Here's The Scoop... Bell turned 2!

I promised this year would be smaller. I promised I wouldn't go crazy, or get stressed out. I promised to keep it simple. 30 guests and a homemade ice cream stand later, I had failed to keep my promises but oh friends it was so worth it! Bellamie's second birthday, ice cream party was just perfect! Great company, ice cream sundaes and gorgeous weather! So without further ado, here are the pictures from miss Bellamie Rose's ice cream party.

Whats an ice cream party without an ice cream stand...

 And of course toppings!

 This was one happy girl

 Who needs a bowl when you can eat straight out of the tub...

 Enjoying some time with cousins

 And getting way too spoiled with gifts

Such a fun day and next year I promise to have a small, simple, stress free ;)

It's just a bad day not a bad life

Some days are hard. Like wake up to dog puke on the carpet, baby screaming as soon as I get shampoo in my hair, toddler has spilled the same bowl of popcorn three times and haven't eaten yet today, hard! And being a perfectionist only makes those hard days harder.

Yes I happen to be a perfectionist. It's the reason I don't sell my crafts on etsy, the reason I started writing a book and never finished, the reason I straighten my hair every single day and its the reason that if we have a rough day I blame myself. 

So today I had to remind myself that the laundry truly is never ending and I'm not falling as a mother because I haven't folded it yet, that the dishes are a sign that my family is well fed not that I'm lazy, that my children most likely aren't up at night conspiring against me on who will nap when so I don't get even two minutes to myself, and that admitting all this doesn't make weak, actually maybe a little bit stronger. 

Today's been one of those days. But instead of panicking because I have laundry that needs to be folded and clean dishes in the dishwasher, I am going to sit on the couch with my (finally) sleeping baby because its just a bad day and not a bad life and everything else will just have to wait until later. 

Surviving with 2 under 2

Newborn stage isn't my favorite... There I said it! I just don't function well on no sleep and the crying, no matter how little or how much rattles my nerves. Terrible twos are no match compared to a newborn in my humble opinion.  That said, Beckett is a fairly easy newborn especially in comparison to Bellamie who was off the charts hard! Like crying 6 straight hours a night hard! For 6 mths! However, Bellamie is a fairly easy toddler. Sure she has her meltdowns and can destroy a room faster than a tornado, but all in all she's a good kid with a great personality! But combine these two fairly easy kiddos and its total chaos in the Harroun household! Most days it choosing between folding laundry or taking a shower and laundry usually wins!! And when Rob had to go back to work I was nervous. Like batten down the hatches we are in for a storm nervous. But after two and a half weeks on my own I've learned a few tricks. So here are my survival tips for staying at home with a toddler and a newborn.

First off, find new and fun activities for the toddler. I have always loved Pinterest and found several ideas for toddlers. We have definitely had some successes and some failures. I found the ones that work out the best are simple, sometimes messy and need to be super easy for a toddler to do. For example, playing with shaving cream great! Finger painting awesome!! Stringing cereal and pretzels on a string failure! Either she wanted "mommy do it" or she just ate the food and ran off. Short attention span people, very short attention span!  Also have lots and lots and lots of snacks.

Secondly, set small goals... Like really small! I'm talking teeny tiny goals here folks! Yesterday mine was to vacuum. Yep that's it! Just vacuum. Then if not one other thing got accomplished the whole day at least I could say, "well I vacuumed."

Third, keep the house picked up. Nothing stresses me out more than clutter!! No explanation here, no tips, just keep the house fairly organized, which probably means following a toddler around all day long but trust me worth it on the stress-less-ometer.  

Fourth, accomplish your housework early. That way if the afternoon goes to hell in hand basket, you at least got your one goal accomplished before daddy gets home.  

Fifth (yes this list is getting a little lengthy but stay with me here) go for a run, or a walk or a walk/run in my case. Ether way get of the house and use that stroller! The fresh air feels great, exercise refreshes you and newborns love the stroller! (For the most part, Bell hated it, but Bell hated everything, reference back to Bell was a hard baby)

Sixth never ever sit down! Like ever. Im kidding, kind of...If the babies sleeping spend a little quality time with the toddler, if the toddler is sleeping, clean up the disaster she created while awake. Because when they are both awake you won't get much done and you also won't get much done if one or both are crying, hungry or just need to be held.

