Baby Makin(g) Machine

Toddler Valentines Fashion and Treats

2012-02-02T14:47:00.000-06:00

This will be Lil' J's second Valentines Day but her first one at a school. So because this is also a significant "first" I want to make it special and do the whole Valentines shebang for her class.

Good news is I have Mondays and Tuesdays off, which Valentines Eve and Valentines Day fall on this year. So it'll give me a chance to pretend like I'm an awesome Suzie Homemaker and make treats with her, for her class.

Here are a few ideas I've been scoping off Pinterest:

Valentines Whoopie Pies

Happy Valentines Day for "Crayon" out loud. Vday Crayons

Kisses and Hugs Cupcakes

Lovely butterfly suckers

There's more where that came from, and cute outfits I want to try to make on my Mini Love board. The suckers seem like they involve more drawing/writing than cooking, which is good, and it has traditional candy, but I don't know what all of the parents will think about the candy. Cupcakes on the other hand... that's not so bad right? And whoopie pie (is that seriously what those things are called?)! Yum! I can just picture the messy hands and smiling faces chowing down on those things. But I have a feeling it wouldn't be the easiest to make, or shape as cute as the ones pictured.
The crayons are just perfect, and I think I'll do that for the cute factor, and have Lil' J help me put them in heart-shaped pans. Maybe I'll do those and the whoopies since we'll have a pan to make those shapes and she loves "cookin" (she says this now when we're in the kitchen and she wants to put something in the oven. I can't believe she's my child).

When it comes to clothing, we're getting there. I was hoping she'd wear Valentines outfits to school from mid-January through Valentines Day but that hasn't quite happened. I've only had time to make her one dress so far so I've called on reinforcements.

Lil' J's first tutu was from Cutie Pa Tutu, and now dozens of tutus later, I still haven't seen any made like hers. We got these this week and the first thing she said when she saw them was "BALL" (in her thick country accent it sounds more like "bawl") cause of the the little puff balls enclosed inside the tulle.

When she walked into school wearing this her teachers squealed and said they were wondering when she was going to start showing up in all of her Valentines gear.

All she wanted to do was blow bubbles when we were outside and I couldn't get her to set the dang thing down. She did take a break from blowing bubbles to blow me a kiss though.

SWAK Sealed With a Kiss Tutu and Lovely Lipstick Top

And of course you need to have just as much pink as you have red:

I had to take photos of her pink outfit before she wears it to school cause I'm sure she'll come home in a mess.--Which is ok because it means she's having fun.

Cutie Pa Tutu is having a Sweetheart Sale, so everything she's wearing and holding (aside from the bubbles) are on sale there.

In case you're wondering where to find it all here are links:

Sweet Pinks Pa Tutu

SWAK Sealed with a Kiss Pa Tutu

Pink Hearts Ying Yang Top

Pixy Tail Pony

Pink and Hot Pink Bow

Poofy Pom Pom Magic Wand

Pa Tutu Tights

Lipstick Love Top

Now between this and a few other things I'm working on, she should have something pink and LOVEly to wear until the 14th.

Are you loving these outfits? What are you plans for Valentines Day? Going to make something yummy or cute for school or work treats? Share the love in a comment and you'll be entered to win a Valentine Pa Tutu Outfit w/matching wand and Pixie Tail or Bow.

Since Vday is around the corner we have to make this quick so this giveaway ends midnight Tuesday February 7th. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget (below). Good luck!

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Easy Pigs in a Blanket Recipe: What I'm Makin' Monday

2012-01-30T01:53:00.000-06:00

Don't laugh. I know this is like, prior to cooking 101 but this was still exciting to me, ok?

I had never made pigs in a blanket before until this last week. I have eaten them before and figured they couldn't be that hard. Possibly something even I couldn't mess up.

I found a little package of mini sausages and decided to give it a whirl.

Look, I'm not one of those people that can just pick up random seasonings and make things taste remarkably fabulous. Heck, I just recently learned what paprika and bay leaves were.

Don't worry, neither of those were used in this masterpiece.

All I used:
One pack of mini sausages (I didn't use them all)
A can of crescent rolls
American cheese

Then I took one photo of three steps I took.

1. Cut the crescent rolls from their pre-sliced size down in half/ thirds so they're smaller.
2. Place the cheese and sausage on the dough.
3. Roll.

4. Bake according to crescent roll directions.

Easy as pie! No... Easier!

Lil' J loved eating them while I was making them, so much so she was full of sausage and cheese before these were even out of the oven.

I packed some in her lunch the next day and she kept snatching on those things. As did my husband and I.

This may or may not have been the only thing I cooked myself all week. *sigh* I'll do better.

Hopefully this so-easy-a-dummy-could-do-it recipe can help another non-foodie like myself try something new.

Link to your creations!

My domestic diva button.

&lt;a href="http://babymakingmachine.blogspot.com/search/label/makin%20monday" target="_blank">&lt;img alt="What I'm Making Monday" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4571783992_a80397e7d1_o.png" />&lt;/a>

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Is your child a car seat talker or sleeper? - Radian RXT Car Seat Review and Giveaway

2012-01-29T21:06:00.004-06:00

My Mom tells me stories of when I was a little girl. Apparently I talked her--and anyone else who came near's--ears off.

It's not too hard to believe. To this day I'll strike up conversations with complete strangers, and my poor husband constantly hears my most frequent question: "Are you listening to me?"

Of course this answer is always yes, and I always proceed to have him prove it by reciting the last thing I said. Most of the time is close enough.

My daughter is no different. Even in her near 19 months of age, she's always babbling and telling us what she thinks. She's not much of a loner. At all. She likes being around other people, and us, and getting out of the house.

When we walk into stores she'll wave to passerbys and give a resounding "HI!" People smile and say hi back.

A lesson of "stranger danger" will have to come much earlier than normal with my friendly child.

In some ways I wonder if she is going to love talking even more than I do.

My mom tells me when I was young, and wouldn't go to sleep, she'd put me in my car seat and drive around town until I did. To this day, I can still barely stay awake in a car. If Lil' J is quiet in the back (and I'm not driving) I'm out.

My daughter on the other hand, is not this way. She rarely falls asleep in the car unless it's really late, or she is just extra pooped from a really long day. Otherwise, she's up talking my ear off and begging for entertainment.

I don't know if this is normal for kids her age, but she can't just sit and ride in silence. I mean, she did have a few months in there somewhere where she seemed to, but now she either needs to have a snack, a toy, or me singing her favorite songs.

Depending how far our trip is, the snacks usually run out, the toys fall, and I'm belting "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" as we are pulling into our neighborhood while I watch her do the hand motions from my rear-view mirror.

The funny thing is, no matter how much she seems to be ticked at me for making her ride strapped down in coach, she never wants to get out right away when we get home.

"Come on baby, let's go inside"
"No," This is her new favorite word. Though I don't totally hate it yet because the way she says it with her country twang accent and drawn out "O" it sounds more like a question. "No?"

I unsnap her buckle and try again.

"Don't you want to go see Daddy and Snoop? They are inside." She shakes her head and tells (or asks?) me again...
"No?!" And she buckles herself back into her seat. Yes... She knows how to do this, but thankfully can't undo it.

She has a love/ hate relationship when riding in the car.
The throne she sits in while we cruise around has varied since the day she was born. Being as tall as she is, she outgrew her infant seat fairly quickly, and the next seat up we had, didn't face backwards, so we got another. And finally, we have one more convertible seat for our second car. While a second seat isn't crucial, it's been a huge help to save us from days where one of us forgets to leave the seat for the other. And let me tell you, that's happened and it's not fun.

"Hey honey, how did picking her up from school go?"
"Well, I got there and realized I forget the car seat."

GAH!

What seat are we using now? Which is our favorite? Well, we have three Gracos, one that isn't convertible so she hasn't tried it yet, and a RadianRXT Shadow. That last one sounds like a car right? Compared to the rest of them, it weighs about as much as one. And since we're on the topic of cars, I'm going to use this analogy to compare them.

I got one from Diono to review and was totally excited to get it in the car and see what she thinks of a fancy seat. If all of our car seats were cars, our Gracos would be like Toyotas. Not very expensive, but reliable. And our new RadianRXT Shadow would be like a Lexus or a Mercedes. It has the reliability plus all the bells and whistles, but it's going to cost you quite a bit more.

As I assembled it (which didn't take very long at all, but there were a few belts I had to move around and adjust) I geeked out and used the QR reader codes with my phone to watch video demonstrations to make sure I was doing it right. And they have helpful people manning their twitter and facebook pages too.

There's extra padding, a steel alloy frame, it's the highest rear facing car seat, NCAP tested, and they can ride in it starting at 5 pounds. It seems humongous to me and hard to picture my tiny infant in it, but there is an additional infant support attachment that came with it, that we can add. Kids can ride backwards in it up to 45 pounds, and it's narrow enough to fit three across. Based on reviews I've read with parents who have three kids and a sedan, this is a huge deal.

I'm pretty sure her favorite feature is the cup holder she can fit even her really wide sippy cups into. You can attach up to four(not sure why we'd need four but maybe one day I'll learn and buy more). That thing has come in handy when I've forgotten her cup and we go through a drive through to get an ice water. She kicks her feet with excitement and puts her drink in that thing. It's just a cup. Seriously. But it helps!

Now how much will this luxury car seat cost ya? About $339.99. Now some of you may be thinking "Oh that's nothing," and other like me are probably spitting out their morning energy drinks. But before you waste any more of that drink, I'll tell you that I just looked it up and they're only $289 at Walmart.

Still a bit more than the average car seat price, but so is a Mercedes compared to other cars. You can keep them rear-facing longer, which ultimately is declared safer. I'll let you decide if it's worth it and give you a chance to win one (below).

I suppose in a few years I'll be glad I have all of these car seats (which luckily don't expire for 5-10 years). I'll have enough thrones, for all my little talkative (and hopefully some sleepy) rug rats.

How do your kids roll in the car? Talk your ear off? Sleep? Comment and you'll be entered to win. Read the rest of the rules below for more entries.

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Timing #2

2012-01-24T13:18:00.000-06:00

My poor second child. His/her treatment is already far inferior to my first and they're not even conceived.

At this point the first time around... Less than a year out from hopefully, maybe, possibly, getting pregnant, I was exercising (sorta), eating right, had quit caffeine, was getting lots of rest, and daydreaming about this child in my future.

Now? Ha. Well now I down energy drinks every weekend to survive my morning shift at work. I get anywhere between 2-5 hours of sleep every odd night, and 8 hours on the evens. I am more focused on my career than a child that's not here, and my baby fever flairs up most when I see how sweet Lil' J is with babies and think how she needs a live-in friend.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to have another child but I'm not nearly as obsessed with the timing. I mean, I know sometime between nine months from now and next June would be great but I'm also terrified of the thought of being drowsy and nauseous and sleepy while also working, and playing (with #1), and sewing, and writing and photo-taking.

Lil' J has tens of thousands of photos, and a blog documenting her existence. I don't know how I'm gonna keep that up for the next one.

If this is any indication of how #2 will be treated the rest of their lives, I sorta worry for them.

Before becoming a mom, I thought I'd want my kids to be between a year and a half and two years apart. Well that window flew by! Now I'm thinking between two and a half and three years because to me--the closer in age the better. Especially if we're only having one more (I'd like two more, but we'll see how lucky I get) I'd like the two we have to be close in age. But the thought of paying for childcare for two kids gives me a headache.

I wish I could press pause on Lil' J. That way she could just stay the age she is now for another year or two and then I could press play again when we're ready for her to have a sibling. My husband seems to think four years apart would be a good gap but that seems like a Grand Canyon-sized gap to me. But if the next year and a half goes by as quickly as this first one, that may very well happen.

Stupid time. Stop flying by!

Valentines toddler dress: What I'm Makin' Monday

2012-01-23T09:43:00.000-06:00

I'm getting into the groove of making dresses now. This was the first time I put a dress based on a pattern together without reading the directions on the pattern. Following the Playdate Peasant Dress pattern. I've used before. Ok, maybe I glanced at it a little. But the point is, I'm getting into a groove.

A reader asked me if I'm sad that she'll only get to wear her seasonal dresses a time or two. I am a little sad looking at all of her Christmas dresses and outfits, and Halloween outfits I have piled to the side, but I made most of them big so she can wear them next year, or at least as a top next year.

The reason I've only been making holiday outfits so far is because I knew the only way I'd actually sew these things is if I have a deadline. And a holiday is a great sewing deadline. Seasonal fabric is usually on sale too... At least at Hancock it is. About 40-70% off. It's hit or miss at Hobby Lobby, which is where I got the fabric for this dress.

Now that I've made it through three, almost four holidays I'm getting the hang of this.

I bought a ruffler foot and a rolled-hem foot for my new machine and it's helping so much with these dresses. No more ironing and pinning the tiny hems. Yay!

My ruffler is cool, and I've learned how to use it (thanks YouTube!) but I'm having a hard time gauging how ruffly to make the ruffles so they fit perfectly on the bottom of the dress. If anyone knows how to do this without guess and check let me know!

Oh, and I got the hang of shirring with this dress! It's gathered at the center of the sleeves and in the middle of the dress.

I didn't make the bows, she got these over the top Valentines pieces from Izzy Diane's Boutique and modeled them with the dress for us.

So now that I have this pattern down I want to experiment with other patterns I have, and learn how to follow a tissue paper pattern. They are much less expensive than the Etsy ones and there's much more variety. My friend Jennie is going to teach me (same friend who helped me with my first ever dress for her in October!). I know some people are good at following tutorials, and I prefer that if they're easy enough but if there's too much math involved (ie: take a third of your child's weight size, and measure to the knee, then divide that by 1.5...) I get lost. So I prefer to use actual numbers that have been figured out for the specific size I'm making (18 months, 2T... etc).

Many of you have written and said my craftiness is motivating you to give it a try. Let me tell you, if you're thinking about it... GO FOR IT! If I can do it, anyone can. Seriously. There's few things more exciting than having someone rave about the outfit your kid is wearing and complimenting your work. And I think there's something to be said for learning skills we can pass down to out children. Home economics has all from disappeared!

Not to brag or anything but I made the leg warmers too.

As I find easy tutorials and free patterns to attempt I'll try to keep bringing them to you. If you're looking for a dress pattern to try that's not to hard, the one I have linked above in this post (ok here it is again) is a great place to start, and the price was right for me. There are pattern pieces you print out, tape together, then cut around to make your dress pieces, and lots of step-by-step photo directions to follow until you get the hang of it and don't need the directions at all!

Oh, and side note, I made the leg warmers too... Super easy! I got a two pack of women's' Valentines knee-socks at Walmart for $3, cut off the feet, rolled the ends (didn't even sew them), and TADA! Takes seconds. See... You can do that!

So I hope this was a little bit of eye-candy for today, and a bit of a pep-talk for some sitting on the sidelines waiting for the push to jump into the Domestic Diva game.

Made anything lately?

My craft button.

Buying a jogging stroller: He says/ She says

2012-01-19T00:03:00.001-06:00

She says: "Honey, I really REALLY want to buy a jogging stroller."

He says: "But you hate running."

She says: "Yes, but if I had a jogging stroller, I'd like it."

So, I want a jogging stroller. I've been wanting one for about a year, but I haven't been willing to shell out money for a really really nice one, and I get too overwhelmed with all of the different kinds on Craigslist, and I haven't had time to buy one, much less run with one.

Another reason I was reluctant was because I was worried about becoming an over-indulgent mom with too much baby stuff. We already have more car seats than I'm willing to admit, plus one stroller and a trike thing that has a handle to use as a stroller. Another on top of that feels a little greedy. So I'm trying to decide if I donate our other stroller and get a jogger (used, as to help with the over-consumption problem), or suck it up and have two, then donate them both when we're done.

Problem with used (specifically on Craistlist) though is people are asking like $20 less than the price for a brand new one. Who are these people?

I've had no luck at thrift stores so far.

We've loaned a bunch of our pregnancy/baby stuff to friends to take off our hands until we have another and I'm wishing I knew someone I could borrow it from--be a free storage person for them--while they wait to use it on their next kiddo. More than likely I'll buy one then find a friend this is the case for.

On top of this my husband reminded me I don't like to run. I get side aches and want to curl up and die. People who like to run tell me I'm not breathing right. I didn't realize there were so many ways to breathe.

There was a time when I ran something like five miles. Like once. I think I was 16, and trying to keep up with a friend (I never ran with her again after that). Ever since I have occasionally ran a mile in the time it takes to run three and pretend like I ran three cause it's all the same in my head.

