Childhood

I never tire of re-living the moments of my own childhood through my children. The infinite loop of past and present. It’s one of my very favorite things.

Asleep on the living room floor while listening to Eric Clapton on the record player

I Love Us: Pinterest Project

I have been working on a few little projects from pinterest and this has to be one of my new favorites. 

First, I saw THIS free printable. I took it to Kinko's/Fed Ex and they printed it on a black foam board for less than $5 (price would depend on the size you want).

I snagged the cheap plate-holder/picture-holder from Hobby Lobby... you can use THIS coupon to get an even better deal! I used an old family doily that we already had at the house under my wooden family.

I found the wooden figures on etsy from the seller, Swell Goods. All it took was a quick email and she was able to customize an order for me to fit what I was looking for.

I love how this looks on our mantel and how personalized it is. Feel free to make one for your home too!!

Final Countdown: 5 Weeks

Family photo from my cousin's wedding shower this past weekend in Springfield, MO

I am officially uncomfortable. It seems this little lady has decided to settle down further in my hips and and all of a sudden POW! I feel like a legit pregnant woman - waddle and all. It came on so suddenly this week. I can’t get comfortable, my hips and pelvis feel so ache-y and sore all of the time now. But the positive of it all of this is that I can feel my body really starting to loosen and prepare for the fact that this little girl will be making her entrance into the world soon.

I had another fantastic doctors appointment last week - Every time I leave I have the biggest smile plastered across my face. My belly is measuring right on schedule and my next appointment is July 5th. After that, I have weekly appointments from there until Everly's birth!
 
Tyler and I still need to finalize our vision for Everly's birth but we don't have too much to change from our last one. Our pre admission appointment with the hospital (the same place Aliyah was born) is scheduled for July 9th. Things are moving right along!

Big Girl

Check out my big girl sipping a latte (well, actually just water in a fancy coffee cup) and toting her Vera Bradley bag (a special birthday gift from her Annie and Randy) Oh.My.Goodness

Sweetness

Sweet as the cherry on top of my favorite sundae with extra sprinkles for good measure - you’re that sweet little girl.

Project Swing Set

In pieces...

Waiting for her swing set to be put together

Complete!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Final Countdown: 6 Weeks

Whew! It’s been a very busy week around the Inzer house. We spent most of last weekend working in the yard and staining the new SWING SET!!!! All of the grandparents went in with us to get Aliyah a swing set for her 2nd birthday. It was delivered and set-up last week, and since we found a great used set on craig's list, we did have a little work cleaning and re-staining it. It has a play house, rock wall, ramp, ladder, three swings and a bar with hand rings too. The play house has a few window boxes to plant flowers in - it is so adorable!

PURE JOY!!

We also did a little cleaning inside the house and hosted a Father's Day celebration on Sunday (which was a blast!)

Back to an Everly update: 6 weeks(ish) left!! We have completed the updated the nursery and I’m absolutely smitten with it! It just feels so cheery and fun! Last night over dinner, Tyler and I were talking about how much the reality of all of this has hit us since we have finished their shared room. Two beds. Two little people who are our responsibility. It feels very foreign but wonderful to start sentences like “Let’s take the kids...” or “When the children...” We are basking in our soon to be plurality.

Tyler made mini beds and I was able to use Aliyah's baby bedding and add some pieces to it - teal pillow cases, euro pillows, a bean bag and a pink blanket I sewed myself! I took down "ALIYAH" and made the girls' initials with yarn and felt flowers.

Some changes: a basket for soft toys/dolls and a mirror low enough for some silly faces. I took off the closet doors to create more room and made the pink curtains. The dresser has a few fun nick-knacks and another bow organizer I made from an oatmeal container, paper and a candle stick.

I made this print on my computer, took it to Kinko's and had it printed on a foam board. "Dream Big" is from the lyrics to the lullaby I wrote before Aliyah was born.

This wall is very similar to Aliyah's original nursery except we took out the rocking chair and added this bean bag. I wanted to have something the girls could easily climb and sit.

