Birthday Invites!

The more I use MDS the less scared I am of it and the more I love it! I decided to use it for Gabe's birthday invitations and based the entire party off the colour scheme from the invitations. It was so much fun and I even make thank-you notes to match the invites (which I will share later since not everyone has received them yet).

 

Aren't they fun? They were so easy to create and with the click of a few buttons, Stampin' Up! prints them and sends them straight to your house with envelopes too! Perfect! One less thing I had to worry about for the party.

 

Don't have MDS yet? Download the 1 month free trial to get started! I guarantee you will be hooked and then you can purchase the download from my online store. You don't even need to wait to have it shipped to you. How perfect is that?

 

Still not convinced? What if I told you Stampin' Up! comes out with brand new downloads every week? Yes, every single week! That is probably my favourite part! Oh, and the fact that they are downloads so NO SHIPPING. Seriously, it doesn't get much better than this!

 

And like every Stampin' Up! product everything coordinates. The colours available in MDS match those that are available on paper too, so you can do some designing on the computer, have it printed (by Stampin' Up! or on your home computer) and add your own touch of ribbons, buttons, or other embellishments. The possibilities are honestly endless.

 

Happy Stamping,

Elizabeth Emma

Gabriel's 1st Birthday

I can't believe it! My baby boy is 1! I know I have gotten a little behind in the monthly updates, but he's there, a whole year old.

We had a wonderful party for him (with the help of Stampin' Up! and My Digital Studio of course) and he got spoiled with hugs and kisses, cake, and lots of presents!!

A little bit empy but this was the food table. I traced cookie cutters I had to make the garland using Pool Party, So Saffron, and Basic Grey. I then strung them all onto striped pool party baker's twine.

 

Super cute wooden spoons and forks I got off Etsy. They say "Happy Birthday" and better yet are compostable! And of course I dressed them up with my new favourite accessory...Washi Tape!

Excuse the glare but this is one of the signs I made using My Digital Studio. It was so quick and easy using the "Many Mustaches" set and I was able to coordinate all the colours with the rest of the party (the beauty of Stampin' Up!)

 

 

Drinks!

 

Water bottle labels I made also using My Digital Studio.

"Here mom, try some"

 

The second sign I made using My Digital Studio.

Loving his cake!

 

 

We used mason jars for drinking glasses and I got these super cute paper straws off Etsy. We then used more pool party baker's twin and cardstock (along with so saffron) for the labels so people could write their names down in case they set their drink down and forgot who's was who's. I used the Fancy Label Punch to cut them out.

Hmmmm.....

Fam-Jam!

We rarely get a photo of all three of us together (mostly because I am usually the one taking them) and this one isn't even that great, but at least we have one!

I will share Gabe's birthday invitation (which I made using MDS) on another post.

Happy Stamping,
Elizabeth Emma

9 Months Old!

My little man is 9 months old (well almost 10, but whatever, technicality)! I can't hard believe it! I am now planning and organizing to get ready for work. Gabriel is spending his first few hours at daycare on Wednesday, I'm nervous but totally in love with our sitter, so that eases my anxiety a lot!

A 9 months old Gabriel:

• is 17 lbs and 27.5 inches long
• is crawling all over the place and pulling up on everything he can
• is feeding himself lots of things, puffs and cut up pieces of fruits and veggies, toast, meat, etc. He is much happier feeding himself than being fed and wants nothing to do with purees.
• has 1 tooth!
• is saying dada and mama constantly. Babbles lots and loves to blow raspberries
• loves going for walks. Now that the weather is warming up and getting nicer I hope to be out a lot more!
• has been caught standing on his own a couple times. It won't surprise me if he is walking by his first birthday!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

He turned 9 months old during Easter weekend so of course being "that" mom I had to add the bunny ears. That was short lived and he was not very impressed haha.

 

 

Here is my handsome little man on Easter. Overtired and not wanting to share smiles, but he was just too adorable not to share!

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! The weather doesn't look like it's going to be too wonderful, but who knows, maybe they will be wrong! I will be back on Monday with more crafting!

 

Happy Stamping,

Elizabeth Emma

8 Months Old

I guess I am a bit delayed with this post...but in my defense, I was confused as to when Gabe actually turned 8 months. He was born on June 30th, but since there was no 3th in February, it threw me off. Anyways here is the update!

