Parenting: Trying to get a grip on discipline

The time has arrived and we are almost at the "terrible 2's" or "trying 2's". However, you choose to referrer to it the time has come....I wouldn't say that I have dreaded this season of Isaac's life arriving, I just knew that it meant like any other season that it would be time for a change (yet again). Isaac is exploring his new found freedoms of being a toddler in many ways. #1 on that list is testing his boundaries with Eddie and I. I do love when I come to pick him up from his Sunday school class and I hear that he is very obedient and a great listener, yet I don't want to be naive in thinking that that is enough or that it is up to others to teach him. I feel that when it comes to implementing a technique or method of discipline the same rule of being proactive definitely applies. I gave up the ideal that I was going to be a perfect parent with the most perfectly polite and well behaved kiddo on the planet a while ago. Becoming a parent truly humbled me to know that there is no perfect parent other than God, and striving to obtain it will run you very dry!

Disciplining Isaac is not so that we [ I ] can "look good" as parent(s) or because we [ I ] want to not be the parent(s) that are being stared at in the store because of a massive meltdown or tantrum. Regardless of implementing discipline with Isaac I know that the meltdown and tantrums will be there. And "looking good" is fleeting because no matter what other people will be looking and judging. I am not guilt-free here because I too have been on the other side, sitting there watching a meltdown of sorts transpire between a child and parent and just flat out judging them for how they are handling it or the lack of them even doing anything. In being honest...this isn't just pre-kid Shannon judging this is recently. I admit it, I struggle with judging other parents. I try not to and there is no excuse but I do, I watch and still have the thoughts of thinking" "oh I'd never" or "really I can't believe that just happened". When the truth is that discipline is hard! Its hard on the parents and the kids. But, my thoughts are you can't just sit back and do nothing because its hard.

So...I don't travel down that road of perfection but like I mentioned before however, I do want to find a way that we can not only teach Isaac about obedience and respect but also about unconditional love and grace. Some may feel that those things don't belong in the same sentence but I absolutely do. As a follower of Christ I know that it is God's love and grace that I am forgiven by and that there is nothing that I can do that will separate me from that. Yet, that doesn't give me free reign to do whatever I want, God's desire for me is to have my obedience as well. Eddie's and my desire is to model that to Isaac while delving down this road of discipline and obedience. I will admit even writing this out makes it seem much easier than the task that lies ahead. Like all ventures in parenting this I know will be a constant works in progress.

I would love to say that this is the part that I tell you that I have figured it out and I have a wonderful technique that we have implemented in our family and Isaac has taken to with out. The truth is we have a good base of our values and morals and that's all folks! Although I will not diminish our beliefs or morals that we are desiring to instill in Isaac as we help mold his character because it is a good start. I just know that the thought it not enough with out an action plan. We do need explore and learn some more about disciplining children and what will work for our family as a whole. That is one of the reasons why I am super excited to be attending a seminar that our Church is hosting this Saturday (06/28) called Confident Parenting . I am very much looking forward to getting more direction in my parenting as well as partnering with Eddie and being on the same page. If you are local I encourage you to think and pray about attending!

Below are a couple of books that I have set on my to read list for this summer. The first book "1-2-3 Magic" by Thomas Phelan Ph.D. was a recommendation from my sister and I have seen first hand that although it is not meltdown or tantrum proof (I know that doesn't exist) it has had a positive effect on the obedience of her girls. Secondly "Confident Parenting" by Jim Burns which I do not know too much about other than that it is the book that is the basis of the parenting seminar in which we are attending this weekend. This is the very beginning of this works in progress of trying to get a grip on discipline. I know we still have a long journey a head and I will be posting updates good or bad. I like to keep it honest and authentic here.

Cosleeping...Americas Dirty Little Secret

I've been thinking about making a post in regards to cosleeping for a while now. It was a little bit back that a friend of mine whom I love for her openness and honestly said, "cosleeping is Americas dirty little secret". That really resonated with me and rang very true to me. True because we've been there as a family feeling embarrassment, shame, justified, and just trying to survive another day as new parents. I'm calling cosleeping a dirty little secret becasue often people don't want to open up about it or even talk openly about it until they find other parents doing the same and they feel like they are in the 'safe zone' to reveal the truth about their sleeping situation. Believe me I know it, because I've lived it.

