My crush

I have a new celebrity crush. Marcus Mumford from Mumford & Sons. If you haven't heard any of their songs yet, you better get right on it! The band's catchy tunes get inside your head. I find myself longing to be right in the middle of a Boston, London or Ireland neighborhood bar with "The Cave" in the background and a Guinness to my right. (That is saying a lot since I don't even like Guinness!)

The biography on their website states: They create a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the might of Kings Of Leon, and their incredible energy draws us in quickly to their circle of songs, to the warmth of their stories, and to their magical community of misty-eyed men.

Amazing sound? Check. Hot frontman with a guitar wearing a vest and button down? Hell yes.

The next project: Stairwell

We've finally decided on a light fixture to hang above our stairway! But first we need to paint the stairwell. This is the next project we will tackle.Behr's Brown Teepee

I have been waiting oh so patiently to assemble my photo wall. I feel like my house is so photo barren without it. Growing up my mom had 2 HUGE photo walls and I would be caught often by them staring the photos...thinking about that day or stories to go along with the photos. I can still envision them in my mind and I love that. Plus, do you know how hard it is for a photographer to not have 10 million photos in their home?!!!

Happy 10 Months Sophie!

Time is truly escaping me as I try to catch up to your monthly posts. As I write this you are almost 11 months! Can time slow down NOW?!!!

Sophie, as each month passes your personality is showing through even more. It's like I have a lottery ticket in my hand and I can't wait to scratch off the next part to see more of who you are becoming. I am that lucky. ;)

You took your first steps this past month and can say you will be walking by your first birthday! You are so strong and are in such amazement and wonder of everything. It is so great sharing every experience with you.

You tolerate your baby food, but are ready for big girl food all the way. Mommy and daddy give you a taste of what's on our plates all the time. You seem to like everything we've given you so far. I can tell giving up your bottles won't be a struggle either, you don't want to sit still for them anymore!

You are still in size 3 diapers, but now 6 month clothes are definitely too short for you and the 9 month clothes are almost too small too. You are now in 12 month sleepers, which makes you look all grown up! You still fit in your car seat, but mommy and daddy are now looking at big girl convertible seats for you. It will be odd to carry around a toddler in a baby seat! You are still eating 5 oz. every 3 hours and have a nap an hour after each bottle. You take 4 naps a day and still sleep through the night. You've gotten one new tooth since last month for a total of 6 teeth now. You are a pro at growing those!

Your favorite toys still include your Ni Hao Kai-Lan doll and Violet. They sing and talk to you which you love. You also like your Melissa & Doug animal zoo puzzle. The thick wood is great for you to put in your mouth. You also continue to enjoy being in the kitchen with mommy. You help her with the dishes and like to stand and climb in the dishwasher. You've just discovered how to open up the kitchen cabinets so locks will be going on there soon! You like to dance to any beat! Smiling at strangers is nothing new either. You love new people and are so outgoing. You enjoy watching everything around you, especially when we go out to eat.

Sophie, you are never one to miss a beat and are so smart already! Mommy and daddy are so proud of you - we can't believe you are our little walker and very soon a toddler. I cherish you always.

I Am Featured On....

My closet turned turned entryway was chosen to be on the DIY Showoff. I am a religious follower of Roeshel's blog and have gotten a lot of ideas from her and her follower's craftiness.

Enjoy it here: http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2011/01/closet-to-mudroom.html

Thanks again Roeshel!

Closet turned mudroom/entryway

The long-awaited project has finished! The last update I gave you was here. Now look at our finished entryway in all it's glory:

Yes! That was once a closet! Pretty nifty, huh? Let's rewind and get you caught up.

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Corner bead, patching and tile in:

Closeup of tilework (In front of entryway)

Closeup of tilework (In front of garage and to the left of entryway)

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And now:

Ledge cut and stained and molding up
Paint (Shale Gray and Cozy Cottage both by Behr)

THE DETAILS

Antique leaded window = $40
(We installed 3 individual hooks)

Entryway bench = $75 Kohls
Wicker baskets = $20 ($10/basket) Pier One
Pillow = $12 HomeGoods
Rug = $15 HomeGoods
Letter "S" (pictured above) = $6 HomeGoods

Cast iron hook = $15 Elements (Local décor store)

Keyholder = $8 HomeGoods (This is on the wall next to the entryway)

The row of 3 closets is now 2!

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BEFORE - just a closet

NOW

For less than $300 we now have a very usable space in our home

I hope this inspires you that a simple change can really make a big impact in your home. I know that this project really has inspired me to take up more DIY projects in our home too. I can't wait to share more with you!

Happy 9 Months Sophie!

With now less than 3 months until your first birthday mommy has been gathering a lot of ideas for your party. We are really excited and are going to make it a ladybug theme. "Our little lady is turning one!"

You are 16 lbs. 6 oz. (25th percentile), 27 1/2" long (50th percentile) You are in size 3 diapers and can still wear some 6 month clothes, but most are too short for you, long girl! You are mostly in 9 month clothes. You are still eating 5 oz. every 3 hours and have a nap an hour after each bottle. You take 4 naps a day and still sleep through the night. You got 3 new teeth (top 2 and left incisor) since last month for a total of 5 so far! You love chomping on everything! We're awaiting the right incisor any day. I can see it peeking.

Your hair is getting longer and curlier. I am finally able to clip a barrette in your hair and it stays!

We started you on more solid foods and LOVE grown up food. Your favorite foods right now are waffles, crackers and clementines. You know what the cracker box and orange ball looks like and if you see one, you will whimper until you get it. You have tried cheese and yogurt as well.

Since Christmas came, you have new fun toys to play with. Among your favorites are your Ni Hao, Kai-lan doll, Mypal Violet that knows your name, Grammie's old cell phone and Crayola jumbles. We took you out for your first sledding experience and it seems you were alright with it, but prefer warmer weather.

You are definitely more mobile than you've ever been. You've crawled the stairs all the way up and even took your first step! You are no longer content in your baby carrier when stationary. At restaurants you love to look around and watch people. You like strangers and smile at them especially when they say you're cute! You only like your jumper when Ni Hao, Kai-lan is on and it's a savior for mommy when she needs to do some cleaning. You are getting faster at crawling, if it's possible. Your favorite game is "I'm gonna get you!" and you crawl faster knowing mommy, daddy or grammie is behind you. You are a little climber and love pulling yourself up onto things. I love to see you dance, so usually I sing a little song and you bounce and bend your knees to my beat. It's adorable.

Sophie, you are really coming into your own as a person and it is so fun to have front row tickets! Mommy and daddy are so proud of you!

Fabric Sneak Peek for Living Room

I wanted to share something with you since you all have been so patient with my entryway project. It will finally be done for real this weekend. All we have to do is paint the chair rail, clean up our antique piece and I have to find the perfect throw pillow for the little nook. Speaking of pillows, I found this lovely fabric online - just the style I was looking for. This is Richloom's Invigorate "Sky" pattern. My mom and I will sew them just in time for Spencer's birthday party.