You know, that stuff I do in my spare time

So, my sewing machine has been kept busy this past little while. Some of you may remember that I bought a quilt kit online when I was pregnant with Easton since I was just barely getting started on this quilting stuff and was a bit nervous. You can see the post with the finished project here.

Now, I'm a bit braver and knew that I had lots of scraps to use up and the simple quilt top was perfect.

First I did a girl, flowery one.
And then I decided that a boy one needed to be made.

And finally I used some more vintage-y fabric for this one--that I love!

And, I finally decided on a pattern for the quilt that will coordinate with the crib bedding I am making. I saw this done once in a quilt shop about 4 years ago, but couldn't find a pattern I was satisfied with, so I just made one up. I know I'm a little biased, but I love it. It turned out exactly how I imagined it. I call it my Ruffle Strip Quilt.

See? You love it too. I know you do.

But now for the part where I need some help. I can't decide how I want to finish this puppy. Should I do a border* around it and then the binding**? Just a binding so the ruffles really shine?

Please help!

A little vocab help for those of you (like me 2 years ago) who had no idea what any of those fancy words mean.
*The three simple quilts above all have a border. It is the "frame" of the quilt so to speak.

**Binding is that really thin finished edge that you can see on the two quilts in this post.

Guess What?

We had the big ultrasound today.

And....





we're having a boy or a girl.

That's right, I held out through the entire thing.

Bring on the next 19 weeks.

22 months

{warning: this post will not have any pictures--I apologize}

On Saturday, Easton turned 22 months old. He is turning into more and more of a little boy everyday and is even starting to string two or three words together! While I love being able to understand him better (and the tantrums have decreased a bit) there is always that part of me that just wants him to stay little, darn it.

Let's start with some words that he has mastered: durtee (dirty), pull, dog-dog (doggie), box, rock, buuuhrp (burp), Tuh-ner (Turner, from Handy Manny), pill-doe (pillow), Doc (from Cars), boy, geeeerl (girl), loon (balloon), jump, Pat (from Handy Manny), pun-tin (pumpkin), kitty, rog (frog), coe (cold), haaa (hot), and no? (snow, always said as a question).

As always, I'm sure that I have missed some. I may have to stop these word lists all together, since he will try to say pretty much anything you say to him (and this is when I realize my swearing habit has to end. Kidding, just kidding).

Easton loves nursery, but I think all of the leaders really wish our church was at a different time. It's hard to entertain kids from 1-3, when they normally go down for naps at 12:30.

With the few snow storms lately, Easton seems to have gotten over his initial fear of the white stuff. He will step in it now, but I don't think he's ready for a dive into it or anything like that.

He also loves the clay-mation movie "Rudolph" and will watch that more than anything else right now (so strange, I know). My mom has a book called "Big Pumpkin" that came with a sing/read-a-long tape from Scholastic many years ago that he listens to daily about 10 times in a row. If any of you want to hear the book in its entirety, you can call my mom, or Sarah. They have it memorized.

In general, Easton is such a happy boy. We seem to have solved the sleep problem. Naps are going splendidly, but at night-time there is an occasional 2 minute cry session, and then he goes right to sleep. Thank goodness, driving him to sleep wasn't going to be an option when it is below freezing outside.

I promise more pictures soon.

Sometimes, I just love people

My drivers license was set to expire this year.

I knew that if I waited until closer to the expiration date, I would have a pregnancy-fat face staring back at me for the next 5 years, and I couldn't accept that, so off to the DMV I went.

It was slow (thank goodness) and I was helped right away. As the lady verified my identifying information, I realized that because the last thing I had done was a name change, my weight had not been updated in close to 8 years.

And, I hate to admit it, but I weigh more now than I did 8 years ago.

So, I corrected her with my current weight.

She looked at me and said, "But honey, you don't have to put down baby weight."

I could have kissed her.

Bless her for thinking that my high school weight was accurate.

She completely made my day.

