Two boys and one room

I have totally been neglecting my blog as of recently. Crazy busy with school and tons of other things...

This blog I have dedicated to the living arrangement we have set up for the boys.

After we got back from our Christmas vacation we focused on putting Jacob in his crib. Up until then he was in a co-sleeper (pack n play) in our bedroom. I loved having him in there but he was reaching the weight limit on the little bed so it was time to move him. We live in a 2 bedroom apartment so the boys were going to have to share a room. That worried me. I didn't want them to be waking each other up all the time, but we crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.

I had to do some rearranging in Sammy's room (soon to be the boys' room). I moved the dresser/changing table in the unused closet. The closet only had boxes in it so I cleared those out. I set up the crib were the dresser was. Sammy's bed stayed in the same place.

I bought some boxes for toy storage and they are stored under the crib. I decorated the walls with the boy's names. It worked way better than I had planned.

Living in a tiny dorm room is paying off later in my life!

A handmade Christmas

I can finally blog about this now that every one has their christmas gifts. This year I went a little crazy with hand made gifts. EVERYONE got one!

My boys each got a cand made item. I crocheted Sammy a triceratops! It took me forever, but was so worth it. I got the pattern out of those little books they sell in the yarn isle at michael's. it was very easy to follow. I started it when Jake was first born (like 3 weeks old) I finished it when jake was about 2.5 months old. I crocheted between feedings but then started nursing jake and crocheting at the same time. I got pretty good at that!

I made Jacob a plush cube. I crocheted 6 squares of the basket weave stitch. Sewed them together, stuffed it, then tied the centers of the opposing sides together to make it look more like a cube. If you dont tie the opposing side together it looks like a ball. It works great because it's soft, and squishy. And big enough for him to grasp.

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Josh and Amy, have a cute little dog named Bella, so for them I crotchets a doggy sweater dress! I made it super girlly by adding ruffles and a bow, and flower buttons. I can't wait to see a pic of her in it! I hope it fits!

My other brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Shane and Kate, received hand made Christmas tree ornaments. I crocheted the first letter of each of their names, including one for their son Michael. They can be hung on their tree but can also be displayed elsewhere.

I had my brother in law, Josh, make my brother's Christmas gift. It's a wood cut out of a wildcat on a UK basketball. You can see more of Josh's work HERE. http://www.etsy.com/shop/RhoadesScrollWorks

My mom and mother-in-law both got calendars that I made on shutterfly. Each one is different. I put everyone's birthdays in it and a bunch of pictures of the boys and us! i even made one for me and Jesse.

For my dad and father-in-law we made cute little foot print crafts. I turned the boys' foot prints into reindeer. I saw the idea on Pinterest. Sammy was super excited to make foot prints like dinosaurs so I can't wait to do more foot print crafts!

Hand made gifts make the holidays super special in my opinion. I'll do it again next year! I think I'll start earlier though!

It's a new year!

Hands down, the best thing about 2012 was becoming a mommy again. It is great. I feel so special, like I'm the only one to ever have been the mother of boys,that's how special they make me feel! So in honor of them I've decided we Weill do a lot of learning and playing this year! We are going to potty train Sammy, and I found a blog about 75 activities you can do with small children and we will attempt to do all 75! (http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2012/02/75-tv-free-activities-for-toddlers.html)

Most resolutions are about ourselves...this year, mine is for them!

HO! HO! HO!

We just had an amazing Christmas with our families! We just got home from our 2 week trip to our parents' homes in Indiana and Illinois! We started our Christmas celebrations at home a week before we left on our trip. We let Sammy and Jake open the presents that Jesse and I got for them. Sammy got dinosaur decor for his room (pillow and curtains) and a dinosaur train train set. I also crocheted him a triceratops. Jake got a play gym, play mat, and I crocheted him a plush cube. We did this a week before we left so they'd have time to play with their new toys!

We spent our first week away at Jesse's mom and dad's house. Sammy told his grandma and grandpa (gma and p-pas) all about dinosaurs (we are slightly obsessed). He made them watch Jurassic park WAY more than anyone should have to watch any one movie. They got to see how much Jacob has grown! The last time they had seen him he was a 9 pound newborn, now he is a hardy 17 pound 4.5 month old.

Our second week was spent with my parents (momo and popo). They were also informed on the dinosaurs' ways of life, and they also had to watch Jurassic Park.....a lot. This was my dad's first time meeting Jacob. It was great to see them together!

Now after our long journey we are back home, Jacob's first Christmas was all we could have hoped for, we all had an amazing and even though we are glad to be back home we are very sad to have left our family behind.

We love you, and miss you all!