Sew it up

So going back and looking at all of those baby baby pictures of Evan has made me super excited for Elyse to get here. Not that I wasn't before, of course, but seeing the leeeeetle baby Evan made me remember how sweet and snuggly newborns are and yay for getting that again soon!

 

Another thing I was busy with this past weekend was sewing. I made Elyse a couple of gowns for the hospital and obviously I couldn't help matching something for Evan. Believe me, I thought about making Luke one too, but I thought the purple floral might make it a giant mistake. (see, I really do love you Son!)

 

 

The first gown I made a few weeks ago. It took forever to try and find a plain white gown, I finally had to order one off Amazon. Which was frustrating because I literally spent as much in shipping as I did the gown its self. I LOVE how they turned out though! The flowers on the beanie are actually detachable, when I made it I put an alligator clip on the back so it can later be put on a headband or clipped straight into their hair. I'm hoping that the beanie fits Elyse better than the beanie I'd gotten Evan for when she was in the hospital. Girlfriend was a huge baby and the hat was still 2 sizes too big.

 

Because it's me, I couldn't help but put a little sumpin sumpin on the back for my girls.

 

Another thing I made was a diaper clutch for my purse. I know I'll only use this for a few months until I switch back to the diaper bag, but it's handy now, and I can use it in a year or so after I'm done with the diaper bag. I didn't use a pattern or measurements or anything, and apparently I'll never learn.

 

 

 

Trying to get the wipes case to fit properly was a GIANT pain, and consequently will probably shorten the lifespan of the product, but it's done for now. If I make another one it could be a little shorter and a bit more wide, but I'm rolling with it. Plus it looks pretty in my purse amidst all the Vera Bradley.

 

If you look carefully there is a VB wristlet, iPad cover, and checkbook cover in there. Normally I've got a little VB cosmetic bag too, but it somehow got taken out and replaced by a little plastic cup?

 

 

I don't know. Life with kids I guess. But on the plus side, I drop my keys down into the cup and they don't get lost, so....I'd say that's winning.



Photo dump

So, I'll get my 16 week baby update posted soonish. Probably tomorrow. First I have to take the picture. Then I have to, you know, write it. In the meantime, enjoy a billion (okay, 9) phone pictures from over the last couple of weeks. (and that video I posted on facebook of Evan "singing" her ABC's? I can't stop watching it, and EVERY. TIME. she gets to the "lmnop" jumble I giggle. Every. Time.)

Two Friday's ago, on our way to small group, I noticed in the review mirror both children were miraculously wearing their sunglasses. Hey. She did it herself.

Look! Proof he has other things besides oxfords and polos! It's the hockey jersey Jacob gave to him, and he chose to wear it all by himself.

Saturday morning: Luke "playing" the guitar.

Okay, so I may have staged it a little. He was "playing" it, but more piano-style kneeling beside the couch.

 Papa spent a couple of days working with Luke on how to peddle his bicycle, and he's FINALLY got it! This is the bike he got last year for his birthday, and he may have already out grown it, but he was so. very. proud. of himself that he insisted on showing me how fast he could go. We walked around the block after dinner, and he did so good I nearly cried from the pride. For reals. Love him!

 This no dairy thing has been sad on some occasions  it's meant no cheese and no ice cream. (Luke has told me many times that when he grows up he's going to eat cheese on his pizza. I tell him every time that when he grows up, it will be his job to make his choices and that can be one of them.) I found some dairy free ice cream made with almond milk, and the kids were THRILLED. I wish I was kidding when I said by the end of her bowl, Evan was literally covered in chocolate. Face. Torso. Arms. Furniture. But she loved it.

Um, probably my new favorite picture. As if I couldn't love her more, I look at this and my heart just dies. 

 Made a little something for my girl. I thought I'd better get a picture like this since it's more than likely she won't be still enough for a picture of her actually WEARING it.

This past Saturday Evan came into my bedroom at the lovely hour of 6:15. Not cool. And she was grumpy. Totally not cool. Amazingly, she crawled up in bed with me, worked herself under the covers, snuggled up behind me, and fell back asleep. Look! She's asleep! And touching me! For an extra hour! This is literally a first.

Crafts and boots

This past weekend I got BUSY with the crafts.  A few days ago I was rocking Evan before bed, and Luke hadn't gotten in the bath yet (can I tell you how fabulous 4 is? I can tell him to go get in the bath, AND HE DOES.  Undresses, goes potty, turns on the water, turns it off when he feels like it's enough.  It's a lifesaver.)  He knows that he isn't really supposed to come in there when I'm rocking her, since I have a hard enough time keeping her contained as it is.  She doesn't really like to rock but I make her do it anyway, because I wanna, and he is such a distraction.

