Big Boy ROOM

You've already seen the bed, but I've done a couple of things to Jonah's Dr. Seuss Room. I tried my hand at some art. I have done a big (more permanent thing) and a smaller (more-in-my-comfort-zone) thing. 

First, the Lorax Tree. 

(well, technically it is a Truffula Tree, which is featured in the book called The Lorax)

How hard could it be?? 

It should just take the right materials, right?

Riiiight. Well, the trunk wasn't all that hard. I was very pleased with how it turned out.

I had a great idea of how to pull off the top part. And, I don't think I would change my plan, but I think it could be better executed. 

I would love to see any examples other people have tried for the top of a Truffula Tree. 

Here's mine:

I used a fluffy feather boa. I stitched it in place on a fabric form (for added depth and security) I think they could use another 2 boas each. They look a little small to me, in relation to the size of the trunk. 

In this shot you can see my other "art."

 and the added touch:

Neighborhood Happenings

Yesterday Jonathan and I shared a moment. We were driving into town...we stopped at the stop sign, turned the corner, and there before our eyes was one of the strangest things we've ever seen. We were both stunned and thinking "did I really just see that?"

do you see it? (forgive the blur...I was balancing the camera out the passenger window as we passed by)

This is not New York City. We do not live in the middle of town. We don't even live in the city limits (which, possibly has something to do with why they chose to set up shop out here). This is a little two-lane tree-lined road. That little bagel cart is parked in someones driveway. There's only room for one car/customer at a time. 

Today was day two. They seem to have a regular stream of customers. Maybe they know something I do not. 

This Kid Rocks!

Jonah found some 3-D glasses in our entertainment center. He was cracking us up!

(side note: the final count on our Dr. Pepper Photo Contest has not been posted, but I don't think our little cutie was the big winner. Thank You to those of you who voted and cheered us on!)

Vote Today!

This just in....

Dr. Pepper voting begins TODAY!

If you don't know what we're voting for, read THIS post from last week.

Today is the day. Voting continues through Sunday. 

To VOTE (please, oh, please vote for my sweet Jonah) go to

cute boys and dr. pepper

All you have to do is leave a comment (at the end of her post) for your vote to count.

Thank-You!

Five for Friday

I don't have much time today, so I will make a list.

Here are five thoughts for your Friday.

*parenting can be hard, but is ALWAYS worth it!

*keeping a house clean while parenting is really hard, 

and doesn't always seem worth it! 

*I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

(**all includes cleaning house)

*I love the way my house smells/feels with the windows open today.

*open windows give me hope that fall is truly coming! I love fall and the pumpkin flavored things that come with it!

and just for a little bonus, here is an image I found recently

(whoever made this must have been spying on me):

Seeing Green

Jonah got some new things yesterday and by coincidence they are both bright green!

We walked into the shoe store to make an exchange and discovered these little guys:

(they glow in the dark!!)

And while shopping at Hobby Lobby we stumbled by these oh-so-cute monster pillows. We thought they were cute. Jonah thought they were GREAT FUN!  Auntie Em said she couldn't say "no" to such cute fun. (that is a skill one only has to learn when they become the primary care giver!)

So, today, we are seeing green. (the little monster almost took a bath this morning...thankfully there wasn't any water in the tub. I am sure gonna have to keep an eye on this one!)

The Many Faces of Jonah

he is such a good subject. i just couldn't decide which was the best, so i put them all together and THIS is what i got. i love it! love him. 

the end.

Toby's Visit

Not too long ago Toby's family was away for the weekend. Toby wasn't invited on the outing, so he came to stay with us. He is a sweet little dog and Jonah LOVES him. He will laughingly say "tobe" when Toby comes into the room. 

So, of course, I had to snap some photos!!

"mush, Toby, mush"

Hmmm...which one is the dog here?

"please, mommmy, can he come in?"

Dr. Pepper, Baby!

We have stumbled upon a really fun opportunity in the Atkins' house!

I have entered Jonah into a Dr. Pepper Photo Contest via this little blog called i hate green beans. The author, Lincee Ray is so funny. I love the way she writes. 

Now, here's my confession: I discovered Lincee and her fabulous writing through watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette on ABC. I first watched the show with a bunch of friends the year after I graduated college. I don't remember who any of the people were on the show that year, but I sure do remember the friends I watched with! We had some fun times all crammed into a tiny apartment around a tiny tv!!

In more recent years I started watching again, with a different set of friends. We have an equally good time watching and talking about all the drama. Sometimes I find myself saying a little prayer for these people who are on national television. Not because I'm concerned for the outcome of the show, but because it makes me so sad that people have such a hole in them that they try to fill it  with (what I perceive as) fake love.

