Check this out!

So I love the blog Thrifty Decor Chick. I wish I could have her come to my house and fix it up and show me how to spray paint properly!

Anyway....seems she is giving away a Silhouette! Just look at some of the cuteness you could make!

Custom iron-ons like you see on etsy all the time!

Awesome vinyl decor for the house!

Super cute notecards!

Seems like a great tool to have around!  So go over to Thrifty Decor Chick and check out the different ways to win!  And if anyone has an extra just sitting around the house gathering dust....pass it this way!

Did you know?

Shutterfly is giving away 50 Free Christmas cards to bloggers!
I am VERY excited about this (not to mention I'm loving having Holly Jolly Christmas in my head!) Phillip and I have never sent out photo cards. He has always thought it was silly if you don't have kids(what a man, huh?). But I happen to enjoy getting my sister's card with her 2 pooches in it (and I also enjoying seeing Vanessa's Claire). And honestly, we usually don't get cards out until the week before Christmas anyway. Now that James is here, I cannot wait to design and send one (or more than one) out! They not only have the traditional glossy cards, but nice card stock and flip photo ones, too

How cute is this one?


I always love getting photo cards, especially from far away friends. It helps us all feel connected with our ever growing and changing families. In our townhouse, we lined the top of entertainment center and the bay window with all our cards. I love it when they start rolling in! Now we actually have a mantel...so I'm excited to get out the garland and put up my cards and stockings!

I have not used Shutterly before, but I have received several Christmas cards and birth announcements from them. I HAVE used a major competitor of theirs and have not been pleased with the results. I have NEVER heard anyone complain about the quality of their purchases from Shutterfly. And their design are SO stinking cute.
They are also always running some sort of promotion. I see the blogs about it and I plan on getting on their email list as well (Little Man is going to be 1 soon and we will need invites!).


LOVING this one!

You can also sign up to get free Christmas cards, too! This is a generous offer so check it out!

I KNOW I said I would post more...

And I will really try this time!

We had a fabulous October at our house. It seemed like we had something going on every weekend.





James is 9 months now and into E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. He loves to laugh and is so curious.

he started crawling a few days before his 8 month birthday and has gotten REALLY fast with it. He also has been pulling up and cruising since around 7 months. He cut his first two teeth in October and finally started STTN (sleeping through the night for you non-bump savvy folks) with a little help from my new best friend, Rick.

After James' illness and hospitalization in August, he lost a little weight and we've been playing catch up. But my "little" guy is now over 20lbs! He eats anything we give him and ALWAYS wants more. He is down to usually 4 bottles a day and then a combo of table food and baby food. His favorites are pasta, veggie soup, chicken and yogurt.

I know that these blogs are mainly for me now (bc I am so bad at updating...I'm sure no one is still around). Hopefully if you are reading this, you've been able to keep up with my crazy, sweet family on facebook. I really will try harder to keep this site updated (Kari - maybe I'll do a challenge like you!).

Long time no see....

So I am pretty much the world's worst blogger. But we have been busy with this little guy...



James turned 6 months old this past Friday. He loves to blow raspberries, play piano (the toy one and our real one), stand up (when propped up by me or Phillip), knock his blocks over, grab my glasses. His favorite food is pears, but he is not picky like his mother (yay!). When he gets excited, he flaps his arms like a bird. He is scooting on his belly, but hasn't gotten on his knees much. He loves swimming and people watching. He is the light of our lives and I can't wait to see what he does next!

So hopefully, I will find more time to update this. I decided it wasn't fair for me to blog stalk everyone else and not update my own!

We have names!

So after much deliberation....this little munchkin has a name. If Baby Wilo is a girl, she will be Grace Marie. Grace is my middle name, my mom's middle name and my grandmother's first name. Marie is Phillip's grandmother's middle name. If Baby Wilo is a boy, he will be James Phillip. James is my grandfather's first name and Phillip is pretty obvious!

Baby Wilo update

I am SO bad about updating!

How far along? 26 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: I'm up 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Oh yeah. I still wear a few pre pregnancy tops, but they are TIGHT!
Stretch marks? Nope! Yea for good luck so far!
Sleep: Its not great. I wake up a lot, but I'm getting SO much better about falling back asleep.
Best moment this week: Seeing the baby again at my 4D u/s. The baby looked perfect and we are getting more excited!
Movement: Oh yeah. Mornings and late nights seem to be Baby Wilo's favorite times to dance.
Food cravings: None now...the problem is being able to eat meat!
Gender: Still thinking boy!
Labor Signs: None, thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? SO close to popping out.
What I miss: Eating meat and walking without someone settling down LOW!
What I am looking forward to: 3rd Trimester. 2nd has been for the birds.
Milestones: Supposedly Phillip might be able to hear the heartbeat by putting his ear to my belly. I have my doubts!
Here is a bump pic...excuse the nasty vet school bathroom

A question for my mommy readers...

Did you guys use crib bumpers? I am torn about it because of the safety issues. If we don't, then I'm probably just going to make a bed skirt and buy some sheets. Then once Baby Wilo is rolling around in the crib, we'd get one of those breathable bumpers (even though they are NOT cute).
Let me know what you think!