But if I had a jogger... Everything would be different.

If any of you use a brand you like that you could recommend, let me know. Or am I just crazy with this whole stroller/running idea anyway? I seriously just want something with three wheels. Maybe an optional lock front wheel, and preferably one that won't fall apart while I'm running. Oh, and a speaker for Lil' J to listen to music would be cool too. I also would like another baby this year so I'm having that whole single vs double stroller dilemma. Decisions, decisions!

Her first pair of pants: What I'm Makin' Monday (a day late)

2012-01-17T19:32:00.000-06:00

No, not her first pair of pants EVER. But the first pair of pants I've ever made her.

My friend Taylor, aka Alt Mama, and I have a deal. I'm going to help her learn to sew, and she's going to teach me how to cook. To be honest I'm sorta felt like a blind man leading the blind with the sewing part, but I at least know how to read toddler patterns now, and how to find videos on YouTube to get us along.

Taylor was a super fast learner. So while I was putting along at my grandma speed of sewing, she was putting the pedal to the metal and flying through the stitching. And on my old machine by the way! I got this new baby for Christmas and she took my old one off my hands.

I had never made Lil' J pants before, so when we found this pattern for toddler pants, I didn't realize how small the butt area was. I guess the creator's baby has a teeny booty and since my daughter not only has my fabulous booty jeans, but she also wears cloth diapers, so these ended up being a bit snug, and sort of hip-huggers for her... Er, where her hips would be if she had some.

Taylor wanted to make reversible pants and she had two of the cutest fabrics picked out for them. I decided I'd use some of my fabric stash to make Lil' J some too, so I grabbed some purple and pink polkadot and headed over to her place with our machines.

Now had she asked me to make a toddler dress I could have nailed the instructions no problem. But I had never even seen a pants pattern before, much less reversible. So this was a bit tricky for me at first. But after watching this youtube video about thirty times I realized what I needed to do to get the pants part down, then making them reversible was pretty much a sinch.

I love the purple side with the pink polkadots sticking out on the cuffs. I haven't been daring enough to try them facing the other way yet, although if anyone can pull off pink polkadot pants it's gotta be her.

Next time I want to add big ruffles to the bottom and make them bell bottoms. Pants aren't such a bad idea for winter time. My husband thinks this, and her Adidas run suit grandma and grandpa got her for Christmas are the best outfits ever. So I may need to start adding more pants patterns to my collection soon.

Whatcha think?

26 Years Young

2012-01-17T01:33:00.000-06:00

Wow, I've been away from here for a minute. Sorry about that ya'll. Things got busy this week. Saturday I celebrated my 26th birthday and I think it's the age I've decided to stay at forever. You now how women say they're forever 21, well I want to be forever 26.

25 and 26 don't seem much different except I just have a weird sense of "woah I'm closer to 30 than I am to 20 now" that's strange.

The past few years I've totally downplayed my birthday and it was one of those things that when it came up like "oh when's your birthday?" and I'd be like "last week." I just didn't really do anything for it or celebrate it much. Then a few days later I'd be like "man I shoulda milked that more huh?"

So this year I decided to milk it for all that I could. Starting the eve of my birthday when I requested pizza for dinner. Then stayed up until 4am watching romantic comedies like While You Were Sleeping and Ever After. In fact, I was awake when my alarm for work went off at 3:30am, but luckily I had taken the day off.

I spent the morning volunteering with friends from work to build a wheelchair ramp for a woman who needed one, but couldn't afford to have one built. There's a great nonprofit called The Texas Ramp Project that does these every weekend all over the state. It felt good to do something special on my special day.

One of my friends even brought cupcakes for my birthday (Thanks Bonnie!). She's got the random act of kindness thing down pat!

After that, I spent the rest of the day with my two favorite people.

My husband and Lil' J surprised me with a gift card for an 80 minute massage. My husband said he requested the most relaxing package they had, and got that for me. He's such a sweetheart. Can't wait to cash in on that!

We went to the park and took Lil' J to play on the playground. I wanted to go canoeing but someone had the nerve to leave a body under one that morning so umm... They were closed for the day. So we just skipped rocks (a hidden talent I didn't know my husband was good at) and walked along the trail.

After that we went to dinner at Freddies, which is one of my favorite local restaurants cause they have a little playground outside, you can bring your pup and order them a doggy burger, and usually they'll have a band or movie going too. Lil' J played some more, and I gave the stink-eye to crazy kids that kept throwing rocks around. Yea, that's the day I learned I'm going to be one of those moms who totally says something to a kid when their mom doesn't, and that kid is acting a fool. That day I took the higher road (I think?) and walked away.

I didn't have cake but we made chocolate covered strawberries. My favorite dessert. And Lil' chowed down on those with me. And after both of them went to bed (they can't hang like I can). I watched Planet of the Apes while pigging out some more. (I know, weird movie choice, but I'd been wanting to see that movie forever.)

Sunday I worked and today I'm off again. I just put Lil' J down for a nap and I have a to-do list a mile long. Photo editing, cleaning, assembling her Power Wheels toy she got for Christmas (I know I'm bad, I can't believe I haven't finished this yet), and hopefully thrift shopping for a jogging stroller.

I'm hoping there are some more MLK activities going on this evening because I'd love to go out as a family and celebrate.

Did you have a good week?

How Pinterest saved my marriage

2012-01-11T21:20:00.000-06:00

Another one of my goals this year is to get organized. I think it's got to be the number two resolution of all time after getting fit. I don't care about my health. But I do care about dying in a house that's decked out with cute homemade crafts.

Via

I didn't used to be this way... Homes that are super clean and organized remind me of Stepford wives and I don't have time for that crap. Problem is, that was the number one thing my husband and I would argue about... Keeping our place clean.

I'll admit, he does more than his fair share of cleaning. All of the dishes, the laundry, the bathrooms, the vacuuming, the sweeping and mopping... Heck, writing that all out made me realize he does a lot. Ok, so maybe he has a reason to complain about having my crap everywhere.

Lil' J doesn't help either. Any progress I make with cleaning quickly gets destroyed by her tornado path. And after a long day of work, picking her up from school, then feeding, bathing, making lunches and organizing clothes for the next day, I'm beat and the last thing I feel like doing is clean. I want to sit on my butt and blog. Or edit photos. Or read a book. Or watch Teen Mom... Heck, anything but clean!

When I was pregnant and read the "nesting" chapter of my pregnancy book to my husband he laughed and said "you'll never do that!" Well, I proved him wrong. But that was pretty much the last time I wanted to clean. ...Until now.

... ENTER PINTEREST...

I joined Pinterest last year and spent the first while re-pinning clothes I liked, and clothes I found for Lil' J. Photos I liked, hair styles... Stuff like that. I quickly scrolled past the home decor pins I saw in my feed because "those aren't me" I thought.

Then I began to craft more, sew more, and my crafting area quickly turned into a swamp mess. Disorder everywhere. I tried to shove things in the corner of the living room/ my craft area and warned my husband to stay away.

I blamed my disorder on our small living quarters. Two bedrooms just isn't enough for our family.

Then, one day while browsing Pinterest for sewing inspiration I can across a fabric organizer pin. It was genius. A glorious sight.

I read the tutorial and decided I needed to do this with my fabrics. I'm just getting started and have lots to go but this is already looking better than my heap of fabric stuffed in a picnic basket. I donated books from my bookshelf and created space for this!

But why stop there? If I'm organizing my fabric I might as well organize my ribbon, and my tulle, and why not my whole living room while I'm at it?

I was hungry for more suggestions for organization. I found pins for decorative mail holders you can hang in your kitchen, and keep your mail organized but hidden.

Via

I created a board I decided to call "Order in the court!" because order is what my house needs, and my house is... like a court? ... I don't know. But it seemed cool at the time.

Anyway, it's my new favorite board in progress. I'm constantly looking for ways to organize my daughter's toys, old clothes, books, tutus, bows. Plus my crafts, kitchen items, clothes, EVERYTHING! Here's what I did for my patters... This idea I didn't even find on Pinterest, I should pin it actually!

I spent all day Monday sorting through toys and areas of our living room we haven't touched in dare I say it... A year? Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad, but I will say that my fireplace mantle had random crap on it for longer than I can remember. I mean, I can't remember seeing it clean. But it's clean now!

I sorted through Lil' J's downstairs toys and donated a heap of them. Then I went to her upstairs toybox, which was full of only tutus, pettipants, pettiskirts and things like that. I took those out and put them in an old comforter bag I found when I was cleaning out the hall closet. I made a label for it "Dress up time!" and squished it under our bed. Now her toybox has a few toys in it but it's nice and neat! And all of the random tutus we had strung around the house have a neat place to call home.
Ah! It feels good to be getting organized. I never thought I'd enjoy it but Pinterest has seriously made it fun.

What does my husband think? Well at first he was like "uh huh, sure, I've heard this before..." as I told him about my goal to clean and get organized. I tried to give him a Pinterest tutorial and show him my organizational board but he was just like "Huh? is this like Twitter?" So I gave up and have just been showing him the ideas I stole as I accomplish them.

He's very impressed with my progress so far. He even complimented me on his favorite new addition... The basket I set aside for our TV remote controls, since we're constantly losing them.

"I used to think that mom stuff was kind of lame, but it's really cool" he told me. I wasn't sure what he meant by "mom stuff" so I asked him to clarify.

"Like the craft stuff. Like that mail holder thing you want to make, that's really cool." Ah, I get it. The organizational craft things. Not sure why he chose to classify that as a "mom thing" but I let it go. He's just excited to me married to a real life Martha Stewart, I would be too.

I'll document the little things I find and attempt throughout the year to hopefully keep me motivated and accountable. I also have some before/after pictures to show you but I'll wait until the "after" is where I want it to be. You can follow me on Pinterest to see what ideas and inspiration I have up my sleeve.

Has Pinterest changed you life too?
PS: If you're not on it, let me know your email addy and I'll send you an invite to join!

A year and a half already?

2012-01-08T04:58:00.001-06:00

Dear Sweet Daughter,

The past couple months have flown by like you can't imagine. You are a year and a half now. How has a whole six months already flown by since your birthday? I don't understand it.

Leg warmers: Happy Crawlers, Shoes: Monkey Toes

The biggest change I've seen in you when I look at your past photos is your hair. You can see it's growing and growing as you get older. It's so adorable too and I can't bare to cut it... Ever!

You are just learning so fast. You'll repeat almost anything we say to you, or at least try to. On your own you'll ask up "please" and say "thank you" you'll also say hi and bye... Milk, water, cracker, juice, banana, our names, baby, and other random little things you pick up here and there.

Speaking of babies, you LOVE them. You love your baby dolls, and when we pass one at the store you say "baby" and point. You love the babies at your school and your teachers say you're so kind and gentle--even protective-- of them. This makes me think you are going to be a fabulous big sister. Just like your mommy was of course *wink wink*.

You know almost all of your body parts and point to them when we call them out. Your favorite is belly button. When daddy would call out "toes" you'd point to your nose, so he taught you the difference within minutes and he was totally blown away at your new trick. I tell him all the time you are so smart.

For your year and a half birthday you and I went downtown to Hey Cupcake. We shared a giant strawberry cupcake, but I gave you first dibs.

I'm hoping over the next month to experiment with your hair styles more. We've already been experimenting with homemade clothes and that's been so much fun. You are seriously like my little life-sized doll and I love it. You're a dream come true.

Seriously, I don't know how I got so lucky, and every day I love you more and more! I pick you up and give you hugs and never want to let go. When I ask for a hug you squeeze tightly around my next, and you'll kiss me quickly on my cheek. It feels great knowing you love me back, and seeing you show it. I know you think we are the two coolest people on earth and we appreciate that.

This year is going to be a year of many changes for us. We'll be moving and you'll be starting a new school. Your daddy and I will have new schedules, and we'll have to make you up in a brand new room (hopefully with a bigger closet). It'll be a lot to take in for all of us, but together, we'll make it through.

I thank God every day for blessing us with you. You're so fantastic it's hard to believe you're real. That probably would sound silly to a lot of people but I have a feeling a lot of moms know what I'm talking about. Thank you for brightening my world.

Love,

Mommy

***

Enter to win a pair of Happy Crawlers of your choice, courtesy of yours truly as a thank you for following along on my journey! (Sorry, I don't think the widget was working last night but it should be now!)

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Reading the Scriptures like it's Twilight

2012-01-06T10:56:00.000-06:00

Why is it that I can pick up a fiction novel and fly through it in a day but every time I touch my scriptures I'm satisfied with getting through a few versus? A few chapters and I feel like a champ.

This year one of my goals is to really FEAST on the words of Christ. I'm going pretty good so far. Well, sorta.

Good news is I made a deal with myself that I wouldn't read my leisure books until I read the scriptures. Bad news is I haven't been rewarded with my "fun book" yet. Which right now is the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series--Book three.

Good news is I've read The Good Book every night this week. Bad news is I haven't gotten through a full chapter before falling asleep.

My husband and I read all of the children's series with Lil' J last year and this year I'd like to start her on the real deal. Not sure where to begin but I guess it doesn't hurt to start with Genesis 1.I know she won't understand it but if we keep reading every night, eventually she'll start picking things up.

Family and personal study. Whew!! You know, I can't help but feel like if I had an iPad I'd be so much better at this. I could digitally highlight my favorite versus, read with the lights out, have them with me all the time... Hmmm.

It didn't used to be this hard for me. I think it's partly because now I have a billion things going on, it's harder for me to slow down and focus on something that's normally last on my to-do list.

Back when I was a good person, I would read the scriptures by searching for specific topics or stories in the index that I was interested in. I felt I learned more studying that way. Starting from the beginning can seem overwhelming. I'm not sure how specific I want to make this goal yet but I think if I'm reading something, anything, each night, I'll eventually get into a groove I like, so it doesn't feel like a chore.

Jeez Louise, this sounds horrible. But hey, at least I'm trying.

Do you have any kind of guides or helpful tips you follow to read the scriptures personally or with your family?

Finding random acts of kindness

2012-01-05T08:57:00.000-06:00

I've decided this year I want to be a nicer person.

Generally, I think I'm nice. Compassion is my passion, and I hate to think I could have hurt someone's feeling by being unkind. I even hurts me when I know someone has been hurt by another's unkindness. I don't understand why anyone would intentionally want to be mean to someone else. Call me extremely naive, but I truly feel deep down everyone has some good in them. I don't know what turns that good bad, but maybe kindness can help heal even a meanie's soul.

If everyone cared about each other more than we cared about ourselves the world would be such a better place.

I want to try to do my part this year by finding a random act of kindness to execute once a week.

When I set this goal the only random act I could think of was paying for some one's food behind me in the drive through (and pray they aren't ordering for a family of 10). I couldn't think of much else, so I had a chat with Mr. Google and came across HelpOthers.org where I found a plethora of ideas!

They have this cool list called a "smile deck" of cards sorted with acts of kindness for people you know, for strangers, for our world, and for yourself.

I'm already eyeballing a couple ideas for this week. I love the idea of doing things for strangers, but I think it's almost even better to do things for people I know too.

I'll let you know what I decide to do this week. Right now I'm leaning towards calling or writing a letter to a mentor.

Have you ever done anything like this? I don't think I've ever made such a conscious effort to try something like this.

Here's how it's 'bout to go down on my blog

2012-01-04T01:25:00.002-06:00

My blog has been through so much over the past three years.

End of 2008-2009 Was a blast going on and on back and forth about becoming a mom, then finally getting pregnant about a year after starting my blog.

2010 Was full of pregnancy documentation, promotions, and exploring the world of reviews and giveaways. Toward the end of 2010 I realized that wasn't for me and pretty much went in the opposite direction in 2011 avoiding most at all costs.

Toward the end I think I found a happy medium, and I hope to continue that.

I sorta felt like I fell into a mid-blogging-life crisis for a little while. I didn't want my blog to ONLY be about my daughter, in fact I wanted it to be about ME and my experiences raising her. Not "she did this and she did that..." I also didn't want to be a blogger who writes sponsored posts all the time. I like to craft but I'm not a "craft blogger" and I'll never be a go-to site for the coolest crafts. Maybe cool crafts for dummies because my skill level is as such.

I like photography, and taking photos but I'm learning as I go. I'm no Pioneer Woman.

I actually don't really focus on anything. Which some blogging coaches would say is not good if you want to "grow your blog."

This made me take a step back and ask myself once again, why I'm blogging.

