I got crafty...

Last week, the craft bug bit me...BAD!!! :) I haven't really been able to get crafty since William was born [the time issue] and because we were living in an upstairs condo [the space issue]. So now that we're at my parents house, I've got plenty of room to spread out [i.e. make a HUGE mess] and William always has someone to hang out with! [DOUBLE yay!!!]

A few months ago, Under the Sycamore posted a tutorial for a message board using an old frame and chicken wire. I LOVED the idea and decided this would be a great way to display Christmas cards. I've had this ugly framed mirror forever but never wanted to get rid of it. I knew I could do something with it! Here is my before, during & after shots.


Now I'm hoping I actually get to use it this year! :) [Or I guess it will be hanging in my parents house!]



I also made a few onesies for William. I found a tutorial on freezer paper stenciling. I couldn't believe it actually worked!!! And since he giggles every time we watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I thought he needed a little Mickey onesie.




I painted another Mickey with the cut out pieces but it didn't turn out nearly as good.

I can't wait to have the space where I can do all my crafting!

love, lauren

Homeless and HAPPY

As of last weekend, we are officially homeless...and we couldn't be happier about it! We were living in a condo on the second floor and carrying a 22 pounder up a flight of stairs several times a day was just too much! So we loaded everything up in a POD and bid farewell to #801.


Right now we are living with my parents (LOVE them) and house hunting. There are several reasons why I don't mind being displaced...the #1 reason would be all the willing hands to hold baby boy, but a real close second would be the sidewalks for afternoon strolls, coffee always brewing (thanks to Kyle), fellow late night peeps (my fam stays up late), heated games of badminton, morning coffee with my mom...the list could go on and on! :)


Adam and my dad beat us twice last night...yikes. My swing is a little rusty!

And I had to share this pic...we were walking around the neighborhood and saw this sign a few houses down. I just don't know what I think about this! :)



Happy Halloween from the little skeleton!


love, lauren

Baby Preparedness

Have you gone to the gym without your tennis shoes? [sadly, yes] The grocery store without your wallet? [yes again and it was really awkward & embarrassing] So why am I surprised when I go ANYWHERE without the baby necessities?!?

Last week I showed up to my morning bible study without William’s bag. It’s not like I forgot the bottle or the diapers or the nunni or the nunni clip…I forgot the entire bag! How is that possible at this point; I have been doing this for seven months! Several friends came to the rescue and shared diapers, wipes, even a bottle with the 100% unprepared mother! :)

Learn my lesson??? Not yet! Friday night was a similar experience. We went to Johnny’s Pizza with some friends and their kiddos. This time I was more like 25% unprepared! :) [getting better!] I had his bag, a nunni, toys, but no bottle. In my defense, I fed him right before we left but you always end up staying out longer than planned! :)

All in all, we had great weekend! Here’s a few pics…

And a few more pics from seven months with the giraffe...

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” Ephesians 3:17-18

Oh, how He LOVES us!

love, lauren

William, 7 Months

Yesterday marked 7 months for my little man.
He is 21.8 pounds and 27 ¼ inches long.


This week one of his bottom teeth popped out. You can barely see it but I know it’s there! :) And the one right next to it is about to break through. This meant two sleepless nights for me but I can’t wait to get some good pictures of those little suckers!

I spy a little tooth. :)

He just started sucking on his top lip and it cracks me up…he looks like a paw paw when he does it.


Still not a big roller. He’ll do it but it’s not something he does for fun. But he sits up like it’s nobody’s business. Go William!


First real babbling goes to the dad…yep, he LOVES to say da-da! He also likes to say tis. This is how our conversation goes…

Me: “Whatcha thinking about this morning?”

William: “da-da-da-da-da-da [crescendo style] tis-tis-tis-tis [softly] AHHHHHHHH [pretty much an all out scream followed by giggles]!”

That’s how he responds to all my questions…and I LOVE hearing it every time. I can’t wait for ma-ma to be added to the mix.


His favorite song is Wheels on the Bus, favorite foods are Yo-Baby with the fruit/veggie mix and oatmeal with pears and cinnamon [he’s got a sweet tooth like his mama], is turning into a giggle machine [I found those tickle spots], likes to get out of the house as much as I do, grabs things and doesn’t let go, has figured out how to put his nunni back in his mouth and holds his bottle by himself [*tear* he's growing up], takes decent naps, goes down for the night between 7 and 8. Oh, and he has mastered the fake cough! :)


He is becoming more of a little boy everyday.

