Splish Splash

Potty Time

One of Matt's co-workers is so sweet and lent us a couple of Elmo DVDs her son has outgrown.  She knows that Beckett loooooves his Elmo and thought we might want them... isn't she thoughtful?!  Well he loves them, of course, so we've been watching them together during our downtime.  The funny thing is, this one was in the mix and it's MY favorite one.  The jingle at the beginning is hilarious...

 
It also reminds me that we have to start this whole 'potty training' process fairly soon and I'm dreading it.  DREADING it.  It just sounds like a lot of work, especially for a crazy, can't sit down for two minutes kind of toddler, and I just don't wanna (insert the most whiney voice you can imagine).   Horror stories enter my mind about having to leave full carts in the check out line because your child says "I have to go potty" and then taking him only to find out he really doesn't.  Cleaning up messes all over the house.  Or, my personal favorite, taking him to the pool, him going #2 underwater and watching it float to the top.  Yikes.

Yes, we bought the little potty in preparation for this little process.  No, we haven't used it ever.  It might as well be a toy basket.  I realize I will need to do it soon.  Just. DO. It.  and will be so glad when I don't have to change his diapers anymore, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the time I have with my diaper wearing, portable, not yet a little boy, Baby B.

Week in Snapshots

It's been a pretty uneventful, but fun, week around here.  Just how we like it.  No big stories to share so I decided to post a few snapshots instead. 

Also, if you're on Instagram, come find me @anniehood.  I would love to see your pictures!  

Christmas in March!

Lookie what came in the mail today...

I'm not sure I've ever been more excited for something to arrive on my doorstep.   I was so excited to share it with you too that I didn't even iron my fabric background... oh well.   This special little book took me forever to put together but it was 100% worth it and I just know that the boys will get a kick out of it later on.  To be perfectly honest, though, it's also for Matt and I.  When we're old and senile we'll be able to look back at what young whipper-snappers we once were and how much fun we had with the boys when they were little.   I almost cried today too because holding this book means that all of this time spent on our blog is not at all a waste and, in addition to entertaining all of our friends and family, it has turned into such a precious keepsake for our family.  Since it turned out so well, I'll be starting on 2011 right away!

If you're interested in how I put it together, I'll give you the lowdown.  There are a couple of blog to book options out there that would have worked great, but I decided to go through lulu.com.  It's really meant for publishing a book to sell, but I found it also works for this!  I really wanted it to have the look and feel of our blog, with my colors, signature and formatting and this allowed me to have all of that.  I also found that I wrote a ton of captions underneath my pictures and this would allow me to keep those as well as all of my ramblings and stories.  The website will walk you through publishing, but basically you format your book in word, save as a PDF and upload to the site.  You can choose from one of their covers or, in my case, have a graphic designer design one for you.  I used Jill at Freshly Squeezed Design and she did a fantastic job!  The time consuming part is getting everything ready in word.  I had to copy and paste all of my posts and put them back in order.... not so much fun.  Once you do that, though, just edit your document to look the way you want and voila!  A blog book.

If you're looking for something more fancy with an emphasis on pictures I definitely recommend blurb.com.  We used it for our wedding album and it turned out awesome too.

I can't even tell you how much I love this book, though, so if you're thinking of starting a blog or thinking of making a book from your blog, I say go for it!  You won't regret it.

Cuddle Bug

I live for moments like these...

Even if the other one is running amuck at the same time and dangerously close to driving his mom insane.

Jane Jenni Personalities

I am smitten over the boys' new plates..

I just think they are so darn cute!   Cute AND non-breakable?!  Sold.  Since most of their food and dinnerware end up on the floor, this is very important. :)   There are so many different options to choose from too!  The official website is here, but they seem to be out of all of the good ones so I emailed them to see when they would be replenishing their inventory.  6-8 weeks.... bummer.  Luckily I hunted them down on Amazon too and they're now in our cabinet, woop woop.  Wouldn't they make a cute gift for that special little tot in your life?

Park Playdate

The weather is so perfect today!

Beckett decided to spend the morning outside with his BFF, Meryl. :)