Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Dear, sweet Caden-

Happy Birthday, son!

Wasn't it just yesterday I found out I was pregnant? When I grabbed my head and squealed in excitement at the doctor's office when the nurse confirmed what I had only dared to believe
(while your dad looked on smiling)?


Wasn't it just a moment ago that you came into this world with a cry, prompting tears of my own, though they were from pure joy?

Amazing how a tiny little baby can swell such love in a mother's heart! (and Daddy's, too!)




Each precious moment and first has flown by and although you are still a baby, you have changed so much! I love the silly person you are becoming, a little boy full of fun and joy and interest in the world around you!


I can't believe it's been a whole year, an entire year, since God trusted us with you! 365 days of the most wonderful, blessed moments I could never before have imagined parenthood would bring. You are precious to us, my dear and Daddy and I love you very much!

XOXO,
Mommy

She's One Talented Lady!

She's my best friend, Trisha, of

Trisha Grace Photography

Just look at these awesome photos of Caden & Bella's photo shoot! (and there are zillions more fabulous shots were these came from!) We had tons of fun with our precious models. =)

If you live in West Michigan and want some spectacular photos done by a friendly and talented photographer, you MUST work with Trish. Just let me know & I'll hook you up with her digits!

Kissing Cousins (Aren't they cute?)

Oops, Josi forgot Bella's stroller- no problem- just put them both in Caden's!
(Caden was a little bewildered at his companion, I think :)

Awww... c'mon- aren't they the cutest?

Proof I'm Not an Idiotic Parent

'Cause I think I'm doing a better job than this kid's parental units-

Hey- ever feel bad about all your inadequacies as a parent? Well, my gift to you today is this proof that you are doing an outstanding job. (Provided you've never let your kid play with a giant killer snake, that is...)

Source of this and other hilarity- FailBlog

Beautiful Baby Bella

Well, even though I only have eyes for Caden (I mean, come on- was any kid ever cuter/sweeter/more wonderful?), I will admit that my niece Bella is a close second!

Welcome, Isabelle Ann!
Born 8.3.09
8lbs, 2oz and 21" long


Look at these beautiful eyes!
I am jealous of her eyelashes!

Baby Caden Avery is here!

Wow- it seemed like it would never happen, but it finally did-
Caden Avery Beyer is here!
Our little angel was born Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 5:55 pm. He weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces and was 21" long. He came via unplanned C-section due to a few complications- a long labor that wasn't progressing quickly enough, his sunny-side up position, and his dramatically dropping heartrate upon every contraction (poor kid was wrapped too tightly in his cord!)

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Baby Countdown:T-Minus 1 day

Wow.

I just can't believe it.

Even though I know I probably won't have the baby tomorrow (but crossing my fingers I do!) it is still amazing that I've reached the end of the "countdown." Tomorrow is July 11, the day I have been waiting for, for almost 9 months!

You know, it's funny, I almost forget what it feels like to NOT be pregnant. Has anyone else ever felt like that? What will it be like when I don't have a child kicking around my internal organs?

And although I know I'll miss feeling him move inside me, I just CAN'T WAIT to hug and hold him outside of me!

This is going to be a summer filled with beautiful babies, as my sister is expecting and due at the end of July and my cousin is also expecting, due September 9! I just can't help thinking of how fun the holidays are going to be when we all get together with the new round of kiddos to love and spoil. (And I do plan on spoiling my niece rotten, just so you know, Josi! :)

Let's all pray that I have this baby, soon, shall we? It's pretty hot in July. =)

The nursery- Sweet Details

Wow, I hope I can remember how to post to my blog...

It's been a long time, lol!

Just a few pics of some sweet details in the nursery-

Here's one side of the room:


And the other:


I painted this shelf myself! On it is his first bear, that we bought before we knew the sex of the baby, when I just wanted to buy SOMETHING! Also on the shelf is a pillow made for him by my BFF Trisha- isn't it too cute? Under the shelf are letters I painted. Originally, I wanted to use his name/nickname if it was short enough, but we hadn't decided yet and so I went with "Baby."

I love the glider chair that we purchased off Craig's List and I recovered/upholstered. The fabric is so cute up close- it's wavy with a lime green background- it matches perfectly! Also there is a pillow I made and a blanket made by baby's Grandma Beyer (super soft and cuddly).

