We have a walker!

Abby has been walking all over the place for the past month. She loves going outside now that we found some shoes that fit her feet (the are very round).

Abby got a new bucket to play with. She was crawling around and dancing with the bucket on her head. We got out the camera to record it and of course she stopped doing it, but we got some cute video anyway.

Abby loves the puffin puppet that she got at the aquarium. We call it the tickle puffin.

Outside

It has come to my attention that people have actually been checking our blog and want more frequent updates. I will do my best.

Today we have been trying to keep Abby's mind off her cold so we tried some new things. We went outside to play in the yard (we have never done that before). She loved looking around at everything but didn't want to touch the grass despite our encouragement to do so. We also went on a walk and stopped at the park to put Abby in the baby swing. She had a good time.

Abby picture update

Abby sat in a highchair at Mo's and chewed on the table while she happily watched everyone eat.



Her favorite food is peas, but she also now eats oatmeal and prunes.

Bumbo

Abby loves her new Bumbo seat


And so does Ellwood.......

New Mommy cut and Abby pictures

I decided to get a short Mommy haircut. I realized that I have worn my hair in a ponytail all but one day since she was born. Hopefully this haircut will help me actually have a hair style.

Abby is starting to like baths (or at least not hate them). Here is a photo of her doing some after bath cuddling with her Papa.

And, lastly, here is just a photo of her talking to Greg.

One Month Old

Yesterday was Abigail's 1 month birthday. We are getting better at know what she wants/needs and responding. She is noticing her surroundings (including us) more and has been working hard at her head lifts. At one month old her favorite activities are eating, cuddling, and listening to my mom talk to her (Abby finds her fascinating).

Eyes Open

Abigail is awake more than she was the first couple of weeks. I developed some habits during her sleepy two weeks than I am having trouble breaking now. For example, I fed her every time she was awake or cried because we were trying to put weight on her and she didn't cry except when hungry. Now, I am realizing that she may cry for other reasons, but I can't stop the easy fix of feeding her to calm her down. I read somewhere that you can't over nurse a newborn baby so I hope that is true. Consequently, her feedings have become more snacky and frequent (almost every hour except for yesterday afternoon when I got some scrapbooking done). I just don't know how to break that because I don't know that she isn't hungry when she cries. My plan is to try to spend more time getting to know her cues so I have a better idea what she needs rather than always assuming it it food.

Dream Come True

I am so in love with Abigail. Every time I figure out something new about her I am reminded that she isn't part of me in my stomach anymore, but that she is her own person. I can hardly believe I had a part in all this. I pinch myself often because having her here is truly a dream come true.

Life With Newborn Abigail

Abby is such an easy going baby. We really lucked out. She is willing to go with the flow and would rather sleep than do just about anything else (she got that from me). Unfortunately, that means that she often doesn't let us know she is hungry and so we spend much time waking her up when it is time to eat. She is spending more and more time awake though (as evidenced by these photos) and we love to interact with her when she does decide to open her eyes and take in the world around her. Abigail initially lost more weight than the doctor thought was OK, but through hard work and supplementation to nursing she has gained quite a bit of weight and is currently 7 lbs 11 oz. I am so proud of her weight gain, but it has hampered Abby and Mommy bonding time. I spend all of my interaction with her trying to make her eat and now she sometimes purses her lips closed when she sees me. Greg and I are both looking forward to the day when we can stop force feeding her and can just feed her as she demands it.
I am trying to adjust to having Greg back at work. I try to give him a full night's sleep (not much he can do to help feed her) :), but he insists on helping at night anyway. I doubt that Abigail has noticed that he is gone more, but I am missing his companionship. It was nice to discuss my fears and worries (plenty of those) with him and to have someone to exchange a look with when Abby did something cute or strange. Now most of my discussion about Abby is directed at Ellwood.

Abigail is here!

Abigail was born on March 11th at 1:59 pm. She weighed 7lbs 5oz and was 20in long.

We were so happy to bring her home and start our loves together as a family. I will post more about her later.

Sleeping Ellwood

I think Ellwood looks so cute slepping. I decided to take sleeping Ellwood pictures last night and they turned out good enough to scrapbook.

