My first hair cut

Okay...so I've been getting a lot of hints and questions about cutting Tobi's hair for a while now. I'll admit, it's getting a little shaggy but I've totally seen worse on older babies. In my defense, the kid is only fifteen months old, he squirms and fights when we change his diaper, and he wiggles and fusses when we change his clothes, and he cries and whines when I wash his hair....you really think he's gonna let me cut it? I've been wanting to trim it so Jordan and I got creative this weekend and sat him down for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (the only thing that keeps his attention for more than two minutes) and I began to cut his baby hair. It wasn't the easiest thing in the world and it took FOREVER, but at least it's done and hopefully people will leave me alone.

For all of you anxiously awaiting the day this crazy mom will finally cut her child's ridiculously long hair, the wait is over.

Behold! My new little stud in all his short-hair glory.

My new camera

I got a new camera at the beginning of the year and I absolutely LOVE it. I've already had so much fun with it. I'm sure you can all tell that my favorite photo subject is my Tobi, he is just so darn funny I can't help but photograph all his silly moments in addition to all the others. Yesterday at Amber's place, he was being so goofy for her that I had to pull out my camera and photograph him. Then again this morning, he was playing in his favorite chair and the light from the window was coming in nice on his face and once again...I had to pull out my camera. He busts out the cheesiest grins for me now when I get my camera out, it's been so much fun taking his pictures lately. I'm excited for the weather to warm up so I can take him to my favorite park and do pictures (maybe by then he'll be walking!). I love doing pictures outside. Here are some of my favorite pictures that I've taken since I got my camera.

Baby fun

My cousin Amber has recently found out she is having a baby GIRL this summer and we are SO excited! We got together with her today and picked out some super cute fabric to make some car seat canopy's. We followed the pattern that I used on Tobi's when he was smaller and they turned out so cute! I also have to mention that Tobi loved showing off for her. He was being so silly. Amber has been on a craving kick for smarties and lucky for Tobi, she was more than happy to share with him. I think the two of them are now friends for life ha ha! Anyway, here are some fun pics of our latest happenings, enjoy!

Grandma Nedra & Aunt Marlei

Nedra and Marlei have been babysitting for us every Thursday so that I can make it to my math class while Jordan finishes his shift at work. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am that they are doing this for us. I know it's just one day, but finding a weekly babysitter has sometimes been a challenge for us. I was so excited when Nedra told us she could take him every week and so far it's going great. He gets so excited when I drop him off and I'm glad that Nedra gets to spend that time with him. It's so good for him to get to know his other Grandma. From what I hear, he loves climbing up and down their stairs (we don't have those at home) and he's been really good for them. It's nice to drop him off and know that he's in safe and capable hands. I don't trust my little angel with just anyone!

Thank you Grandma Nedra and Auntie Marlei, you are the best!

He's on his way!

We've been working with Tobi a lot lately trying to help him be brave when it comes to walking. We'll hold his little hands and help him walk around the apartment and he loves it. Today I showed him that he can also walk with his little train that he got from Grandma and Grandpa Coates and the Swasey's last year. He was nervous at first but once he got going, he got so excited! He's a little stiff and unsure, but he plugs right along and we are SO proud of him. I'm hoping that this will help him to get his balance a little bit better and he'll feel better about standing on his own, and then eventually walking. His range of motion has gotten SO much better these last couple of months and he climbs all over everything. I've noticed that when I hold his hands to help him walk, he really depends on me a lot to keep him upright, but when he walks with his train it's all on him. It was so great to see his face light up today when he walked his train down the hallway and back. And then he did it for Grandpa and Grammy Olson. And then he did it for Daddy. And then he did for Uncle Andrew and Aunt Bronwyn. He got lots of praise and encouragement from all of us and I am so happy that he is so loved.

Way to go buddy!

