Preparing to ring in the new year???

Not so much here, today is a day like any other. Well, except for the fact that Matt is home sick from work and we have a Dr. appt for him this afternoon. Ari has been Mr. Fussy Butt since everyone has left, I think he's going through Grammy and Grampa withdrawals. Oh, that and he's cutting two or four teeth (definately two on the bottom and I think two on the top but he won't let me get close enough to look)!

Brian called this morning to wish us a Happy New Year, it was 2 am New Years Day for him, he informed me that he was calling from the future to tell me things look good! He cracks me up sometimes. He wanted to wish Ari a Happy New Year too so he thought he'd call early to make sure he was awake.

No plans for tonight other than scrapping and sleeping. I don't even know if we will stay awake to watch the ball drop. It's sort of anti-climatic (sp) when your not out partying... I guess I don't really see the point when I could be getting some much needed sleep instead.

I do plan on coming back today to post some funny photos of Ari, I just wanted to get this update done in case I run out of time!

I wish everyone a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! Stay safe!!!

What a week...

This little idea came to me last night as I was trying to figure out a way to express my anger and disappointment over some of the events of yesterday.

Party Decorations: $67
Baking Supplies/Party Food: $123
Prep Time: 3 Days
Having only two out of ten people who RSVP'd actually show up to Ari's party: Priceless

It may be sarcastic and a little mean, but that's my right. I am beside myself at the fact that people personally told me they would be here for Ari's birthday and they just didn't show up. Not even a phone call. I understand that things come up, it's the holidays... but still, how selfish and incosiderate can you be? It's very embarrasing and hurtful to be honest. Matt and I had a hard time enjoying our son's first birthday because we kept looking out the window to see if people had pulled up. We waited an hour and a half (Ari melting down and needing a nap because we waited so long) before we started the festivities. I think the hardest part of it all was the fact that all of this crap took away from what the day really should have been about, our son and the celebration of his first year of life. I'm angry and upset and I'm tired of being "the polite one" that bites her toungue for fear of offending others. I want everyone to know how much they hurt me, hurt all of us. Please take that into consideration when you just decide not to show up somewhere you're expected to be.

OK, rant over. I had to get that out, I feel a little better now. Onto happier things... we had an incredible week! Brad and Emily along with their boys Tyler and Ethan arrived Wednesday evening for dinner. We've not seen them since our wedding two years ago, it was incredible to see them and the boys! Tyler is an angel, so much fun to be around and Ethan is just the tiniest little peanut you have ever seen. They are both very well behaved and a true joy to have in our house! Thanks you guys, it was great to see you!

Matt's parents (Dick and Sharon) arrived Thursday morning, earlier than I was expecting which was awesome because they jump right in and help me out! I was able to get an uninterrupted shower and not have to worry about Ari! My dad (Brent) and Cindy arrived a little later that afternoon. We had a HUMONGOUS dinner that night with Prime Rib (with a garlic blue cheese cream sauce, YUM), Red Potatoes, Asparagus, Strawberry Salad, Corn, Deviled Eggs and Rolls... I think that's everything. It was incredible, I've not eaten that much at one sitting in a very long time. The company was fabulous, the conversation a little risque (sorry to anyone that may have been offended) but an overall great evening! It warms my heart to have so many people in our life that are so much fun to spend the holidays with!

Ooh, then Ari's party! I got up at the crack of dawn to bake cakes, clean up the house from the various other activities, wrap presents and decorate. In true Wiebke fashion everything came together very nicely at (what we thought was) the last minute before guests would arrive. Michelle and Ella came and brought balloons to finish off the decor! And that's it... no one else came (the grandparen't were already here). Besides that and an emergency nap for Ari the day was great. He tore right into all of his gifts and loved each and every one. My dad got him the "flintstones car", he had so much fun spinning the steering wheel! Dick and Sharon got him a mini table and chair set from PBK, it is the cutest thing and looks great in the family room. He got lots of other toys from us, Michelle & Ella and the Gardners! Thank you to everyone that was here, you made our day great.

