the one with all the standing

I don't know why Norah enjoys standing on objects,

but she does...and she does it a lot.

I started noticing after awhile, that a lot of the pictures I was taking of her, she was standing on something.

Once I took note of this trend, I began keeping my eye out for her standing hobby.

Here are just a few of the ones I have been able to capture.

{none of these have been staged...this is 100% Norah's doing}

The first picture I have posted before, but I had to include it here as well because I'm fairly certain THIS is what started it all...

{no babies were harmed in the making of this blog}

now that Norah's one...

My seemingly happy all the time baby recently turned one...

and in doing so, became strong willed (almost overnight) and very vocal in any dissatisfaction with life.

Since turning one, her squeals of joy have dreadfully turned into screams of anger.

The once sweet little Norah has turned a new leaf...and I blame age.

{she's still sweet, just on her own terms, haha...}

Recently its been quite humorous to watch her throw her little fits and get frustrated, mind you, I don't show her that I think its hilarious...its just so hard not to just shake your head and laugh. All this drama from a 13 month old!!

For example...

Today she brought her little rocker out of her room and was pushing it around the house.

At first she would just bring out and find a good place to chill for a bit...

But then she realized she could stack all her things on it and push them all around - way more fun than just chiling.

She walked around the house pushing this chair for a long time and was loving life.

However, since a 13 month old doesn't know how to stack things properly

(and of course, not wanting my help)

things kept falling off. 

She was growing quickly agitated.

To try to combat the frustration she was feeling, I thought it was time her rocking chair go back into her bedroom. An idea little miss Norah didn't care for.

She threw herself on the ground and started squirming around.

Squirmed & pouted her way right up underneath the couch...

She was stuck.

So being the loving mother that I am,

I pulled her out from under the couch,

but not before snapping a couple of pictures ;)

I thought I had helped my pouty child but apparently she liked being under there.

She couldn't quite figure out how to get back under and this is what she kept attempting.

Alas, it was then naptime for my sweet little 13 month old...

1st day of Kindergarten

It's hard to believe it's even possible that it's time for this blog post...
Ryah has started
KINDERGARTEN!!

Ah, the first day of school...all the planning & preparation that have caused me such stress over the last month or so, has finally played out into Ryah walking confidently into her class, anxious & eager to learn.

Its hard to think we went from this...

To this...so quickly! 

Here are some more pictures of Ryah on her 1st day of school...

 

 {one of Ryah's closest friends, Emma...they aren't in the same class but their classes are right next to each other & will still see each other at recess & lunch}

I wanted to make something special for Ryah, so when she came home from school, she would know we missed her but love her...so Lorelai & I made cupcakes for her!

Matt & I are so proud of Ryah!

I can't wait to see how she grows up through the school years...

& this school will be the perfect place to lay the foundational groundwork.

{{after thought...when I picked Ryah up from school,
the first thing she said was
"I can't wait to go back there tomorrow!! I love this place!"
 Great start I'd say!}}

the one with the before & afters

Look at me, two posts in one week...I'm on a roll!

*insert slow clap here*

So, I've been working on numerous projects throughout the summer and thought I'd share a bit of what I've completed thus far.

I, like many of you out there, am a huge fan of spray paint.

I love to go to thrift stores and yard sales to see what treasures I can find with the helping hand of paint.

Here are just a few of my before and afters - I'm fairly certain you can figure out which is which.

{or at least I hope you can}

I think this has been my favorite before and after...

I found this outdated hidious picture at GoodWill for $3. That, paired with a .96 can of white spray paint & a piece of white lace, voila!! ~ my dry erase project board for my craft room!

Oh, and I'm choosing to leave out the picture of my bloody finger that I recieved while handling this crazy sharp piece of glass. Good memories...

Then of course the other new found 'skill' I've learned and love...

fabric flowers:

{I would love to make some for you...send me an email & place an order!

Keep your eye out for an Etsy store coming soon.}

Another new summer activity has been yard saling. I love finding new purposes for old things...gotta keep your mind open or you'll walk away from your day empty handed though.

