I knew it...

It's a girl!!

image credit: unknown

Another girl!!

More drama, more dresses, more curls, more tears, more Dora, more dress up, more cuteness, more pink, more frills, more silliness, more loves... did I mention drama?

Another princess.

Yesterday Collin and I would look at each other and just start laughing.

Of course another girl!! I couldn't picture it any other way.

Being the second of three girls in my family... I know exactly what's ahead of me. scared. ;)

boy or girl

Tomorrow (11 hours 34 minutes to be exact) we'll find out whether they'll be more twirling & dress up around the house or snails & puppy dog tails.

It would be fun to wait & find out when the baby's born, but you're talking to the girl who still peeks at her Christmas presents. So, that would be complete torture for me. It drives me crazy when other people don't find out-let alone myself. With all this excitement and anticipation it kinda feels like Christmas Eve.

Since my motherly intuition on this subject is only a hunch... I've asked the family to weigh in their thoughts-hoping they'll have some flash of inspiration.

Big sis says that it'll be a boy about 75% of the many times I've asked her.

Little sis (who loves saying silly things just to make you laugh) has had many different answers... but I'm pretty sure there isn't a baba, doggie or cake in my tummy. Today she did say boy but that was after she heard Big Sis' answer. Then Big sis changed her answer to a girl. Could you imagine another 5 months of these flip-flop answers?I'm counting on the trained professional tomorrow. ;)

Hmmmmm... what will it be?

Collin kinda thinks it's a girl leading him to twitter this:

Find out the gender of kid #3 on Monday. So far, 2 girls. Weekend plan: play football while blowing stuff up. Convince God to send a boy.

Yes. A boy would be fun, but believe me, we wouldn't complain at all if God sent us another one of these darlings.

she's the cherry on top

Being 2 years old is pretty much the coolest.

You've learned super toddler skills from older sister to wean your way through daily adventures. You still love to cuddle with momma. You sleep like a heavenly-angel... probably because you're a busy, destroying-angel... all day long.

Oh, and being two is especially cool because you get to eat your very own chocolate cake.

The layout in the photo is using cute papers from the adorable Basic Grey collection-- Nook & Pantry. The banner with clothespinned pictures of her since she was born.

It was a princess in the frog theme so the cupcakes had chocolate frogs and cake-pop crowns, we played pin the kiss on the frog & Miss Quince was spoiled with presents.

(Jodie from Sweet Treats sent me the adorable cake pops. The crowns had glitter pink frosting and tiny candy pearls. SO darling.)

Thanks to everyone who came! xoxo (Wishing I'd took a big group shot. Making a mental note of that for next time.)

Besides sneezing like crazy

with the worst eye-scratching, nose-running, kleenex loving allergies. Here's some tid-bits of what we're up to...

Collecting: Vintage brooches to make something pretty with... someday.

Celebrating: Father's Day for this babe. Pretty much the coolest dad since Danny Tanner.

My favorite recent tweets of Collin's about being a daddy:

-Whenever my wife asks, "Can you take this dirty diaper to the outside trash?" all I hear is, "Hey, chuck this poop-bomb down the stairs."

-Wife is leaving to teach at an event in Puerto Rico til Monday. This place is gonna look like a pre-school frat house by then.

-At my 4-yr old's t-ball game. They don't even keep score in this league. How is my kid supposed to learn competitive jealousy and rage?

-My #2 kid turns big #2 tomorrow. For some reason my wife is shutting down my "Everybody Poops" theme

-When my wife asks, "Can you clean up the kid's toy room?" All I hear is, "Go kick the toys from the middle of the room to the sides."

-With two kids under the age of three, I've started saving time at restaurants by pouring an entire glass of lemonade on my pants as soon as we sit down.

-My wife wants to go see "Letters to Juliet" instead, I suggested we soak our eyes in lamp oil and stare directly at the sun for 2 hours.

-My wife said we should go off dairy and bought a bunch of Rice Milk. Am I supposed to shake it up before pouring it down the drain?

Craving: Strawberries by the crateful & shortcake full.

Creating: Booth samples with my next Dear Lizzy lines for CHA summer in July.

Played: At the local carnival.
Also, sending out Shades of Summer today! yay!

What are you up to?

Here's to 6 more months... Well, 5 and a half.

Putting together a book for our little one that's growing by the minute. Each month I'm writing a letter to him/her and including it in a glitter and sequin sprinkled envelope.

Waiting for my Punky Sprouts mini album in the mail to put it all together.

Today I'm 17 weeks and 3 days. Can you tell I'm keeping track? But my photo and notes are from four months.

4 months means:

-Morning sickness has been replaced with a truck driver's appetite. Although I'm not sure many truck drivers eat an entire pineapple in one sitting. Like I did. Yesterday.

-Holding tight to my jeans... which are now unbuttoned because I'm not ready to embrace my elastic waisted wardrobe.

-Continuing our morning run jog I mean walk. Just because I feel better when I get out and get my heart pumping. Seriously considering installing a motor to my double jogging stroller so instead of pushing 2 and carrying 1 they can just drag me.

