The Smith Family Blog

burlap + blue

2009-11-25T19:58:00.004-05:00

As some of you already know, I have recently taken on a new adventure with the opening of my very own etsy shop, burlap + blue. I have always loved the concept of etsy, as well as the unending talent to be found on its site, and I wanted to be a part of it. So far it has been a lot of fun and the feedback has been very positive and welcoming. Please take a look (you can click on the link on the sidebar) when you get a chance. I'd love your feedback and ideas!

And, if that wasn't enough, I wanted to take it a step (or two, or ten...) further. As you have all seen multiple times on this blog, I love to craft, I love to sew, and I love taking on the challenge of creating a comfortable home for Greg, Drew and I that reflects our personalities and our lives. Add to that my love of the many inspirational and very creative home blogs out there, and burlap + blue (the blog) was born. I was hesitant to start it, as I know how much work it will be, but it's been something I have been considering for a while now, well before the idea of the etsy store was conceived. If you follow this blog, or even if you don't, please consider following burlap + blue! There will be plenty of ideas, inspiration, and maybe even a giveaway or two to make it worth your while!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

a little bit random....

2009-11-25T19:37:00.005-05:00

Happy Thankgiving everybody! I was reminded today that it is exactly one month until Christmas...where did the Fall go? I, for one, am looking forward to our first Christmas with Drew. He promises to be a lot of fun and make the holidays that much more meaningful. I wanted to share a few pictures with you all...

The Smith side of the family celebrated Thanksgiving a few weeks ago...isn't this a great picture of all of us?

This, at first glance, is just another darling picture of an adorable little boy, but...wait...what IS that hanging from his mouth? Oh yes, of course, it's a stream of drool going from his mouth and ending who knows where...that's at least a good 6 inches of drool by my calculations...

(go ahead, double click and enlarge it...you know you want to!:))

This last picture was taken in an almost entirely dark room...thank goodness for decent photo enhancing software! There are certain occasions when I check on the baby and immediately search for my husband and make him come with me to see how the baby has contorted himself...this was definitely one of those times. The question isn't so much "how did he get in that position?", but more of, "how did he manage to fall asleep in that position??!"

Speaking of which, does anyone want to venture a guess as to what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving?:)

That little boy above?

The daddy whom we both adore?

You betcha.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Joyful

2009-11-15T21:58:00.004-05:00

I took a lot of pictures of this little darling this weekend, and this is one of my favorites. Maybe because it was so nice to finally get outside without having to run for cover from the nonstop rain we've had? Maybe because he is wearing an adorable little blue-striped outfit (courtesy of Grandma)? Nope, I think this is one of my favorites because of the little twinkle in his big blue (turning brown!!) eyes...the one that always seems to remember to be joyful always. Even with the pain of two little teeth erupting only days earlier, even with the the seemingly endless days of rain and clouds we were experiencing, even though he was tired and needed a nap, he still managed to be joyful. And that is one of the many, many reasons I love this kid.

2009-11-08T19:35:00.002-05:00

Happy November to all! I realized I hadn't posted in a while and wanted to share a few pictures I've taken over the past month or so.

Drew is quickly becoming quite the charmer; both at home with Greg and I and out in public. He loves to flirt with and smile shyly at strangers. He definitely loves the attention (as do the people we meet!) He has already met many of his 7 month milestones (bearing weight on feet, smiling in response to our smiles, etc), and is working hard towards many others (like crawling!!) He loves to eat (see second picture down) and we have worked our way through rice cereal, apples, peas, green beans and sweet potatoes. I need to plan another baby food making day soon as he has a very healthy appetite! Lastly, he adores books and loves to read. We read often throughout the day and he has an ever-growing book collection. I love that he loves to sit and listen to stories...it's a great way for the both of us to take a break when we are having a busy day! Enjoy!!

Mommy by day...

2009-10-15T20:00:00.001-04:00

...crafter by night!!

That's about how it goes around here as far as sewing/crafting is concerned. There are very few things I will not do during Drew's waking hours, and crafting is definitely one of them. Who can concentrate on seam allowances and Mod Podge when there's a cutie pie in the midst? Certainly not me.

I just had to share a few things I've been working on. Most interesting of all are some trays and coasters I have been making for my dear friend, owner of Designs By Carol Marie! Carol makes gorgeous floral arrangements, and asked me to make some trays and coasters for her.

(tray in use on our ottoman!)

I am having so much fun crafting for her! She has an amazing eye for design and upcoming trends.

Below, I used some paper, ribbon and Mod Podge to turn a $3 basket into a cute catch-all for Drew's toys. Notice the ribbon and ric rac on the handles...this was so fun (and easy!) to do! I am considering putting one in every room!!