:Last but not least, and also the most important!!!! Enjoy the little moments. Yes it's hard to enjoy your newborn when your toddler is on the flooring having meltdown and vice versa but these days will go by way too fast and you're going to miss them! No matter how chaotic they are! Happy parenting 

Little Misters Nursery

His due date is still two days away but little mister decided to make an early appearance. Can't say I was too upset, at 7 lbs 6 oz another three weeks in my belly, and we would have had one big newborn! 

It will still be a few months until he is in his own room but oh how happy I was that the nursery was already finished when he arrived. With my birthday, Fourth of July, Bellamies birthday and camping trips on the horizon, not to mention two under two, I figure I won't be finding much extra time for crafting on my hands. 

So without further ado here is the completed nursery. 

Silhouette: Super easy DIY

From the first ultra sound I fell in love with Bell's profile and yesterday as we were snuggled on my bed watching cartoons, I couldn't stop looking at her.  Those big eyes with super long lashes, chubby little cheeks and pouty lips.  They grow up so fast and I knew I wanted to capture that adorable little face forever.  So I snapped a quick pic, and decided on making a silhouette...oh friends how I love the way it turned out.
To make your own of your littles follow these easy peasy steps.

First off distract your little with their favorite movie ;)  ok but seriously try to snap a profile pic of one year old without them moving it takes some sort of MAJOR distraction.

 Step Two: Use a thick marker to outline their cute little face.  (can you see where Bellamie "helped") and cut it out

Last trace your picture onto thick cardstock and cut it out.  Glue to some pretty scrapbook paper and tada instant adorableness!!! xoxox

I think I always knew...

She moved to Oregon in the middle of the 8th grade. He had grown up there his whole life.  She was loud and outgoing, and enjoyed being center of attention.  He was quiet and more reserved, but very funny and friends with everyone.  Each caught up in their own teenage world, with sports and friends consuming most of their time, they never had a chance to get know each other.  And while they had never spoke, she would steal glances at him during class, never telling a sole how cute she thought he was.
They both attended an overnight field trip and when one of her friends showed interest in him, she immediately told her, he was off limits, though the two had yet still to speak.  Through school activities their mothers became dear friends, though the two teenagers kept their distance.  Finally they went on their first date, and the movie reel broke before the film even started.  Both embarrassed they didn't try for another.
But as some call it, destiny (or maybe it was just the persistent girl) was determined to bring the two together.  They were both invited to a party, one in which was a long drive up a curvy road and the girls mother insisted the boy drive her.  It was at that party the boy held the girl's hand and the girl fell in love.
It has been over 11 years since the boy didn't just take the girls hand, but also stole her heart, and five years of marriage. They now have a beautiful little girl and a baby boy on the way and while it isn't always pretty, it has been a real life fairy tale.
Happy Anniversary my love, I love you more now than I did then, but I think I always knew you were the one.

Inspired

This weekend I came across the most amazing blog called nap time decorator. In the past year alone she has transformed her kitchen, dining room and family room!! I was blown away and started talking paint colors with the hubs when he reminded me, I haven't quite completed the nursery and little mister is due in just a few more weeks!!! So instead of tackling my entire bedroom I decided to start small and clean out the pantry and a couple cabinets.

And now that I've tackled the clutter it's time to shop for some containers and chalkboard labels!!! Yay

Also inspiring were nap times decorator's monthly craft parties with her girlfriends!!! Hoping to get a couple girlfriends together soon and actually making a craft or two I've pinned on Pinterest, oh I don't know a year ago and never got around to! Maybe something with chalkboard paint, or a wreath, oh maybe some decorating of mugs!!! The possibilities are endless.

And finally, this week expect little misters nursery to be up on the blog!! Getting the dresser this Wednesday and making the bed skirt! Yay!!

