girl was born and although our situation was totally different, we understand how hard it can be. We were so thankful for the many encouraging emails, texts and facebook posts we received. Knowing that people were praying for our baby to get better was such an encouragement and I know the Pelton's have felt the same way. In her most recent post this morning, Mandy said that she was going to read all the comments filled with prayer and scripture to Baby Jude. Isn't that sweet?

So, if you have a minute, visit Mandy's blog. It will inspire you. And pray for baby Jude, Mandy, her husband Brandon and their (almost) 5 year old son, Caleb. Send some encouraging words their way, I know they appreciate it.

Hunkering Down

It's a gloomy day here in the 505 and Miss Addy's little nose is stuffy. I called the pediatrician's office this morning and the nurse said it sounded like she was getting a cold (her first cold!) and that we might have a rough few days ahead of us.

We'll be hunkering down for the rest of the week to try to kick this cold before it gets nasty.

Happy Hump Day Friends! Only 3 more days till the weekend!

Addy's Letters

Dear Grandma: Thanks for playing with me and feeding me. My cereal tastes much better when you give it to me. Why did you have to leave so soon?
Dear Chief Chief (a.k.a Grandpa): I only scream when you touch me so the others don't know that you're my favorite. We'll just keep that between you and me.
 

Dear Cousin Carter: I haven't seen you in awhile, ask your Mom if you can come over and play. P.S. I think you look handsome with your new haircut



Dear Grandma Ree: Thanks for my new toy, I LOVE it! I screamed when you put me it because I was just THAT excited.
Dear Dad: Only four more days till Saturday morning

Dear Mom: Mom, MoOmmm, Hey Mom! MOM!...... Oh hi :)

Love,

Addy

Crocheted Paci Holder

Addy is a pacifier baby, which I am totally fine with. It helps to soothe her and although it's one more thing we will eventually have to wean her from, it's got to be easier than the thumb. During her week stint in the NICU, they gave her the Soothie brand paci and she hasn't liked any others since. We've tried to give her others that look a little better and are more proportionate to her face, but she doesn't like them. The problem with the Soothie is that I couldn't attached a paci clip/holder, so we were constantly chasing after it... until I saw this:

Source: rebekahgough.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

A crocheted paci holder! 

Perfect.

I used this tutorial to create my own and since it just requires a slip knot (I think that's what it is), it could be used on the Soothie paci too!

The best part was that it required absolutely no gluing. I hate using glue, it's so messy.

I was so pleased with the way it turned out that I was hesitant to give it to Addy. I didn't want her to mess it up! I may have to end up gluing the button on just to ensure it stays there.

If you are new to crocheting, I would totally recommend this as an easy beginners project. It's also very useful!

My Dream Garden

Linking up again with Gussy Sews!

Since our backyard is currently a giant sand box and the closest thing I have to a garden are two house plants that I can barely keep alive, I thought I would share some photos via Pinterest of what my dream garden would look like.

My dream garden would resemble the garden my Grandma had growing up

Source: tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

There would be a creek running through it and since this is in my dreams, the temperature would be a nice 80 degrees instead of the ice cold water at my Grandparents.

Source: weheartit.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

And there would have to be a swing.

Source: i1.2photo.ru via Katie on Pinterest

My dream garden would have rows and rows of my favorite flower: Sunflowers.

Source: weheartit.com via Katie on Pinterest

I would host fun tea parties in my dream garden

Source: sfgirlbybay.com via Sofie on Pinterest

My dream garden would be perfect for fancy outdoor dinner parties

Source: stylemepretty.com via Courtney on Pinterest

And Movie Night

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Katie on Pinterest

What would be in your dream garden?

Happy Hump Day!

Happy Hump Day Friends!

Besides venturing out to the mail box and our usual evening strolls, this is our second day of not leaving the house and we wouldn't have it any other way. We're such homebodies.

Hope you are having a great week.

Addy is 5 Months Old!

Today is Addy's 5 month Birthday!

We celebrated last night with a little rice cereal.

I wouldn't really call it a success since most of it ended up on her chin, but she didn't seem to hate it. It may take a little while for her to figure out how to eat off a spoon.

In other Addy news; her hair continues to get lighter and lighter. We might have a little blondie on our hands. 

I had to get a little bit more creative with this month's photos session, because although she's not mobile yet, she is a huge wiggle worm and never sits still.

"I just love your hair, what kind of shampoo do you use?"

She would roll all over the living room if we would let her. We have no idea where she gets her endless amounts of energy from since she is still waking up at least twice at night.

Even though we're not getting a lot of sleep, we've never had more fun with her. She is such a joy and we are so thankful for this giggly little girl everyday.

HAPPY 5 MONTHS ADDY GRACE!

All About Me, From A to Z

The lovely Chelsie had this on her blog last week and I thought it would be fun to try too. 

A. age: 25 but only for about 17 more days

B. bed size: we recently upgraded to a king. Thanks Mom and Dad!

C. chore you hate: cleaning the blinds, there is NO easy way to do that

D. dogs: Nope, I'm not much of an animal person

E. essential start to your day: coffee

F. favorite color: Pink! There was a LOT of pink at our wedding, but I liked it.

G. gold or silver: I really like gold jewelry now that it's in style but I also really like all my jewelry to match and my wedding ring is silver so I don't wear gold often

H. height: 5 foot, 8 inches... somewhat on the tall side

I. instruments you play: the piano, but sadly only a couple times a year and I have to pretty much re-teach myself how to play each time

J. job title: Stay at Home Mom as of about two months ago and LOVING it!

K. kids: Adelyne Grace

L. live: Northern New Mexico a.k.a "The 505"

M. mom’s name: Debra, Debbie, Mom and Grandma

Hawaii, Christmas 2004

N. nicknames: my younger cousin dubbed me Katie Jo Jo a while back and now its morphed into Jo Jo which is what my hubby calls me :)

O. overnight hospital stays: 2 consecutive nights when Miss Addy was born and I actually didn't want to leave, my baby was in the NICU and that bed was really comfortable!

P. pet peeve: leaving the toilet seat up... gross!

Q. quote from a movie: "Don't you just love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies." - You've Got Mail. Best love story of all time!

Source: moviepicturedb.com via Saudade on Pinterest

R. righty or lefty: righty, but I throw better with my left... weird

S. siblings: one younger brother who just moved to Oregon :( But I am also blessed to have 2 sister-in-laws and a brother-in-law

T. time you wake up: this morning I woke up at 2 am, 4 am, 6:15 am and finally 7:30 am. I'm hoping this changes soon

U. university attended: New Mexico State University. Go Aggies!

V. vegetables you dislike: cauliflower

W. what makes you run late: I'm actually usually pretty punctual, even with the kiddo, except when going to the pediatrician. We're always at least 5 minutes late.

X. x-rays you’ve had: Do ultrasounds count? I'm going to say they do because I love looking at Addy, before we knew she was a she and we called her/him Carlos

Y. yummy food: sweet potato fries... I will often order an item off the menu just because it comes with sweet potato fries

Z. zoo animal favorite: the hippos, if we are lucky enough to see them when they're out

Now you know a little bit more about me and I would love to know more about you too. What's YOUR favorite movie?