A Splashin' Good Time

Jeremy, Henry and I went to the Newport Aquarium yesterday as a little day out. Jeremy and I used to do little things like this all the time together and we've been so excited to start showing out little man all the wonderful things there are in the world.

He was just entranced by all of the bright colored fish and aquariums although towards the end, I think he was starting to get bored with it all. He did so well though! It took us several hours to get through and he never fussed once.

The Pufferfish were my favorite and this little guy was so friendly. It followed Jeremy's fingers up one end of the tank and back down the other, if we ever have a salt-water aquarium one day, I will definitely have to have one! There was so much to see and learn and being the people we are (especially Jeremy) we read most every sign through the place.

There was a lot to learn! I loved seeing all the different frogs too although I have to be honest, most of them were huge and disgusting and ugly. I'm so excited to take Henry back in the coming years when he's a little older and can appreciate and learn from the experience more.

The penguins were Jeremy's favorite. He loved watching them jump straight up out of the water and I have to admit that I had a good laugh or two watching them myself. It's amazing how fast they can swim! They're little show offs too. After the aquarium we went to Red Robin for dinner. Jeremy had never been there and I think he enjoyed it as much as I told him he would.

We all had such a good time and it was so nice to get out as a family. I love the life I have, God has blessed me beyond measure with a wonderful husband and son. I look forward to this coming year and experiencing even more as a family.

Christmas: Santa vs Christ

I've had a huge struggle these past few weeks with the thought of teaching Henry in the coming years what Christmas is all about. It's weighed so heavy on my heart and mind that I've decided to reach out to you, my Christian friends, for some advice on how you handled your children at this time of the year when they were growing up.

I want him to know that Christmas is Christ's birthday. I want him to hear the Christmas story every year and know that this is the true reason why we celebrate. I've already decided that each year he will only receive three gifts from Jeremy and I; as Christ received three gifts from the wisemen. I've also decided that I'd like to start the tradition of making cupcakes the night before and singing 'Happy Birthday' to Jesus Christmas morning and allowing my children to each blow out a candle for Him. These are things I am sure of, things Jeremy and I have discussed and agree upon and are excited to start as our own family traditions.

Where I am struggling is how to introduce Santa Claus without taking away and confusing my children with what Christmas is all about. I don't want to take the 'magic' of Santa away from Henry and any future children we may have, but I'm just not sure how to incorporate both into Christmas. One just seems to take away from the other. I hate that. I hate that our country is so wrapped up in things that are so far from the true meaning that I have to seriously worry about how to keep the true meaning of Christmas in my children's hearts without depriving them of what every other child around them is celebrating.

So really I want your opinions. I want to know what you think about it all and how you taught your children growing up what Christmas was truly about while also incorporating Santa into it all. I'll really appreciate any of your input!

Well hello there December!

December has snuck up on us quicker than what I ever imagined it would. Our tree is up and shining in front of the living room window and we've even had our first snow. I suppose every year I get to this point and ask, "where did the time go?" and this year is no different. It seems like every day goes by faster than the last and with a busy life, it's sometimes hard to remember to cherish the small moments.

I've got so many plans and ideas and hopes and dreams for every day, every week, every month and I usually only get about half of them done. There are just not enough hours in a day. I am so excited for some upcoming events though. We are hoping for baby #2 in this next year (like we didn't already have our hands full!) and next weekend will be Jeremy's last day at his second job so he will be home with Henry every day on the weekends. We will be looking at a home that is going on the market this coming spring and taking Henry on his very first vacation. My little crochet business is coming along so well and I've booked two weddings and an engagement session this coming year. I'm sure 2012 will go just as fast as 2011 but I'm looking forward to it. I'm so excited to watch Henry grow and learn and establishing our own little family with it's own little traditions and memories. Overall, life really couldn't be much better. I am so very blessed!

Ovey Creations Give-Away Details

Who's excited?? This girl is!!

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love what I do. I love being able to stay home with my little one and crochet to my heart's desire. I love creating things. I love taking a ball of yarn and making it into something fun, creative and useful. I am just starting out and I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. With more and more experience, who knows where the road could lead?

Now to the fun stuff! This month I will be giving away one of my beanies with ears, earflaps and braids. I'll even add a bow if you like! It will be made just for you in the size and colors that you desire. I chose to give away this hat first simply because it was the very first hat that I made. I have now made several for customers and it seems to be a popular choice. It looks so cute on little boys and girls and it can be worn with most anything. Not to mention it's perfect to keep little noggins (or big noggins) warm this winter!

