A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

Many of you know that despite my lack of skill or fancy equipment, I love to take pictures. They may not be gallery quality, but the 16 months of Henry's life has been well documented and our life before that, with the dogs and the pig, can be easily recounted through photography.

I love sending holiday cards and challenge myself each year to create something better. We always get rave reviews on the cards that are created by me and produced by Shutterfly. Our first year in Las Vegas, we did a "Welcome to Las Vegas" theme with our cards, wish friends and family luck in the year to come.



My favorite card of all time was our "Full House" card that we sent out in 2008. The poker theme and faces of 2 humans, 6 dogs and a pig was hit with family and friends. We're known for our crazy house full of four legged creatures and this one really allowed that to show.




This year, our cards are more simple with a sweet photo of our son and his bright, uplifting smile. Less creative, but still something I know will bring joy to all who receive it.

If you haven't ordered your holiday cards yet hop on over and see what you can create on Shutterfly.

But it doesn't stop there ... You can do ANYTHING with your photos at Shutterfly.

I ordered my dad a mug for his stocking, using a great picture of him with his grandson.

My mom's stocking will include a 2011 calendar, each month adorned with a picture of Henry. Who wouldn't want that in her stocking on Christmas morning?

We used my favorite first birthday picture to make these birthday cards for Henry to give to his friends when they turn the big ONE! Are they not the cutest thing you've ever seen?



Don't let those memories sit on a shelf. Put them to exciting use ... a picture's worth 1,000 words, but can create 1,000,000 smiles.

Happy Thanksgiving

I know I need to post more and I promise I will ...

But for now

August 2009 (36 photos), by Nannette Ferrell

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

Henry's Birthday (100 photos), by Nannette Ferrell

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.

The nursery is ready

Although we haven't made a decision on paint, found a throw rug that we like, a lamp that shines or done a lot of accessorizing ... the nursery is done! At least enough that I could take pictures to share ....

Henry's sweet blankie, sent by his Goddess (Debbie) ... and made with lots of love!


And because they are just so darn cute, I thought I'd include my nursery decorating support staff ... Pictured are Rebel and Fern, with the eyeballs of Snickers and Rascal in the back.

Are they ready for what's about to hit them? I hope so!!!! I loaded up on toys and treats so they aren't jealous of the new "human puppy" ....

RIP Etta Mae Jones

The Big Decision Has Been Made - I think ....

The biggest decision to be made on behalf of baby Henry is, without a doubt, the choice of bedding! I know, I know, you're thinking other things, like breast vs. bottle, might take precedence ... but you are wrong.

The bedding decision has been agonizing really ... picking out a college for him (if there's money after we purchase the begging) will not be near as tough or stressful.

So, drumroll please ... I think we have a winner

However, picture light blue walls ... full length window treatment panels (in black toile) and no mobile ... mobiles annoy me and I'm pretty sure they will annoy Henry too. I'm also not sure about the logistics of cloth diapers and the diaper stacker ... but we'll figure it out!

There's still the task at hand of a rug and a rocker ... and what to do about the dresser ...

Comments? Suggestions?

Off to iron and hang baby clothes! Why, because Debbie said I have to, that's why!

Henry gets a crib

You may think this is a big development, and truly it is, because for a while most people were thinking he'd sleep on a dog bed or in a dog kennel, but we showed them and splurged - on wood even! However, we may still get him a collar and tag versus one of those standard hospital bracelets ... how cute would he look with a gold bone around his neck? Engraved with his name and address and the phrase "Reward For Return!" Tres Chic!

Trying to make our move from crates to cribs ... quite an adventure!

The changing table - matching cherry wood, but lighting in the nursery is still a work in progress, so it appears darker!

Even better, Steven and I are still married after crib assembly - now that's huge! We may not remain married through nursery decor decision making though, as he feels $1,000 (OR MORE) for baby linens is excessive ... cheapskate! Less than 800 thread count could be detrimental to that delicate baby skin ... why would we take such a risk? Clearly a parenting class is in order for Steve ...

A look from the door way ... clearly the dogs have no clue what is about to them, except for Fern, who seems concerned. Disclaimer: the curtains are "leftovers" from the former guest room decor and will be replaced with baby appropriate ones once a decision is made on decor. Disclaimer 2: A fabulous rug will be placed in this open area once a decision is made on decor.

