Sunday, November 30, 2014

Thankful Heart

What a whirlwind the last few days have been... not a bad whirlwind... but a good one! The day before Thanksgiving, at 10:30 pm, I received the best surprise... my sister-in-love flew into visit, without us knowing. It was such a sweet surprise... and boy did we enjoy every single minute that we had with her. What a blessing she was to come out and celebrate with us, and love on us. It was EXACTLY what we needed... and the extra hands for a few days, sure helped out a lot.

When the girls (and Finn) woke up the next morning, I had them check out the guest room... and there was Aunt Courtney in bed... Charlotte and Marley had the BIGGEST smiles on their faces... It was such a special Thanksgiving... without Daddy, I wasn't sure how it was going to be. But, we were invited over to a sweet friend's home... and had great yummy food with great fellowship. Such a thankful heart I have... totally... completely... thankful.














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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Winged Blog Tour



31 Bloggers... 31 Days... 31 Projects...

I knew this was something that I needed to be a part of. I'm so excited to be today's stop on the Winged Blog Tour. Bonnie Christine, from Going Home To Roost, did it again... she created another beautiful fabric line, Winged... and I had the pleasure of sampling some of them for a fun project. I've been using this fabric since it was released, for my pinwheels in the shop... but wanted to try something different with it. 

When looking at the fabric line... the colors... the patterns... they are so beautiful and rich... whimsical and full of life. They make me want to go outside, and enjoy an adventure... or in this case, soar to new heights. So I decided to create something for the girls... to give them their own... way of flying. A way for them to embrace some adventure... to just, let go, and have fun...

I created some simple capes for them...

I used 2 half yards for each of the capes, and a little turquoise fleece. Each of the capes, had the first letter of their name stitched on, using some wool blend felt. Charlotte, my oldest, insisted that her letter be small, so that you could see all the flowers from her fabric on her cape... so I did just that.






















Loved seeing their reactions to the finished product... and even more so, "flying" away the afternoon... there's nothing better...

So now, go... hop along... and but first, be sure to check out Holly's stunning "Winged Specimen Tapistery" ... then take a break and enjoy Thanksgiving. But be sure to start back up hopping again on the 1st of December, to see what Jo, from myBearpaw, has in store for us!


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Monday, November 24, 2014

3 weeks down.

Since you've been gone...

Charlotte: This last week, felt like it was a rough week for Charlotte... well really, it was a rough week for us all. Charlotte was the clumsiest this week... falling all over the place, and bumping into things. She saw Dr. Scott, for her eyes on Thursday, and he upped her prescription. Especially for her left eye... the one that still goes "in" quite a bit. Everytime we go to these appointments, your daughter shines. Seriously, she brightens everyone's day... doctor included... and often just amazes them with her questions and her excitement over their occupation. The good news, is that we won't have to go for another eye appointment for a year, now that she's 7! She's been doing so great with school work... keeping up every weekday... and doubling up if she misses a day. She's figured out contractions for Phonics... and LOVES them. She spots them everywhere now... especially in books. She's memorizing her addition, which is making adding triple digits a lot easier for her little brain... and quicker. This week we tackled measuring in inches, and drawing specific measurements. She loves it... says that when you get back, she wants you to let her do the measurements for your wood projects!

Marley: Oh sweet Marley... she wasn't so sweet this week. She's been quite the beast. I've had to really put my foot down with her this week. Sticking to the rules, and making sure not to slip up. She cries... screams, whenever I use the "N" word... it is not pretty. She definitely gets so frustrated when we don't understand what she's trying to tell us... but each day, a new word comes out, or she points to what she wants, and it's starting to feel a little easier communicating with her. She's a hoot though... dances all over the house, and sings "Moon Moon Moon" to me, while we get ready for bed... in anticipation of going to bed. Ever since she dropped a nap, her other nap has lengthened some... it went from 2 hours to sometimes 3 hours now. It's definitely a beautiful, well needed break from her... and she always wakes up super refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the day.

Finn: Oh this little man, I feel like he's changed the most since you've been gone. More and more smiles each day... and he has the silliest little laugh, where it sounds like he's choking on his smiles or something. His favorite thing these days, is laying RIGHT beside his sisters, to watch them play, to coo and grab their attention. He LOVES them so much... and I can just see it in his eyes, that he longs to sit up and run around and play with them. So when they pay him attention, he's all heart eyes for those girls. It's the sweetest. It really is. He enjoys standing up so much these days... he's so good at locking his knees. I think it'll be just a few more weeks, and then we'll be able to pull out the jolly jumper. The big thing that happened this week, was that he took the binky, A LOT, and LIKED it. It's been awesome for me, because I'm starting to differentiate between when he's hungry versus soothing, while nursing him. The time in between his feedings, is lengthening, which makes it feel like he's starting to get more on a routine, instead of me just feeding him on demand.

Me: This week was busy... like I already stated, it was a rough week. Seeing you on Facetime, was by far, the highlight of my week... I needed it...it was a recharge, and happened at just the right time in my week... when I was feeling the lowest of lows... Thank you for that. Please... call me more. I love hearing your voice. Just know you are treasured... So much sewing, cleaning, and getting the house in order... all while, schooling, and parenting (for the both of us)... I'm really missing "me" time... which in turns make "me" feel like I'm losing myself. Now that I typed it, it sounds a bit selfish. I guess what I mean, is... that everytime I pee... someone's there... everytime I shower... someone's knocking and asking for a snack... everytime I sit down to breathe and take my first sip of coffee... someone (Finn) needs to nurse... everytime I'm driving in the car, the others are with me... and then, when they're all in bed, I'm EXHAUSTED, and join them... and then I wake up, and feel like I hit repeat. It's exhausting to say the least... I think when you return, I might sleep for a whole week straight.... please, let me sleep for a whole week straight.