ANYWAY. He came in while I was rocking her in the dark, kissed her on the forehead, and said "Now don't be scared of the dark. God will take care of you."  I died.  Just died.  Later that night I put it on facebook, and a couple of people said I should make a picture with that on it.  So I did.

Eh?  I've never tried actual painting before, nor have I ever tried stamping.  I thought about doing a painting like the ones I made for the kitchen but I thought the background would get too busy and the words would be lost.  I also thought about making one of these, but I didn't want to take that kind of time.  Plus I like the idea of the darkness fading into light, given what the quote was. 

I then went on to make a $5 Target shirt just a little bit cuter for my girl....

And finally made a tie to match the dress I made Evan a couple of weeks ago.

I actually just washed that dress, so fingers crossed that it still fits and didn't shrink too much!

As if all those projects weren't enough, I even cleaned my laundry room.

Manfriend was thrilled when I told him.  Apparently it was worse than I thought.  All I know is now I can open the dryer all the way without having to move the vacuum cleaner.  Also, I know in the next house I live in, there will be at least one closet in it that is not located in a bedroom.  This house had NO spare closets.

So that was Saturday.  Sunday was church and small group, with a 2 hour nap in between.  Don't be jealous.  Luke's black truck stays in the garage most of the time, and Evan always makes a bee line for it when I'm trying to load up the car.  Sunday evening was no exception.

My kinda girl.  She she needs is her truck and her baby and she's ready to go. Speaking of that baby girl, I took a really cute picture with her the other morning, but I don't have any make up on in it and I'm not brave enough to post something like that.  Boo me.

Yesterday was supposed to be the Star's opening home game of the season, but since the lockout is still on, my face looked like this.

So sad.  No game.  But my new boots in from Zullily came in, so yay! I finally have some brown boots!

 

And when I was going through old posts to find a link for some of my hoop art, I realized I never posted the last one I made.  This was the favorite quote of a friend who's reception we went to a couple of months ago.  It was my wedding present for them. 

 

 

Weekend wedding

Saturday was another cloudy, rainy day.  My friend had planned on taking Luke on a canoe fishing trip, but due to the drizzle he couldn't.  Then Cody called and asked if he could have Luke for the day, so away they went.  Having all that time with a little girl who still takes good naps was unheard of! I used my nap time wisely.....

sorry for the phone picture.  not sure why I didn't pull out the real camera

and made my girl a new dress.  I let her wear it to church on Sunday with cream tights and brown boots. 

The cute.  It killed me.

My plan is to make Luke a tie out of the leftover material from the sleeves fabric, and then I'll get a picture of the two of them in coordinating outfits.  Which will kill me again.

Sunday afternoon my cousin John got married.  The wedding was at 5:30.  I put the kids down to nap at 1:30ish, and at 4 I had to wake them both up to toss their clothes on them and put them in the car.  Mom, Dad, Ashley, Patrick, and Grandmother all came for us right at about that time.

You can tell it took Evan awhile to wake up.  And do you know how she got in that chair?  I was sitting there, letting her run around the foyer before the ceremony started, when she comes up to me and wraps her arms around my knees, tugging.  So I stood up.  She gently pushed me out of the way, then climbed up in MY chair.  Well then.  I told you girlfriend had some jazz to her.

We took some family pictures outside after the ceremony, waiting for the reception. The location was the cutest place, with the chapel and reception hall together- just a little courtyard separating the two.  Loved it. 

ashley, grandmother, and i

And then the best thing ever happened.  You know those pictures that are so perfect, unplanned, and just the right amount of cute that makes your heart explode?  Well get ready......

I die.  Just die.  For highly obvious reasons, I think these will go down as my favorite photos of all time.  EVER.

The ceremony was beautiful.  Small and perfect.  I've been dating a boy for awhile and I hated that he couldn't be there.  The reception was so fun. 

The food was actually amazing and they even had separate kids plates for the littles.  Wanna know the difference between my two children?

Yeah.  Girlfriend loved it.  Luke?  I guess he's just being 4? He ate 3 bites and declared himself SO. FULL. She managed to finish off that entire bowl of mac n cheese.  Even if that meant she had to lick the bottom just to make sure.

Evan made a bee line for the dance floor every time her feet hit the ground, and my boy has some moves on him!  This was the first time either of them have been to an event like this, and I'm so glad they rolled with it all.  Behaved perfectly the whole time, even at 9:45 when we were gearing up to leave. 

My feet were dead by the end of the night.  My legs are still a little sore today.  I think that means it was a great evening.