It sure as heck isn't to make money. Not on this here blog. That should take some pressure off, right?

I love keeping a journal and I'm going to be totally honest right now... I love knowing that people are actually reading it. People actually think my life is interesting/ crazy/ entertaining/a bad reality show they can't turn off. Either way, it's flattering.

Ok there I said it.

So now that I got that off my chest, I'm trying to find a balance between keeping fabulous people who like to read my blog, but not CARING if nobody is reading my blog. Let me explain...

I don't really pay attention to my blog stats anymore. I get a weekly email with how many people visited but other than glancing that over I don't pay attention to the analytics. I DO however, read each and ever comment and email I get and I get all happy and sappy when I get a big response to a post. The problem is the opposite is true when I get little to no response. I'm like "wait, where did everyone go?... They must hate me... Ok I shouldn't write about that anymore."

So one person may say that my no-sew tshirt dress tutorial helped them SO MUCH, but in my head I'm like "huh, one comment, people must think that's boring."

Then someone may email or facebook me saying they loved it, and I get excited again for them. It's an emotional roller coaster.

Ok, its not that bad. It's silly, but some of that it goes through my head. Especially cause I'm a hypocrite. Yea, I'll admit it. I don't comment on blogs I read as much as I should either. Actually last year was so busy it was an all-time low for visiting other blogs and commenting back.

Ok, I'm going on way too long about this. Anyway, point is, I may have thought up a solution to my problem.

If I'm going to be honest with myself, I'm not writing this blog JUST for myself. It's for myself, my daughter, my family, my friends, and all of the people who have written to me and said my experiences and words have helped them in some way. If more people discover my little corner of the Internet, its awesome. But I can't stress about it. This aint a job. In fact, it's more like free therapy.

SO... To find the balance between caring and not caring and going back to my frequent stream-consciousnesses posts I'm going to write as if I'm writing this blog for myself and my best friend.

Funny thing is, I don't think my best friend reads my blog.

You know who else doesn't read my blog? ... Aside from my husband. (He doesn't read it either (but he's not allowed to)). My mom. Jeez, now that I think about it no one reads my blog. Except you. Therefore you will be like the BFF I'm writing to from now on. I can be silly, share my secrets (but not the ones that could get me fired or divorced) introduce you to cool things I find, teach you how I made something new, tell you how much I love being a mom, and ask you what you think of my new outfit, or the photo I took this morning.

And I won't be sad if you don't respond right away because hey, we are busy people. And life gets in the way. I can totally relate. Even if you don't talk for a while, you know your BFF is still there whenever you need them, and you can pick back up right where you left off.

Another thing... Going through my blog rolls and old posts I noticed an extremely different crowd. It's like a class of Baby Making Machine readers graduated and I'm yapping to a new group of kids.

I feel bad having a blog roll when I can't add everyone. Especially when I'd most like to visit those who visit me and see what yall are all about because if you like me that means I'd probably like you too.

To solve this problem I got rid of my blog rolls on the sidebar and my friends link at the top. Now I can focus on getting to know visitors who want to be visited and make new blog friends. How will I know who you are, you ask? With my handy dandy stalker tracker of course. It'll email me your address and I can come visit your house and bring you cookies!

KIDDING OF COURSE!

My comments section will be like my daily blog roll. If you leave your link in your comment, or if it's attached to your name and you've updated within a month, I'll assume you don't mind me paying you a visit back. I've already been doing this since the start of the year and it's SO NICE visiting you back!

So there you have it! My blogging resolution to write as if this is for me and my BFF in a nutshell.

365 (366) Love Letters Linky

2012-01-03T22:07:00.003-06:00

It was such an accomplishment to complete my 365 Love Letters project last year. Some of you have commented, written to me, or Facebooked me saying you wanted to do the same thing this year. This makes me SO HAPPY! (Find the linky at the end of this post).

When I pass other parents in the store and see them with their children, especially the small ones, I look and tell myself "I bet they love their baby as much as I love mine." At least I hope they do.

Seeing your letters come to life shows me that other moms love their babies as much as I do. No matter how big they get they'll always be our babies, and a mother's love is so beautiful

I wanted to create a space where other parents who are working on this project this year can share them, give support, and get inspired by one another.

Here are a few tips for doing them if you are just getting started:

1. Take a photo early if possible. I mean just up, still in PJs, hair crazy. That way if by the end of the day, when you get busy and forgetful, you'll already have one photo out of the way.

2. More than one child? I don't have experience with siblings but if I had two children when I started this, I would have done both at the same time and not tried to do a photo for each a day. But if you're ambitious go for it!

3. Look for inspiration. I tried to be aware of little life lessons I learned during the day and jot them down. If I thought of five ideas I had four extra ideas to use on days I was drawing a blank.

4. You don't have to be profound. Some days my letter was silly or just a statement about what she did that day. Don't feel pressured to think of something completely new, celebrate the simple things.

5. Always have a camera on you. Camera phones included. So many of my photos were snapped on my iPhone. It's ok if the picture isn't spectacular, your child will love it just the same.

6. Take pictures of details. Little hands and toes. Eyes. Them sleeping, and when you're out and about. It's fun to have a variety. Some days I didn't take photos of her at all, but there was still something to tell her.

7. Say organized! I made folders on my computer for my project. I should have made more, one for each month or each week. But I just had each general folder. I also made a file in Google Docs (so I could access and edit it from wherever) that had every day of the year under each week, so I could go through and write which photo I took which day and what advice I letter I wanted to use for it. This was helpful when I got behind on editing them because it's hard to remember which I took which day otherwise (camera save the date/time settings on the photo but it was still sometimes confusing, and better to be organized). I hope this helps!

8. On editing. I edited using Photoshop but you can also use programs like Paint to write the words on the photo, or an online program like Picnik or download Picasa. I also had an iPhone app I used sometimes in the beginning called Art Studio. It's like Photoshop on your phone (not so easy to navigate, but good when you're in a pickle)! I'm going to LOVE that app when I get an iPad!

Last but not least, HAVE FUN! And don't forget, it's leap year, so you'll have an extra one!

Here's a linky that will be active all year for those of you who will be sharing your letters online (I know others prefer to keep theirs private). All I ask is that you please include this link back to here so others can find it and join in. If you want, you can just grab the button below instead, let me know if you have any other questions!

I look forward to seeing and reading your love letters!

(highlight and push "CTL and C" to copy the button)

New Year goals past and present

2012-01-03T14:58:00.001-06:00

Every year on my blog I've written New Years goals. I love having this blog as a journal cause it's so easy to go back and see what I was thinking three years ago.

Holy cow I used to be funny. Not sure what happened there.

So, let's see my goals from way back when.

2010 I made it easy on myself and did an update post saying this:

This year (last year)[2008] I hope(d) to:

-~~Learn how to cook~~ I learned a few recipes, but need to learn more!-~~Eat better~~ ... Until I got pregnant (Spawnie's fault!)
-~~Give up caffeine~~
-Read the good books daily - I SUCKED at this. But I did have a good streak in the middle/ toward the end of the year.-~~Go on more real vacations~~ Trip out west, vacation on a lake, and Caribbean cruise, Chicago, Atlanta, not bad!
-~~Enjoy one of the last years without spawn~~ best year of marriage so far!
-~~Learn Yoga~~ Started in August!
-Exercise more (aka ever)- Still working on a daily routine.
-~~Keep a good blogging streak~~ It's been fun!
-Volunteer more- I can do better
-~~Babysit~~ And I did this A LOT more than I thought I would
-Be a better wife- Can do better.
-Get back into the habit of writing a daily journal- I did it on and off, but does blogging count?
-Start a gratitude journal- Still need to work on.
-~~Pray more~~ Happy to say I have!
-Be brutally honest- I'm not sure what I meant by this, but I don't like this resolution...
-*Get knocked up It was a maybe but I did it!

*= maybe
So I did a lot, but there's still a lot to work on! 2010 I hope to:

[Present me [2012] chiming in here. In 2011 I never did an update post with the cool colors and strikes, so I'm adding this now]

~~-Prepare to be a good mom~~ - Totally did this. Way better than I have been for #2.
-Learn how to cook more healthy meals for my family- I can't remember how I did in 2010. Pretty sure I sucked at it cause I still do now, though there was a non-sucking period at one point, I think it was in 2011.
~~-Take a prenatal yoga class~~- Did this... One class. That counts right?
~~-Create and stick with a fitness plan-~~ The most popular resolution in the history of resolutions. 2010 I did better than 2011. I'll count that.
~~-Take a birthing class with my husband-~~ Check! We took Lamaze, it was fun times.
~~-Have a healthy baby-~~ A girl at that! Even better!
~~-Save enough money to be able to take a full maternity leave-~~ Thanks goodness! Though 12 weeks still wasn't long enough.
-Not totally neglect Snoop because of Spawnie- Totally FAILED in 2010, but i'm happy to say 2011, particularly the month of December, was much better.
~~-Visit New York City-~~ We did this! I went with my daughter to BlogHer.
-Write in my gratitude journal- What's that again? #Fail
-Learn how to sew baby things- Not even close in 2010, but 2011 I started ROCKING my Domestic Diva Skills.
~~-Finish all of the hairbows I owe people for donating to March of Dimes (by Jan/Feb)-~~ Yay! My blood pressure goes up just remembering the anxiety that gave me.
-Keep enjoying blogging, don't make it "work"- 2010 it was more work than it was any other year. 2011 was better but I want to get back to this 2009 attitude.
-Visit the temple more- Ouch! This one was bad. Really really bad. Will need to re-goal this one.
-Read my scriptures daily- We did good reading the children's versions in 2011. Need to get back into the real deal.
-Prepare and execute weekly family home evenings- Technically, almost every evening is family home evening, but I should maybe try to make this more official.
-Find ways to serve others- Who made these goals? I used to be a nice person!
~~-Enjoy being a new mom-~~ Oh yes I have. Never stopped.

Back to the present now. ... Are you following? It's 2012 again. Ok, so we're about to go back to the past but this time, to the beginning of 2011. Here were my goals, and how I'm analyzing them now:

~~More Photographs.-~~ Umm. Yes. That's an understatement.
~~More interaction.-~~Yea, if you count my Facebook page. I chat yalls ears off over there.
Less comparing myself and my blog to others.- I did better than I did in 2010 but not where I want to be yet. Now I just compare myself to hot mama style bloggers. *sigh*
~~More honesty-~~ What, did I think I was a liar? Not sure what I meant but I think I meant less "sponsored" stuff, which I was good about.
~~Less big company reviews~~.- Hardly did any.
~~More supporting mom-owned shops~~- Did this for awhile, then just stopped giveaways almost completely.
~~Less arguing.~~- Oh yea, hardly any heated debates in 2011. Those are so lame.
~~More passion~~.- Yes. But need more.
More returning the comment love.- Sucked at this, but I just got too busy.
~~More giving back to charities (like we did for March of Dimes)~~.- Did really bad at this too on my own blog, but I donated to other fundraisers people organized. I'll give it to you. I mean, me.

Sad I didn't make more personal goals. My goals for 2012 are going to be the best yet. Because this is going to be the best year ever. ... If the world doesn't end.

Here are my goals. I desperately want to elaborate on each one but I'll just save them for individual posts:

Write my blog like it's for just me and my best friend
Get on the other side of the [still] camera more
Do at least one random act of kindness a week
Go to church, even if it kills me
Shop (or make things) for myself
Read the scriptures like it's Twilight
Enter to win an award
Complete my "to do before #2" list
Make another baby (maybe)
Laugh more
Cook something for heaven's sakes! And keep cooking!
Get organized!
Print more photos
Do the food storage thing
Be nice to Snoop
Be a totally awesome mom

I purposely put some hard ones on there and focused more on my life than my blog because my life is more important and if I'm doing these things I'll have plenty to blog about. I'm really excited to tackle these then look back and see how I've done in 2013 (if we all survive that long).

Did you make some goals this year? I'd love to hear! Feel free to leave a link if you've written a post like this too.

Looking back at 2011 and forward to what 2012 has in store

2012-01-02T02:41:00.000-06:00

2011 was a pretty good year for us. I can't complain. I'm optimistic about this year. Actually, I'm not alone. Most people are. I blogged about it here.

I'm trying to remember the highlights from 2011 and here's what I've got:

-Transitioned from news reporting to lifestyle reporting
-Went to EVO with Lil' J and my Piggies and Paws team.
-Celebrated my husband starting his new job.
-Lil' J started school, and is doing better than I ever dreamed.
-Debuted as a correspondent for BYU-TV's Fresh Take. I was in this episode and this one.
-Became a morning anchor (instead of evening. I thought I'd hate it but I LOVE it).
-Finished blogging for Bravado's Breastfeeding Diaries and Started Blogging for BabyCenter.
-Lil' J became an Etsy star, modeling for various boutiques.
-I started sewing clothes for Lil' J!
-Signed a new contract with my job
-Completed my 365 Love Letters project for Lil' J.
-Got infected with baby fever (currently trying to ward it off with small doses of toddler tantrums).

Oh, and let me add something you may not know about my 365s... I literally have THOUSANDS of outtakes. There were days I wanted to use three photos that day instead of one. Sometimes I barely remembered to snap one on my iphone, and other days, like yesterday, I could hardly narrow it down.

My husband wasn't too keen about posing for our photo yesterday but I told him he had to. It was the last day and it needed to be a family shot. The photo I shared yesterday obviously won, but this one was a close second.

Anyway, 2012... There are so many things I'm looking forward to, I can't help but be excited.

My husband will graduate his police academy in March, and we're planning to move out of the hood in April. That's also when I'll be involved in the launch of a very big campaign that I would tell you about but I'm too scared to jinx myself so I'll wait. But I'll give you a hint... It has to do with my photography and a company that celebrates life! You've definitely heard of them and probably bought their product several times last year. I'll tell you more very soon.

Luckily, I don't have to wait too long to be excited for other new things to start. This week... Tuesday actually, my new parenting segment premieres on the news station I work for. I've been pushing/begging/praying/hoping to start one for about a year and it's finally coming to fruition. Lil' J may even get to do some spots with me from time to time. I feel really blessed to get paid to do a job I love.

As always, I'm setting goals for the new year. Last year I took on SO many new hobbies. Photography, sewing, freelance writing, reading fiction again... All while continuing to blog here which of course, if my favorite hobby (shhh, don't tell the others).

I compared my past and present goals but my ramblings are so long that I'm going to share them in another post tomorrow.

Happy New Year!

365 Love Letters Day 365!

2011-12-31T23:59:00.001-06:00

I wanted my last photo of the year to capture all three of us. I had taken all 364 photos before this one so I wanted to be the one to take the last photo too. I propped the camera on her changing table, set the settings, then use my wireless remote trigger.

I thought the message was perfect for wrapping up the project and how I (we) feel about her.

Some FAQs answered about my project...

I DO plan to print these into a book for my daughter.

I DO want to do it for my next child.

YES, I will be doing a similar photo project for 2012 but it's going to be different, much bigger, and not on this blog. I'll give you more details soon. For now, I'll leave you with my final Project 365 Love Letter of 2011.

Happy New Year!

356 Love Letters Week 52

2011-12-31T23:00:00.001-06:00

365 Love Letters Week 51

2011-12-31T22:00:00.003-06:00

365 Love Letters Week 50

2011-12-31T20:57:00.001-06:00

365 Love Letters Week 49

2011-12-31T19:56:00.000-06:00

365 Love Letters Week 48

2011-12-31T19:53:00.000-06:00

365 Love Letters Week 47

2011-12-31T14:31:00.000-06:00

This was the week we went to Vegas for Thanksgiving then came home and set up our tree (Day 330), so a few photos with my family are in this bunch.

My favorite of this week is probably day 326. Love the old/young contrast. The light was low and they were moving a lot so it wasn't totally in focus, but I'm still glad I captured it.

She laughed at the garland this year, just like she did last year. Bow from London Blue Designs. I made the dress.

She grabbed the doll in a day after Thanksgiving sale and wouldn't put it down for days.

Best pie EVER! I love to eat it. Need to learn to make it.

She was a MESS. Notice how she took my spoon!

My great-grandfather. He's 92.

She's feeding my little sister. She's 6 and she LOVES her niece.

Out in the yard playing in another mommy-made outfit. Feeling fall festive.

365 Love Letters Week 46

2011-12-31T00:04:00.000-06:00

Thank you SO SO much for your sweet comments on my project. I'm trying to finish editing and uploading the last several weeks by Saturday night. Your words are keeping me going.

