Merry Maytime!

Hi everyone!  As I mentioned in my last post a lot has been happening around here so I thought I'd share a bit of the goings on! :)  NOTE: This post was drafted almost 2 weeks ago but I had some issues with the images so here it is now!

A couple weeks ago my MIL, Mr. Fox, Little Fox and I went off to visit with Mr. Fox's great aunt.  She is in the nursing home.  We had a grand little time and Aunt Susie loved visiting with everyone and Little Fox!  We also stopped at Lilac Farm and Mr. Fox is now doing a daily forecast for them!  They had a cute little prim shop and my MIL and I were excitedly talking about the day when in some future time we hope to open up a little shop too!

My MIL also found one of Mr. Fox's jackets he wore as a baby and Little Fox now wears it!  It's so cute on him!  Here is Grandmummy with Little Fox. :)

On our way back from church the other weekend ago I had Mr. Fox stop at a house that had a lot of stuff out front labeled "FREE".  If you know me, I love a good free item hehe.  I found this nice piece of furniture that was a bit beat up and am working on refurbishing it.  It's a sturdy piece but was a dark burgundy and scratched up and the edge of a corner was broke off somewhat and beat up.  We have an amazing dollar store out here and I got a rustoleum Antiquing Black kit last year sometime for only a dollar!  I'm working on painting it black and will antique it and plan to paint a chicken on the front and maybe a cow on one side and maybe a pig on the other.  We'll see what happens.  So far I haven't had time because my spare time when it's nice I end up spending outside!

You see, SPRING has finally SPRUNG here!  Flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is green and has even had to be mowed once already and pollen is in the air!  (Yes I've been sneezing a lot lately).  But I won't complain.  It's been a lovely last several days.  I've been able to break out the shorts even for Little Fox and we've been outside starting to hoe the veggie garden, weeding, and drinking in the sun and warmth.  I was thinking today while sitting outside eating lunch that with all the colors, sights, warmth and feeling close to God it could almost be heaven if it didn't include the allergies and biting bugs!  My legs have become a kabob to the swarms of biter bugs out here.

I started working on freshening up some paint on a few scattered picket fence pieces today as well!

Last week was my MIL's dad's birthday and we went up to go see Poppop and Nana to celebrate.  Little Fox gave him a birthday balloon!  Little Fox's "Fake Uncle Jake" (Mr. Fox's cousin) also dropped by and I took a picture with the two of them.

Friday I was going to go to the store and a quick run at a barn sale not expecting much.  In the end though we found not one but two Prince Albert tobacco tins!  Mr. Fox decided to come with me and it wasn't just a quick run-- instead we made a date of going to town to shop and also eat Chinese and play mini golf.  It was a great time!  There was an older couple golfing too and I told Mr Fox that that will be us in 40 years haha! 

Saturday was garage sale day with Mr. Fox and my MIL and of course Little Fox!  Though it ended up being less exciting than I imagined in my head (it was a town-wide one) I did find a great steal!  It was a wonderful northwoodsy crib set that I got for only $10!  That was my favorite deal of the day.  Here's Little Fox hanging out with the animals this morning as I folded laundry.

Sunday was also exciting--my sweet little Niece Allison got Baptized!  It was a wonderful day for a Baptism and here is a picture!  She and Little Fox are growing so so fast!

I think this is a long enough post for the evening so until next time, have a Merry MAY!

A Little Bit of This a Little Bit of That

Thought I would share a pic of Peter and his cousin Allison a day after she was born at the hospital

Good evening friends!  Thought I'd try my hand at another post, partially because I feel there is still so much news I haven't shared and also to motivate me to continue posting!  As I sit here blogging the room I'm in has the lights out as I'm trying to get little Fox to fall asleep.  He is in his swing right now making a bit of noise but I can tell he is tired.  No, we don't have a set bed-time for him here yet.  For the first several months he would sleep when he was tired no trouble lights on or off.  Things are changing a little I'm noticing the last couple weeks and he's getting tired around 8:30ish-9 but he likes to eat/be held instead of just put down.  I'm sure eventually we'll need to do more of a "time for bed" routine but so far it's not quite the case as often we are out and about so a routine then wouldn't be the most helpful either. 

