Stella Rose is 3 Months

I am not sure how it came to be, but little girl is 3 months old already (and I am days late).

Likes: Watching big brother, Nolan, Drinking milk, Her bouncy seat, Music, Light, Daddy saying "goo"

Dislikes: Having a dirty diaper, Being late to get jammies/vitamin D (after 7 is a no no), being hungry, being in the car for an extending period of time

Can: sleep through the night, go 1-3 hours between feedings, track objects with her eyes, grasp toys on her play mat, hold her head up on tummy time and has rolled once (we will work on it some more).

Stella enjoyed a day at the park with mommy's old coworkers.   She loved looking at the leaves/sun



We spend a week at Grandpa's cottage for the last time before he sold it.  Stella loved the sun, didnt mind her feet in the water, and hanging out with mommy and daddy lots. She slept through the night and did very well being away from home.

 She can sit in the bumbo!

Sleeps swaddled but is beginning to bust out!

Making some freaking adorable faces!

We celebrated Nolan's 2nd birthday with the Jansen family!

We went to the Dells for our annual "camping" trip. It was cold this year so we went to an indoor water park.  Had lots of fun but it was SUPER crowded as everyone had the same idea.  Ellie and Logan rented a double bike so we got to go on our first double bike ride.  We also celebrated Nolan's birthday on this trip.

Then we celebrated Nolan's birthday again!  He looks angry but he is hugging Stella!

We bundled our photos to do family photos, Stella's 3 month, and Nolan's 2 Year Photos.  EllieFay Photography & Design does it again!

Crazy hair, don't care is the best way to explain this little girl after bath!  Her party is in the front and the back!



Nolan wanted to go for a wagon ride and Stella cant quite sit up yet.  I took a pillow and put it next to her and then I put the blanket under her arms tying her up and we all could go for a wagon ride!


At the end of the school year, I got a gift certificate to go to the Greenville zoo.  We packed up the kids on a Tuesday and took them both.  We also went on the bonus train ride.  Nolan also shared Stella's Ergo--first time wearing a toddler.  We both really enjoyed it!  We had a lot of fun--so much fun Stella napped a grand total of 30 minutes that day!

Stella Celebrating Packer game day and wishing everyone a happy back to school! Stella is really happy mommy is staying home with her this year!










When at the cottage, we visited the Shabby Shack.  We love looking around and Stella dazzled them so much she made the facebook page!




Celebrating Badger Game day!  (boy was figuring out how to get the game on the TV at the cottage was a feat but they finally managed!)

Starting to bond a bit (still takes a lot of deliberate effort, but he put his arm around her and didn't want to push her away.....)  Happy Birthday Grandpa Chew!

Until next month!  Follow on instagram (@behindthescenes_mrsg) for more updates!

Baby girl's curtains

 I searched and searched for the curtains I wanted for our little Stella's room. I could not believe how freaking expensive curtains are!  So I went on the quest to make my own!  I love how they turned out and thought I would share how to make them in case you want them cheaper too!

I started with purchasing a drop cloth that was more than large enough to make 2 panels to cover my windows. I also made sure to measure to the floor as that is how long I wanted them.  I bought this drop cloth from Home Depot.

I then cut the drop cloth in half to be the 2 panels. I made it so when they were pulled closed they lay flat across my window.

I then cut them to the right height.  I realized I didnt want them to bunch up so closely by just sewing a gusset so I had to re-cut them shorter as I am going to make tabs for them to hang on.  I hemmed all sides of the two curtain panels.


The tabs were cut from the extra fabric.  I cut them 3 inches wide by 6 inches long (but folded in half they would be 3 across and 3 down when hanging.

I then measured out the tabs so they were evenly spaced (when curtain is pulled tightly closed it covers window flat.





I then pinned the tabs in place on the back side of the curtains and sewed one stitch across the top making sure the open ends of the folded fabric were facing the curtain panel.  I did not saw yet.



I then took some burlap ribbon (purchased at Hobby Lobby in the floral department).

I flipped my curtain panel over so the tabs are on the other side, and pinned the burlap ribbon to the panel, making sure the top edge was flush with the top of the curtain panel.

Now I sewed the burlap ribbon and the tabs on at the same time.

I did a second stitch across the bottom of the burlap ribbon to hold it in place.

I then took the "lace" I bought and centered it on the burlap ribbon.  I pinned this ribbon on top of the burlap and then stitched the ribbon on top and bottom.

I then strung the curtain rod through the curtain tabs and they were done.

My mother-in-law purchased the rose garland from a party store for my bridal party and thought it would be a great fit on top of the curtains.  I simply draped the garland (loop on the ends through rod and then center on the ribbon.

When the curtains are closed, they are spaced on the curtains, when they are opened the flowers remain in place.

I simply LOVE how they turned out.  Rustic, dainty.  Perfect for my little girls room!

Nolan is Two-dles!!

It is hard to believe my baby boy is 2!

