Announcement. Done.

Announcement picked. Done!

Announcement ordered. Done!

Free Adressing services.

Oh Yeah. DONE!

and here is a little sneak peak!

{Full announcement next week after they are mailed}

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I bought Dan this Shirt

It made me feel better

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Newborn Pictures {when Luke arrives}

As I head down the final stretch, I have started to look for outfits, hats, and props for my upcoming newborn/family pictures for Luke. It was now that I realized that I never posted pictures from our Family & Brandon's newborn session from back in July 2009 - I wasn't blogging then; we were dealing with a 14 month old and moving into our new house. Looking back,  we were pretty crazy to do what we did before Brandon was born. So I am documenting it now. :)

1 week after Brandon was born, this is what we were dealing with...

I found his announcement that I sent out and it is posted here

Below are some ideas I have for Luke's first photoshoot. I SO so so so  want to get angel wings, but not sure if they are too girly. But, I just adore them and it will piss Dan off, so i will probably do it. I just love the colorful bow-ties and the wood buttons on some of the knit hats. I can't wait!

Below are the pictures we took of our new family in 2009. Nicky was 14 months old, our house was a week old and Brandon is 2 weeks old. You can also see the rest of them here

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Guess How Much I Love You

When Nicholas was born I could not read sappy books or sing sappy lullabyes without breaking into tears. 

If I even looked at the book 

"Guess How Much I Love You"

I would tear up

When I read the last time of the book

-I love you all the way to the moon and back-

that I knew what that meant

because I felt it everytime I looked at Nicholas

I held a stuffed Nut Brown Hare when I went in to deliver Brandon

Despite 3 boys, it takes everything in my will power not to re-do the nursery in blue bunnies

 Today I end my blog with my {hardly original} motto, but  it was all encompassing and meaningful to me as a Mother.
When I saw these cookies on Etsy, I screamed out in delight!

It inspired me to tell you guys why I have "I love you to the moon and back" as my signature

And then had ordered some cookies :)

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So much to cach up on....

Blogging is like a full time job and I am so far behind! I have a lot to catch up on from weeks ago so get ready for some new posts including: Val and Shauna's visit, tanlines, rocketships, our trip to the Austin Children's Museum, new sets posted to Flickr, new videos, Dan and my trip to SB and Robyn's wedding, Sunday Church Crew, an update on Brandon's visit to the Hospital, and some other random posts that i think of.

So until I can sit down and focus on Abelingland, here is this super cute picture I found of Brandon on ETSY! My little boy is famous ;)

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Masterpieces!

Once the babies start school, there is no shortage of art work. If you are like me, you have every single piece of construction paper covered in paint, glitter, sequins, crayons, and chalk, saved in a box, overflowing in a drawer, on top of you bills on your desk, and in the side door pockets in your car.

Every once in a while, a piece comes home worth 

K E E P I N G

And you wonder how to display their creativeness 

without cluttering up your already cluttered (in my case) house? 

So you don't have to, I put together a bunch of ways to master your little one's masterpeices.

 One of my personal favorites...

a collage from SimplyCreate 

on Etsy.com

 Be creative, like Jen

and D I Y

with Ikea Ribba frames.

 Also from IKEA

this is another really cool way to D I S P L A Y

your kids artwork!

Or pick a favorite and

turn it into a R U G

from Carpetzz

Or go to a professional

and have them capture a years worth of memories 

into a M A S T E R P I E C E

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familyscape {via Pinkletoes}

Familyscape. 

Sneak peak from tonight's sessions. 

We're hot, wet, and exhausted, but as you can see SO worth it. Can't wait to see the rest of them.

THANK YOU, Michele!!

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The Yearly Family Pictures

I'll admit it feels like all we do lately is take pictures. In the last three months, we've (me and the boys) had 5 "photo shoots" here, here, here, here, and here

Every year (since last year) we do a family picture and capture the boys on their "birthdays" to replace the portraits we have in our entry way. I've mentioned before how much it stressed me out to find the perfect, not too coordinating, almost mis-matched outfits to wear for pictures. Trying so hard to look like you're not trying causes trmendous amounts of stress for me but I enjoy it. I must thrive on it. I drive my husband bananas. The kids could care less. But to me it matters.