The cake: He didn't like it one bit! I had to smush his hands in it for him and he made the most awful face! He barely touched it and didn't eat a single bite! Michelle took all the pictures, here are a few:



He wore the hat for a long time! It was adorable (obviously) ;)







Whew, I think this post is long enough. Sorry about that, I just had a lot to say! I hope you all enjoy your weekend, Ari and I are hanging out in our jammo's all day!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope everyone had a wonderful day full of laughter and love. Ari and I sure did, we went to Michelle's house for lunch with her huge family. It was really nice, they are settling nicely into the new house and I finally got to meet all the people I hear so much about. Oh, and the food was delish so it was a win all around! Ari and Ella were adorable and very well behaved as usual. They got to play with the toys Ella had opened this morning (kind of a preview since Ari's getting some of them for his birthday Friday). It was just a great way to spend the day given Matt's still at work. Michelle is truly a great friend, I am very thankful to have her in my life. She's a great mum to Ella and having her as a friend is kinda like my own personal partner in crime! Merry Christmas Michelle, thanks for a great day!

Ari and I came home after lunch. He was hesitant to take a nap since he's never been in Ella's new room and there were quite a few people (and dogs) downstairs. He fell asleep as soon as we got in the car which was great for the ride home, not so great for the rest of our day. When he falls asleep in the car he generally won't sleep once we get home... so it's been a long afternoon. I did put him in his crib for some quiet time and was able to bake the cookies for his birthday party. I would show you pics but the batteries in my camera are dead and we don't have any spares. Matt's going to pick some up on his way home tonight so we'll have some for the morning.

Brad and Emily (along with Tyler and Ethan) are arriving tomorrow, I am very excited to see them! The last time we saw them was our wedding in 2005 and Ty was only 10 months old. He's almost three now and Ethan was born in Sept. of this year. The rest of the week is going to be awesome with Matt's parents and my dad and Cindy arriving Thursday. I may not be around much the next few days so if I don't get to talk this week I hope you all have a very wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stay safe and warm. Lots of love ;)

A very productive day!

I do feel much better today. I had a chance to pop out to Target last night (by myself, which was nice)and buy all the ingredients for my holiday baking tomorrow. The line at Starbucks was way too long but it was OK, I didn't need it anyway! Well, I got everything on my list and a little something for Ari since he's been SUCH a good boy lately. I know Christmas and his birthday are super close but I couldn't resist. I came home, Matt left for work and I got a chance to scrap uninterrupted! I did one layout, for the Tinkering Ink challenge over at Crop Addict. I used photos of Ella playing in the leaves last week (or two weeks ago...) since they matched the paper perfectly. What do you think??



If you want to check out the challenge you have until the end of this month to enter! Plenty of time... go for it!

Anyway, I was up pretty late but I had a good time listening to my music and drinking hot cocoa until the wee hours. Ari bean slept until 9:30 this morning so I feel very rested and refreshed! We were busy bees around here today finishing all the laundry and cleaning *most* of the house! The kitchen and Family Room are pretty spotless, I only have to tackle the Living Room (which is pretty covered in dust) and our bedrooms before our guests arrive on Wednesday!

Tomorrow we are headed over to Michelle's to do some holiday baking. I'm making Chocolate Chip (for Santa) and Ari's birthday cookies which are going to be sugar cookies cut into "1" and iced with blue frosting! I can't wait to see how they turn out. If they end up being as cute as I've pictured in my head I'll post a pic here tomorrow night. I hope you all have your Christmas shopping done and not too much wrapping left... there's only one day left you know! ;) Have a great night...

Short and Sweet

Crop Addict is hosting another manufacturer challenge for January, this one from Piggy Tales. Here are the things I created with my little kit, it was so much fun to work with. It's the Baa,Baa Black Sheep line which will be available in the Crop Addict store very soon so be sure to head over and grab some while it lasts!





Ari is napping, I'm gonna hop in the shower because we are going to Target when he wakes up. I'm not in a very good mood today and some shop therapy and Starbucks is in order for my afternoon! Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back when I'm a little more pleasant to be around...

I'm feelin' bloggy

Not really sure why, but all day things have been popping in [and out] of my head to blog about. Of course now that I sit down to actually blog I can't remember any of them. Oh well...

