My best friend, Holly, surprised me this weekend with a special video to celebrate Finn’s 6-month mark. Enjoy!
You can check out her other videos here!
This Boy…
When you spend pretty much 24/7 with a person, you get to know them very well.
I’m so thankful that most of my every day activities involve this little character.
He is the bee’s knees, the cat’s meow, and the cat’s pajama’s all rolled into one.
This boy…
The Big Reveal…
So, I’m sure you’re dying to see what color I ended up painting the walls, right? There were a few guesses yesterday: green, light blue, rose, and purple. Although the color I chose was in one of these color families, no one guessed it! Glad to know I’m not as predictable as I thought.
Well here you go…
Before…
After!
{Sherwin Williams Emerald Paint in Begonia}
The pillow was passed down from my mom from an old Target comforter set, but it works perfectly. The wall art was a gift to Ryan from his sister.
I am so thrilled with how it all turned out. I still have the outside of the doorframe to paint, and the closet to restyle, but all in all, I love that it feels warm, sunshine-y, and relaxing in our bedroom. Ryan liked it too! Oh, and I’m not done yet. Once our budget allows, I’d like to update our duvet cover {Ikea here we come!} and put some word art above the bed. I’ll definitely keep you posted.
So, what do you think of this color? Wasn’t what you expected huh?
Have a great Tuesday!
//Spruce// vol. 1
A few weeks ago, I asked Ryan about painting our bedroom. We really should’ve done it before we moved in a few years ago, but I didn’t have a color in mind, so it’s remained this boring eggshell color…until now.
Ryan said as long as he didn’t have to do it, and I didn’t paint it red {a color I’ve requested in the past}, I could paint it whatever I wanted. Famous last words…
He was out of town one day last week, so my mom and I got to work, cleaning, spackling, sanding, and painting {and taking turns playing with Finn in between coats}. I really hope to have the room back together later this week to show you.
So, what color do you think I chose? I’ll give you a hint, it’s not red! 
//See, Pin, Do vol. 2//
It’s time for another installment of See, Pin, Do. This time, I got a little ambitious and did two projects, but only because they were so easy {let’s not get used to this}.
{Original Pin}
I hate the idea of just keeping all the cards Finn receives stuffed away in a box in the closet somewhere, so when I saw this idea, I thought it was meaningful way to add some fun to his room.
You can click on the pin above to see the original instructions for this neat little project, but I sort of just did my own thing.
Step One: Create a triangular template. {You choose the size.}
Step Two: Cut the image or sentiment from the card using the template.
Step Three: {optional} Write the name of the person who gave the card and the occasion on the back.
Step Four: Staple each triangle several lengths of ribbon. {I made three “chains”.}
Step Five: Hang garland.
Finn’s Version:
The next project was my take on some wall art.
{Original Pin}
I think this little saying is super cute, but didn’t see a need to spend money on a plaque when I could create the same thing on the computer.
Step One: Find a free font I like {also from Pinterest}. I chose Carte Blanche from this site.
Step Two: Type and have fun with colors.
Step Three: Print and frame.
Step Four: Include printable on blog {optional}
And that concludes this month’s edition of //See, Pin, Do//!
What Pinterest projects have you been working on? Link them below in the comments.
My Perfect Day
May is a super busy and fun month at our house. We’ve got my brother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law, nephew, and best friend’s birthdays, my birthday, and our anniversary. If I were to craft a perfect day for my birthday, it would consist of the following in no particular order:
What about you? What’s your perfect day look like?
Winner of the Let Me Fall Giveaway
I hope you all enjoyed getting to know Beth last week!
The winner of a copy of Let Me Fall, chosen via random.org, is the lovely DANA MOORE!
Congratulations, Dana!
Email me your address at thebudgetmaven@gmail.com and we’ll get your copy to you ASAP. You will absolutely love it!
Advice for First Time Moms
Having only been a mother for a few short months, I hardly feel qualified to offer much advice. However, I have picked up a few things that I wish someone had told me before I entered Mama-land, so I hope you find the following tidbits helpful (or if you have any words of wisdom for us mamas out there, I hope you’ll share as well). Most of these tips are more philosophical than practical, but I will take a moment to say that every breastfeeding mother needs a travel boppy {I’ll do a separate post for those moms later on}.