Andrew and Bronwyn

We got to have Uncle Andrew and Aunt Bronwyn over for dinner tonight and it was nice visiting with them! We haven't seen them in a little while and we really missed them. Tobi totally showed off when they got here and was climbing all over EVERYTHING. I have to buckle the little stinker into his highchair now and even then he manages to wiggle out sometimes. I made my pork roast with apple pork gravy and it turned out great. Then for dessert I made the fruit pizza that Jocelyn always does for us, and it too turned out fabulous. We don't get to see them too often because of the way our schedules are with work and school, so when we do get to spend time with them it's really nice. I'm so glad that Andrew found Bronwyn, they're such a great fit together. Hopefully we will get to see them again soon rather than later!

The Kennel

I don't know what it is with babies and dog kennels, but they love them. And Tobi is no exception. I was getting him ready to go to Grandma Nedra's today and when I went back to my room to grab him, this is how I found him.

May I also add that he was pretty darn proud of himself.

S'ghetti lunch

I gave Tobi spaghetti and meatballs for lunch today and he DEVOURED it, if you can't tell from the color of his face. When he decided he was done eating it, he decided to play with it...I figured what the heck, he's already a mess. I've always been kind of a clean freak, even when it comes to Tobi. I try to put bibs on him and roll up his sleeves, and then I also avoid particularly messy foods. Lately though I've found myself growing more chill. I don't want to freak out every time my child gets a little dirty....especially since he's a boy. Boys get dirty. I've noticed a change in my attitude since the new year has begun and I'm a lot more relaxed all around with Tobi. It's been really nice and I can tell he really enjoys the extra freedom. He's such a riot and I'm so grateful I get to spend my days with him.

Daisy snuggles

The past couple of days have been a little rough having our new puppy, but it's also been really fun. Tobi is totally fascinated by her and when she's around he goes after her. He likes to pet her and give her snuggles. I don't think she appreciates it too much, he gets a little rough sometimes (he doesn't mean to) but it's so cute to watch him love her. He can never get close enough to Jessa to give her loves. She knows he likes to pull her hair and she runs anytime he goes near her. What's funny is that he hasn't tried pulling Daisy's hair yet. I'm just glad he likes her and that he's being fairly gentle. He's such a sweet little boy.

Meet Daisy

This is our newest little member of our family, Daisy. We got to go out to Manti today and pick her up and we have been so excited (and maybe a little bit nervous too, a puppy is a BIG deal). We decided that we would find Pepper a home and replace her with a second dog. She wanted to be outside ALL the time and I really hated dealing with a litter box in our little apartment. I found her a VERY loving home and then Jordan and I went on the hunt for a sheltie. Jordan has wanted one for a very long time and I'm glad that we were able to make it happen.

Tobi absolutely loves her. He gets a little excited though and can be rough so we're trying to teach him what "soft" means. So far she's been pretty good with him too. She has the sweetest little personality and I'm excited to see how she does with our family.

Wish us luck!

The Seven Days of Valentines

My wonderful husband decided to do the seven days of valentines for me this year and it was so fun! Everyday I got to look forward to a new little gift from him and he was so sweet about it too! It was such a clever idea and he was so excited to give me each of my gifts. Since the two of us had school on Monday night, we decided we'd celebrate our Valentines day on Sunday. I gave Jordan a really nice bottle of cologne, he hasn't had the nice stuff in a while and I was super excited to give it to him. As for me, here are my gifts in the order I received them...

Day 1: A heart box full of chocolates

Day 2: Glee season 2 and Step Up 2 (because he loves how I sing and dance when I'm happy)

Day 3: A super soft valentine throw with a matching heart pillow

Day 4: My own valentine coffee mug with a cute little bear inside it

Day 5: A red picture frame titled "Love" with my two favorite guys in it

Day 6: "I Love You" stickies on the bathroom mirror and a Valentines card on the counter

Day 7: A CRICUT EXPRESSION!!!!!!!

Have I mentioned yet that I have the BEST husband EVER? Because I do!

