Just me and my 2 little chicks

theoretically speaking

If you were to leave the room momentarily,

and come back in to find your 2 year old sharing some of her lunch meat

with your 6 month old, would that be bad?

And would it be bad if said 6 month old had huge estatic eyes

while sucking on said lunch meat?

I'm just curious.

I might have heard that that happened to someone else.

Anyway, moving on...

Bought one of these yesterday:

Sadie is SO close to crawling and there is no way in Hades I'm going to miss 

it when she first does. Jimmy has to be there with me, so I'm going to take this bad boy everywhere. 

Realistically speaking

I'm sure I'll miss it anyway, b/c I'll be cleaning up vomit 

or pee or something...

And I bet you a million dollars that while I'm cleaning she'll

crawl across the house and eat my dinner off my plate

but you never know,

stranger things have happened.

I also bought one of these:

My Canon printer went kaput, and I was told that the cost of shipping,

fixing it, etc. would be just as much as buying a new one.

So I took that as a sign I should just buy a new one.

You see, things tend to break as soon as Jimmy leaves.

I'm just grateful it was only the printer.

It's been the car on previous deployments, so I'm counting my blessings.

I'm pretty sure the printer isn't the only thing acting up around here.

I'm fairly confident that she isn't silently telling me she loves me with those eyes.

I think it's closer to disgust.

I don't know why....perhaps it's because most days I don't make it out 

of pajamas by noon, much less brush my hair.

Or maybe it's because I'm always losing something or tripping over something

or forgetting the word for something,

saying harper, can you help mama with the ummm, ummmm, ummmmmmm

and harper completes my sentences saying

laundry?

toys?

corkscrew? (JUST KIDDING ON THAT ONE).

Okay, that's all I've got..oh, except a new Webster's Pages page.

Hope you have a beautiful day!

xo

s

And I'm Back.

With flea market finds,

part 2 of the sister drama,

and a class recap.

The class was fantastic. I loved it and can't wait to do it again.

I met several of my Studio Calico friends and some of my blog readers,

and it was wonderful to put faces to the names.

Did I mention I loved it??

I will post some photos tomorrow. =)

Sadie Bug and I hit up the flea market this morning,

Harper was with BB and G Daddy,

probably forming a new plan of attack against Sadie.

Here's what we found:

Today was a goooood day.

And it was extra good b/c none of the vendors

apparently knew anything about their wares,

so I got everything super duper cheap.

YESSSSSSS!!!

Okay, so back to the sister rivalry.

Or should I say Harper's evil bully tactics.

Here is where we left off yesterday:

Mama felt so bad for Sadie that she decided to give her

some extra special snuggles and kisses. 

Sadie, of course, liked this way more than

the toy.

i mean, who needs a dumb toy when you are with mama.

sadie was so grateful, that she decided to pose for some pictures.

she thankfully, has not yet learned harper's 

"MEEHHHHHHHHHH" face and noise that she does in every

dang

photo.

please note harper in the background still playing with 

her sadie's toy.

sadie gets a little careless and starts to show off,

forgetting that  the joy stealer her sister is right behind her

and that harper possesses an uncanny sense of sound.

Sadie starts her happy shrieking,

which is a cross between a monkey, a baby bird, and a dinosaur cry.

She stops abruptly b/c she (too late) senses her mistake in not staying quiet.:

And just like that, the mommy time is over.

Someone, who shall not be named, swoops into sadie's personal space

and begins to manhandle toddlerhandle her.

Oh, what's that you say? I didn't know you guys were having a photo shoot over here.

Don't you know that i loooooove pictures?

What is this "MEHHHHHH" face you speak of?

You are making that up, mommy.

See how cute and fun I am?

I've even won Sadie over!

I tell you, she is one sneaky snake.

But atleast they keep me entertained.

And could Sadie possibly be any more of a good sport?

Hope you are having a happy, blessed Sunday my friends!

xoxo

Random Randomness

1. I've been asked to help out with something extraordinary. Read below and then make your way over to NYC Scraps. I'm honored to join Hillary, she is doing an amazing thing.

 

2. Those paper towel commercials make me sick.

You know the ones I mean..."no...it's a ONE SHEETER!"

I call bull lady. 

You try using one sheet on the mess when your 2 year old

pees on your jeans (oh yes, you read that right).

or when your baby spits up DOWN your pants INTO your underwear (oh yes you read that right as well).

or when you spazz out and drop an open gallon of soy milk AND an open container of squash baby food onto the floor 

at 

the same

time.

Yes, all of these things have happened to me in the past 2 days

and one sheet ain't cuttin it.

I know b/c this morning when i dropped the milk and the baby food,

one sheet was all I had left. And I was praying it might work b/c you know,

they say it will on the commercial???

And I could even wring it out and reuse it later...

which quite frankly is disgusting, and honestly..i'm not that cheap.

Come on.

Well, one sheet doesn't work. Not even close.

Which explains how at 7 a.m. this morning I was on the floor in my nightgown 

scrubbing up babyfoodmilkslop with a bath towel.

lovely. 

