P.C.P 2013 part 1

Why hello! Are you Midwesterners gearing up for the storm headed our way! My neck of Kansas is scheduled for 6-12 inches of snow. Of course if Kansas stays true to herself we'll probably get 3 or so inches, or truer still, we'll be tropical. But the way it feels outside is telling something is gonna happen. I've come to show you some things I've crossed off my list.


This darling little baby blanket that wasn't even a quarter finished. I started it way back on 2011. But once I knew who I wanted to give it to it was a race up the finish line.


I worked on it every chance I got and only ran out of one color in the process. If you crochet faster when you're nearing the end of a skein/ball, it does NOT make the yarn go further. It was so lame too because I was almost done with that row. The greens were a little off but not too terrible. If I would have just finished it years ago it wouldnt have been a problem.


But I finished the blanket and then finished a baby sock monkey hat, wrapped them up and delivered them toy giftee. She's due on March and cried when she saw the blanket and hat. I love reactions like that! It makes it all worth it.


Then I finished my Blooming flower cushion. I started this last year sometime, last summer I think, and I finally finished it today.


I ordered a feather insert because I just love feather pillows! I can't fall asleep without my feather pillow, I've been that way since I was 10 or so.


I washed the two halves before I slip stitched them together. The insert arrived today and I ran to the door and jumped up and down to see the brown box sitting on our front porch. Don't you just love getting packages? I know I do.


I simply love it! I did "mess up" on the pattern because I misunderstood a part of it from Lucy's blog. It was my fault though because I didn't read it carefully enough and ended up doing hdc, sc, sc, hdc between each pedal instead of only one sc. I still really like it the way it is.


I love the colors too, all I can think of it "candy stripes."


And what I love most about it is I get to cross another project off "Project Complete Projects 2013." Two more down! I'll have to recount to see how much I have left, but it's still progress!


Hope you're all staying warm and entertained.


We are! Hopefully we can keep the girls steadfast through the snow storm!

Three Years

Three years. That's:
1095 days
26,280 hours
1,576,800 minutes
94,608,000 seconds

I did the math.
Three years ago yesterday, my little Amelia barged her way into the world. I was a due February 5, 2010, I was progressing but not enough and not having any contractions. We were going to set up an induction date of Monday the 8th but they were full and went ahead with my originally wanted induction date of the 11th, since it's my dad's birthdays. I was ready to be done with pregnancy and wanted my little girl out already. We were so sure she wasn't coming out on her own we went and had our taxes done on my due date. On the 10th my mom and I went shopping, I cooked dinner, and straightened up the house. The morning of my induction day at 530am I started having contractions. Got up, went to the bathroom, took my shower, still contracting. Every five minutes. If you know Amelia you know this is just like her, wanting to do it on her own when she knows your going to do it. We got the hospital with Elliott trying to make me feel better by making me laugh asking me what the ratio of Stanley nickels were to Schrute Bucks and I would have to reply, "same as the ratio of leprechauns to unicorns." (if your an Office fan you'll know what I'm talking about). We got to the hospital and into our room about 7am. Got my epidural pretty quick because I was in pain and already a 4-5cm. I slept most of the time and about 1230 was really hot and uncomfortable. My wonderful, amazing nurse Abby came in and checked me just as my doctor came in too. I was ready. They got everything set up and me in position to push. I'm not sure how long I was pushing but it wasn't long, less than 30 minutes, and my big headed stubborn Amelia was born at 144pm at 8.5 oz and 20 inches long, with bright red fuzz.


One of the three top favorite days of my life. Bet you can't guess the other two.


This little girl amazes me everyday and I love her more everyday too. I'm so proud I get to call her my daughter and he calls me her mommy.


We had a Lorax party for her on Sunday with all the family. It was so much fun. I made the cake, a Thneedville hillside with truffula trees. And a surprise inside.


Rainbow insides! I had a lot of fun doing her birthday this year.


We had truffula decorations.


Balloons.


And of course delicious food that Elliott and I made. He was such a great help with all of this, he did a majority of the cleaning and kept me calm through all of it.


And of course, who could forget the Lorax mustache cups. I know I can't.


It was all worth it when she saw it all and we surprised her and she ran and hid for twenty minutes. Alyssa ate up all the attention that Amelia wasn't getting. Alyssa thought it was all great fun and loved seeing all of her favorite people, walking around like crazy to any outstretched hands beckoning to her.


Then Monday we all crashed and just laid around. In the afternoon we went out and about and took the girls to eat at T-Rex Cafe . I don't have any pictures because Amelia was terrified of some of the dinosaurs despite the fact that she loves them. Then Alyssa had a meltdown. But we still had fun, and came home and put everyone to bed early! Thank goodness too, everyone was super tired.


What a happy birthday day had by all. Happy birthday little bear.

Present

It's no mystery that being a mom is hard work, so I really won't make excuses or explain away my absence. But I will tell you that I just wasn't feeling blogging in the month or so I've been gone. Every time I might have thought about it I just felt anxious and tired, and who wants to do something that makes you feel like that? I don't. So I just skipped it. I'm sorry if you've missed me, I've missed you! We're all doing quite fine though. Alyssa still isn't sleeping through the night despite being 10 months old. On a good night she wakes up once in the early morning. On average, 2-3 times a night. On bad nights 4 or more times. I've talked to her doctor about it but he didn't seem concerned. So I've just accepted that she'll probably do this until she's weaned.