Weasley Twins

While in Chicago, Noelle met the Weasley twins while they were promoting the new Harry Potter movie. She said that they were very nice and even talked with her.

Birthday Picnic pages

Yes, I am behind on my scrapbooking, but I am beginning to catch up. I spent the morning scrapbboking while Greg is finishing the patio door.

Ellwood and Isabella

Isabella is Diana's cute boxer puppy that came over to play with Ellwood. They had such a good time, but may never get to play again. Diana commented before she left that Isabella would be too big to play with Ellwood later. I am sure that this thinking stems from an incident last year with Sophie, Candace's dog, and Ellwood getting an eye scratched which led to a vet visit. My thinking about all of this is that I am not worried about Ellwood getting hurt. He is a tough little dog and I would rather he enjoy his life and perhaps be injured occasionally than be protected and never get to play with his favorite dog friends. (So take that Diana!) :) Any thoughts?

Wii appreciation

Thanks to my Dad's detective work and fast action, we have had a Nintendo Wii for a couple of months. In short, we love it. Greg and I play it several times a week (mostly tennis) and when Jake was here, he played it non stop. It is definitely the coolest video game system ever invented.

Ellwood howls

Ellwood loves to be like "real dogs" and likes to try to fit in with the neighborhood dogs by howling when the fire siren goes off. I have always wanted to video it and got my chance tonight. His howl might not be as good as a hound dog (don't tell him) but he gets an A for effort. Isn't he cute?

Wow! I am so impressed at this portrait of Ellwood done by artist Karen Stillwagon. She is the daughter of my mentor teacher and friend, Carolyn. This is most definitely the best gift I have ever been given. I can't wait to get my hands on it, have it framed, and get it up on the wall. If you are interested in getting a portrait done, I would highly recommend this artist. Here is her website: http://www.karenstillwagon.net/

Ellwood and Jake sleeping

Jake is staying with us for a few days while Noelles friend is visiting. Jake is such a good house guest. He really is good company. He helps out while we are doing work around the house and is fun to be around. He has spent most of his time playing our Nintendo Wii. Here he is in the car on the way back from Coos Bay taking a nap with Ellwood.

1st Shutterfly Scrapbook

Well.. I just uploaded everything to have my first 12 x 12 hardbound digital scrapbook printed from Shutterfly. I am anxious to see the results. I read (when it was too late) that I should have kept my text and photos farther away from the edge for the trim. Oh well, I will know for my next book, or if it turns out too bad, I will have it reprinted. Here is the link to view my book (all is there except for the last page I put in). Digital Scrapbook

Ellwood on the Couch Video

Here is another video of Ellwood. It is just a long, somewhat boring, video of Ellwood on the couch trying to sleep, sniffing the camera, then playing tug-of-war. Sorry for the poor quality. I compressed this one even more because it is so long.

Ellwood at the beach video

Here is another one of Ellwood at the beach fetching today. I am pretty impressed with the camera's video capibility. I had to greatly compress them to put them on the internet, but the full version is clear as a bell.

I got a new digital camera yesterday and was just testing the video function. Here is Ellwood in the car at 7-11 waiting for Greg to come out on our way to the beach. Notice his new seatbelt harness so he doesn't have to ride in his crate anymore.

1 more cruise photo

That last post would only let me include 5 photos. So here is one more.

Cruise photos

Here are some photos from our recent cruise in the Caribbean. I will including more photos with explainations later. :)

Scrapbooking the Girls

I love when Candace and Diana come up to chat about life for the day. Here is a page I did of their visit today. I have been waiting to use this cool "Urban Acid" photo effect. These pictures seemed perfect. I love the big one of Candace... she is so photogenic.

Layout Credits:
Paper and elements from Jen Wilson's Soho Sass
Frames are from Gina Cabrera at DDE

Switching to 12 by 12

I have decided to switch my scrapbooking layouts to a 12 by 12 format. I feel like it is a much easier to use size. The only problem is printing the larger size. I had been using My Publisher for my 11 x 8.5 layouts (they print a coffee table style book for $30). Now I think I will switch to Srapbooks to Share, and just print my layouts page by page through them, then put each page in a traditional scrapbook album. Doing 12 by 12 in a coffee table style book does not seem like a good option (they seem to be over $100). Hmmm... there has to be a better option for 12 by 12.

