What did I make now?

It's a crib bumper. All sewn up, and on the crib.



Please ignore the stuff in the crib, it seemed like the logical place to store the baby's clothes!

More Creating

This time it was a nursing cover. Very fun, functional item. I saw my cousin use one a few weeks ago with her brand spankin' new little one and thought it was a genius idea. I also thought that I could probably make one fairly easily. I was right. I actually made two, one yesterday and one today. I love them both and will give one to a friend who recently had her baby! I'm not totally sure which one I'll keep and which one I'll give away yet. But I better decide soon since I'm taking it to her this afternoon!

I found a very good tutorial online that I used and will probably be making lots of these as gifts in the future! It was about $10 in materials, and an hour to an hour and a half in the making time (today, which included a "helper" for a few minutes and few breaks to start a new playlist of Sesame Street videos). Totally worth both time and money! Here are the pictures:










Also, to give credit where it is due, the tutorial I used was from the blog Make It and Love It and can be found here.

Look what I found

... in my bed last night!

Sid and I could hear her chatting away upsatirs at about 9:30. A good 2 hours after she had been put to bed. But I didn't hear her moving around. When I went up to bed at 11 I peeked into her room to turn off the light and discovered an empty bed! I flipped on my bedroom light, and there she was. Sleeping like a rock, right smack in the middle of my bed. Being the good mom that I am I got Sid and my camera. She did sleep the rest of the night in her own bed!

Too sweet!

New Quilt Top

I finished another quilt top. I'm pretty excited. It's a Christmas quilt. I know, I know, it's May. But I have had the pieces cut out since sometime in January. I decided to go ahead and join in with Tallgrass Prairie Studio's "Spring to Finish Challenge". This was one of the things I decided that I would get done. And I am counting the top as a finish because now I can move it off of my desk. So here are some pictures of it:



Also as part of the challenge I want to get done the new crib bumpers. I officially have everything I need for them. So that is fabric, batting, ribbon, and thread. So now I have until May 31st to get them done. Well, I guess first I actually have to start!

Kids say the darndest things/ freezer cooking

Today, I did a freezer cooking day at a friends house. She has a three year old and Stella and Wyatt like to play, which makes it easier for us both, since the kids are occupying each other. We wound up staying for dinner, homemade pizza. I called Stella in for dinner and she decided that she didn't want any. She told me so and then as she was walking away said "thanks for offering." You gotta be kidding me.

On to the freezer cooking: I brought home with me:

2 Buffalo Chicken Calzones
16 slices of french toast
24 pancakes (half whole wheat!)
5 Pizza pockets

I was pretty pleased by the amount of food I brought home. It should definitely help with breakfasts, and it's always nice to have a dinner or two in the freezer as well.

Nail Clipping

This morning I found myself laughing as I lay in bed squished between Sid and Stella. Stella was sitting up and playing with her stuffed bears. I realized after a minute what she was doing. SHe had found a clothes pin on my bedside table, (don't ask, I don't know either!) and she was clipping her bears nails. Yes, she was holding one foot at a time and clipping their nails, and talking about their hangnails! Guess what we did last night.

Stella-isms

This weekend has just been full of cute little sayings. I just love having a 2 1/2 year old. I really do. When she isn't crawling on me or kicking me that is.

Sid was away for the weekend on a retreat with the teens, so I had a fairly quiet couple of days. Stella was so chatty though. It really made me laugh. She also confirmed her status in my mind as a hopeless ham, and probably an attention hog! Saturday afternoon found us in the church's fellowship hall for a baby shower. It was a wonderful time, spent oohing and ahhing and chatting with friends. And for Stella, to "help" Mimi open her presents. She was pretty good about it too. Mostly she just handed the very pregnant lady her gifts. Every now and then though I had to get her attention and give her a look that told her to give the recently unwrapped present back. And she really didn't understand why she couldn't read every book for the new baby as it was unwrapped.

She told me the other day that she loved me "in the hay." I asked what that meant and she just repeated it. Too funny. Then she told me that "Daddy calls you Annie." I was pretty impressed. It's so fun to watch her learn. I love that she is grasping that she calls me something different than what Sid calls me. Of course, she has on occasion referred to Sid as Pastor Daddy.

The other thing that made me laugh out loud was this short conversation we had in the car:

S: I need money.
Me: You don't need money.
S: Yes, I do.
Me: Why do you need money?
S: Because I said so.

