Lanie J. and Co.

Inspiration Friday (2/17/12)

2012-02-17T07:26:00.000-06:00

A Valentine Doodle

2012-02-15T15:11:00.000-06:00

So... it's been a while. I would apologize, but it is my blog after all, and kind of an extra curricular activity for me. I've been busy adjusting to being a mom of three and learning a few things about myself.

Hopefully those things I am learning can help push me to some creative work. I've missed working on the blog and doing doodles and such. So, I should be around a little more.

I'll be back in the next few days. Until then, here is a doodle I did for Valentines Day. It felt really good to get the pens out. I love doodles, because I am not trying to be perfect or impress anyone. They are an impromptu excercise in creativity. Gonna have to do some more very soon!

Having a third (and last) child at 40.

2011-11-03T16:25:00.000-05:00

These are some of the things I am being reminded of/learning about having a third (and last child at 40.

1. I feel older and wiser and don't feel the need to squander the moments that could be spent with my baby boy on house cleaning. (Just a heads up for anyone paying an impromptu visit). So precious are these moments.

2. It is interesting being swept back into the new mommy role at this age and just after having sent my 2nd child off to kindergarten last year. I was just emerging from a cocoon of sorts to find myself and now I feel a little lost again.

3. Most friends my age have older elementary aged children on up to 18 year olds. I am in need of some new mommy camaraderie. It would be nice if the new mommies were my age, but I'll take just about any new mom for a new friend to share with!

4. This pregnancy was different at 40, but the recovery and getting my body on track is very different. I have a feeling this is going to be a long and slow process. I will try to be kind to myself. I've said all along, I am too old for this!

5. I had forgotten how nursing around the clock can kick my butt! However, I wouldn't have it any other way. Yet another set of moments to treasure.

I am sure I will think of more!

Baby boy is here!

2011-10-10T11:34:00.000-05:00

Just dropping in to announce that my little boy Kyle made his entrance into this world a little early on September 27th at about 35-1/2 weeks. He weighed 5 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19-1/2 in. long. He spent a bit of time in NICU and is home on an apnea monitor now. We have had no apnea episodes and his is gaining his weight as he should. There are a couple of concerns with his heart, but hopefully they should be minor or not at all after we visit a pediatric cardiologist later this week.

I am completely and utterly in love with this little tiny guy!

Lord, please help me to live fully in each moment with the precious gifts you have given me. All three of them... Katie, Nikki and Kyle.

"Godspeed Little Man"

2011-09-22T09:57:00.000-05:00

Goodspeed little man! We can't wait to meet you! 2-3 more weeks and you will be in our arms precious boy!

Inspiration Friday (9/16/11)

2011-09-16T06:57:00.001-05:00

So, I am going to have to sheepishly admit that I got totally hooked on Pinterest this week. I get my Inspiration Friday ideas from blogs that I follow and subscribe to, but oh the beautiful pics on Pinterest have captured my attention. I would love for you to follow me both here at the blog and over at Pinterest (just go to the first column on the right). I promise I will follow you back. Who knows maybe your project, art, recipe or beautiful picture may show up here!

Fabric Penant Tutorial at Sugar Bee Crafts

Pumpkin Butterscotch Muffins at Mommy's Kitchen

Inexpensive Party Favors at The Happy Housewife

Oreo and Peanut Butter Brownie Bites at Picky Palate

DIY Pumpkin Art at My Blessed Life

3D Canvas Art at The Craft In Me

Happy Friday! Grab a button!

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Little man's room is coming together!

2011-09-15T14:43:00.004-05:00

Just wanted to share Kyle's room. It is coming together nicely.

Sweet bedding is from Nautica Kids. Hubs and I picked it out together.

Sailboat paintings done by me. I thoroughly enjoyed making these!

Window valances match the bedding and are also from Nautica Kids. The desk needs a new home somewhere in the house. I just haven't figured out where that is yet!

Of course I already posted his letters.

See that basket? I've stuck my nose in it for a big whiff more than a few times. Nothing like the smell of Dreft to make you ready to hold a baby!

Now I am having Hubs be on the look out for nautical themed wall stuff that will match. I would like a wooden oar for above the closet (not pictured) and maybe something to go on each side of the window. I think a painting or painted sign that says "Come sail away with me..." would be sweet don't you?

Participating here:

More decoupage wood letters for a baby boy...

2011-09-13T06:18:00.004-05:00

So, I've been nesting and decorating preparing for Baby J.

