umm okay

I was visiting ohdeedoh today and saw this... it's beyond words... check it out.
Hello Kitty Maternity Hospital

New Year!

So it's 2009, our little family has grown and changed, and I think we're finally getting into the swing of things. Beginning Monday we'll be back to regular(ish) blogging of the coolest kid stuff around and many DIY projects for home and the kiddos... and coming Friday: the official launch of the Tandu website - finally! We'll be taking commercial orders again beginning February 1st, so if you're in the San Diego area, look closely and you might just see us ;)

New Year's Resolutions:
1. Keep in touch with friends and family - I am terrible at checking voicemail, getting back to people, etc. Every time I dial the number to check my messages, anxiety creeps in and I don't do it... I literally had over 70 messages the last time I cleared my box... well, no more! If you are someone dear to me who has been offended by my lack of communication I apologize, and will call you back in a timely manner!

2. Be a more creative mommy - Em's been getting the short end of the stick the last month or so. I'm going to make sure to do something with her each day that lets her know how important and loved she is (and some of those things will be featured here!).

3. Downsize: We are so blessed to live where we do, and be well provided for... but sometimes that means accumulating far too many things we think we need... and it turns out we can live without! This year we're saving our pennies (and dollars!) for a little home of our own, so we'll be making due with less... and I'm sure that will be plenty!

4. Be Healthier: With two little girls, building a business, working part time, and being a full time mom, I plan to be more intentional about what everyone eats and what products we use around the house... I'm also planning on running the half marathon in the Rock & Roll Marathon in June.

Happy New Year to you all, and happy reading!

Introducing the newest addition to the Romeka family... Ashlyn Marie Romeka! She was born November 28th, at 10:22pm... 6lb 11 oz... Thanks to all our family and friends who have helped out, visited, and for all the prayers! (a special thanks to our dear friend ashlyn for sharing her beautiful name with our daughter.) everyone is doing well (including big sister!) and we'll see you back in blogland soon!

break time

with only a few days left in the baby countdown, i'm going to take an official blog break until she's here. i promise to come back with lots of pictures and new ideas, and hopefully the baby will have a name by then! have a wonderful thanksgiving!
10 Things I am thankful for (in no particular order):

1. My dear husband who tells me I'm beautiful each day... even though I am 9 months pregnant and hardly get around to doing my hair, let alone putting on make up.
2. My mom, who came all the way down from LA to cook up a storm and supply our freezer with meals for after the baby comes.
3. Naptime
4. Girlfriend time - going for walks, phone calls (which i am so bad at returning), coffee time, playdates, pedicures... you all know who you are & you keep me sane (relatively).
5. My sewing machine which was miraculously healed
6. blogs which inspire my creative efforts - i rarely have my own ideas, but it's easy to be creative when you see everything everyone else is doing
7. My little Emma. Her sweet yet bold, easygoing personality makes it so much fun to stay home with her.
8. Babysitters
9. online shopping (especially at Christmas time)
10. Tiny little baby girl clothes

fuzzy

with less than 2 weeks until we finally meet our beloved 2nd daughter, i am finding it hard to have an intelligent conversation with a friend, let alone put together a coherent sentence. this is not the kind of person who should be trying to finish up the redecorating the living room, bedroom and nursery... luckily i stumbled upon this amazing site for kids rooms... ohdeedoh.com love it... check out the pics!

liz romeka, master of the clutter!

Our home has been taken over by toys... and books, and clothes, and all sorts of clutter! It's amazing how, in two short years Em has gone from having practically no possessions, to having more than Dave and myself - combined! Needless to say, I've been searching for storage soloutions that aren't... well... ugly... and primary colors make me cringe. Martha to the rescue again... and of course a little elbow grease from my dear husband!

For all those books & toys:

So the new baby has room for her clothes:
and for all the clothes on the floor (although maybe I won't want to cover it up):

I promise to post some actual pictures once the room is complete!

Happy Monday

Happy Monday! D.I.Y. Holiday project later tonight if all goes well. and no, this picture is not from halloween. just a regular monday morning at our house!