Everleigh Isabella Kelley - 18 Months and Counting

Dear Sweet Baby Bear,

It was probably mid-day on Tuesday when I realized it was your 18 month birthday.  I’m not sure how, but it really did seem to sneak up on me this time.  I think I say that every month.  I hate how the weeks are going by so fast but I have to say that I do love seeing you grow and change every single day.  Every day, or at least every other day, you surprise us with a new word, or a new trick or a new expression.  You’ve always been such a great baby, it just seems that now, with every day that goes by, you’re getting more FUN.  And ohhhhh, that little personality of yours!  You can already see your independence, how FEARLESS you are and will be (an adrenaline junkie in the making, just like your mom, as seen by my skydiving adventures HERE ;), and your sweet sensitive side (giving sweet baby bear kisses so generously at times).  You’re also so expressive, so talkative and so full of curiosity and wonder.  I love watching you figure things out.  Most of the time on your own, cause you wouldn’t have it any other way.  I love how persistent you are when you’re focused on a task, and I appreciate that you will ask for help when you need it (most of the time, unless of course frustration has gotten the best of you ;). That's your dad in you by the way.  ;)     

I also love how we’re really becoming buddies now.  We “talk” to each other.. or rather I talk and you stare intently at me really trying to understand what I’ve said…then either say..”Ok” when you’re ok with whatever I’ve proposed…or “No”, very matter-of-factly when you contest my ideas.  ;)  I love the way your face lights up and changes when you’re “telling me all about it” in your cute little “Everleigh talk”.  I also love how we can laugh HARD and play harder…chasing Macie around the house, bouncing up and down on my legs (giving me my daily workouts) or twirling around til we both feel the world spinning around us.  ;)  I love knowing your secret tickle spots... and hearing you squeal with delight when I dip you down to get Macie kisses.  :)  Your happiness is my happiness.  Every single day.  

I know we make Dad jealous sometimes.. especially when you whine or cry out for me when he’s in the room.  But I also know how much you love him.  I love the way you look at him and laugh with him.. and will sometimes choose to give him kisses over me, even when we've just spent the entire day together.  Dad likes to think it makes me jealous too… but I really DO love the way you both love each other so much.  I hereby give you permission to pick him over me (every so often..you know, just to make him feel extra special ;).  

I can't thank my lucky stars enough for being chosen to be your mom.  You've made me happier than I ever thought I could be.  Happy 18 months sweet bear.  It's been one heck of an amazing ride so far!  :)  

Love, Mama Bear

This one cracks me up! ;)  ARRRRGGG.... 

Kelley Kitchen - Progress Photos

I think the biggest, most dramatic change that we've made to our house (oh...about two SECONDS!) after we moved in, was tackling our kitchen cabinets.  It was simply a color we absolutely couldn't live with.  The color of the cabinets, along with the faux painted walls was just too much to handle.  It was so incredibly hard to really appreciate the back splash or the really great granite counter tops with all the colors and textures going on in this space.  All the colors just seemed to blend together... in the worst possible way.  

Knowing that it would be easiest to tackle this project before we moved our furniture and appliances in, we spent DAYS prepping and sanding and gel staining...and gel staining some more before finally being able to call this project somewhat done.  We still have the overhead light fixture to contend with...and the "too-ornate-for-our-taste" fixture over the kitchen table...but for now, we're pretty damn proud of the outcome so far.  

Here's a little tour... (a very much LIVED in, sorry about the random mess), tour of our kitchen as it stands today.    

The AFTER.  

(Once again because I couldn't bear to start a new post with the BEFORE picture below)

The BEFORE.  

As our project began (back in early September), we knew we couldn't tackle this project alone so we enlisted the help of one VERY CUTE, not yet 1 year old.  :)  

Quality Control Specialist Everleigh ;)

Amazing how much she's changed since this picture was taken!

The messy, long process of sanding and cleaning and sanding and cleaning.. 

I believe this was probably coat 1 of 2 or 3 gel stains we did.  