Likes: Mickey, Trains, Trucks, letters, numbers, and toy food. He LOVES jumping!

Dislikes: taking pictures, having to hold his sister, being told what to do, made to stay still.

Eats: Not a very picky eater, though he does not like skins/peels. He loves pickles (insides) and Tomatoes (peels skin off).  He loves milk (whole) which we are now switching to what we drink.

Sleep: Consistently sleeps through the night, but still taking 1-2 hours to go down for nap or bed.  We are playing with bed time and nap time a bit to try and shorten that, but he does get the recommended total hours of sleep (12-14 hours) so we can't complain to much!

Size/Health: He is 26.2 lbs (43%) 33.5 in tall (19%) and head size is 47.7 cm (34%).  He is a little peanut but growing perfectly on his curve so he is a healthy little boy! Belly button is still herniated, but since it is still soft and not bothering him it is cosmetic and we are leaving it for another year (and even in a year a surgeon may say leave it).  He just lost a toe nail from hand foot mouth he had almost 2 months ago!  Doesn't seem to bother him though!

Knows: He can count 1-13, sometimes skipping order.  He is starting to do it 1 to 1.  He knows most the letters in his name.  He knows some shapes, though we are still working on it.  He knows some colors but insists on saying red when he points to his wall and there never was or will be red, haha.  He knows quite a few words and is beginning to speak in simple sentences.  Here ya go, mama! was one of his longest (handing me the remote).  He is definitely starting to string 2 words together.

Potty: He has sat on the potty after nap almost every day and then before bed.  He has coincidentally gone a couple times with a big celebration but not consistent yet.  He isn't doing much, but at least he isn't afraid!

Celebrations!

We celebrated with my family the Tuesday before his birthday since we were going to be going out of town for his birthday.  It was a low key birthday party at our house with Papa Murphy's Pizza we arranged into a Mickey, a double layer cake and cupcakes I made, and a few decorations!  He had a great time!

Nolan got fish from grandma and some trucks and cars from his uncles.  He is in heaven!







We celebrated Nolan's birthday with his friend on his birthday while we were staying at Baraboo Hills Campground.  Nolan woke up to balloons in his pack and play! He loved it!

Before the party, we had fun camping!  Nolan got to ride the double bike that Ellie and Logan rented!  He had so much fun, that the insisted on riding with them to return it because he just wasn't done!

We used the same decorations.  Ordered the cake from Walmart while we were already down in Baraboo so we didn't have to travel 2 hours with a cake, and all the favors (cups, straws, expanding washcloths) were from the Dollar Tree.

For gifts, Nolan got some really cool tractors, a BBQ set, and some letter and number magnets.  Literally 2 hours before that I had pointed to a small bike sitting against a tree and told Alex that was what I was looking for for Nolan.  A complete stranger/neighbor came over with the bike and said her grandson out grew it and she was wondering if any of the 7 kids under 4 there would want it.  We told her we would love it as it was Nolan's birthday and exactly what we were looking for!  He was so excited!  We bought training wheels when we got home and he is loving it!

We celebrated with Alex's family on Monday after we got home.  We, again, re-used decorations, Grandma Katy made party hats with Mickey duck tape, and she picked up cupcakes from the Piggly Wiggly in Little Chute based on a Pinterest picture.

Nolan got a lot of great presents that he loves!  A wheel barrow, a Mickey ball (his Mousekeball), a puzzle with his name, a puzzle with fine motor skills, and an easel.

Nolan also got a card from Grandpa Chew.  I wanted him to send a video saying thank you.  He said, "Thank you, Your Welcome!" haha well he knows, we are just working on it!

Photography: Mommy & EllieFay Photography & Design
Shirt: Etsy MHSwankDesigns
Banner: Etsy SassySeedling
Candle: Etsy LilMonkeyStitchesWV
Circle Cake: Siraya Original ;)
Mickey Driving Cake: Walmart
Mickey Cupcake (red): Piggly Wiggly Little Chute
Favors/Mickey Straws: Dollar tree

Not as large as his first birthday mustache bash!, but we had a lot of fun!

The Puggle and the Chocolate Paste.....

On Saturday I managed took both kids to Target to get cake mix to make Nolan's family birthday cake and another birthday party gift.  Then I took both kids (by stroller, it was only 3 houses down) to the birthday party by myself. It was another one of those days where I felt like super mom.  Alex met me there and we played for a little longer.  Then we walked home......dog mom fail.

Now, if you know anything about the puggle breed you know that they pretty much are food hounds.  They want food, need food, find food.  We have had this puggle for 5 years and know he can catch food out of your hand or off the counter before it hits the floor.  He's been known to find that half eaten granola bar in your school bag or the kids snack cups.  That being said, this was a first.

