The Daily Nugget

August 31, 2010
11 months - week 2

This swing on our patio is pretty much the Nug's favorite place to hang out these days. He could swing in it for hours at a time if I would let him.

What a sweet face :)

That hard plastic doesn't look very comfortable to me, but apparently it is. Here's how he fell asleep tonight. No story time, no nursing. Just swinging :)

Toadally Cute

Etsy is probably my favorite place to shop online. When it seems that everything I find in the stores these days is stamped with "made in china" it is so refreshing to have a place to buy quality, handmade gifts.

I've made numerous purchases through Etsy over the years and have always had a pleasant experience, but my latest purchase from Toadally Cute has got to be the best yet! Corrie, the owner and designer was amazing to work with and super detail-oriented. She happily obliged every single nit-picky edit I requested. Can we make the hippo just one shade of blue darker? Can we point the monkey's pinky toe just a little more to the left? Totally kidding about that last one. I wasn't that bad! But I bet if I would have asked, she would have responded with "sure :)"

(Do monkeys even have pinky toes?)

Anyway, back to Corrie. She was great and so sweet and very patient with me. And although everything looked great on the proofs she sent me, when my items all arrived in the mail yesterday I could not have been happier. Everything was one thousand times better in person! The quality of the paper and all the details with ribbon and rick rack and tulle were even better than I expected. So handmade, but at the same time much more professional looking than I could have done on my own.

She can make everything from invitations to door signs, cupcake toppers and gift tags. I'm not posting any pictures of my items yet because I don't want to ruin any party surprises, but I will definitely post lots of pictures after the party. In the meantime, if you are in the market for any party or event decor, I highly recommend her! I even have a coupon code for you: mention ReferAFriend along with my name and receive free shipping. You won't be disappointed!

*I did not receive any compensation for this recommendation. In fact, Corrie doesn't know anything about it. I just really love her products and wanted to pass along the word*

The Daily Nugget

August 30, 2010

11 months - week 1

My little nugget likes to join me in the kitchen to help while I cook.

And by help I mean opening all my cabinet doors, pulling every item out and then leaving it for me to clean up. Ahhh, life with an 11 month old :)

Fabulous Things Monday

Maybe there are people in the world who enjoy Mondays. But I don't know any of them.

So in an attempt to brighten your otherwise blah Monday, I am officially renaming this dreary day of the week to Fabulous Things Monday.

Fabulous Things Mondays will be filled with handmade jewelry and leather handbags from Etsy and others, delectable recipes from yours truly, the most beautiful in cookware and housewares and irresistible shoes and apparel.

There will be more goodies than your little hearts can handle. Because shopping for beautiful things makes everything better. :)

Aqua sea glass flower drop gold earrings. By tenthings

Staub La Cocotte cast iron cookware. I am usually partial to Le Creuset, but the color of these pots are so beautiful. I may have to have one. This turquoise color is sold exclusively at Anthropology.

I feel certain there will be a French Broad Chocolate Lounge in heaven. The best chocolate I have ever had and I sort of consider myself a connoisseur. :)

For all my lucky friends who have little girls and who I must vicariously live through, these are the most adorable little Mary Janes. By Gracious May

Fortunately, there are a few cute things for those of us who have been blessed with wild boys. I love little boys in Jon Jons and I love whales so this is a perfect match in my opinion.

Whale Jon Jon By Sha-Bebe

The Daily Nugget

August 29, 2010

11 months - week 1

We planted veggie seeds in the garden today. The Nugget thought he should definitely get in on the action. A little dirt never hurt, right?

Mom, let me see that camera. My hands are clean, promise.

This was after we washed him off with the hose. Still pretty dirty.

Hmm...wonder what this hose tastes like?

Wheat grass

I know some of you are probably rolling your eyes and wondering what weird, new, hippy food have they started eating now.

But it's not what you think. Rest assured, we have not replaced our morning coffee with fresh-squeezed wheat grass juice.

It's decoration for Aubrey's safari-themed birthday party. I didn't know where to buy it so I just grew it myself. And it's actually been a really fun process to watch it grow.

Wheat grass grows fast, people! I'm talking so fast I literally feel like I see it grow in front of my eyes. Here's a few pictures so you can see what I mean.

Day 1

Day 2
Day 3 (See what I mean? Insane!)

Day 4 (More Insanity!)

So my project is ready a few weeks early. It's already as tall as I need it and the party is 3 weeks away.

If anyone is ever in the mood for fresh-squeezed wheat grass juice, now you know who to call. :)

Painting Pumpkins

August 28, 2010

11 months - week 1

I love Halloween. It's probably my favorite holiday, especially when it comes to decorating. I don't know why. I just love carving pumpkins, cute spiders with googley eyes and little cackeling witches.

Last year while I was still pregant with the nugget, I saw the most adorable pumpkins at Do It Yourself Crafts in Homewood. I couldn't wait to order one this year.

Today we went and painted ours. The nugget was a tad bit unruley and there were far too many breakables in that store for a savage little beast like him. But we had a good time anyway.

The colors look a little dull now, but once it's fired in the kiln they will be bright and glossy! I can't wait to see it once it's finished!

Meet My Nugget

Here he is. The 23 pounds that my world completely revolves around. Sweet little meat, huh? He's actually not so little anymore, but you know what I mean.

After the Nug was born last year in September, I started sending a daily email with his picture. It was mainly for my family who lives far away and goes weeks and months without seeing him in person.

Of course, Daddy loved it too. There was nothing better to him than opening his email mid-day at work and seeing his little boy. I never really anticipated sending out those emails for this long, but the list of fans kept growing. My sister has friends at school in Atlanta who ask to see The Daily Nugget on a regular basis. My mom constantly shows them off to people at work and forwards them to her entire email address book. My old co-workers love them and so do old friends that I rarely see these days.

Plus I love looking back over the daily pictures. It has become an amazing way to keep track of his growth and all his milestones.

So, 11 months after the first Daily Nugget was sent, I am so glad that I started those daily emails. And I think this blog will be a fun addition!

Below is the first picture from "The Daily Nugget"

The caption from the email reads:

You are receiving this daily newsletter to update you on your little Nugget, Aubrey.

September, 29, 2009.

5 days old.

Chillin' in my rocker.