Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Can you guess what my new project is?

You get one hint . . . (Jenn you don't get to comment)


Valentines Day Project

I have decided that now that I have the benefit of being a SAHM that I would start doing a lot of the things that I always wanted to do when I was working, but never had the time.  Which really translates into finding my inner crafty self that has been suppressed for the last ten years or so.

In my crafting efforts I have been making more decorations for holidays.  With Valentines Day coming up I decided I needed a few decorations for it in my house.  (It is a special day for us since it is the day that we met, gag a little I know, but still).  So, I went where it only made sense to go ... Pinterest.  There I found this wreath idea and decided I needed one.  Warning, it took me about six hours, but I did get it done in one day.

So I bought my felt (1yd), wreath form, and straight pins and set to work.  For starters I cut a whole bunch of 3" circles.  I used a cup to mark the first one and the used that one for the rest.  I cut these two big stacks and decided to see how far they would get me.


Then to get started, I had my cheerleader, supplies, and a snack.


Super easy!  Just fold the circles into quarters, stick a pin in the base, and stick it into the wreath form.


This is how far those two stacks got me.  I ended up cutting us almost all of the rest of the felt.


A piece of ribbon looped and pinned to the back (I used lots of pins) and done!!


I like it, then again I like most fun fluffy things that are bright pink!

Six Months

I can't hardly believe that it has been six months, but I guess it has.  Our little Gracie is six months old today.  She continues to be the sweetest baby and is growing like a little weed.  She has her doctors appointment next week and then I will know officially how much she has grown.

This past month she has mastered the art of sitting up on her own for short periods of time, she can scoot herself around really well and is still trying to decide on whether she wants to roll over or not.  She is always trying to sit up, this girl has abs of steel!!  Grace has also mastered the art of holding her own bottle to eat (only when laying down or reclined, but still a nice accomplishment for mommy).  Her hair continues to grow and fill in, not that you can see it well since it has turned pretty blonde, but Eric and I are amazed at how much more she has.  She is a real talker and loves to sing.  I love when she wakes up in the morning or from a nap because she will lay in her crib and sing to herself.  It is so cute.  She has become very interested in the world around her and is very distracted.  Grace has also decided that she does not need to be held for long periods of time either, she has become a first class wiggler!  She has also discovered the bouncing feature of her bouncer.  She loves to jump around.  I think it looks like she is trying to dance ... super cute!!  I will have to post a video sometime.  Anyway, she sure is growing up and we are loving every minute of it!


I love this baby.  She has made the last six months of our lives so sweet!



Friday, January 6, 2012

Legwarmers

I am only slightly obsessed with baby/toddler legwarmers.  After buying a few pairs for infants locally and being disappointed by the selection I looked online.  Tons available but I am cheap and unwilling to spend $12 a pair.           I looked into how to make some and found some knit and crochet patterns.  I crocheted a few pair but I don't like them as much.  Then a month or so ago I found this tutorial on Pinterest.  I tried it yesterday and I have to say I am very pleased with the result.  


I made five pairs in less than an hour for about $12.00.  Not bad :)  I may just have to make some more.



Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Christmas - Finally!

Sorry, I meant to post this earlier, but didn't since I have some videos that I wanted to post.  But, I still can't seem to make my computer like our  new camcorder so alas, you just get some pictures off our regular camera.  

As usual we had two Christmases.  We had our family Christmas on Wednesday night at home since we were leaving to Nebraska on Thursday morning.  Santa was helpful and came early.  

Here is Gracie inspecting her stocking and the presents brought by Santa.


Grace really enjoyed opening presents.  We were amazed how quickly she figured out the wrapping paper.  She opened all of her presents with only a little bit of help.


Grace modeling the hat mom made for her.  (It was my first attempt at a brimmed hat)


She helped daddy open the picture that she got him.


The ribbon was yummy.


Grace was wiped out after opening presents.


On Christmas Eve we decided to go to the Strategic Air and Space Museum outside Omaha.  Little did I know that Strategic Air Command during the cold war was based in Omaha.  Anyway, after a couple hours of going through hangers looking at planes and shuttles, Grace was pretty wiped out.


Of course Christmas Eve means Christmas pajamas, so ...

Here is Grace modeling her Christmas pajamas from Grandma Roundy.  She has reindeer feet :)


Here is Grace playing with her aunts before bed on Christmas Eve.


Grace in her Christmas dress.  (she has started smiling for the camera :))


After church it was time to open more presents.  So we had to get changed.

Grace in her Christmas outfit :)


Sorry, all of these photos and videos are on the camcorder.  Maybe someday I will get it to work for me and I can post some videos.  We had some really great ones.

Grace was pretty spoiled.  She got lots of fun new toys and her aunts got her a baby bullet which mom is really enjoying.

Gracie is playing with all of the toys that Grandma Roundy gave her.


And to show off her reindeer bum :)


Christmas was wonderful!  It was a whole new experience with a child, it was even more special.  I am grateful for the time that we were able to spend with Eric's family and for all of their help with Gracie.  Eric and I got a nice long date.  Can't tell you the last time that happened.  We wish we could have seen my family too.  We missed them a lot.  Overall, it was a great Christmas!



An Accomplishment

I have always wanted to learn to knit, but my attention span has never allowed me to get very far.  I prefer to crochet or sew, projects just go a lot faster.  About six months ago I decided to try again.  After starting a few projects that I still haven't finished I decided to try a little jumper.  I was almost done with it a couple months ago, just had one side seam left to do (which is so me, get so close and then just stop).  But, today I picked it up and finished it.

Here it is!


I know it isn't anything fancy or great for that matter, but to me, it means I am actually learning how to knit after all these years of trying.  

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Five Months

Merry Christmas and happy five month birthday to Grace!


We took her picture a few days early this month since we are in Nebraska for Christmas.  This baby is getting HUGE!  She is really growing up.  She can now sit up on her own for very short periods of time, she loves her bouncer and can move herself around in it, her hair is really starting to fill in and she is turning ibnto a true blonde, she has discovered the joy of toys (she played with them a little before but now she stays very entertained), she has learned how to ride Cletus, and the big one this month is that she has started to eat solid food!


She really wasn't so sure about it at first, but now she is a super eater!  She can down a bowl of cereal in just a couple minutes if she wants to.  Other times she is distracted and it can try mom's patience.


She seems to grow up a little bit more everyday.  It is crazy how fast she changes but we are having fun watching her learn and experience new things.