Really? Because I said so? Oh man am I in trouble with this one. She loves to play with money. The other day she asked for some and I told her I didn't have any, she came and grabbed my hand and dragged me over to the jar where we keep the coins, pointed, and told me it was in there. ai, ai, ai. Trouble. At least she's cute.

Screaming on the Inside

It's been a long week. Some good, some bad. And my kid doesn't want to sleep.

Friends came to visit and we went to Philadelphia for the day (Thursday). I FORGOT to take my camera. Just left it at home. My brain was obviously elsewhere. We walked. A lot. I was tired. We got in about 10:30 or so and picked up our tickets to see Independence Hall at about 11. We* watched two videos with some history about the Revolutionary War, what the revolution really was (hint: it was more than the war), and how and why certain people chose sides.

Then, we went to The Mint, The Liberty Bell, and finally Independence Hall. SO cool. I love all that stuff. By the time we were done with the tour of Independence Hall, and the tour of Congress Hall we decided to go get our Cheese steaks for dinner. We opted to walk the 8 or 9 blocks to Reading Terminal and Market. Good choice and Bad! The market, and steaks, were totally worth the walk, but the 10 to 11 block walk back to the car was a little long. It was a very fun day and I enjoyed it. But I was VERY ready for bed when I got home.

On Friday, I took Martha to the Farmer's Market here, because it's totally different from theirs (ours is way better!). Then we went to Lancaster County. You know, to see the Amish, and the replica of the Tabernacle. I forgot my camera, again! We did the tabernacle tour and watched a video on the history of the Mennonites and Amish. We all learned something new. Fun fact: the Amish are an offshoot of the Mennonites, not the other way around! Then we took a quick tour of the beautiful Amish country. In a horse drawn wagon. It was gorgeous and I wish I had taken my camera. It was a really neat thing, and absolutely beautiful countryside. I really do think that I live in (well, at least near) one of the most beautiful places in the world. Maybe just because it's home.

The Magees left from there and Sid and I were about one exit from home, when my mom called. She had gotten a call from the Tabernacle people. They had my phone. Yes, that's right. I lost my cell phone at the Tabernacle. We turned around and went back to get it. Needless to say, Stella didn't nap very well in the car Friday, and not at all on Thursday. Or Saturday. So. of course, today she took a short nap at my parents (we were there for dinner, Thanks Mom!). And I put her to bed twenty minutes ago and she is still not asleep.

I feel like I've been going non-stop since Tuesday. I had to clean the house, make sure we were ready to sleep and feed 5 extra people, which I loved doing, but it still can wear a girl out. I really am not complaining! I loved having them and I would/will do it again and again. To have them here and go-go-go for two days and then a weekend filled with youth events and bridal showers and church and just, life, was tiring. My house shows it. I should go now and check on the kid. And clean the house up. It feels good to get some of it out. There is definitely more, but since I already have written a book and not a post. And since there isn't even a picture to break it all up, I will close there. I think I'll go to bed early tonight. If my house is clean enough.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Spring!

I love the spring. And this winter felt very long. It has been good to open the windows and doors and air out my house. I love to get outside and I am figuring out what I will plant this year. I love to watch spring sprout and grow and blossom. Here are a few pictures of early spring!

More friends

I watched a friends little boy this morning for a few hours and learned a few things.

1. At two a shopping cart that is just your size is lots of fun. And worth fighting over.

2. So are cell phones. Plastic ones that play music, bonus.
3. Third children learn to share MUCH sooner than only/oldest children.
We had lots of fun playing. Even with the occasional frustrated cry of MINE!!!

Sleeping with Daddy

Today I put Stella down for a nap, but I knew it wouldn't last. (sigh) She was crying as soon as the door was closed. Shortly after that she calmed down, and Sid got home. Then her door slammed closed and she started to cry. It wasn't a pain cry so I was going to let her cry for a few minutes. Daddy has a harder time with that and decided to go check on her. "I'll make her stay up there," he said 20 minuted later it was silent. And Sid still hadn't reappeared. I thought I'd go check on them. I grabbed my camera before I headed up the steps, expecting them to be asleep on her bed. They weren't. So I checked my bed, not there either. So I looked closer into Stella's room and this is what I found:

Too Cute. Both of them out cold on the recliner. I love my family!

Friends

It's so cute to watch Stella develop friendships. Especially with my friends kids. Here she is with Taylor. They really got along well.


Most of the time. Two two year-old first children are bound to head-butt every now and then!

Stella's New Favorite Activity...