First, I do want to say this is by no means going to be me on a soap box advocating or defending a side. It is simply me being open and honest about my family's choices and what has worked and not worked for us. To clarify before I dive in there is a difference between cosleeping and bed sharing cosleeping is broad term that generally means sharing a room with your child. And then there is bed sharing which is exactly as it sounds...its sharing a bed. Been there and done both as you will read about later in this post. 

Without a doubt I can let you know that bed sharing was not the family plan.  A direct quote pre kid, "I will never let my children sleep in my bed! NEVER!" Cosleeping on the other hand was our original plan. I knew that I didn't want to have our little guy too far (other room) I wanted him within arms reach in a bassinet. Then as he out grew the bassinet I would transition him into the other room. Well...in retrospect I now see why so many people give the advice to new parents that things rarely go as planned. Because in true Isaac form my plans were not his (just like his entrance into this world!) and he was not a fan of the bassinet. It was mostly due to survival mode that we first begun to bed share. I was sleep deprived with a lazy nurser that would wake up right on cue to me finally falling asleep! This is where I will say that EVERY child is different and I'm sure that I could have implemented A stricter regime for his sleeping and eating but at 1-4 months of life it was not what we chose to do as a family. We chose to bed share. We set up a little space I'm between Eddie and I using the changing table pad and with one arm firmly flexed and ready to punch Eddie in the back if he even thought about rolling towards the baby..this is how we survived, and slept. 

With Isaac getting older and mobility changing a new plan developed. It was time to transition him back to his crib. We still chose to cosleep by sharing our room. Well, with a 1 bedroom condo we could put him or or ourselves in the front room but...we didn't want to do that. So, with this transition came sleep training. Yes, I said it sleep training. Some may think that because we where bed sharing that we must be softies that would never ever let our precious baby cry it out. Well, you'd be wrong with that assumption. I knew the te had come for Isaac to truly learn how to put himself to sleep. It was tough I wish that it I could say that sleep training is easy but it wasn't and it isn't. At least it wasn't in out home. Isaac took to sleep training like he did nursing. He put up a knock down drag out fight, but in the end it was all so worth it. He was putting himself to sleep! Oh did we feel victorious. We wanted to pat ourselves in the back, but just when we where about to. Again, in true Isaac form he had his own ideas. According to the books , Drs, friendly advice, and unsolicited advice we had been given when they wake you let them cry it out again. For us that didn't work! It's not that we are softies I swear! But as a Mom, wife, employee, and human being enough becomes enough and you begin to live in survival mode yet again. 

Although Isaac was putting himself to sleep (which was still very amazing) he was still a night waker. He was 12 months, 15 months, and 18 months and still waking at night. He would go to sleep around 7:30 or 8 then like wake around 10pm-12am every night. Let him re-cry it out wasn't working. For almost 3 weeks straight he wouldn't back down. Simply and truthfully he broke me down with sleep deprivation. It was at this point that we divided that a cosleeping/bed sharing combo would work the best for us. Isaac would put himself to sleep, then when he would wake up instead of having a stand off crib side we would just put him in the bed and he would fall right back asleep. Believe me, at this point Eddie and I both were still wondering why was our 18 month old not sleeping through the night (waking at 3:30-4am - every night). You really questions things about your parenting choices, what you are doing wrong, and why this is still happening. It was a tough and rough season of life. Isaac was sleeping longer than he ever did before, but after 18 long months we were very worn. 

It was around 19-20 months Isaac finally began to sleep past the 3:30-4am wake ups. He was still waking to be placed in our bed but in my eyes if he was doing that before I went to bed and then letting sleep through the night it was a vast improvement! Consecutive sleep is a huge improvement all together for our family. If you have a child that has struggled with sleeping there really is no further explanation required here. Others may be quick in offering advice in what we did wrong, what we can try, or maybe not advice but just flat out judgement. However, like I mentioned in the beginning this post isn't about that it is about my family's story and how I have embarrassed my own trial and error of being a first time parent. Because I know that I could have, should have, or even if would have...but we didn't. We CHOSE to cosleep and bed share. I get it that this is not for every family out there. I too love my space and my bed but I also know that Isaac will not be 10 yrs old and still sleeping in our bed! Yet, I also know he is my tender heart little guy that will sneak in after a bad dream and I am OK with that!