We didn't make it to Gymboree today, Ari overslept which threw our schedule off and as we were walking out the door he threw a full blown tantrum so I took him right up to bed. He didn't nap very long so once he was up we were still able to meet Alice, Charlie, Michelle and Ella for lunch. Alice took Charlie to see Santa, he screamed his cute lil' head off. Oh, and Alice got the scoop on why Santa sucked... apparently he knocks back a few during his breaks! That explains the sullen look and rosy cheeks that Michelle and I experienced! I'm kinda peeved, why should I have to pay $20 for a picture of a drunk santa? Maybe I'll write a letter... [that's my "thing", I always say I'm gonna write a letter when people are crappy].

Anyway, lunch was fantastic, we really need to do it more often. After the holidays are over we're going to make a point to get together more regularly. Alice doesn't really have any family here either and it gets tough just being "mommy" sometimes. I suggested a "kid swap" so each of us can get some "me" time and have a babysitter we trust. After the first of the year we're going to make it happen.

After lunch we met Matt at the airport, he had a 4 hour layover with nothing to do so we had dinner and kept him company. We ran into a friend who's fiance gave birth to their baby girl (another Ella) Oct. 8th! Congrats Dave & Maria, we can't wait to meet Ella. They live here in CLT too and also don't have any family near. The wonderful world of working for an airline that transfer's you all over creation. Anyway, I told them to call us so he and Maria can have some time off now and then, and hopefully Maria can meet my other mom friends and make some connections of her own!

So, after a long day out we came home for the bedtime routine. Ari is getting pretty good at the walking thing, he was coasting all over the family room this evening. Of course as soon as I drag out the camera he gives up! Maybe one of these days I'll get a better video, until then here's the sneeks of my layouts/project for the next Crop Addict challenge. Be sure to hop over there and check it out come January!

How dumb can I be?

Dumb in a funny way, if that's possible. Ari and I met Michelle and Ella to ride the new light rail uptown to see the singing bears. We got SO lost! Well, more turned around... and around. We walked all over the place trying to figure out where we were supposed to go asking for directions once or twice. We finally get there only to find out that they aren't singing for another three hours! It was freezing cold but the babies were bundled pretty well and didn't make a peep the whole day! The light rail was really nice, someone had spilled something [I hope] and three worker guys hopped on and mopped it right up! It was a fun day, more exercise than I've had all year, but fun. We're going to do it again when it's a little warmer. Riding the light rail is MUCH easier than driving and we don't have to pay out the butt for parking once we get there.

Ari was AWESOME today. Yesterday, not so much. I wish those few teeth would just pop through and we could move on with things. He slept until 9 this morning, the latest I think he's ever slept, ever. It was SO nice, he was really happy this morning too, playing by himself until his nap at 10:30. He slept until almost 1 when we left for our outing. This week has really flown by which is surprising since Matt's not here and the days usually drag. I think we are all happy to get back to "normal" which hasn't been the case since before Thanksgiving. Tomorrow we have Gymboree at 10, lunch with Alice and Charlie at 11:30 at the mall and then we're meeting Matt for an early dinner around 4. He has a four hour layover and we miss him, even though he's coming home tomorrow night. He won't get to see Ari since we don't keep him up past his bedtime. We decided early on that we'd do our best to keep his routine the same no matter what our crazy schedules might be. It's worked out very nicely thus far.

Anyway, here are the pics from today. Ari and Ella were so cute thinking they needed to hold on to the handrail while the train was moving. Oh, and the non-singing bears... they were still neat to see even though they just stood there. Maybe we will attempt to go again before Christmas. I think it will depend on the weather.







These last two are proof that I've been productive this week. Do you ever feel like you're just going and going but don't have anything to show for it? I had to walk around with my camera in order to feel like I've actually accomplished something. I painted the kitchen and living room, as well as the rest of our cabinets. No photo of the cabinets yet because Matt still has to put the knobs on. Oh, and I made this super cute sequins tree. It's a little flashy, but fun and festive and it really adds some cheer to my otherwise cheerless kitchen. We're still bulking up on the holiday decorations, we have much more room here than any other place we've lived so decorations were sparse there for a while. I'm making two more trees so this one won't be lonely!





Enjoy your night! Oh, I almost forgot... be sure to check back tomorrow for some sneek peeks of an upcoming challenge over at Crop Addict! I'll be posting a tiny bit of my designs before you get a chance to see them anywhere else. You won't want to miss this one, it's one of my favorites!! See you tomorrow!!