My favorite photo this week is probably Day 323 or 317 but my favorite advice is Day 320. I heard Michelle Duggar say this on the Today Show about her kids and it all totally makes sense to me now. I hope I can explain this to my daughter as she gets older and that she'll understand what I mean.

Shoes from Cambria Laine. Leg Warmers from Lil Snugglies by Val

This picture came out crappy, I think I have a better version on my phone that I'll have to re-edit later but you get the idea.

Concept borrowed from Michelle Duggar. I LOVE how she's smelling the flowers here.

Normally she's in this chair rocking away but I took this after her bed time.

She has bokoo tutus. I need to re-purpose the tulle.

... This advise needs to be kept within reason. Cute outfit from Morigional Designs.

365 Love Letters Week 45

2011-12-30T22:16:00.000-06:00

Week 45 was a fun week for photos. Over the last couple of months she's really started to love Snoop. We've taken him for walks together, she pets him when we get home, and hugs him like this. He's loving all of the new found attention and I'm sure, feeling like a puppy again.

As usual I love the daddy/daughter photo. When they are snuggling before bed it's too hard for me not to snap a pic with my iPhone. My favorite is either day one or Day 310.

Loving on her furry brother.

Learning to use utensils. She loves peaches.

Smooching on daddy before bed.


She still loves this Tedddy. Strangely enough, she prefers to keep in Spanish mode.

We took this photo on our nature walk. Love this quote by MLK Jr.

She wore her Dr. Seuss hat and dress to the library, so it was only appropriate I use a quote of his too. The adorable outfit is from Lollibug Boutique.

365 Love Letters Week 44

2011-12-30T20:43:00.000-06:00

Several photos I took in week 44 were with my iPhone. But these moments needed to be captured and my camera wasn't close by.

Day 309 is my favorite despite it being grainy and not the best quality. I also love Day 306 and 307. Yes, she wore the same dress twice in a week. I love it that much. Link to the boutique below the photo. I'd love to know your favorite from this week if you have one!

Love these two. She's all Daddy's girl before bedtime.

Not sure why she decided to lay on the ground but I snapped the photo cause she was looking cute.

This is advice for me too.

I introduced her to the iPod. Now she loves to listen to music and movies with my headphones.

We found a pond at the botanical gardens and she of course HAD to put her feet in. Water sign girl. Dress from Adelaide's.

I made her costume. We were trick-or-treating around her school.

She also enjoyed the lion. No elephants at the Austin zoo though. We'll have to try another soon. Dress from Adelaide's Boutique.

365 Love Letters Week 43

2011-12-29T06:05:00.000-06:00

My little girl inspires me so much. It's amazing watching her discover the world around her. This week of photos sorta focused on that unintentionally. She has so much spunk and she's quite curious. I can't believe I only have a couple more days of photos to capture. Looking back at these photos I took months ago has made me realize I need to make these last few really good! I have an idea for the last day, I just hope I can pull it off.

I hope you enjoy this weeks compilation! My favorites are probably day 299 and 300, but what I tell her in day 297's letter is the epitome of how I feel about her and straight from the heart.

We were practicing for trick-or-treating.

Asleep after an afternoon of playing with mommy.

We were putting together her new bike. Full story coming soon.

She loves this kitty. This was just another day outside but I love how this photo came out.

I will keep sticking her in buckets as long as she fits.

I honestly feel this way about my daughter. I imagine most moms do.

Mommy made this fall dress for her. My second ever.

365 Love Letters Week 42

2011-12-26T23:26:00.001-06:00

Week 42 was a good week for photos. It's hard to choose a favorite. Probably 294 or 290, but the daddy/daughter one I love too.

It was all fun and games until she face planted. Poor thing.

She loves to cop a squat right on our front door and sort of run from me to this spot. Love this giggle face.

Found this when I went to get some foil.

Love painting her toes. She loves it too.

She totally left him hanging here.

First Popsicle from the ice cream man.

Just hanging out in the kitchen while I attempt to cook.

365 Love Letters Week 41

2011-12-25T22:55:00.001-06:00

As promised. I'll be sharing what I've been up to with these the rest of the year. Here's Week 41. It was obviously much warmer then. My favorite of this week may be 282 or 285.

On a walk with the whole fam. That hot booty belongs to my husband.

Totally staged during a modeling shoot, but she was loving the sucker prop!

We were playing peek-a-boo/ hide and seek and I was hiding behind this tree. You can see half of it in this shot.

I caught her while she was sneaking a peek at the neighbor's cat. Notice the tie she's wearing? She loves ties!

We took a trip to UT campus and I snapped this photo while she was being admired by passerbys.

Merry Christmas BMM readers!

2011-12-25T10:40:00.000-06:00

It's the night before Christmas. Santa made his stop at our house and I can't wait to see the look on Lil' J's face in the morning when she sees what he brought.

I spent the night with her and her daddy starting new traditions... Drinking hot coco, watching Christmas movies, and making Christmas cookies.

Snoop even got dressed up for the affair. If you can't tell, both of them were quite fascinated by the oven.

Sadly, our cookies weren't homemade... We actually didn't even take time to frost them this year, but Lil' J still helped me break and place them on the cookie sheet. Maybe every year we'll get a little more elaborate and by the time she's 12 we'll be experimenting with our own recipes.

Time is flying with my sweet little one. There's a photo in an ornament on our tree of her two Christmases ago. Yes, she was about 8 weeks along in my uterus in that photo. Now she's like 5,000 times that size, and thankfully, on the outside.

I hope Christmas and the holidays, and the new year bring you all joy, happiness and many blessings. I'm grateful to have you here as I share my life with y'all (yes, I live in Texas and I say y'all).

Merry Christmas!

***

In case you're wondering, I got my adorable Christmas tree earrings from Grandma Marti's Jewelry shop. They're only $7 and there's no shipping charge. In case you aren't all gifted out from the holidays yet, here's one more. Just leave a comment letting me know what you're doing for the holidays and you're entered to win some earrings of your choice from this shop. Entry form is below. It'll run all week so enjoy your Christmas and come back and enter later!

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7 Years down, an eternity to go

2011-12-23T01:11:00.001-06:00

7 years ago I married my best friend. Today, he's still my best friend, my comedian, my counselor, and my baby daddy.

I can't wait to have another 10 babies with him.

Although he doesn't read my blog (a good thing, or he may die of a heart attack) I'd like to wish him a Happy Anniversary.

I love you babe!

15 Things moms love to do on Facebook and my Anniversary

2011-12-22T16:58:00.000-06:00

I've been stalking my friends pages (and taking a second-look at my own) to research for this post. I decided to share it today on my BabyCenter blog. Are you guilty of some of these?

Tomorrow is my 7-year wedding anniversary and I'm still racking my brain trying to think of a little somethin' somethin' I can get my husband. Now that we have Lil' J I'm kicking myself for having our wedding so close to Christmas. I took the day off so I'll be back to blogging here (with my 365s) tomorrow.

My grandparents came to visit and my grandma and I were sewing and baking (ok, she was baking, I was eating) up a storm. I made this dress for Lil' J using her fancy machine while she was here.

Hope you're enjoying the holidays!

A peek at what I'm working on...

2011-12-19T12:32:00.001-06:00

It's the week of Christmas. My grandma just came in to town from Vegas ad we're sewing up a storm.

I'm still making Christmas dresses. And Lil' J has 7 more days to make it as fashionable as possible. This is what I am finishing up right now...

The rest of the month I'll pretty much be sewing and taking pictures. ... And working but who cares about that?

I have a heap of 365 Love Letters to show you. ... You didn't think I quit did you? No, I just haven't had a lot of time to blog an additional day and upload those.

The remainder of the year I'll basically be flooding you with the rest of those and taking a break from regular blogging. Doing one or the other will give me more time to spend with my family. Plus, I think the letters represent the Christmas spirit of love and joy better than anything else I could say.

So here's right where I left off...

Quality vs quantity time with my daughter

2011-12-16T13:21:00.000-06:00

What matters more: The amount of time you spend with your child, or the quality of time you spend together?

I think I've learned the answer to that question this week.

It's been slightly insane the past few days. My husband is now halfway through his training and we're beginning to get a taste of what his schedule will be like once he graduates.

He's in to work at 5pm and not home until after 2am. This week I was beat and in bed before he got home then back at work before he and Lil' J woke up. It's just been one of those weeks where I wonder what it would be like if I stayed at home with her and didn't have any place I had to be.

I tried my best to hurry to work early so I could get home earlier, and catch my husband before he left for work. But he had to leave extra early for his shift and by the time I picked up Lil' J from school and made it home, I'd just miss him. I was frustrated and felt like I was seeing both of them... Well, never.

I have some time off coming up around the holidays, which normally is a good thing for most people, but for me this means I have to put in a little more work now. I'm writing and editing stories in advance, and doing extra interviews. Everything combined means a little more overtime and a little less time at home with my family.

I know I get a mix of sentiments from other moms. Some know exactly how I feel and others don't wish they were in my shoes. I suppose some could wish they were, but I doubt it.

That full-time daycare that we pay for, but use part-time finally earned its keep this week.We took her all five days versus her usual three.

It's not like she doesn't like it. In fact, my husband told me this morning she kept grabbing his shoes, demanding he put them on, and shaking her car seat, while saying "skoo" "skoo" which means "school" in Lil' J talk. I just feel bad when she's spending more time playing with her teachers and friends than she is playing with me.

There's hardly anything in this world that makes me feel worse than picking my daughter up from school and only having time to feed, bathe and dress her for bed before it's time for us to crash and do it all over again in the morning.

I had had enough. It was time to reconnect.

I went in a couple of hours earlier than I normally do and told myself I was skipping a lunch and leaving exactly eight hours later. Then I picked my daughter up for some good old fashioned fun.

Normally when I want to have a blast, I take her somewhere.--A park with slides, a museum, a water playscape, or petting zoo. But tonight we'd bring the fun to us.

We had just received our finger puppets in the mail courtesy of Her Threaded Needle. One set for of Old Mc. Donald's farm, and another of 5 little monkeys.

Before we even got inside I pulled them out and showed them to her. She had never seen finger puppets like this before but I knew she's love them because she loves puppets and she loves singing. Sure enough, I couldn't even get them all on my fingers before she pulled them off to try for herself.

We changed into our PJs long before it was time for bed so we could eat cheese and crackers, talk, and play. She shows me her toys and babbled to me, and I replied. It made me stop and think how often I give her my undivided attention on a regular basis, and how often is my mind someplace else. In this very moment, I was all hers.

In her room I took out the monkey finger puppets and sang the "Five Little Monkeys" song, and tried my best to make it as hilarious as possible. BOINKing my head when the monkey's fell and hit their head, and jumping when they jumped. I think it worked. She of course wanted to sing it too. Then, just before lights out time, I taught her one of the coolest things she's ever learned--How to jump.

I pretty sure in this moment, and right after I kissed her goodnight she was thinking something like:
"COOLEST. MOM. EVER!"

I may not get to spend all the time I would like with her. I may not be home with her every day. But I make the most of the time we do have together. Because I think it's quality that matters more than quantity.

***

Rachel, owner of Her Threaded Needle has graciously offered to giveaway a set of Christmas finger puppets to one of my readers.

Just enter using the tool below (if you don't want to use your facebook account, click the small print that says you want to use your name and email address). It's a quick one so you can get it by Christmas. Ends 12:01am on Monday. Good luck!

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Shopping with Lil' J will never be the same

2011-12-15T07:59:00.000-06:00

When Lil' J was an infant, I loved staring at my little blob. Then when she started to sit up and crawl it was fun watching her slowly pick up new tricks. When we'd go out it was always easy to contain her. But now? Now that we've hit the toddler years, I'm dealing with a whole 'nother animal.

Next time we go out I really need to take a picture of how we roll. We roll in a mobil pack n' play. Or at least, that's what the woman at the fabric store called it when she saw us. I agree with the brilliant description.

Basically, it's throwing her some toys, snacks, and water in the main part of the shopping cart and letting Lil' J entertain herself while I shop around the store.

I used to wear her in my carrier and that worked before she started walking but now she likes to get down. Then I'd put her in the seat part of the shopping cart but that wasn't busy enough for her. I would use the Walmart limo (you know, the car with the two extra totally open plastic seats for kids to jump off of while you're driving down the aisles.. Oh, wait... That's just my daughter?), but I'm too worried moms will two or more kids will give me the stink eye. So I resorted to this. Why? Well, because walking around is destined for doom. If you haven't read my BabyCenter blog you probably have no idea what I'm talking about.

We were fabric shopping—Well, I was fabric shopping; Little J was tagging along, at a local store when it stuck me. I was in the very predicament I thought I’d never find myself in: Child being entertained by random objects that should be off-limits, and mother in distress.

I’ve found myself in this predicament more often than I’d like recently. Before she started walking it was easy to keep her close at bay in the shopping cart I’m pushing around. But since she recently discovered how to walk along side me, she’d much rather use her own legs. I haven’t resorted to a leash—That’s on the list "HAIL NAHS" I made way back when before I was pregnant. Come to think of it, I wonder how many of those I've already done.

I had a heap of fabric on my shopping cart to get cut, but I wanted to put a roll back I decided I didn’t need.
Lil' J was right in front of me and the roll just went on the shelf a few feet around the corner.

I made a beeline for the shelf, set the fabric down, and turned back around to grab Lil' J, who had magically managed to run over to a display of plastic (or were they ceramic?) fruit, grab the largest one–what looked like a giant pear—and bring it back to show me.

I tried to stay calm and quickly analyze the situation but the look on my face must have said “hey let’s play tag” because she immediately knew I was about to chase her and try to take her new treasure.
She let out a huge giggle, turned and started to run. But two steps in her retreat she dropped the shiny pear—Which was ceramic—And we watched it smash into a dozen little pieces.

Then came another decisive moment. Do I run?—No, of course not, there were probably bystanders watching the whole thing. Yell at her?—No, it was my fault. Pick up the pieces and offer to pay for it—Bingo!

It was humiliating to say the least. I worked in retail years ago and have been shopping enough, witnessing similar situations with other mothers and their children. I swore up and down that would never be me. Yet, here I am. Picking up pieces of an overpriced decoration that costs who knows how much because I was bright enough to take my eyes off her for five seconds (I still should have known because it only took four for her to throw my blackberry in the toilet).

Even though I offered to pay, they told me not to worry about it, and I confined my daughter to the shopping cart for the remainder of our trip. My guilt lead me to spend a little more than I ordinarily would have, and I even signed up for their rewards program. Hankock Fabrics has my business for life.

I’ve only been a mom for 17 months but I’m learning quickly. One thing I know for sure: Never say never, and don’t roll your eyes at that poor mother trying to do her best, because in another year, that could be you.

Sharing a towel: He says/ She says

2011-12-14T13:52:00.000-06:00

He says: “Why don’t you just use my towel?”
She says: “Because you dried your butt with it.”
He says: "... And?"

Obviously I need to get me one of these...

Maybe Santa will bring it for me.

What say you? Do you mind sharing a towel even if his [clean] wet butt was all over it?

How to make a t-shirt dress (sew version): What I'm Makin Monday

2011-12-12T03:35:00.001-06:00

I didn't use to like t-shirt dresses all that much, but then I fell in love with some on this etsy shop. I bought several from her. Then she got pregnant again and I felt bad asking her to make me a billion dresses while she's got two kiddos and one on the way, so with her encouragement, I decided to start sewing.

I wanted to go all in and learn how to make dress bodices myself, so I skipped trying the t-shirt style right away. But since Lil' J is wearing something Christmas themed to school every day until the 25th, I needed to speed up my dress-making process, so I decided to give these a whirl for her to wear while I'm working on the more elaborate patterns.

Sumos Sweet Stuff has adorable tiered t-shirt dress patterns and tiered ruffle t-shirt patterns that I own, but before trying those I decided I'd just wing it and try a solid fabric on the bottom with a little hem band.

It doesn't take so long, and it's easy because you don't need to worry about making the top half, other than any embellishments you want to add.

This is a lot like my no-sew version I posted last week except without any elastic, and obviously with sewing instead of Heat N Bond.

What you'll need:

T-shirt
Fabric (I used 1/2 yard of the main skirt fabric and 1/8 yard fabric for the trim band and sash. )
Scissors
Coordinating thread

Step 1: Sew hem band to the skirt piece. I used the longer side to be the width of the skirt area.

Step 2: Roll the bottom of the hem band twice toward the inside of and sew across it to create a finished-looking hem.

