SURPRISE!!

It's finally time to announce our BIG NEWS...Chris and I have been incredibly blessed and are thrilled to announce we are expecting our 2nd child.

We are beyond excited, scared, nervous, and have no idea what to expect adding a second little one to our growing family.  It's crazy the different emotions you go through while you are pregnant.  This pregnancy was planned so no crazy "oh crap" moments but still as the days get closer I get more nervous.  I know it was the same feeling I had before Bram was born but now it's "can I be a good mom to TWO kids."  I want to have a big family but I also want to be able to provide each of them with the best life, give them each the best care, and provide a loving home.  Obviously we will have no problem with that...just me being a silly, nervous, anxious mommy. 

Can you believe this big boy is going to be a big brother....to a SISTER :).

I am pretty sure he has no idea what is going on.  We talk about his sister every day but I don't think it's clicking yet.   I do think he's going to be a very helpful big brother.  He already loves feeding the dolls and changing their diapers.  It's pretty adorable seeing him copy his mom with the daycare kids.  He also LOVES to help mom clean.  I love getting him involved.  He gets so proud of himself. 

I am officially rounding the end of 6 months...seriously have NO IDEA where the time has gone.  It's been a much quicker pregnancy then Bram.  I am sure having him around has made things seem like they are flying by.  My first trimester was completely opposite of what I dealt with prior.  This time I was nauseous and dizzy all the time, migraines galore, yucky acne, and everything else except throwing up.  Once I hit the second trimester things changed almost instantly.  I'm feeling much better.

Preparing for this little lady has been super exciting.  Baby girl clothes and nursery stuff is so much more fun and cuter then little boy stuff.  It's very hard for me to resist shopping EVERY DAY.  The nursery has been a very slow process but hopefully this weekend I will get a start on some of the decorating.   Like Bram's room, I am constantly changing my mind on everything: the decor, the arrangement, the theme, etc.  Can't wait to show you what we come up with.

More Lovely Ideas for a Toddler Boy Room

Since Bram has done so well with laying on his mattress we are officially changing his room to big boy status.  Can't wait to show you pictures.  Here is our list again...it's getting close to the big reveal...haha. 

Mattress (obviously)

Twin bed (skipping the toddler bed)

Book/Toy area

New Sheets/Comforter

Sitting area

Gallery wall

Map(s) for wall

DIY rug

As I contemplate how and where to do Bram's gallery wall here are some more of my favorite ideas and accessories for toddler boy rooms that I love! 

Here is another awesome gallery wall...so many great ideas here.

View room here

Stripe bedding especially for a boys room.  A little boy could have this bedding for years.

Find bedding here:

Fun throw pillows like these ABC pillows from Land of Nod.

Find pillows here:

Revamped old desk.

View desk here:

Creative reading nook

View nook here:

Vintage car DIY art...maybe the cutest thing ever!

Check out how to make these here:

I keep finding great ideas so my plans keep changing...ugh! I really need to stop looking thru Pinterest and Etsy.

Inspiring Big Boy Rooms

As Bram rounds the end of his first year we decided it was time to look for a big boy bed.  No he hasn't crawled out of this crib yet but he begs to sleep in our guest bed all the time.  It's almost a fight every day.  We know there is a possibility that it will be a big fail but it is worth the try to us. (We are keeping the crib in his bed just in case there are any issues).

As our scouring begins for mattresses I have began looking at options on changing his room to a more mature one.  I decided I wanted one that he could grow into for a few years to come instead of doing something he will grow out of in a year or two.  Here are a few of my favorite big boy rooms:

I absolutely love this room from "Just the Bees Knees" blog.  The gallery wall is definitely my favorite.  I also love the DIY blinds idea. 

Check this room out here

This room has an amazing book/toy area.  Love the organization!

Check this room out here:

This is another great room with awesome organization.  I love the sitting area.  Bram LOVES to read books. He would literally do it for hours.  He definitely would dig an area like this. 

Check this room out here

One of my favorite ideas for a toddler/big boy room is maps.  Bram loves to learn new things so I know he would enjoy learning from a map or two in his room.

Check this room out here

We decided we aren't going to be repainting Bram's room.  These are the perfect colors to bring into his room to make it more colorful and big boy like.  Love how fun these colors look together.  This room looks so cheerful!