Blending layers in Photoshop

I have been experimenting with blending in Photoshop, so this is my 1st page using blending. Most of the products in this layout are from Peppermint Creative. I used her stamped alphabet and blended two papers together from the Eclectic Lantern kit.

The Goodwins

I have been practicing making a curved line. :)

Libby page

I have started to use scraplifting and sketched to improve my scrapbooking. This was a sketch challenge from Heather Ann Designs. The paper and elements are form the same site (too cute clipboard kit), and the journaling font is Pea Alisha.

Week 3 DNTS entry

Paper and elements for this layout are from Miss Mint's Elementary Grammar kit
Clipboard is from heather ann designs: too cute clipboard mini kit

Journaling: Lilli: Ellwood, what do you think is important for people to know about you?
Ellwood: Ellwood is fascinating on so many levels. I don’t know where to begin.
Lilli: Whatever Ellwood, just give us ten things about yourself.
Ellwood: ok- #1 Ellwood is a Pug, we don’t have snouts
Lilli: skip the obvious stuff
Ellwood: #2. Some people think Ellwood is a spaz.
Lilli: Why would they think that?
Ellwood: I love people and animals. I get so excited around new people and dogs that they don’t want to play with me. I jump all over them and make lots of noise.
#3. Elwood also really likes to go to The People’s house and see the rest of the family.
Lilli: Note: “The People” are my parents. Ellwood usually spends a day there each week and gets really excited when we say, “Do you want to go to The People’s?”
Ellwood: #4. You don’t feed Ellwood nearly enough. Pugs are supposed to be chubby. I want your food. That is why I make the sad face when you are eating.
#5. Ellwood loves peanut butter, liver, fruit, and cheese.
#6. Ellwood enjoys long walks on the beach and playing at the park.
#7. Ellwood always get stuff stuck in his eyes.
Lilli: Then we have to take you to the vet.
Ellwood: #8. Ellwood loves going to the vet. Everyone pays lots of attention to me; like the time I swallowed a needle. Greg stayed home with me the day after the surgery.
#9. Ellwood likes to take your stuff. I put stuff in my mouth and run when people try to get it back. You can’t catch me. It’s very funny. Sometimes you trade with me to get it back.
: #10. Ellwood had a hard time letting you know he is angry. So I poop in the house to let you know that I am not happy.
Lilli: Ok, that is all we need to know.
Ellwood: one more… #11. All Ellwood needs is love… and food, sleep, and time to play.

Fence Warning

This is a public service announcement. Please heed my warning. Do not build a fence. If you must build a fence, then have someone else do it or build a vinyl fence so you won't have to do any staining and the fence comes in sections so there are less boards to put up.

We are on day 11 of building our fence and still not done. Let me repeat, DAY 11! As a teacher, I look forward to leisurely summer days. This was not what I had in mind. First it was plaining (sp?)the boards (crummy load of cedar fencing), then over a week of staining (still not done with that part), digging post holes, hauling rock and concrete, now I am nailing the fencing up. I will never build a fence again. It is going to take my body all summer to heal from the sunburn and pain from this experience. It is a good thing I will have my fenced backyard to do that healing in.

Week 2 DNTS contest entry

This page was created using peppermint creative's South Hampton kit and the Big Picture Photoshop action from Photoshop exchange.

I am loving this contest because it is forcing my to scrapbook. Sometimes I need the encouragement. This weeks assignment was to experiment with type and to scrapbook something a loved one frequently says.

I feel like the layout is not completely balanced. Any suggestions?

Bird story

I didn't include on the pages that Greg originally wanted to kill it, we called the police department asking them what to do and they also told us to kill it, that I tried to feed the first bird, we tried to teach it to fly, or that we dropped the 1st bird down the chimney twice not learning from our mistakes.

DNTS week 1

This was my week one entry into the "Digital's Next Top Scrapper" contest on Peppermintcreative.com. I turned it in the same day the assignment was given and now I wish that I had waited. I have more ideas for the layout. I wish that I had used stitching and photo corners around the journaling. Oh well, I am still pleased with the result. I really entered the contest for the motivation to scrapbook as well as the discount given to purchase prodcts for the contest.