That Time I Bought a Giant Artichoke

     I mentioned last time that Keith and I bought a house!  I so badly want to show you every picture, but these things are never done until they’re done.  As of now, we plan to close on August 14th, and we could not be more excited!  Let’s back up a little so I can tell you how all of this came about…

     Keith and I started looking at houses last summer.  Really quickly we found this really cute house out in the country.  It needed some serious cosmetic love (paneling everywhere and a really attractive blue shower…ew), but the lot was great and the owner was practically giving it away.  We were getting all of our things in order to make an offer, and the owner traded it to a family member.  Ouch.  The only bright spot is that it didn’t happen after the offer was in.  I was pretty upset (that’s a large understatement).  Regardless, we kept looking and found not one thing that we loved.  Fast forward to when I have a three week old baby and my sister moves back to town, and we decide that’s the best time to get serious about looking.  #whydoidothesethings

     We struck gold this time with the cutest little house.  It’s maybe one mile from my sister’s new house (practically neighbors!) in a quiet little cove.  The backyard is big and flat with trees and the best deck/patio situation.  Davis is going to have so much fun playing out there.  My favorite part of the entire house is the living room.  Brick fireplace.  Exposed beam ceilings.  One billion built in shelves.  I’ve had a serious lack of decorating surfaces in the apartment…I’m now overwhelmed with surfaces.

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     Naturally, I took to Hobby Lobby to help with my shelf situation.  This giant (I would guess 8ish in. tall) artichoke(?) was eighty percent off in the garden section.  How could I not buy it?!  It’s my new favorite thing.  It will be receiving a place of honor on the shelves. #everyhomeneedsanartichoke

     In other Hobby Lobby news, the 4th of July stuff is 90% off.  I scooped up several things to decorate with next year.  I struggled with buying things just to pack them away, but I did it anyway because clearance.  I have a feeling this blog may turn into “check the progress of Allyson’s built ins in the near future.”  Get excited!

How to Stay Busy

     I almost don’t even want to type this…but I only have about a week and a half left of summer.  Now is the time I usually start to think about my classroom and what to do in those first few wild weeks of school, but all I want to do is hang out with Davis.  I enjoy teaching, I just enjoy my baby a lot more…obv.
     While he’s napping and I’ve got a few little minutes, I’ve been making a master list of all the things I need to do in my classroom.  Thankfully, I have much less to do this year than in the last two years.  For the first time ever, I’ll be returning to the same room I left.  That means there is waaaaay less to do in the way of moving every single thing I’ve ever collected ever.  Sometime this week or next, I think I’m going to go up to the room and get it all ready so that all I’m left thinking about is plans (which I hope to get ahead of this year).  Naturally I’ve been seeing a ton of gigantic, beautiful, and perfectly organized classrooms all over Pinterest.  Which leads me to this question – Where are all the classrooms with mismatched desks and stained carpet?!  I can’t squeeze out an ounce of inspiration when I’m so distracted by the fact that all of the furniture is fully functional.  Is that real life?!  Where are the rooms that look like this?

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     This was taken on my first day in this classroom (also, coincidentally, the day I found out I was pregnant).  It looked plenty different by the end of the year, and will be looking even better by the end of next week.  If you need me, I’ll be running through Walmart and Dollar Tree like a madwoman.

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     I had to interject that for no other reason than all. the. heart. eyes.  I’m not quite sure why my not even seven week old is a grown man, and I’m not sure I can handle it.  On the bright side, for the past few days he’s taken to taking really long morning naps (in his bed! unswaddled!).  I know I should do something productive with this time…but my brain enjoys the rest.

     Aaaaaand as if there isn’t enough on my plate what with having a baby, getting my classroom ready, helping my sister move back to town (eeeeeeeee!!!!!!!), Keith and I bought a house.  We clearly like to keep busy.  I don’t want to post any pictures until the keys are actually in my hand, so you’ll have to wait a few weeks.  Just know, that I’ve already got paint chips and big plans.  Clearly I’m a little manic because none of these things seem stressful yet.  Ask me how I am in about three weeks.

Red, White, and Blue

     Happy late 4th of July!  We’ve been busy spending time with family, crafting with babies, and eating.  I love any sort of holiday, and I’ve had all sorts of red, white, and blue warm fuzzies for the 4th – the music, the pageantry…the food.  This was Davis’s first big holiday, and the cousins were fully decked out in their red, white, and blue!

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We love these sweet cousins!

     Della loves to decorate for any holiday, so after she adorned the house in streamers and shiny garland, we got busy crafting.  Della and Suzanne made one for my sister.  Davis made one for me, and all the cousins made one for Granny’s house.

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     My sister found the boards at Walmart in a 3-pack for just a few dollars.  We used tempera paint, and if we made any mistakes, we were able to wipe the paint off with a wet rag and redo it without ruining the board! #winning  Also…in case you were wondering, Davis loathes crafting and having his foot painted was apparently pure torture.  Luckily, babies have a short memory, and I love my art!

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Look at those sweet feet!

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The big girls did some firework art (shamelessly pirated from Momfessionals).

     I love how our art turned out.  Davis may be making me a firework picture in a few years!  After our crafting and photo shoot, we spent the afternoon playing outside (the weather was so nice) and eating.  We didn’t go to a firework show, but there were sparklers and smoke bombs to be had in the backyard.  I figure we have a little time until Davis is begging for the big show!
     I seriously cannot believe that it’s already July!  I am soaking up every last minute of this summer with my baby because I know August is coming too soon.  If you need me between now and then, I’ll be staring at my baby.

Dear Davis–1 Month

     Sweet Baby Davis!  You are one month old today!  Sometimes I feel like you’ve been with us forever, but today I can’t believe it’s been a whole month.  You are the sweetest baby, and of course we all think you’re the most handsome too.

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     We are still learning so much about each other, but one thing is for sure…you have some ways that are all your own.  You are loud like Mama with a short fuse (I have no idea who that came from…), and your cry goes from zero to sixty in about two seconds.  Usually a quick snuggle is enough to settle right back down.  Every four hours you completely drain a four ounce bottle (and we had better not even be one minute late!).  At night, you sleep in your crib and usually only wake up when it’s time to eat.  After a a couple of weeks hating your swaddle blanket, you have come to love (or just expect) it every night.  You are not too good at being awake yet; you get so bored, but you’re really working on it.  Speaking of bored…when something displeases you, you are quick to let us know.  You’ve been all over town to church and choir and the store, and you are so content just to hang out in your carseat.

IMG_1677You are really trying to smile these past few days!

Loves
Eating
Snuggling
Your swaddle blanket
Sleeping
Swinging
Wiggling
Loud noises (you sleep through church and choir practice…and our loud voices)

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Sweet Cousins!

Stats
Length: 20 in. at last appointment
Weight: 8 lb. 3 oz. at your two week appointment, probably around 9 now
Head: 90th percentile
Eating: 4 oz. every 4 hours
Sleeping: Like a champ (at night)!

     Davis, we are so glad you’re here and are so thankful that you’re part of our little family.  Every day we learn so much about each other.  You are such a good baby, and we love you so much!  I cannot believe you’re a month old, but I am so excited for every little thing you are going to learn and do. 

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You are a mover and a shaker!  I could not get a single picture where you were still!