Check this room out here

How amazing is this alphabet wall!!  A big DIY project but so worth the trouble!

Check this room out here

My must haves:

Mattress (obviously)

Twin bed (skipping the toddler bed)

Book/Toy area

New Sheets/Comforter

Sitting area

Gallery wall

Map(s) for wall

DIY rug

Right now Bram rarely plays in his room (it's just a place to sleep for him).  He would rather hang out on mom and dad's bed or crawl in and out of our storage chest.  I want to make his room a place he loves to go, especially after daycare is done for the day.  I am super excited to start this new stage of his life (a little bitter sweet...sad he's growing up so fast but excited for him at the same time). 

The Backsplash

I finally got my backsplash, thanks to Rob.  I have wanted it since we stepped foot into this house.  And boy does it make me happy every time I walk into the kitchen.  It was exactly what it needed.  We are so grateful to have Rob be there to do MOST of the work and help assist Chris and I learn the ropes.  It was actually quite easy...the hardest parts were the measurements and going around the outlets which Rob and Chris did.  I got to do the easy stuff...the fun stuff.  It was such an exciting weekend for me.  

It was great seeing my man have fun doing this project.  The measurement stuff was so easy for him.  I truly loved having him next to me working and seeing him proud of himself and the job we were doing.  He never once got frustrated.

Rob was seriously an amazing teacher.  He had so much patience with me.  I tend to say "I am sorry" a million times over and over and over. It's an anxious thing I do and can drive people nuts but it never seemed to bother him (at least he didn't show it...haha).  He answered the million questions I had and always explained why we had to do certain things.  We learned so much from him during this weekend.  It was so great!!

Here's the final result...let us know what you think!!

Our Front Yard

I meant to write this post 2 weeks ago but didn't get around to it.  I finally finished up on the yard...it is complete for this year.  Next year I am sure I will add to it but for now I am satisfied with the outcome and can't wait to see what these shrubs/trees look like in a few months.

The before...when we bought the place:

Pretty hideous, huh??? We wanted something minimal and the least amount of work down the road.  I didn't want to plant flowers this year (in the flower bed) since I know I would eventually have to pull them; plus I know nothing about flowers.  We figured baby steps.  Hopefully I can keep everything alive.

What we came up with...

Chris really enjoyed working on it.  I love seeing him enjoy a project since it's usually pretty rare :).  Bram loved helping him too.  He had dirt everywhere.

The final product ....

Simply Bannerlicious Update

Along with home projects I've been busy working on my Etsy site.  I try to add a new banner once a week.  This is usually a nap time or evening project.  I make quite the mess so usually it's an evening project.  I am still working to expand and improve my banners.  Take a look at some of the new ones I have created.  I am still looking for new ideas so if anyone has ideas or pointers please let me know.

My top seller

Please check out my Etsy site here. 

Our busy weeks...

Like I have said over and over because I am home all day with kids I tend to get very antsy to do house projects.  I really do drive Chris nuts.  I had finally gotten my wish... April and the beginning of May was crazy insane...lots and lots of house projects.  It was a dream come true...haha.  It actually has left me tired.  I feel content at the moment.  I still have my list but feel it can wait until I catch my breath.  I think this makes the hubby incredibly happy :).

Even Bram's exhausted from working hard :)

Here's my list for the remainder of May and June:

1) Create an entryway nook for daycare.
2) Fix basement door so I can start using it for daycare. 
3) Put garbage in cabinet....I hate it out for everyone to see and smell...ick!
4) Finish our landscaping.  We still need to add mulch to the flower beds and add flowers to pots.
5) Finish my rug project for Bram's room.  I keep putting it off.  :(  Can't wait to show you when it's finish...if I ever finish it.
6) Re-organize our closet room. 

Wishlist:

1) Add a storm door to front door
2) Paint front door.  Everyday out walking I see front painted doors...it's actually rare to see one not painted. 

This weekend I will probably do a ton of yard work, including lay the mulch and plant flowers (Bram and daddy are sick).  Hopefully it only takes up one day so I can do a lot of relaxing with Chris since he's been working incredibly hard lately.