This is what I have become. A maid who has pee on her jeans and spit up in the crotch of her underwear.

3. All packed up and ready for my class today..I'm so excited.

Thanks for all of the encouragement!!

4. Check out Harper's evil subterfuge yesterday:

hmm..what's that? you bought sadie a new toy? and it is hers not mine? oh, that's fine...i don't really mind, i'll just stand over here.

no really, it doesn't interest me whatsoever.

i'm just going to sit down realllly quick so sadie can see how much i don't care.

what? what you lookin' at mama?

sadie, honestly...why do you look so concerned?

i'm merely trying to share some of the clearly superior knowledge

that i possess as your worldly older sister:

 

now if you could just move over a teensy bit..

just a little more...

that's it. perfect.

THE WORLD IS MINE!

THE WORLD IS MINE!!

pooooor sadie.

wahhhh wahhhhhh.

Okay, I'm aware there are a zillion photos in this post, so I will post part 

2 of the sisterly saga tomorrow.

It is the part in which Sadie tells mama she doesn't really care that Harper 

stole her toy, because that means she gets to hang out w/ mommy uninterrupted.

she even lets mommy take some photos, but then, as usual,

harper has to join in the photo shoot.

b/c everyone knows the world revolves around harper, right?

heheheheh!!

happy saturday everyone!

xoxo

s

Happy Friday!

Well, Target was great fun, of course.

And of course we got all sorts of unnecessary goodies.

Onesies, teething rings, books, magazines, a shrug, headbands, 

check check check check.

Gotta love Target.

Before I forget, I want to post some sneaks of the September kit

at Studio Calico. The kit is so classic, clean, and preppy.

As usual, I just love it.:

I also did a super quick layout for a challenge at 2 peas.

You were to use the journaling prompt "there was this one time".

yes, i know this layout is messy. 

yes, i know it is a bad, old picture.

but honestly, i did it for fun...for creative release.

and i've got to admit it felt good!

it's dreary here and i'm kind of in a yucky mood.

this afternoon i'm going to go get some cupcakes for my class tomorrow,

i'm so excited!

hope you all have a beautiful friday.

xo

s

i couldn't even make this stuff up if I tried.

I am engaged in the battle of potty-training with Miss Harper.

I just asked her if she wanted to go sit on the potty and she said

"NO WAY.

NO JOSE".

whaaaaa????

Where did this child come from?

Seriously...

I did a layout just for fun this a.m.

It felt good!

 journaling reads: isn't it a bit early for you to be making these faces at me? For you to look as if you are just barely tolerating my annoying picture taking? I mean, seriously...i thought i at least had ten or so more years until i got that look. you might as well just roll your eyes at me. i'm pretty sure you are even wringing your hands. just lovely!

patterned papers- Scenic Route (dot), Amy Butler (floral and stripe)

Alphabets- American Crafts and Making Memories

Ribbon- Michaels

Flowers- Prima

Swirls- Kaisercraft

Card- 7Gypsies

label- Jenni Bowlin

Today I was thinking that 

I need to work on the house.

We painted the shutters black and bought some ferns:

As you can see, I need to purchase some shutters for the other window..

I'm just so blah about home improvement stuff since J left.

I really want it to look great when he comes home!

H. is in an aaawwweeesome mood today.

Case in point:

I think she's mad b/c I found that Love and Logic book and started

reading it last night.

She knows her days are numbered!!

Well, I'm off to Target.

I'm sure i will spend a zillion dollars on random, unnecessary stuff.

good times.

xoxo

s

Well...Nice to Meet You, Too!

I'm so glad to hear from all of you! It's wonderful to put a name to my readers.

It's a little overwhelming to get that sort of a response to a RAK. It made me wonder who all was reading. And now I know!!

I'm going to start responding to comments...I'm sort of horrible about that.

I promise you guys I will start doing that.

Well,  not on the giveaways, because clearly that would take me hours,

heeeheee!!!

1. Make your way over to Method Playground if you get a chance.

I'm the guest designer this week and I'm hosting a fun challenge.

I'd love it if some of my readers played along!!

Here is my layout I did:

2. I'm reading this book right now:

Well I was until Harper hid it somewhere.

I kid you not.

I have a feeling she is reading it so that she can 

tear my carefully constructed discipline plan to shreds.

Note to self: must find book immediately.

3. Tonight is sneak night over at Studio Calico. Pop in if you can!! I know I always say this, but I adore this one. I really do. I've already done 3 layouts and will have glimpses to share tomorrow.

4. Here is what my desk looks like right now:

I'm putting together the kits for my class at Crop Paper Scissors

on Saturday.

Kits are also available for purchase at 254-751-7020.

I'm really excited to teach my first class, but also a tad nervous.

I'm mainly just so excited to hang out with people that love this

hobby like I do!!

Thanks again for saying hi, everyone..

the positive encouragement from you guys never ceases to amaze me.

Thanks so much for your support!

xoxo

s

The Lucky Winners Are:

True Random Number Service

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

151
225

I just recently started to play with the Cricut vinyl so when I saw it peeking in your blog giveaway I had to comment for a chance. :) Thanks!