Last week, I made his name for the wall in his room. It has been quite interesting moving from all things girl to doing crafts for a little boy. But I'm starting to catch on and really enjoy it. I can't wait to meet little man, this is for sure.

Making these letters is very simple. If you would like to make your own see my tutorial here.

Participating here:

Monday Musings... Faith

2011-09-12T06:00:00.009-05:00

Original artwork by Lanie J.

“You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”

~Mary Manin Morrissey

"Fear can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow.”

~Anonymous

“I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.

I just wish He didn't trust me so much.”

~Mother Theresa

Participating here:

We will not forget....

2011-09-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Inspiration Friday (9/9/11)

2011-09-09T11:47:00.000-05:00

River Rock Table Name Tags at inspiration & realisation

Kids Art Display at Clean & Scentsible

Freezer Paper Stenciling at The Artful Parent

DIY Stickhorse from Junk in Their Trunk via Lolly Jane

Faux Handblown Glass Ornaments at Aileen's Musings

French Breakfast Muffins at HoneyBear Lane

Homemade Gel Air Fresheners at Homemade Mamas

Repurposed Shower Curtain Seaside Wreath at Cajun joie de vivre

Rootbeer Float Fudge at Shugary Sweets

Please feel free to grab a "featured" button and thanks for all the fabulous ideas!

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Imagining a phone call to my Mama on her 63rd birthday...

2011-09-06T07:30:00.001-05:00

Sweet Mama, today would be your 63rd birthday. If I could give you a birthday call, I imagine it would go something like this...

It would start with you picking up the phone and Katie and Nikki and I singing a rousing round of Happy Birthday with the extra cha, cha, cha! flourish at the end of each sentence.

I would lament to you how hard this pregnancy has been on me emotionally and physically being 40 years old and how scared of a third c-section I am and you would comfort me, reminding me of how the doctors didn't want you to deliver my little sister because your life and maybe even hers could be lost in the process and you did it anyway. I would thank you for that because now I have Mika for a sister.

Then you would talk about how great little boys are and how much fun Justin was and how awesome it will be to hold little man in my arms and we would count our blessings. You always told me girls were wonderful, but there was something really special about a little boy.

I might cry a little when I tell you how much I wish you could be here with me to share in the first weeks with the baby, just as you did with Katie and Nikki. But I'd tell you, I think I am covered as far as help goes. Of course, they can never replace you.

I would tell you how great it would be to sit at the kitchen table and paint with you again. I have learned so much in the couple of years since you have been gone and I think we would finally launch that little art business we always talked about.

We would talk about how much the girls are growing and changing everyday. How talented artistically Katie is (she got it from you) or how witty Nikki can be. I would share with you my concerns about raising girls and you would share with me stories of Mika and myself when we were growing up and then tell me that raising a boy will be easier.

In general, I would tell you how much I really do miss you and love you and that there will forever be a hole in my heart that will never be replaced. Thank you once again for being my Mom, confidante and best friend over the years.

26 weeks: A letter to my little boy....

2011-07-20T13:45:00.000-05:00

Wow, to type it out, or say it out loud... "my little boy".... wow!

(25 weeks... looking as tired as I feel! :) )

We are now at 26 weeks although your mommy looks and feels more like 36 weeks. We are on the downhill slide and I am finally looking at purchasing your layette. We have your new travel system and play yard (complete with a changing table and hamper so you and I can take care of business in the living room instead of running all over the house while I am recuperating from the c-section) and I ordered some sweet cradle bedding for your cradle when you come home.

Daddy is beside himself with excitement and is amazed at your strength. You can get my belly moving and it fascinates every single one of us. One of our new favorite pass times is to put the t.v. remote on my belly and watch you move it with your little kicks. At a recent doctor's visit, I found that you were head down (I know this will change a few more times) and I questioned if that were so, why did it feel like someone was stomping on my bladder. Reason... your little fists were in front of your face. Apparently, you were using my bladder as a punching bag!

Your sisters are having fun helping me pick out items you will need. They love to pick out outfits and ask me questions about you all the time. They already love you and pray for you at night before they go to sleep.

With this pregnancy, I have become rather large, rather fast and I get bunches of double takes when I go out in public. "When is your baby due?" "October." "Really?!" (Which is usually replied with eyes as big as saucers.) I haven't had much energy this time around and it continues to dwindle as I haven't been sleeping well. I am already the weight I was when I had Katie and it is getting increasingly difficult to bend over and pick things up. It was rather amusing the other night when I was buttering a nice piece of corn on the cob and dropped it. I watched as it rolled down my tummy and onto the kitchen floor. Katie was sitting next to me and looking down at it she said, "You want me to get that for you don't you?" I don't know what I would do without your big sisters to come to my rescue!

