Yesterday

Yesterday morning...bright and early at 8:30 am...our chair for Jackson's room arrived!

The later in the morning I found him in his room ;)

And then for lunch we had a frozen pizza that didn't taste like a frozen pizza at all.  It was surprisingly yummy!

 And really, nothing much more eventful than that happened!

Love!

I love that I get to have dinner with this face!  Man, he's such a ham!

As Promised...

As promised - here are some quick updated photos I ran down and took tonight!  

This area is awesome!  We can't wait to spend time down here!  Setting up the pack and play really made it feel real that Baby S is here soon!  It was also good for Moose!  He immediately went up to it after his nap and said 'Baby' and then put a toy in there!  He also turns on the music!  So very cute!  Trev ordered the TV and we will be on the look out for an entertainment stand.  It's all coming together.

This area is glorious!  I LOVE it.  Moose LOVES it!  Tonight we were running around playing soccer with a ball.  How great is that?!  So...soon, the toy shelf you see on the left will be just to the left of where the extra flooring boxes are.  Then in that corner, there will be a tent as you see below (have to order it from states and have parents bring it back in March!) and an art easel!  Eventually we will get a table set for the boys to play at!  Can't wait to see it all come together.

I fell in love with this before we even decided to do the basement!  I think Moose will love reading in it and I can't wait to see the boys play in it together...when they get older!  So cute and fun!  Don't you love the lights along the top?!

 Above, you see the studio.

Below you see the two rooms that we haven't touched much yet...the office/craft room and the bathroom!

 And Now...Moose's room!

I found this shelf totally unexpectedly at Benjamin Moore...I knew it was what we were looking for (and trust me, we looked EVERYWHERE...I would have never guessed Benjamin Moore!).

Then...

Now :)  I wanted it hanging low for Moose to grab books from the shelves.  We are still waiting for his personalized bean bag chair to arrive and I can't wait for it to complete this corner!  He will love sitting here to read!

Toy shelf...bed...Ginger!  We are just waiting for his stinkin' dresser to come in!  PLEASE OH PLEASE CALL SOON!!  It will go at an angle in the left corner there that you can't really see!

 More and More Jackson has been coming into his room to play!  I love it!  He helped move a lot of his books over...he knows Ginger is in there waiting to watch over him.  I hope this transition goes well!  The other day, we finally attempted his magnet set on his magnetic wall...and it was a success!  I was and am soooo excited!  The set is from Melissa and Doug...so now I'm on the prowl for magnet sets - which are super hard to find!  Their website have some great ones (cars, numbers, alphabets, chore chart!) I may just cave and order off of there instead of going through the trouble calling and going to every store in Edmonton!  Jackson really likes taking them out and putting them on his wall...and he's realy good at putting them away too! 

Seriously, how fun is this?!  Oh the possibilities!  And it cleans up and just looks like part of the paint design!  LOVE!

I'm really proud of how Jackson's room is coming together.  To think that a month ago I had NO IDEA what I wanted to do, seeing it now come together really makes me happy.  It was just one small idea that I ran with!  I hope he loves it in here as much as I have loved putting it together for him :)

This is how we roll!

 This is how we roll when you have to pick up two huge carpets with a toddler at Costco!  I am so grateful at how good and easy going Moosey is!  I was slightly jealous of his ride!

Speaking of carpets...updated pics of the basement and Moose's room coming by TONIGHT!  

I promise!

Friday Photos

These pictures were from Friday morning!  I totally forgot I took them.  They are nothing special...just some morning breakfast pictures.  As much as I complain about that darn morning sun and it drives me crazy...sometimes it makes for some nice lighting for photos!  And when Moose is sitting eating, I can actually take a photo without chasing him around making as many ridiculous noises as I can!  It was the first day I really noticed an improvement to Jackson's eye and I think I took these to show Trevor...but clearly, the moment has passed!

 That same night I found a masterpiece waiting for me when I went to shower!  This boy loves his tub crayons!  And I love his art work!

L-O-V-E

Dear New Photo Studio...

I know we just met today, but I think I'm in love.  I know you aren't quite running on all cylinders yet and that I need to polish you up - but you and me - we are a match made in heaven!  I was so worried about our 'date' today, but you were very good to me!  It was heaven being able to spend time with you...and have Jackson there playing...and all our supplies right there!  Glorious!  I cannot wait until you and I become more acquainted and I give you some TLC and make you my own!  Thank you for the great date today!

It's true!  Today I used my new studio in the basement.  It didn't involve moving around all my living room furniture.  It didn't involve calling anyone for help to set up/take down anything.  It didn't involve several trips up and down and around stairs.  It was perfect...almost!  And almost perfect is a vast improvement!  I'm so glad my first 'studio' shoot could be Anna's Cake Smash!  Jackson's little girlfriend turned ONE today!  Where does the time go?! 

I also love that Moosey has all his toys right outside the door.  He was awesome!  For part of it, he sat right next to me, holding her balloon, and clapped for her.  I could EAT HIM UP!  Another thing I love?!  Bruiser's willingness to go sit or stand to let me test out my lighting, backdrop, etc.  He's so very helpful.  I can't wait to use this new backdrop next weekend for the Valentine's Day Minis.  I'm hoping his bruise improves because I think he could rock this backdrop!  Even if he still has his black eye, I may just have to go with it!  This is life lived right now, right?!  Better live it right vs. wishing it were different!  Love You Moosey.  Every piece of you!

Testing 1, 2, 3...

 Happy First Birthday Sweet Girl!

 Yesterday we went to Anna's party...and the men were thoroughly impressed with our young Taylor Hall's shiner.  I am trying to teach Moose to say 'You should see the other guy!'...instead he smiles and flashes them a better look!  Funny how many people in the past few days have made the Taylor Hall comparison all on their own.  Makes me laugh.

A Different Kind of Progress Report!

 

This picture was from two days ago...wait...three days - whatever Tuesday would be!  It is by far the worst day for looks on the bruise front...and it only makes me happy to report that because it was the worst day, it's done nothing but heal since then.  Yes, he still has a black eye - but it's improving!  Soon, I can stop answering the 'what happened' questions and hopefully won't get the judgmental 'how could you let that happen to your child' stares anymore when we go out!  Man,  do I look forward to that!  Surprisingly, the most supportive and understanding demographic of people have been the grandparent generation.  In fact, they usually look and actually chuckle to themselves and make cute comments like 'it's the first of many' or 'boys will be boys'.  I get the most judgement from parents my own age and usually who are toting children younger than Moose.  Funny, eh?!  You'd think parents of similar aged children would have a tad more empathy.  Just wait...in about six months when their little one's are Moose's age and have their first big boo boo - they will think back and say 'ah...now I get it!'!  And people who are younger than me and probably don't have kids are always the ones who actually ask 'what happened?' which I totally appreciate!

Hopefully I will get a pic of my busy beaver today to show the updated progress of his healing!  Until then, I wanted to share his 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat' eye!

A Very Delayed Progress Report!

Not only is it delayed...but it is also not all that accurate as at this point the flooring is (minus recutting one board) complete!  These are a mixture of iphone photos and photos from our water camera (hence the residual water spots on some of the photos from our last trip to the waterpark!!). 

 I will take some photos by tomorrow night of the basement as is now!  Promise - as it's even come a long way in the past two days!

I also wanted to send a special shout out to my mom and dad!  My mom for loaning my dad out and my dad for coming and staying (too) late several nights in a row, after a 2 1/2 week vacation when he probably should have been catching up on work.  He was here helping us.  It couldn't have been done without him.  We are so grateful for the help, guidance, patience, and 'Papa' time!