Office update - the inspiration (pt 1)

I've wanted to update our office for as long as I can remember. I finally broke down a few weeks ago and told Peter once and for all that I cannot stand going in there to clean let alone do any project. The room was a hodge podge of old sporting equipment in hopes of making it seem like a man cave, but then there was furniture, crafting supplies, and books all over the place. Any time I had started trying to do little updates in there it never worked out, something always seemed off.

When it came down to it I realized that it was the wall color. I am fairly certain I will never paint a room blue again. I just don't like it. But if I do, I guarantee that it will only be for a season, for a child.

Peter let me come up with the plan for the room and we designated the weekend of June 9th as the office renovation weekend. During the week leading up to it I cleared the room, taped up the baseboards and ceiling, trimmed it out, and Peter rolled the walls. We chose to paint the office Behr Ashes, the same color as the main rooms of the house and the nook/mudroom which is the room we pass through to get there. I stored everything in the guest bedroom which was going to be occupied two weeks from then, which gave us a deadline.

Breastfeeding - the ugly & the funny (pt 2)

I recently shared part 1 of my journey as a first-time breastfeeding mommy and have received some wonderful feedback, which totally helped me feel a billion times better about sharing so many personal things. Thank you to those who reached out, you strengthened me just as I strengthened you (as you said).

As mentioned, I have already shared what I have coined "the bad and good" of my first time around the block. Now I am back to share "the ugly and funny" of my days of breastfeeding our first little one thus far. For the recap/background of where my daughter and I have come from and where we are going please check out my part 1 of the series.

Warning: This is not for anyone not wanting the dirty details.

THE UGLY (and awkward)
Where do I begin? I mean, besides the fact that I miss sleeping on my stomach, the feeling a woman gets when she gets to take her bra off for the rest of the evening, and having a consistent breast size?

College packing list

I remember looking at every list I could find to make sure I had every single thing I need for my first year of college back in 2005. When putting together a college-prep gift basket for Peter's younger brother's high school graduation gift it got my mind reeling. I had a massive list of possible things to buy him that might not be on other lists. So here I am creating my own college packing list...almost 4 years after graduating.

::Sleep::

• Pillow
• Mattress pad/egg crate
• Sheet set
• Comforter
• Blanket
• Alarm clock/Clock stereo
• Air mattress (if planning on having frequent guests the same age or younger)

Life passes in an Instagram week 25

Week 25 of Life passes in an Instagram: Starting Monday, June 18, 2012 through Sunday, June 24, 2012

Breastfeeding - the bad & the good (pt 1)

I've been debating whether or not to share my thoughts and feelings about breastfeeding or not for quite some time now. I know there is lots of information on the web regarding breastfeeding but I'd like to think that I have something new to add or offer to at least one new or expecting mommy out there.

I'm going to be sharing my story in a two part series, one will cover "the good and the bad" (my thoughts and feelings) and the other will cover "the ugly and the funny" (my stories). Before I start I want to share why I chose to breastfeed and admit that before I actually gave birth to my daughter I was rather shy when it came to discussing bodily functions and all that jazz, now I am an open book. So if you have any questions please feel free to leave me a comment or e-mail me (information will be at the end of the post).

I never really thought twice about whether or not to breastfeed our daughter. I knew the benefits of breastfeeding and was sold. I did know that it was possible that my milk wouldn't come in, etc., and Peter and I discussed it and said from day one that we would do what was best for our daughter.

Warning: This is not for anyone not wanting the dirty details.

Life passes in an Instagram week 24

Week 24 of Life passes in an Instagram: Starting Monday, June 11, 2012 through Sunday, June 17, 2012

7 months old

Sweet sweet girl,

Every day I fall more and more in love with you. From the moment I walk in your room in the morning to the moment Daddy puts you down to sleep you fill me up with joy, peace, happiness, and love. I absolutely love walking in your room in the morning (and after every nap) and seeing your beautiful beaming smile and hearing you squeal with delight. You melt my heart.

I simply cannot believe that another month has gone by in your little life. I look through the pictures on my phone daily and am blown away by how quickly you are growing. My eyes fill with tears just thinking about it. I am truly torn - I want you to stay little but there are so many things I want to see you experience. Trying to see life through your beautiful little eyes brings me such joy!

Shutterfly Father's Day video

I wanted to share a heartwarming Father's Day video Shutterfly shared with me. At the end of the video there is a free Father's Day card offer.

To see the video go here.

Be sure to "like" Shutterfly on Facebook for the free Father's Day card offer is. The code expires June 18th, so don't forget to send your father or father figure a special greeting this Father's Day!

Work in progress

Sorry (in advance) for the lack of posts the next week or so, we are doing a major office renovation and stuff is everywhere. The good news is that I am back to working on all sorts of projects, most are Pinterest-inspired and $5.00 or less, which means there will be lots of posts to come!

(Office meets the guest bedroom.)

Life passes in an Instagram week 23

Week 23 of Life passes in an Instagram: Starting Monday, June 3, 2012 through Sunday, June 10, 2012

Summer mantel

This past weekend I updated our mantel to have a little bit more of a summery feel. I like to keep it pretty simple and typically keep a few pieces from spring in the summer decor. (You can see more of the spring decor here.)

Wall decor update

I've wanted to make a few changes in the house so we figured the wall decor would be a good place to start.

Back in November I shared a few little changes I made to the guest bathroom wall decor and of course I've already changed it again. I mean, it was free so it really isn't that big of a deal that I've changed it three times in the last 2 1/2 years, right? Okay, good.

Life passes in an Instagram week 22

Week 22 of Life passes in an Instagram: Starting Monday, May 28, 2012 through Sunday, June 2, 2012

30 before 30

I have officially made a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. I have a little over 4 years do get these checked off. I've made a tab with the list so that I can keep it up-to-date. The list is random has no real order, I mean, I'm sure I could make one, but it would stress me out so I just put them in sections of "like" items.

(A special thanks to Zoe at Papillon Roses for the inspiration to make this list!)

I tried to make the list achievable, but I also included some dreams. Everything is measurable - I don't like goals that can't be measured easily.

1. Become a family of {at least} five (including Butter), whether that means fostering or adopting a child.

2. Make {at least} one family movie per year that includes videos from throughout the year. (This is kind of a two-part piece, film our family and make a video.)