Nursery Feature Wall Reveal....

So many people have been writing me asking to see Baby Jaxon's Nursery Feature Wall. I finally found some time to work on this intense project with the help of my good friend Nelia! The total project time was about 4 hours (plus a couple cocktails - but not too many - we had to keep the letters straight on the wall - FYI the following photos are taken crooked for effect - the letters aren't crooked!!) Lots of that time was burned up because I was indecisive on the layout!!! That's what happens when I have too many choices! As you will see from the photos, because the alphabet letters came in 3 pages and had to be separately cut - that then gave me creative grace to place them wherever I desired on the wall. This was a very tedious project but with her patience and my determination...we bonded over the alphabet yesterday afternoon....and Jaxon finally got his Alphabet Inspired Feature Wall!!! We used alphabet letters cut from a store I found on Etsy, Janey Mac Vinyl Wall Art. And were even able to incorporate a vinyl owl I had ordered off of Etsy before Jaxon arrived!! The gals at Janey Mac were very accommodating when I shared my vision on a wall covered in 3 tone alphabet letters with Jaxon's name all in one colour so that it would somewhat stand out!!! They were almost as excited as I was about the project so I hope they will be just as pleased as I am with the reveal!!!
So here is how it all went down....
The letters arrived like so....

We very carefully cut each and every letter out...measured out working space and built the layout on the floor....

Then it was time to "GO LIVE" and get them on the wall! Here is a before shot of the wall space we were working on...

And drummmmmrolll please.....here is what the finished wall looked like...

Would love to hear what you think....leave me a comment or two if you wish!
Have a fantastic week and thanks for stopping by!
Tootles,
Bootybella
~MWAH!

Don't Look Now, But It's The Tickle Monster...

I picked this up at Indigo/Chapters months before Jaxon arrived - anticipating that this was going to bring us hours of fun someday!
Well, we are already reading it, and it is an absolute hoot! The kit come in tote with the "Monster Mittens", the book and this wonderful magnetic box to keep it all safe in! Author Josie Bissett (yessssss...Melrose Place Fans - the same Josie Bissett!)created a book of fun and laughter, sure to bring a barrel of giggles to any little face!
Love, love, love it - Mamacita Bootybella gives is 4 big stars!!!

Temperature Check....

I received this awesome little invention as a gift and my hubby & I have come to love, love, love it! With our little one sleeping on a separate floor from us, we are constantly concerned about the "perfect sleeping temperature" to keep him comfortable. And because he can't tell us...the GroEgg can!!! The GroEgg digital room thermometer is the latest innovative product in the grobag safe sleep range. The glowing bro egg changes colour to let you know at a glance whether the temperature of a room is too low, too high, or just right - and it even doubles as a comforting night light! The correct room temperature is vital for creating a safe sleeping environment for a baby. Health professionals recommend that the room your baby sleeps in should be maintained at 16–20°C to help reduce the risk of crib death. The gro egg™, the only colour changing digital room thermometer, is another clever innovation to help promote safer sleep for babies. The patented gro egg™ glows yellow if the room temperature is within recommended guidelines |16–20°C|. If the room temperature is outside this range, take action to cool or heat the room or to adjust the baby’s bedding or clothing. Key features: Simple to use room thermometer that changes colour. Digital room thermometer with permanent ‘back-light’. LCD readout: Provides a soft ‘nightlight’ glow. Instructions and safe sleep guide enclosed. Please note that gro egg™ is designed to glow in darker conditions. In light rooms, please use the digital display. “Babies who get too hot are at an increased risk of crib death… getting a room thermometer will help you create a safer sleeping environment for your baby.” - Joyce Epstein, (Director of FSID) To order yours today - head over to their website! Mamacita Bootybella gives this product FIVE STARS!!!

So What's In Your Playmat....

So I have spent the last few weeks researching these lovely interlocking foam mats on the market...looking for the safest one at my disposal for my little man. The problem being that many play mats are made of EVA - which has been the go to safer substitute for PVC. However, in order to make these soft foam puzzle mats for children to play on, test results have been showing that FORMAMIDE (a reproductive & developmental toxicant)is a byproduct in producing these mats. I don't know about you but I don't really want my child coming in contact with high levels of this stuff, after being made aware. But I still long for the safety in my child being able to topple over and not being hurt. So what's a mama to do???? There is ONE company only that seems to stand behind their products, publicly stating the following: "All Skip Hop products, including the Playspot, meet or exceed regulatory safety standards in the USA and Europe, without exception. We do not add Formamide to Playspot, although it can be a byproduct of the EVA foam manufacturing process (which includes such items as flip flops and many bath toys). That said, due to these concerns, we have tested Playspot using ISO 16000 methods. We are pleased that our Playspots received the lowest possible score, <2ug/m3 (less than 2 millionths of a gram per cubic meter) for Formamide emissions, the lowest measurable result with this testing method. These tests show that – within the limits of the test – its presence is essentially not detectable. Therefore, the Playspot is a safe EVA floor mat option for children and you should feel confident that we have specifically tested for this issue." So here is what I purchased.... Now, we did splurge a little, but in the end it was completely worth it for the following reasons: This mat does not seem to attract hair & dust like other mats do - ugh!!! Nasty!! We got the green/brown theme with cream coloured interlocking connectors. Now isn't this much easier on the eyes that those nasty bright coloured ones, or overly branded Disney mats??? We think so! The Oversized 14x14 inch tiles create an extra large play space, however it also allows you to customize the size - use 4 tiles or all 20! On their website there is a pdf to download to help you create many different designs, as well you can also switch the inner circles. The finished size is 70x56 inches and is a fantastic addition to any playroom in MY opinion!!!

