HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday season. Still plugging away on my pieces, I'm soldering now and finding it difficult to get a long enough period of time to get enough done. I would love some time management tips from any other bloggers out there that also happen to be SAHM's and WAHM's.

Also wanted to share some pictures. Princess Olivia has had a very difficult time accepting the baby, in the beginning she completely ignored us, turning her back to us when we would try to bring the baby to her. She moved on to pooping and peeing anywhere she could. Ever so slowly she has been coming around, I sometimes catch her actually looking at the baby until she realizes I am watching her then she become indignant again. Last night there was a truce. We put Ethan on the floor and stood back; Olivia carefully plodded over and stood over the baby, then she sat next to him. If she looked up at us we quickly turned away as if to say "no big deal". Lots of sniffing incurred and *gasp* dare we say an actual lick!!! YAYYYY!!! Ethan was very gentle and did a great job of petting for the first time.

We are praying that the "Olivia Standoff of '08" is over.

12 OF 12 time......

Another month of 12 of 12 is here! Hard to believe I've been doing this for a couple of years now, it really is a lot of fun that was created by Chad Darnell if you haven't done so try it you'll like it! :)

First up; the apples on my trees that I have yet to pick, I took a few of the ones in this picture and they were nice and sweet! I've been meaning to make baby food applesauce with them. I better get to it and SOON!

Next; my little vignette on the front porch. Reminds me that I need to change it.

WINSTON is waiting for a treat, the other 2 were still in their crates. Shhhhhh!! he thought he could sneak one.

My current read; almost done and I've only had it a week! Not bad for having a baby too! This is one of the best books I've read in a LONG time! If you are a dog person, it is a MUST read!

My Simon Pearce votive holder, my Dad and his wife got them for me last Christmas.

My Christmas Cactus is getting ready to bloom

Ethan's favorite teddy: Checkers, waiting for him to wake up from his nap

Speaking of.......NOPE he's still sound asleep

It was getting dark so I had to get outside quickly and cover the beehives for the Winter. I use tar paper and wrap them. Notice some of my girls came out to see what all the commotion was.

MARLEY was a good girl, she hung out with me until I finished

I came inside and Daddy was already feeding ETHAN, he definitely needed a bath after. He's wearing another pair of Longies I made for him.

I can't forget my OLIVIA, she's not been real happy with me since the baby came so picture taking has been trying. This is what she thinks of the whole situation.

Thank you all for stopping by for another fun month of 12 OF 12

Longies, longies everywhere!

Being a Green Mum I am always looking for innovative products and I love to support the Mums (and Grandmums) out there that are trying to make a difference.

One of my fellow bloggers Rosie of Rosie's Whimsy has a diaper company: Night Owl Diaper Company she makes the cutest diapers and we are privileged to be testing them out.

I also just purchased a knitting pattern for longies from Green Way Baby Babywear, I will admit my Mum is helping me with those because I am not that skilled with the needles yet.

Now for my own crack at it; because I am not skilled knitter I wondered if I could make my own longies for my son. In case you are wondering "What the heck is a longie?" They are long leggings/sweat pant type garment made from wool, that wicks away wetness. Wool is probably one of the best things you can use for your baby's bum. I was thinking; I wonder if I could make my own from a wool sweater? I took a tour around Google and ETSY and I discovered that many other Mums were making their own longies this way. So Ethan and I hopped into the car and headed for the Salvation Army to look for wool sweaters. I managed to score a few decent ones, 100% wool, and went to work. It was really quite simple, I do have sewing skills and have made some outfits for Ethan so it didn't take long to whip a pair up, I really like the stripes. I have some Kookaburra wash coming any day now to wash the longies up so they are nice and soft.

Here's to Mums and Grandmums everywhere that are making a difference and here's to longies and keeping bums warm and dry!!

12 OF 12

It's that time of month again! 12 of 12, the wonderful fun created by Chad Darnell. I've been on a hiatus from posting my 12's here and I thought it was time I get back to the fun.

It was a beautiful Fall day here in NE PA. These are the views from my back deck

I needed to work my bees today, I had to place some styrofoam insulation in the top cover, this will help keep the girls warm over the Winter.

My materials for the smoker, I found that Shumac buds and pine needles work the best

The smoker in action

My girls, well there are some guys (Drones) in there. Can you spot them? They are the big ones, pretty soon the females (workers) will be kicking the males out for the Winter

Last week I put a protein patty on both hives, giving the hive a little bit more nutrition before the cold sets in, Winter is long around here. Looks like they are eating it, this is the weaker hive by the way.

My little pumpkin today, he was looking very Halloweeny.

I got to work in my garden today, it's been quite neglected since the arrival of our pumpkin. This is what it looked like "before"

I found this little guy wandering in my path. What's the wive's tale about the Wooly Bear??

Here's the "After" of the garden, at least you can see the paths now

Thanks so much for stopping in and checking out my 12's!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME and all that other stuff.....

I can't believe my 40Th Birthday is here! Isn't is amazing own fast a year goes by? If you had asked me exactly a year ago today if I was going to be a new Mom at 40, I probably would have laughed!

So to update everyone, because yes I am wayyyy overdue in the updating department, Ethan is doing great! As a matter-of-fact as of his pediatrician appointment on Monday he is now a whopping 15lbs 5.5ozs! HOLY MOLY! Long way from 3lbs! He will be turning 6 months old on the 7Th, SIX MONTHS OLD! He started on solid foods last week and is loving it, especially sweet potatoes. He has gotten a clean bill of health from all his specialists, he is officially a normal baby, no issues. *Yayyyy!*

I have also started a new direction in my life and career, upon attempting to return to work my employer informed me I no longer had a job with them, all because I had a premature baby and was not able to return as quickly as a full term pregnancy. So much for "take as much time as you need". I'm sure I'm not the first woman that has had to deal with the same issues. I'm not taking it hard though, I think it's the Universe's nudge to me to follow my passion and do what I really want to be doing; my art and my painting.

So watch out! I'm 40, a new mom and on a mission to be able to do the things that make me.....well me!

BIG NEWS!!!!

I made myself find a few minutes to post and let you all know that our new little addition to the family: ETHAN KADE has arrived!!!

Ethan actually arrived on April 7 at 1:36 in the morning. He was born at 28 weeks and weighed 3lbs 0.7ozs. Fortunately he is in the NICU at a wonderful hospital: Moses Taylor. He is progressing nicely and as of today he weighed in at 4lbs 2.5ozs and was 14.5 inches long.

I am sure many of you can imagine the surprise, shock, fear (just to name a few emotions) that comes with delivering prematurely. We are truly blessed that Ethan decided to come when he did because upon his arrival the Doctor showed us that his umbilical cord was tied in a complete knot, which means had Ethan gone full term, things would have not been good and he probably would have been stillborn. He is a strong little guy and is growing by leaps and bounds everyday.

As for me, I can't complain. Physically it was not difficult to deliver a small baby.....emotionally that is a different story. My days are spent trying to get the house in order and traveling back and forth to the hospital, I barely have time to get a shower in. Soon I will be staying at the local Ronald McDonald house to be able to be there to breastfeed several times a day.

Thank you everyone that has stopped in to say hi. I truly appreciate it even though I have not had a bit of time to email or post here. Please know I do read comments and think of my blogging friends often.

Here are some pics of our little miracle......