Summer Project List

As always we have a list of to-do projects and updates for the summer. Here is my list:

Master Bedroom:

• Replace curtains: as much as I love our room darkening curtains I want more light in our room for the summer. 
• Wall art: canvas art or framed prints for the empty wall in our bedroom.

Dressing Room:

• Ottoman for the closet
• Chair: somewhere I can relax and read

 Office:

• I really want to paint the ceiling as shown here and I'm loving this shade of blue!

Decor Pad

• Clean out and re-organize the office closet 

Downstairs Hallway:

• Wallpaper or stencil the center wall and add vertical frames (I have the frames and pictures ready to be hung). I am inspired by this chevron wall and may try to re-create. I have also been shopping for wallpaper. 

Made By Girl

Playroom: our biggest project this summer

• We already met with our contractor and he is getting started next week! 
• Flooring: we will be taking out the current carpet and we need to decide on new flooring
• Paint
• Built-ins: I'm super excited to have built in storage in this room!
• Additional storage
• Seating

The playroom is our highest priority. I really want to do the downstairs hallway so I can hang Ellie's 1st birthday pictures and other family photos. I think this wall will make a beautiful feature wall and I can't wait to see the final product! I will post updates as we make progress.

Storage for the Playroom

I must buy this for Ellie's playroom. I can't get over how adorable it is!

Elephant Canvas Bin

This storage bin is from the Container Store and also comes in an owl, raccoon, and monkey ($32 each). I plan to use shelving and baskets, too, but I like this playful bin. Too cute!

Our Summer Family Vacation

Last week we went on a family vacation to Palm Beach County, Florida. It was also Ellie's first plane ride (at only 14 months old)! She was a perfect little girl on the plane. She was on my lap for the two hour flight and napped for half of it both ways. The remainder of the time she read books and looked out the window. It was a positive experience. All we brought (in terms of baby equipment) was her stroller, which we were able to bring up to boarding the plane. So convenient. We rented everything else: pack 'n play, high chair, and a box fan (we need our white noise).

We vacationed with friends of ours- a couple and their two daughters (ages 5 and 7). We spent most of our days either at the pool or the beach. Ellie is such a water baby! She went swimming in the ocean with us for the first time and loved it! During her morning naps (Nick napped, too) I went to the condo's pool. I relaxed and it was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I read my first book since pregnancy. I layed out and enjoyed the sunny weather. I savored it. I realized I need to do this more often. Read more often. It's something I love to do, but never make the time to do it. In the evenings we went out to dinner. Ellie's new favorite thing is to push the stroller. She doesn't want to sit in it. It's so cute. We also discovered the world of frozen yogurt and became obsessed. And, lucky us- U-Swirl just opened in my hometown so we can enjoy it at home now too! :)

Here are some photos from our trip:

Palm Trees- my favorite!!

Ellie loved the sand and ocean!

Daddy and his princess

I can't stand how cute she is. I am obsessed with her pig tails!

Me!

Relaxing while Ellie and Nick play in the pool

I highly recommend this book- a great beach read!

One of my favorite pictures! Ellie getting excited about a big wave!

Last day at the pool!

It was a great vacation and a wonderful start to the summer!

Daddy's Day was One to Remember!

This Father's Day was one for the books- Ellie took her first steps!! She was slowly progressing with walking. Once she started standing (10 months), she then would pull herself up holding onto furniture and toys. She loved her push toys (turtle and doll stroller). The beginning of May she started walking while holding our hands. She got very good at this. She did just this for a good month before realizing she could walk with just fingers. A couple of weeks ago she realized she was ok holding onto just 1 of our fingers. But, still she would not let go. She could stand for long periods of time, then would plop down and clap. I knew it would happen someday- whenever she was 100% ready. Yesterday was the day! Father's Day of all days. The best gift to her Daddy! It was an emotional moment- the moment she decided she would let go and go for it. 10 steps!

We started celebrating Father's Day on Friday with a picnic at the River. It was a beautiful day! Saturday morning we went out to breakfast and Sunday we had lunch with my in-laws and dinner with my parents. It was an extra-special weekend!

Ellie is so lucky to have such an amazing Daddy. He really is so good with her. He plays with her, takes her for walks, they watch cars together, he makes her smile and giggle, and he shows her so much love. I love watching them together. Ellie loves her Daddy! And I am so lucky to have a husband who is so involved and willing to help. We love spending time as a family!

Father's Day 2012