This is the changing table I found on Craig's list for $20!!! I just love Craig's list! Adorning it is one of my favorite details- bunting in matching fabrics made by Trisha. (Just a quick plug for my uber-talented friend- she sells these buntings and many other adorable crafts in her etsy shop- daisysanddots.etsy.com)


I bought these mirrors at IKEA, like centuries ago, and totally forgot I even had them until we were cleaning out the office to make the baby's room- they matcher perfectly- how cool is that? The little saying, "Sweet Dreams" is from Trish again. Geez, girl! =)


Okay, this is my absolute favoritest thing in the nursery, ever (and not just 'cause I think I did a great job on it, either). I found this quote while searching for words to put on the wall (still to come- I need some inspiration). Even though this quote was too long for the vinyl I have left over from the polka dots, I fell in love with it and decided it needed to be a part of his room, because it's EXACTLY how I feel! A canvas, some paints and ribbon and voila! I adore it and get to look at it every time I change a diaper, as it's hanging over the changing table. (which may be a good thing, especially once I get sick of changing diapers!)

Well, to tell you the truth, the room just isn't done yet. I'm not talking about the trim that still needs to get refinished and installed, or the vinyl words, or the lamp I want to buy for the dresser, or the changing table pad I'm sorely lacking.

Nope.

The sweetest thing that's yet to be added is going to be my son.

(Wow, that made me tear up. =)

Just call me Slacker

So, hello again. Nice to meet you. My name is Katrina and this here's my blog called Kat's Krafts.

Yep, I'm still alive, people!

Lots has been goin' on, though-

* Working on the baby's room. I 'll get pics up someday (no promises) of the roman shade and bumper and lamp and bedskirt and rug and dresser...

* Bought a new vehicle (well, new to us, anyways). Hard to admit this- it's a minivan. Yep, a Dodge Caravan. Couple that with my new short haircut (that I am totally hating on- regret is a bitter pill- you will not be seeing pics of that) and I'm officially a soccer mom, even though this kid's still in utero.

* Various household projects that got put on the backburner before but now my nesting instinct is forcing my ever patient husband to accomplish. (Hey... I'm helping- when I can!)

*Cootie Catcher craziness! It's wedding season, y'all.

*and life, of course. =)

a WHALE of a Tote

Have you ever been super proud of something you've done? Like, you can't believe you created something that darned adorable?

You show it off to everyone who will listen and practically give them no other option than to agree that yes, it is darling, and yes, you are so creative and ooooh and ahhhh?

Well, of course I've done this! Here's my latest cute-overload accomplishment-
It's a "Whale" of a tote! Now do ya get my title? Pretty clever, huh? (Apparently this self-absorption applies to more than crafting in my case...)

My bosom buddy Shelly just had her second bundle of joy boy recently and I wanted to send him something unique and fun. So, all it took was a canvas tote bag, some fabric, thread, yarn, ribbon and a button eye to make me swoon over my own creation. (Hoo boy, this was one of those gifts that was really hard to give away when you want to keep it for yourself! I'll just have to make one for my own boy wonder. =)

And of course, I certainly won't protest if you happen to leave me a comment or two about how you LOVE this bag as much as I do! :)

What I've Been Up To (the Nursery- Part Deux)

So, I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't been posting lately... (Hey- don't burst my bubble! I'm pregnant and very hormonal- just ask Greg...)

Well, I've been super-duper busy with work, etsy and turning THIS-


into the nursery of my dreams.

It's still a work in progress of course, but here's how it's going:

First, we had the "simple" job of rewiring. Ha! Don't ya just love old houses? Once that was finished (finally!) we had to paint the ceiling and prime (ugh, way stinky!) and then we could get to the fun stuff- COLORS!
The top is a light shade of teal (even though in the pics it looks like seafoam green, trust me, it dried darker)



The bottom is a light shade of green.
(Thanks for your help, Trish and please don't kill me for posting this! =)


The two colors are separated with a chocolate brown stripe (my favorite part, but this took lots of effort with a few hiccups...)


I bought a cheapo light fixture and turned it cute with some brown and white paint. I also bought brown switches/outlets/plates and painted white polka dots on them as well.



Finally, today I added the piece de resistance- polka dots to the chocolate stripe. I think they look just darling!

I've also been working on all of the bedding coordinates for the room. The comforter turned out awesome (if I do say so myself)

and the peekaboo window valance also pleased my critical self! (props to my Grams for teaching me how to sew!)

Still to come- a bedskirt to match the valance, bumper, roman shades, diaper stacker, etc. Oh yeah, and we've got to get all of the door and crown moulding back on (right after we clean up all of the paint left there by the previous owner- that'll be a fun project!)

SOOOOO.... Whaddya think?
(don't forget I'm hormonal and everything! =)