My 2 cents:

1. Don't feel shamed for your choices that you make as a family  -- that's what they are they are your family's choices! Embrace them and figure out what works best for your family.
2. Change it up -- just because one way of cosleeping or bed sharing was working for months it might not work as your kiddo grows. 
3. The whole world doesn't revolve around your kid -- yep I said it again I'm not some push over Momma with no boundaries. You still need to set boundaries with sleeping and discipline 
4. Keep checking in with your spouse or partner -- It is vital to your relationship that this be a choice you make together. If one is thinking its time for a change...communicate it and make it happen 
5. Don't let the spark die out -- the million dollar question....if a kids in your bed how to maintain the intimacy? Without revealing too much..lets be honest its boring even if you didn't have a kid to only mess around in your bed! You get creative and make it work, but don't use a kid in the bed as an excuse to NOT be intimate. 

Our current sleeping set up 

Isaac is ONE

So...Isaac is now almost 17 months old and I am finally getting around to finishing this post. It has been a busy couple of months and I have always had the good intention but just never materialized...Enough with the 'i'm busy' blah blah blah...

Isaac,

My heart never knew a love like this until the moment that I first heard your little heartbeat, the first time that I felt you flutter in my tummy, to the first time that I saw your precious little face. You are truly the best gift that I have ever been blessed with in my life. You would think that because I am the Momma that I would be the one showing you everything however even though you are only 12 months old you have taught your Momma so much. You have taught me that it is OK to not be a perfect Mom, that you have to laugh even when the chaos is happening, and that plans are great but living in the now is far more important.

Each day is new and it is our job to live it out to the fullest. It is my true joy to see you grow into this little spit fire toddler that wants to be on the move and in EVERYTHING! Seeing the world through your innocent eyes has changed me more than you will ever know. I adore your smile, giggles, and little noises that you make. You are my precious little miracle!

xoxo, Momma

The Journey Began

It all stated with the hope and prayer that we would conceive a little baby. Like many newly weds my brain was on a baby and the hubs mind was thinking 5 year plan. Well I guess we did meet that mark somewhere in the middle because around the 2 1/2 year mark I had given up the pressure of pursuing a family and my wonderful husband Eddie approached me and said he wanted to start our little family. By the grace and wonderful blessing of God 3 short months later we found out we were expecting Aug 2011. It is truly the best gift ever and the feeling of pure joy just illuminate my heart when I think back to that moment.

 Then came 9 long months of pregnancy and I would do it all over and over again for Isaac.

The Journey is Here

Being a Momma to a one year old is just crazy. I say crazy because this entire past year you are so focused on month to month and all the little milestones along the way; then 'big 1yr old bday' then when it all passes it is crazy that you reach that point of saying, "he's 1". Of course there are plenty milestones to be had at this age too but I'm still shocked when I hear myself saying that he is 1yrs old. I started this post when he had just turned one, then resumed at 14 months...now fast forward he is almost 17 months. He is a full blown toddler that never takes a breath and I love that about him. He is into everything, on everything, and never sitting still for more than a few moments (other than when he sleeps). My verbal and chatty little guy has tripled his vocabulary and can even get some broken sentences out. Isaac's favorite words are: doggie, ball, almost, ut oh!, that, mine, agua, bebe, and of course Momma and Dada.

The Journey Continues...You think you know..but really will you ever?

So I am really starting to now know and see what a fool I was. Maybe that seems a bit harsh (even if its the truth) but it is the best way to describe what I am about to go into. I was a fool mainly because I under estimated what it takes to be a parent. It is very easy to sit back and look at other parent and pass those silent judgments in your mind about their parenting abilities. Then you become a parent yourself and your world is literally flipped inside out and upside down. The preconceived notions of what a parent is and does is far gone...you are in the trenches of parenthood. Each day brings new blessings and new challenges. Some days  I feel like a superhero and victorious and others it as if I never even let the day begin before it is over. We are still going through lots of changes as a family and adapting to the unselfish lifestyle that is a must as a parent. But, I would not change my life for a minute. I know with out a doubt that being Isaac's Momma is what the Lord has called me to and I am so very lucky and blessed that I am able to shepard this little boys heart. It does not come with ease and I am still a constant work in progress. However, I know that I am up for anything along this journey!