Step 3: Add a ruffle stitch across the top of the skirt piece (or sew two parallel lines with a long stitch and pull the top stitch to make it gather.

Step 4: Cut across t-shirt about two inches below arm opening.

Step 5: Connect skirt and shirt by matching like-sides and sew them together. Then iron out hems.

Step 6: Flip the dress is inside out and sew up the side of the dress to close it off.

I gave sash instructions here.

There you have it! Easy enough right? If you have any questions let me know.

If you'd like to add ruffles to the bottom of the dress, or in the neck line, you just sew long stitch and pull. Like you did with the ruffling on the skirt portion. Then top stitch it to the drees

I attempted my first applique and it came out pretty cute. I'll share that next week if it holds up.

If you've made a craft or recipe lately I'd love it if you linked up. I love finding new ideas so link up!
(Excuse any typos in this post. I'm dozing off after being up for 24 hours.)

No sew Tshirt dress tutorial: Mini Mod #14

2011-12-10T06:13:00.000-06:00

Sorry it took me to long to post this! Busy week. I made three t shirt dresses this week because they are quick and easy to do, and this is a tutorial for a no-sew version. Which surprisingly turned out.

After making a t-shirt dress and seeing how easy it was I challenged myself to attempt a no-sew version. I'm posting these tutorials backwards (no sew first instead of second) but hopefully they'll both be helpful. The other I'll try to post withing the next day or two.

I had been looking for a no-sew dress for toddlers and I couldn't find one. So I attempted making my own. My daughter wore it around the house, passing test #1 then she just wore it to daycare and it didn't fall apart so it passed the ultimate test. But I still want to put a little disclaimer out there that if you have a sewing machine, I'd just make the sewing version because it will be more sturdy, and it honestly isn't much harder, if harder at all to just sew the dang thing.

So for measurements for about an 18-month old toddler dress I get (obviously) an 18 months shirt, then for the main dress part of the fabric I get 1/2 yard of fabric, and for the trim and sash fabric I get 1/8 yard. But if you also want to use it to add an embellishment to the dress, or a bow or something I'd get 1/4 yard so you have extra.

Other materials you'll need:
Cord elastic (I used about 18in but you'll cut it based on how wide your kid's waist is.)
Heat N Bond tape (3/8in)
Scissors
Iron

Step 1: Cut the shirt 2in below the arm holes.

Step 2: Cut the hem/ sash fabric in half.

Step 3: Take the bottom end of the dress fabric and the top end of the trim piece and place them together, right sides together. This is how they'll be attached. Place a strip of Heat N Bond down and follow the instructions to bond the two pieces.

Step 4: Fold the bottom of the trim strip backwards twice (small folds less than 1in), and iron a crease. This is how the hem will look. Cut and place the Heat N Bond between the hem crease and attach as the directions say.

Step 5: Fold the top part of the dress over backwards about an inch. Place a strip of Heat N bond closest to the top part of the dress (not close to the fold, you want an open space where you'll be stringing the elastic through). Iron the piece down as instructed.

Step 6: Measure your child's waist and cut the cord elastic to that length. Using a safety pin, string the piece of cord elastic through the casing you just made at the top of the dress. Once it's all the way through, tie the elastic together in a knot. This has made what looks like an open skirt.

Step 7: Flip the shirt inside out, and flip the open skirt inside out too. Add small strips Heat N Bond around the shirt and slowly attach the skirt portion to the shirt, gently stretching the elastic along the way so that it will fit all away the shirt.

Step 8: Add iron stitch down the long portion of the skirt that's still open and fuse them together.

Step 9: Flip the dress inside out and admire.

Step 10: If you'd like to make a sash, fold the sash fabric in half, hotdog style right sides together. Add iron stitch to the end and fuse it together.

Step 11: Use a long pointy object to flip it right side out, then add iron stitch to each end.

Step 12: Flip everything right side out and iron down the seams so they are flat and not puckering up. This should also reinforce all of the bonding.

VOILA!! Put it on your baby and admire.

What do you think? Going to give it a try?

If there's anything I didn't clarify well enough let me know and I'll elaborate more. I wrote this kind of fast.

Eating in the car: He says/ She says

2011-12-07T13:29:00.000-06:00

He says: "I just cleaned out the car and there was tons of food in her seat and all under it, it was gross. So let's not let her eat in the car anymore."
She says: "... Aww, look how she's kissing her baby doll. She's so cute!"
He says: "Are you listening to me? No more food in the car, ok?"
She says: "Forever?"
He says: "Until further notice."
She says: *sigh* "Fine..."

5 minutes later...

Little she says: "yum yum yum."

Don't tell my husband.

Is food consumption allowed in your car?

Our weaning story

2011-12-06T17:09:00.000-06:00

The last time we nursed...Well, I wasn't sure at the time that it would be our last nursing session but I guess at this point I should have treated each session like our last. Then again, I've heard other moms recall their last nursing session being so sad and emotional, I'm sorta glad I didn't know at the time. But I do remember that day I was extra appreciative of our moments together. When she'd ask (I haven't offered since she turned one) I'd allow it without hesitation, and I made an extra effort to slow down and just be with her. I took note of "the look" she'd give me. The one she always gave me while she nursed. I guess her options of things to look at were pretty limited cause usually she chose to stare at me.

She did this time too. And I set my smart phone aside and stated back at her.

She smiled at me while still latched, this was my favorite thing to get her to do while she ate--see if I could make her laugh and giggle while she was still eating. She had a talent of doing both.

She stuck her fingers in my mouth and I pretended to bite them off, and she laughed even harder. This was our little game we played over the last 17 months. I'd see if I could get her to laugh hard enough to where she lost her latch, and she'd keep checking her hand to see her fingers still in tact, them shove them back in my mouth to give me another shot.

My challenge was to make her laugh as hard as she could but also hope she didn't bite me back.

I nursed her A LOT this day. I was off work an whenever I sat down, that's just what she wanted to do.

I held her while she napped and she nursed off and on for two hours. I didn't complain about it. I guess subconsciously I knew this was the end.

The next morning she woke up extra early, so I grabbed her and we slept a few extra hours in the guest bed. Of course she nursed the whole time. This was going to be the most difficult session to cut.

The following morning I woke up before her and my husband offered to take her to school. She woke up just as I was leaving and I tried to sneak out but she got a glimpse of me. I heard her crying from the car. I called and my husband said she was fine but I knew she wasn't accustomed to starting her day that way. Without me, her morning snack.

When I picked her up from school that evening her teachers told me she was pretty moody for a few hours in the morning. I knew why. And she was asking to be nursed then, but we had to go, and I tried to distract her until we got home. By the time we did it was time for dinner then bath, than bed. And she didn't ask again, and I didn't offer.

The next morning I had to leave for work before 4:30, so I was of course long gone before she woke up. During my break I was careful not to sit down when I visited her and my husband. I knew if I did she'd ask to nurse. But I didn't and she didn't.

When I returned from work she was napping, and I knew when she woke up would be the ultimate challenge. We had already gone a day and a half without nursing and if we were going to stop, I knew I needed to ride this out.

I heard her wake up from her nap and felt an anxious feeling. This was the first time I'd be seeing her wake up since our weaning process really took off. If we could get through this, we'd be over a huge hurdle. She cried and cried, tried to pull down my shirt and kept smacking my chest. It would have been so easy and harmless to give in but I had to get past this.

I took her outside and she calmed down. I brought some of her favorite yogurt snacks with us and after a few minutes she was distracted.

The next day got a little easier, she still asked but was quickly distracted. We had gone three days without nursing. I wondered if we had hit our new stride, if my milk would have dried up by then, or if she had possibly forgotten how to latch. This was the longest in her life she had gone without nursing. Previously it had been maybe 12 hours or so. I felt bad that evening when she kept asking to eat, so I gave her some ice cream to ease my guilt. And she seemed to be happy for the substitution.

Snacks and cuddles were my new way to console her when that's what she wanted.

At church, we for the first time went an entire sacrament meeting without us heading to the nursing lounge. This was thanks partly to a woman behind us who kept playing with her, and a bag full of snacks. Next month she can start nursery, and that'll be a whole new exciting experience.

Monday I was off work, and it would be our first day together all day without nursing. I had a plan to get her out of the house because if she was entertained she didn't ask to breastfeed. That morning she woke up at 6:30. Since I had just gone to bed at 5 that morning, I wasn't ready to get up so I finally gave in and nursed her back to sleep, deciding if I nursed her at all, it would only be early mornings, if she doesn't go back to sleep on her own first.

She didn't nurse the rest of the day, and at night she's fine being hugged and kissed goodnight.

Now we're finding our new groove. Aside from a couple of mornings where we've fallen off the wagon, it hasn't been terrible. It's bittersweet seeing my little girl grow up. But I know we're embarking on a new adventures and we'll find new ways to bond. Then soon enough I'll have another nursling to start all over with.

Easy Peasy Christmas Dresses

2011-12-05T05:05:00.001-06:00

I'm up way too late but here's a preview of a tutorial I'll post later today for an easy t-shirt dress. I'm making a bunch for Lil' J to wear this month, along with other cute dress styles, but since these are quicker I started with these.

They cost less than $9 to make and they're super cute!

I'll also tell you a great shop you can buy these from, or get a pattern for a more elaborate style.

For now, I leave you with my crappy iphone photos of my girl's new dresses.

So, you wanna adopt a Black kid?: Black Folk 201

2011-12-01T14:24:00.000-06:00

I think it's absolutely wonderful when people tell me they want to adopt, but from time to time I'll hear people say things that make me go "hmmm."

My favorite line is "Ooh, I want one." Referring to a black child. Kids aren't puppies. You don't buy one from a breeder, or pick one out at a shelter. It's a human being, and you get what you get.

I don't know if it's because Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock made it cool, but for a while I was beginning to wonder if it was some kind of strange fad.

Source

When I lived in Utah I saw this all over the place. I'm going to be honest, at first I was a little concerned. I met mothers frustrated with their daughter's kinky black hair who didn't have a clue how to manage it, and black children who had never seen people who look like them. And worse... reading stories of parents who abused these children. Thankfully the latter was not as common.

When I attended Black Student Union at BYU, there were events for these families to come and socialize with one another and, I guess, let their kids see other children who look like them. I asked the parents how they came about adopting transracially and heard a variety of responses.

One mother told me she wanted a biracial child because she thinks they're adorable, another told me the waiting list was so long for white children so they broadened their search. Another told me it was more affordable.

...

A baby on sale? That broke my heart, but I'm giving them all the benefit of the doubt. While their initial intentions may have been questionable to me, I pray they're loving parents.

These days my feelings aren't so harsh toward families who want to adopt transracially. In fact, I think it's great that people can open their hearts to children who don't even look like them, and take them in as their own forever. It's a sad fact, but according to some studies, black children are 7 times less desirable than other children. This is why there are programs that offer subsidies to help families adopting a black child. And let's face it... There aren't enough black families adopting either.

I think (hope) counselors do this anyway but I've thought of some advice for parents choosing to adopt a black child.

1. Learn how to manage black hair: Take a class, ask for help, do what you've gotta do so your daughter doesn't have a matted mess that can't be tamed and has to be cut.
2. Study black-culture and history to share with your child.
3. Have a variety of books, dolls, and toys that show people who look like them too.
4. Get involved in diverse play groups, so your child can see others who also look like them.

I also found a helpful article with more information on transracial adoption.

Actually, I think the list above is great for anyone. Being in an interracial marriage myself I am trying to be more aware of my daughter's growing variety of books, dolls and immersion.

When people say "Black babies are so cute!" Not that I don't agree, but is that specifically why you'd want to adopt a child? Ultimately a family is a family. Love is most important, and you don't have to look like your children to love them.

Someday I'd like to adopt, possibly after I have one more biological child. But I'd like to think that race wouldn't be a deciding factor in my decision.

I'm interested in hearing from others who have considered or who have adopted transracially. What has your experience been? Would you adopt outside of your race?

Real tree vs fake tree: He says/ She says

2011-11-30T14:13:00.000-06:00

Dress: (the one that cost me 8 hours and 80 f-bombs); Bow: Blooming Bows

She says: "We should change it up this year and get a real tree for once."
He says: "No, they're too messy, besides, we already have a tree."
She says: "They aren't messy. And they smell good."
He says: "Maybe next year."

... Repeat next year.

What say you? Real or fake?

What do you tell your kids about Santa?

2011-11-29T23:48:00.000-06:00

The night before Christmas, my sister and I would do our annual ritual. Decorate cookies with frosting and sprinkles. Place them on a special plate, and leave it out with a glass of milk for Santa.

I was also sure to grab the bag of carrots for his reindeer. We didn't want to forget about Rudolph did we?

We'd watch the weatherman on our local station track Santa and run to bed when he showed him flying over our area, and try to get fast to sleep as quickly as possible.

One night I was sure I heard him and his reindeer land on the roof. I peered across the bed to my sister who looked as wide-eyed as I when we heard his jingle bells and a "HO HO HO" from the living room.

Maybe I dreamt it all, maybe we had some good actors in our family. Or maybe it was Santa.

We'd wake up in the middle of the night and peek into the living room to see what he left behind. Under the twinkle of the tree lights there was a huge pile of gifts. We'd whisper and tiptoe around peeking at the boxes--Careful not to touch them, we knew that would ensue a butt whipping.--But we'd read the names on the gifts and see who's was who's. The big one behind the tree was my sisters, the strange-shaped packaged one with a giant bow was mine.

It was such a joy to do this year after year.

I'm not quite sure when it dawned on me that Santa wasn't who I thought he was. Maybe it was finding random presents around the house before Christmas. Or noticing that my mom and Santa had the exact same handwriting. Maybe it was some jerk kid at school who ruined it, I can't remember. But I never told my siblings anything otherwise.

My parents never did either. When I'd bring my detective work to their attention they'd find a way to twist the tale so that I still believed. And for a while it worked. I'm cool with that.

Photo by Jackie Willome Photography (more coming soon!)

These memories, and a post on my friend's blog got me thinking about this tradition. There's no question about it, Santa is coming to our house. In fact, Lil' J has already met him. Twice. The magic will live on in my home until my kiddos are old enough to do their own detective work. I hope that's not until they're at least seven or eight. Christmas never seemed quite as fun and magical after I knew my parents were behind Santa.

Last night we put up our tree together. Like last year she laughed when I shook the decorations. I think next year she'll be able to help me hang more of the decorations, and soon enough, she and her siblings can be in charge of it all, and they can discuss their own Santa stories and theories.

I didn't see my parents as having lied to me, or distrust them after that. Looking back, I admire and thank them for letting me have that childhood experience.

Sure, sometimes I wonder if it's right that an old white man steal my thunder and take credit for my hard earned money and gifts, but you know what? I have no problem with that. Someday, when they're older, they'll understand the sacrifices I've made for them. She'll have plenty of time to thank me later.

Now I just have to hope all of the families with different views about Santa stories don't ruin the fun for us. I guess you can't blame kids for sharing what they know. Lord knows kids have word vomit and no filter. But it would be nice if my children could experience some of the magic I felt around the holiday and I can feel like a kid again.

Does Santa visit your house?

I seriously overestimated my sewing abilities

2011-11-28T07:55:00.000-06:00

I had this fantastic idea to design my own dress for Lil' J. I wanted it to have lots of ruffles and some smocking. I hadn't tried either skill on her dresses yet.

A few years ago I bought a bunch of gingerbread fabric when I was sewing holiday dog collars. I had that left over, along with a slew of red and white striped fabric I picked up from a thrift store about a year ago. Finally I could put these to good use and make a (free) dress!

I decided I didn't need a pattern... I'd wing it! But come to find out I'm not much of a "wing it" person, because I still wrote down the measurements I wanted and the steps I'd need to take.

I cut all the fabric for the different pieces and placed them out how I planned for them to go. Easy enough right? I'd just gather the ruffles, and hem the ends, then sew them all together.

HA HA HA! ... No.

About 8 hours and 80 f-bombs later, I was done. I think it's cute but I also think I've made cuter in less time. In the beginning I was taking photos for a tutorial but about a quarter of the way through I realized I hadn't a clue what I was doing and no one should try to imitate this the way I was. There's probably a much simpler way to make something like this.

My little model was already sleeping when I finished so I'll have to post some picture of her wearing this later.