It just took a while

Let's go way, way back to 2007 when my doctor's office forced me to get a flu shot, but then before they actually gave me the shot we realized that I was allergic to the preservative. Story told here.

Last year, I got a live-virus nose spray and was good to go.

This year, with my pregnancy, the live-virus is not safe and I was sure that I would be unable to get a flu shot (even though all of the stats of what can happen with pregnant women scare me to death).

But then...

My doctor's office actually had shots without thimerisol in them and I got my shot last night.

Hallelujah.

And now my arm is really, really sore and I feel like whining all of the time. (Hence I am sharing this very lame story with all of you).

I guess now I understand why Easton is so grumpy after his shots.

Make-up

It happened.

Easton found the make-up. I should clarify and admit that I was completely aware that he was in my make-up bag, since I was standing right next to him doing my hair. He usually just plays with my brushes and paints the wall (very good for them, I know), but today he tried to use a little eye liner.

He knew where it went, but got his vertical and horizontal lines confused.

Silly boy.

Ronnie is really hoping this is a one time occurrence.

20 weeks

Halfway done!

I'm feeling great. Energy is back (plus some it seems) and I am still able to sleep. Easton still thinks that my belly button is called "baby" and doesn't get it at all. I still want Taco Bell all the time (bean and cheese burrito and a crunchy taco) but other than that I eat and crave way less than I did with Easton. In fact, I haven't gained a single pound so far (which is safe for my pre-pregnancy weight, in case you were concerned).

Baby is moving all of the time (though not consistently) and I'm starting to realize that I really am pregnant.

Because I am a giver*

I'm assuming that a lot of you readers out there are kind of in my boat.

Busy.

Must make food for family.

And if you are in my exact boat (which is an awesome boat by the way) you cook because the family has to eat, not because you love it.

But if you love it, more power to you.

So, I'm going to share my tried and true, quick and easy, delicious recipes with you.

Just click on this little link and you will be taken to a document you can print.

If you have a few to add, please leave them in the comments. I'm ALWAYS looking for new recipes.

*The giver reference is for my mom. She claimed the other day that I was not a giver (in the ingredients I put into my pasta salad--I make it the way I like it and make Ronnie pick out a few things) and I'm trying to prove that I am, in fact, a giver.

I'm back

and almost recovered. Now how about some bullet points?

• The work event went well. I had the help and company of a great friend that was very appreciated.
• I realized that people not cleaning up after themselves when it is very obvious that I will be doing all of the cleaning (and not some invisible wait-staff) may possibly make me more mad than I have been in a while.
• However, having said friend to vent to while we cleaned up dirty paper plates (that could have been thrown in the trash can not even two feet from the table) really helped.
• The older generation loves, and I mean LOVES that I am letting this baby be a surprise.
• Apparently this pregnancy makes me even more opinionated than I normally am (which may lead to some serious issues if I don't check myself).
• Also, the only thing I want to eat? Taco Bell.

I think that's it for now. I'm sure I'll have more interesting stuff to post soon! (like quilt tops).

I wasn't going to share this

Mainly because I feel like you all get sick of me talking about work.

But, nonetheless, it is time for another tri-annual work meeting. Which means that my life gets a little more crazy.

Gotta love it.

This one is in Denver, and unfortunately Ronnie and Easton can't come along this time (bummer!).

The good news is that I'm sure I will have some great stories to share next week, when I am back to the real world.

Peace out.

Easton has a great love for this train hat. He puts it on himself--hence the sideways, one ear in, one ear out look.

Easton also has a real love of golf, which Ronnie would normally love, except that it is FOOTBALL season now and we don't want to watch golf all of the time. Every time we are watching sports Easton asks for "doll, doll" (translation: golf, golf). He also thinks anything is a golf club, as evidenced by this video. That thing he is using? It is a mirror like the dentist has that came from his veterinarian kit. Also, please note that he knows what the camera usually does and just doesn't get it when mama (me) is not making the flash go off like normal.