As I mentioned previously, much has happened and one of the things was a little over a month ago my first niece was born.  She is so cute and very tiny compared to Little Fox!  Little Fox was almost 3 months old when she was born.  Time flies though and yesterday I took him in for his 4 month appointment!  Can't believe we have had him 4 months already!  It was a year ago I found out I was pregnant with him--excited but nervous I would miscarry again.  Feels like just yesterday.  His doctor appointment went well--he weighed in at 15.3 pounds!  Big little guy!  I love him so :)

Today my MIL and I went to church then hung out back at my place.  We chatted and talked about quilts and she showed me how to properly cut a boarder for Little Fox's blanket I am sewing him.  It will be so much fun to finally complete (I hope very soon!)  Starting projects is my weakness/strength but finishing them can be more difficult for me! 

Among other news I also am taking my dog to a Beginners I obedience class and have been doing commissions to pay for the class.  As a finale for the night I'll share some of the pieces I've been doing.  I have a few more to go after these as well!

Auggie

Copper

Lucky

Izzy

Jack

Zoey, Kodiak, and Behr

Celeste and Lacy

Sassy

Bravo

Think that's all for tonight.  Hoping to get a lot more stuff done tomorrow (especially practice Strider's training before class!) 

Thankful Thursday

Hi everyone!  Thought I would do a Thankful Thursday post today.  As I type my almost 4 month old Little Fox is laughing/chattering from his swing next to me.  I can tell he is tired and could use a nap ;)  Sometimes he gets more talkative/finds things hilarious right before he needs to crash.  I'm kind of hoping he falls asleep happy rather than hitting an I am tired-to-tears first bit haha.

Little Fox laughing as I type.

So what am I thankful for?  Lately I've been counting several of my blessings.  My loving husband is one of them.  Mr. Fox always takes time out to talk to me (like when I've been trying to figure out my anxieties) and he takes time to care for our Little Fox.  Today we had a little time before he went to work at the library for an hour to snuggle and play with Little Fox.  Nova loves the couch too and is in the pic as well.

Warm weather!  Today was super windy but it was still decently comfortable outside.  I dressed Little Fox up and out we went to do a bit of garden cleaning.  It's been such a blessing to be out in our yard.  Last year I was always too busy with work (and with pregnancy often felt too tired/somewhat sick) to want to do yard stuff.  It's been one of God's great blessings I can now stay home and take care of my son, our animals, and concentrate on making our house a real home the last few months.  When I was working last year I was often uptight and stressed because I always had TOO much unfinished business at home and not enough time to do it all.  The gardens were fairly unworked last year as a result and this year I am looking forward to tending them more. 

Little Fox in the yard.  He ended up preferring to be in his wrap as opposed to the stroller or the ground so work was a little more difficult but still was nice to be out!  He's sporting his sunglasses for the first time hehe.

When Mr. Fox came home we also got to take Strider to the tennis courts so he could run a little and chase balls.  I think he liked the exercise! 

"Oh boy oh boy oh boy!  I love balls!"

I'm also thankful God gifted me with creativity!  I've been TRYING to finish Little Fox's baby quilt for months and I'm hoping to have the top done very soon.  A bit more sewing on edges then I'll be ready for some edging!  Here's an in-progress picture:

This is an original design by me!  My mother-in-law is teaching me how and I'm grateful for that--also grateful that Wunderunder exists!  Not sure I'd be able to do a design like this otherwise! 

I am also thankful for YOU dear friends!  Thank you for taking the time to read my very sporadic posts.  I keep trying to blog more regularly but still struggle in that department.  My husband is suggesting I try to pick a certain day of the week like Thursday to do this.  I'd like to try.  A LOT has been happening this past month I'd love to share, from visiting family to hosting my first Pinterest party, to sharing pics of my first Niece!  Thanks for all your patience--I know I'm not the best at this by far but I'd like to get more regular with posts :) 

Amazing Pin-keep Swap!

Happy Friday everyone!  I had wanted to post this post yesterday as a 'Thankful Thursday' post however I got rather side-tracked during the day and before I knew it Thursday as over.  Today's post is a bit of an overdue THANK YOU to Christina at Pendleton Primitives for her half of the pinkeep swap that my mother-in-law from Ravenwood Whimzies put on.

I was very excited when the package came in the mail back in February!  When I opened it up I got several amazing goodies!

There is an Annie Stump Doll, an Ornie for my son, the ADORABLE Fox Pin-keep and some cinnamon and heart bowl fillers!

See?  Isn't it amazing?  Everything smelled so amazing to boot! :D

I LOVE my pin-keep!  So personal!