Shirring wasn't too hard but it was a pain in the butt going back and forth from straight stitching to shirring, changing the tension, and re-testing the machine because it's finicky. I added some fun funky stitching at the hem line, and made some matching leg warmers from womens socks. It's warm here in Texas so she may be able to get away with the short sleeves for part of the month but I'll most likely have her wear a long sleeved white tee underneath.

Whatcha think?! Turns out designing isn't as easy as I had hoped, and I'm not as advanced in my sewing skills as I thought.

Would love to see your creations, craft, food, or just bragging about something you've done!

Feel free to grab the button so others can know to share their craft ideas.

One kid? Psssh! I got this... Finding my new normal

2011-11-27T11:00:00.000-06:00

I feel like I could stop reproducing now with my one little girl and be totally happy. But I know that's not going to happen because it doesn't quite feel complete yet.

Sometimes I'll lay on the bed or couch cuddling with my husband and daughter and think "this is perfect." Then wonder if we'll add one or two more to the mix someday. I try to imagine which feels most right but I can't decide.

This week I've felt happier than I've felt in a long time. Truly blessed. I feel like in this stage of my life I'm sincerely happier than I've ever been. I'm FINALLY getting the hang of my life as a wife, mother, career woman. Finally.

I thought I'd never get to the point where I found my place in both worlds because I thought that loving my job meant loving my daughter less. But it doesn't.

I worried going to work, and having my daughter in daycare (or "school" as I prefer to call it) would mean she wouldn't get as much love and attention as she needed. But I was wrong. In fact I could argue she gets more love an attention than I anticipated because she has that many more people who love her. Her classmates and teachers. Teachers who even bring her cute gifts and tokens after seeing our passion for fashion and creativity. Teachers she runs to, and jumps in the arms of when we get to her school. I'm not jealous of them because I know they aren't her first preference, but people she adores when mommy has to go away.

She's learning and thriving... And doing more art projects and classwork than we'd ever have time to do if I were home with her. In fact I think she'd be bored with me if we were together nonstop.

She blows me away every day with the things she's learning, and the jokes she tries to play on me... Sneaking away when I'm getting her PJs ready, or crashing into me and my camera when I'm trying to take a picture from further away. She says--Or tries to say whatever words I say to her, and she can point to pictures and identify things like bubbles, balls, cats and dogs. She even pooped in the potty this week for heaven's sakes!

And about work... I've finally carved out my niche and tailored my position to be exactly what my dream job would be. I just signed the dotted line, committing myself to another three years here, but I honestly couldn't be happier with the deal. After some back and forth chats with my boss, and some producers, I've been approved to start a new parenting segment on my news station in January. It'll replace another segment I have, and give me a chance to report on family news in Texas, things to do with your kids, and child health and wellness. Lil' J may even get a chance to make an appearance from time to time.

As far as scheduling, I still anchor on the weekends, and do stories that help foster children get adopted, and highlight nonprofits and people doing good, but switching out another health segment for parenting is right up my alley. Another cool thing? My boss supports my social media endeavors.

My dress: Eskahti (use BMM112 for $20 off your order); Lil' J's: Pettiskirt Palace

We're also planning to move next year. Not far, but more out towards suburbia, and less hood. I have an area in mind and we're looking for places now. It'll be better for my husband's job... Which in April will be taken to a whole new level. Our schedules are both a bit crazy but we're making it work.

I don't do it all perfectly but I am somehow getting the hang of balancing everything. The best part of it all is I'm finding myself all over again and managing to do the things I love. I know I'm doing it better because I'm finding time for myself again, and I'm pushing myself in my job again, more like I did before my daughter. I've been able to read books again.

I'm about to finish the Hunger Games series (really good by the way), and I'm already making a "must read" list for when I'm done with these. I never thought I'd have time to read again, but alas, I do! It's re-sparked my love for writing and I REALLY want to take a creative writing class at our local community college now. I haven't figured out how I"ll swing that one yet, but it's on my "to do before number two" list so I need to get on it. Hopefully I can use my job's tuition reimbursement for it too.

Sure, work is a little nuts, our schedules are hectic, and I'm averaging less than five hours of sleep a night, but we're making it work, and I feel better than ever.

Lil' J has been sleeping through the night for months now but I think I'm finally caught up from my lack of sleep from when she'd wake up in the middle of the night and able to stay up because I want to.

I remember my husband telling me how his grandmother would sleep like four hours a night because she had eight kids, and I thought she was crazy. But now I get it. If I'm not sleeping because someone else is keeping me up I get pissed. If I'm not sleeping because I'm getting a butt load accomplished, I'm on top of the world.

I'm SO thankful for this feeling!

Now that I finally have my life back in control I'm actually slightly terrified to start all over again and lose this balance I've found. How long will it take me to get back to this point? Will I even be able to get back to this point? I know a huge reason for my happiness is my daughter's happiness in school at her age. My husband was home with her for her first year and I'm not sure I could bear to return to work leaving a 12-week-old in the hands of someone other than his if I didn't absolutely have to. Why couldn't I have just had twins!??!!! I know it would be super hard but at least the decision on how to time my second child would have been taken care of.

*added* When did you finally feel back to "normal" mentally after your first kid? Then what about your second? Did it take longer?*

DIY DSLR Camera Lens Puppet {Tutorial}: What I'm Makin' Monday

2011-11-21T09:11:00.000-06:00

I sometimes do the craziest things to get my toddler to laugh while I'm photographing her. At times I run and jump over her then turn to snap the photo, sometimes I sing songs or make funny noises, and sometimes I threaten to tickle her. I usually don't have to do much though cause she's one happy girl.

Ruffle sweater dress: Re-purposed by mommy (tutorial); Shoes: Immauel's Closet; Bow: Simple Little Things

I have a fun little butterfly lens puppet from Tiny Tots boutique, and I've been meaning to attempt to make my own for some time now. The other day she saw my butterfly one outside of my camera bag and took it to my camera and tried to put it on. She's quite the clever one. It gave me the push to surprise her with a new one.

I decided to go with her favorite Seaseme Street character: Elmo. Without using a red scrunchy, and using things I already had around the house.

What you'll need:
1. Red fabric (probably something soft and simple like cotton. I didn't feel like going to get some so I used some thrifted red velvet fabric I've had stashed for a year. You could even use a piece of an old red t-shirt you don't need anymore)
2. White and orange felt
3. Black buttons
4. 1/4in elastic (or cord elastic would work).
5. Scissors
6. Hot glue
7: Needle and thread
8. Sewing machine/thread if you want to sew it, or iron-stitch if you want a no-sew version

Step 1: Cut the fabric out. I cut mine 17in long and 4.5in wide.

Step 2: Cut the eyes and nose out, the eyes in circle shapes and the nose in an oval shape.

Step 3: Cut the elastic. I cut mine about 10in long to fit all of my lenses, some with lens hoods.

Step 4: Fold the fabric in half hotdog style with the outsides facing each other (inside out) then sew down the side of the fabric (or use iron stitch here and iron down the edge for no-sew version).

Step 5: Flip the strip right side out.

Step 6: String the elastic through by using a bobby pin, or just sliding it down through.

Step 7: Sew the elastic ends together, (or tie it together if using elastic cord or doing a no-sew version).

Step 8: Tuck one end of the fabric tube into the other then sew the two ends of the fabric together, making it like a scrunchy. (If doing a no sew version, iron another piece of iron stitch here).

Step 9: Map out where you want the eyes and nose placed on the scrunchy before gluing, maybe place it on your lens first to see how it will all look. Then hot glue eyes and nose on the scrunchy.

Step 10: Sew the "eyeballs" or buttons on using a needle and thread.

Go take pictures of your little one and watch their face light up at your funny-looking camera.

TADAAAA! Love it? She does!

If this is too daunting, there are other etsy shops like this one, who sell a version of these.

Would love to see your creations, craft, food, or just bragging about something you've done!

Feel free to grab the button so others can know to share their craft ideas.

Mini Mod #13: Toddler Poncho and Animal Print Dress

2011-11-18T10:43:00.000-06:00

I'm happier than I've been in a long time. Maybe ever. And this little one and her daddy are the cause of it all. I could go on wish gushyness but I'll spare you for now and just leave it at the plain and simple fact that I'm blessed.

Continuing my weekly edition of Mini Mod, where we link up and show off our kids and their cute clothes here's a piece of her fall wardrobe.

I am starting to get the hang of sewing, if everything gos according to plan I may be able to show off a variety of Christmas outfits I make for Lil' J next month. Then, after I master that, maybe crocheting is next. I'd love to be able to make her a cute poncho like this someday. Anyone crochet and know how hard these are to make?

I got this cute one from CrochetPlay. Love this store! I have two of her dresses and a few of her bows too. If you order a dress from her tell her I sent you and she'll throw in an extra bow!

Lil' J's dress is by MudPie and I got it from Lollipop Moon, as you already know by now, is one of my favorite online boutiques. They have some of the best deals on MudPie and I love their funky holiday lines.

Her shoes are from Classic Kids in Oregon, they were gifted by a friend of mine at EVO and I was so excited that she can finally fit her feet in them. If you live in Oregon check them out, they're having a HUGE sale through Christmas.

And her sweet little clippie is from Cambria Laine.

What did your kiddos wear this week? Link up!

Happy Friday!

PS: Lil' J pooped in the toilet this week. If you don't follow me on Facebook you may not know but you cna read all about it on my BabyCenter blog.

(Highlight and Ctl+C to copy)

Baby hair care: He says/ She says

2011-11-16T13:40:00.000-06:00

He says: "... and I washed her hair."
She says: "That's great, did you shampoo and condition it?"
He says: "No I just used the shampoo."
She says: "Ok well, that's why her hair is a big fro."
He says: "I did it on purpose, I like it that way."

Ok sure. ... Well, at least he tried.

Weaning Woes

2011-11-15T09:18:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine told me she was spending something like $300-$400 a month on her baby's special formula, and that was all it took for me to decide I wanted to breastfeed. With that kind of money my kid could be styling in some cute clothes and we could be having some good fun.

I decided I'd pump and breastfeed as long as I could. Every month I kept going I'd treat myself with something special.

It was my excuse for taking mommy and me yoga classes, investing in photography equipment, frequent Etsy splurges, and other random indulges. I'm not going to apologize for the savings being my main motivation for breastfeeding.

It was the main reason I didn't stop at three months, or six months, or nine months. Sure, there were other great benefits, but knowing that I didn't have to buy a can or formula during every shopping trip kept me motivated and ambitious about keeping up my pumping at work.

"I did it!" I thought on her birthday. I packed away my pump and bought our first jug of whole milk for my daughter. She drank that while I was at work. Finally, this week, it dawned on me she could drink it when we're together too. It's not like the expressed liquid gold I was too stingy to use when I was home.

Whole milk doesn't keep her from wanting to nurse though. When she's done with her sippy she'll still ask for milk from me, and at 16 months I'm asking myself if I've had enough.

On my days off, or the days where my daughter doesn't go to school, she nurses several times in the morning, then basically throughout the day, any time I sit down. Until recently I was carrying on with the "don't refuse, don't offer" technique where I only nursed her when she asked, but I realized that she would nurse because she was bored.

On days that I work and she goes to school she nurses in the morning, then again in the afternoon, when I pick her up from school, usually around dinner time, then before bed.

Lately I've been trying to distract her when she asks for the fifteenth time at home, and when we're out and about. Personally, I don't like nursing her in public anymore. She's bigger, more distracted and it just makes things challenging for me.

Today when I picked her up from school she wiggled out of my arms and ran to the rocking chair I normally nurse her in when I pick her up. She's recently moved up to the "bigger kids" class and for about a week she forgot about that routine. Today I was in a hurry and didn't have time to sit down and feed her, so I told her it was time to go and that she could have milk later. Part of my heart broke watching her shake the chair we used to sit in every afternoon. She didn't push the subject like she normally does at home and church. Normally she'll cry and cry and whine until I give in or find something extra special to distract her, but she seemed satisfied with me just telling her it was time to go to the store.

We went straight to shopping, then a friends house then home to bed, and she didn't ask again. I believe today she only nursed when she first woke up (and for the two hours we snuggled together before starting our day--Thanks to Daylight Saving time she's still waking up too early.).

Could this finally be the beginning of the end? I hate to say it but I hope so. I'm ready. I'm ready to have my body back as my own. I'm ready to get her cuddles because she likes to snuggle and not because she wants to be pacified until I'm raw.

I'm ready to end the awkward moments where she sticks her hand down my dress in public. Heck... I'm ready to be able to buy and wear dresses without worrying if it offers easy access for breastfeeding.

I'm ready to start over as me, before beginning on this journey all over again.

My husband thinks it's time. He has for a while. He thinks she's too big to still be nursing. But he doesn't push the matter, at least not when we're at home.

Then part of me worries I'll miss this when it's over. If I'll wonder why I was so eager to end this. There are sweet moments where she stares at me from below and I look into the same giant brown eyes that I first laid eyes on 16 months ago. I feel as though this is the only part of us that feels the same. Me holding her in a cradle while she nurses to sleep. It's a little sad to think we'll be growing up, moving on to the next stage.

Oh we've had our rough patches along the way--The worst being a biting frenzy around 11 months that left me mentally scarred for life. But we made it through.

What started as a way to save and excuse to splurged turned into an unexpected blessing. The savings ended four months ago, but I've continued to nurse her because it's what she's wanted, and our routine wasn't hurting anyone. But now I'm ready to close this chapter and open the next. But how?

If you've been through this I'd love to hear how you did it. I think we're getting there gradually, which may be better than cold turkey but every time we get a day off together she has a nursing relapse and is latched around the clock. Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom.

DIY Toddler Sweater to Dress Tutorial with Ties: What I'm Makin Monday

2011-11-14T12:30:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to show you this tutorial today. I made two sweater dresses, one I did exactly as this peasant-style sweater dress tutorial instructed (my green one), and after doing that I realized some ways to adapt it. I added ties, used a different kind of elastic and added ruffles, but I'll explain this all in the tutorial. I haven't had a chance to take cute photos of Lil' J in the pink one but once I do (later today) I'll add them to this post!

Sweater: Thrifted to Mom-Made Dress; Korker Bows: Mom Made (tutorial); Boots: Immanuel's Closet; Tights: Walmart

This is my favorite tutorial I've created to date and if you like it I'd appreciate your feedback so I know if I should continue sharing what I learn or stop pulling all-nighters spending extra time taking photos and posting about it. There are lots of go-to craft blogs and I'm definitely not one of them, but I think sharing some of the easy things I have learned can help inspire other domestic craft mama wannabes like myself. Anyway, on to the tutorial!

One thing I'll note off the bat is that when you choose your sweater note the size. I couldn't use one of my sweaters because I didn't have nay long enough. Lil' J is 16 months old and a tall girl, so the first dress we made was a tad short for my taste. The one I used for this tutorial is a size XL that I thrifted off eBay for $2. I also got other sweaters from Goodwill for $3.99 to try this with.

Step 1: Lay out your sweater and take a dress you already have to measure the length you need. Line up the bottoms so you won't need to hem.

Step 2: Cut off the top part of the sweater. Both times I cut right under the neck line to get as much length as I could. For toddlers I think you'll need to do this. For babies you may be able to cut it a little shorter (gauge based on your example dress length.)

Step 3: Cut the sides off by cutting up along the side of the dress about 1" away from the example dress to add in a seam allowance (so when you sew it back together it's not too small.) (See photo above).

Step 4: Cut diagonal arm holes along the top part of your shape. I lined up my example dress and cut the holes along the same lines about the same length. I curved them a little to make them more arm-like.

Step 5: Cut off the cuffs of the sleeves on your sweater, if you don't have cuffs, cut the ends off so they're about the same length as the width of the arm hole (these are going to be your short sleeves).

Step 6: Pin the right sides of the sleeve ends to the right side of the dress so it connects the sleeves to the dress. I pinched the sides up and pinned them to make it obvious for you to see how it looks (for some reason this was really hard for me to understand at first).

Step 7: Use a zig-zag stitch to sew along the pins to attach the sleeves. I used the zig zag stitch since this knit material is stretchy and I didn't want the thread to snap and figured this would give it some more "give."

Step 8: With the dress inside out, cut the collar off your original sweater and pin the raw edges together, which puts the right side of the collar to the wrong side of the dress. Then sew around those pins.

Step 9: Sew the long ends that are left of the collar strip together, then sew them down to the dress.

Step 10: Flip the dress right side out, then flip the collar strip around the outside of the dress and sew it to the dress, but leave a 1-inch hole at the end to string elastic through.

