Around Here

Around here I'm celebrating that Anna's iron levels are finally in the normal range. She's been taking supplements for quite awhile and was released from them by the doctor on Friday. The best thing about that is that she doesn't need any more blood tests anytime soon. Taking toddler to have their blood taken multiple times is not fun for anyone.

Around here I'm wanting to wear more dresses. And get a pair of white jeans. Must be spring.

Around here I'm adding a few new products to my cart at Two Peas. Especially loving Crate Paper's new Portrait Collection.

Around here I'm wishing I lived closer to an Ikea (it's a 2-hour drive).

Around here I'm so feeling so thankful and humbled for the excitement around my Scrapbook On The Road self-paced class. Thank you.

Around here the piles you saw in my office two weeks ago have multiplied and the space on both my desk and my table seem to be getting smaller by the minute.

Around here I finished reading Mama Zen: Walking The Crooked Path of Motherhood and immediately ordered Karen's other book Hand Wash Cold: Care Instructions For An Ordinary Life. I really liked Mama Zen. It fit me, the place I'm at, and where I want to be. It's actually helped me a couple times this past week when I was close to having not-so-good-mama-moments. There were quite a few places throughout the book that really spoke to me - it's likely that I will read it again.

Around here I walked into the living room on Saturday night to find Simon sitting on the floor snuggling with Lily. It was super precious and special and not something he does often.

Around here I loved listening to Jen Lee's new Story Simple recording over at the Wish Studio. "Rainbow. Rainbow." I love that.

Around here Adele's new album 21 is on repeat.

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91 thoughts

  1. Mrs. b says…
    03/08/2011

    My immediate thought when seeing the picture (and before reading the post) was: Do you wear dresses often? If not, you definitely should! :-)
    Glad to hear about Annas iron levels, I understand that you are all very happy about that!

    Happy Tuesday!

    (Now back to work for myself...)

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. katie says…
    03/08/2011

    Glad to hear no more blood work for Anna. My son has food allergies and has had to get a lot of blood work also. TORTURE. Thanks also for the book recommendation. I'll be reading that soon! Looks great!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Tanya says…
    03/08/2011

    Look at that pretty green grass! I haven't seen that since...Oh...November! Great dress!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Cynthia says…
    03/08/2011

    Love the picture (and the dress looks great)! I am so thankful and humbled by your Scrapbook on the road (I am still totally excited with how mine came out!!!); what a phenomenal class and experience for me! As someone who is consistently anemic I am happy to hear that Anna is at normal levels (and wow I cannot imagine taking her for bloodwork).

    Will have to check out the books for sure, and possibly the portrait collection - thanks for the links!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Sarah M says…
    03/08/2011

    There's an Ikea here in Charlotte -- you're visiting your sister soon, right?

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. jen in pa says…
    03/08/2011

    i LOVE that dress! do you know where it's from??? i too am dreaming of some white jeans and spring. congrats on anna's iron levels, that is wonderful news!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      Hi Jen - it's from Anthropologie. Saw it again on the sale racks about a month ago.

  7. Christina says…
    03/08/2011

    I too, am waiting (not so) patiently for spring. We've had some teaser days here in TN and I can't wait to break out my sandals to slip on with a comfy pair of jeans. Looking forward to checking out the books you mentioned - you always recommend some good ones!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Nicole Jannink says…
    03/08/2011

    around here..... on a two hour drive you have passed at least 5 IKEA's.
    Sometimes i wish i could live in America, but most of the times i love just living in the Netherlands.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. peanut says…
      03/08/2011

      So jealous ... for us it is an 18 hour drive (one way) to the nearest Ikea. And they're shipping is outrageous (but I like their furniture so much).

  9. Susan Anderson says…
    03/08/2011

    Around here I am about to make and paint my scrapbook on the road for an upcoming trip (2 weeks) to Philly. And I need ideas on how to scrapbook a trip to Disney in 2 months...around here its about travel.

    Reply 4 Replies
    1. Michele H. says…
      03/08/2011

      Ali -

      I loved your DisneyWorld Album from the Life Artist book. I'm thinking of using that same format for capturing our summers.

      I'm in the dreaming stage of the design right now:)

    2. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      I've got plans to do another travel class that includes my past Disneyworld album format :). I decided yesterday to do the same format for my Italy trip from last year. The class will be like Scrapbook On The Road and include images from both albums.