Story of the Week: On Friday, the babysitter came over to watch the girls, so that I could go out and get away for a bit (with Finn)... go figure, as soon as she showed up, bells went off to Marley that something wasn't right. She literally screamed and cried and held on to my leg tightly... she didn't want me to go. What was I to do? Well, of course, I shlepped both babies around... this totally felt more like Charlotte had a date night with the sitter... and I picked the short end of the stick. But, whatever... I made the most of it. I made my way at the end of the night, to Kohls... and before heading in, I fed Finn in the car, just to make sure he wouldn't start crying as we were walking around the store. So, I fed him, and then loaded both babies in the stroller, and made my way into Kohls. I walked all over the store, in search of a few items... probably spent about 20 minutes... maybe 30, before checking out. A lot of people were shopping... I think it's because they had a Friends and Family 20% off coupon that was expiring the next day. I get to the register, pull out my wallet, and as I look down at the counter waiting for the lady to ring everything up.... boom, I notice something... My shirt is completely unbuttoned, nearly to my belly button... from feeding Finn. I forgot to button it back up before heading into the store. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE SAW THAT AND DIDN'T SAY A THING... I quickly buttoned up my shirt, tried to blow it off like I was a breastfeeding rookie... and walked out the door, shaking my head in shame.












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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

2 weeks down.

Since you've been gone...

Charlotte: This week was a little tough with that 7 year old daughter of yours. I'm not sure if she's trying to push the boundaries... well, actually, I'm sure of that. She's pushing to test the limits, and is figuring out how much she can get away with (or not get away with). It's draining to say the least. Her glasses are fixed, and she's back to handstands all day, everyday... and she's perfecting her one handed cartwheel. She's keeping up with school... just learned how to add 3 digits, and is beasting contractions. Ordered some books for her... excited to dig into Art History with the little one (since she loves art/craft time so much).

Marley: oh Marley... where do I start with this little cookie? I've had to laugh, A LOT this week, to keep from crying over certain situations. I already shared with you how I unzipped her pajamas one day to find a HUGE surprise smeared allllll over her leg and down to her ankle. Yeah, that was fun... but not just that... she got into the pantry, and dumped the bag of rice everywhere. Of course, she couldn't contain it to one area. She has mastered the art of twisting bottle tops... "kid proof", I don't think so... Marley has figured you out. She also figured out how to climb, really well... I find her on top of the living room table and on the chest in the guest room, all the time. She attempts to dance on these, like it's her stage... I have no idea where she gets the idea from (Thank you Charlotte- when she "performs" on the fireplace...)

Finn: He couldn't be any sweeter than he is. He's the easiest one to handle these days. He eats, sleeps, wakes up and wants to play for about 90 minutes to 2 hours. He really enjoys just laying around and watching the girls... even while doing tummy time. He started sucking his hand this week, a lot. Not sure if it's teething, or if it's just an exploring his body thing. He must find it tasty, because it's always in his mouth. He has been giving me some good sleep this week, and for that I'm thankful. His favorite though, seems to be from 8-10 pm... hanging out with me, after the girls are tucked away and asleep. He talks up a storm. He just wants all my attention, and I give it to him... it's "our" time, and I'm okay with it.

Me: This was the first time, where I actually felt the week fly by. That first week took SO long to get through... but this week, flew. I'm so thankful for that. We actually had a little bit more of a "lax" week... filled it with a lot of sewing time, and playing/cuddling with the babies. It got REALLY cold, and so we stayed in as much as we could. Starting to find a rhythm without you... and it's a love/hate relationship. I LOVE that we're finding a rhythm, for my own sanity... it feels GREAT knowing that there's a normalcy again. However, I HATE that this normalcy doesn't involve you... We miss you, that I am certain... and it's sad having a new bath/bedtime routine without you around or that weekends really aren't exciting, because you're not there to enjoy it with us. But, a routine is vital for our kiddos, and my well being... and it's safe to say, that we are beginning to figure it out.

Story of the Week: I was hanging out with Finn in the living room while he was doing tummy time... encouraging him... clapping him on (He definitely LOVES to be cheered on). The girls were playing in Charlotte's room. I had to use the bathroom... so I flipped Finn over to his back, and put a bunch of toys around him so that he could stretch out and "play". I walked away to the bathroom.  He's definitely figured out when someone has gone away, and he is not a fan of that. He enjoys independent time...but would much rather have the company from either his sisters or me. Anyways, cue the wailing (from me walking away from him)... I'm going potty, and his wailing continues... all of a sudden, it's completely quiet. Hm... I'm a little nervous... and all of a sudden, I hear Marley's giggle... now I'm really nervous. I finish up in the bathroom, come out and see Marley straddled on top of Finn, bent over, and he's sucking on her nose... she's laughing hysterically, pops her nose out of his mouth, points to her nose, and calls it a "ba ba"... Yes, sweet pea, Finn is sucking on your nose like it's his bottle... The worst part, is that she's been fighting a head cold, and I'm fairly certain that her nose wasn't the only thing he was sucking on...

























Out take: Take a look at Finn's frightful face... crack.me.up.


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Sunday, November 16, 2014

Bundle Up

Today we had the first snow of the season... and I fear, it's the first of many... or so that's what the weathermen are predicting. As beautiful as it was falling from the sky ... it totally looked like a snow globe outside... I'm not too big of a fan of snow that falls before Thanksgiving. But, we made the most of it, or at least Charlotte did. Finn was asleep inside, and Marley was too busy complaining about the cold (we share the same sentiments), and doesn't have snow boots... yet. We'll fix that problem tomorrow. In the meantime, we're bundling up and enjoying the snuggles.








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