For all you grandparents, who just can't get enough Easton, I have 4 more videos, which can be accessed on Youtube here, here, here and here.

Because I live in Wyoming

and because I like to make you pity me, I'm showing you what it looks like outside my window right now.
That's right--snow on the ground and snow coming down. Not to mention the 2 inches I scraped off the car this morning and the 10 minute hail storm that pounded our poor little apartment at 2:00am last night.

How much is a ticket to Hawaii?

I do not have a "relax" gene

So, you all know how I am determined to let this baby be a surprise the old fashioned way (Ronnie is still trying to use the "but it's a surprise at 20 weeks or at 40 weeks" excuse).

There are a few things that my "planner self" wanted to have prepared prior to a baby.

Clothes? Not so much.

It is the bedding and quilting. (I know, I am insane).

So, I decided that I would make a boy quilt, a girl quilt and girl bedding and then I would be set. The baby would have a quilt of their own, made by their mama and I wouldn't have to figure out how to find the time to sew with TWO (not just one) kids.

I know the next question is, "But what if I have another boy?"

Well, I was determined that I would find girl fabric that I was in LOVE with. Fabric that I could marry and live happily ever after with, so that if I do have to pack that very fabric away for several years until I have a girl, it won't be a huge deal.

I'm happy to announce that I found it! Here it is in all of its glory.

I'm washing it all today and am ready to get rolling, so you can look forward to some crafting posts in the (not so very near) future.

Cuz, I know you all love those.

At least he remembered

Easton (and I'm sure most boys) has a thing for keys.

Car keys, house keys, filing cabinet keys--you name it, he loves it.

We have 2 locking filing cabinet drawers on the desk that resides in his room. Because they are a great height for him, and I have the extra key tucked away in a safe place, we let him lock and unlock the drawers.

Yesterday, he and I were playing in his room and I decided to try and find "his" filing cabinet key, since I hadn't seen it in several days. I searched his usual hiding places (under the crib, under the dresser, in the fabric scraps, etc), but couldn't find it anywhere.

Finally, I turned to him and asked, "Easton, where is the key to this drawer?"

He looked at me, walked over to the heat vent under the window, pointed down and said, "key!"

I pulled off the cover and sure enough, there it was, right where he had dropped it.

We then had a discussion (which I'm sure he didn't really get) about how we don't drop things down the vents.

And now I have to search all of the other vents in the house to see what treasures I can find.

17 weeks

Here I am, in all my pregnant glory.
Bad news: we already know I am going to get HUGE.
Good news: I've gained significantly less weight in this pregnancy so far.

Accomplishment

You see this incredibly blurry picture of a stamp? Well, it just so happens that this very envelope contained the last payment on our car, mailed this morning.

Hip Hip Hooray!

21 months

Well, it's been two months since the last Easton official "monthly" (using that word very loosely here) update, so here we go!

Easton's words have exploded this month. Here are some that are new: high, noon-ells (noodles), rice, fries, flou-der (flower), dead-ells (Incredibles), turtle, ahhh-men (amen), tick (stick), moon, beeeen-tee (binky), bain-tee (blankie), call (phone), poptar (pop-tart), keyzzz (keys), ahhh-ple (apple), tuck (stuck), and tash (trash).

You know that I am missing some, but you get the general idea. While it is great to be able to understand some of what he wants, the tantrums are far from over. The other day it was so ridiculous that I just started laughing, there was nothing else to do.

For the first time in a long time, Easton got a new tooth this week. His poor bottom two teeth have been so lonely since they came in when he was 9 months old and they finally got a friend. The tooth right next to them on his left side is in, and the one next to that is looking very close. He'll be lopsided for a bit, but maybe it will help him be able to bite some things!

We are still struggling with sleeping since we got back from vacations in August. Easton refuses to go down by himself in his crib. For naps, he will normally let you rock him to sleep (something he has not done since he was 6 months old), but at nighttime he refuses to do even that. We are forced to drive him around town (for about 15-20) minutes, then lug him into the house asleep. I'm really at a loss of how to fix this. Crying it out just isn't the same now that he knows that I am leaving. I guess I need to do some research on what to do (or I'm open to suggestions!).

