a cry day...

Maybe this is too much information or just too personal, but it was such a moment of gratitude that I thought I should share.  Abe and I have been trying for baby #2 for a year now.  I got pregnant with Noah within a few weeks of deciding we should try for a baby, so I'm quite sure I developed some seriously unrealistic expectations when it comes to conceiving.  And I realize that a year isn't much in the grand scheme of things, especially when I have sisters who've suffered far more in the journey to mommy-hood than me.

However, I still feel I'm entitled to a day of tears on the twelfth month of no baby in my belly.  So I had a cry day.  I held back until Della (my niece I watch during the day) went home so as not to scare her, and Abe was working late.  So I let loose.  I broke down and cried and cried and cried.

Then.... my sweet Noah climbed into my lap and laid his head on my chest and snuggled me.  So I cried more.  Then he took my face in his sweaty little hands, pinched my cheeks, wiped my tears, moved my hair gently out of my eyes, kissed my mouth and hugged me while patting my back.  I sobbed while my little toddler comforted me.

So I ask, is this normal for a 2 year old?  No, no... don't tell me.  Because even if it is, I know my Noah truly has the biggest heart.  Even amidst the tantrums, he is always such a sweet and loving little boy.

In comes the gratitude:  I'm in no way giving up on my dream of a house full of kids after only a year of trying for #2, but....  I can safely say that if God only sends one little spirit my way, he sent the most precious soul I could ever ask for.  And so my tears change to those of humbling gratitude.  I am truly so blessed.

spring is in the air

A few weeks ago, my husband's grandfather kindly pruned all of our trees.  (He's 81, mind you.)  He worked very hard on it for days.  I don't know why he works so hard for us.  I hope it's because he's bored and this brings him enjoyment.  It's the only thing I can tell myself that helps me to not feel so guilty about it.

Anyway, he was so cute and thoughtful to save me some of the branches from the apricot tree and told me if I put them in water, they'll bloom around Easter time.  He calls them "Easter Trees".  And sure enough...

So pretty!

Speaking of pretty, look who's pretty in pink!  Well, those pudgy cankles and bread-loaf feet don't belong to any sweet little girl with a pink bow in her hair to match...

They belong to my Noah.

He loves to put on shoes, but he especially loves to put on cousin Della's pretty pink shoes.

He wore them all day.  And she's so sweet to let him.  Good thing he got a haircut later that afternoon, he was looking quite pretty. 

And if you remember this post, we delivered the bed my husband made safe and sound.  Here's a picture of it in their room (sans the bedding).  I think it looks amazing!  He's so talented!  I can't wait for Abe to make us one.  But not until our second floor is finished (remodeling a 100 year old home takes a LONG time) and we have a place to put it.  One day, one day...

MORE new stuff

I have been BUSY!  But it's been so fun!  I'm on a bit of a painting break, but not an actual break.  I found these amazing books at a local thrift store, Deseret Industries (or D.I. as us locals call it).  Love this place!  You can find awesome stuff!  I found these beautiful old books with the most wonderful pictures in them!

And then... I did the unthinkable.  I cut them up!  I cut the beautiful pages out of them!  I know, I know!  No hate comments please.  But look what I made:

They're envelopes!

They are so pretty!  I'm almost hoping they don't sell because I love them so much. 

This is just a small smattering.  I have LOTS!  Some are available now in my OTHER shop, Pickled Pantry and I'll be posting new ones each day for a while.  That'll be my "paper-love" shop.  

I love paper goods.  Love them.  LOVE them. 

And just because I'm talking about love...

I could just kiss this kid's face off!

He was so proud of himself for putting his pants on...

that he wore them backwards and around his thighs for about 25 minutes.  Just cruised around in them like nothing was silly about it.  He's such a fun kid.  Love him.  LOVE him.

fun new stuff

Hello all!  Some fun new stuff is all about us here at Pickled Pumpkins headquarters!

First, I'd like to brag about my husband's amazing carpentry skills.  Here is a bed he's working on that his sister has ordered:  (this photo shows it mid-topcoat process)

I love that I have a husband that can do this kind of stuff!

And here is a new arrival in my home:

Love, LOVE this artist!  This print is called Mother and Son by Lisa Hurwitz.  She is truly amazing!  Here is her shop and you can pull up her blog here.

And last, but not least... here is a new painting I finished that I just love:

Her name is Bitty Bird and I'm thinking she may appear in more than one painting. 

This one is called Bitty Bird's New Shoes.

You can find the print available for purchase in the shop!

Happy weekend!

sick boy...

So it caught us.  We were completely unsuspecting.  On Sunday, two weeks ago, Noah woke up super sick.  He'd had a little cold that we didn't think anything of, but that morning it was bad news.  By midday, he was looking better.  Playing, running... a little slow, but running.  But by dinner time it was really bad.  We ended up in the doctor's office until midnight.  Diagnosis:  pneumonia!!  I really thought I was going to burst into tears as they are telling me they may have to admit my little boy into the hospital because it's so dangerous when they're this young.  Thankfully, after a traumatizing breathing treatment, his breathing got better and we were ok to take him home.  I just had to count his breaths-per-minute every half hour through the night to make sure he was ok.  Not that I would have slept anyway.  So we kicked Abe out to the couch and Noah slept with me. 

