More thank you notes...

So, I've exhausted my supply of baby thank you notes therefore more had to be made. Sometimes when I have a design that I like...I can't stop production:) I start with the color of the card, then hunt down paper, and then next thing I know it's as if my scrap booking supplies have blown up and I now have 50 cards made. Anyway...I thought I'd share some of the cards I made. Definitely more girly...
Well, that's all for now...off to feed a hungry baby:)

Keeping the Tooth Fairy in business...

Two weeks before we were scheduled to have Emily, Logan had some teeth issues. Apparently a filling had cracked and an infection had set in. He was complaining somewhat that his tooth hurt but I didn't take him seriously until he came home from school one day with a swollen cheek (it looked like he had a piece of hard candy in his mouth). The two solutions were to pull the tooth (but then we would be dealing with spacing issues for the next 2-3 years until the permanent tooth came in) or have a kiddie root canal. We went with option #2. Logan has recovered fine...but as a Mom I'm wondering what I can do better to make sure this doesn't happen again. Needless to say...I've been on high alert about my kid's teeth.

While we were in the hospital (after having Emily) I asked Jeff if he noticed that a gap was starting to form on the bottom row of teeth in Frank's mouth. Not thinking this could be a loose tooth...I assumed the worst.

When we arrived home from the hospital we come to find out that Logan has lost his second tooth and that gap in Frank's mouth was a loose tooth hanging on by a thread. Needless to say...the Tooth Fairy paid out big at our house that week. Logan got $1 for his tooth and Frank got $5 for his first tooth (FYI - 20 quarters is not the same in the eyes of a 5 year old as a 5 dollar bill...rookie mistake:)

Regardless...each of the boys were eager to share the news with anyone who would listen...Frank especially. Frank had to call my parents immediately. The next morning he got himself dressed right away so that he could show the neighbor kids at Logan's bus stop his missing tooth. He is very proud!

So, here's my question...at what age do we stop paying for a child loosing a tooth? Seriously...I now have 5 kids (20 teeth currently in Logan, Frank, and Claire's mouths...MK is not far behind...and I can't stop the growth of teeth in Emily's mouth:)...that could end up being a lot of cash...hahaha! I guess when the jig is up about Santa we'll break the news about the Tooth Fairy:) Anyway I size this up...we may have to start a "Tooth Fairy" savings account:)

Well, that's all for now...

It's a GIRL!

Emily Christine

8 pounds and 6 ounces

21 inches long

Last Thursday we welcomed our 5th child into the world! Although our c-section time kept getting pushed back (apparently women were coming in left and right in labor) Emily arrived with ten fingers, ten toes, and a beautiful head of red hair! She is as healthy as you could wish for...we couldn't be more blessed!

We had several visitors come to the hospital but I have to say the funniest bunch of visitors were our kids. Jeff picked Logan, Frank, Claire, and Mary Kate up one evening (to relieve my parents who had been staying with the kids while we were in the hospital) to see their new sister. Of course as they enter the room I was nursing Emily...which then lead to a ton of questions...my favorite compliments of Frank (of course), "Why do you feed her out of that? (as he lifted up his shirt and points to his own nipple) Awww...curious little minds:)

They were all eager to hold her and complained when their turn was up. Even Mary Kate wanted in on the action. We did manage to get a pretty good group photo...

I have to share some of the gifts we received...edible bouquets! They were a huge hit with the kids!

We are now home and everyone is adjusting well to our newest addition. The kids are all still eager to hold Emily whenever possible...and I must say (knock on wood) she has been extremely kind on me and Jeff in terms of eating and sleeping. We are not the zombies we were anticipating when bringing a new born home. Here's praying that Emily continues in her content ways!

Of course...I must share the thank you cards I whipped up before having Emily. I always like to have "Thank you" cards on hand when having a baby. The one morning I woke up realizing that I didn't have any cards done yet...so here is what I came up with. I've done a similar design before, but I just altered it to be a little bit more baby appropriate. The other challenge was since we didn't know the gender of the baby, I tried to make them neutral to boy or girl. Since I'm almost out of these cards it will be nice to whip up a set of girly thank you cards:)

Well, that's all for now...

Christmas card preview...

So, this year I have decided to make my own Christmas cards. You know...with all of the free time that I'm going to have I thought it would be a great idea...hahaha! Anyway...the design is already done which is the hard part. I have all of the materials which I will cut and assemble ahead of time. All I'm waiting on is the arrival of baby #5 because I'm going to include a family picture on inside with a personalized greeting from the entire family.

When I showed Jeff the card he had his usual expression...not overly excited:) Then he asked me, "Wouldn't it be easier just to do a card through Snapfish like we've always done?" Sure, that would be a TON easier...but where's the fun??? the challenge??? the sense of accomplishment when a big project is done???

So, for those of you who are on my Christmas card list I hope my cards don't disappoint in person!

Well, that's all for now...

Birth announcements...

So here are pictures of the birth announcements that I have been working on.

Girl announcement

- the funny thing about this sample is that the picture is of Logan as a baby...I didn't have any of either of the girls head on with their eyes open.

Boy announcement

~this is truly a picture of Frank.

Here is a preview of the announcement that I will be sending out with baby #5. I kept the colors neutral so, as I find out the gender of the baby the bow will either remain pink or I'll change it to blue. By keeping things neutral I will be able to have most of the card assembled before the baby arrives and then add the pictures and the appropriate color of ribbon. So, it looks like I'll have 110 to make before next Thursday...wish me luck!