-My iphone app explained over the past few months that our baby has grown from a poppyseed to a raspberry, a peach then an avocado, to a grapefruit and now a sweet potato. (And they wonder why I'm obsessed with food?)

-Feeling oh, so blessed for our little sweet potato.

The photo is couple weeks ago of my 4 month belly shot and I'm not kidding this baby has grown so much since Collin took it. I should have worn something tighter to show it off more instead of a dress. But don't worry, you won't be disappointed, ;) this belly will be ginormous by the 40 week mark--which is a very good thing.

There are lots of quaint, worn-down-but-still-have-their-charm homes around town so I may be visiting them every month to capture our baby growing.

Happy Friday... any fun plans?

Dress: Ruche

Butterfly diecuts from local shop: Pebbles in my Pocket

Cuddlebug Swiss Dot embosser. love it.

Glitter Number: American Crafts

Pin: Jenni Bowlin

evo conference

Thrilled to one of the speakers at Evo Conference this month. I will be teaching a workshop walking you through the step-by-step process to construct a DIY-style post, including craft photography. Btw... what would you want to specifically learn about that?

There are so many incredible speakers! Even the opening keynote sounds quite intriguing... Where are you going?

Who: Bloggers, businesses, and social media junkies of all levels. What: Participate in hands-on tutorials and workshops, thoughtful discussions and keynote panels. Network and party with the friends and brands you love.

When: June 24-26, 2010

Where: The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah

Why: Experts will take you, step-by-step, through their processes as you follow along on your own projects. Get ready to explore blogging, photography, PR, marketing, writing and more.

Learning, camaraderie, fresh mountain air…it’s like summer camp for bloggers.

seeking happiness

Photo credit: Mindy Johnson

Hello there. I am blogging from 32,000 feet in the air on my way home.

Wifi on the airplane is pretty cool I must say.

On my long flights to & from Puerto Rico not only did I sit by a woman who coughed out her lung onto my lap, which I politely handed back to her. Or the elderly woman on this flight who every time she falls asleep slowly leans over and cuddles up next to me... but I re-read the book Eat Pray Love. I grabbed it from my bookshelf as I ran out the door because I'm excited to see the movie and I think she's an entertaining writer. As I was reading it, I noticed that I highlighted a section of the book that clearly stood out to me the first time digging into its pages.

Maybe this quote really speaks to the Behavioral Science degree in me but I really needed to be reminded of this idea of happiness. There have been times in my life when it was up to me to choose it. Then even more up to me to continue to seek it. I love the reminder to keep praying even after the crisis has passed--another note to self.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote:

"I keep remembering one of my Guru's teachings about happiness. She says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you're fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.

You fight for it

strive for it

insist upon it

and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations for your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't you will leak away your innate contentment. It's easy enough to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments."

And for those who have read the book--"Smile in your liver." ;)

MIA

Hola! I'm away teaching at an event in Puerto Rico! Reuniting with friends I taught last year and scrapbooking all day long. Which means we are having fun but tired. One thing that hasn't changed since last year-Puerto Ricans really live it up and know how to party.

The event started off with a bang including a band as we danced our way to our first classes. Which started late and some of my supplies was missing but, hey, everyone was having a blast!
More dancing and singing during class... only in Puerto Rico.

from party to page

Really glad that I got my thoughts about her birthday onto paper... and pretty paper none the less. But whether you scribble them on a napkin, in your journal or on a scrapbook page it's those thoughts that make the moments live on. When I look through my scrapbook albums my favorite pages are the ones where I took the time to write heartfelt details and leave a lump in my throat taking me back to that time.

Lots of my Dear Lizzy goodies used: Banner paper, Alphabet stickers, Rubons, Stickers

My friend Margie gave me some fun, little tidbits perfect additions including the vellum envelope holding a small tag with a note to Avery, pink pocket, small pearls, lace and ribbons.

American Crafts: Yellow dot

Crate Paper: clouds & dots

Butterfly punch... love it!

Thanks for looking!

PS Thanks to everyone who joined in the Shades of Summer! If you emailed me you are on the list and more details to follow...

summer shenanigans

This is the third year doing Shades of Summer & I'm thrilled to do it again. SOS started the summer that Quincey was born. I knew I wouldn't be traveling much so we thought it would be fun to send around 20 traveling sunglasses as a way to connect with you awesome blog readers!

**Edited** Thanks ladies for signing up! We hit our quota :)

Want to join in on the shenanigans?

Here's the dealio:

1. You can't be moving this summer (because the package gets lots or doesn't get forwarded) or traveling extensively.

2. First, you take a photo wearing the sunglasses and email it to me.

3. Second, you will ship a small box with the sunglasses in it to the next person on the list I'll include in the box.

4. You must ship glasses & list of addresses with in 2 days of receiving them.

•The first 300 peeps to email me are included in all the fun.

•If you can follow the above rules email me at ShadesofSummer@gmail.com.

•US only but if you are in Western Europe and want to play along email Kristin Reinhard at ShadesofSummerEurope@gmail.com

•If you want to host an SOS outside of the US email me at ShadesofSummer@gmail.com and I'll tell you how it works.

