In His Steps: 2011

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Birthday Extravaganza

Well, today is my baby's second birthday! It is hard to believe! Here is a picture of her on the day we brought her home from the hospital. We didn't find out the sex of the baby, so to find out she was a girl was SO fun! Her Grammie had fun shopping for her, and bought her this ladybug outfit and blanket to come home in!

We decorated the nursery after I had the baby, because I didn't want a gender neutral nursery. If it was a girl, ladybug was the theme, and if it would have been a boy, it would have been pirates. (Hints the newborn decked out in ladybug!) She was a ladybug for her first halloween, and her first birthday was ladybug themed! Her second birthday party is in owls this year, (she is obsessed with them!) but I still had to make her a ladybug outfit for her to wear on her actual birthday! Besides that, I am addicted to making these little pants now, and wanted an excuse to make another pair...not to mention that since I have had my embroidery machine, I had YET to make a ladybug shirt for her!! I figured this was the best time to bust out a complete outfit!

I didn't really get a good picture of her in the outfit, she doesn't stand still for even a minute, so I posted the above picture for you to see the whole thing.

Her birthday started off with mommy and daddy singing to her as she woke up. She was so excited, and smiled the whole time. Her hair was crazy, and she had on her new cupcake jammies just for the occasion.

We then ventured on to Bagel Place (this was really more for mommy and daddy...shhh, don't tell!). She really does love their breakfast tacos and "donuts" (bagels)...and I love that they are only $2 a piece and HOME MADE...in your face McDonalds!

We then headed off for a day of discovery at the Discovery Center. We still have our family membership, so this didn't cost us anything! They have changed it up quite a bit since the last we visited, but she still had tons of fun!

We then went home to take nap! We can't have a cranky birthday girl! After naptime was over, we grabbed a bite to eat at Chick-Fila! They have the best chicken...and we had coupons!

Now, for the most important part of the day....CUPCAKES! We went to the Ruffled Cup. This was the first time we had been there. There cupcakes were amazing, but VERY rich! Natalee didn't seem to mind though. She picked out one with white frosting and sprinkles.

It was such a beautiful day outside! We brought some bread from home, and went to the park to feed the ducks. Now. apparently Amarillo has really slacked off this winter, because we were swarmed with ducks everywhere! They were so hungry! Natalee had a blast throwing little pieces out to them, and really wanted to 'pet' them. I didn't think that was such a good idea since they were so hungry...and she is so sweet!

We ended our day with a new puzzle game on numbers. It was a little over her head, but it won't be for long. She recognized the number one everytime...and the numbers two and three about 85 percent of the time. She is a smart little thing.

We had a great day with our little lady! We were so glad to have daddy at home that day too, but only because his car broke down. $428 later, the car is fixed, and the day is over. Happy Birthday Natalee Grace! We love you!

At two years old you can:

1. Say most of your ABC's.

2. Sing ring around the rosey.

3. Count to 5 all of the time, and 10 most of the time.

4. Say that you had an accident.

5. 'Read' the story of Baby Jesus.

6. Recognize the letters A B C E L M O Q R S W X Y Z.

7. Understands the concept of the number two. (ex: "I have 2 babies mommy!" "I see 2 friends mommy!")

8. Can tell you the weather outside: raining, snowing, windy, hot, and cold.

9. Understands the concepts of under, over, up, down, and turn around.

10. You know and can point out the colors: blue, pink, purple, white, brown, black, red, orange, yellow, and green.

11. You know the shapes: circle, square, triangle, heart and star.

12. Sing: Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Little Star, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and most of the ABC's.

13. She knows the difference between her food being hot, a little warm, and too cold.

Krystole

Blog-aversary

Yes you read the title right....it's my blog-aversary! I cannot believe I have been blogging for a whole year! I also can't believe that I actually kept up with it...most of the time. I have REALLY enjoyed blogging, especially since becoming a stay at home mom in October. If you will notice, that is when my blogging picked up the pace. I love going back and reading my entries. I love to see how God worked out the kinks that I thought I would never live through. I love to see how God worked through the different situations for His glory. I love to see how He was faithful, even when I wasn't. This year, I hope to blog more! It really is therapeutic for me. There's just something about writing all your thoughts and feelings down in one place.
I look forward to another year of record keeping, another year or memory making, another year of seeing God's faithfulness. I hope you have enjoyed reading my blogs, and keeping up with The Glover's!
Krystole

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

What's on the inside...