Because of our little scare back at 11 weeks and because of this being my third c-section with a chance of a uteran rupture on the second one I had (doc says he doubled that area last time) I have had more fear and worry with you than with your sisters. I discussed a c-section at 37 weeks (as soon as we know your lungs are fully developed) to keep me from going into labor this time. When I wake at night and my mind starts to wander on all the things that could go wrong. I remember that God is in control and he has, as your big sister Katie likes to say "very BIG hands!" And I picture you safe in my arms. I know for a fact, all of this will be worth it in the end.

I cannot wait to meet you my precious boy.

Love, Mom

20 week ultrasound of you (we will do this again at 29 weeks)

Letters and Doodles

2011-06-24T15:04:00.003-05:00

Yummy Rootbeer Cookie Recipe!

2011-06-22T05:00:00.002-05:00

When I was 16 years old, I spent the summer with my cousins in Utah. Looking back, my favorite things from that summer were when we would threaten to tattle to my Aunt Peggy (who had 5 children) and she would say she didn't want to hear it (I use this today with my own children) and these yummy, yummy, yummy rootbeer cookies.

My children have recently become rootbeer lovers like their Mom so I decided to dig out Aunt Peggy's recipe.

Rootbeer Cookies

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter (softened)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. buttermilk or water
1 tsp. rootbeer extract**
1-3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix as for any cookie and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes

Rootbeer Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter softened
1-1/2 tsp rootbeer extract**
2 T. hot water

Glaze the cookies generously.

YUM!

**I used to be able to get rootbeer extract at the grocery store. Now it is rootbeer concentrate which I don't think is as strong. So I ordered my extract from Cooks Vanilla online.

Enjoy the cookies!

Pregnant lady who loves lettering will work for food....

2011-06-21T07:25:00.000-05:00

Last week, my friend Dianne messaged me through Facebook asking if she could bring me breakfast in return for writing on some baseballs for her son's team.

Of course I said yes. I mean what woman who is 21 weeks preggo and ALWAYS hungry would say no?! Plus, the fact that I love Dianne and I love to letter made it easy to say yes.

Here is how they turned out...

All in all, I wrote on 14 balls while visiting with Dianne and she finished the outline at home since we ran out of time. I think they turned out nicely and I hope some daddies thought they were a great gift from their little ball players on Father's Day.

P.S. Dianne so thoughtfully brought a gift card to my favorite store ever... Hobby Lobby! Thanks Dianne!

Happy Father's Day Daddy...

2011-06-19T07:07:00.000-05:00

My Daddy and I circa 1974.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

ICAD #8 Emerson Quote....

2011-06-11T16:53:00.000-05:00

ICAD #8 (Zig writer, Pitt Pens and Copic Sketch B04-Tahitian Blue)

ICAD #4-7 Courtesy of my Katiebug...

2011-06-10T09:09:00.000-05:00

ICAD#4 Katie says, "Only big guys in red pickup truck have seen ufo's except for this guy."

ICAD #5 Katie says, "If he lays in the sun too long, he'll melt." (I love the reflection of the sun on the water.)

ICAD #6 Katie says, "How long do you think he will last dancing?" (Personally I think he looks like he could soar!)

ICAD #7 Katie says, "The flamingo looks like he is going to burn his beak on the sun!" (Flamingos are well loved in our house, especially by Nikki!)

Don't forget to check out Inspiration Friday this week!

Inspiration Friday (6/10/11)

2011-06-10T07:33:00.001-05:00

Okay, so it has been a pretty busy week.

We found out we are going to have a "son". I can't believe I'm going to have a little boy! Katie fell off a skateboard and chipped her permanent front tooth and got a bloody and fat lip. Nikki lost her first tooth. And we are simply busy having summer fun.

The girls love to go to the craft store. Katie takes after me spending hours making latch hook rugs and pot holders on a loom. And they both love to draw.

Thank goodness for the drawing. Katie has a stack of her own ICADs so since I haven't kept up this week I will post ICADs 4-7 in a little bit and they will be from her ever growing stack. She has some fantastic drawings for an 8 year old! You can see ICAD #1 here, ICAD #2 here (my fave so far) and ICAD #3 here. It's also not to late to join Daisy Yellow in the summer ICAD challenge here.