Well, that's all for now...

The Wedding...

This past weekend my brother in law (Paul...the one I did the programs for) got married. It was a perfect day for a wedding! The weather was ideal, the bride (my new sister in law Krista) looked amazing, Claire (the flower girl) successfully made it down the isle, and my kids had a blast at the reception! Everything went off without a hitch...and although I'm as big as a VW bug I had a great time myself!

On Thursday evening I took a few of my friends up on their offer to help me finish up the wedding programs. It was a huge help to have the extra hands. I can't imagine how long I would have been up finishing the project without them...plus it's always fun to hang out with the girls! So, a BIG BIG thanks to Julie, Sarah, and Melanie for their help!

Friday was the rehearsal...and all went well! As we woke up Saturday morning I immediately felt the full agenda of the day on my shoulders. Since Jeff was in the wedding he had to be to his brother's house at noon so I had a bulk of the day left up to me. I had to take everyone to Frank's soccer game at 11:00. After the game we grabbed lunch on the way home then all four kids went down for a nap.

At 3:00 my sister showed up with all of her hair styling equipment to do Claire's hair. (Yeah, my grand idea with Claire's hair was a no-go so I called my sister Friday night for backup and she saved the day! She did an absolutely amazing job on Claire's hair! So, a huge thanks to my sister Kim!) As my sister was working on Claire I began getting the other three kids and myself dressed. By 4:30 we were all in the car heading to the church.

Claire and her stylist...Aunt Kim!

The crew before the wedding.

Everything at the church was perfect...(as I said before) Claire successfully made it down the isle in her adorable dress (that my Mom made...thanks Mom!), Krista and Paul looked so happy, the pictures afterwards were quick, and then we were off to the reception.

Claire and my nephew Tyler coming down the isle.

Krista, Paul, and their ring bearer and flower girl!

Since my kids had never been to a wedding before they had no idea what to expect. I kept trying to explain the dancing, the food, the cake, etc. But the questions kept coming and I knew the only true way they would understand is to see it for themselves. Needless to say...they had an awesome time! They danced themselves silly with their cousins and drank so much pop (Sprite of course) that I was positive I would be changing someones sheets in the middle of the night. I was shocked at 10:45 to see that the reception had worn them out (not the other way around) and everyone was asking if the party was over yet?

Everyone getting down at the reception!

As you might have guessed everyone feel asleep on the way home and slept in the next day. A great time was had by all! Thanks to everyone who helped me out with this big day!...and congratulations to Krista and Paul!

It's been awhile...

Warning, long post!

Well, it's been a few weeks since my last post...and a lot has been going on in my home.

Preschool

Preschool is finally back in session for Frank and Claire. Frank is going three days a week and Claire is going two days. It was hard explaining to them why they weren't in school yet since Logan had started almost a month ago (after meeting the teacher and a staggered start their first full week was Sept. 20). They had an easy transition back into the school routine and they are both enjoying their new teachers and meeting new friends.

From the looks of this picture I think Mary Kate was more excited for Frank and Claire to be heading back to school than they were:)

Getting ready for baby #5

Two weeks ago we made the move of making Claire and Mary Kate roommates. (We needed to free up Mary Kate's room and the crib for the new baby.) Jeff assembled the bunk beds and after one week of Claire enjoying the top bunk, and her room all to herself for the last time, we moved Mary Kate into the room as well as into a "Big Girl Bed". And I must say...Mary Kate has done surprisingly well with the transition. Sure she has gotten out of bed a few times...but I still have my sanity and my hair!

Another crafty family member

As some of you may know, my brother Todd dabbles in photography. Just like me...he's looking to branch out with his hobby and maybe one day make some money from it. Here are some of his pieces of work...



This is a new addition to my walls. Can you see how it spells out RIEDER? I thought this was a really cool idea when my brother first showed it to me. I was able to find the frame at Michael's...thank goodness we only have 6 letters in our last name. I've hung this above my front door. A neighbor of mine has a similar picture and that's where she put it...and I thought that was a great place for it because everyone will for sure see it who enters my house.

These pictures of fruit are hanging in my kitchen. Once we remodeled the kitchen (remember the crazy wall paper??) I had a lot of wall space to fill. I called my brother and asked if he could take pictures of fruit to hang in my kitchen. I've gotten many compliments on these photographs.

He also does action photos (ie. your kid playing soccer, swimming, etc.) so if you're shopping around for some wall art let me know...I can put you in contact with him.

Birthday Girl

Last week we celebrated Claire's 4th birthday! Just when I've calmed down and got my emotions in check about my kids growing up way too fast here comes another birthday. Unfortunately though...Claire was sick on her birthday. Although she was running a fever for three days surrounding her birthday it didn't seem to keep her down. On her actual birthday just our family made her day special with a "Tinker Bell" cake and some presents. Then over the weekend we had her grandparents and her Godparents over for dinner, cake, and of course some more presents. She is more than thrilled to tell everyone that she is now 4!

Although I don't have any of my own crafty creations in this post, don't fear...I have things in the works. I am currently working on 200 wedding programs for my brother in law's wedding...they went with the program with the stamped branch and leaves. (I have had a few friends offer their assistance in assembling them...which will be a huge help! Can I pay friends in food and wine?) Also I am working on a few samples of baby announcements. I have this crazy idea that I will make my own announcements with baby #5. We'll see if that's the caffeine from my coffee talking or if I'm legit?

Well, if you've made it all the way to this point...thanks for reading...and that's all for now...