At 8 months old Gabe is:

• 15 lbs 1oz and 27 3/4 inches long (tall and skinny! He must get that from my dad and brother because neither myself or Cody is overly tall)
• trying so hard to crawl! He gets on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth, but then falls to his tummy, looks like he is swimming and freaks out. But we are getting there.
• Loving standing! Whether it's holding onto someone's hands or onto a piece of furniture he cannot get enough of it. I am seriously worried we may skip crawling altogether.000
• Eating like a champ. He eats 3 "meals" now in addition to about 4 nursing sessions a day. He is great at finger foods and picking things up (he would rather feed himself than have someone feed him). Some of his favourites are yogurt melts, bananas, chicken, and pasta.
• Sleeping much better (thank-you sweet baby Jesus, I am starting to feel human again). He naps for about 1-1.5 hours in the morning and afternoon and sleeps 11-12 hours at night!
• still toothless! I constantly think he is working on them, but nothing yet. Daddy adorningly calls him toothless Joe
• Friends with everyone, rarely, if ever makes strange and totally freaks out and gets giddy when he sees other kids! It's so adorable. So social, I love it!
• still looking like an old man with his crazy hair. It is long and thin and so so blonde! I never thought I would have a blonde baby, but I love it! His hair is in his eyes a lot, but I don't want to cut it because it is so thin I feel like he would have none left.

Just practicing our standing, giving mom a heart attack, no big deal

 

This is what happens when mom gives up and just decides to let him have the bowl. Wow. The neatfreak in me is screaming, the mom in me is giggling hardcore.

 

I love my little monster so much! Words cannot express how amazing these last 8 months have been. I also cannot believe it has been 8 months. The time really does fly. I am back to work in June and trying to enjoy every moment I have with my little man in the meantime.

I promise I will be back with more craftiness tomorrow!

Happy Stamping,
Elizabeth Emma

7 Months

Warning! I am about to overload you with cuteness that is not necessarily stamping related...but I don't care! My little cutie is 7 months old! I shed a little tear as I write this. My baby boy is 7 months old! I can hardly believe it (okay I think I write that every month, but it is so true)!

At 7 Months Old Gabriel:

• Not sure of height and weight, our doctor's appointment got postponed
• is sitting up on his own and totally rocking it
• has mastered (finlly) most of the time being able to move from sitting up to his tummy without smashing his face off the floor (mommy and baby are both happy about this)
• when sitting up and reaching for something practically folds himself in half and rocks back and forth to get it, Wednesday he actually was on all 4s rocking back and forth!
• is smiling and giggling all the time! Such a happy boy
• is still working on sleeping through the night, but we will get there eventually (I hope) *Edit*we've had 3 nights in a row of sleeping until 7:30 am (woo hoo)
• is eating lots of things! Fruits and veggies and cereal! He loves baby mum-mums and banana in his mesh feeder!
• still has no teeth even though he drools like crazy, chews on everything, and has rosey red cheeks all the time!

 

 

Here are the photos from Gabriel's 6 month shoot! I was going to pick and choose which ones to share but I just love them all so I couldn't pick. So you get them all!

 

Love that smile!

Of course we had to get a fire truck one!

Gabriel's newborn photos were taken on the same suitcases, except he was tiny and lying on top

 

His inquisitive face

Oh! Just love him!!

 

Photo credit goes to Photogenics Studio in Listowel. They are absolutely amazing and so great to work with! If you are local I highly suggest you contact them! They have taken all of Gabe's photos and did our engagement and wedding.

 

Thanks for letting me share my cutie with you! Happy Friday! I promise I will be back next week with more stamping. Have a safe and happy weekend!

 

Happy Stamping,

Elizabeth Emma

 

Happy Half Birthday!

6 months old?! Oh. My. Goodness! Time sure flies. I cannot believe my baby boy is 6 months old already! I am so excited to see where he goes, how he grows, and what life brings him, but I am also a little sad. I cry a little each time I put clothes away that no longer fit him. Sap. Anyways, I'll quit talking, onto the photos...

 

 

hehe I love this look. He does it a lot lately. This is a giant frog Gabe got from his great grandma for Christmas. It's bigger than he is.

As close as I got to a smile, please excuse my slippers.

 

At 6 Months Old Gabriel:

• weighs 14 lbs (no height as he has not had his 6 month appointment yet, only weight by fluke)
• Is sitting up on his own for longer periods of time
• Is teething like a mad man! Drooling, rosy red cheeks, the whole deal, but no teeth as of yet
• Is eating like a champ. We now have two meals a day. Cereal and a fruit or Veggie. He loves bananas in those mesh feeders and baby mum-mums
• Is more talkative and integrative everyday! Such a ham!
• Is a huge flirt!!

And of course I couldn't resist sharing some photos from Gabriel's first Christmas.

Family Photo

Fell asleep Christmas Eve and we had no where else to put him (at my aunt's house) so he slept in a box. It was great until he woke up and no one was around and he was in a box in a strange room. I think he was slightly traumatized when my uncle brought him out haha. Poor wee man.

Presents Christmas morning. Gabe's tower of Tupperware buckets, love these things!

Mommy and Daddy's favourite gift of all <3

 

God really has blessed me with an amazing family. Thanks for letting me share him with you.

 

Happy Stamping,

Elizabeth Emma

5 Months Old!

 

Wow! Time sure flies! my little munchkin is 5 months (okay, 5.5 I'm a little late)! These last 5 months have been such an exhausting a wonderful adventure! I have loved every minute of it. I can't even imagine life without him now, it's hard to remember life before him even!