That's right...I finally made something I can use!! I am so very excited about this, and love my new Bible cover. The next one I make, I will make differently though. This little cover took me quite a bit of time, and patience for that matter. I guess that is how it goes when you are making something for the very first time. I made a lot of dumb mistakes, and my original plan actually included 3 different fabrics, you see how well that worked out! LOL I look forward to making more of these covers, and I hope and pray that they will bless the person they are being sent to. I don't want to get a new Bible every time it starts to look old. There is just something special about my Bible. It's old-ish, written in, highlighted in, circled in....there needs to be a lot more done though. I love flipping through and seeing all of the old notes that I had written, and being reminded of what that specific scripture said to me. There are notes from church camp, retreats, Sunday sermons, quiet times, and small groups in it. It is exploding with knowledge about the One who is Good, and I need to make more of a commitment to read it on a more regular basis. Anyway, here is a picture of my "new Bible." I love it. Like I said on my facebook page when speaking about the cover, "It may not be perfect, but the Bible inside of it is." I love when I think up catchy things to say! Be blessed friends!

It's not the outside that counts, it's what is on the inside.

Krystole

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Little Bed, Big Dreams....

How is it possible that my husband is taking down the crib and replacing it with a toddler bed? Isn't my daughter only 6 months old? I can't believe how fast the time has gone, and that she is growing up, whether I like it or not! Jeremy took down the crib today, I only cried a little! I stood there watching and reflecting back on some of my favorite moments with that crib.

#1. The day we bought it. I can remember the excitement that I had when purchasing this crib online. I knew it was going to be perfect in our future child's room.
#2. The day it arrived on my front porch! It took all that my 7 month pregnant self had not to pick it up and set it up at that moment!
#3. The day we brought our little GIRL home (we didn't find out the gender), and I could finally order bedding for the crib! (I didn't want a gender neutral nursery!)
#4. Seeing that crib all set up with it's Ladybug bedding! It was the perfect nursery, and I couldn't wait for Natalee to be able to sleep in it!
#5. Speaking of sleeping, the first night we put Natalee in it to sleep. She was three weeks old to the date, and she slept in it like a champ.
#6. The first time she pulled up in it. I remember walking it to a bright-eyed girl, who was so proud of herself.
#7. I loved going in after she had fallen asleep to rearrange her blanket where it covered her just right. This is usually also when I prayed over her.
#8. Walking in about 2 weeks ago to find her straddled over the edge, proclaiming, "I'm riding a horthey!" (horsey)...and knowing it was time to get a big girl bed.

It's funny how easily you get attached to things. I never thought I would be crying because I wanted the crib to stay. I can't wait to use that crib again someday in our next child's room. I think I will cherish those moments even more, because I now understand just how quickly they pass. It's bitter sweet really. I am SO glad to have a happy, healthy, and smart toddler, but it's just so hard to let go of everything "baby" about her.

She was so excited to be getting a "new bed," as she was saying to us over and over. When Jeremy brought it in she said, "there is it, there's my new bed!" It was love at first dream....until she actually had to sleep in it that night...I will catch you up on this a little later.

It took a while to figure out the perfect way to rearrange her room to make it all fit, but I think I love it for now. We rearranged it, and then left to go and eat dinner, so that way when I came back in, it would be new and fresh, and I could figure out if I really liked it or not. After dinner, I opened the door and felt like I was walking straight into a teenagers room! It felt SO grown up! I do love it though.

I am going to make some new bookshelves off an idea that I found on pinterest...I think they will look so cute in her new "big girl" room!

We did our nightly routine: eat, bathe, brush our teeth, read a book, rock a little...and then put her down. She was pretty scared of her new room! LOL After all, the bed is new, the whole room is rearranged, and she isn't even sleeping at the same end of the bed that she usually does, since this one has a definite "head" and "foot" place. I ended up sitting on the floor, rubbing her back, until she calmed down. Then, I just slowly starting scooting back towards the door. With every little scoot, she would say, "stay on the floor mommy," in the saddest little voice you've ever heard. I kept reassuring her there was nothing to be afraid of. I ended up in the rocking chair...and then, out the door. She was asleep. We did it! We made it through the first night! I can't say that I was irritated at the fact that she was scared and wanted me to stay with her...I didn't really want to leave her in that big girl bed either. I think that was God's way of telling me, "See, even though she is getting bigger, she will always be your little girl." Thank you God for the reminder...it is just what this momma needed.

