oh my ears and whiskers

the Dormouse and March Hare

Playing dress-up today, boy style. These were the boys' costumes from an Alice in Wonderland themed birthday party last weekend. It was so fun.

hi Mousey

Nicky watched the Disney cartoon version for the first time so he would know what his costume was, and he liked it. I think he channels the March Hare pretty well, don't you?

a nursery for Silas

This room definitely took on the feel of the months while we waited for Silas to make his appearance. I wanted something cozy, autumnal and woodland creature-esque with a homespun feel. This is what I came up with!

crib: hand-me-down from big brother

blanket: crocheted by me

owl "lovie" (in the crib): picked up in a little shop on our Pacific Coast Highway trip

table: belonged to my grandparents, then my parents. It was in our kitchen growing up. I sanded and stained it a darker color to match the crib. There's also a futon on the other side of the room with wood that's about the same color (thank you Craigslist)

bedside table: my nightstand in college, spray-painted blue

lamp: from our bedroom (we finally got a matching set :)

quilt and sweet animal prints: Etsy

mobile: homemade. A few fun afternoons with felt, a needle and thread, and a glue gun. So fun to make!

print: Etsy

little blue shelves: from the Goodwill box, spray-painted blue

Yay for paint and hand-me-downs! I had a lot of fun putting this nursery together. Right now it's kind of just a dressing and diapering room since Silas co-sleeps, but he'll get some good use from it later I'm sure!

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• Nicky, getting his toes in the mud and loving it
• Romans 14
• the "unforced rhythms of grace" I am learning
• Silas' smile that takes over his whole face
• birthday parties
• community
• being exhausted at the end of the day, falling into bed, feeling alive
• a woman I admire in a hospital bed, the strength of her family, the progress she is making
• new life

springing around

I love the energy of Spring. I've been organizing, clearing out clutter, getting my hands in the dirt, and getting so much more fresh air these past few weeks. Aside from a few windy days, it's been so beautiful outside.

We're working on our backyard, in phases. Phase I we're "hiring out", the rest is all us. The plan: a sprinkler system, sod, a peach tree, red mulch, doubling our garden space, expanding the side porch to the rock wall so it makes a nice big patio with space for a table and chairs and doubles as a dance floor, a sandbox, and last but not least a dog run for Penny. Our neighbor makes dog-houses, so that may be in the works as well. Penny's mostly an inside dog, but she loves being outside. I will love her not coating herself in dirt ten times a day.

It's a small space, but I think we have a good plan. I'm super excited to start that garden, but for now I'm just putting flowers and herbs in pots, to stave off the cravings...

This one rolled over while I was at work yesterday! Belly to back. Trying to get a repeat performance today.

the Supermoon

Nicky likes Angry Birds, Penny likes to perch

And I like baby leg-warmers. Not that we'll be needing them for long.

courtesy of the Flip

Ricky's sister got us this great little camcorder, the Flip. I try to keep it close by to catch funny little moments during the day. Uploading videos today, and found these:

Playdate Exhaustion:

Robot Bustamove:

Brothers Laughing:

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• little boy lashes

• big baby yawns
• pain medication for the suffering, the sleep that follows
• not being allowed to refuse medical treatment, regardless of money (I've heard some awful stories this week)
• the Sermon on the Mount (reading and re-reading it for Lent this year...)
• tree blossoms

• garden planning with Ricky
• light on a clean floor
• Sunday afternoons, probably my favorite time of the week
• hearing a bit of wisdom, then needing that very thing soon after (God moments)

• the challenge to work harder, and do better
• and also the grace to let it go at the end of the day

• being shaken here in my comfortable life, realizing how I take peace for granted
• color

• the ease of making friends when you're 4 years old 

Nicky makes plans to catch a duck with his new friends

• sunglasses
• clocking out
• clean, velvety puppy ears

he's growing up

"You know, Mommy, kisses don't actually work."

-Nicky to me after I kiss an owie on his leg

Nicky in 2008