We came home at bedtime.  Alex took Nolan up stairs, and I set Stella's carseat on the coffee table to unbuckle her.  I looked up and all I could manage to yell out was "oh my f***ing gosh!"  Alex comes running down the stairs to see what was wrong.  With wide eyes I turn and point at my living room.  Pudge the Puggle managed to rip through the bottom of a target bag, through the cardboard box, and through the plastic of the cake mix and managed to lick it up (creating a chocolate paste on my white carpet)..........in 4 freaking locations across my carpet.  There was chocolate paste on the hangers of clothes, on the clothes I bought for gifts, on books, and on the floor.

This photo is after Alex had gone over it more than once with the vacuum. It then needed to be spot treated. Then I went over it with the carpet shampooer at least 5 times and finally at 9:30 at night my floor was clean again.  Dumb puggle is lucky he's cute...and our first born.

I love you little butt head, but GO TO BED!

Nolan has always been a good sleeper (with the exception of phases/sickness).  Started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks.  Would go to bed rather easy, nurse and then sleep. Since he was a year it was put him in there, he would roll a bit and then go out.  Easy peasy.

Now we are 2 weeks before his 2nd birthday and the little butt head still goes to bed like a champ-- just takes 2 hours to get there!  We do his usual routine, try the potty (not happening, but may as well try!), brush our teeth (2 year molar are coming in), jammies, zippy, books, bed.  He will lay there and be as sweet as can be....lay there, ny ny mama, ny ny daddy.  Then the door closes.  

Boom boom boom, he is kicking the wall (not in a sassy way but in a rhythmic kind of way), squeak squeak squeak he is jumping on the bed.   We get down stairs, turn on the video monitor. Pillow goes flying from one end to the other, stuffed animals go flying to the pillow.  He just trust fell onto the pile.  Oh look! they are back to where they started.  Squeak squeak squeak, trust fall!  **Mommy or daddy get on the mic button, "Nolan, go to bed!"  Trust fall!  All is silent he is laying there....quiet.  Been there 5 minutes, maybe he's asleep.  Eyes are blinking slower, sloooower, slooooooooower. Eureka! He's asleep!...........Barrel roll! Squeak squeak squeak.  Flying animals, flying pillow, squeak squeak squeak, Trust fall!  Is he laughing at himself right now?!  The kid is literally keeping himself awake on purpose.  

Repeat 4-5 times....its been 2 hours.....oh look.  He is finally asleep! (for the next 8 hours).  Nap time, repeat.  

I am at a loss!  How to you MAKE a kid go to sleep?!?!  Especially considering when he does finally go down, he sleeps so well!

Now add in he is in a pack n play at our Gloudemans family vacation.  Same routine, but this time, OH CRAP!  He just went over the side of the pack n play!  Now he is a boy on the loose!  **Mommy or daddy get on the mic button, "Nolan, go to bed!"  Trust fall--on the floor.  **mommy: Face palm.

Luckily when we got home he has not connected crib and pack n play and the ability to get out.  We are going with our friends to a cabin for his birthday (Please stay tuned for a post of going to a cabin with a 11 week old and 2 year old birthday boy in an equinox--entertainment to be had Im sure).  Don't really want to do a toddler bed transition before a vacation....plus where would he go on vacation?  Plus, the top of the pack n play is at the exact height of the bed so if we put him in the bed he was just as likely to fall, only in his sleep.  Fingers crossed we make it through the next week with him in the crib, in the pack n play for the trip and we will transition to toddler bed when he is 2..... Which I am sure will entail a funny post or 2.

But my baby is blue...

I am attempting something new, more little posts than really long ones.

Back to Stella's baptism day.....
July 24, 2016

Stella's baptism was pretty much 100% humidity.  The temperature wasn't bad but humidity was killer.  She was pretty uncomfortable all day because of the heat.  Once the party was done, we took her to her nice air conditioned room.  She had a nice 3 hour nap.  She was normal when she woke up and then we went about business as normal.  Before bed, we gave her a bath.  A normal warm bath.  I was drying her off and I noticed, my baby was blue/purple.  Not above her neck and not below her belly button.  Her torso and arms, thats it.

I instantly ran through triage.  Is she breathing? Yes.  Are her lips blue? No.  Is her skin cold? No.  Did she wear something blue to rub off on her skin? No, it was baptism day, she wore white.  Is she in distress? No--actually she is laughing and cooing.  When I touch it, it turns white and then goes blue again.  What.the.heck.

I called the on call nurse.  I wasn't panicked but I really felt I needed to discuss this with a medical professional.  She seemed perplexed.  She asked the same questions I did above.  Had me take her temp, maybe her internal temp was off.  Rectal temp was 98.6* on the head. She asked if it was the lighting, I took her to every room, natural light, florescent light, warm white lightbulbs....still blue.  At this point I am pretty sure the nurse is googling.  Everything came up with what we already checked out to be fine.....  but my baby is blue!

We were on the phone about 25 minutes and in that time it began to fade.   The nurse was relieved and basically said she was putting it in her file and to watch it closely.  Never happened again.

Seriously, if it is weird and doesnt have a medical explanation, its going to happen to our family!