It's still such a little bed, but I know she will dream big things in it. God has so much in store for her. I can't wait to watch her grow (totally contradicting this whole blog, I know), and see who she becomes. My heart is full of love for her, and I am thankful for these milestones.

Krystole

Friday, December 23, 2011

Away in a Manger

Away in a Manger...

No crib for a bed....

The little LORD Jesus...

lay down his sweet head....

The stars in the sky...

Looked down where He lay...

the little LORD Jesus...

asleep on the hay.

I saw this idea on another blog, and loved it dearly. I think I will start doing blogs by song every once and a while! Music is dear to my heart, and I think everyone should re-read the blog and sing it along with me!

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I can just picture sweet baby Jesus laying in the manger. All of his innocence wrapped in the swaddling clothes. I can see the virgin Mary (obviously in her blue outfit) staring in awe and wonder at the Christ child, to whom she gave birth to; and I thought my delivery was heavenly! I can see Joseph humbled and honored to be present at the coming of the King. Wouldn't it have been such a sight? Sometimes I am jealous that I didn't live in bible times. Where Jesus was born in your friends stable on that precious Christmas night, walked right along beside you, performing miracles left and right. How could those people not have believed He was who He said? I guess I am grateful that they didn't, or He would have never died on the cross to save me from this Earth.

I hope each of you are blessed this Christmas, and really remember what the season is all about.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Luke 2:19

Krystole

Thursday, December 22, 2011

SEW Cute

Just a short little blog to update you on my latest sewing creations! I am SO excited to give these gifts to Natalee for Christmas! I am very proud of the amount of money we have spent on her this year! If you read my blog titled "Oh What Fun," you know we are only doing 4 gifts with our new tradition. A little recap if you don't want to go back and re-read: It's based on the story of the 3 wise men. You give one gift that they want, one gift that they need, one gift to further develop their relationship in Jesus, and one gift from Santa.

Here is a run down of what we bought her!
1) What she wanted: Art Supplies! I started buying these back in September. Every time I went to the grocery store, I would pick up a new box of crayons, construction paper, paint brushes, etc. This equaled NO money spent out of our Christmas fund! (My parents bought her a new desk!!)
2) What she needed: She is getting a toddler bed! I also made her a new pillowcase and blanket to go with it! There will also be a new pair of ladybug jammies, and the ladybug outfit I made her to wear on her actual birthday (29th). The toddler bed I found used at Once Upon A Child! I went through her old belongings that she could no longer wear, and turned them in for credit, so the bed only cost us $8! As far as the ladybug stuff goes, I had most of the fabric on hand already! :) I probably spent $10 for fabric that I needed.

Her outfit, blanket and pillowcase!

3) What would further develop her relationship with Jesus: We got her a new DVD (BOZ) and Boz books to match. She loves him! It is such a sweet show...all about Jesus! I found this stuff at Mardel, you should look into the series if you have young ones!
4) Santa: From Santa, she is getting the cradle pictured below, and a whole set of baby stuff (playpen, swing, bouncer, highchair and diaper bag), and a new baby! This was a combined gift from Mommy and Daddy and Grammie and Grumpie! I found the wooden cradle at Once Upon a Child, for $12. I found the play set for her baby there as well, brand new, for $10! I looked the exact set up online, and it was $40! YAY for cheap!! My mom and dad bought her the new baby and the diaper bag. I made the crib bedding from extra fabric that I already had, so that cost nothing! I also made her new ladybug blanket and her baby doll blanket to match! SO fun!

I am SO happy with how it turned out!
Notice how the doll blanket, and Natalee's match!
I LOVE matching!!

So, there you have it! I love our new tradition! Now, I wish I had all of her birthday planning done...I guess I still have a week though! :) Gotta love Christmas babies! On the plus side, at least I only have to get the wrapping paper out once a year.

Merry Christmas! I hope you are greatly blessed!

Krystole

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Un-BOW-lievable

It is unbelievable to me how busy the BOWtique has been this Christmas season! I have been so blessed, by so many different people, from all over the place! Thank you to everyone who ordered! If you have no idea what I am talking about, look me up on facebook at Krystole's BOWtique! :) This is not including multiples of the same shirt, a Christmas outfit that I made, an entire set of ladybug stuff (pillowcase, blanket, shirt and pants for Natalee!), and 20 bows!! I am glad to say that my Christmas orders have been completed...except for the outfit I am about to start on for Natalee! :) I guess when you are a crafter, your work is really never quite done....