Getting crafty...

Wanted to show off my latest project...I found a pattern online for a reversible jumper that looked easy enough, so I came up with my own pattern that would fit Claire and here are the steps and finished product!

Copied a fabric pattern onto the first fabric and cut it out...it's a one-piece pattern and this is folded in half and pinned with the right sides together.

Copy the pattern on the second fabric (since it's reversible!) and cut it out.

Here are the two pieces that you sew together with right sides together, leaving a two-inch opening to turn rightside out, then hand-stitch the opening closed.

Criss cross the back strap, sew on buttons and voila!!

Here's what the back and reverse pattern looks like- I appliqued an apple on the back and a pear on the front of the poka dot pattern!

A shot of the back...

She looked awfully adorable in it, if I do say so myself...and it should grow with her since the straps are adjustable and it's all one piece!

 

MoNtH # OnE

Claire had her one-month doctor's appointment last Friday so thought I would share the latest stats on our little one! It is so bittersweet to think about how fast the last month has gone...we enjoy watching her change everyday but can't believe how quickly time flies and secretly want her to stay tiny forever!!

"Here's what I've been up to: "

*weighing in at 9lbs 3oz (50th percentile)

*now 21 inches long and quickly outgrowing my newborn sleepers (50th percentile)

*breastfeeding like a champ...every 3 hours like clockwork during the day, every 4-5 at night (mommy and daddy are so happy about the extra sleep!)

*sleeping all night in my crib (since Week #2- and yes, mommy cried!)

*taking one of my afternoon naps in my crib

*smiling while I'm awake...mostly when mom or dad is in my face talking to me in that crazy voice

*cooing!

*getting more and more head control every day and responding to voices and sounds by turning my head back and forth

*loving my baths, hating the aftermath which involves being naked and cold

*starting to enjoy tummy-time, although tend to fall asleep when I'm on my belly!

Here are some pics from the last few weeks...

Off to see Dr. Freeman...and throwing up my "One month old" sign!!

My hair looks a teeeensy bit red in the sunlight!!

My cheeks are getting chubby!!

Starting to be pretty interested in my play-yard!

Ok, so it gets a little boring after about 5 minutes

Tummy time in my ruffle-butt leggings!

So, tummy time gets boring too!

                                                      

Secret life of bees....

Spencer will probably kill me for posting this but it's just too hilarious not too....so he rented an aerator last weekend to prepare the lawn for seeding this fall and everything was going well until he ran into a ground-bee hive across our creek. After being stung (four times), he left the aerator running and took off, but then had to decide how he was going to get this running machine out of a swarm of bees. This outfit is what he came up with: running tights, jeans (with duck tape around the ankles!), two tucked-in hooded sweatshirts, gardening gloves, a bandana, and a pair of chemistry goggles. It worked, and entertained Claire and I from the deck in the process....here is the evidence:

Assessing the plan of action...

Ready, set, GOOOOO....

Trust me, he was moving!! So glad a couple of neighbors were able to witness this as well!

Mobi-wrap

I've always wanted to be one of those baby-carrying mommys so we tried my Moby wrap last week while I made dinner....Claire and I both loved it!! This is going to be nice for grocery shopping : )

GO COLTS!!

I have to admit, this is a baby boys' sleeper (don't tell Claire!!)...but with a big obnoxious hairbow, I think she pulls it off! Enjoying watching our Colts win...

Cuteness...

A few pics from this past week:

Lucy as a boppy!

Claire has learned to love her swing EXCEPT right after eating...then it can get a little ugly!

We have decided that Claire looks extra pretty in purple!!

I am in love with this hat...she looks like a little Swedish baby! It reminds me of Hanna Andersson clothes...check out their adorable classic baby and children's gear at http://www.hannaandersson.com/!  Thanks to great-grandma Sally for the hat and outfit!

Life and a can of beer...

I found this story online and thought it was cute and very true so I thought I would share!

Life and a Can of Beer


When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar … and the beer.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it will golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous “yes.” The professor the produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the space between the sand. The students laughed. “Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are important things — your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions — things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like you job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of beers.”

Labor Day photo shoot

Thanks to Adam (again!), we have the most precious memories of the most precious newborn EVER!! Claire Elizabeth, you are so loved!

Thanks uncle Adam!!

Three wonderful years!

Spencer and I "celebrated" our three- year anniversary last Wednesday....with a newborn, it consisted of renting a movie and take-out Gyros- perfection!! It truly is hard to believe that it has been three years since our wedding...I can't believe how much our lives, personalities and outlooks have changed since that day. I am incredibly grateful for such an amazing husband...he loves me unconditionally and I love him more and more every day as I see him transform into a wonderful daddy! Claire, Lucy and I are lucky girls : )