Scrapbook Layout: Cake Smash

I used Two Peas 4X6 Photo Love: March layout as inspiration for my layout about Siena's birthday cake smash.

I made the yo-yo's using material leftover from her shirt and banner. I have never made yo-yo's before but they were super easy to do. I loved adding that little touch that makes the layout that much more personal.

Pattern Paper: Echo Park - For the Record

Tags: Crate Paper - Emma's Shoppe and October Afternoon

Border Sticker: Crate Paper - Portrait Collection

Title: October Afternoon and American Crafts

Shirt & Banner: made by my mom

Yo-Yo's & Tutu: made by me

Scrapbook Layout: Mickey Girl

I finally got around to scrapbooking this photo of Siena when she was 1 week old with mickey ears!

I used the Sweetness collection from Pink Paislee that I received from a RAK on their blog. When I first completed this layout it seemed like the edges of the yellow paper where not finished so I trimmed my layout by an 1/8 inch on each side and added cardstock as the background. Now I feel like the layout is complete.

Scrapbook Layout: Tag Book

Pattern Paper: October Afternoon, Pink Paislee, Making Memories
Title: October Afternoon and Jillibean Soup
Journaling Sticker: October Afternoon

For Two Peas Class: 4x6 Photo Love

Scrapbook Layout: First Digital Layout

I created my first digital scrapbook page last week after I finally got my husband to buy me photoshop elements (thanks to this post).

Since I have only messed around in photoshop a couple times I watched this video from Ali Edwards and used her free template to complete the layout below about Siena's first Mardi Gras parade.

Pattern Paper: Persnickety Prints Freebie

Scrapbook Layout: At The Park

The following layout I created about taking Siena to the park for the first time. The photos I printed as a 8x10 collage at Walgreens (for free during their sale last week!) and cut it down so the top and bottom borders were equal to the side borders.

Then I pulled out a bunch of pink and green scraps from various manufacturers: Fancy Pants, Basic Grey, My Minds Eye, and October Afternoon. The title is made using October Afternoon, My Little Shoebox and American Crafts letters.



Journaling: We took Siena to the park today for the first time. We went to City Park, which has a playground for 2-3 year olds and one for older children. It was Sunday morning and very quiet at the park – no one was on the younger playground. Siena was not really interested in the play equipment though; she just wanted to go see the dogs in the dog park. However, we did take her down the slide, swung her in the swings and chased her around a little bit.

Lists

I love lists and I have not documented much about myself since Siena came along, so when I saw this blog post by Elizabeth Kartchner I was inspired...

wearing: capris and tanks on the weekends

working on: a mini album for Siena with photos of family members

eating: s’more granola bars everyday

dreaming of: Hawaii

realizing: to play outside with Siena you have to wear clothes that can get dirty

impatiently waiting: for my husband to buy me Photoshop Elements

anticipating: eating king cake bread pudding at Bistro Byronz

loving: how Siena scrunches up her nose

stalking: my nook

feeling: quite happy

Layout: Thankful 2010

Below is a layout showing Siena's first Thanksgiving. The journaling talks about how she almost missed thanksgiving dinner and that her first tooth decided to cut through.

I used Cosmo Cricket: Circa 1934 paper - which I love! The thankful tag and journaling tag are from Pink Paislee. The title is thickers from American Crafts.

Scapbook Layout: Sunday in the Park

I have not shared a layout in a while...this layout showcases one of my favorite photos of Siena. The photo was taken while we were at Sunday in the Park a great, free concert in downtown Baton Rouge.

I used lots of October Afternoon papers and some American Crafts flowers. I took my inspiration for the layout from this blog.

December Daily: Days 22 & 23

December 22, 2010

Siena found her Minnie ears from Halloween. She lets me put them on her if 1) I put them on myself first and 2) I tell her how pretty she looks with the ears on.

December 23, 2010

I had saw somewhere that this family has a tradition of camping out under the Christmas tree and I thought that sounded like a lot of fun. Since Siena is too young to camp out, we sat under the Christmas tree and read Christmas books while listening to Christmas music.