Posted by: Sally | August 11, 2008 at 06:18 PM

I have to tell you I love reading your blog. Every day I pop onto your site to see what's going on with your little family. I must applaud you with how you handle your hubby's deployment. I can't imagine how you do it with 2 little girls. I do have to admit that you make me a little jealous. I got started scrapbooking when my kids were about to be preteens. How I wish I had been scrapping when they were born. I still love it, but I know my pictures would be different if I was just now having my babies. Have a great day. You're an inspiration.

Posted by: Dianne Ferguson | August 12, 2008 at 07:37 AM

I have to tell you guys, I'm torn between thinking it's cool that so many of you entered the RAK, and thinking that it's kind of crazy how many comments I get on giveaways only...

I had no idea I had so many readers. For those of y'all that entered, are y'all regular readers? I'd love to know.

Ladies, Please Email Me at stephaniehowell8@gmail.com to claim your prizes. ;) Sleep tight everyone, I'll be back tomorrow with a new post! xos

Bogged Down

I always feel as if I'm bogged down in stuff.

Scrapbooking, Crafty Stuff.

Do you know what I mean?

It totally stifles my creativity.

That's why I don't buy much of anything any more. 

Honestly, I don't.

Studio Calico fills almost all of my new product cravings,

and the teensy things I need to supplement my stash, 

I order. But that is not very often at all.

So anyway, I feel like I'm continually stripping and purging my stash.

I kind of went, um.... a little out of control???

when I first started scrapbooking.

I thought I had to have every single thing available.

Little did I know that I was going a tad over the top.

What is it about new supplies? They are so pretty and shiny

and they smell so good... kind of like school supplies.

I always loved school supplies, and I think I've replaced that obsession with this one.

But anyway, I'm getting better.

I'm being thoughtful  about purchases.

Jimmy always jokes that I don't know the difference between

want and need.

It's something I've learned over time.

One of the publications I periodically appear in sends huge 

goodie boxes. They are nice and all, but honestly,

I don't need anything. I don't.

So that's where y'all come in.

I have a cabinet FULL of goodies to give away.

Here is a glimpse of part of it:

You know I love to share with you guys..

So I'm doing get another giveaway.

I'm calling it The "Praise the Lord I got Sleep Last Night" Giveaway.

And I'm picking two winners.

I'm ready to get this stuff out 

of

here

so I will pick two winners by 8 p.m. tomorrow.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day,

and (of course) here is a Sadie picture.

xo

s

A year ago today

HAHAHA! Look at her!! I can't believe how much she has changed in a year!

And I obviously don't have a picture of Sadie a year ago,

but about this time I was still feeling horrible, barely able to get off the couch

b/c the waves of nausea made it unbearable to move.

And now?

Well, I'm not gonna lie. She still gives me waves of nausea sometimes.

Like right now...not feeling so good on four hours of sleep.

I feel like babies are horrible sleepers when they are around 6-7 months old.

Teething? check

Growth Spurt? check

OBSESSED with trying to crawl, getting up on her knees and rocking and grunting and crying and NOT SLEEPING? check.

If you would have looked in one of my windows last night around 2 a.m, 

you would have thought I was a completely crazy madwoman.

I was rocking Sadie and bawling. 

And she was bawling and looking at me like "WHAT IN THE WORLD????".

And then I thought "GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF WOMAN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS."

and I pulled myself together.

No feeling sorry for yourself in the Howell household.

That includes you, Miss Harper.

You are not allowed to come to me 

ever

single

time 

Sadie cries

and say in your whiniest voice 

"oooooooooh, HARPER BE SAD. SADIE DRIVE ME NUTS".

honestly, i think we are all going a little nuts right now!!!

I actually have been scrapping a bit, I just can't show any of it yet...

But soon, I promise.

Talk to me, girlies...

how was your weekend?

Let me live vicariously through you b/c mine was...

well, I hesitate to even call it a weekend.

xoxo

s

Today

Hasn't gone so well.

The Backyardigans concert was today and we left 30 minutes into it

b/c Harper was scared.

Bless her heart, it was just too loud.

But I spent quite a bit of money to go,

and we've both been looking forward to  going for so long,

that it just made me sad.

She's been so fiercely independent lately.

She wants to do everything on her own.

And if I try to help her, God forbid..

"NO THANK YOU MAMA!"

At least she finally put the "thank you" in there.

She is so very strong-willed.

And very stubborn.

Not only does she look exactly like her daddy, she also has his heart and soul.

And it hurts sometimes b/c I don't have him here to help me,

and honestly he is the one that really "gets" her.

He is so so wonderful with her.

I came home today just feeling down. And tired. And HOT.

But then I uploaded these photos I took before we left this morning,

And my breath caught in my chest.

She is so very fearfully and wonderfully made.

And I cannot believe that this beautiful girl came from ME.

That her daddy and I made her.

I simply cannot believe it.

Happy Friday, friends.

xoxo

s

P.S. The dress is on sale HERE.