This picture was taken during the day, but you get the idea of him falling asleep in the car. Luckily he is a kid who loves doing that, or we would be in real trouble.

And now for some bath time pictures (sorry for the darkness). Easton loves baths, except for the washing of the hair part. He is a little quirky though and will not sit on his bottom. ever. He squats for the entire bath and has done this since he was about 12 months old.

He sure is cute though.

Another example of the face you get when you tell him to "cheese."

And now, for your viewing pleasure, a video of Easton getting around the bathtub in the squatting position.

Reasons having a recently returned missionary brother in town is great

1. Due to my dad being maxed out on phones on his "family plan," Adam was forced to join Ronnie and my family. (I kinda like having a son who can drive. :) ) This means that when I am checking my Verizon account daily online, I also get to snoop on how many text messages Adam has sent in one month. (1750 in case you were wondering--and yes, he has unlimited messaging). This brings me a strange amount of joy daily.
2. When past companions call to catch up and I have the pleasure of being in the same room as Adam, I get to watch him get absolutely giddy and do that "shake your hand around so that it sounds like you are snapping, but you are not actually snapping" thing.
3. Endless opportunities to make fun of (ahem, tease) him about English words that don't come out right, etc.
4. I get to be a fashion expert again. (Ronnie doesn't always believe me if I say something is not cool. With Adam, my word is law).
5. I get to re-live/re-tell stories from the past that no one has bothered to bring up in the last two years, but are some of Adam's favorites.
6. We get in arguments about whether changes in town happened before or after Adam left, or if events in the family happened before or after he left. It's awesome.
7. Most of all though, I get to have my favorite 21-year old brother back.

Some of the deets

We couldn't be happier to be expecting another child.


Easton is not a good share-er as of yet, but every oldest has to learn sometime, right?


I have been feeling great. No sickness, no headaches, and minimal tiredness and "super smell" issues.


Easton has no idea what is happening, although he does think my belly button is fun to find at the moment.


As of now, I am resolved to let this baby be a surprise. (You should know that every time I tell someone that, Ronnie laughs and laughs because he doesn't think I can do it--little does he know how much I want to WIN!)

I don't have any feelings on which gender the baby is (with Easton I felt very strongly that he was a boy).

I'm already showing much more than with Easton (are people still interested in belly pictures with second children?).

I think that is it for now, any other questions?

I've waited for a while

To share this happy news,

It looks like mama will be shopping

For some tiny, little shoes.

They say our household will grow

Around February 22nd,

But if this baby takes after me,

He or she won't be hastened.

Mama's belly is getting bigger

(It will soon get in my way),

And I'll have to learn to share

Sometime before the big day.

Love, Easton

Driving

You know how in your youth you lived on the edge?

and by "lived on the edge" I mean drove as fast as you felt that you could get away with?

Yeah, me too.

My entire town has one speed limit. 30mph. There is this one road that moves up to 45 mph as you are heading out of town (but not to Wal-mart yet) and I used to love to make that drive.

Sigh.

Occasionally though, I would get stuck behind one of "them." The people who go exactly 30mph. This would drive me batty. I would tail them and let them know of my anger, all the while wondering who-the-heck only goes 30.

Fast forward 10 years.

I have morphed into "them."

I can't tell you how many times in the last two years I have looked down and noticed that I am only going 30, or heaven-forbid, 25!

What can I say? It feels fast enough to me.

Patience Brings Pictures

Lots and lots of them. Please forgive the length of this post.

While in Cali, we went to the zoo. A really tiny zoo, but a zoo none the less. Easton was in LOVE with the miniature goats they had for the kids to pet.

I believe this pictures was taken shortly before Easton said "EYE!" and actually touched the goat's creepy eyeball. (Hands were then washed).