Here he is the next morning:

Amazing how easy it is to get a smile out of this kid!

And by that afternoon... couch jumping!

We had to give him 4 breathing treatments a day for a week, not to mention antibiotics for his DOUBLE ear infection!!  Poor kid.

But by Friday, he was nearly back to normal.  Almost full speed.  We babysat Noah's cousin (once removed??), Jonah, and they had a blast!  Jonah is just 4 months younger than Noah and doesn't let Noah bully him (Noah can be mean).  So they were a great pair!

Look at these buddies!

We had to do the diaper shots since they were changing into jammies.

I call this Chocolate and Vanilla.

I think Jonah is trying to escape.

So a happy ending to a scary week.  We are so blessed to have our healthy, happy little boy back!

another GIVEAWAY!!!

All right PP readers, there is another GIVEAWAY being hosted on an awesome blog that you should be following anyway! 
Sara Boulter Photography!
  She is such an amazing photographer!  She makes EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE look beautiful!  And she's super silly funny.  My favorite kind of gal. 
After you see her work, you will want more.  I promise! 
She's the one that took these fab shots of Noah at 1 year old:

Seriously.... need I say more?  She is amazing!  So go to her blog for details and to get in on the drawing AND a discount!!

http://saraboulterphotography.blogspot.com/2010/02/women-who-rock.html

sweet, sweet V-Day

There was so much love around my house this Valentine's day!  First of all, it was my Abe's 30th birthday on Feb. 12th.  Yes, my husband Abraham L. Carlsruh was born on Abe Lincoln's birthday.  His parents promise a coincidence.  And... I'm totally a cougar.  He's a full 6 months and 1 week YOUNGER than me.  I know, I know... cradle robber.  So we made him these:

But the love that went into making these... my my my....

I watch my little 4 year old niece, Della, four days a week.  She is the youngest of 3 brothers, but she has absolutely taken the big sister role with my little Noah.  She loves him so.  She is his protector, his comforter, his punching bag. 

And I was so excited to catch this moment:

Yes.  He climbed up on her "baking chair" to hug her.  And hug and hug and hug her.  I don't know what he'd do without his Della. 

Then she helped him with the cookie cutters:

Aren't they cute?? 

But for the decorating I put Noah in his high chair so that Della could concentrate on her designs:

Noah just ate his designs:

And last, here's Noah coloring his valentines for his cousins:

He worked so hard on this little project (got it on video too!).  And yes, I bought Noah some Dr. Seuss valentines because he liked those better than the ones I created.  Can't win 'em all!

I hope everyone's Vday was as fun as ours!

the GIVEAWAY!!

Just to clarify... the GIVEAWAY goes through Valentines Day!  I think I may have confused a few of you by making it sound like it was only one day.  If you go to lassie girl's blog and comment on this GIVEAWAY post, you are entered into the drawing!  She won't be closing the comments until midnight on V-Day Feb 14!  So what's everyone waiting for??  It's totally FREE! So go check it out!

The cow says... "Moooove!"

a GIVEAWAY!!

Hi everyone, I have good news! A fellow crafter and all around fun gal is hosting a giveaway today! It's a GIVEAWAY of one of my prints, but you have to go to her blog to get in on the action.  You should check out her blog anyway, she makes the cutest little girl pinafores ever!  So fun, makes me wish I had a little girl!  She is the creator of Lassie Girl and you will fall in love with her fabric choices and designs!  So so cute!

Check it out here:

...have fun!

and another shop is opened

Ok, it's open!

The Pickled Pantry

Named as a spin off of my main store, Pickled Pumpkins.  This new one contains products of my craft "pantry" (if there is such a thing).  And this is to feed the aforementioned addiction I have to paper.

So come check it out!

I will be adding new stuff everyday until it's overflowing!

Here's a peek:

the Valentines are in

Come check out the new Valentines at the shop!  There are 6 different sets to choose from!  So cute, I love these little cards so much!  They are 2x3.5" and come with little envelopes.  They come in a set of 12 for only $5.50!!  Here are the sets:

Farm Friends

Kitchen Friends

Laundry Day

A Good Pair

Robot Friends

Sweet Friends

And who says Valentines can't be year round?? 

Some possible uses for tiny Valentines include (but not limited to):

-Classroom Valentines

-slipping in a lunchbox

-tucking in a purse or wallet

-leaving around the house (ie: computer, mixing bowl)

-inlcude with other letters as a fun little extra

Have fun with them!  Check them out here!

what have I been up to lately?

Not that anyone is asking ;)... but... I have been painting again!  I go in spurts with it.  I'll paint for a while, then I have to take a break and do something else for a while.  Then I come back and paint some more.  So here's what I've been working on lately... aside from the Valentines (which are almost ready to put in the shop):

a robot

a train set

and some tiny, mini paintings of

kitchen appliances

These ones match some of my valentines.  I enjoy small kitchen appliances.  So they are all works-in-progress and will all hopefully be finished in the very near future.

But...

I've also been feeding my addiction to paper.  This is what I've been doing in the painting-off times:

gift tags

I know... it's weird.  I truly have an addiction to paper.  So.... I'm opening up a second Etsy shop in hopes of feeding my paper addiction.  More news on that later.

 Well it's dinner time now.  But before I go, just want to say thanks to everyone who reads my silly blog.