Gabriel has changed so much in 5 months! It's amazing!

 

At 5 Months Old Gabriel:

• has rolled over from tummy to back a handful on times. Then I think he got lazy and has quit. Although mommy and daddy were both home to see it for the first time (yay!) and I got it on video (double yay!) so at least I have proof!
• has had his first ear infection! Poor guy! After 2 different antibiotics and 1 allergic reaction, it is finally gone!
• Around 13 lbs 9.5 oz and 26 inches long (this is what he was at his 4 month appointment which was a few weeks late)
• wearing mostly 3-6 month clothing, still some 0-3 month, just a little guy!
• Mostly wearing cloth diapers but when we are in disposables we are in size 2
• Has been sitting up on his own for about 30 seconds - 1 minute without toppling over
• Starting to warm up to his jumper, he chills in there while I make supper, although he hasn't quite figured out how to jump, he mostly spins haha
• Has started eating some solids and loves it! He kicks his feet and waves his hands and squeals for more, it's hilarious to watch.
• Has become increasingly difficult to put to sleep (ever since his ear infection) and he usually ends up in bed with us, and he fights naps to the bitter end. If anyone has any advice, I am all ears

This is his "women stop taking pictures of me" face.

 

I have so much to look forward to in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Right now I am so excited for Gabriel's first Christmas. He already loves the lights on the tree and we've been singing Christmas Carols like it's nobody's business! I will be sure to post how it goes :)

 

I can't wait to share Gabriel's Christmas pictures and the MDS Christmas Cards I made for everyone, but I want to wait until everyone has received their cards in the mail first. No spoilers.

 

Happy Stamping,

Elizabeth Emma

Gabriel 4 Months Old...

Wow, time sure does fly, and I am getting slow and a bit behind on Gabriel's monthly updates. Our little baby Gabe is now 4.5 months old and growing like a weed.

 

 

Our favourite little man is sick right now :( Poor baby had a terrible ear infection and cold, but is looking much better lately. I knew something was up because he wasn't his normal, happy cheerful self. We had out regular 4 month appointment scheduled (a tad bit late because our Dr was away) and when we got there he was just screaming. Poor baby. We got a script for antibiotics, and no needles since he wasn't feeling well. So after a few days of his antibiotics, Tylenol, and lots of cuddles he is smiling again and still not 100% but on his way there!



Anyways I will stop babbling and get onto some pictures of this cutie!

Yup. I did it. I'm that mom. I put my baby in a pumpkin. He wasn't too impressed and all he really wanted to do was eat it. I was able to snap a couple okay pictures before he totally freaked out on me haha

Here is my strong little boy on his tummy. With his crazy hair do. I always tried to brush it after his bath but I give up because when he wakes up in the morning this is what it looks like. And he always get compliments on it, so I think we are just gonna roll with it.

At 4 Months Old:

• 13lbs 9oz and 26 inches long
• We have rolled from our tummy to our back, but only a handful of times, and only when naked/not wearing any pants...weird child
• Looooves to be naked
• Squealing and screaming in delight, hilarious to hear
• Smiles and giggles all the time
• Awake more and more
• Favourite toy is his hanging Lamaze Butterfly and of course his Baby Einstein Activity Mat (this is the only way I get things done some days)

And I will leave you with my little Elephant on Halloween! Hehe, such a cutie pie!

 

And As always...

 

Happy Stamping,

Elizabeth Emma

 

Gabriel's Christening

Last weekend my baby boy was baptised! Things are moving so quickly, I can't believe that he was 4 months old on Tuesday! Don't worry, it's not all about my little cutie, I also have a card to share with you, or rather an invite.

 

This is the invitation I made for Gabriel's Christening. I got the idea out of the Catalogue (always a great place for inspiration). I switched up the framelit and colours but the rest is about the same. I love this stamp set, it's so delicate and sweet.

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: My Special Day
Ink: Soft Suede
Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, So Saffron
Accessories: Labels Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Basic Pearls, Polka Dot Embossing Folder

Here is the great cake my mom got for Gabe!

 

And because no blog post would be complete without a picture of my cutie! Here we are as a family. I am terrible at getting pictures of myself with Gabe, so this is impressive haha.

 

Happy Stamping,

Elizabeth Emma

Happy Halloween!

So I couldn't resist sharing these pictures of my little cutie pie! He wasn't terribly impressed with me, and he decided all he wanted to do was eat the pumpkin haha!

 

"Mom...What are you doing to me"

"Nom, nom, nom"

 

And, I was all out of Halloween cards, but I had a fall themed card. This one is from a shoebox swap, so I did not design it, but I did make it!

Supplies
Stamps: French Foliage, (a retired sentiment I believe, I can't remember which one I apologize
Ink: Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Early Espresso
Paper: More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Accessories: none

Happy Stamping,
Elizabeth Emma