Snow Storm 2012

So, here is a picture of the big snow of 2012!  Well, at least we got something this year!

 I did not have any good clothes for Coraline to wear so I brought the snow in for her!  I call this the "lazy mom's way" of playing in the snow.  She really enjoyed it though and played for a good 30 minutes measuring and tasting.

New Hat for C

Well, as usual, I had great plans to make something for myself.  However, I am no expert in crocheting so the slouchy hat I was attempting to make was looking like anything but a hat as I was going along.  So, I undid a few rows and just made up my own pattern.  It ended up being a cute, little hat for Coraline instead!  I wish I had kept notes on what I was doing, but I did not.  It is essentially, an increase of double crochets and then about two rows of a decrease of double crochets and then three rows of single crochets.  I just fit it on her head to check to see if it fit.

The front.

 The side.

The back.  It reminds me a little of a train conductor's hat!

Santa Claus

It went about how I thought it would go--

She refused to sit or stand near him, but she didn't cry.  She just had a death grip on me.  Same picture different setting with the Santa Claus at the mall.

However, she would stand by the tree if I gave her a cookie.  She just refused to look at the camera.

We'll try again next year!

Hats

 I just think it's funny that she loves hats- but only for about 10 minutes!

Stroller Ice Skating

Coraline and I went stroller ice skating a few weeks ago with some friends from our mom's group.  I think this is such a fun, novel idea.  The rink opens for an hour on a certain day and allows moms with strollers on the ice.  It was a funny day weather-wise-- I think it was around 70 degrees.  So, I'm ice skating outside in December in 70 degree weather.  I actually broke a sweat!  Only in North Carolina, I tell ya.

Coraline did great and had fun, I guess.  She was more interested in eating, but that is nothing new!

Pregnancy Update

My last entry on pregnancy was when I shared that we were pregnant and now, 6 months later, I'm giving you an update (I'm such a slacker)!

This pregnancy is going very well.  It has been different from the last in that I actually did experience morning sickness.  I never got sick but felt nauseous a lot of the time.  I also have been experiencing heartburn almost constantly and since the beginning of the pregnancy.  This baby better have a head full of hair!  But other than those mild complaints, everything has been great.  I felt the baby move at 16 weeks so that has been very reassuring.  Baby L2 likes to be active at night which concerns me because apparently their pattern in the womb is their pattern when they are born.  Hmm.  We'll have to talk about that one Baby L2. 

I've really started showing recently, so I'll have to get a few pictures up.  It took a while for people to realize I was pregnant which really is a good thing when you think about it!  I'm just glad to be past the "chubby" stage! 

I'm still dancing and am on the treadmill quite a bit during the week.  I want to be in the best shape possible to have this baby and have the energy needed for two when s/he is born.  We are planning on having a natural birth again at the Birthing Center.  So far, everything looks good.  I pray the baby likes that plan too!

I'm trying to prepare Coraline for the baby as much as a 19 month old can comprehend.  I really think she has no idea what's going on but we read books, play with her baby and talk about the baby in "mommy's tummy."  She's such a sweet girl and loves babies and toddlers that I really think she'll be fine.  I can see her getting mad when she wants me to read to her and I'm nursing or something like that but I'm sure every child goes through a jealousy stage.  We are also going to move her to a big girl bed soon so we can have the crib for the baby.  I was so nervous about this but just today she started trying to climb out of the crib which is a great indicator that they are ready to move out of it.  Hopefully, that move will go smoothly! 

Here is a shot of me at 14 weeks.  I have more recent shots (24 weeks) I just have to download them from my camera (talk about lazy)!

Pigtails

I absolutely love this picture of her!  She is growing up so fast and is turning into a little girl before my eyes!  This is a picture of her first "real" pigtails.  What can I say, I love having a little girl!

Halloween

I had great intentions this halloween to make another homemade costume but could not find a yellow rain jacket or rain boots (you'll just have to wait and see who she'll be next year)!  So, we decided to revamp last year's costume--

a hot fudge sundae

Imagine, if you will, a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a large drizzle of hot chocolate (which pools at the bottom of the bowl) along with whip cream and a cherry on top! 

The hot fudge drizzle is an old shirt of mine that I took in and cut to create "drizzles."  Although you can't see it, I weighted the drizzles with some brown beads so the material wouldn't curl up.  The tutu is about as simple to make as they come- I used this tutorial.  The whip cream hair clip is my own creation- I made a tube of white material, stuffed the front part of it with batting and curled it around itself (like a snake) to create the whip cream.  I used red felt and a little brown ribbon for the cherry.  Really easy.  Paired with a white onesie and brown pants, this costume cost me about $5.00 (for the beads and tulle).

Ever seen a hot fudge sundae go down a slide-- well, now you have!

She's a girly girl

for sure!  I love how she has (on her own) found a love for shoes and accessories!  I like to put a little thought into her clothes, but have never emphasized shoes or bows.  She takes it upon herself to do that now.  One of her first words was "shoe."

Every time we go to her room she runs for her closet of shoes and tries to put them all on.  She even asks for bows in her hair (although they rarely stay in there long).  She cracks me up this girl. 

She has accessorized herself with bows and bracelets!

Our First Protest

Coraline and I experienced our first protest last month.  Without getting into too many details, my beloved Alma Mater, Peace College, which has a 154 year history of being a women's school has decided to change the name of the school and become co-educational.  I am very disappointed in the direction the college will be taking and feel very misled by the Board of Trustees. 