So on to winning! Entering into this month's drawing is simple!

Just 'like' my page on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ovey-Creations/217347141666800 and leave a comment there telling me one thing you love about the Christmas season.

That's it!

But I'm also giving you the chance to be entered into this month's drawing two, three, five...twenty times more! It's really up to you!

Put this message on your Facebook: "Go check out Ovey Creations and tell her I sent you. For every person who 'likes' her page that I send, I'll be entered into her monthly drawing once more. The best part? You'll be entered into the drawing too!"

Simple, right? So for every person that leaves a comment on my page saying that you sent them, I'll enter you into the drawing once more!

Want even more chances to win?

If you've ordered from me before, upload a picture of your little one (or yourself) in one of my products and tag Ovey Creations in the photo and I'll enter you FIVE more times!

If that's not awesome, I don't know what is!

So, overall you have well...as many as you can think of...chances to win!

The winner will be announced on Monday December 5th!

Good luck to you all!

This Week

This week I vow to get many things done!

I vow to get at least 2 more Christmas presents bought.

I vow to finish and mail all of my crochet orders.

I vow to take Henry's four month pictures...or at least the one in the chair.

I vow to also find him a Christmas outfit, as the dinner is Sunday.

I vow to find some awesome wrapping paper and start wrapping gifts.

I vow to print all of my pictures from the last month.

I vow to scrub the bathroom floor, kitchen cabinets and windows.

I vow to let myself slide on that last vow a bit.

I vow to start Henry on a better schedule, even if I have to get up way to early everyday.

I vow to make at least two more patches of baby food, I'm sure he's getting sick of cereal, peas and sweet potatoes.

I vow to do my best to capture Henry's little laugh on video camera.

I vow to spend everyday playing, cuddling and learning with my little man as much as possible.

(Hey, you can get a lot done in nap time!)

I vow not to complain that I'm tired, my body aches, my head hurts or again, I'm tired... even if I am. It's Christmas time!

A Busy Season

It's been a little while since I blogged. I've been keeping extremely busy and it seems that each day goes by faster than the last. I'm clinging to the last days of fall and hoping and praying that I will see no major snow for at least a couple more weeks. I feel like autumn came and went faster than I could catch it. I missed all the pretty leaf photos and I didn't even carve a pumpkin, although I did decorate a few early on.

I've been crocheting like a mad women. Upon deciding that I'd go ahead and try to sell a few things, I took on so many orders that I've still got about five to finish and get shipped. I will say that it was all an answered prayer though. With Christmas coming up, we could definitely use the extra money to splurge on some family gifts. I am excited to get back to the point of just enjoying making a few things just for myself and Henry though. As soon as I get caught up, I think the orders will be farther in between and I can make a few more new designs and such.

We had our first experience with baby-food this past week. I made my first batch with my new food processor and was thrilled at how much I could make from one sweet potato. Henry has done very well with it. He has one tooth that's came in on the right side of his mouth and another that's almost through right in front. He's ready to do some chompin! I look forward to his next doctors appointment to see how much he's grown lately.

On a negative note, I'm fairly certain that he's developed Jeremy's milk allergy. I finally broke down a couple of days ago and decided that I wasn't going to try to pump anymore. Today will be the first day that I haven't pumped at all and it kind of saddens me. But, I went ahead and pulled the milk I had frozen and have been giving Henry more formula each day. As I did so, I noticed that after his formula bottles (I've tried a couple different brands and kinds of formula) he would just projectile vomit it all back up within 15 minutes. He's been super fussy lately too. I thought it was just because he was teething but last night I had Jeremy stop and get some soy-based formula and I've given that to him today and he's been an entirely different baby. I'm just going to keep an eye on the situation and then bring it up at his next appointment. He doesn't seem to be extra hungry or anything so I don't think it's anything to worry way too much about right now.

Between being a mommy, wife and working at work and on my crochet orders, I haven't had a whole lot of extra time. I've been itching to do some different crafts and tonight I finally got around to making the sugar scrubs that I've been dying to make lately. I must say, they turned out awesome. I can't wait to give some of them as gifts!

Did I mention that Henry is going to be 4 months old in just a couple of days?? Where the heck does the time go?!?

My Favorite

My favorite photo in the last month has to be this one of Henry in his pumpkin. I wanted so bad a picture of Henry in a pumpkin (they're only little once) but he really seemed to like playing in and exploring all the different textures around him. I'm entering it into the paper mama photo challenge this week.