Monday . . .

I made some shower favors for Jennifer's baby shower.  

Little Logan Marshall will be arriving in about a month.  

Time for a new little boy in your lives.

I am truly feeling this today.  

My weekend just flew by . . . I wasn't ready for Monday to come this soon.

It's Monday.

I'm alive.

I'm breathing.

I'm living.

I'm blessed.

Life is good!

faces by avery . . .

Spring Break . . .

 Spring Break meant a week off from work.  It also meant dying Easter eggs, going to the park, planting, painting flower pots, and holding babies.  

The days spent with my granddaughters are the best days.  Throw in some beautiful Spring weather and I have come to believe . . . that life doesn't get any better!

"Just living is not enough . . . 

one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

~ Hans Christian Andersen

Avery Rose

"A baby is God's opinion that live should go on."
~ Carl Sandburg

We are all in love and can't get enough of her.  

feeling excited!

Life is not measured by the breaths you take,

but by the moments that take your breath away.

for today . . .

Outside my window . . . dark and cold (way too cold)

I am thinking . . . I should probably stay home tomorrow . . . cold? - flu? . . . whatever it is it is not fun.
I am thankful  . . . that my friend carried her baby as long as she did . . . he is a healthy 6lb. 8oz.. Her first baby was born at 24 1/2 weeks . . . this little guy made it to 35 1/2.  
From the kitchen . . . take-out tonight - won ton soup . . . because it is exactly what I need when I am sick

I am wearing . . . leggings, cami, and a big sweater

I am creating . . . paper crane ornaments for some of the kids at school.

I am going . . . to take some nighttime cold medicine and get some rest.

I am reading . . . nothing right now . . . any suggestions?

I am hoping . . . that I feel better tomorrow.

I am hearing . . . absolutely nothing . . . quiet can be a good thing.

Around the house . . . To be honest . . . it's a little bit of a mess.  We spent the weekend helping Jake and Kasey move into their house and paint.

One of my favorite things . . . a new coffee cup that Richard bought for me (two actually) . . . I need to take pictures of them - they're really fun!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . get some rest so I get feeling better, finish my Christmas shopping, get inspired, and get ready to enjoy Winter Break

From my picture journal . . .

Here he is . . . a little early, but healthy and content.  

I love finding words and/or quotes on things . . . 

"Moms!  They're like dads, only smarter." 

 I asked Richard to pick up a bottle of wine this past weekend.  He made his choice by picking one with a humorous label . . . (he doesn't buy wine very often - it was not good) . . . maybe he was right on with the cork. 

Welcome Jordan!

"Sometimes the littlest things

 take up the most room in your heart."

~ Winnie the Pooh

I believe in miracles . . .

Back in June I posted about Aleena.

She was born prematurely between 25 and 26 weeks.  She was born in May and finally was able to come home not too long after her actual due date in early September.  She is doing great.  She weighed 1 lb. 15 oz. when she was born . . . she is now over 7 lbs.

I believe miracle happen around us every day - some we are not even aware of . . . every so often God allows us to witness one like baby Aleena.

 

"I am realistic – I expect miracles.”  

                        ~ Wayne W. Dyer

Father's Day . . .

I meant to post this picture on Father's Day, but never got it done.  It is too wonderful not to share . . .

My friends daughter was born prematurely between 25-26 weeks.  That was about 3 weeks ago.  She has had some issues with her lungs, but so far they have been able to take care of those.  She is gaining weight and reached 2 pounds this past weekend.  This photo was taken on Father's Day.  Please keep baby Aleena in your prayers. 

This and That

I have a good friend that had a baby last week.  Baby Aleena was born at 25 weeks . . . and is doing great.  The nurses describe her as strong and feisty . . . prayers for Aleena Marie.  I keep looking at the size of her little footprints in awe.  I am hoping to get to go see her tomorrow.

Richard and I went to dinner last night and happened upon a new little vintage shop next to the restaurant we went to.  What a great little place - definitely going back when I have more time.  I found this little heart charm that I thought I could use on a Shabby Charlotte doll.

This little wood ornament is only about an inch tall - also will probably use for one of my dolls.

For some reason these vintage appetizer skewers had to come home with me too. . . . I loved the colors and also think I can use them with my dolls.  I think the lady wondered why I would want them . . . sold them to me for next to nothing. 

I am picturing a very festive, summery Shabby Charlotte . . .

I guess this was the top spike on an iron fence.  It is quite heavy.  I am not sure exactly how I will use this . . . but loved the worn rusty look and the combination of rust and the pink on it. 

I did get around to cutting down another pair of bandannas that I had to make some smaller pants for Charlotte.  I am anxious to see how they fit and how they look on her. 

Happy Saturday!

Saturday

Nachos for lunch ~

Baseball on TV ~

Wonderful Spring weather ~

I love Saturdays!

I'm working on some Shabby Charlotte dolls today . . . one of them a zombie that someone ordered.  Although, I find myself being easily distracted.  I am determined to get them finished tonight - so I can start on some new ones tomorrow. 

This little one has distracted me quite a bit - Our little Charlotte is getting so big and she is so much fun.  Thank heaven for little girls . . .

. . . and bubbles!  I guess we will have to do sidewalk chalk tomorrow.

 

"Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people." 

                                                                              ~ Allen Beck

this just makes me smile and laugh . . .

This pattern was for a newborn.  Since Charlotte is 4 months old I decided to add one row . . . just to make sure it would not be too small and that maybe she could wear it for a little while.  So it is a little big or at least bigger than what I intended.  This picture just makes me laugh . . . how is it that you can put any kind of hat or outfit on a baby - and it can make you smile. 

 

"Babies are such a nice way to start people." 

                                                           ~Don Herrold

I'm a Grandma!

Update . . . change of mind on the middle name . . . and she is 18 1/2 inches long.

She's a wee little thing . . . and oh so precious.  I still haven't found out how long she is.  I do know that she is the perfect size to hold and love.  I loved her before she was born - and knew that I couldn't wait to see her and hold her . . . but I am actually surprised by how this tiny little girl has touched my heart already and the emotions she has stirred in me.  

 

Bath Apron

Another great idea - Abbie asked me to make her a bath apron.  Simply an apron made out of a towel to use when bathing a baby.  Having it tied on like an apron makes it easier to handle a baby and keeps the adult from getting wet. 

I just used an apron that I had for a pattern . . .

. . . zig zagged the edges . . .

then used bias tape and a matching fabric for the neck and ties.

Of course Luke was more than willing to model it for me. 

 - just perfect for scooping up a wet baby. 

love this onesie

I decided that the quilt that Abbie asked me to make needed little matching onesies.  I know I should be completing the quilt before starting these - but I had to try just one.  I haven't appliqued in such a long time - it was fun.  Tonight I am finishing up the quilt and hopefully will have time to make a couple more of these.  I want to do a star, moon, and a tree - oh and maybe a peace sign.  I may have to buy some more onesies.  I really need more hours in every day . . . but tomorrow is the last day of summer school - Then I will have some extra time!

Luke and Abbie had an appointment yesterday for an ultra-sound.  I haven't gotten copies of the pictures yet - but saw them.  Looks like Charlotte has some chubby cheeks.