About 150 alumna decided to "peacefully protest" the changes by circling around the fountain, singing the Alma Mater and throwing a red rose into the fountain (a very old graduation tradition).  Tame enough for a 15 month old to attend!

She's got her red rose ready.

 Here is a picture from the N&O- I'm in there, but my head is turned away.

 Here we are singing the Alma Mater around the broken fountain and throwing in the roses. 

So beautiful!

 Got my Peace gear on and ready to throw the rose in.

 My little protester!

 Me and my friend, Susan, around the fountain.

Then it started pouring down rain.  She was totally into it!

It was so bittersweet to be on the campus and to know that it will never be the same again.  Sounds dramatic, I know, but it's hard to understand unless you went there.

Preserve Peace College's Legacy!!!

I have no idea what I've been doing lately that prevents me from blogging, but I sure am keeping busy around here.  I've joined a playdate meetup group and Coraline and I have been busy several times a week walking around the lake, meeting new friends, swimming and going to gymnastics!  It's been a fun summer.

(on the balance beam)

(in the foam pit)

(this was her favorite- the trampoline)

(at the pool)

I have been sewing some too.  I finished two quilts and some baby treats for a friend's baby girl, so I will post pictures in another post.

Hope I still have some readers left!!

New Outfit

I wanted to tackle a few of the cute tops that I have collected on my Pinterest site for Coraline.  There are so many cute ones to choose from! I found this material at Joann's and thought it was perfect for her.

Here is the link to the top.  I found it very easy to construct.  I followed her pattern which is for a 12-18 month size, but it was a little snug on my 15 month old, so I tried it again and added 1/4 inch all the way around the pattern and it came out to be a much better fit for her.  I made it a top, but you could easily add some length and make it a dress.

I've gotten some compliments on it, so I think it's a winner!

The bloomers are my own pattern- hopefully, I can make a tutorial for you on that soon.  However, you could do a search for bloomers or diaper covers and come up with lots of tutorials.

Happy sewing everyone!

Coraline's Jungle Gym

Gymnast perhaps? 

Oh, and yes, it is 2011 and I've just discovered the awesomness of Youtube. 

Summertime Bucket Hat

I've wanted to make a bucket hat for Coraline for awhile.  I think they're adorable and perfect for keeping that head covered during the summer.  The problem is that she won't wear a hat (or any hair accessories) right now.  Oh well, I had some extra fabric, so I went for it anyway.  It's a two-in-one hat (reversible).  It's a little big because I followed her pattern which is for a 2T.  But, I figured if she wouldn't wear it now she may in the future. 

Here is the tutorial I followed.  Very easy.  I did include one side of interfacing to stiffen it up a bit and I did do 1/4 inch seams all the way up the brim.

Since I just used boring old white fabric for the inside (more of a liner), I may add straps so she'll keep it on.  This will take away the reversibility function. 

Oh how much fun I could have with this pattern!

What to do . . .

When your baby has a diaper rash that needs a little airing out but it is too blazin' hot to go outside and besides said baby likes to eat handfuls of dirt.

*    *    *

Why you bring the pool indoors (minus the water) and let her have at it.  BTW, it did help the diaper rash.

Happy Birthday America!

We hope you are having a wonderful holiday celebrating our great country! 

We had an early BBQ with the family and am now waiting for the fireworks to start (on tv).  I'm not sure Miss C would appreciate fireworks this year.  Maybe next year!

Upon Second Glance . . .

this picture is not as cute as I thought it would be.

I shall call her Zombie Baby . . .

Dirt

My child likes to eat dirt.  All. the. time.  And I'm not talking about a little piece but a good handful of the stuff.  I really don't even to like to go outside much (well that and the 90 degree weather) because all she does is eat potting soil.  Hones in on the stuff.  Really?  It can't taste good.   

Here is a little proof. 

Going for it.

 Feels so good in my hands.

Uh-oh, mom caught me- better drop this handful.

 I'll try it again, since she's busy with the camera.

 Triumph (this is not the usual handful like previously mentioned).

Ahhh, tastes so good.

Tea Party Time

My friend, Yvonne, and I decided that we must do a tea party together before she leaves for Florida.  We both love tea and any excuse to eat cucumber sandwiches is okay by me.  I've been in an English mood lately with all this Jane Austen and the Royal Wedding stuff. 

We even went to a tea store and bought special "tea party" tea.  We had a great time as we always do.

Here are some pictures of the day.

Here are the girls playing.   

Our set up.  We had raspberry scones (I substituted raspberries for blueberries), devonshire cream and some cucumber finger sandwiches.   

 Almost done.  Delicious.

Yvonne and Miss C even dressed up for the occasion.

What a fun play date!

Coraline models

I'll admit the downloading of pictures from the camera to the computer and from the computer to this blog drives me insane and is definitely the reason why this blog lacks post.  I will have to do better if I expect anyone to read this! 

I made another "Abbey Dress" for Coraline.  Same fabric as before but in a bigger size.  I added 1.5 inches to every dimension she lists in her pattern. 

 Coraline shows off the back of her dress and bloomers.

 The front of the dress.

The bloomers were a new pattern for me and soooooo easy to do.  I recommend it to anyone and everyone for its simplicity and cuteness factor.  Here is the link to the pattern.

 She was not interested in standing and showing everything off for me, so she is holding on to her pink blankie so she'll be still.  But you get an idea of what it would look like.

The completed outfit.