The animals weren't that exciting, so it was time to chew on sunscreen...

Look adorable...

and pound it with anyone who would give a fist.

Then we looked at a few more things with Grandma....

and Grandpa read us a book.

A few days later, Daddy and Easton went swimming (this was actually the day we flew out of Cali and mommy didn't feel like getting all chlorine-y and having to shower AGAIN. She is a party pooper).

They enjoyed it though.

until Daddy decided to push his luck and dunk Easton.

He was NOT a happy camper!

So, they sat on the steps to calm down and that did the trick.

And then they were generally cute and happy.

For the rest of the time.

Sleeping

So, while Easton did not sleep through the night until the ripe old age of 13 months, he has put himself to sleep since he was about 7 or 8 months old. Just say a prayer, give him a kiss, turn on his nightlight/mobile song thingy and shut the door.

It is fantastic!

Unfortunately, after 10 days of traveling, it has come to an end. He now SCREAMS whenever I try and carry him into his room.

He'll magically learn it all again though, right?

Summertime + KaLee =

a major lack of blogging, I apologize.

But you know what? It's kind of nice to just take a little break once in a while.

We've been busy playing in California, attending my Grandparents 50th anniversary open house and spending lots of time with lots of family.

We're loving it.

Updates and pictures will soon follow.

(I hope).

I can't just make this stuff up

So, remember how I was all excited about Adam coming home?


Well, he flew into an airport in the next big city (where Ronnie has his internship, 45 miles away).


So the whole fam drove over (Ronnie and I separately because he had a work bbq in the afternoon) to be at the airport to await Adam's 9:45 p.m. flight.


The plane was early and my family's car was running a little late, so they came bursting into the airport all commercial-like. (It was fantastic!)


We got the signs all ready, the balloons out and the kids looking good and waited for people to get off the plane.


One person gets off, then another two, then two people in wheelchairs, then another two people and then someone from the flight crew comes in (not a good sign).


Turns out he wasn't on the stinking flight.


So, I took a picture of where he SHOULD have come through the door.


And Erc and Alayna felt like this.

And Sassy and I felt the same way.

So, to spare you all of the phone calls and the unhelpful customer service people and the like, my parent's car just drove down to the Denver Airport to pick him up and Ronnie, Easton and I headed back to Laramie. (Our reasons for not going to Denver? We couldn't all fit in one car, so we would see him in the airport for about 20 minutes, then not even get to chat with him on the way home all for 4 extra hours of driving. Not so very worth it). We do love Adam though.

So, he is home, safe and sound and I have happy pictures of us all, but they are not on my camera, so you will have to wait for those.

A day of anticipation

Guess what?

My brother gets home from his mission in Guatemala today!

Hip hip hooray!

New Words

Easton's vocabulary seems to be exploding daily. Here's a little taste.

choo choo (train sound), ah boar (all aboard), Buhh (Buzz, as in Buzz Lightyear), Whooo-deee (Woody), yesh (yes), yep, wa-wa (waffle), shoes, two, four, Da (Uncle Dan), Baby (Cousin Alayna), cahh (car), uh-huh, bue (blue), puh-ple (purple), ellow (yellow), and vroom.

I'm sure that there are a few I am forgetting.

It's Normal

to have four, count them, FOUR different face lotions in your bathroom cabinet. Right?

RIGHT?

Just for the record, I use every single one of them regularly. I just decide how my face is "feeling" that day and apply the appropriate lotion.

Zit coming on? Benzaclin (spoken of here)

Dry? Walmart brand goodness

Need some sun protection? Neutrogena SPF please

Aren't quite sure how you feel? How 'bout some of that left over ProActiv stuff?

A surprise for you

So you know how I did a card giveaway a while back?

And then I announced a winner?

Well, that lucky gal has never contacted me, so I went ahead and had random.org pick a new number.

Which was..............4!

Which means that Annie is the new lucky winner!

Congrats!