Probably the same here.  Coat 1 of 2 that we did of the gel stain.  

Final product.  :)

Everleigh Isabella Kelley - 17 Months and Counting

I can't believe we're ALREADY at 17 months?!  Is that even right?!  One month away from a YEAR and a HALF?!  Geez Louise!  Every month I think the same thing.  Every month I wish I had a magic wand to slow things down.  But every month seems to go faster and faster.  Every month my baby isn't quite a baby anymore.. And that makes this mommy S.A.D.  :( :(  Capital S.  Capital A. Capital D.  Super DOUBLE sad face.  Boo.  

I can't say that a whole lot has changed in the way of new words or newest tricks this month.. but what I HAVE noticed a huge difference on.. is Everleigh's personality.  She definitely understands more, is more aware, takes direction more consistently and is seemingly more mature than last month.   Oh yeah and taller.  Definitely taller.  ;)  We haven't taken the time to measure her recently.. but her long pants aren't so long anymore and she can easily reach things she just recently couldn't.  

HUGE MILESTONE MOMENT ALERT:  We took our first major road trip last week (a couple days before her 17 month birthday) and I have to say, I've never been more PROUD to be this sweet bear's mom.  It's like SHE KNEW we needed her to be ok with being in the car for nearly NINE hours (one way!).  Due to my uncle's sudden passing, it was a last minute rush to get things organized and ready to head back home and I was honestly DREADING it.  I worried about how I would handle (what I thought) would be hours and hours of crying, fussing and whining.  Wouldn't you know...She surprised the HECK out of both Chad and I.  The happiest baby bear you ever did see!  Both driving down there.. AND driving back! Such a HUGE relief!  

Our sweet, sweet bear at 17 months :)  

I thought it was quite appropriate that I was able to catch her doing her favorite thing.. "READING"!  

To see a few of her past monthly photos, click on the links below.

16 Months and Counting

15 Months and Counting

14 Months and Counting

13 Months and Counting

Everleigh's Nursery Room - Progress Photos

When it came time to focus on how Everleigh's nursery would look, even when I was pregnant, I knew I never really wanted a super "baby-like" room.  Nothing too cutesy.  Nothing too baby pink or overly girly either.  I wanted something she could grow into.  Something fun and not with much of a "theme".  

It's funny how many people I "confused" during my pregnancy when I confessed to (what seemed like) 15,000+ moms that asked.. "Do you have a theme for Everleigh's room yet?" or when they mentioned "I chose {insert random kiddie character here} for my baby girl's room... you absolutely NEED a theme for the nursery, I can't believe you don't already have one?!"  It was honestly the most annoying part of my pregnancy.  I didn't have a (STUPID!) theme picked out.  And I refused to give in to the preconceived notion that every baby's nursery had to have one particular character overwhelming the space.     

If you know me well at all.. or if you've ever just taken a single step into my closet, you know that I've never been a fan of muted, muddy-like colors.  My closet is full of primary and jewel toned hues of saturated, more concentrated shades.  So it seemed only natural that my heart literally skipped a beat when we ran into this little guy at Pier One one day, and I knew we had the perfect starting point for Everleigh's room in our new house.  TEAL!  

I loved that Chad didn't question my seemingly bold color choice and I loved how we both excitedly drove straight to Sherwin Williams, elephant in hand, to see if they could find a color match for us.  I also loved that I could pair a number of really great, fun colors with this little guy... like the baby-pink alternative that I was drawn to (fuschia and magenta) and more concentrated, saturated yellows and greens.

And once again, we're not entirely finished with this room yet.  Pictures still need to be hung and the shelves still need to be filled (more)....but for now, I'm happy with how far this room has come.  :)

Everleigh's room - Progress Photos

Everleigh's Room - AFTER

BEFORE - (I think Grandma lived here ;)

This chandelier, turned floor lamp was a garage sale find at just $10!  

Eventually I'd like to address the wall above Everleigh's changing area.  For now, we've repurposed the  streamers we used for her first birthday to fill the space.  :)