Amelia will be three on Monday and we're having her party on Sunday. It's Lorax themed and we really went all out for it this year with decorations and I'm making a cake, its going to be great! I read her "Oh, the places you'll go!" by Dr. Seuss the other day, I've never read it before, or at least that I remember, and I couldn't finish the last page until I swallowed the lump in my throat. Because if you knew her like I do, you'd know that she's already moved mountains and that there is no stopping the unstoppable force which is my Amelia. Three... I remember when we brought her home from the hospital.


My mom has been back in town for awhile and we've been spending a lot of time with her. Catching up on lost time, since she's been out of state with my step-dad, I guess you would say. We do all kinds of things together. It's been nice having her back. My girls sure do love their nana, we'll all be sad when she leaves next week. Gone for six weeks then back for my step-brother's wedding in April. Anyway, we survived Christmas and had a good time with all our families. Elliott and I barely brought in the new year, we were both ready for bed at 9. But we made it, then promptly fell asleep by 12:05. The life of partiers right?


We've spent the last two weeks cleaning the house. And every time we feel we have a hold on it we realize we really don't. Someone once told me that with kids you really don't clean, you just maintain. It's too true. Maintain a low roar of clutter and chaos. After the girls' birthdays I'm spending some time organizing and decluttering. I've already started with TCC (Tabby's craft corner). So wish me luck with all that! I've made a goal for 2013 since the TCC is out of hand.


This is an "organized" TCC, insane! So much yarn and fabric, but craziest of all was the amount of half finished projects I found in there.


I made a list of things to complete in 2013 and then I'm going to start to destash some oft horde. I'm calling it "Project Complete Projects 2013." So far I've completed two things.


A panda hat for my sister.


And a sheriff scarf, also for my sister since she's an officer for them. It felt good to mark things off the list, hopefully chasing that feeling will help me complete the list.


I've been working on a pattern for a doll too. I loved making this little doll.


I made one for both girls (per hair) and they're named Harriet, left, and Margret, right. Since Amelia has a hard time saying those names they are respectfully Carrier and Yogurt. I like what se came up with better. Before I put hair on Carrier Amelia kept asking me to make her happy (put a smile on her) and give her hair. Ever since I made her, Amelia has taken her everywhere. Made me happy that she loves her so much. Well anywho, that's a quick catch up on the goings-on of my little life. I hope you are happy and well! Hugs and love until next time.

Something Finished!

Don't you love the feeling of accomplishment? It's like dropping a weight from your shoulders and standing up straight for the first time in awhile. I have am basking in this short lived feeling for the evening. Short lived because I still have so much to do before Christmas but I've finished a big thing. Enough talking! Here it is!


Four mantis babies! From FiberDoodles. I've made two others using this pattern. It's a great pattern I highly recommend it.


I've been working on these since well before thanksgiving but I could only work on them at night after the girls went to bed.


With Tonka to keep me company while I worked in the basement. Watching movies or tv. But tonight I sewed on the eyes and the antennas.


Then they were done! A labor of love for my aunt, who ordered these back in August and I procrastinated thinking I had enough time, not to worry. Man, that time went by fast! But they are done now, and they leave tomorrow to be given as gifts. But now I'm off to bed, because tomorrow I have to arm myself with my hook and produce some Christmas presents!


They'll miss me, I know. But they're going to good homes. And just for your entertainment...


We went and saw Santa today and both girls loved Santa, Alyssa basically jumped into his lap!, and then tried to stick her fingers in his mouth. Amelia was shy but friendly. Then we couldn't get her to smile. This is the best we could get out of her, I love it anyway.

Bad Day...

This afternoon has been an awful one. This morning was great.


We went downstairs and listened to records. The girls played together and with their toys.


Elliott played air drums at Amelia. She yelled at him and told him to stop. Then about 1230 Alyssa had enough. So I put her to bed. And about an hour later Amelia had a massive meltdown that woke up Alyssa who needed to take a longer nap and then refused to go back down (is currently playing in her crib instead of sleeping). She then proceeded to cry at everything. Amelia isn't feeling well and neither is Alyssa so I've had someone attached to me the last 30 some odd hours. I feel worn down and on the brink of a blowup myself. Plus, I want to go throw rocks at my neighbor's highly obnoxious dogs who bark all day long. Even when my neighbors are home they somehow miraculously don't hear their dogs barking, though I can hear them in almost every room of my house, two doors down from them. (Just for the record, I don't have the balls to be mean to anyone so I just get real mad and sulky without doing anything about it. Confrontation makes me really uncomfortable too.)


I'm just ready for bedtime tonight. Please say a prayer for me if you think about it. I'm sure tomorrow will be better. It has to be, right? Right?...

Just Stopping By

I want to start by saying that I am sorry that I have been so quiet lately. With Christmas coming up and my mom just getting back into town most of my free time has been gobbled up. I've even developed my old crochet callus and even a new one on my thumb because I've been using a naked hook.


I've been working hard trying to get things finished for presents and an order my aunt placed back in August. It's my fault that I waited so long to get the order going, but I'll make it! I have to.


I've been crocheting where ever we go because there is no time to sit and enjoy the ride! The hooks need to be turning and things need to get done. And by the time I get some time the last thing I want to do us blog, sorry. I still read all of my favorites, but even then I don't have the energy to comment on them.


But hopefully I'll be able to revamp my blogging attempts and be kinder to you, my readers. I may be back before Christmas but I can't make any promises. So if I don't see you before then I hope you have a Merry Christmas!


And just to play catch up, Amelia had her first dentist appointment last week and she did an amazing job! She let them do everything they needed to do and didn't cry or fuss. But they did turn on the tv for her so that could have something to do with it.


And both my girls...


Are decked out and ready to see
Santa! Hopefully it'll go well, but we'll see.


Have fun with your Christmas prep!