On Saturday evening, we are headed to Lake Pflugerville to take pictures. Here are some outfits I pulled together! We'll see how they come together tomorrow evening.

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Welcome Scarlett Ollenburger!

I am so thrilled to welcome baby girl Scarlett Elizabeth to the world! Sarah and Loren had her yesterday, on May 18th, and I am so excited to FINALLY buy someone a baby kimono!

 We can't wait to meet you in June, Scarlett!

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It All Begins with Once Upon a Time...

While looking for art work and decorations for Nicholas and Brandon's playroom, I came across this enchanting etsy site called Trafalgar's Square featured on Birthday Girl's blogsite. 

I went crazy for her original artwork and silently prayed for a movie or book to be written using these characters immediatley.I must own some today.

Just as quick, I instantly imagined having more babies (a girl, please) and decorating her nursery based on the delightful drawings. Now we have to convince Kit that a story begins with Once Upon a Time...

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2: Coming May 10th

In less that 3 weeks Nicky is turning 2 and the Circus shows up at my house. I am probably going overboard, but I am so excited to celebrate I really don't care. I have been browsing the internet for some great party ideas. I found some ideas on Birthday Girl's blog and scoured Etsy.com.

These are the invitations I had made

I found this buffet table for inspiration and planning on some circus themed foods and concessions!

I also had some signs made to direct traffic and to point out the obvious ;)

 and i am  looking for ideas for the cake....

My friend Tara, who also took pictures of the boys in the bluebonnets, had a fabulous idea to take some "carnival-like" pictures and blow them up for the party.We took Nicky to Kiddie Acres yesterday for a little photoshoot. And he performed. And jumped. and ate lots of lollipops. I swear he takes after his mom and loves the attention! he was a little ham. I can't wait to see the pictures.

I happened to take a picture on my iPhone, mocked it up (Jess J- Cross Process!) and thought it would be fun to share. (His birthday is on the 10th, but Party on the 8th.)

Check back after his party to see my ideas and inspirations come to life! I can't wait to share his special day with family and friends!

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Love for Boy and Girl

If i could be best friends with Etsy.com, I would. We've bonded. She always has something I NEED. I need lots of things, in case you haven't noticed.

And so do you!! So happy Friday and  here is some shopping love straight from Abelingland. Something special for your boy and girl. Enjoy! xo

For Boy Mommies

For Girl Mommies

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Daddy and Me Tie Set!

Easter is right around the corner and while I was browing for Easter outfits, I came across Apple & Ivy.  I could not resist these adorable matching Daddy and Me Tie. Perfect for Easter, Bluebonnet pictures, or even a Father's Day gift! I requested Daddy and (2) Me Tie sets for pictures we are doing in June. Can't wait! Aand if you buy a set don't forget to share pictures with me. :)

PS. they also have Daddy and Daughter set too!

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Truck Drivers wear Polos

this is the conversation each morning...

Nicky, you can't wear your tractor PJs to school
Yessth, Mommy, YESSTH!
Nicky, Do you want to dress like a truck driver?
(thinking...) YESSSTH!
Well then... Truck Drivers wear Polos. 

I should feel guilty lying about his wardrobe, but I only have a limited amount of time where I get to dress him, and I am not giving up so easily. Plus it works every time.

Val and I joke that its our luck that I got the boys and she will get the girls. What do I  know about dirt, G.I. Joe, and Tractors? What does Val know about braids, My Little Pony, and tu-tus? I curled my hair for every T-ball game. Val wore Spiderman underoos. I rest my case.

Besides, having an Aunt like Val, the other great thing is that there are so many websites out there that make my job so EASY to dress Nicky like a BOY and satisfy this months obsession with anything and everything construction.

This website, Two Blue Cars, has the cutest t-shirts with Back Hoes, and Dump Trucks. Then I found on Polka Dot Patch, more t-shirts with Excavators and Lawn Mowers. Not to mention ETSY.com, the grand-pooba of anything custom. I can create T-shirts to meet every one of Nicky's whims. Truck Driver "Polos" and all.

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Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is rough and fun. Simple and majestic. Like my boys. and like my boys I love this table. and I want it badly. It was made to go in my house and I need it. Dan doesn't agree. So.........

I settled for second best. I had these fun and adorable blocks personalized for the boys rooms. Also reclaimed wood. Not really the same, but $4,000 cheaper.

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