I love how Christina did my pinkeep in the super cute Bob's Box!  The stitchery of the fox is adorable and very suited to my tastes!

Here's a more close-up pic of the sheep ornie. I love it!

The Annie Homestead Stump Doll--smells so delicious!

Thank you so much Christina!  I love it all!  For my half I made her a cute Ellie the Elephant pinkeep from a Cheswick Company pattern.  I thought it looked too much fun to make and I later find out Christina actually loves circus stuff! 

I made the tomato one for Christina and then my husband was disappointed when he heard I was going to be giving it away haha!  So I surprised him and made the one on the ball for Valentine's day.  I wanted hearts on it for the Valentine's day aspect but put stars on it as well so it will look good up all year.  These are super fun to make!

Thank you again for the swap Christina it was a lot of fun to do! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Pics of Baby Peter!

More recent pic of Peter at 4 or 5 weeks.

Hey everyone!  The other day ago my MIL from Ravenwood Whimzies told me I haven't posted in a while--and I haven't, and I stated I was feeling intimidated on where to begin because it's been so long and so much happened!  She suggested I start by posting pics of my son, Peter Francis to start.  I'm hoping to catch up by writing the story of his birth and some other happenings soon too but this is a good start. :) By the way--I have the WORST time when it comes to choosing where I put my pictures on my blog.  I either can't type after adding a picture or (as was the case here) I can't put my pictures in successive order as I wish.  Any tips on that?  It's super frustrating.

He's a smarty--look he is making a "1" with

his finger!

 

Shortly before Peter was born!

He's Here!  Peter at the Hospital

Peter in his first pair of clothes!  A bit big though.

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Swap Goodies!

I just wanted to take a few moments and show your some swap goodies made by Kendra over at The Stone House Primitives!  She was my swap partner in my MIL's Thankful Friends swap.  I have to say when I got the package I squealed with delight!  It felt like Christmas!  Kendra made everything so personal--I absolutely loved EVERYTHING!  She sent a birch-tree frame (we love northwoods stuff!) a cute moose ornie, she needlefelted our baby his FIRST ornie ever too!  She also sent some homemade Woof Snax for Strider, some cute pet tea towels, a yummy smelling candle with an awesome wool wrap-around for it, an ADORABLE angel kitty, a needle felted Strider dog (not pictured and I'll explain why later) and something I've wanted for a long time but never expected something so personally-done--a penny rug but this one has Golden Retrievers around it!  Looks like my dog!  Ah thank you Kendra! 

All of her wonderful goodies!

Two of my favorite things--Kendra did a stichery candle cover of one of my favorite Lord of the Rings quotes!  I've also wanted a penny rug for ever so long and she did one of my golden retriever Strider! LOVE!!

Kendra was so thoughtful--she made our baby his FIRST Christmas Ornament!

I love this--we have a black cat so it's' so fitting.

 So you might be wondering why I wasn't able to yet picture my awesome needle-felted Strider.  The culprit (or rather accused as we know it was her) above is the reason why.  When we weren't home Tinuviel our kitty decided to try to practice voo-doo on our poor dog.  She grabbed my Strider off the counter and did a bit of claw and teeth work.  I was so mad!  I fixed the issue then put him on a higher, thinner decorative shelf for protection.  Then my husband and I went to visit my brother-in-law and his wife for the day.  When we came back, Tinuviel had Strider in her mouth AGAIN and scaled the shelf for him!  This time he was worse for the wear (though fixable) but I just haven't had a chance to fix him yet.  She's managed to find his wooly body no matter wherever I hide it so once it's fixed, this doggie is going behind glass.  That second time I ended up literally bawling because more than anything I think it's hormones on a high.  It's the third trimester (5 more weeks to go!) and what I wasn't aware of was it's apparently common to feel terribly emotionally off-kilter near the end. My midwife's suggestion to help with my anxiety/depression?  Lots and lots of Chamomile Tea! 

Thank you again Kendra for all of your sweet kindness and for being my swap partner!  I so enjoyed making things for you and LOVE what you sent! 

 I have lots more news to share including about my SURPRISE (and man was I surprised!) baby shower, and some projects (like the unfinished crib bumper shown above) but that will have to wait for another day.  I hope to write more soon!  Just don't expect it TOO soon--with 5 more weeks to go and a million things to do, I'm not sure what to do with myself sometimes! 

Blessings!