Monogramed Stockings

An update to last year's post about our Christmas stockings...

Last year, we weren't even planning on another stocking!  But my heart was changed by the turning of the new year and God gave us the hope of a baby in one short month!  All that to say that our stocking line-up has increased this year.  Take a look!

A few notes for anyone wanting to make their own stockings:

Start by reading last year's post, HERE.

You'll need:
Red Glitter Felt (by-the-yard in the fabric section), 1-2 stockings per 1/3 yard
White Fleece, 4-6 stockings per 1/3 yard
Black Fabric with interfacing
Ribbon for hanger

I used Baskerville font in size 288 in bold for my letter templates.

Today's Highs...and Lows

Let's begin with last night's low.

Norah would. not. go. to. sleep.
Grr.
9 pm came and went.
10 pm came and went.
11 pm came and went.
You get the picture.
She was up and fussy from 8 pm until 12:30 am.
And finally she was down for the count.

This morning, I was searching for excuses to skip Bible Study.  I had planned to make my return this week after having been out for the summer and after birthing Norah.  And this morning, I wasn't feeling it.  Not even close.  I was tired.  My mouth was still hurting from the cavity I had filled yesterday.  Sarah was being uncooperative.  I had Christmas shopping to do.  The car gas light was on.  And I came up with a few more excuses as I drove home from dropping Caleb off at school.

Then I heard a quiet voice say, "Lauren.  Why are you making all these excuses?  Really.  Are you going to let the enemy keep you from going back to a study that you know will keep you in my word daily?"  I heard it.  I listened to it.  I took it seriously.  And I got myself together and drove to BSF.

Another low as we walked from the car to the church.  Sarah fell in the parking lot and skinned her knee. I tried to carry Norah's carrier while trying to console Sarah, but she was inconsolable.  One of the sweet ladies holding to doors came out to the parking lot to carry Norah into the building so that I could attend to Sarah.  What finally calmed Sarah?  Asking her if she was ready to go to her class and meet her new friends.  What a blessing to have a child eager to meet new friends!

I struggled to decide whether to keep Norah with me during Bible Study or to take her to the infant class.  I ultimately decided to let the leaders keep Norah until she needed to nurse.  It was SO nice to have time to myself without a baby within 2 feet of me.  Ha!

And to end this post with the good stuff...

Highs:
I asked Sarah, "Where is Jesus now?"  She said, "Cooking cookies."  Oh, really?
Chick-fil-A is always a pleasure.
Seeing new BSF friends at lunch.
Accomplishing the purchase of 5 Christmas gifts.

Norah's 2 months!

Norah Elizabeth

2 months old

9 pounds, 9 ounces

21 inches long

Thankful 2011

Although my body has endured the birth of 3 children, I'm thankful for a husband who says I'm beautiful.

Although I try to control how she "parents" my children, I'm thankful for a mom who always looks forward to visiting me and my family.

Although I don't see her as often as I'd like, I'm thankful for a sister who always makes it seem like we haven't missed a beat.

Although we're only in their home a few times a year, I'm thankful for grandparents who always make us feel at home.

Although I'm overly critical of him and downright bossy sometimes, I'm thankful for my firstborn, my Caleb.  I'm very proud of your sweet spirit and your eagerness to learn.

Although I get tired of her frequent whining and her shrill screams, I'm thankful for my spirited and very verbal middle child, my sweet Sarah.

Although she can't seem to sleep for more than 4 hours during the night, I'm thankful for my healthy, growing baby girl, my Norah Beth.

Wet Paint

I've been busy painting...the kids' rooms.

I wanted to do a switcheroo since Caleb's room was a bit larger then the girls' room and I figured that they would need more space than him.

Man!  It's tough to finagle 2 rooms worth of furniture and manage painting in the process.

First, I moved all of Caleb's furniture to the center of his room.  Jadie then patched an endless number of nail holes and a few chunks that Caleb had taken out of the walls over the last few years.  He then changed every last electrical outlet in the room from a regular outlet into a tamper resistant outlet.  Then I finally started painting.  My friend Amanda and I selected "Jamaica Bay" for the girls.  It took me two days to cut in with a brush and roll the walls.

Then I tortured Jadie by having him switch the furniture from one room to another.

Two weeks later, I moved Caleb's furniture to the middle of his new room so I could patch various nail holes and get started painting.  Again, I knocked out the paint job in just two days.  Not bad for working alone with a two year old and a newborn in the house!

I don't have room pictures ready yet, but I do have a couple of photos of the paint colors I selected.  Now you can wait in suspense.  I know you will.

  

As you can tell, this photo is a little off-color.  That's supposed to be a rich, dusty blue.

Norah's Thang

As some of you know, Sarah had a bit of a thing going when she was a wee little one (actually about 6 months to 18 months or so).

She was a hand twirler.

Oh, I wish I could remember all the things people said she'd be when she grows up (things relating to the hands)!  Someone said she'd be an orchestra conductor.  Someone said an air traffic controller.  Someone said dancer.  Someone said hand model.

Who really knows?  Besides, her "thang" isn't really her thing anymore.  We only see it make an appearance occasionally these days.

Anyway, about Norah.

I've noticed that she has a funny little snort going.  Yes,  a snort.

It's part of her regular fussing routine.  She starts out with quick, deep breathing: in-and-out, in-and-out.  Then she add the snort...in-snort, out-snort, in-snort, out-snort.  So cute.   At least for now :-)

Today's Highlights

• Jadie and I both told Caleb he was not allowed to turn in his homework today, despite Caleb's pleas to do so.  His handwriting was downright sloppy.  A do-over is mandatory.
• I got both of the girls bathed and a shower for myself in under one hour.  Holla!
• Mary and Beth invited me out to lunch!
• I climbed to the top of the play place at Chick-fil-A to assist a screaming Sarah, only to have her finally slide down once I was to the top.  Every inch of that equipment was GREASY.  Grossness.
• I swung by 1660 ESPN Radio to pick up two free tickets for Jadie to go to the Baylor Men's Basketball game against ACU.  I thought for sure they'd be gone since they were only giving away two tickets total and it had been announced almost 30 minutes prior.  Score (for Jadie)!  Another evening home alone.  No complaints here.  The game starts at 7:00 pm and I put the kids to bed by 7:30 pm.  True alone time, here I come!