There is no other baby like yours in the world. Only you know what works (or doesn’t) for your baby, so don’t let anyone sell you a one-size-fits-all approach to raising your baby. One of the most freeing things my own mom told me when I had Finn was “There is never just one way to do things.”
Every baby has their “thing”…Some will only want Mama 24/7. Some will be finicky nursers. Some, like Finn, will not sleep much at night or during the day (the photo above is a rarity). Whatever it is that your child does, I don’t believe you can “train” it out of them. Sometimes they just are who they are, and you need to be okay with that. Let them be who they are.
Avoid comparing your baby to other babies and your mama skills to other mothers’. So what if your baby can’t perform an entire Cirque De Soleil routine by the time he’s four months like so-and-so’s baby. Much like the honey badger, babies don’t care (what your schedule is). They will roll over, sit up, talk, or do cartwheels when they’re ready.
There is no to-do list, shopping trip, tv show, career, or even blog that can compare to this.^ Moments are over before you can even realize they’re a moment sometimes…bask as long as you can in every one.
This last one is probably the hardest for me to remember and put into practice (my self-control is the first thing to go when I’m sleep deprived), but I try to reiterate it to myself often. Try not to complain about being a mother, your baby’s faults or annoying habits, or how they inconvenience you (Trust me, I’ve been guilty of all three at times)…I think sometimes we speak things into being when really it’s just a season of life that we’re in. I’ve noticed that my attitude is greatly affected by the words I say, even if just to myself, and I don’t want Finn to ever hear (or read) anything I’ve said about him and doubt for one second that I love and cherish him. And, yes, I realize part of love is discipline, but that comes later. Just because he can’t understand me now is no reason not to make all my words count.
What about you seasoned mothers out there? What advice would you give a first time mother?
//Wear//
Skirt: Promesca
Having taken some photography in college, I realize that this may be one of the worst pictures ever taken, so no need to point it out or dwell on it—I just wanted to show off the skirt.
One day maybe I’ll be able to afford a professional blog photographer, but until that day, I’m not gonna miss precious time with Finn trying to stage the perfect shot or get this skirt in the right lighting.
I’m just keepin’ it realz!
>>><<<
Speaking of keeping it real, if you haven’t read my friend Beth’s new book, Let Me Fall, you should. You’re welcome!
There’s still time to enter for a chance to win your very own copy. Just click on this post to catch up and see how simple it is to enter.
Winner announced Friday!
A Note for Finn
{5 months old}
Dear Finn,
You are five months old now, and boy, you are changing so much every day! You rolled over on your own for the first time on April 25th, and have been practicing your skill quite a bit. You can tell you are so proud when you flip from your back to your belly. You instantly look for me after you perform your stunt and smile at your amazing feat. Here are a few other things we’ve observed about you since I last wrote you a little note:
Favorite Activities:
}Tummy Time ~You prefer being on your belly more than any other position, adore all your toys, and like to speak with them often.
}Jungle Jump-Jump ~Your feet can just barely touch the floor, so we put down Mama’s Pilates mat to cushion the blow. You’ve figured out how to spin the balls on there already.
}Growling ~ There was a reason we nicknamed you Finny-Boo-Bear, and I guess we’ve discovered it. Sometimes, if you spot something in your room while you’re eating, you’ll interrupt your meal to growl your “hello” to it.
}Bathtime ~ This remains your favorite activity. You love to play and splash in the kitchen sink. You’re very ticklish around your cheeks and neck, so you enjoy having your face washed. You also love to have just your feet soaked and washed.
}Reading Time ~ You’re particularly fond of books that rhyme. Some favorites: Sheep in a Jeep, Chicka Chicka Boom, & a book of nursery rhymes that belonged to Mama.
}Playing on the “big” bed ~ You love to roll around on the fluffy comforter and rub your face back and forth in the pillows.
Least Favorite Activity:
}The carseat ~ I think you’re mad that it’s putting you to sleep to ride in the car, and you want to be awake so you don’t miss anything. Whatever it is, you despise even being put in your carseat, much less riding anywhere in it. Makes for interesting (and loud) errand-running. LOL
We continue to be amazed at how your personality develops and look forward to watching you learn new skills and tricks to impress us. You definitely know how to enjoy life to the fullest, and you’re teaching us everyday to pursue fun and happiness in the little things life blesses us with. We absolutely adore you!
Love,
Mama