Isaac @ 9 months

9 Months 

Seriously...I don't know why this has been so very hard to keep up with...Its not like being a Mom to a 9 month old, working, family stuff, etc. etc. keeps me busy! OK did you get the sarcasm there!? Because it is totally there!! Wow, 9 months is almost gone and again I find myself here scrambling to make this blog post before Isaac is 10 months. Maybe my new thing will be that  I write about the previous month and that way I'm right on schedule with this post. The milestone keep coming and my little man is getting bigger and bigger with each passing day. One of the main reasons that I really want to keep these monthly posts going is because I have developed a bad case of the 'mommy brain' and can't seem to keep my day, months, or even hours straight at times. Now...that we are almost done with this month let me try my best to conger up what has happened since the last post....

Sleep Training...who is training who??

The sleeping pattern of a little baby can be so unpredictable. I often wonder why I try to keep any schedule when my little man is going to do what he wants anyways. Or at least that is how it appears in our family . These past month we have seen a breakthrough of sorts.

Umm....its time to play not sleep Mommy!

After implementing our version of the Sleep Sense method Isaac can and will sleep through the entire night (7:30pm-6am). What I mean by our version is that this type of sleep training consists of staying in the room with your child while in a chair while they put themselves to sleep. The first night was HORRIBLE!! My strong willed dude cried for over an hour and a half! It progressively got better over the next couple days and Isaac slept through the night for the first time in months. Then can the early morning wake up calls at 4:30am and 5am this went on for a couple more days...Momma was tired. Lastly we had a huge setback, and I couldn't take it. My baby needed me and I couldn't do it anymore...so against all warnings of the method I 'gave in' and picked him up. Just to clarify or make myself feel more justified this was after 2 hours him not going back to sleep at 3am in the morning. Above all else I know that I was doing what was best for my child and that was all that really mattered to me. 


This has now lead to our own version of sleep training. I am back to rocking Isaac to sleep (which I am OK with). He is my little baby boy and I truly feel in my heart that this is not only bonding for us but what my baby needs not just wants. The improvement that I have seen from what we went through is that he can and will put himself back to sleep when he wakes in the night. I can also lay him in his crib when drowsy and tapping his bun and rubbing his back he will drift off into sleepy dream land. The Sleep Sense Method calls these 'sleeping props' and warns against them because your child will then rely on them for sleep. And I do not refute that one bit. At this point in time Isaac would not go to sleep without a fight if  I just placed him in his crib and walked away. I would be lying if I said that I did not want him to do that some nights...but I keep coming back to the same conclusion that  I love rocking Isaac to sleep in my arms and this is something that I would never want to loose at this point in time; and when the time comes for him to be a big boys we will cross that bridge when we come to it. 


Overall, I don't feel this sense of urgency for him to put himself to sleep but do gladly except and credit that had we not done the beginning portion of the Sleep Sense Method he probably would not have learn how to put himself back to sleep during the night when he is still tired. I don't ever profess to have it all under control  or figured out. This is all new to me and just a learning process with a huge learning curve!  


Just not Enough

Taking on solids has been an adventure. As a new parent you never like to think that you are going to have the picky eater. It would be a completely perfect scenario if you had the child that ate whenever and whatever you wanted them to right! It seems like right when you got it all figured out with the eating schedule they come to a new point in their life where is all needs to change again. That is what happened to us with adding in solids. OK you may be thinking....this Mom is talking about implementing solids at 9 months, "what the heck is her problem this should have been an issue at 6 months at the latest". Well, for us that is not the case. Isaac has a wonderful pediatrician that I adore (she was my pediatrician) and I trust her completely and highly respect her opinions and advice. That is all to say that when many Dr's where saying start solids at 4 months, she was still recommending 6 months. So we went with that advice, this is not to knock anyone or any Dr that recommended differently this is just what we did.