"cooking food in my oven"

Linking up to Wordless Wednesday.

It's Done

I did it. I finished Stella's quilt. And she is enjoying sleeping under it in her big girl bed! I am pretty happy with the way it came out. Not perfect, but I'm happy. My backing fabric got a little off when I was basting it so it was hanging over on one end and not long enough on the other, I guess this is a live and learn kinda quilt. Here are the pictures.

She loved it and I couldn't get her off of it!

She doesn't sleep with the pillow, but it made the picture cuter! It has inspired me to do more quilts, yay.

Is That For Me?

Stella making sure there is nothing left in Aunt Joey's present.

Linked to Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom

What a Joy!

To hear your little one say "I read the Bible, Mommy. " And to walk into your living room to see this:


Yes, that is my two year old with an open Bible on her lap. There is nothing better in this world than that!

Playing in the leaves!

Stella Playing in the big pile of leaves in the side yard.

Linked up with 5 Minutes for Mom's Wordless Wednesday.

Ja Wepum

That's "you're welcome". so cute when she says it!

We went camping!

well, sort of camping. We went to a state park and rented what they call cottages. It is one room with 5 beds, a table and chairs, and heat and electricity. So it was cheater camping.

We still had to cook outside, and use the campground bath-house. But we did get to go walking thru the woods, and seeing wildlife, and getting out in the canoe (at least Sid did). We went with friends from church and had a great time. Stella loved getting to play with the other kids, and getting to be outside so much.

Sid had a great time being outside and teaching the boys how to chop wood and sharpen knives.



The cottages were right on the lake and we had gorgeous views from them. The trees were starting to turn, and I really don't know how people can spend time in the woods, or on a lake, and not believe that there is a Creator-God who loves beauty.

Pop-Pop and the Birthday Cake

Here's Pop-Pop eating birthday cake and wearing Stella's very pink bib.

Check out 5 Minutes for Mom for more Wordless Wenesday .

Two

This past Saturday, the 10th, was Stella's second birthday.





She is getting so big. She is starting to show signs of an imagination, trying to change baby dolls diapers, going shopping with her cart, and having tea parties where she brings everyone a cup or glass and "pours tea," which we all have to drink. It's so much fun to watch. She loves to take her purse when we go out (today it held 5 matchbox cars and a lollipop). She likes to play with mommy's "tam moo"(camera) and takes lots of pictures. She tells me what she is going to do, and what she isn't, which can get her in trouble. She has an infectious smile, and the cutest little giggles.

Stella is a mommy's girl, and loves to play with Daddy. She loves the phone and usually wants to talk to everyone I talk to. She loves apples, and apple juice, and Pizza. We can't eat too much pizza for Stella. She is starting to be much more free with Hugs and Kisses, though it's still fun to say no when I ask for a hug, well, it's fun to say no. At least she thinks so, Mommy and Daddy, not so much.

Stella loves to read. Always has, all books, all day. Her current favorites are Oooh Puppy (actually called Snuggle Puppy), Cows Dance (Barnyard Dance), and Hupo's (either The Belly Button Book or Hippos Go Berserk). She also loves Moon, Moon (Goodnight Moon).

She has a large and ever growing vocabulary. I love the way she pronounces things, Doggies has gone from Goeys to Doeys, Shirt still doesn't have an 'r' in it, Neither does anything else for that matter (think trucks, forks, etc.) She loves cars and buses, and being outside to watch them. She loves to stop and smell the roses, or any other flower available for smelling. She will pucker her lips and sniff and snort. Too cute!

Stella loves her PoPs, and Mom-Mom, and her Uncle Henry, and loves her Grandma and G.G.!
I love my Stella-Bella Gummy-Bear!

Good bye Jorge.

My car met his unfortunate fate this week. It was an accident. Jorge, my car, was sitting, parked, in front of my house (like he so patiently does when not in use) when he was violently attacked by a larger car. The driver fell asleep and swerved right into my car. Everyone is fine, but both vehicles were badly damaged. My little car is old and not worth very much according to Kelly (of blue book fame). So I fear the worst for poor Jorge. He will be totaled and I will need to find a new car. My friend said that you should be awarded emotional damages when your car gets totaled, because you can never find quite what you need with the amount that the insurance adjusters decide your car is worth. Jorge was old, and he had his moments, but he was a good little car. I'll miss you Jorge.

Friends!

Taylor trying to give Stella another kiss, The first one was well received, after that, not so much.

Stella and Taylor "sharing" Taylor's toy car.