Annie, I think I have your address, but just to be safe will you email it to me again?
Carolyn H. If you ever realize your tragic mistake, I'll forgive you and mail you some cards anyway.

Teeth

Apparently, Easton is getting some new teeth.

And apparently, these new teeth require a temperature of about 100 degrees in order to come in.

Not a happy baby.

Please let it be over soon.

Where in the world is

Carmen Sandiego.

Just kidding.

Where the heck have I been, anyway? No regular posting, no weird facts about what I do or do not like, what I think is funny or not so funny.

Nothing.

Well, Easton and I went on a little trip with Sassy and Grandma Wyoming to Utah. Sassy attended EFY (church youth camp) and Grandma, Easton and I just partied it up for a week until she was done.

My camera died the first day. boo-hoo!

But, you can see our swimming adventures on Lindsey's blog here.

That's all I can offer you at this time.

Hopefully I'll get back into the blog-posting swing of things very soon.

I'm sure he was knocking

So. I have weird dreams.

I get it from my mother.

The night of the 4th, I went to bed around 11 p.m. The stupid students in the apartment complex next to us were still setting off fireworks. Despite the constant bangs and pops, I went to sleep very quickly.

At midnight I woke up. I was sure that my dad was knocking on one of our two bedroom windows because he needed something and so I proceeded to get out of bed, walk to the window and peer out.

No dad.

Then, I walked around the bed to the window on Ronnie's side and peered out.

Nope, not there either.

By this time, Ronnie was awake. He asked me what I was doing, and I told him that Dad was knocking on our window and I was trying to figure out what he wanted.

And Ronnie said, "Don't you think if your Dad needed something, he would just call?"

And that made perfect sense, so I went back to sleep.

You know, those things called Dinosaurs

The UW Geological Museum is closing due to budget cuts, so Easton, Grandma, Sassy and I decided to pay it one last visit (which could have possibly been my first visit--I really can't remember).

It was a fun little museum and since we were the only people there, Easton was able to be as loud as he wanted. They had a lot of displays that he was actually allowed to touch, which helped relieve my constant string of "No, no, no, no, no."

After we were all done and had signed the guest book I whipped out the camera.

This is what Easton looks like when saying "NO" and waving his hands at me because he doesn't want me with the camera. HE wants the camera. Little stinker.
Grandma, Easton, and Sassy outside with the big T-rex

We had to get a shot of Easton and me as well.

I'm glad we were able to go before it closed.

Card Winner

I'm sorry to make you all wait (I'm sure you have been checking the blog all day)!

But, random.org said the winner was:

#25

Carolyn H.

Congrats!

Email me your address at justkalee at gmail dot com.

A Hooded Craft

So.

Easton is too big for the baby hooded towels, but due to extreme shivering when he gets out of the tub, I still wanted to have his head covered.

So I found a SUPER easy tutorial and went to work.

And it was so, so, so, so, SOOO easy. I couldn't not share it with you.

I promise you'll want to make some. Heck, I'm still trying to figure out how to make one for myself.



Last day to enter the giveaway!

Also, let's pretend that Easton was a willing photography subject, instead of just letting me drape him with the towel while he played with his train.

Note: the tutorial gives directions for one towel, but if I were you I would use two large towels and one hand towel and just make two at once. Then you don't have half of a hand towel hanging around for no reason.

A conversation I never thought I would have

The other day when Easton was playing on our apartment complex playground, I was chatting with other moms who were there.

The conversation turned to the new minivan that one mother had just purchased.

And then we sat and discussed the pros and cons of each minivan on the market.

While Teenage KaLee sat and cringed that 26 year old KaLee was even thinking about minivans. Doesn't she know how totally uncool that is?

Note to the moms who were there, or to those who own minivans: Minivans are not uncool, they actually make a ton of sense for families. You just have to understand that Teenager KaLee doesn't respect the minivan. I don't know if she ever will.

Don't forget to enter the card giveaway!

Guess who made more cards?