December Daily: Days 19, 20, & 21

December 19, 2010


Siena peeled this banana and enjoyed part of it as a evening snack.


December 20, 2010

Siena loves Sugar Ray. Sometimes Sugar Ray feels the same way and sometimes not so much. But he knows that when he lies on the floor he is fair game for Siena. And then she's fair game for him.

December 21, 2010

I have wanted to take a picture of my tree like this for awhile. I love how the twinkling lights are the star of the photo. This, to me, is so Christmas.

December Daily: Days 15, 16, 17 & 18

December 15, 2010

Both Kip and Siena were trying to be subtle. I think they are trying to say that they miss Disney World and that it's about time for another trip :)

December 16, 2010

I had to get new stockings this year since there are now 3 of us (well really 4 because Sugar Ray has to have a stocking too!) I found these at World Market and really liked them.

December 17, 2010

Siena loved playing in this box. She watched WordWorld in it (well a few minutes of it), was queen of the box, dove into it, and lounged in it.

December 18, 2010

We went to the mall and while we were eating lunch, Siena kept pointing to the carousel and watching as it went around in circle. When we were finished I took Siena on the carousel. She sat on the horse, but it took a long time before it started so she was getting antsy and was wanting to get down. When the carousel started going, Siena was a little unsure at first, but then I started going up and down as her horse went and she thought that was pretty funny.

Pink Paislee Prize Package

I won one of Pink Paislee's blog giveaways and wow they sent me a bunch of stuff. I was so excited to get all these products. Now I need to get busy using them...

And the box provided tons of entertainment for Siena.

December Daily: Days 12, 13 & 14

December 12, 2010


We got to see our friends who live in Chicago and meet their twin girls today. I did not know how Siena was going to react around 3 month olds. Siena was so cute when she reach over and touch Audrey's hand. She also tried to share her sippy cup, but I think she got a little jealous when daddy was holding Audrey. It was great to see them.

Today I finally captured Siena playing "bucket head". Me and her have this routine of dumping all the toys out of this green basket and putting it on our heads and I say "bucket head, bucket head" and she laughs before passing the bucket to me to put on my head.


December 13, 2010

I don't have a photo for today, however I have a short video that I might snap a photo out of once I upload it. Siena took her first steps today walking several steps to me, to grandpa and to Sugar Ray. She is still a little unsteady, but she is gaining confidence.


December 14, 2010

Today I finally got my christmas cards from Shutterfly and addressed them to be mailed out. And of course Siena helped me. I love our christmas card this year and really love the quality of them.

December Daily: Days 10 & 11

December 10




We went to ZooLights at the Baton Rouge Zoo. There were tons of animal shapes made out of lights throughout the zoo. Siena loves Christmas lights and seemed to enjoy seeing all the different colors and shapes.




December 11


I am considering leaving the tree up all year long...Siena finds so many different ways to play with it. She got a roll of my baker's twine and unwound it before decorating the tree with it. When I tried to put some twine on the tree, Siena grabbed what I had put on and then rearranged it how she wanted it. And yes my blue lights are not working, I think Siena did something to them...

December Daily: Days 7,8 & 9

December 7th

It's been so cold here the last couple days that we have had to bundle Siena up to go outside. I call her my marshmallow girl in her jacket. I feel so bad for her when she is in it but it's so funny at the same time - she can't move. She just sits there with her arms out and her top half of her body completely still.

December 8th

I do not have a photo for today so I took my lead from Ali Edwards' loving post.

Loving how long and light Siena's hair is getting and how it tends to do whatever it wants.

Loving spending the extra time with Siena from working only part time.

Loving the combination of the white lights and blue lights on my Christmas tree (well only the bottom third, but I plan to rectify this for next year.

Loving to watch Siena as she touches, pushes and explores items with her fingers.

Loving how Siena pretends to share her food with Sugar Ray and how gentle he normal is with her.