I hope this year the sunglasses don't get stuck anywhere or lost because it's quite exciting to see them travel around and get to know you ladies... even in this small, silly way.

Remember I posted the giveaway winners and 300 dpi free kit below.

giveaway winners!

Bijou Market winner:

Anonymous said... I just love the sunshine on summer days :) Thanks for the giveaway! Yasmin

Lisa Leonard winner:

sillypea said...

Wow! Great giveaways! I would like to spend some of my summer crafting with the windows open!

Miss Ruby Sue winner:

serena said...

well if collin is the one picking the winner I definitely won't use words like cute, adorable, or lovely - how about rockin', smashin', and da bomb - that's what these giveaways are! as for what I will be up to this summer (is collin still reading?) I will be doing all the yard work so my hubbie can relax in the hammock

Shey B winner:

Kristine said...

great giveaways - thanks for the chance to win! After a long school year I am happy to have my girls (12 and 13) home for a few months - we always have lots of fun family time planned....waving to Colin (let us know where you want the homemade cookies delivered!)

Scarlet Lime Frugal FAB kit:

Anonymous said...

Boy..How can you not love all these giveaways....It looks like you been a little busy Lizzy, I think maybe you should be the one that should win all these prizes!!
"Say something that you love about summer"...I'll say that you have more time to scrapbook with the extra light the sun gives during summer then winter!! ;)
Congratulation to the lucky winner.
OXOX to you all.
Cam W

Scarlet Lime BeadArt kit:

H. said...

Fun giveaways and I love your blog & products... so cute! A favorite thing about summer is walks in the evenings with my hubby when it cools off. So peaceful!

Email me your addresses ladies!

That was a fun giveaway we should do that again sometime... but everyone is a winner of something cool from 300 dpi!! Check out this exclusive FREE gift from Die Cuts with a View Digital.

• Free Exclusive Sweet II Digital Kit for Dear Lizzy blog readers.
• This cute kit contains 13 digital papers, embellishments, and an alphabet set.
• Use promo code EK-52010
• Valid till 06/30/2010
• I'd love to see what you create with it!

Next up... Shades of Summer 2010 sign up.

bed head

This girl wakes up with the craziest bed head every morning. I wonder what she does in her sleep? By the looks of it, she dreams of being a rock star.

As soon as I get a chance I'll choose the winners to the awesome summer giveaway. So, until then, feel free to throw your name into the hat. There's some darling stuff.

Happy Friday already?!

Celebrate Summer {giveaway}

Let's celebrate summer with a pretty awesome giveaway from a handful of my favorite websites and accessory shops!

○ First up, is brought to you by my sis-in-law Emily and her fabulous handmade market that's this weekend-Bijou Market. It's June 5th at 202 E 1800 S Orem, UT. She's giving away these beautiful fabric earrings and you'll find other darling stuff at Bijou. Hope to see you there.

○Lisa Leonard Designs--I've shared before how much I adore her jewelry and that hasn't changed. She creates such meaningful custom pieces that are timeless and cherished. Leave a comment to win a $75 gift certificate!!

○ Miss Ruby Sue has been a favorite accessory shop of mine ever since I found the gorgeous necklace in my profile pic. Lori has a new, exciting venture that I'm thrilled to tell you about! She's now introducing the limited edition Dottie headband kit.

It comes with everything you need to create a silk covered headband, fanciful nest accent and of course, Dottie, herself- a ladylike chickadee who never leaves the house with out her pearls on. Learn the secret techniques from Miss Ruby Sue... Leave a comment to win one of these darling limited edition kits!!

○ Shey B camera straps keep getting better and better...! I love her new designs adding ruffle and bow details. So they're not only comfy while you're taking photos but cute and stylish!

Check out her new designs here and keep your eyes open for the Couture strap it sells out quick. She's giving away a camera strap of your choice. (excluding the couture.)

Enter DEARLIZZY for 10% off your entire purchase.

○ Scarlet Lime is has an exciting new offer for their kits--the Frugal FAB kit! They understand that we may be on a tight budget but also still want to nurture our creative souls with great products coming to our door each month. So they decided to offer a kit that is not only full of fabulous goodies, but at a steal of a price! The kit retails for over $40 and is only $19.95 for a subscription. It's almost sold out so get it fast! Leave a comment to win one of these FAB kits!

○ Scarlet Lime is also expanding in their jewerly and now has JewerlyArt--It's the newest artistic addition! JewerlyArt that you create yourself. We've just added brand new designs to check them out today! Our NeckArt, BangleArt and WatchArt kits are easy to assemble and come with unique beads and trinkets you won't find anywhere else! Our JewerlyArt kits are a fun way to creatively express yourself! Check it out here!

The winner will receive a prize pack worth of over $50! It will include a BeadArt pack and Findings kit, WatchArt kit and Watchface, Dangle NeckArt kit and chain and a TrinketArt pack! wow!!

Leave a comment to win one of these goodies! Enter your name and something your love about summer... or just your name... or just gush about one of the giveaways!

Collin usually chooses the winners and does accept bribes. ;)