My fabulous new shelf

This is my new beautiful shelf that I purchased a few weeks ago to hang above the sofa table in my hallway. I'm very excited about this shelf because I bought it unfinished at Roberts, and then painted it and stained it myself. I think it turned out so good and I LOVE the color. My awesome husband hung it on the wall for me and then I finished decorating it to make it complete. I think it fills in the gap there very nicely.

My breakfast nook

About a month ago, I spotted this table at Kmart and fell in love with it. I just had to have it and lucky for me, Jordan loved it too. Unfortunately, they were out of stock both in the store and online. I was devastated! I had my heart set on that table and they said they might have more about mid-february. I am not a very patient person and I really didn't want to wait that long so I searched all the other stores in the area for my table. I found a couple, but the price was almost three times as much as what Kmart was selling theirs for. I had no choice but to wait.

A few days ago, Jordan stopped by Kmart on a whim to see if they might have more.....and they did! He brought it home and went right to work putting it together. I was SOOOOO excited! I love it and I'm so glad we were able to get one. Here is my new table!

My Valentine/St. Patricks Day blocks

This last weekend Shannon and I got together so that we could finally make our Valentine blocks (we've only had the supplies for oh...ever!). I decided to do a double holiday on mine, so on the front I did "L.O.V.E." for Valentines day, and then on the back I did "L.U.C.K." for St. Patty's. That way next month, I just have to turn them around and then I have decoration for March as well. I was pretty proud of myself. :)

PS. Adam was kind enough to get the wood and cut it for us, and then Shannon painted them.

Thanks guys!

The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

This weekend we celebrated Kayson's FIRST birthday by throwing a Mickey Mouse party. Shannon totally outdid herself, the party was amazing! We did the invitations together and they turned out SO cute, and then we made the cutest little thank you's for people to take when they left. I was also able to do a cute Happy Birthday banner in mickey mouse font thanks to my wonderful cricut. Another of Shannon's friends made him the COOLEST mickey mouse cake ever and he DEVOURED it. He must have known it was his day because he was totally hammin' it up. He had a blast opening his presents (I'm sure his favorites were from Auntie Steph and Uncle Jordan!) and he got the cutest little mickey mouse airplane. He played on it for the rest of the night, he loved it!

Here are some pics of the birthday boy and his party, enjoy!

Tobi's Alphabet

I've had my eye on the cutest download for vinyl and a couple weeks ago, Jordan let me buy it. I was so excited! I went to Roberts and got some of their vinyl by the foot and went straight to work. It turned out to be a bigger project than what I thought, but it was so worth it! I finished putting the vinyl on his wall this morning and I LOVE it. Everytime I walk into his room I can't help but admire my hard work. Here's a look at Tobi's alphabet!

Another Fabulous First

We got together with the Maughan family tonight and we all went to Chuck E. Cheese for a little pre-birthday party celebration. Kayson is turning one tomorrow and we wanted to go to Chuck's when both the guys could go too. It actually turned out to be a first not only for Tobi, but for Jordan too. Both of my guys had a blast! We shared pizza and breadsticks, and played lots of fun games. Tobi liked racing with Jordan the best, he was so proud to be helping his daddy....adorable!

Kayson is walking like a pro and has been for a while now, so I thought I'd do what any good Auntie does.....I gave him squeaky shoes. Adam and Shannon loved them and Kayson thought it was pretty awesome. He kept kicking his feet together in the back seat of the car after we left, just so he could hear them squeak, it was the cutest thing ever! I have a couple of pairs of squeaky shoes stashed away for Tobi when he decides he's ready to walk and I'm so excited. It was nice having them on Kayson at Chuck E. Cheese because we always knew where he was...that kid is FAST. We are so excited to be celebrating his birthday tomorrow and so glad that we got to be included tonight.

As you can see from the pictures....we all had LOADS of fun!

FEBRUARY!!

Here is the fabulous February desktop, I think Shabby Princess did a fantastic job on this one.

If anyone else would like to pick up these super cute monthly desktops, you can find them at The Shabby Shoppe blog. They offer them each month as a totally FREE download.

Love it!