Of course it was a totally new experience adding in foods week by week. Isaac seems to like all that we were giving him. Then it was like we hit a brick wall around 8 months out of no where because he was no longer my easy going eater. Every meal was a fight and a struggle, at least he was taking the bottle when I was at work but the amount of solids was minimal at best. Then we discovered rice puff or baby crack..this seemed like a great thing. He would do anything for these puffs or so it seemed. Then our wonderful Dr. informed us that she is not a fan of the puff and that we should not use them as he does not need the extra sugar and flour in his diet. WHAT!!?? you mean to tell me that my only food luring leverage should be taken away! So...no more puffs now what?

Then in the same appointment some news I was somewhat expecting but no Mom wants to hears is that Isaac was not gaining weight properly. He growing curve had taken a small dip, this was by no means an emergency but definitely something that needed to be addressed. The cues that I had been taking as he was full were not he was full but that he did not want to eat what I was offering him. Now came the task of getting him to eat high good fat foods (for his age group). It has been a challenge that I have taken on full force and with each victory of finding a food that he likes there is always a celebration that follow. Shortly I will be blogging about the foods and recipes that we have liked and found.

The Mommy Blues

I'm calling this the Mommy Blues because I really don't have any other words for it right now. All I know is that lately it has been really hard for me to accept that working and not being an stay at home mom is what the Lord want for our family. With much prayer I have accepted this and like most things that God has put on our hearts and calls us to do (that we don't want to do) I am slowly saying YES each day. And instead of  having an ungrateful heart I desire each day to have a thankful heart. Notice how said each day... because it really is each day that I have to wake up and say. "Thank you Lord for providing for me and my family. Thank you for my job". Often I want to spend time scheming how to work from home, or how to not work right now...and in prayer it always leads me back to this is exactly where God wants me to be. It is a struggle daily to balance it all but it is when I stop trying to do it on my own is when I see that the weight is truly lifted.  Here at the almost 10 month mark it seem like the pain of not being with my little one all the time get stronger and stronger but I want to honor and trust in God for he is guiding my way :) 

Happy Father's Day Eddie

What a special day to celebrate! It was perfect in so many ways and I couldn't not have been blessed with a better man to celebrate with. It took me a while to compile what I wanted to get Eddie for his 1st Father's Day, and when it came down to it I knew that photos and a photo book were the way to go. I am not one to  keep secrets very well so it really was killing me to not be able to tell Eddie!! Using my ever so loved website Pintrest I found some great inspiration and the picture brought Eddie to tears it was such a beautiful moment. It was no easy task to get the shoes and hat without Eddie noticing either, like a theif in the night I had to pack the a bag the night before the shoot and go and hide it in the car...then the unlike a thief  I

Wearing Daddy's shoes and hat 

Love this shot

Not only did we celebrate Father's Day, but it was Isaac's baby dedication as well. It truly is amazing to see how our family has grown spiritually in these past months. Sharing this moment as a family was the highlight of the day. We love this little boy so much and cannot wait to see all that God has in store for his life.

Baby Dedication 2012

Our First Family Road Trip

Planning a vacation is no longer the same as before. I must admit that I was really nervous to travel so far away from home with Isaac. Nervous because I really didn't know what to expect at all. I am very thankful that I have wonderful Mommies around me that I offered plenty of tips, tricks, and just overall great advice for our first family trip. To my surprise Isaac did wonderful in the long car rides! It was a huge relief to me and I am glad that he did not scare us off from planning more vacations!

Here is some pics from Isaac's first trip to the beach...let's just say his Hawaiian side really came out, and he takes after my love of the water and the beach.

Beach Baby! 

Isaac loving the water on his toes

My big boy is 8 Months!

8 months is here and almost more than half way over...so I figured I better get this blog done before he is 9 months. It truly seems as if time is picking up. In months past the days seems to go by much slower and in the end when I would look back I could say, "wow! were did the time go?". That is not the case with this last month, it really seems like I am barely living each day. This last month has been jam packed full of events, moving into a home, finishing up my Spring Semester, and working a little over part time. Yet, some how we are managing to get it all done. Isaac is at a really fun age and I am loving seeing him discover all the changes that have been happening.

