Roses and Soap

I had a few quick minutes while Chelsea was napping and decided to fore go cleaning up the house (so not me!) and make over the soap dispenser instead!

I planted three rose bushes last year. These are the first flowers, both are Abraham Darby.

We have had non stop rain and cloudy skies here in the northeast, sadly the rain is drowning my poor roses and they no longer look like this. I'm hoping all of the rain and zero sun won't permanently do them in. I'm new to rose gardening and hope to keep it up for many years to come as long as my plants stay alive!

Daddy

This post is a bit late but here's to you hubby! Daddy always provides a very comfortable shoulder for snoozing...

Still sleepy...

Pow! Right in the kisser.

I made these tiny handprint plaques for the two grandfathers. It was quite an adventure getting the handprints! Chelsea was in her Baby Bjorn and fell asleep - she was just hanging there, it was too cute. So I seized the opportunity and managed to get 6 handprints (only 3 were actually usable) without waking her up! The third handprint is part of a larger family project I'm working on and hope to finish in the next few weeks.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Back to Work I Go

Today is my second day back at work. I can't tell you how badly I wish I could be home with my little Chelsea right now. But the economy has taken its toll on our family and we need to have two incomes right now. For anyone else in this situation, this book is a great read.

So many changes have taken place over the past three months. I've decided to put my pursuit of a Masters degree on indefinite hold. There just aren't enough hours in the day and I want to spend every moment available with Chelsea. Knowing I'm missing 8 hours a day with her and all that she is doing in those 8 hours is really killing me right now. Everyone says it gets easier as the weeks go by but does it really?

I thought I'd be able to have a bit more time to blog but that has also taken a back burner for now. Thank you to everyone who continues to stop by to see if I've updated and those of you who have e-mailed me directly. Funny thing is I'm actually thinking now that I am back to work I may have more time to check in on all of your blogs during my breaks. The time to be creative hasn't quite been there yet but I know it will come. Chelsea is getting to a stage where I can put her in the bouncy seat and get a few things done. Of course, once again, I don't want to miss time with her so I have a feeling anything creative that comes out of me will be small projects easily accomplished in an hour or so and probably have a children's theme! Right now I am savoring every moment with my little family and trying to balance work in there as well. I know I don't have to tell you this but those of you that are able to stay home with your children are truly blessed. I do hold out hope that could be me someday.

Now that I'm really trying to put the family on a budget, I've been looking at all kinds of ways to cut costs and save money. I found this great website. And, proof once again that I really need to learn how to sew, check out this and this! I'm trying to recruit my mother and sister to help me with the former. I'm figuring if we start now, we may finish by the time Chelsea is 5 :).

Have a great day.

Shelley's Coupon Book

My adorable and wonderful and creative sister Shelley made us this wonderful coupon book that I just had to share. I think it is so cute and such a fabulous idea!

There is a coupon for walking Margot.

And one for watching Chelsea

And one for her to cook her signature meal (very tasty and healthy! Shelley is starting a Master's program in Nutrition. I'm very proud of her!).

A not so nutricious run for our favorite ice cream!

This is super cute. Shelley came to give me a pedicure during my first weeks of motherhood when I was suffering from the baby blues and feeling very down. I thought that was the sweetest thing. Not many people would willingly touch feet that aren't their own!

Thank you so much Sis! We love you.

Working My Way Back

Hi all! I'm still here. Thank you so much to everyone for all of your well wishes and welcoming words and gifts for our Little Miss Chelsea. She is 6 weeks now and I'm finally beginning to find my way out from under the incredible yet very demanding first weeks of a baby's life. I have a quick moment to post while Chelsea is (finally!) taking a nap. I wanted to show that I'm still in the crafting game. These are a few projects I worked on prior to Chelsea's arrival. Above are some cupcake paper flowers I made for our kitchen table centerpiece. So super easy and fun.

I needed a new wreath for our door and was looking to do something quick one day after work. I bent some wire and ripped some fabric scraps and came up with the above.

And finally, my greatest project to date - here is a photo of Chelsea enjoying the lovely weather we were having a few weeks ago - she has already changed so much since this photo!

Love you all.

Chelsea Faith

I am very proud to introduce the newest member of our family, Chelsea Faith. She was born on March 18 and weighed in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. She is perfect in every way (of course hubby and I are partial). I ended up having a much more difficult labor than anticipated and had to ultimately have a c-section. I'm still recovering from that as well as adjusting to being a new mom and the round the clock feedings! I'll probably be offline for a week or two until I get my bearings back!

This was Chelsea's going home outfit. My mother-in-law handmade the sweater. So soft and cute with room to grow so she will get some good use out of it.

Thank you to all of my wonderful friends out there that have provided me with such love, support, and guidance. This is certainly a wonderful, exciting, and magical time of our lives.

Hugs and kisses to you all,

Karla, Jeff, and Chelsea

Follow That Cupcake!

I'm taking a break from all things baby as I'm sure you are sick of hearing me go on and on! I'll just tell you that there is no news to report yet. Still waiting. My last day in the office was yesterday. I'll be working from home next week until someone decides to make their grand entrance.

So enough of that...Southern Connecticut has a fun new experience that I wanted to share with you. A traveling cupcake truck! This is such a neat idea. The owners refurbished a vintage bakery truck and each day they load it up with homemade cupcakes in amazing flavors like Chocolate Ruin, Red Velvet, and Salted Caramel. They then park in different areas and list them on their blog. You can then go purchase the cupcakes and have them topped with your choice of frostings and toppings ranging from the traditional chocolate and vanilla to marshmallow, candied flowers and edible gold (is anyone else's mouth watering?).

Believe it or not, I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting this truck (the above photo is from their website) but I'm hoping to have the opportunity to make a quick trip and get some fun photos while on maternity leave.

I do think I'll go a little crazy once I'm at the truck though! I'll be double fisting the cupcakes and licking my fingers! :)

Once again, thank you to everyone for all of your kind comments, e-mails and support! I can't wait until I have more substantial news to share. I have worked on a few small projects here and there but haven't had a chance to take photos.

I do have to say I'm loving the slightly warmer weather and hope it stays this way and only gets better.

Cheers to you all!