    3. Kendra says…
      03/08/2011

      Ditto on the Disney thing. We'rre going in June. Prepping a scrapbook-opn-the-road in my head for that one.

    4. Heather H says…
      03/14/2011

      Oh yay, I can't tell you how excited I am that you're going to do a class with your Disney album! I will be in that one for sure!! I have 2000 photos from our trip in October 2009. I had just about convinced myself that it needs to be my project for this summer, but now I know I will wait for your class. :)

  10. Heather says…
    03/08/2011

    Love the dress!!!! So hapPy for you that Anna is free of pokes.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Michelle C says…
    03/08/2011

    I've been wanting to read Momma Zen but couldn't find it at the bookstore the last time I was there. I don't think it comes as an e-book, so I'm going to definitely order it after this review. Sounds like just what I'm looking for right now.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Cindy says…
    03/08/2011

    I read Mama Zen when our first was born and found it very helpful too. To give you an indication of what our life was like at the time and how much it was needed, it remains the only library book I have every lost and been completely unable to find. =] I'm still pretty sure it's in my house some where. Thanks for the reminder about it. I have those Mommy-moments too, and it would be good to read it again.

    And, nice dress _and_ boots!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Denise says…
    03/08/2011

    I'm happy for Anna! No more pokes is a good thing indeed.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. shelly brewer says…
    03/08/2011

    I can not get enough of Adele's new album. I think my favorite song changes every time I listen to it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Patricia says…
    03/08/2011

    We're 3+ hours from the nearest Ikea, so I hear ya. Glad that Anna is doing well! Wishing spring would come quickly to Indiana so we'd be as green as you are there!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Jewel says…
    03/08/2011

    I love the dress and boots! You make them look so good as my grandma used to say. Seeing a current picture with green grass brought tears to my eyes (seriously). We are still buried under so much snow and it has me so depressed. No spring here for a loooong time.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Jen K. says…
    03/08/2011

    When I saw the picture of you on the blog post today, my eyes immediately went to the grass--it's green and you can see it! Here in MN we still have a couple of FEET of snow and more on the way this week...but IKEA is only 15 minutes down the road next to the Mall of America in Bloomington. Not a bad trade-off, I suppose. I am just thrilled to hear the birds chirpping in the morning.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. madeline St onge says…
    03/08/2011

    Love that picture of you Ali. Gee I haven't worn a dress in years, don't even own one LOL
    So happy for Anna and you, blood work on little ones is a hard thing
    And thanks for making me go to 2peas and shop LOL

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. SHAWNA GREENWAY says…
    03/08/2011

    Love love love Adele!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. kelly barton says…
    03/08/2011

    around here i am wearing my orangyporangy skirts. probably so much that people are sick of seeing them. but i love them so comfy.
    a great list. and i so want adele's new cd. i love her.

    happy tuesday!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Kendra says…
    03/08/2011

    I agree on spring! I was drooling over some skirts in the Lands End catalog that came yesterday. So hard thinking "less" when it's spring.....

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Lindsay says…
    03/08/2011

    I always love the book suggestions you post. I will definitely have to check out Mama Zen.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Andi Sexton says…
    03/08/2011

    Awesome post! My nearest Ikea? 5 hours... Needless to say, I have never been!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Angela Hancock says…
    03/08/2011

    Ali, How is your leg pain? I remember you mentioned you were not able to run. I hope you are feeling better...My IKEA is 4 hours :( They need more of them:)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      Ended up that I have an issue with my psoras muscle - essentially it connects your leg to your spine. Still no running - lots of stretching.

  25. Karla A says…
    03/08/2011

    When my daughter was Anna's age she was diagnosed with a virus in her bone marrow - basically her bone marrow stopped producing red blood cells. For about 3 months we had to go get poked first 2 times a week for 6 weeks then once a week for the last 6 weeks. The Dr. could not determine if it was a type of leukemia until her blood count returned to normal and stayed there for the last month. Scary stuff for kids and parents getting poked all the time and having to take the extra iron on top of there daily vitamin. I am glad Anna's blood levels have returned to normal!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      03/08/2011

      Oh Karla - I can only imagine. This last time we went she totally knew what was going on and what was coming and it was the toughest of the six or so visits. Hoping that all is will with your daughter.

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