Me and Avery 15 minutes after the traumatic delivery (traumatic for me that is). That smile definitely wasn't there when my epidural decided not to take. 
Figuring out what's going on.
Just hanging out with dad.
Mike and Avery.
So I've been meaning to put Kara's name up on her wall for about...oh...2 years now. I finally did it. After shopping around for a while and not finding anything I liked, or finding ones that I did like that cost $20 a letter, I thought "how hard could it really be?" It was the simplest craft I've ever done. Let's hope it doesn't take me another 2 years to mount them on the wall.
How To: A lot of people have been asking me how to do it. So here is how I did it (but I'm warning you...I am literally one of the uncraftiest people on the planet so I'm sure there's a better way to do it).
The products you will need are : finished or unfinished wooden wall letters of your choice (you can find these at Michael's, Joann's, wal-mart, or any craft store), scrapbook paper, mod podge, sponge brush, and exacto knife (or scissors).
1. If the letters are not finished, paint them a coordinating color with the paper you purchased (you'll just see it from the side). I bought straight edged/white letters which made it easier. Some letters have a little lip on them which makes this project a little more difficult.
2. Now you can do this two ways, you can either trace the letters onto your paper, cut the letter with scissors and then mod podge onto the letter(with a sponge brush) and place your paper onto the letter...or...you can mod podge the whole paper onto your letter and let it dry. You want to make sure to work out any bumps or air bubbles or you'll get big bubbles on your letters.
3. If you cut the letter out with scissors, all you need to do is apply a few coats of mod podge to the finished side of the letter (letting dry between coats), that leaves it with a nice shiny finished seal (it dries completely clear and with no streaks). Let it dry and your finished.
If you glued the whole paper to the letter (which is how I did it), place the paper so it is faced down on a hard surface with the letter glued to the top. Take an exacto knife and trace around the letter. Once the paper has been traced and your letter is how you want it to look, apply a few coats of mod podge to the front of your letter (letting dry between coats) and you then will have a finished product.
I plan on adding some ribbon to them, but who knows, that could take another 2 years.
Have Fun!!!
We decided to give Kate a little birthday party with a few friends this year since her birthday is a day after the baby is due. Much to our surprise the birthday party was a success. It's amazing how much fun these little kids can have doing the simplest things. They got to decorate their own cupcakes which they did by LOADING on the frosting and only eating the "muffin top." As for the presents, a few the kids thought that the presents they brought were for themselves so they proceeded to open them and play with "their" toy for the rest of the time. It was pretty entertaining. Good thing Kate was patient and waited to play with her new toys once everyone left. All and all, I think it was a success (mostly because we avoided any big melt downs).