I had another large order come in, so in the last two weeks I made a heckofalot of cards.

How many?

Don't worry, I'm not going to make you guess this time.

214

But, because I am nothing if not a giver (riiiiiiight), you can leave a comment (a nice comment) on this post and be entered to win an assortment of cards. There are way more than you see above, I promise!

Giveaway will be open until 11:59p.m. on Friday, June 26.

The way the other half lives

So we returned from the exclusive golf club on Saturday.

All of the events went really well.

The weather was perfect (a very big IF in Wyoming in June).

Ronnie had the best golf game of his life.*

Easton and I survived a 3 hour hike (Easton even got a nap in while riding on my back).

The food was fantastic.

But my favorite part? The part that made me realize that I just wasn't programmed for this place?

The ladies "Powder Room" had individual towels folded for you to dry your hands with.

It felt so wasteful (and a little ridiculous) to me that I was tempted to fold up my towel and put it right back where I got it when I was done.**

*While I'm sure Ronnie wishes that he had played the best game of his life, he did not. It just sounded good when I was telling the story.
**I did not put my towel back. I put it into the hamper like everyone else.

Cousins

My sister and her family came into town last week. We only got to spend one night with them (before my work events took over), but we got this priceless picture of the kiddos with grandpa!

New do

About a week ago, we buzzed Easton's hair for the summer. These are the best pictures I could get of his new look.

Helping pack the suitcases.
Making sure he will fit in the little one.

And this is when he figured out that I had the camera.

Hi there

Yember me?

Although I feel like I was just saying this exact. same. thing. ...

It's time for another huge work event for me.

This weekend.

At an exclusive golf club.

If I wasn't in charge of everylittledetail that would actually sound pretty good (oh, and if I golfed at all).

But for now, I am just trying to dig out of the name tags, place cards, hotel reservations and golf rounds.

But I do get to drive a rented mini-van out to the club.

So that's something.........I think.

18 month stats

This will be a quick post with no pictures.

Easton is currently 21 lbs. 1 oz. (3rd percentile) and 33 inches long (70th percentile). We have a tall and skinny baby. According to the questionnaire the doctor has us fill out he is at a 24 month level developmentally (but I never know how much stock to put in those).

All is well--thank goodness. He did encourage me to start thinking about getting rid of the binky.

Heaven help us.

18 months

Remember this guy?
Well, he is 18 months today (which means he gets to go to nursery come Sunday--hooray!).

I don't have many pictures this month, I really need to step it up. Easton is talking more and more (although not enough to change the fact that he has many frustration tantrums everyday). He learned to say apple, juice, Mammy (Handy Manny), Bo-Bob (Sponge Bob--he has an obsession that is not fueled by actually watching the show--which he has only seen a handful of time, it is weird). I'm sure I'm missing a few.

He also thinks he is really big. He now wants to go up and down stairs standing up--although he can't really do it yet. He never stops running outside and has no fear of falling, or sand anymore (thank goodness).

We go to the doctor next week, so I'll have official stats then. Easton is now in 18 month clothes exclusively. He is still in size 5 shoes, but has a pair or two that don't fit because his little feet are so fat (from top to bottom, if that makes sense). He has not gotten any new teeth this month, but has a few that seem to be making their way down.

He continues to be a lot of fun, naps for 3 hours a day and sleeps all the way through the night.

Easton trying on his new pair of flip flops. He loves running around in just his diaper and now that it is finally starting to get warm, he can do that once in a while.

I'll leave you with the view from Easton's eyes. Complete with fat feet, round belly and outie belly button.

KaLee's Crafting Favs

You know how I am always telling you about my latest project (be it cards, scrapbooks, or something else to keep me busy)?

Well, I have things that I cannot live without.

Okay, so I could probably live without them, but crafting without them is not acceptable.

