Daniel's Office

We didn't quite squeeze this in at the end of 2014, but we got it done in the first month of 2015! So, we're off to a good start. The room was a dark blue when we moved in with window treatments in a nautical fabric. Daniel knew he wanted to change this and I encouraged him to do so before setting up his desk, etc., but he would not have that. Then he delayed the project because he never wanted to take everything down and set it back up...
Fast forward a couple years and here we are. He finally tore everything down and we knocked this out over the holiday weekend (yes, we did this- and the bathroom- before the snow day post, but I had to get that cuteness up). And since Daniel is largely keeping the same decor, we only spent money on paint and fabric for the "curtains."

The window treatment I re-covered. You can see the old nautical fabric above- nice, but not Daniel's style- and the new fabric he picked out below.

Daniel built this over-the-chair table and is so proud of it. He'd been using a tv tray for awhile and we never found an end table just right to fit this space. We saw the idea somewhere and he went with it- didn't follow a blueprint or anything, just built it! The tray is perfect for the space and can be removed if necessary. 

Daniel had initial choice over what color and fabric he wanted for his room. After he picked several swatches, we narrowed down the color and both agreed on this. I love it! The perfect blend of grey/blue and his decor still goes very nicely. We found the coat hanger at Lowe's and love it... so much that I would prefer it in another room rather than behind his door, but he needed it and really liked it too. We bought the fabric a long time ago and I almost re-covered them several times but I'm glad I waited for the big finish. They really pop off the wall. I love how it turned out and more importantly so does Daniel!

Updated Kids Bathroom

We've been in our house a little over 2 years now. And when I first found this house online I lovingly dubbed it 'pefect house.' Knowing, of course, no house can be perfect unless perhaps you build it from the ground up with an architect and all. Even then, neds and tastes change over time. I digress.

Part of it being perfect house was that no major projects needed to be done- we even liked all of the room colors- certainly enough that they didn't require immediate change. About 6 months after we moved in we did paint Maggie's room. I mean, come on, the girl needs a pink room. :) Despite me loving everything about the house, I still wanted to put my personal touch on it and have small dreams for just about every room most of which include something I've made since I love to craft. Anyway, as things go, time and money have kept us from doing very much.

Daniel took off about 2 weeks at the end of the year and I was determined to get at least one project done! The kids bathroom is a pretty easy fix- no painting required- mostly decoration so I chose that one. We did need to replace the light/fan which broke and the toilet seat lid which should not move when you sit down. Those were reasonably easy fixes (especially for me b/c I didn't have to crawl through the attic to replace the fan-- but Daniel loves an adventure!) Then it was on to the cosmetic.

 

I bought the rug, toothbrush holder and soap dispenser at Target with Christmas money. The bathroom rules sign came from Kohl's and I purchased taht with Kohl's cash plus like $1 for tax.

I really wanted an area where the kids could hang their own towel and I found this idea. So I bought the wood plaques and command strips from Hobby Lobby with a gift card. I should've paid closer attention to her idea because the hooks will be better under, rather than on, the plaques. But I mentally filed the idea and didn't go back to it until I needed the link to reference here. Oh well, you live you learn!
Everything else I had on hand- the paper for the towel 'racks', the frames and white spray paint plus the bathroom printables I printed last summer when I intended to update the kids bathroom. So it was a fun little project and I was glad to check off at least one to-do by the end of the year!

Snow Day!

We got the tiniest bit of snow Saturday, so no missed school and it was melted by afternoon, but fun for the kids nonetheless...

Baby Allie- 5 months

Oh my goodness, you are getting dangerously close to that half a year mark! Where did my little newborn go?! Things continue to be busy around here so I'm never on time blogging anymore, but at least I got your pictures on time this month. :) Here's a little about you at 5 months:

• you still do not care for belly time very much- I don't think any of your siblings did either, but it seems you're the least tolerant. Maybe that's just 'cause I'm in the now
• you still love talking, typical girl...you are making some new gurgles and sounds this month
• you love sitting in the bumbo...being up looking around is your favorite, probably why you don't love belly time and still love being held
• you also like being in the bouncy...you haven't turned around yet but are jumping good
• you are beginning to rake at toys and love grabbing & chewing on your feet and also your binky...you have gotten pretty good at getting it in your mouth
• you're still in 0-3 month clothes and the size 1 diapers, I'm sure you'll be moving up to 3-6 months right at the 6 month mark, just like your siblings :)
• I did finally start you on cereal. The first few nights were rocky, but you're eating like a champ now and so far bananas are your favorite puree
• I just love how much you smile and talk
• sleeping is going great...you upped it this month, generally sleeping from about 9pm to 7 or 8am.  

With sleeping, it got to the point where I you always fell asleep after that 7/7:30/8:00 feeding and I'd have to wake you up for the last 10 or 11 feeding. So I decided to let the 8-ish feeding be your last and you're doing great! The only struggle lately is you keep waking up right when I need to get kids ready or out the door for school but we're managing. I love you so much my little sweet pea girl (oh my word, I cannot tell you how cute it is when Jake says this)!!

A few more cute ones:

see...belly time no bueno