I've been meaning to update Norah's room for a long time and finally got around to finishing it up this past weekend.

Everything seen before (minus the letter "N") was found at yard sales and then spray painted. The total of all of this, including spray paint, was less than $8. More frames will be added as I discover them around town :)

{notice the pom-poms in the corner?! another obsession...I make them for all parties I host...if you plan to attend any function I have a say in, prepare for pom-poms, haha...cute, easy & cheap decorations!!}

Norah's 'fabric hoop wall' as I refer to it as, is another fun project...or I guess a couple fun projects.

3 of the quilter's hoops were purchased at a fabric store, but I found 5 hoops at yard sales this weekend for .25/piece! (I have some hanging in my room too now).

The button N project was also thanks to yard sales ~ .25 for the (already white) frame & .25 for a huge bag of buttons (fabric I already had at home).  

Alas, we've come to the final project.

This one I actually just did this morning and came up with it kind of by accident.

These are both white plastic containers - the one on the left used to be a clorox wipes container, and the one on the right was baby puffs!

The ribbon, paper & fabric I already had in my craftroom, so for basically free - just by recylcing - I have some cute vases for Norah's birthday party this weekend!!

I think I'm going to scour my cupboards for other items to make more of these with different paper and flowers that coordinate.

I have other projects ahead, so I'm sure I'll be posting more as I go.

Norah's 1st Birthday party will be this Sunday, so I have plenty of pom-poms to make ;)

My next big project is throwing my sister-in-law a baby shower - thanks to Pinterest my brain is about to explode with ideas and inspiration.

Unfortunately for Jamie, I'm going to be doing a lot of party decoration recyling ;)

Wait, go back...you haven't heard of Pinterest?!

Fuel your creative juices: Pinterest = crack (the good kind)

365 days later

{First of all, how as it been since OCTOBER since I've posted on here?! HA! Guess it wasn't a priority...hopefully I'll start utilizing this outlet again more often.}

...now on with the original reason for this post:

NORAH is ONE

This year has flown by at a ridiculously fast rate. I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that my little baby has been brightening our days for 365 of them already!

Here are some things I have learned about our littlest person...

She is happy.

Of course she has her moments (or days,) but she is so easy going and laid back.

Not much bothers her...well, up until recently that is. Now that she has a mind and voice of her own, that she knows how to use, she is sure to tell her older sisters what she thinks of them taking her toys or if they make the mistake of being in her chair. Whew! That girl can go from happy and joyous to angry screams in no time at all.

She is adventurous, curious and brave.

Our first two girls were very cautious babies and didn't do much exploring, especially after a fall or two. Not this one...she pushes her limits and gives me a bit of anxiety. 

Her favorite thing to do is climb up into "her" chair and just relax. Lately she has found that from there, climbing up and over the arm of the couch is just as much fun.

She has a friend that she loves to play with. My friend Lindsey had Claire 6 weeks before Norah was born and since they're so close in age, and since we live down the street from each other, these two little ones play together a lot! Its fun to see her develop a friendship at such a young age...can't wait to watch these two continue to grow together!

Claire has even helped Norah get over her paci addiction...

{I love the following sequence so much}

She already has strong likes and dislikes.

She likes being held...she dislikes being put down ;) 

She likes being in water ~ pool or bath, she's a fan.

She dislikes shoes and has only worn shoes twice in her one year.

She likes her teddy bear and gives it a lot of hugs and kisses.

She likes...loves, wipes. Yes, wipes. Got a crying Norah on your hands? Give her a wipe.

Problem solved.

She is beautiful.

I know every mother says that about their children...so you shouldn't roll your eyes when I say it.

Its true and I just feel like stating it.

I love that she doesn't look much at all like her sisters ~ she is so unique and I love that about her.

She is loved.

Couldn't imagine life without her.

We are so blessed to have had her in our lives for a year already!

Looking forward to all the other birthdays to come!!