Anyway, it was this more recent viewing that led me to Lincee Ray. She has several facets to her blog. One of them is dedicated to recapping the show. Another of them is Dr. Pepper. She has worked out a deal with some wonderful people at the Dr. Pepper offices. They make a calendar and she features entries for the "Men of Dr. Pepper." Each month they choose a  new photo and the winner gets a YEAR's SUPPLY OF DR. PEPPER!!

So, I will notify you when voting happens...I will need some support.

And if we win we will have a Dr. Pepper party at our house!!

Whaddayathink? Is this the face of a winner?

GOOD night?

Remember my last post about the Big Boy Bed. Well, we are still getting into the groove, but I think *fingers crossed* we are on the wining side of the battle.

Last night was a marathon night in terms of getting the boy in bed. 

He got up several times. (not to mention an alarm that went off in his room mixed in there...I guess he pushed some buttons earlier in the day) Then, I just HAD to get some things done...namely sheets put on my own bed, so I shut Jonah's bedroom door.  I was nervous to do it, but I just couldn't have him coming out. I prayed he would stay safe and I went for it. When I finally got my task accomplished, I went to his room so I could put him back in bed...yet again.

But to my surprise HE WAS IN HIS BED (still crying, of course).

 *lightbulb* 

Left to his own accord, he climbed BACK in bed! Yay!! (I immediately commended him)

small victory is still victory.

now, this is where my story takes a funny turn. :) 

at 4:30 am I was awakened. not by screaming. not by crying. by little footsteps pattering into my room. (we have a split floorplan, mind you...that little tike toddled across a big dark house to find me)

I said it was the funny part...well, it wasn't exactly funny when he had to go BACK to bed (again)

and you can just repeat the above scenario cause it happened again 30 min. later.

So, of course, I was prepared for a third visit. I listened intently to hear movement on our baby monitor. Nothing. Silence. 

small victory is still victory, right?!

Ok, so THIS is what I discovered when I got up to make my coffee in the morning:

notice the pacifier that he isn't using...THAT is deep sleep!

That sweet thing slept in the living room. I have no idea how long he was in there. I never heard a thing!

Tonight I started by closing the door (after our normal night-night routine, of course). And you know what? He is sleeping peacefully on his pillow as I type this! Love that little stinker!

Thank You, Jesus for small victories!

Big(er) Boy Bed

We have reached a new milestone in the Atkins' house. A few weeks ago we were visiting Jonathan's parents and while there Jonah learned (taught himself out of pure frustration) to climb out of the crib. 

Uh-Oh. What now?

Well, my parents had given us these head & foot boards for a twin size bed.

And Jonathan is pretty handy.

So, we he made it into something that would fit a "toddler" (aka: crib) mattress. 

he cut in the width and added shelves

  

  

Then, we decided to paint it. Before paint, you need primer. And if you are using primer, you need a helper (can you see where this is going?).

primed bed (above) and primed happy boy (below)

And, well, we didn't want it white. Can you see the hint of color on the above picture? No? Well, don't worry...you can see the full thing now!

it's what I like to call "seuss" blue

(we aren't done with the step...we just ran out of paint)

The idea is that we take away the steps when it's time to STAY in the bed. Then, we put them back when it's ok to get in and out. 

And just in case you were wondering...Jonah liked it. (well, at least until the lights went out)

He loved the bed. He loved helping us set it up. He loved deconstructing the crib. Then, we turned out the lights for bed time. EEEEEEK. It was awful. He cried, screamed, got OUT of bed which resulted in some punishment. rinse. repeat. and repeat again.

We are on day three. It may be a tiny bit easier. I'm just gonna keep reminding myself that he won't be screaming at bedtime forever. He won't be screaming at bedtime forever, right?

A New Friend

Jonah has a new buddy! Mac moved here (with his parents) in May. His daddy is a new member of the staff at our church and his mama is just plain cool! We like Mac and his family. 

Mac also has a brand new baby brother at home (born on my birthday, no less).

So, we had him over to play one day to give his mama a chance to catch up on some rest.

These two played really well together. They are both sweet boys. The only upset was the one time that Jonah thought Mac needed a lift (he tried to carry him across the room). Both boys ended up on the floor and were crying.

They also played with this boy:

 (who later told me that it was the best day ever because he's always wanted two brothers!!)

Five for Friday

I wanted to make a list today. I don't feel like making a long list. So, here are five things I am thankful for today.

(in no particular order)

*my fabulous childhood

(the more life I live, the more thankful I become for the life I live)

that's me on the left...Emily on the right.

*air conditioning

can I get an "amen!"?

*this cute (sometimes mischievous) baby boy

*good health

and 

*good food!

Do You Need Your Dryer Cleaned?

Do you need your dryer cleaned? I didn't think I did, but Jonah sure did it for me anyway!

He was so cute. Then, he was very obedient to put the scrubber BACK IN THE SINK WHERE IT BELONGS. (I don't know how he managed to pull it off of the countertop in the first place)