I'm off to wash baby clothes in liquid gold ... the cost of Dreft is ridiculous and it better be made of gold! I've also been informed by an anonymous source (i.e. Henry's Goddess-Mama, aka Debbie) that each tiny piece of clothing must be ironed and that surely, for the sake of my child, I can find the time to do this. I scoffed at ironed onesies and she threatened DEFACS ... so clearly I have no option but to spend the next few days of my life neatly pressing the outfits this child will surely puke and poop on ... joy, joy, joy! Anyone care to come over and take pictures so Debbie has proof. I also apparently need to line his little baby chest of drawers in delicately scented papers ... yet another thing that isn't in "What to Expect When Your Expecting" - who knew? I'm sure before long, I'll be required to iron the pre-folds that the diaper service will be delivering, because silly me, using cloth diapers isn't enough, they must be pressed and nothing wrinkled will ever touch his little body ... note Debbie isn't here ironing, she's 2,000 miles away reminding me of these necessary and clearly often overlooked details. Bless her heart!

This is cuter than words ... the tiniest sailor suit EVER! I will iron this without complaint or reminding, as no one likes a wrinkled sailor!

This is an item Goddess-Mama Debbie would, without a doubt, iron and probably lightly starch. However, this is an item that will have puke on it within moments of it touching the baby's body ... can someone explain the purpose of ironing a cotton knit bib with a pig on it?

Sorry for the bad formatting of this picture, but I am honestly too lazy to do anything about it!

Stay tuned ... Baby Henry may be getting a bejeweled onesie ... as strange as it sounds, we want this to happen ... keep your fingers crossed that baby gets his bling, and mama too!!!

Nesting is hard work

There's a large pile of blue, yellow and white baby clothes to be washed and a large pile of grown up clothes to be stored. Thankfully the baby clothes have been detagged, but after they are washed I am apparently supposed to sort by size and type then determine what else I need! What else ... that pile barely has anything over 3 months in it ... where exactly is he going to need so many outfits??? Sadly, he'll be nekkid by 6 months though, because we've done nothing about that!

The former guest room is now empty(sorry Erin & Zack, Stephanie & Jim) minus the teeny weeny bassinett that sits up against a wall. The crib and changing table arrive Tuesday. However, I can't decide on bedding to save my life ... who needs sheets when you have 5,000 sleepers to choose from right? The fromer TV room is now a temporary guest room, until we can make a decision on what to do for guests (suggestion: The Wynn).

Despite how he looks, I think Simon is starting to get concerned about the noted changes in this house ... he barks when you say "baby" and I'm willing to start taking wager on how long it'll take him to lift his leg on the bassinett ... anyone gonna start the bidding?


My back hurts and I'm exhausted. But nesting was productive. The house is still dirty though, because apparently there is not a fairy to swoop in and vacuum and mop, but at least the big job is done since Steven is leaving me tomorrow to go back to a "real" job! Hopefully my freelancing is picking up with a new assignment that is heading my way ... details to come!!! And trust me, the details are going to be good ... you'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll make way too much fun of me and my new PR adventure!!!

And then there's the decision of what to do about Etta Mae Jones ... it's been a tearful weekend around here. Bless her heart ... she's so old and tries so hard to be happy. She content and does her best to stay out of our way, but her little heart just isn't as big as it appears to be and apparently is working anywhere near as good as it should be. Combined with the Cushings that is causing severe kidney damage, unknown growths all over her body and increasing incontinence, things just don't look good for the little girl who came to live here almost a year ago.

So, thankfully due to summer TV schedules, I don't have to tape my eyelids open to watch Desperate Housewives and Jimmy Kimmel (on oddly early tonight) is lulling me to sleep. A good wife would have her husband's work clothes ironed and ready to go for him, but no one every said Steven married well. I'm going to drink my Sprite (thanks dinner for not staying down, baby bulimia rocks) and go to bed with a safely empty stomach yet again! Bring it on Monday!

And to think ... Stephanie thought a damn triathalon was impressive ... I think not. Try nesting lil' sister and then get back to me!!!

It's Real Now ...

As if the maternity clothes, Guiness World Record setting morning sickness, massive weight gain, swollen feet and constant need for frozen confections wasn't making it real enough, we now know we are having a baby. We also know he is Southern!

How do we know?

His Goddess Mama (Debbie's name in lieu of some of the other not so pleasing names given to baby elders) sent the "official" silver spoon ... as in he'll be born with it in his mouth! (Can you see the look on Dr. Herpolsheimer's face when that happens?)

Ain't it purdy! And oh so sweet!

It'll be engraved after he's born, for fear we'll change his name from Henry David to something like Ricky Bobby or Steve's worse nightmare something that sounds like a soap opera (which seem to be waning in viewership these days, but I digress)!

So, now it's official ... We're having a baby, a southern baby! Just not soon enough!