Owl Garden Party

This past Sunday was Jaxon's baby shower that my dear friend Monica hosted in her back yard!!! It was amazing! Planned to perfection with an Owl Garden Tea Party theme to it - it was more than I could have ever imagined!!! When I walked in and saw it all, I was overcome with tears! After I dried my eyes, Jaxon was spoiled rotten and everyone had a delightful time. I am so lucky to have such a great friend like her! I managed to snap some photos before people arrived and wanted to share them... These are the sugar cookies I gave away to all our guests as "thank you's"...

And what is a party without CUPCAKES???? These were de-lish! Chocolate with yummy blue icing and fondant owls & flowers...

Plates & Napkins running with the owl theme she got these cuties online...

These were the "Wishes For Baby" cards that I asked each guest to fill out. It is a journaling prompted card that everyone filled out - we had such a great response - some made me cry and others made me laugh so hard I cried...

This was a gift from the hostess - it is a beautiful frame with the most breathtaking verbiage...(more crying!)

Mmmmmm Sangria!!! Jurgen, Monica's hubby, made the signature cocktail for the afternoon...

Beautiful hanging paper lanterns in the umbrella & gazebos....

Apple blossom centrepieces adorned each table...

She had gazebos set up in her massive yard...

Tables under the gazebos....

Sitting area on the upper deck...

More seating....

What a day that I will never forget! We noshed on tea sandwiches and all kinds of yummy desserts! It meant so much to me that all the people that took the time out of their day to come and meet our "little man"! Now what do you think the chance of the hubby helping me write all these thank you cards for the piles of gifts Jaxon received are???? Yah, I already got the "but you do SUCH a great job at it honey" speech! Off to start on those! ~Mamacita Bootybella

Without Further Adieu....

Intoducing.......Mr. Jaxon Briant!!!! My wonderful bundle of joy arrived at 3:12pm on Wednesday, April 11th...weighing in at at a mere 9lbs, 8oz and 19" in length, Jaxon was welcomed by a world of bright lights, busy people and a tearful mom and dad - elated by his safe appearance!
He was riding breech and coupled with his size, my OBGYN and I decided that it was in everyone's best interest to opt for an elective C-Section. And I couldn't have been happier with that decision. My recovery has been remarkable and aside from a ring of "flab" that seems to now "hang" around my mid-section - I wouldn't even think I just had a baby!!!! We are safely home and settling into a "routine". This regimen consists of: ~Eat~Sleep~Poop/Pee~Eat~Sleep~Poop/Pee~Eat~Sleep~Poop/Pee....ok, you get the picture!!! I have, overnight, learnt that dirty dishes will still be on the counter or in the sink two hours later, morning showers are not a necessity, but rather a luxury, and nothing is more important and rewarding than holding this little miracle in my arms every chance I get!!! And with that said, "the boss is calling" from his swing where he was sleeping a minute ago, but now appears to be ravaged with hunger..."Hold tight Jaxon...Mommy and her boobies are coming!!!" ~Mamacita Bootybella

I'mmmmmm Back!!!!!! Double Take...

I know I have been M.I.A. for several months now, purely because I became self absorbed in what I have waited my whole being for!!! As you can tell by the photo below, we are expecting our little bundle of joy within the week! I have been busy shopping, decorating, reading, and educating myself over the past 9 months on how to be the most amazing parent! Now, I don't know that I will slam dunk that job, but I do have two parents that I think did a pretty good job when all was said and done, so following in their footsteps for the most part, should take me down a road of success?!

I really wanted to do a fun maternity photo shoot before the bambino arrived so a few weeks back we headed out to a local park to snap some photos. This is by far one of my ultimate favourites! What do you think? I love the way the photo turned out, however the anticipation of waiting for that melon to chill down, cut into it and devour it's flavours was getting the best of me. After all - it cost a whole $9.50 at this time of year....so imagine my utter disappointment when my hubby chopped it open to find out it had ZERO flavour and was white as a bunnies touché!!! What a freakin' let down!!! Oh well, teach me!

So I know some of you have faithfully followed my other blogs that I started, not for lack or organization! Clearly, 5 blogs are a tad too much to keep up with so moving forward, you will be pleased to know that EVERYTHING will be posted within "Bootybella Designs" Blog - this means you will find the following on this blog:
~ My witty thoughts on EVERYTHING (Careful what you wished for?!)...
~ My latest crafts & creations (Stamping, scraping and soon to be scribbles!)...
~ My favourite inspirations (And others that inspire)...
~ My most cherished and sharable recipes (Fun with food!)...
~ My suggestions on libations (AKA "What's in Mommy's Sippy Cup?")...
~ My Two Pennies on Products (A Bootybella Rating System)...
~ And anything else that "floats my boat"....
Are you ready to join this journey of "Mamahood" with me? I hope so because I would hate to think that no one is actually reading all this!!!! Bwahahahahahaha!!!!!

MWAH~
Soon to be "Mamacita Bootybella"

Speaking of Veggies...

It has been such a long time since I updated this blog....but for good reasoning....

Any thoughts?