Cool brave boy and a sick girl

This last week was kinda a rough one, mentally and emotionally.  It was one of those weeks where you just hate life.  I know that I've got blessings.  I've made a list of 26 of them in a notebook I have with me most days so I can go back and meditate on them when I get discouraged.  The problem was, I didn't wanna look at them.  I didn't wanna pray and release my funk.  I didn't want to read scripture, letting God's healing salve wash over the prickles in my soul.  I just wanted to pout.  Be angry because life is unfair.  Feel entitled to my unhappiness because nothing in life is like I wanted (or planned- which I know- God laughs at) and no body ever asked me if this path was okay with me. 

I know.  I was no better than my three year old.

When at church on Saturday night Matt's lesson reminded me of the truth. That when I sit under the grace of Jesus I have complete freedom and can let it all go.  He has it all.  ALL.  When I don't give everything to Him, the weight of it all will crush me.  It was a lesson I will need to go back and listen to from time to time. 

Oh, and that Mother's Day shirt the kids made me? (no segue.  sorry.)

I've totally already rocked it.  I'm so cool.  I would totally claim the whole corner of the cool market, but I think another little boy already beat me there.

Gah.  Does it get ANY better than that?!  That little boy is killing me lately.  He's getting so grown up, coming out of his shell, and doing things I would have said before he'd never do.  Like?  Climbing.

This is the boy who NEVER climbed as a baby.  Ever.  I never had to worry about him if I stepped out of a room for a minute.  I used ottomans as baby gates because he wouldn't climb over them into the next room, but the dog and I could get over them with ease.  And now he's on top of play houses  and in bounce houses.  Yes, I said bounce house.

That was at Claire and Ryan's birthday party Saturday morning.  Sara was so shocked that he was in there she even came over to comment on it.  So, now he is watching movies and jumping around.  How brave is he?! (I know, that sounds really odd, but come on.  Let's give him some credit. I mean, the last two years at this party he looked like this.  And this.)

And someone wants to keep pace with him.

(Dakota was taking her picture too)

Yep, I'm the mom that let her 11 month old into the bounce house.  But in my defense, there was only a couple of other (small) kids in there, and I made sure they didn't jump close to her.  She LOVED it!

The party and church were Saturday, so Sunday we just took it easy. "Slept" in (that's in quotes because the day really started at 5:30.  Luke woke up to potty and tried to get in bed with me, then Evan woke up to eat so I sent him back to his own room, by the time she finished nursing he was back up, and the rest was history), played, went for a walk, let Luke run in the sprinklers.

I don't know why that kid wouldn't take his clothes off, I kept asking him if he wanted to and it was always NOOO! but he made sure to pee on the back fence three times in 45 minutes.  Whatever, dude. 

It's a good thing we took it easy Sunday morning because by Sunday afternoon Evan girl came down with a mad fever.

Baby girl was wiped out.  It took every bit of energy she had to sit up before she just thunked back against me breathing hard.  By 6:30 I was a little desperate for food, not knowing how to fix/get/feed dinner to the big one while being trapped under the sleeping little one.  Thankfully Cody had seen that Luke had called him earlier, called me back and brought us hamburgers for dinner.  Afterwards he took Luke to the park while I bathed and nursed Evan and got her in bed.  I was glad for my big boy, he had a hard time with not getting any attention while I had to deal with the sick one.  Before the fever hit hard, I did manage to get a picture of her modeling the newest little dress I made.

It's the second one I've done, and I'm still not thrilled with the pattern.  It's says it's sized 6-12 months, but it was so gigantic I had to take it in several times, which means it's now lined up funny.  And we all know that girl ain't know petite thang. 

And because this isn't long enough or have enough pictures.......

(Have I mentioned how she's obsessed with the train table? And how her playing with it is the bane of Luke's existence?  Oi.  It's not pleasant.)

It's the Converse shoes that Ashley bought her when she was born.  LOVE!

Mother's Day weekend

Friday night we did nothing.  Actually I had an accomplishment....I got Luke to watch a movie.

Yes, you read that right.

He sat and watched The Incredibles with me and didn't throw a fit at the beginning. 

Winning?

Saturday we didn't do anything until after nap time.  Right when I closed the littles' doors for blessed nap time I went to take a shower.  When I got out later (hey, I like to take my time when I can...it doesn't happen very often!) if found Evan in an odd position.

I looked at the floor by where her head was and sure enough, there was her paci.  Bless her heart.  She was still hiccuping in her sleep, she had cried so hard for it.  Kinda broke my heart. 

At little while later after she was up, I was trying to get myself ready to head over to the Lugar's for dinner and play time.  I look down to Evan making mischief. 

How do babies know to do that?!  She was so proud of herself too.