We have TEETH...Finally

I swear Isaac had been teething for over 2 1/2 months maybe more...and finally the day after he hit the 8 month mark his first little tooth arrived. I looks absolutely adorable! I was not worried that he would not get teeth (i'm not that much of a crazy Mom) I just really wanted some relief for him more than anything. He had been gnawing on everything and I could tell that he was just so uncomfortable. We got him teethers that worked for him sometimes, had the Tylenol nights (limited to the horrible nights), and all sorts of other little trick up our sleeves. In all it I know there is really no magical trick or way to take this pain away from our little ones, they just have to live through it. Unfortunately Isaac is a hard teether and I know that the months to come we will have some tough spots. I just really hope that as the remainder of the teeth arrive they don't take as long to come to the surface. Tooth #2 is slowly making its entrance and still not really visible...so I am starting to loose that hope of them coming in faster than the first one took.

Crawling, Standing & Mischief

Well when it rains it pours! Not literally but on Isaac's 'big' moments it sure has been that way. It was a waterfall this past month. He had started crawling but was not doing the 'classic crawl' it was more of a tummy/army crawl. But once he started to realize that he was going too slow the classic crawling started. Which then led to even more exploration in standing. From the looks of things I have a little climber on my hands!! Isaac will take anything and try to make it into his standing apparatus. Sometimes is is funny...and other times it is just down right dangerous. After a few minor falls I think he has gotten the hint that if it moves before I try to stand up fully it is no good. It is so interesting to see him explore and learn.

With the movement...of course what followed was the mischief. He takes curiosity to a new level for me, once he sees something that he wants or wants to do that is all that he needs to know. There is really no stopping him in his mind. The other day he wanted to pull on the vertical blinds in the family room, I indulged him and let him do it a little bit (heck the kid was having fun). Then he discovered that one of the blinds was broken, and all it would take is a light tug and it would come down. That was the point I had to stop the fun...well Mr. Mischief was not having that. He didn't throw a tantrum he just took it as a mischief challenge.  I would try to block him he would crawl under the coffee table and out the other side...I would run around blocking him again..and he would just laugh and laugh..This went on for a good 15 minutes!! I just love my little dude!! I can sure laugh at the mischief now...I hope it stays that way as he gets older but I'm not betting one it.


Yes...I'm still nursing :) 

My goal from the start of nursing was to keep it going until Isaac is 12 months. So far that is still the plan. Many have asked that now that he has teeth do I want to stop? The answer: NO, I am going to nurse him until 12months then begin to wean him. From what started out as a somewhat traumatic experience has turned into a wonderful and special bond between us. When nursing him yesterday I realized how much I love to nurse him.Its not like this is the first time that I ever had this thought, it was more of a reminder of how much a love it. The good heavily out weighs the bad now and I am glad that I got to share this experience with him. I do not feel pressure by society that nursing must end by the 12 month mark but I think that once his body is able to handle the whole milk that is a nutritious choice for my boy! In all honesty I don't have a problem with those that choose to keep nursing well into the toddler year it just not for me.

Truly a Social Butterfly

The chatting and babbling started I think around 5 months and has not stopped. Isaac loves to chat it up and be around people. He is still developing the sense of when to say words and who to say them too but he pretty much has the Hi and Bye waving down. It truly melts my heart when he says Hi and Bye to me! He is such a smart little boy and seeing his social skills develop and shape his personality is what I am enjoying.

We made a visit back to my Postpartum Mom's group led by my fabulous Lactation Consultant Gail, and he was such a little ham!! During the time that you introduce yourself and your baby Isaac was waving and saying, "Hiiiiiieee" to all the ladies and other babies. He was the talk of the room at that point :) There are many areas and ways that I am blessed with Isaac and his social side is one of them. I helps in more ways then one. He loves to meet new people, go new places, and be in the nursery at church. I hope his social side continues to be 'easy' as I know that separation anxiety can be a terror on any family. Like any kid I know that there is the ups and downs of it all but for now I am more than content with were we are at.