1. My 3M ATG 714 Tape Dispenser Gun. I know you are thinking that I am talking to you in a foreign language right now. I got mine here and it is a big investment ($41.69 before shipping), but you will praise my name (and the gun) if you do a lot of paper crafting. The thing I love the most about it is the hold that the adhesive has. When I have used other adhesive, I have had cards fall apart after a few months--not with this baby. Plus the rolls of adhesive are inexpensive ($2.54 or $3.49 for 36 yards--depending on if you need acid free or not). Scrapbooking obviously requires the acid free, and I use the cheaper one on all of my cards.

2. A Cutting Mat. You can get these at Walmart. Mine is about 2.5 by 3 feet and I use it for everything, sewing, stamping, painting, gluing, the list goes on and on. It helps to have an extra layer between the paper I set down to protect the table and the table--since I always make a mess. Plus, the surface is smooth and great to work on.

3. Fiskar's Paper Cutter. Mine was purchased through Stampin' Up! ($24.95), but you can get them a lot of places. I especially like the metal that mine has mounted to it (as shown in picture). It gets so much use that the marks from 2 inches to 4 inches are barely there.

4. Paper Snips. Again, I purchased them from Stampin' Up! ($9.95) and I swear to you they are the best! I have one that I only use on ribbon (so it stays super sharp) and the other pair I use to trim small pieces of paper. I know you think I am crazy for loving a pair of scissors so much, but I swear to you--they are fantastic!

5. Scor-pal. I love this baby ($39.95), but if you don't make cards, it might not be for you. It allows you to score creases into paper wherever you want. For design, or for folding, and it is incredibly easy to use.

6. Ribbon Keepers. I have so, so, so, so much ribbon and organization is always a challenge. I love these keepers. The ribbon is not on a rod, so individual spools can be taken out of the holder easily as well as roll easily when in the keeper. Again, these are available through Stampin' Up! ($11.95-$18.95) and while I am a demonstrator, I promise I am not trying to make you buy things from me.

7. Crop-a-dile. If you use eyelets, this is the tool for you. Allows you to punch holes and set eyelets SILENTLY (key in a house with a baby). Available all over for right around $20.

There you have it, the things that KaLee loves. Let me know if I am missing anything vital--I'd love to add to my collection of stuff (as much as Ronnie would rather I didn't).

Summertime Favorites

Mint chocolate chip ice cream (okay this is a year-round treat)
Sunscreen
Blindingly white legs becoming just snow white
Fresh cut grass
Sidewalk chalk
Bike rides
The lack of jackets
Otter pops
Fireworks
BBQs at the park
Swings
Flip-flops

What are some of your summertime favs?

The Boss

Sometimes you work for people you despise.

Sometimes you work for people you tolerate.

Sometimes you work for people you respect.

And sometimes, just sometimes, you work for a person that you really like. A person that has a leadership style that works great with the way you tick. A person that just gets it.

I am fortunate to have that last kind of boss right now.

And unfortunately, he just found out yesterday that he is losing his job.

Stupid recession.

*No need to worry about me. My job is secure, but will probably be changing. I don't know how yet, but will keep you informed.

The deets

Let's just give a little family update, shall we?

Sometimes I feel like you get to read all of my random experiences and thoughts and weirdness, but then don't really know what our family is up to.

Ronnie started his internship two weeks ago. He is commuting 45 miles a day which means Easton and I get to see him less than normal. So far he enjoys it. The people are great and the firm is great. He has admitted to feeling a little overwhelmed when the work he is doing is going straight on to a judge and no one is "checking" him--but I guess he has to get used to that sometime.

I'm still working part time for the College of Business. I love my schedule. I get to make us a little money and still get to be a mom for the majority of the day (not that I wasn't a mom for all of the day before, but--well, you get it). I'm keeping busy with my normal stuff, crafting, stamping, reading, cleaning, playing with Easton, etc. We just purchased a bike/jogging trailer and if it would ever stop raining here, Easton and I plan on taking full advantage of it.

Easton is almost 18 months old and is pretty much the cutest little boy you have ever seen. You can get your fill of him on his blog.