It’s FRIDAY!!!

love, lauren

My Internet Debut

Before I decided to stay home with William, I was an elementary art teacher. I LOVED my job! I loved my job so much I would do my lesson plans for the entire year over the summer! [is that embarrassing?!?] That had a lot to do with no child to tend to and a little too much free time on my hands. [aahhhh, long gone are the days of free time]

Anywho, while I was on maternity leave last school year, I got a very interesting phone call from my principal. She informed me Forest Heights was selected by the Department of Education showcasing the positive aspects of public education. She wanted me to come back and teach a class for the filming (which was done by the History Channel). I couldn't pass up this opportunity! Here is part of the article from the US Department of Education’s website…

“This week, the Department of Education released a video about a remarkable public elementary school that combines the art of learning with the learning of art. Produced for ED by the History Channel, the new video tells the story of Forest Heights Academy of Excellence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana—an award-winning public magnet school where students excel in both academics and the performing and the visual arts…”

AND…here is the video! I have the tiniest little part around 1:16.



Hubs keeps telling me, “I love map” [we quote Anchorman] :) And apparently I didn’t have any good sound bites to put in the video! [this makes me laugh] In my defense…I had been on maternity leave for 6 weeks, had been up several times the night before feeding the babe and I had to teach in front of a “real” film crew! I admit…I was nervous.

All to say, I thought the video turned out SOOO great and I’m so proud of all the great things going on at Forest Heights!!!

It’s Tuesday…and it feels like summer again, eh!

love, lauren

Somebody is getting BIG! :)

This week William had his 6 month pictures. I was so happy with his newborn pics and was really looking forward to his next photo shoot. (I did a package where he gets newborn, 6 month, and one year pictures.) Side note…I have come to terms with the fact that picture days are only going to get more difficult with time! So, I am getting the little stinker dressed Tuesday morning and the planned outfit is now to small. AHHHHH!!! [this is a frustrated scream, not a sigh of relief] He wore it to church two weeks ago and it never crossed my mind to try it on again. I tried a couple other outfits but nothing was working. On top of this, I had planned to take a few pics with him…that didn’t happen! I barely made it out the door with make-up on. No mommy pics this go round!

Considering all the pre-pictures drama…the shoot itself could not have gone any better. He smiled like a champ in his “unsnapped” outfit! Of course, I had to do some tucking and the photographer had to position herself to keep the diaper out. And then we lost the outfit altogether and took some naked shots! LOVED those! (I know he’ll hate me later for them but that booty is too cute!)

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

My little boy is getting too big!!! [Hmmmm, I wonder if his overalls will fit next week???]

love, lauren

Fun with iMovie

William got so tickled last night after dinner. I was so happy to have my phone right there and capture his little giggles. And I just couldn’t help myself so I brought into iMovie and had some fun.

Happy Saturday!

love, lauren

Almost There

It has been a VERY long two weeks. It looked something like this…

William coughs. I wake up. William coughs again. I wake up again.

Two weeks of this nastiness! But…we’re almost there! We are so close to complete wellness, and just in time for the real sick season! :)

In other William news, his love for mum-mums started this week. To be completely honest, I don’t know who enjoys mum-mums more…me or William?!?! He loves to gnaw on the flavored rice rusks [with the occasional gag] and it’s nice knowing I have something to distract him for twenty minutes if I need to. Sometimes it’s as if he knows when to lose it…I’m on the phone with the insurance people and he decides to practice those lovely new screams. Oh yes, we will always have mum-mums in the house. [I hope he likes them next week!]


LOVED the book club. I can’t believe I have gone this long without being in one. We decided to read Catching Fire and Mockingjay to discuss next month. I’m on the waiting list at the library [laughing]. You know the website People of Wal-Mart? I think I might have to start a website for People of the Library in Baton Rouge. The place was packed and everyone was very unique. I desperately wanted to snap a few pics but I withheld!

We got a special visit from Adam’s grandparents this week. They are the SWEETEST!!!

[they brought us a new friend, Joey:)]

Hot Diggity Dog…It’s FRIDAY!!!

love, lauren