While my sewing skills on this sewing machine cover are not impressive (the fit is a bit wonky, to say the least), I think the awesome fabric more than makes up for it!!

And what post would be complete without a picture of the cutie pie himself? This is yet another Mod Podge project--I just covered an empty container to make an activity where I put an item in the container and we shake it to guess what's inside based on it's sound.***

***and by "we shake it to guess what's inside based on it's sound," we mainly refers to me. Drew mainly stares blankly at me and then tries to eat the container and whatever is in it. Just so you know.***

A Good Day for Blondies

2009-10-12T16:26:00.006-04:00

If you are in the mood for a very quick, very easy blondie recipe, click over to this link from Martha Stewart. I substituted peanut butter cups for the Reese's pieces, and Greg and I love how they turned out!

Second, you MUST head over to April's blog to see her adorable Rag Letters! They turned out so cute and I can't wait to get started on a set for Drew.

And, lastly, what post would be complete without a picture of our "Drew"dle?

He just looks soo grown up to me in this picture!!

Have a great Monday!!

Have Determination, Will Travel...

2009-10-02T10:44:00.008-04:00

While in the process of checking email this morning, Drew has rolled himself approximately 3-4 yards from my feet (at the desk), over to the window. Realizing that "life is a journey, not a destination", he took the looong way to get there, rolling himself practically up to the entrance to the family room, and then back down to the window, stopping for a brief rest at his carseat.

The above pretty accurately describes the day-to-day of living with our spunky 6 month old! Greg and I often discuss how teeny-tiny our baby once was, and, other than comparing Drew on his day of discharge to a 5 lb. bag of sugar, it's hard to imagine. I tried to get an accurate comparison picture this morning and came up with this:

**Note that there is a full extra headrest in the first picture.

To celebrate Drew's half birthday, we are spending the day playing, reading (as a half-birthday gift, Drew got a new book!), resting, taking a walk, and maybe even a stroll down memory lane as we remember Drew's first 6 months with us, and look forward to the next 6 months!

Happy half-birthday to our sweet baby boy!

It took longer to write this post....

2009-10-02T00:00:00.002-04:00

...than it did to do this project!

I needed a bit of a DIY fix tonight, so I tackled a (very) inexpensive, and (incredibly) easy project I've been wanting to do for a while. Using this tutorial from Design Sponge, I took our guest/craft/sewing room chair from this:

to this:

And all it took was some hot glue, staples, less than a yard of fabric, 20 minutes, and 1 husband to make sure I didn't staple my finger to the chair as well.

Easy!

P.S. I MISS doing crafty posts!

Happy Wednesday!

2009-09-30T13:27:00.002-04:00

Greg and I just downloaded this picture to use as our desktop wallpaper...isn't he a charmer?

Just Duck-y

2009-09-28T11:49:00.004-04:00

We had such a great time in Duck last week...the weather was perfect and the house we were staying in was beautiful and felt just like home as soon as we walked inside. We did nothing but read, relax, and take an occasional walk/jog/bike ride around town. After this trip, I can honestly say that Duck is my favorite of the OBX locales that I have visited. It was charming and just adorable...two words which just happen to also describe my two favorite men...

Wasn't that a great segue? (wink, wink)

Enjoy some of our favorite pics from the week!

teaser

2009-09-26T20:40:00.002-04:00

We are back from vacation slightly tanner, definitely sandier, and with a full memory stick full of adorable pictures like the above. I'll post more soon, but wanted to put one of my favorites up! The watermark is something new I am trying out for privacy's sake....it definitely adds a couple of extra steps, so we will see how strongly I feel about it's necessity. For now, we hope you enjoy gazing at our darling as much as we do...have a great weekend!

Mama's Sweetness

2009-09-15T15:32:00.004-04:00

love those big, dark eyes!

showing off mama's new pillows!

the reason I can't take a decent pic lately-

he is just fascinated by the camera!

2009-08-31T12:09:00.003-04:00

It's funny, I don't really notice how much Drew's grown and changed until I start looking at pictures of him. The top picture was taken a few weeks ago, and the others were all taken over the past couple of days. His face looks so much older to me in the latest pictures! A side effect of him getting older, though, is that he is now fascinated with the camera. He could be smiling and laughing away, but as soon as I pull the camera out to try to capture it, he starts looking all suspicious and reaching for the camera. Not ideal for taking pictures, but it is cute to watch him being so inquisitive.

(check out those chubby thighs and hands!)