Loving how Siena mimics - clapping, rubbing hands together, waving, pounding on items and pointing.

December 9th

Siena decided this morning that she did not like how I had stung the blue lights on the christmas tree and moved them all around on the branches until she got them just right.

December Daily: Day 5-6

December 5th

Siena's baby first christmas ornament is a Hallmark Keepsake. She always seems to grab at this ornament when I am holding her near the tree. On the back of the ornament is her name and birth date.

December 6th

St. Nicholas visited and left presents in our shoes (or beside them). Siena got a Little People Christmas Set with Santa, his sled, a reindeer, an elf, a christmas tree and a present. We played that Santa was flying to the "house" (box that it came with), going down the chimney and leaving a present for the good little girl.

December Daily: Days 1-4

I am participating in Ali Edwards December Daily. December Daily is a month long album/project that documents the 25 days leading up to Christmas to help celebrate the holiday season.

December 1st



On the first day of December, we continued with our tradition of having an advent calendar from Germany. I love looking for each day on the calendar (sometimes they can be tricky to find) and seeing what each chocolate is shaped like.


December 2nd



Siena is in love with the Christmas tree! She is constantly holding her arm out and pointing towards the library so she can go see the tree. She likes to look at and touch the lights, the ornaments and the presents. Her favorite activity is to pull the tags off the presents (I hope everyones gets the right present this year).


December 3rd


We went to the Festival of Lights in downtown Baton Rouge and stopped at the Old Governor's Mansion to get Siena's photo taken with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Siena did not like me leaving her on strangers' laps. After the photo, while we were waiting for it to print, Santa walked up to try and talk to Siena and she grabbed on so tight to my shirt and then started shaking-she was so scared that I was going to leave her with him again. I felt terrible that the few seconds that she was on their laps frightened her so much.


December 4th


We went to A Dickens of a Christmas at Oakley House. I really wanted a cute picture for our Christmas card. In addition, we saw the house decorated for Christmas and sampled food prepared on the hearth. Siena really enjoyed their bread - she ate a bunch and had it all over her face, her clothes and Kip's shirt.

Siena at 11 Months

• Got her first tooth (November 25, 2010)
• Always on the go – crawling or walking with us
• Loves the Christmas tree
• Gives stuffed animals hugs and kisses
• Loves to self feed (cheerios, gerber puffs)

Epcot: Food and Wine Festival - Belgium & South Korea

This year two new countries were added to the Food and Wine Festival Marketplace booths: Belgium and South Korea.

In Belgium, we tried the Freshly Baked Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream and the Godiva Chocolate Ice Coffee. Both were delicious.

The waffle was cooked flawlessly and the berry compote was sweetened perfectly. Plus, priced at $2.75 you could not beat it.

The Godiva Chocolate Ice Coffee is made with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. It was the perfect early afternoon perk me up drink.

Below is the full menu from the Belgium booth:
Steamed Mussels with Roasted Garlic Cream
Freshly Baked Waffles with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
Stella Artois
Godiva Chocolate Ice Coffee
Leffe
Hoegaarden



In South Korea, the Lettuce Wraps with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw were fantastic and ordered multiple times by members in our group. The wraps were only $2.75 and full of flavor.

While the Barbecue Short Rib with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi was good. The overall census was that the Lettuce Wraps were much better.

The Bohae Bokbunjajoo (Black Raspberry Rice Wine) is a moderately sweet wine. I really enjoy fruit wines and this one was added to my list to try again.

Below is the full menu from the South Korea booth:
Lettuce Wraps with Roast Pork and Kimchi Slaw
Barbecue Short Rib with Steamed Rice and Cucumber Kimchi
Honey Ginger Tea
Jinro Chamisul Soju Bohae Bokbunjajoo (Black Raspberry Rice Wine)

Siena at 10 months

• Gives high-fives
• Waves hi and bye
• Says"goy" all the time
• Always on the move
• Stands for brief periods of time
• Sings and dances along to songs