Not new but still a personal favorite! I made these from silver platters and chalkboard paint.

"Sisters" and the baby tummy-time mirror... which Aliyah also still enjoys while rolling on the floor  making funny faces.

Not a lot on this wall but sometimes simple is best!

 This sign pretty much says it all (another original from Aliyah's nursery). 

I almost forgot! Bows behind the door and low so the girls can reach.

I still feel really fantastic. I have been having a few more weird pregnancy symptoms than I did with Aliyah, but I really can't complain - especially knowing what I get from it all in less than 2 months. Just some funky  leg cramping, weird skin rashes and a little pressure from Everly's positioning choices... but really who wants to hear that?!?

The nursery is ready. We are planning to set up her bassinet in our bedroom later this week. Teeny little outfits are washed and put away. In the next few weeks we will be putting in the infant car seat and packing a hospital bag!

Dear Tyler

I feel so much gratitude when I think about the example you set for Aliyah and will soon be setting for Everly. On how a husband should love a wife. On how a father should care for his children. I know that the steady diet of love and security that you are feeding to Aliyah daily will shine through in all parts of her future. You are patient. Kind in a manner that I try to emulate. And loving in ways that makes me want for nothing. I hope when you look at us, you see that we are filled up because of you. Your wife, your your daughters. I don’t need a special day to tell you these things, but I also won’t miss an opportunity to say it again. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all that you do for us. The biggest things and the smallest. They all add up to one very lucky, very happy little family.


Happy Father’s Day My Darling.

TWO at the ZOO

Birthday Pictures (lots and lots and lots)!!!

I think this had to be one of the best parts of the day! Tyler and I blew up as many balloons as we could and put them all over the floor in Aliyah's room before we went to bed. In the morning, it was so fun to see her so excited!!

She threw them all over the room and then decided to roll around in them. The smile on this girl's face was ridiculous - I loved it!

She took a few "Happy Birthday" calls before we headed to Grammy & Papa's for her party!

PARTY!!!

The kids' table was equipped with zoo legos, coloring pages, animal crackers, temporary tattoos and lion party favors.

A super easy and cheap zoo wreath that I made from a wooden embroidery hoop, animal print scrap fabric and some ribbon. I made it in one afternoon while Aliyah was napping.

Remember this?? We hung the birthday banner that my mom and I made last year because it is just too cute!

Fresh flowers and an easy matching vase made from ribbons and paper in her party colors.

MORE balloons!!!

The drink station with iced tea and mason jar glasses. I found zebra printed cupcake cups to use as lids over the mason jars. (The banner hanging on the picture was made from paper triangles and hung with twine)

My parents really outdid themselves when it came to dinner! We had pork burritos and chicken tacos that were out of this world!

Don't forget the Gorilla Grapes and Bongo Bananas!

Aliyah definitely favors cookies and ice cream above any other dessert... since it was her special day, we went with her favorites! I made the tiered cookie trays from candle sticks and cheap serving trays from the dollar store (we used paper doilies under the cookies since I used spray paint on the trays)! Thanks to Aunt Penny for sharing her cookie recipe - they were delicious!

Make your own trail mix!
Pellets = M&Ms - Berries = Craisins - Oats = Cereal
I used ice scoops to serve the animal feed and there were stickers to decorate or seal your bag. This was so much fun!

ZOO!!!

We had a quick Jimmy John's sandwich for lunch with Uncle Randy and Aunt Annie at my parent's house and then it was off to the zoo! It was a hot afternoon, but everyone had a great time.

After the zoo we headed back to Grammy and Papa's house to party some more!!

Aliyah's party dress!

A sensory table Aliyah's papa and I made. We filled the tub with beans and zoo animals. There were also a few shovels and scoops. The backyard had chalk, bubbles, beach balls and hoola hoops! I am really excited about the sensory table for the girls. I love that the tub has a lid, can be closed overnight and easily changed out for rice, sand water, etc!!

We were so blessed to have so many family members and friends celebrate such a special day with us! Thank you, Thank you. THANK YOU to everyone!!!!