Good Eats

2009-08-18T19:18:00.002-04:00

About three days ago, we decided to venture into the world of rice cereal. For a child who a) loves to put stuff into his mouth, and, b) loves to eat, I was surprised that eating with a spoon didn't quite have the immediate appeal that I thought it would. He approaches the whole situation very suspiciously, with much trepidation...when each spoonful approaches, he seems to have the following thought: "this spoon may contain all things yummy and good, or, it very well may not. The best approach is one of caution."

We are improving, though! And the resulting pictures are just so darn cute...

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!!

2009-08-07T16:03:00.002-04:00

I often have people tell me that they read my blog. Many times I'm surprised that these people even know I have a blog. I'm guilty of blog stalking and never leaving comments and apparently lots of other people are, too. So, this is my way of getting you lurkers to comment and let me know that you read my rambles.

I saw this on April's blog and thought it sounded like a lot of fun! 5 lucky (or brave) people will be getting something made by me, for you. I might sew, I might not. I currently have no idea what I'll make but, hey, I'll come up with something.

The first five people to leave a comment on this post will get something handmade from me. But in return, you have to do the same thing on your blog and make something for five other people. If you do not have a blog just share the love and pick 5 people to do something nice for! If you don't, shame on you. If you have a blog and don't post it on there shame on you, too!

The details are as follows, and if you want to play, copy the following onto your blog and leave me a post:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. What you get is what you get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying.
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you. If your post does not link back to a blog please leave an e-mail address so I can contact you.

Alright, friends...let me know you're out there :)

Mama's Sweetie

2009-08-03T16:07:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to share a sweet picture I took a few minutes ago...wouldn't it be grand if we could all sleep so peacefully in the middle of a Monday afternoon?

2009-07-29T10:44:00.007-04:00

Firstly, a few pages from a darling photo book I made for Drew a few weeks ago...

We've added it to his book basket...I think it's becoming one of his favorites...what child wouldn't want a special book all about them?

Secondly, a cute picture of our darling...just for fun.

And lastly.....

it's Drew's first weekend road trip! Doesn't he make a cute carry-on? :)

HAPPY, HAPPY WEEKEND!

The Sweet Life

2009-07-24T19:36:00.012-04:00

Random snapshots of my Sugar from the past week...

Isn't he sweet? And finally...

Mama's Sugar...a second interpretation...

Every now and then, when some "Daddy Time" is in order, Greg packs up the baby and the two of them go for a drive. Today, as they were about to depart, my thoughts turned to cupcakes and, more importantly, the lack thereof in my life. Greg and Drew dutifully picked up the above...

Ok, so I was about to neatly tie this post up into a happy, cheery bundle with a line somewhere along the lines of "Does life get any sweeter?", but Greg just walked over and insisted on doing some fact checking. For the sake of Truth in Blogging, I present this:

While maybe not the happiest baby on the block at the moment, he's still his mama's Sweet Sugar.

Hope everyone's weekend is just as sweet!!!

Thursday's Child

2009-07-16T11:13:00.003-04:00

15 weeks ago today, my husband and I fell in love with a beautiful baby boy...

...and we haven't looked back since.

Changes

2009-07-07T23:33:00.013-04:00

I cannot look at these pictures of Drew without thinking about how much he has changed in the past couple of weeks! He is definitely starting to grow into his looks, and is looking much more like a little boy than a newborn. Where has the time gone?

He has also started to become a lot more alert and aware of his surroundings. When we read stories together, I no longer feel as though I am reading to myself while he is entranced by the irresistible siren song of the floor lamp. Yes, you heard me right. It is not unheard of for an entire 3-4 stories to be read with my baby not so much as glancing my way, but staring captivatingly at the floor lamp next to our chair. I have considered turning it off, but figure that if it's keeping him quiet and happy, I'd rather have reading time with the imposing floor lamp, than no reading time at all.

In addition to following along as we read, he's also become much more active during his quiet times. He has an ocean themed floor mat as well as a vibrating seat, both with toys and links on them which he loves to hit and kick. It is so cute to watch his arms and legs move simultaneously as he explores his surroundings!

Drew's funniest habit of late, though, occurs when I put him down at his changing table. Above his changing table are three frames, two of which contain pictures of him with his grandmothers, and one of him as a newborn. Lately, whenever I put him down to change him, he immediately looks up at the pictures, and starts smiling his huge, drooly, goofy grins. I like to think he recognizes himself and his loved ones and is smiling accordingly...I'm betting the grandmother's are apt to agree with that interpretation!

I think this quote sums up this post wonderfully...

...

Change always comes bearing gifts. ~Price Pritchett

...

It's true, dontcha think?

the little one sends his love....