Step 11: Use a small safety pin to string 1/4in elastic through the elastic casing. I cut my elastic 16.5in for my daughter since that's the length I've used for other peasant dress patterns. Then sew the two ends together and stuff it in the hole, sewing up the whole.

Step 12: Open of the dress and iron the seams flat (this gives it a more professional and less-home-made look by ironing the seams).

Step 13: Cut a strip off the long part of the sleeves of the sweater. I cut along the folded part opposite of the sleeve. Opened up it was about 2in wide. Fold that in half inside out, and sew down the side.

Step 14: Flip it right side out by sticking some object down the middle (I used a chop stick-type thing).

Step 15: Flip the dress inside out and pin the ties to the dress, one on each side, but make sure the ties are on the *INSIDE* of the dress the way it looks now. It looks anti-intuitive, but once you flip it inside out the ties will be on the outside. It looks like mine are going outside but I pushed them all the way inside before sewing.

Step 16: Starting at the sleeves, sew down each side of the dress, back-stitching over the ties to give extra enforcements.

It looks like this minus the ties and the bow:If you want, you can be done with your dress now, as it's real cute! Or read more to add ruffles...

Step 17: Cut another long strip (or two) from the sleeve section of your sweater, and leaving a long piece of thread before you start (so just pull a little bit out of your bobbin and top stitch before you start sewing), sew a long straight-stitch over one end of it pretty close to the edge.

Step 18: Pull the long piece of string at one end so it gathers and notice how it starts to ruffle. Pull the ruffle down the long strip until it's your desired length.

Step 19: Pin the ruffles to the dress and hand-stitch it to the dress. (I used my machine, but it was hard to keep everything lined up, so I went back and hand-stitched it to the dress, it didn't take very long.)

VIOLA!! And there you have a pretty, unique sweater dress for your toddler made from a thirifted and/or up-cycled sweater. I made these for just a few bucks, and it doesn't take long once you get the hang of it.

What do you think? I PROMISE if I can do it you can too! I'm not crafty and just started sewing about a month ago. Give it a try with a cheap sweater and show me when you do! Post a picture on my facebook page, I'd love to see.

Made anything lately? If you want to show it off link up below.

Feel free to grab the button so others can know to share their craft ideas.

Mini Mod #12: Houndstooth print dress and capelet from a La Modish

2011-11-11T16:34:00.000-06:00

Dress and reversible Capelet c/o a La Modish

Holy smokes!! Happy 11-11-11!

This week it got into the 60s, so I got a little excited and busted out some winter wear. I'm in love with this houndstooth dress and caplet. I liked it before trying it on her, and I contemplated saving it for her to wear in December around Christmas time but once I put it on her I realized I couldn't wait. Since the caplet is reversible she can wear this a few times and it'll at least look different.

It's totally inspired me to try to step outside of the box when it comes to sewing. So far I've used lightweight cotton print fabrics but I can try even more with corduroy (which I typically am not a huge fan of but this has turned me into a believer) and other fun fabrics I'm just now discovering.

I can't go crazy though because I already have tons of fabric I need to make dresses out of before I move on. I'm finding it's fun to buy and fun to make but my desire to consume is faster than my desire to create. But I have created 8 dresses in the past month or so which isn't too bad.

This dress she's wearing is from a La Modish, which seriously has some of the most GORGEOUS boutique clothing I have ever seen. No joke. Matilda Jane has nothing on this store. If I could produce something this gorgeous I'd be tempted to quit my job and just make her things like this all day. But I can't, so I'll keep working and save for one every now and then.

You can also use code "BABYMAKER" to get 20% off your entire order from now to Thanksgiving. They have a great sales rack, but I have my eye on the Flower Fields and Plum Rose dress, one of them may end up being my daughter's Christmas dress.

Now I want to get a little caplet for myself. Look how Lil' J is stylin like the stars!

Source

What were your little ones sporting this week? Link up and show them off because I'd love to see!

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'Black' names vs 'White' names stereotypes: Black Folk 201

2011-11-10T13:19:00.000-06:00

As I narrowed down baby names for my daughter before she was born, of course I was greeted with suggestions, ideas, and questions about what we liked.

I was caught off guard when someone asked if I'd name her Shaniqua.

Yes, because my name is Jennifer and Shaniqua is the first name that came to my mind.

This wasn't the only time people have brought names like this to my attention. Why they think it's fitting I'm not quite sure.

It's also strange to me when people say I "don't look like a Jennifer." What that's suppose to mean, I'm not sure.

Think I'm kidding? Think they're kidding? Yea, that's what I thought too when one of my former bosses suggested I change my name to something more "ethnic."

A lot of people are intrigued by my job. People ask if I wear shorts under the news desk (thanks Anchor Man), if I have makeup artists, if I use my real name, the list goes on.

No, I don't wear shorts, (but sometimes I'll wear jeans), I do my own makeup, and I use my own name. But at my first news job, in a small town in Southern Utah, that almost changed.

After my first day the general manager brought into our tiny little office and sat me down. The main anchor, one of my mentors was with him.

"What do you think of changing your name to Keisha?" He asked me.

I laughed. Then looked around the room, realizing I was the only one laughing. My friend did give a sympathetic shrug, which made me think she thought it was about as strange as I did but couldn't tell me right then and there.

"Are you serious?" I asked. Totally stunned.

He was.

He went on and gave me some explanation about my last name sounding French-Creole and that having "Keisha" as a first name "fit."

"Think about it," he told me.

I said I would but there was no thinking about it. I was not changing my name. Especially not to Keisha.

I did call my family, then my friends and laughed about it with anyone who would listen. To this day I still have to chuckle a little when I think back to that moment because I honestly don't know what was going through his mind.

My name is Jennifer. My siblings: Heather, Michael, Lauren, Kimberly. None of them are stereotypical names you'd hear on the Top 60 Ghetto Black Names list. They are, however, found in the most popular names of the year list. I didn't want my daughter's name on either. My mother's reasoning for her decision was different than mine. She would say "do you want to get a job?" Which sounds harsh but some research shows "black-sounding" names on resumes don't do as well next to the same resume holding a "white-sounding" names.

Deciding what to name your children is a beautiful thing. The coolest thing is that it's your choice. Some are more unusual, and others are more common, but no one should be pigeon holed into a name because of how they look.

And for your entertainment...I guess. The "Top 60 Ghetto Black Names."

How to put out a fire: He says/ She says

2011-11-09T14:18:00.000-06:00

A fire breaks out on the stove while I'm attempting to cook dinner.

He says: "Throw water on it!"
She says: "On an electric stove? HA! No, grab the flour!"
He says: "Flour? That will make it worse!"
She says: "No, trust me, I did this when I caught the oven on fire."
*He throws a handful on the flame*
Flame: *Gets bigger*
He says: "Told you! That made it worse!"
She says: "No, you need to throw MORE to smother the fire!"
He says: "I'm not throwing more on, it'll blow up the house."
*He grabs the fire extinguisher*
He says: "How do you use this thing?"
Flame: *Dies down and burns out without drastic measures*
She says: "Told you the flour works!
He says: "No. Don't throw flour on a fire."

Google says: "Flour is combustible."

Oops.

Don't tell him he was right.

365 Love Letters Week 40

2011-11-08T14:46:00.000-06:00

Here's another week of photos I took but got behind on posting. As you can tell, these are all days pre-Halloween. My favorite is definitely 276 but I love 275 too. And 281 took me a few tries to get a rain drop splashing. Which do you like most?

Also, side note, I can finally share that I am a new blogger for BabyCenter's Momformation blog. I'll be posting over there twice a week so if you can't get enough of me here, check me out there. My introduction post tells is about never saying never in regards to what you won't do in motherhood. I share an embarrassing incident Lil' J and I had recently which I hadn't gotten around to posting about here yet. Hope you'll read and pass along!

16 months old and no longer seeming like a baby to me

2011-11-07T21:23:00.000-06:00

Dear Daughter:

Can I even call you that? I look at you and your long wet curls dangling past your shoulders in the bath tub and wonder who this big girl is in front of me.

Who is this big girl, who on her own, pointed up to a tree she heard a bird singing from and said "Bir... Bir"?

I know you're my little girl but I can't believe you're already a little girl.

The way you maneuver around the house knowing where everything is, deciding which toys you feel like playing with, and where things go, puts me in awe.

Dress from Adelaide's Boutique; Bow from Lil' Hiccups Boutique

The way you grab Snoop's food scoop, trying to feed him yourself the way we do--And the way you grab the play oven mitt to take food out of the play oven at school (as your teachers tell me) amazes me.

The way you took it upon yourself to turn, lean in, and kiss me goodnight while I swayed you back and forth before bed blew my mind. It's as if you had turned and said "I love you mom" but didn't have a way of really showing me before.

My heart melted to bits, as I'm sure it will again when those words finally come from your mouth.

You are so inquisitive. Who knew how much you were absorbing from just watching your daddy and I. Who knew how smart you'd turn out to be already? You copy little tasks I do and repeat words after me.

Speaking of your daddy, you are so well behaved around him. If he asks you to hand him something you don't want to give me, you do it. If he tries to feed you an unfamiliar food, you'll eat it. With me, you stomp your foot, throw yourself to the ground, or shake your head in my direction. I didn't think this attitude was suppose to start for another year or so but I guess your strong personality is just shining through.

You sometimes get jealous of me giving attention to other children. I'm not sure how much you'll like someday not being the only child. But don't worry, you won't need to worry about that for a while.

I've never been more excited for holidays in my life... Or at least not since I was a little girl myself. It's so fun seeing things through your eyes now, and I'm sure it will only get more fun as you get older. Every day spent with you gets more and more entertaining. Part of me wishes I could freeze time and preserve you as you are, but every new development seems to get better.

Mini Mod #11: Halloween Costume Edition

2011-11-04T22:10:00.000-05:00

I know Halloween is so last week but I didn't get to show off cute photos of Lil' J in her lamb costume because I was too busy falling asleep before 10pm (I'm very angry at myself about this... When I'm sleep deprived, I feel accomplished and productive, when I'm well rested, I suck at life).

So I wanted to let everyone see her in her cute costume. Note, the lighting at her school is weird, night photos obviously needed flash, and these aren't edited at all (sorry, no time today). I made the body suit myself by gluing quiting batting squares closed after stuffing them with pillow/ stuffed animal stuffing.

Her hat I ordered from a friend... Mary Sue. She's my hat lady and actually makes a lot of Lil' J's cool hats. I just send her a picture of what I've seen and she makes it, and doesn't charge an arm and a leg.

I was so excited when I sent her a picture of the lamb hat I wanted made and imagined my daughter looking so cute in it. She told me when she put it in the mail and I knew it would only take a day or two to arrive. But when it did I was so confused because it didn't look like a lamb hat. There were two pieces, and the hat was flat and round, like coasters. I flipped them around and tried to see how they maybe could be lamb ears but my imagination wasn't seeing it.

I wrote her an email and asked her about the strange coasters "maybe my order got switched?" I asked. She told me it had, and apologized. But the coasters were actually Yamakas, and she had switched my order with another woman in New York. Boy, I wonder what that lady will think when she gets my lamb hat. I wondered.

So I sent the cute little Yamakas to the woman in New York (after they barely escaped the wrath of Lil' J and Snoop), and she sent me the cute little lamb hat we had been waiting for. I was so eager to try it on her, I set it on top of her head and not knowing the whole story behind getting this hat, the first think my husband said was "it looks like a Yamaka." But I just rolled my eyes and laughed to myself. I think I'll forever remember the story behind this cute Halloween costume. PS: If you want my hat lady's email met me know and I'll hook you up! She's already made some other cute hats for some of my readers!

Lil' J trick-or-treated for healthy snacks at her school, we went to a Halloween party with my work friends, and trick-or-treating to a few houses on Halloween. I'm honestly surprised she let me put this thing on her that many times, but she'd laugh every time and loved when I painted her little black nose. Maybe because she knew people would admire her and give her treats. Either way, I think she's such a trooper.

Lil' J and her little friend

The hubs, me (Bo Peep) and Little Lamb

Sadly, I don't think I got any cute pics of her just modeling her costume, but we at least got a good family shot of the three of us, which we never get these days. My husband was himself, which is scary enough. Did you dress up for Halloween?

I loved looking at all of your Mini Mod posts last week and many of you were ahead of the game and already showing off cute Halloween attire.

I loved this little Candy Corn dress I saw, and the sweet little Paisley in it at Lackey Antics. I'm going to have to make Lil' J one next year. Stop by and tell her hi! And link up your little Mini Mods below. Of course these don't need to be Halloween Themed, we're just last season over here this week.

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365 Love Letters Week 39

2011-11-03T12:41:00.000-05:00

It's November! Eek! Today is Day 307 but since I've been forgetting to share these on my blog I'm catching up here. I'll probably post Week 40 in a couple of days. It seems like these were taken so long ago, and I blogged about some of these events... Feeding the ducks, going to the zoo. Lil' J just loves being out and about and I love taking her with me.

My favorite is probably day 269 or 272 but I also love the colors that came out on the ducks feathers in 268. I'm trying to do more experimenting with black and white editing. Just wait until you see one of my all time favorite photos in Week 40! Which do you like best in this bunch?

Eating pre-purchased food while grocery shopping: He Says/ She Says

2011-11-02T10:35:00.001-05:00

(Not that I need to explain myself but the non-cloth is for daycare, and this is a Daddy photo, explaining the no bow or pants.)

She says: "...And she kept begging me and the grocery lady said I should just give her some..."

He says: "You spoil her. She never does that with me, you shouldn't give her any."

She says: "Ok smarty pants, I didn't. I waited until I bought it and we were outside."

He says: "Ok, good."

Something we agree on! Both our mamas raised us this way. What say you?
And who would know this post would be so timely? Thanks to my commenters who pointed this out. Apparently a pregnant woman got arrested for doing this last week...

Easy No- Sew Baby Leg Warmer Tutorial and the Cutest Thing I've Ever Made: What I'm Makin' Monday

2011-10-31T19:51:00.000-05:00

What am I makin' this Monday? Only the cutest thing I've ever made... Minus my daughter herself.

Thursday night I was up until some crazy hour finishing on last Halloween dress for Lil' J to wear to school Friday. I purposely have been making ONLY seasonal clothes for her because that way I'm on a deadline to finish them all before the holiday is over. It forces me to use the fabric, and learn faster.

This is a reverse-knot dress. I got this pattern from Designs by Elli Ette Boutique. I added the sash myself by just sewing the right side ends together of 4in wide and 52in long fabric (hot dog style). Then flip it inside out and sew the ends.
Easy peasy!

But not as easy as these leg warmers she's wearing. I did an easy tutorial for them before she was born that was pretty easy but these were even easier.

I made her dress the night before right? Well, that next morning as we were leaving for work I realized it was sooo cold out! So I ran up to her sock drawer and pulled out some knee-high Halloween socks I had on standby. They are women's knee-high socks. There was a black pair and a striped pair so I grabbed one of each. I'm into mismatched leggings right now.

I ran downstairs and turned them in to leg warmers in 5 seconds... All you need are knee-high socks and scissors (preferably fabric scissors, but whatever).

Step 1: Cut the feet section off your socks.

TADA! You're done!

I put them on her with the top part of the socks that has the elastic stretch towards her thigh, and the ends are just loose. You can fold them up and pin them from the inside with a safety pin if you want or just do what I did and leave it unfinished. You can't really tell, since it's knit fabric it doesn't fray, and they are way cute and fast! Of course if you have more time check out my other tutorial for a slightly nicer way to finish them off.

It makes or a cute outfit spicer upper.

We went to the store with her dressed like this after work and school and at least 10 people commented on her outfit or "costume" as some called it. When some asked me what she was I said "a pretty witch" ... Whatever. I made the coordinating small bow that's in some of the photos. The fancy hat she's wearing in the others is by London Blue Designs and her shoes are from Cambria Laine.

I also made her Lamb Halloween Costume and I'll try to post a tutorial for that next week, unless it's lame that it's after Halloween. If so I'll just post a photo when I get a good one.

I hope you're enjoying my more frequent Makin' Monday posts. I'm trying to be more crafty and share what I'm making. Many of you have shared your new sewing talents with me posting pictures on my facebook page and emailing me, I'm loving it!It's great finding new ideas to try, testing them out, and sharing the ease of it all. I think is blog is motivating me to be crafty. Yall's positive reinforcement really helps. So THANKS!

