new AB

I have been working on a new altered book...

Happy Baby

The video is pretty dark, but he was so adorable and wasn't distracted by the camara (as he usually is) -- so I had to post this little conversation we had last night.

2 years ago...

a dream came true. Truly...

still in awe

He is.
lovely
soft and cuddly
a beautiful baby boy
what will he become?

my gratitude

THANKSGIVING

for:

the living word

my healthy baby boy loving and supportive husband

shiny happy daughter

wonderful family and friends

attempting

I decided to participate in the latest scrapjack.

Hers.

Mine.

Hubby took care of baby while I scrapped this tonight. He really did a great job and Seth was cooing like crazy.

I can't believe this layout made the CATWALK! First for me!

Just thrown together

Been working on my little mini album for Love, Elsie. I have been enjoying it - mostly because I am finishing the little pages quickly and I am, for once, not obsessing about making it look oh-so-trendy or perfect. Just putting together scraps here and there and perhaps trying out some little tricks. No big thing.

Some Saturday!

We were able to have a wonderfully relaxing Saturday. The three of us spent the morning at Barnes and Noble.



Then, it was on to Fridays. I tried their Tuna Sliders with Sweet Potatoe Fries. YUM!

We had such a lovely time together. Enjoying the weather and our beautiful baby boy.

He is really getting so big. Yes, those cheeks are constantly getting squeezed!

The Haute Spot

A new place for challenges, if you need a jump start on a layout go here.

*** OLW: Listen

Inspiration and a new class

Just some images of inspiration for today. Still, looking for my next fix.

This is a new class I was going to take. It seems to not be what I thought it would be. It was more of a creative writing class. I love how the cover came out, though. It's pretty simple, but sometimes that's just the right fit.

First Word?

I know that he is not talking yet... but I just can't help but think that he was trying to say something at the end of this video.

Looking for my next project....

So, out of the loop. Well, it's on to the next project. In the meantime, enjoying one beautifully crafted little creature at home.

SAHM

No matter how many times he wakes me up at night or how many onesies he goes through in one day or how much he fusses or how many diapers he loads up -- he is my little boy.

perfect.
precious. pure.

Work in Progress.

Finally, got back to sbing. I started to miss finding little scraps stuck to my sock or eyelets on the bottoms of my sandals. Take a looksie at the latest. Remember... still not finished.

Also, went on a DATE last night! Hubster and I were able to leave the baby with Nana and Grandpa while we went to the movies. I also was able to convince him to see Nights in Rodanthe. There wasn't a dry eye in the house!

Enjoying the Giraffes

New Arrival

Seth Gabriel Oliva

7 lbs. 4 oz.

Tuesday, September 23rd

5:30pm - felt some cramping Are these pre-labor contractions?

6:00pm - started to time the "contractions" This is definitely the real thing

7:00pm - steady flow of contractions every 5 min. One right after another!

8:00pm - wondering when to call doctor, some bleeding Have I dialated?

9:00pm - contractions remain 5 min. apart, intensifying Ouch!

10:00pm - begin to prepare to drive to hospital Load up the car!

11:00pm - arrive at hospital What do you mean I didn't pre-register?

Wednesday, September 24th

12:00am - not dialated, no admittance I am not opening at all?

1:00am - back home, hard contractions every 5 min. Double ouch!

2:00am - strong pains, pacing the house How do I get through this?

3:00am - strong pains, bounce on excercise ball Remember this is just the beginning!

4:00am - strong pains, more bleeding I guess I won't rest at all tonight...

5:00am - strong pains, practice relaxation methods with husband Breathe in.... breathe out....

6:00am - leave for hospital "Honey, I'm taking you NOW!"

7:00am - 2 - 3 cm. dialated, admittace finally, some progress

8:00am - asked about epidural Is this really happening?

9:00am - set up in delivery room Call mom and dad

10:00am - parents and brother arrive Still trying to get through those pains

10:30am - epidural ((ahhhh.......))

11:00am - shivers from epidural, ((still ahhh.....))

12:00pm - aunt arrives, take a nap actually got some shut eye

1:00pm - 6 cm. dialated "And you are doing this all on your own..."

2:00pm - doctor comes by "You are doing great!"

3:00pm - 9 cm. dialated Wow, he's almost here

4:00pm - will deliver within the hour Really?

5:00pm - epidural runs dry What do you mean it's too late for more?!

5:30pm - baby delivered naturally Now I know the true meaning of labor!

surprise

What remarkable people the Lord has placed in my life! Last night, we had Taco Night at the Paper Niche. It was delicious!!! Tammy cooked... yum! I was working on some pages for a Baby Book for Seth when I was suddenly presented with a card from all the lovely ladies at the Niche. Krista and Leah even had some pages ready made for my Baby Seth Scrapbook! (photos to come!) Such a blessing! I cried and prayed and thanked the Lord on the way home.

Please excuse the fuzzy photo... this cts is driving me crazy!

My mom is throwing me a very small shower this Sunday, just family and a few friends. Here's a lookie at the favors.

Take out animal print boxes were purchased from Oriental Trading Company.

Book for Shenilla

I really enjoyed making this book. I can't wait to see what Marcia fills it up with -- I'm sure it will be oozing with love.

Create a Free Slideshow

3 Peek-a-book albums from Tinkering Ink

Truly Amazing

Altered Book

Some wonderful compliments I received today on my Altered Books and work in general. It is so strange to receive such accolades. I added a slide of some of the AB pages for those who asked. If you have any technique questions, feel free to ask! mrsmoliva@yahoo.com

Psalm 9

I approve!

I finished one of my clasess for August. It's a USA layout for all of those photos of bbqs, picnics, parades, and such. As my title says, I approve of this one. I usually am very hard on myself and don't feel my work is any good. This time, I am very happy. Here's a sneaky peek.

Fourth of July washout

We had such high hopes for Friday -- the anniversary of a wonderful momentous time in our country's history. Amazing that just a day before July 4, 1776 John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

It began at 8:30am. My husband and I woke up with the same thing on our minds: Einsteins!! We headed out with thoughts of America on our minds. How our country has changed! Some changes of course have been necessary and some just sad. We marveled at how great it must have felt for our founding fathers to embark on such a journey and to be a part of something that was going to change things forever.

Breakfast:

Her -Lox & wheat bagel (no onions) + Hot Chai Tea

Him -Pizza Bagel + OJ

Once we were nice and full when headed back to the house and came to find someone had been sleeping in our bed. Hummm... I wonder who it was???

The evidence makes it all too clear. A chew toy, my husband's tee shirt and a wrinkled bed.

MIMI!!!

All is forgiven... who could resist that face!

On with the day we decide to head down to the pool - catch some rays and relax pool side.

Uhh OH - Preggers in a bikini!Before leaving for Pine Island Park in Davie, we stopped quickly at Taco Bell. And I realized I am DONE with my short love affair with TB. It was those Nacho Supremes I craved for months and now it's all over. The only thing that made that HORRIBLE lunch any better was the Mango Strawberry Frustista. Can you tell I was happy with my drinky drink?

While we were so happy to have found the most perfect spot to settle for the evening... we quickly learned the rain was not going to stop just because it was the fourth of July. We had to pack up by 6:45 pm. And by 8 pm it was storming and we were all cozy on the couch watching Adventures in Babysitting (yes, I know, not the most holiday appropriate film. Still, we were with 3 teens who needed a laugh after their fireworks were a washout)