2009-07-01T12:17:00.014-04:00

Happy Wednesday, everybody!!

Love, Drew

Eye Candy

2009-06-28T17:47:00.008-04:00

Just wanted to post some love in the form of Drew eye candy for Aunt Cat and Aunt Jessi! My sister, Cat, is in Pennsylvania for 6 weeks working as a climbing specialist for an area private school, and Greg's sister Jessi is in China for 4 months. Drew misses his Aunt's and sends his love!!

The "B" List

2009-06-19T23:39:00.003-04:00

As cute as the pictures of Drew in last post's Father's Day gift were, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share those that didn't quite make the cut! It was hard narrowing it down--this kid is a natural in front of the camera (says the proud mama bear)! See for yourself...

Daddy's Day

2009-06-19T22:21:00.007-04:00

I am apparently so confident in my belief that my husband reads my blog so infrequently, that I have no qualms about posting about his Father's Day gift a good 36 hours before he is to receive it. If, by some chance, sweet husband, you have happened upon this page before the Father's Day celebration commences Sunday morning, well...SURPRISE! For all others who need a cute, last minute gift for Daddy's Day, look no further...

My mother-in-law, a few months back, sent me a blog post from this great blog. In it, the author shares this equally great idea for a Father's Day gift. From the moment I saw it, I knew that's what I wanted Drew to do for his daddy for Father's Day. Simple though it looks, it was quite the project...and I am glad I had the foresight to start it as early as I did! When you multiply the number of hours (or, more accurately, minutes) of "good picture" lighting our house gets a day, by the amount of time Drew is in a good enough mood to take pictures, minus the number of hours in a day that Drew is NOT outfitted with spit up, milk, etc., and THEN subtract the amount of time it takes for me to run around the house looking for the camera...well, you get the picture...I started this project several weeks ago and it just literally came together late last week. In the end, though, I LOVE the final product, and had a lot of fun choosing pictures and putting it together.

As an aside, Greg did come across the wooden A and D a few days ago and asked about them...I quickly came up with some explanation of how I was going to spell out Andrew's name to display in his bedroom...lucky me that that explanation worked out, huh? Not sure what I would have said if we had named our child something else!

Happy Father's Day!!

End Justify the Means?

2009-06-10T20:11:00.004-04:00

Wow-is anybody else with me in my shock that Drew is 10 weeks old today? It feels like the whole birth/recovery experience all just happened, when, in fact, it happened 2 and a half months ago. Crazy. Drew is continuing to be his happy, curious self. He has recently discovered that hands are so much more than just a means to pull mommy's hair and scratch at her face when she is trying to feed him-they are also a tasty, ready-to-eat treat! It is so funny watching him sit there and suck at his little hands. He hasn't figured out how to open his hand and suck on his thumb or fingers, right now, he's mainly just trying to cram the whole thing in at once. Quite charming.

My sister had her graduation party Saturday night, and Drew, being her "date", had to look the part. I've seen these tie onesies before and thought they were cute, and I loved how it turned out! He got so many compliments on it! Isn't he precious?

Goodness, I just looked at the clock (9:30 am) and can hardly believe how much I've accomplished so far today compared to most. The difference? Drew slept 9 hours in a row last night! It was amazing. Again, the difference? I gave Drew a small bottle of formula to top him before bed last night, and I'm not sure if it was the bottle feeding or the formula, but WOW.

In short, Drew usually eats his last full meal around 9-10 pm, and I put him down by about 11-11:30. Before I put him down I like to top him off to encourage him to stay down longer. For the last few nights, though, he has been so fussy and uncooperative that he eats for no more than 5 minutes or so, and is fussy and unhappy the entire time (hence the aforementioned hair pulling/scratching). I assumed that it was because he just wasn't hungry an hour after a full meal. A friend suggested trying a bottle, and, to my surprise, he drank almost 4 ounces of it last night! Afterwards he laid down with minimal fussing and was out until 8:00 this morning.

So the question of the day is this: was it the formula, the bottle, or a combination of the two? Greg and I have decided to try another bottle feeding tonight, but this time with breast milk and see how that goes. I really do believe that, if he had nursed last night instead of being given a bottle, there would have been no way he would have taken anywhere close to the 4 ounces he took in the bottle. Can anyone come up with a theory as to why? The nipple on the bottle is low-flow, so it's not like he's being forced to eat when he's given a bottle, and I also know that he could easily have gotten 4-5 ounces from nursing, so low milk production doesn't make sense either. Either way, nightly formula is not a habit I want to get into at this point, but, if I can achieve nearly the same results with breastmilk in a bottle...well, I see no harm. Do you?