Dressed for the Day

This is what my daughter looks like on a typical morning. She calls it "Dressed for the Day". This ensemble includes her daytime dress (you know it is the daytime dress as opposed to her outside dress, sleeping dress or shopping dress because it is blue), Easter shoes, bracelet we left at the restaurant, dog recieved at first dentist visit, inconspicuous sunhat, horse necklace from Grandma and a random materials to be returned to the Library. She will emerge from her room in some spectacle of wardrobe and cheerfully announce that she is ready. She is dressed for the day. She doesn't care where we are going or what we are doing, largely because she doesn't have control over those decisions...she can just decide what she'll be wearing.

I need to get dressed for the day. Metaphorically - I am actually wearing what passes for daytime clothes in my Mommy Life. Lately I've been in a bit of a funk. Some abrupt changes in the personnel department of my life and some excruciatingly slow changes in the housing department that I haven't any control over have got me feeling a bit like I'm treading water in a really big bathtub and am getting really close to the swirly thing when you pull the drain. Not ideal.

So, here's the plan. I'm going to take control of my wardrobe, if you will and let the rest go. Not saying I'll be very successful right off the bat, but it doesn't hurt to have goals. You can learn a lot from a three-year-old.

Happy Easter!

Aunt Lindsey and the girls

Charlotte eating her first Easter egg

Katherine blowing on her eggs

What a great day!

After church we shared some mimosas with family then ejoyed the awesome weather while preparing for a neighborhood egg hunt and potluck. We have been so very blessed this year!

Fang No More

I've stopped calling Charlotte "Fang". Her first tooth was on the top and very pointy and very much not in the middle. It hung out there by itself for quite a while, then two came in on the bottom. Now the top row is filling out. Every time she smiles I see the mouth of a little kid, not my little baby. Sigh. At least she's still bald...

Even More Baby Things

Boys, boys everywhere! Sara and Jason spent Saturday opening an impossible amount of adorable monkey-themed apparel and gifts for their little man expected later this spring. Since I missed the festivities by about 2,000 miles, I thought I'd share some additional pics of my contributions to Baby Henry's wardrobe. I am especially fond of the motorcycle embroidered on a ready-made sweatshirt. Virtually instant gratification as it was done in just one Charlotte nap. Thanks for cooperating, Lottie!

In other boy news, my friend Laura had her baby yesterday - another boy! It seems like I'll be getting to perfect some baby boy skills.

Now, if Charlotte is going to have an Easter basket I best shift my attention away from baby things and on to Easter things.

Boy Baby

I am the middle child in a family of three girls. The neighbor girls I grew up with also had a family of three girls. Out of all of these girls the next generation has also all been girls...until we found out little Baby Henry will be a BOY! As soon as I heard Sara say that word I mentally processed every crafting option for boyish baby items. Uncharted territory. I've been perfecting flowers and frills, now what?!

Sara's shower is Saturday and I so wish I could be there to see her open little blue packages and hear the ooohhhs and aaaahhhs. The package has already been sent and I'm sure I'll get a full report on the festivities. I thought this wouldn't give too much away and will post more pics after the shower, because boy stuff is too cute not to share!

Kid One

While I'm busy finishing up another batch of adorable baby items for a spring baby, I thought I'd share some pics of hands down one of the best things I've ever made (even the crooked ring finger that she must have gotten from med). We've been spending as much time as possible outside before it gets crazy hot. This day featured one of the more mild fashion choices my daughter has made: a t-shirt that has been well-loved and is getting a little tough to pull over the ol' noggin and pants that are a bit too short, but I'm told are "just right for playing, Mom". Totally cliche, but they do grow up way too fast.

Crochet Completed

Many months ago I found the pattern for the sweater above and decided to make it for my freind's baby. Thankfully it is a twelve-month size, because little Monkey Schuitman is due in the next couple weeks! I should have just enough time to finish sewing a couple of burp cloths and bibs to tuck along into the package.

And, since I had spent so much time laboriously following a pattern, I decided to treat myself to an afternoon and evening spent with a free-form baby hat and adapted pattern for some booties to match. These really are as soft as they look and I hope they will keep little Monkey nice and cozy.

Now, where did I put my sewing machine?

Baking 101

There are three simple rules to baking. Rule #1: Always follow the recipe. Rule #2: Don't let it burn. Rule #3: If you fail to follow either of these rules, add icing.

This visually tasty treat started life as Monkey Bread. After deciding that the recipe was lacking in the butter department, a smoke-filled kitchen and copious amounts of cinnamon icing, I'm thinking it may need to be renamed, as it no longer resembles the original. Maybe it needs some chopped nuts...or sprinkles....No, wait, the instant improvement to all baked goods gone bad: ice cream!

Baby Chub

I've been photographing Charlotte every month on her birthday since she turned one month old. She always sports her couture Washington onesie lovingly crafted by Lindsey and "sits" in the black leather chair we have on (permanent?) loan from Paul the Backyard Neighbor. This month she has mastered pulling up to a standing position on just about anything that doesn't move. Hence the awesome shot of some of her deepest chub crevices. It has been just amazing to watch her tiny little chicken legs evolve and change into fluffy tree trunks capable of support and movement. Ah, that movement thing. I fear she will be walking in no time.

You've come a long way, baby!

Boxing

Remember when all you needed to have a good time was a box? Add a blanket and a pillow and you have a really good time.

Even without knowing the contents (roughly one ton of clothing UPS'd from Indiana), to a fertile young mind this box was nothing but endless possibility. In the course of an afternoon it was a bed for Snow White, a ship, a car, a house and a plank off a pirate ship.

Thanks to Lindsey for providing an afternoon's entertainment. Thanks to my kid for reminding me how to find joy everyday.