Oh, what a beautiful morning. there is beauty all around

Last night, we tucked the kids in bed and then headed downstairs for date-night. (With a newborn, date-nights are at home, but I love our home-dates!) We opened our large family-room window and watched the huge snowflakes fall against the pink sky. I so wish I had taken a picture of that sky! It was breathtaking and so bright, even at the late-night hours! J and I were in awe.

When I woke up this morning, the sky was a brilliant blue and the sunshine was making the snow sparkle. I may be a cold-weather wimp, but it is nights and days like these that make me love winter. If only we could skip the cold/melty/muddy/in-between season days...

Other things I am loving this week:

01. Baby cuddles. I love snuggling this new baby! His nuzzling melts my heart!
02. These darling family trees. My cute friend Meg is so talented. I am going to be the proud owner of one of her new tree designs, which will be available soon. Keep checking back to see her awesome stuff!
03. These Four Fun Blogs. I love finding new (to me) good reads.
04. Burt's Bees Peppermint chapstick.
05. Adoring siblings. (Sometimes TOO adoring.) My darlings are loving their new baby brother. Nothing makes a mom happier than seeing siblings adore each other.
06. Baby sneezes.
07. My mom's cooking. Oh, how I will miss her when she flies back to Hawaii on Tuesday. She lives too far away.
08. Garden planning. Our local news informed me that I have a little over a month before I need to start planting. I'm so excited!
09. Valentine's plans. My husband is "in-charge" of our Valentine's Day this year, but I have a few things up my sleeve as well. I'll be sharing soon.

10. New earrings. Love Jessica's shop!

I wish you all a wonderful weekend! We are headed to IKEA today to pick up a new dresser for the boys...and maybe a new table.

Cookies. I heart Trader Joe's

Ode to my sweet neighbor and friend, Heather, for bringing me a sweet new-mommy package containing the YUMMIEST cookies ever. I envy anyone who lives near a Trader Joe's. (Or maybe I am grateful that their isn't one nearby; these cookies are 150 calories EACH! I don't think I'd ever loose my baby weight if I had the store in my neighborhood.)

To all you lucky folks who live near a beloved Trader Joe's, please purchase a box of these for yourself. Your mouth will be happy and I'll be envious.

Oh...and speaking of fattening food, I started my post-natal diet this week. After I finished off the package of delectable cookies, I rededicated myself to healthy eating. My exercise regime will begin in a couple weeks. Can't wait to go to spinning class again. Here's to a healthy lifestyle and getting this body back in shape!

Love affairs. babies and crafts

Baby D has stolen all of our hearts. My daughter loves to hold and sing to him. My son doesn't understand why the baby doesn't want to "get up and play." They are going to be the best of buds if the little babe can survive his brother's wildness over the next few months.

I am in love. I can't get enough of that little babe in my arms. Our bouncer and swing are gathering dust because this little one is always being held. He is so warm and sweet. He is changing so quickly; everyday I feel like I am looking at a new baby. I have spent most of the past week memorizing his every feature; worried that I will forget what he looked like at that beautiful moment. Ah, motherhood. It is truly a love affair.

Speaking of love affairs, I must admit to my love affair with the dollar sections in two of my favorite stores: Michaels and Target. I ventured out of the house for the first time since having cute D on Saturday. I can barely stand leaving my sweet baby behind, so the outing didn't last long. My mom and I made a mandatory stop at Michaels. (It had been too long and I was having withdrawals.) Have you seen their dollar section lately?? Seriously fun things! Some of their items were 5/$1! I walked away with cute ribbons, magnetic menu planners, note cards, paper jewels, and decorative tape.

You heard that right! Decorative tape for $1!! I bought the three pictured above, but I am thinking about heading back over to pick up the other designs. (I passed on the polka dots. What was I thinking??)

And the magnetic weekly planners? I scored on those! 20 cents for each pad of 52 sheets! One of my resolutions was to plan my menus at the beginning of each week, so these will help immensely.

The price of everything pictured above? Just over $5. True story.

So excited about the crafting possibilities with my other items. Better get started...my maternity leave ends on February 1st.

Welcome to the World, Baby D.Now a mother of three

We are so in love with the new mini-member of our family. He arrived with style at 12:27 a.m. on 01.09.10. The doctor deemed him "Speedy Gonzalez" when he was born less than an hour after we arrived at the hospital. The chubby-cherub weighed in at 8lbs 13oz and we absolutely adore every squishable roll he sports.

Our nearly 4-day old babe lacks the ability to sleep more than an hour at night and seems to have mistaken the night for the day. We are seriously sleep deprived. Good thing these little ones are so dang cute. I actually don't mind waking up to my little sweet baby.

Please excuse my sparse postings over the next 3 weeks. I will be on maternity leave and enjoying every non-working, computer-free moment with my 3 cute kiddos.

A special thanks to all you sweet readers who have shown so much love and excitement during this special time for our family. I'm so grateful for you.

Sherbet Blossom Designs. cute blogger premades templates

I've had lots of requests for premade blog designs; a cheaper alternative to my custom blog designs. You can get a premium look...without the premium price. (Seriously cheap! They start at just $25!) Right now, they are all designed for Blogger, but I will be adding Wordpress designs in the next couple months.

I'm adding more and more as the weeks go on, so keep checking back.

Also...I am taking requests. Let me know what types of premades you would like to see and I may design it over the next few weeks. (You can leave a comment here or fill out the form over on my design site.)

Here are some of my most recent additions: (See more by clicking HERE.)