I'm never to busy to peek around the web though so I thought I'd share some inpiration I have for this week...

Love, love, love these artsy canvas shoes! Gabriela Delworth has a tutorial for these and more on her wonderful blog. Go check it out!

CrAzY HoUsE asks if you can say "yum"?! I'm pretty sure I could if I made this yummy looking recipe for Apple Julep!

Oh how I wish I could really sew! I would use this tutorial from Sew Like My Mom to make my girls each one of these swimsuit cover ups. Cute and fun!

Surviving Motherhood shows us how to make this patriotic and cute bunting. (A great new blog I just discovered this morning!)

YUM! Coffeehouse shared a recipe for healthy blackened tilapia baja tacos. Say that ten times real fast! Delish! :)

Would you believe this is a pasta necklace?! Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom proves they aren't just for kids with this wonderful tutorial.

Check out the tutorial for these adorable and handy little boy burp cloths at Made By Rae. They are made by using quilting cotton fabric and jersey knit cloth. Awesome!

Scrapbooking can be so overwhelming. I love Red Ted Art's Blog simplification of the process. It would be nice to just get the photos in a safe and pretty book. It doesn't have to be extravagant!

Grab a button!

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Catch ya later with Katie's ICADs! :)

Back to report....

2011-06-06T17:53:00.001-05:00

It's official! We are expecting a boy! :)

ICAD #3 Girl or Boy?

2011-06-06T08:31:00.000-05:00

We are not ones to wait for the surprise. We are planners. Today, we will find out if this little one is a girl or a boy.

Votes among the family:

Katie (8): Girl

Nikki (5): Boy

Mommy: A healthy baby

Daddy: A healthy baby (but secretly he wants a boy)

Somebody will be disappointed today, and it better not be me! ;)

What's your vote?

ICAD #2 A Beautiful Mess...

2011-06-05T08:44:00.001-05:00

ICAD #2 (Faber Castell Pitt Pens, Zig Writer, Zig Ball .5mm, Copic Sketch YG07)

It's priceless when you amaze your 5 year old. "What do you think?" I asked Nikki. To which she replied with eyes wide, "You did that all by yourself?!"

ICAD #1 Being motivated to create...

2011-06-03T13:37:00.001-05:00

For a while now, I have been following a blog called Daisy Yellow. Tammy came up with a fun idea for the summer. I think this just might get my creative juices flowing. It is called ICAD or Index Card a Day. I dare you to join in! Go HERE to see the details.

ICAD #1 (Faber Castell Pitt Pen and Copic markers)

Talk about needing to let go of perfection! Would you believe I wanted to draw this over again? I decided not to of course, look what the card says after all. Besides didn't I say I was going to EMBRACE imperfection this year?

Maybe I can get some more doodles like THESE goin' on. I really had fun there!

Trying to get my little Katiebug to do this along with me. Wish me luck!

Inspiration Friday (6/3/11)

2011-06-03T06:05:00.000-05:00

I am absolutely loving Google Reader and checking out all the blogs I subscribe to and follow. There is so much inspiration to be found out there! Check out these fabulous links...

If you have lots of ribbon like me, you can make these cool Ribbon Wrapped Letters at She's {kinda} Crafty!

I can just imagine all the ways to use these adorable hand painted buttons by Katydiddys.

Flamingo Toes shares how she made this cute, cute "Pretty Windows Dish Towel". LOVE it!

An utterly clever use for shelf liner! Make DIY Placemats with Frugal Family Fun Blog.

I'd absolutely LOVE to "accidentally paint" something this cute! Check out the tutorial at Lil Blue Boo. I think I'll try this once we find out Baby J's gender.

I'm pretty sure I could conquer this great keychain tutorial from Amy at The Idea Room. These would make great gifts!

Because I have several years of scrapbooking to catch up on and a long, hot, pregnant summer ahead, I was overjoyed to find this fantastic post full of tips and ideas from Kimbo at A Girl and A Glue Gun.

Another great gift idea! Check out this tutorial from Sew4Home. I'm thinking this would work wonderfully for some cute burp cloths for Baby J.

Can't wait to try this yummy recipe for Eggs Ranchero Brunch Pizza at Stockpiling Moms. YUM!

Ummm... yeah.... this one looks really good too! Passed along to us from allrecipes.com by Coffee House. Looking forward to giving this White Pizza a try!

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