Seriously, if I can do this stuff, you can too! I'm hoping to make a really easy dress tutorial soon if I can figure out how to make it myself. I'm also pinning sewing ideas like crazy on pinterest, so if you want to follow me there, my board to watch for is "SEW Making This"

Did you make anything this week?

I'd love to see! Link up! Grab a button to share if you want too!

Mini Mod #10: 31 Days of Halloween

2011-10-28T08:49:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Mini Mod #10! A weekly fashion link up for the minis in our lives!

If you read my post first thing this morning... I'm sorry. I call that "drunk blogging" but without the alcohol. But I guess I was tipsy from lack of sleep and I woke up today going "now what did I say again?"

Most of it is still here but I edited my typos and added the links and photos I promised you at 3am.

I'm so proud if myself; as this week, not only did I sew Lil' J three dresses, make her Halloween costume (and sustain severe hot glue gun burns in the process) clean the whole house (minus our room), keep it clean, make dinner (one night) and get the car's emissions and inspection taken care of, make my family lunches every single night this week... I also did all the crap I normally do while working a full week. I've never felt this accomplished and I feel like Super Woman.

The only thing I haven't been doing much of is sleeping. (Hence this blog post via iPhone in bed at 2:40am. )

If you're following my Facebook Page at all you've probably seen Lil' J wearing Halloween attire all month long to school.

Before some of you freak out about the assumed cost and waste of resources for things she'll wear just a few times (if that) let me explain... She's done some boutique modeling, we've done some thrift shopping, and I've made her a few things, so it's averaged out to fantastic deals on lots of Halloween fashion. I'd be surprised if we spent more than $50 on everything.

She doesn't quite have 31 Halloween outfits. Just enough for the 3 days a week she goes plus some things for weekends and parties. I didn't count everything but I tried to snap a photo on my phone each day.

Here's an iPhone collage of her Halloween Fashion. I used a cool iPhone app called Pic Collage. I think it was free, or .99 max.

I was up late making this dress for her to wear today as I knew it would be her last chance to wear it to school before the holiday is over (Monday she'll wear her costume). I messed up a bunch at the very end and it was tragic. I almost stabbed myself to death with my thread picker. But this morning, when I put it on her, it looked cute. Mistakes looked minimal to the average eye.

Dress by Mom! Pattern from: Designs by ElliEtte

I made her a matching bow, put a long-sleeved shirt underneath, and cut her some mismatch leg warmers real quick before we got in the car since it was chilly out this morning. Hopefully I'll be able to show off some cuter photos later once we get home to have a photo shoot. This one may be my favorite one I've made so far.

She wouldn't stand still for me to take a picture so here's a sneak peek from the back. And if you can't wait to see it, I posted a picture of it without her in it on twitter last night/this morning.

What did your kiddos sport this week? Link up and show it off. I've been loving looking at your links and fashionable kiddos. This week I wanted to showcase this cutie pie, little Ari from Ari's Journey Through Montessori.

She needs some love on this post so stop by and say hi when you get a chance. And visit other linkers in the blog hop. I visit you all too. Grab a button too if you so choose, so more people can join the Mini Mod party!

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Guess who's coming to dinner?: Meeting my husband's parents for the first time.

2011-10-25T12:02:00.000-05:00

Being in an interracial relationship, one of the first things people ask us is "what did his parents think?"

People usually ask what they thought before asking what my parents thought. I'm not sure why, because he's the lucky one. ... I mean that in a non-conceited way. Of course I'm lucky too but when people ask me what his parents thought it comes across--to me--as if they would be the ones, if any, to disapprove. But why?

I'll admit, I was more nervous about meeting his parents and family than I was about him meeting mine, despite my having a strict father who tried to tell me I needed to marry a "strong black man." I knew ultimately it wouldn't matter to them what my intended husband looked like, but how he treated me. The hesitation I felt toward meeting his family was more based on past experiences with people I was friend with, and their families reactions.

My white friends growing up didn't always seem to have parents who would have supported them either way. I mean, maybe they would have had it come to that, but based on what I heard--Things like "it's against the Bible to date outside your race" or "My father would not like it if I had a black boyfriend" their parents weren't so keen on the idea.

Having been raised hearing those things in the Georgia, I never knew what to expect if a white guy were to bring me home.

So... This new boyfriend of mine--a white guy from Utah--and I, had only been dating something like a week when he told me his parents wanted to meet me. What the...?

I can't remember asking him flat out if they knew I was black, but I knew they did. Something about the way he was so overly excited about me meeting them. I had an inkling they'd be fine with it.

It's weird even writing this down just now. That they'd be fine with it. I wasn't ashamed of being me, being black and who I am, but I worried about a possible supremacy attitude I sometimes saw and heard growing up in Georgia. I worried because I liked this guy so much, and I'd hate for some punk parents to screw it up for us.

"My dad is excited to talk to you about BYU." That's one of the only prefaces I remember him telling me before going to his house.

Ok, great. I thought. There's at least one thing we'll have in common.

But we actually had a lot in common.

I don't remember much of what I talked about with my then-boyfriend's dad, but I remember thinking he was very nice and very funny--of course still true to this day.

His mom wasn't home during all of this, and I was actually most nervous about meeting her. I heard she grew up in Atlanta and well... I did too and I know all to well that everyone isn't so friendly, especially when it comes to racial issues.

I'll never ever forget the moment I met his mother. This smooth guy I was dating had an awesome idea that we should go downstairs and watch some TV white we waited for her to get home. Of all the shows he chose to watch he picked the movie Friday.

If you aren't familiar with Friday, it's basically a stereotypical comedy about some pot-smoking friends (Ice Cube and Chris Tucker) in an urban neighborhood avoiding drive-bys and gangster thugs. If you know me, you know this isn't my typical choice of movie. But he's always found this kind of stuff hilarious.

So amidst his laughter, his mom starts walking down the stairs to the basement. I tell him someone is coming--Thinking he'd get the hint to change the channel. But instead he pauses the movie. And the frame he just so happens to stop on was something between this...

And this...

So his mom, who's never met me before joins us downstairs with a giant freeze-frame of thugness all over the big screen, and her son is hanging out, watching this with his new black girlfriend.

I'll be honest. I don't remember that conversation at all because I was so horrified. I'm a big believer in first impressions make a difference and I didn't feel like that was the best one for me to give.

When she left I asked him what he was thinking... 'Great, now your mom is going to think I'm some kind of bad influence on you.'

But he laughed it off and assured me his mom knows him and knows he watches stuff like that all the time.

It's true. Growing up he asked his mom to buy him Snoop Dogg cassettes, and probably other hip hop and R&B music. I've even seen pictures of him as a young boy, with his blond hair and pretty blue eyes wearing his wind breakers, listening to his Walkman (he says Snoop was playing at the moment) and his Paula Abdul poster hanging behind him. He's always been very... Cultured. I guess you could say.

The following weeks I joined him and his family for Sunday dinners, and family parties. I met all of his local extended family just a week later, including his uncles, aunts, and cousins. And shortly thereafter I met his grandparents, who had just returned from a mission trip to Australia. Not one person batted an eye to the fact that he was dating a black girl. No one cared.

I even remember later having conversations with some of his family about the fact that nobody cared. I think part of it could be because religion was a more important commonality to them, but since then I've seen even that doesn't make them disapprove of someone.

Looking back and remembering this experience has really made me realize not everyone has the same opinions on interracial relationships. Growing up I felt like it would be a lifelong battle if I decided to marry someone outside of my race, but luckily for me, it hasn't been.

Sure, there are occasions where we encounter things that make us go "hmmm" but that hasn't happened with his family. Nor with mine... But I'll go more into my side some other time.

I know for a fact I don't care about race in regards to who my daughter decides to date or marry. What about your children?

20 Minute Easy Ruffle Dress Tutorial Test: What I'm Making Monday

2011-10-24T09:34:00.001-05:00

I love trying out tutorials but it cracks me up the time when I see people saying "Oh this is so easy it took 10 minutes... blah blah blah." Stop bragging you craftoholic!

Ok, maybe they aren't trying to show off, but trying to emphasize how simple the steps are. I almost never believe this for things when it comes to sewing. If something only takes 20 minutes it but be because a pro did it, or seriously easy enough for a 5-year-old to do.

I saw a tutorial for a 20 minute ruffle dress and stored it in my internal memory book for if I ever found this pre-ruffle fabric the woman spoke of, and found time to experiment.

Well, a few weeks ago on one of my recent frequent trips to Hobby Lobby I saw some. I grabbed a bit of two colors an decided I'd finally give this a try and see if it's as easy as she makes it out to be, and if it could really be done in just 20 minutes.

In her tutorial she said you need a yard of fabric, but I risked it and got just a half a yard of each. Which actually turned out to be more than enough for my toddler and at $10.99 a yard and using my 40% off coupon I got fabric for both dresses for less than $7.

Ok so to make this I got out:
Pre-ruffle fabric (Enough fabric for your little one. I used the built in 52in wide or whatever the standard fabric width is for the width of the dress and the 18in I had cut (1/2 yard) for the length.)
Coordinating thread
Scissors
Pins
A timer (to see how long this 20 minute dress really takes)

I also printed out this bodice pattern of a sleeveless dress the author mentioned in her post. I have several other dress patterns but I wasn't sure if a "sleeveless" pattern meant it could be a dress pattern without the sleeves part attached, or if it needed to be an intentionally sleeveless dress, so just in case I printed out that one. But the pattern is missing the 18 month old bodice back, so I kinda made it smaller myself.

I folded two ends of the fabric to the center and pinned the pattern to the fabric, with the part that says "fold" where the fabric was folded over on the edge. Since it kept slipping this part alone took up a quarter of my time. I was already running behind. (I did pause my timer to take photos).

Then I cut around each bodice pattern piece, careful not to cut along the line that says "fold" cause then the whole thing would be screwed up and in pieces.

I cut down to the edge of the fabric to make it as long as possible since I only had 18 inches to use and after sewing it all up with the sleeves and creases I wasn't sure how short it would be. Looking back I didn't need to use all of that fabric and it tapers off now because of that but whatever. After I cut I was at 9 minutes 34 seconds.

So this picture shows each half of the dress but each half is folded in half. I opened up each half, then stuck them together with the ruffles on the inside and pinned around the edges. I didn't take a picture of this, probably because I was embarrassed that my time was already up by the end of it. I guess I'm a slow pinner.

Then I took it to my sewing machine and sewed up each side, of the dress but stopping at the arm area so she could stick her arms through of course.

Then I sewed across the top to close the shoulder area, but careful not to sew up the neck hole so her head could fit through of course.

Then I turned the dress rightside out (because we were sewing with the ruffles in remember?) and folded over some of the sleeve area and neck area and did some zig zag stitching to make it look a little more "finished" I didn't hem the bottom though, and apparently, knit doesn't fray, so it's all good.

I added a sash I had already made to go with another Halloween dress I'm working on and TADA! I was done! Total time: 44 minutes 19 seconds.

I'll admit, I did screw up around the sleeve area and had to take out some stitches and try again so that took up a little bit of extra time, but I'm also super slow.

I didn't need to make it nearly this long. In fact I may hem it up a little so she doesn't look like she's wearing an evening gown for homecoming, and then take it out as she grows taller. I'm not sure if I like my tapering experiment either. I may cut across the bottom and make it all one length. Either way, I made a ruffle dress in 44 minutes! Cool right? What do you think?

I even got inspired by all of the ruffles and ruffle matched Lil' J with what I wore to work that day. No, I didn't make my dress it's from here.

My dress via: Eshakti (use "BMM0811" for $20 off through 10/31)

I'm going to experiment with making a no-sew version of this with the black ruffle fabric I got, time that version, and post it soon!

Did you make something this week? Link up!

Feel free to grab the button so others can know to share their craft ideas.

Mini Mod #9: My Baby Loves Fashion {and Lollipop Moon Giveaway)

2011-10-22T07:29:00.000-05:00

One thing I love about my daughter--Ok, I love everything about my daughter, but one thing I really love is the fact that she will wear and love just about anything I put her in--With the exception of some hats. But that's ok because I'm not a huge hat fan either. I have my days, and so does she. Other than that, she will prance around in cowgirl boots, tutus, giant headbands, what have you, and not bat an eye.

Not only that, she'll bring them back to be when I take them off. And now, when I grab a bow and hold it toward her to see if it will match her outfit, she reaches to her head as if to say "hey mom, it goes up here!"

That's my girl!

Welcome to Mini Mod! My weekly linky where you show off up your stylish kiddo!

Strangers always say things to me like "Oh, enjoy it now, soon enough she'll be pulling those bows out" or "My daughter used to wear bows, I miss those days." I'm not sure how old their kids were or if they know how old my daughter is but if she doesn't want to wear something, she lets me know already. There's no protest on her behalf.

Others ask me how in the world she manages to keep them in. "Why doesn't she pull them out?" they ask. I have no explanation--Except perhaps, the fact that she's had something on her head or in her full head of hair since moments after birth.

That's my girl!

If she grows up and turns into a tomboy, so be it. We'll just have to make sure she's a fashionable tomboy. But for now, I'm glad when I put her in something as pink and frilly as this, she can look back at me and give me this face.

What she's wearing:
Baby Love Pettiskirt and Onesie: New at Lollipop Moon
Pink Clippie: Crafted by Mommy

Want it?
Lollipop Moon is one of my favorite online boutiques. They carry all sorts of adorable baby lines including Lollipop Moon, MudPie and One Posh Kid. I'm already scoping out their holiday sales for Lil' J's Christmas wardrbobe. They were one of the first boutiques to do a promotion with me and the continue to be so sweet to my readers and I. The owner is once again offering a $25 gift card to one of you.

To enter use the giveaway form below. Don't worry, giveaways won't be taking my blog over, I'll be doing a select few. And I'm not going to offer a million different ways to enter. This is a new fun way I hope to administer giveaways going forward, to make it easier and more fair for everyone.

I'm bringing some giveaways back to my blog (but not becoming a "giveaway blog"). If you have an item you think fits the concept of my blog you'd like to have considered for a review or giveaway please email me.

Can't wait to blog hop and see what you share this week. Link up above!

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365 Love Letters Week 38

2011-10-18T00:50:00.000-05:00

I've gotten behind in uploading my 365 love letters and with less than 100 days left I didn't want to quit now.

Though I've been taking photos for this project daily, I haven't been the best at editing these letters and uploading them online. But I love the feedback I get when I share these, and knowing others are enjoying them too.

Normally when I get behind on editing these, I wait until I catch up and can upload them all in one big batch, but I knew that could take a awhile, so as I finish editing these I'm uploading them in the weeks they were taken. I have my calendar filled in with the photos I've taken and I hope to be caught up by the end of the week. A few of these may look familiar... I got a couple of my dates mixed up in my last post and had to re-edit some. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be back to uploading one a day before bed like I did at the beginning of the year. It's much more fun and exciting that way.

I think my favorite in this batch is either 267 or 265.

Which do you like best?

Fall Children's Art Project: What I'm Makin' Monday

2011-10-17T11:28:00.000-05:00

DIY Fall Crayon Leaves.

Here's a fun family craft to try with your kiddos if they won't eat the crayons...

What you need
Wax paper (about $1.25 at walmart)
Crayons (50 cents a box if you don’t have any laying around)
Scissors
Sharpie (later I found a pencil worked better for second tracing)
Brown paper grocery bag
Iron

Not pictured:
*pencil sharpener with larger hole (or cheese grater or scissors)
*paper towels
*leaf or two

1. Cut open a brown paper bag and lay it down to try and protect your counters.

2) Then peel paper off crayons and make shavings using a pencil sharpener.

3) Rip two pieces of wax paper off the roll and sprinkle one sheet with crayon shavings. Lighter sprinkling (not heavy concentrations) works best. Brown and dark colors didn’t work as well as the brighter ones. Hot pink worked great with the oranges!

4) Place the second sheet of wax paper on top of the shavings,

...Put a paper towel or two down on top and iron.

5) Trace your leaf with the sharpie, then set your melted creation ('sandwich') on top of the leaf drawing and trace leaf shapes. (The second tracing step here worked better with a pencil)

6) Cut out the leaves! You can add stems to some, but they’re kind of fragile and crunch off easy.

TADAA! What do you think?! You could use fishing line or thread and make a really neat mobile, or tape them to a window for the sun to shine through.

This would make a great Fall decoration for a classroom too!

I may try to turn mine into a mobile and hang it outside. I'll add some more photos once I complete that task!

Big thanks to Cambria Laine for this craft idea.

Make anything lately? Craft? Food? Anything? Please link up and share, I'd love to see!