Photo Book

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5 Of This Summers DIY Must DO's

Over the past year I have started to to find a love for DIY projects. Call me crazy but I feel like when you make yourself there brings so much more value to final product. Maybe its because you can look at it and admire it knowing that you did this and be giving your self the little 'pat on the back. Or because you get that feeling of accomplishment.Whatever the reason I am loving DIY projects and had to start making a list of what I wanted to do this summer so that way I can make some of these projects become a reality. I always think that if you make a list things get done. I didn't want to take on too much of this DIY fun so I thought about my need at in my home and what I would also have some fun doing.

#1 Re-thrifiting Furniture 

I have always been a big fan of painting, some hate it well...I enjoy it and find is very therapeutic. I stumbled across this beautiful dresser that a fellow blogger Living with Lindsay's post Thrift Store Cast Off, and instantly thought I should be doing this! I have painted with spray paint before and love the convenience and look that it gives off . Large dressers can run upward of $1000+ in stores and often aren't even real wood theses days. This is a project on the top of my list of DIY! I love the idea of taking something that has an outdated look and would otherwise be a cast off as no good and turning it into a fabulous piece for your home. 

#2 Chalkboard Obsessed

I'm an 80's kid, so I grew up with the teachers writing on a chalkboard. When I was little we use to have a chalkboard in our garage that we would play school with and write on. Printrest rekindled my love for chalkboards in a big way. You could even say that I have become a bit obsessed with them trying to figure out how to incorporate them into our home with out my Hubby Eddie going insane. My latest find is chalkboard contact paper. I am really excited over this because although I love the idea of painting and spray painting but its not something that I want to do ALL the time. After finding this it really got my creative juices flowing in wondering what I could stick this too. SO....I thought this would be perfect for a chalkboard wall in Isaac's playroom. Not only will it be easy to get up but it will save on the mess and also be way less permanent in comparison to the paint. 

#3 Re-purposing or Upcycling 

Again I love the idea of taking something that would have been thrown out or not used and turning it in to something great. A new word that I have learned (thanks to Pintrest) is upcycling. Basically it is taking something and instead of recycling it you upgrade it into something that is even better and more useful to you.

I want to try my hand at some wall home decor. Because we just moved into a new home I would like to decorate with some other things besides photos. Don't get me wrong, I love a nice photo wall and seeing the smiling happy faces everywhere. But when looking for something a little different  I stumbled across this wonderful upcycle made from pieces wood from an old pallet. From the looks of it this could be a pretty simple piece to make and that is what I like SIMPLE. I have old pallets at my work old laying around for FREE (pallets are usually free because everyone wants to get rid of them). Once I give this one a go I will be posting material and a how to on this. 

#4 Sentimental l Organization


Time is something that always seems to be slipping away. And before we know it our memories have plied up. Looking back over the last 4 years I have acquired so many cards, keepsakes, and memories that I don't want to loose. I came across this perfect idea to organize and keep the memories without just storing them in some box. Making a card book and adding it to the photo scrapbook shelf and then it would be something that we can look through later. This project is combining two of my loves: Organization & Memories!! 

Isaac will be 1 this summer so while all this organizing is going on I want to get this photo frame or shadow box together. When I saw this my exact thoughts were "DO this while you know where all this stuff is!" Because lets be honest.. half the battle of getting this type of project done is having the stuff to do it with. My goal would be to have this done and put it on display at his first birthday. I doing this to give myself a dead line because often I do work better under pressure of a dead line! This idea it is a great way to display the precious life changing moment of life without being an overwhelming focal point. This is something that I plan to put up in my kids room and then later display in my room. 

#5 MY very own craft corner! 

This picture was seriously love at first sight. Currently all of my crafting items, ribbons, crochet, and sewing stuff is all over the place. I do have some organization to it but what I don't like is that some of it is in one place and some in the other. Not only will this solve the issue of things being in different locations it is a little place for me that I can open up at spend time getting crafty! I am very excited to start working on this. I think my favorite part of this craft corner is that I will be able to close up shop and not have it bothered. With a little one crawling around these days it will be great to have a place that I can close off without having to take up a tremendous amount of space. From the looks of this picture I am pretty sure I will be able to recreate this based on my own needs. Again, I will be posting the how to on this later once I get it going and have it finished!