New Year, New House, New Name

2009: 

I really do exist. I've just been in hibernation. Babybear and I moved into our new "cave" and I've been busy settling in. So the crafting has been put on hold for the time being. 

BUT- Here's what I've learned thus far about painting. 

1. I really love Dutch Boy's DuraClean and Refresh- there's hardly any smell and it's designed to be better for the environment. (Available at Menard's.) 

2. If you didn't buy enough paint and have to go back for more, don't take back the paint card, it's not enough- especially if it's not a color that was designed for the paint you purchased. Instead, take back the lid to the old can- it will specifically list exactly what was mixed to get the correct color. B/c there are usually three different ways to mix the same color- even with the same paint card. 

*TRUST ME- I took back the paint card and we actually had the rest of the living room painted before we realized that they were different shades of the same color. :(

3. When painting wood paneling, use an oil-based primer to get the paint to "stick". Strange but true and then any latex paint will go right on. 

4. You really shouldn't use your roller to paint in all kinds of directions...... it seems obvious. 

5. To avoid that streaky look- If you're going to use a dark color, like a deep red, make sure to use a tinted primer FIRST and then paint- otherwise, your wall will show up with streaks of "white" and it won't matter how many coats you put on. 

I also went back to my maiden name.... lots of change going on this year. :) 

I'm going to attend skappingirl's personal planner class this weekend and I am so excited. So hopefully I will have something very cool to show you- soon and very soon. 

The "cave" open house has been scheduled so I should have something more to share. Ciao!

HahaBear- I get it from my momma!

HahaBear is my mom. Babybear couldn't pronounce Halmonee (which is the Korean word for Grandma) and so he called mymom Haha. It's stuck ever since. HahaBear is where I learned my crafty-ness. She introduced me to my first flour/salt dough ornaments, my cone/ball paper ornaments, knitting, and etc. 

The other night. she made this adorable bells for Babybear. The bell ornament on the left was created by my now 21 year old brother when he was in elementary school and is one of our favorite Christmas ornaments. So HahaBear use this bell as a template to make this one. So adorable! (She's now made at least 4 others....) 

It is finally finished!

I finally finished his sweater. Babybear was so happy watching me make it. 

(Mommy, that's for me? OH THANK YOU!)

 He wanted to wear it right away and I told him that I was working on the "neck." (Ok, Mommy, Make my neck.) 

And he was soooo happy to put it on. 

PS. I have the soap. I'm waiting for my letter kit to arrive. 

Testing?

So Babybear was up at 3 a.m. b/c of his cold. He went back to bed and I surfed Martha Stewart.com and found these adorable heart-shaped soaps. I love Martha, but she uses such obscure items. But I found the metal alphabet AND number set with free shipping on www.overstock.com.... So I'll be making these soon and very soon. 

My title is testing, b/c allegedly, I added this image to my blog. But we'll see. 

**** my test failed. If I were working from a PC I think I know what I would need to do..... 

Countdown to Christmas begins!

Today is December 1 and so begins my countdown. So I figured I'd post some fun gift ideas? 

For the camera lover: These camera are old skool and oh so very cute! 

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Babybearisms: 

Babybear on Christmas

Babybear and I were chatting about his uncles AKA "Uh-Oh" 's who were in town for Thanksgiving. He wanted to know when they were coming back. I told him around Christmas. 

So I asked Babybear: "Do you know what Christmas is." 

Babybear: "Yup, Happy Birthday Jeh-jhus!"

Me:  "Yes, you're so right, we will have cake for Baby Jesus."

(That's our tradition to have a cake for Baby Jesus. A little birthday party for him on Christmas.) 

Babybear on going back to work.... 

I returned to work after the long Thanksgiving holiday. Babybear was used to me hanging out with him for the past couple of days and asked, "Mommy, where you going? Just stay with me a lil' bit. PLEASE?!" But I had a hard time going back to the office after hearing him repeat, "Just a lil' bit Mommy."... so I stayed and enjoyed the wooden sandwich and hot dog he made me in his frying pan. 

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DECEMBER 2

On my wishlist- KitchenAid Martha Stewart Mixer. Bear with me since I can't figure out how to post a photo of it on my blog. Oh well.... 

Phooey. This looks so boring without the ability to post the actual photo. 

Tell me if any of you got some great Cyber Monday deals. 

Babybearism: 

Last night, we were playing catch right before bed. I had my cell phone with me like I usually do and had sent off a quick text to someone. Babybear had been waiting all evening (after dinner, his bath, and clean-up) to play catch. 

He told me, "Mommy, put phone here...." and pointed to a distant chair. 

I was really convicted..... All Babybear really wants is my time. Aw shucks. So, if you can, try not to get too wrapped up with your phone. I was getting caught up in the stuff that I had to do and I was reminded that what really matters is that time with the Baby. 

Baby Shoes.... Part Deux

Actually, these were the first pair of shoes I ever made. I finally put the finishing touches and these will be a gift for a friend. I'm going to wrap it together with a Razzberry and drop it off. I couldn't find any helicopter buttons, so I had to go with trucks. 

I got a little sidetracked with the shoes and we started putting up the Christmas tree, so I guess I will eventually get finished with the sweater. 

Choice, Mommy, Choice

I faithfully read Babycenter and they advised that I can avoid Terrible Three tantrums by offering choices.  Babybear does really well when I explain why he cannot do something or if I offer him a choice between two things. 

I did not have to go to work today b/c of the Thanksgiving holiday. So we spent the day playing with a small ball which we would roll, catch, and shoot. We sat across from each other and took turns rolling the ball, throwing it, catching it, or shooting it into the laundry basket. I was working on giving Evan simple two-step instructions to follow.

He later found a bigger yellow ball and when it was his turn, he would say, "Choice, Mommy, Choice" and imply that I had to chose one ball. He generally had his mind set on one ball that he wanted me to choose. So if I chose the wrong ball, he would try to get me to choose the other ball. I had to chuckle b/c this was very similar to the choices I give him. The choices are somewhat unappealing so he's generally forced to do what I want him to do in the first place. But he feels empowered b/c he's making the "final" decision.  

We also spent some time drawing. He drew a small oval for "Mommy's bed" and a huge oval for "my bed". Again, it shed some light into Babybear's inner workings since he has a crib-mattress size CAR bed and I have a queen size bed. LOL!

I had a fabulous day with him and am so glad we got this rare opportunity to just hang out and chill. Complete with eskimo kisses and homemade Babybear sandwiches, courtesy of Melissa and Doug's sandwich making set. 

Sweater update- The sweater is in its final stages of completion. My mom is piecing it together as I have no patience to do so and then I have to make the collar..... Hopefully I'll have photos posted by Sunday. (I am about a month late though.... alas.) AND there's a huge boo-boo that I could not fix. I purled a row in the sweater that should have been knitted. (Does that make sense?) ARGH!