We headed out for a fun night of playing, food, and laughter.  The Wyatt's were there too, and Trane didn't fail on his play time delivery.  The Lugar's have a miniature bounce in the back yard, and the three boys had the BEST time in there.  I don't know who was more exhausted at the end of the night, Trane and Jordan (the big boys) or the little boys- Jadyn, Griffin, and Luke. I do know that Luke was asleep faster that night than he normally is. 

Sunday morning dawned bright and cheery.  We were on time for church (that never happens) and I actually got to go to bible class. The lesson wasn't about mothers or mother's day, but it was good all the same.  And this one?

He's the reason I first became a momma in the first place.  I can't imagine my life without him.  He just slays me every single day.  And Sunday was no exception.  We went to lunch with Mom, Dad, Ashley, and my grandmother.  As we were waiting for a table, he randomly jumps up on a rock and declares "DANCE PARTY!" and starts dancing to no music at all.

Wasn't he just the shy kid last week at the award ceremony?  Sheesh. 

The kids made me a sweet sweet tee shirt with their hand/foot prints, along with a book that I can record their voices in.  Thanks Mom for helping them with that! And Ashley did a little book with Luke where he answered questions about me.  I may or may not have teared up. But I would lean more towards the "may" on that. 

The rest of the afternoon was ours for the taking.  And I got busy.  Layed out, took a bubble bath, tidied the house, cleaned up an entire cup of water that Evan dumped every where (we're talking couch to entertainment center), organized closets, and finally hung those craft balls in Evan's room I made weeks ago.

I love them.  While we were in Evan's room, Luke decided to take our picture.  Eh, fine.  Excuse the blurriness, he has trouble holding the phone still while holding it.  And he was kinda close.  But, he's three. 

And excuse my my appearance, I'd been working hard on various tasks at that point. 

Dang.  That's a big baby. I need to get some close ups of her hands soon, before the pudgy baby hands disappear. I LOVE the creases at the base of her fingers and the knuckle dimples.

Awards and sewing

First and foremost, I finally got Evan's 11 month pictures up on her monthly letter.  I got them last weekend, but it took me forever to remember to get them off the camera.  And excuse the pinkness of her eyebrows.  Her face was all splotchy because she was not. happy. at all. about getting her picture made.  She's been cutting a the top left front tooth and she's been a tad......temperamental. Hopefully that sucka pops through and my happy girl returns.  It also doesn't help that she developed a sweet little habit of FREAKING THE HECK OUT when I leave the room. Even for a second.  Sure precious girl.  I'll hold on to this stinky diaper, just so you don't wig out while I go throw it away. 

ANYWAY, last week was Luke's preschool graduation.  What a funny kid I've got.  I went in late to work so I could go watch the awards ceremony, and he was so thrilled that I was there.  He bounced up the isle yelling 'HI MOM!' and waving to me.  While standing on the stage waiting his turn he was doing something that looked suspiciously like the pee pee dance.  I was so nervous for him.  The dude has only had one accident ever and I would have just died for him if he'd had one up there in front of 100 parents (his wasn't the only class).  When his turn finally came, he go so shy.  As soon as he realized all the attention was on him he got so self conscious.  He had his hands over his face like the picture below the entire time.  (and also, for some reason, every picture I got had Mrs. Hamilton with closed eyes!) He got an award for excellent attendance, memory verses, and the best builder in the class.  Oh man I love that kid. 

*ALERT-BRAGGY MOM MOMENT*- Luke shocks me every day with how much he knows. Last night he started spelling (correctly) every kid in his class' name.  He's also added Kia Soul to the list of cars he can identify from a mile away.  He knows his phone number and full address and all of our full names and birthdays.  Heart?  Bursting.  *ALERT- BRAGGY MOM MOMENT OVER*

Also, I've been sewing in the evenings and weekends.  Finally.  I feel like a part of me has woken up after a very long sleep.  I love creating things.  I may not be able to paint or draw or anything like that, but I am pretty handy with a needle and thread.  I've made Evan's new diaper bag that's been bouncing around in my head for forever.  It turned out just like I'd hoped.

The little green bag holds toys, the blue one houses necessities, and I just made a strap to hold the diapers and wipes together.  Originally the green one was for diapers and the blue one would be for toys, but the blue didn't turn out as big as I thought so NEW GAME PLAN.  The front part is actually two big pockets.

A part of me feels like the bag needs a big flower on it or something to really finish it off, but I was afraid that it would be too much.  I told mom that at dinner one night and she laughed at my face and said with a big ruffly fluffy bag, I was afraid a flower would be too much?  She has a point.

And then yesterday I made my camera a new strap.  The old one was dirty with kool aide? I believe, and this one is just cuter anyway.

Mother's day weekend was good, I'll break that one up into another post.