Dressing Your Bump

I am by no means a fashionista, as a matter of fact there are several trends I avoid like the plague.  For example you wont see me sporting anything neon unless it is nail polish or work out attire  and we all know how often I work out.  Secondly, I wouldn't be caught dead in any sort of cropped top.  It isn't that you teeny tiny girlies don't look adorable in your teeny tiny tops, trust me you do and I would kill for your little waist, but lets face it, I would most likely end up on the "people of Walmart" posts, captioned "She's so fat she must have gotten hungry and ate half her shirt."  And lastly I will not be rocking the ombre hair trend.  Again incredibly adorable on all of you sporting the trendy style, I however rocked blonde locks for many many years and paid bookoo bucks to avoid "grow out," even all these years later I just cant justify spending bookoo bucks for a look I worked so long to avoid.
That said, this being my second pregnancy, I feel like I have gained some knowledge on dressing this ever growing bump.  My number one rule is tight on bottom, lose on top or vice versa.  I have been lucky thus far to only be growing my bump and going easy on my thighs.  However, if I dress in a moomoo, no matter how comfy, I look like well a "moo moo."  Also, if I dress in head to toe spandex, not only would I be incredibly uncomfortable, but I probably look even more like a "moo moo" just add spots. I only have two other rules, comfort is key and avoid sweatpants and baggy shirts at least twice a week ;).  Ok the first one is for obvious reason, and the second, no matter how you gross you are feeling during those last days, weeks or months of pregnancy, taking a shower and putting on a little makeup will truly make you feel better.
And since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some of the recent outfits I have rocked...



First off, Maxi's are my new BFF and I totally ordered this in two colors!  Notice how the crop jacket on top also gives the look a little more structure.

I love this look for one reason, none of it is maternity, meaning I didn't spend a dime on maternity clothes, and can rock this same look long after I stop rocking the bump ;)  My advice, don't spend your life savings on maternity clothes, find pieces that are comfortable and already in your closet.

Adding a belt helps define your belly and avoid that "moo moo" look

Love this flowy top from Motherhood again, just don't also go with flowy pants or you will appear much larger than you are.

If you are going to wearing spandex pants, pair it with a longer shirt or you too may end up on the "people of Walmart" with me

And lastly, it is totally ok to sport sweatshirts when it is cold out, more often than that I am wearing one, just make sure you are comfortable and rocking it with good fitting jeans.

Short and Sweets:St Patty Treat

I love muddy buddies, or as some of you may refer to them as puppy chow, either way they are way delish!!! But this time around I decided to make them a little St Patty Dayish! So instead of the usual chocolate I substituted Andes Creme de Menthe. And the result was utterly wonderful. So super easy too. Melt your chocolate stir in about 10 cups chex mix and cover with powder sugar. Add some green m&ms for a true St Pattys treat!

The simple treasures of a weekend

I'm always sad when Sunday evening rolls around but I must say, we had a fabulous weekend!!  From crafting to going to the park, it was nonstop fun.  Here's what we were up to...

Went shopping while the hubs watched Miss Bell and FINALLY got fabrics to start little man's room.

Finished Little Quinn's first birthday outfit!!

Made Miss Bell a dress.  My FIRST solo sewing project ever.  Pretty pleased with the result. (PS first fabric flower ever also and SUPER easy!!)

Daddy shot hoops at the park while we played on the playground

Miss Bell took a nap and I enjoyed snuggle time while finally watching Breaking Dawn 2

And we got our order from Old Navy, Maxis for me and a dress for Bell

All and all a great weekend!! What did you do?

Little Man's Room: My Inspiration

It's taken much longer than anticipated to clean out the guest/computer room but finally it's just about done. Which can only mean one thing... It's time to shop!!! With a little less than 4 mths until the little man is set to arrive, my cleaning, de-cluttering, planning, and decorating senses have been on overdrive, and you thought there were only five senses. ;) While I have yet to actually order anything here is my inspiration and I can't wait to get started!!

And here is a picture of the fabrics I have picked out and plan to order in the next couple weeks!! Then it will be on to paint!!

BIG Changes

After going back and forth, I finally decided to come back to my original blog.  I feel as though, The Simple Treasures, describes my life much better.  Even on the longest, rainiest day we try find little things to make us smile.  Like finding my most fav author ever, hardback books at the dollar store, what!?

I also finally found a layout I LOVE!!  At least for today anyway ;)  And am super excited for many upcoming blog posts... including, decorating little mister's room, a few updates to Miss Bell's room, lots of fun crafts and DIY's, my learning to sew projects, trying to stay fashionable while pregnant, working with a budget and fun new meal ideas!!!  Stay tuned and expect a sneak peak soon of the nursery, as I am finally ordering fabric this weekend!!!