Sassy Stitches

Moving boxes, anyone?

2009-05-24T20:03:00.002-04:00

After announcing our move today on Facebook, a friend from high school suggested I blog about the moving experience, so I will attempt to....So, we are having to get moving estimates to send to the church. We have had 2 moving companies come out to the house, walk through, ask "Does this go?", peek into cabinets and closets (it has not been pretty), gawk at the monstrosity that is our garage, etc. In all of this, we are planning to pack our own things, in hopes of downsizing. So we are in need of moving boxes. Now, we can just buy them from a moving company, or we can try to get them from someone who has just moved. We thought that trying to get used boxes is the 'greener' way to go, so we placed ads on freecycle.org and have been scanning craigslist with no luck until today. I received an email from a woman that read "call at 4xxxxxxxxx i good boxs". I wasn't sure if I should respond to this email, but then I notice the time was 4am when the message was sent. I am thinking that this poor woman has just moved and must have a small child or baby that is keeping her up at night, thus the grammar. So I call her this afternoon, ask about the kinds of boxes, etc. She tells me that she purchased the boxes from a moving store and that she has all sizes. We are thinking that we have hit the jackpot and agree to go pick them up this afternoon. She agrees to set them out in front of her house.
After piling all 5 of us into the van, we drive to this woman's house, only to find about 10 boxes, paper towel boxes, boxes she has picked up from a liquor store or grocer. And many of the boxes were crushed or ripped. We just kept right on going. Guess we will be going to a moving company to buy boxes this week...

Announcing a Move...

2009-05-24T19:55:00.002-04:00

Well, for the past couple of months, our family has been contemplating a move. Not just any move, but a pretty big one. After much deliberation, a visit, many interviews with my husband and his new employer, we decided: We are moving to New Orleans!
While we will terribly miss our friends and church family, we are very excited about the move. Today, The World's Greatest Husband had to announce our move, and his new job, to our congregation. Many of them said that they have been expecting this to come. And I think they are all very happy for us and hope that this is a great opportunity. What a great response! After TWGH's sermon, he said that we had about 6 weeks left together and we could either spend that time avoiding each other or we could spend that time telling each other good-bye. I think we have all decided to spend that time telling each other good-bye. So, today this journey begins....

Krispy Kreme Challenge

2009-03-31T20:56:00.002-04:00

I saw a clip from this yesterday on ESPN. I don't usually watch ESPN, in fact I go out of my way to avoid it. But I was at the gym and I looked up at one of the TVs and there it was, hundreds of people running, and then they all stop and grab a box of donuts. Well, I had to switch my TV channel on my little headphone thing. Glad I did...

Jacob

2009-03-14T21:46:00.003-04:00

I don't know how many people meander over to my blog, but if you are reading, please read on...My sister-in-law sent out the following email last night to everyone in her address book. So I am posting it here for all of you to see and read. (I hope Julie doesn't mind. I don't think she will if it gets more prayers for Jacob.) Her youngest son, Jacob (will be 9 y.o. on May 5) was just this week diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his spine. It is breaking my heart, and cannot imagine the fright, heartache, anger, frustration, pain, etc. that Julie, Jeff and their kids are feeling. The following is Julie's message she sent out. Please read it, and please pray for Jacob...

"I've been up since 3:30. Can't sleep and can't quit talking to God. My thoughts are not very clear but something has drawn me to send this to everyone on my email list.

Please pray for Jacob for this morning. We are meeting with a pediatric neurosurgeon this morning at 10:00 in Huntington. There is a tumor near the base of Jacob's spine. There is also fluid at the top, which has caused spaces in between his spine which is causing the curving. This is a very rare type of cancer. It is hard to detect. We found it on-line last night. Some of the symptoms for this are stomach pain, constipation, low muscle tone. He possibly has had this since birth. Jeff also read some where that it hides and that is why nothing has shown up in his blood work.

I don't know what God has in store for us.

I do know that God can heal him and I have complete faith in Him that He will take care of us. I can take anything that is thrown at us as long as I know that my little boy is going to be okay.

There is so much strength in numbers - PLEASE PRAY for us.

Please pray that God leads us to the right doctors who can help Jacob. Pray that Jacob has the courage and the strength for the future. He is so scared. He hates all the needles and the tests. He has been through so much this week. His little body is so frail.

Last night when I tucked Jacob into bed - he hugged me and said "thanks mommy for helping me to get better". The only thing that we have told Jacob is that there are some bad sick germs trapped in his spine and we have to find a way to get them out. When we do, his stomach and his legs will not hurt anymore.

We all know that Jacob can be a little twirp!!! As frustrated as he makes me, I couldn't image one second without him in my life. His smile lights up the room and his unacceptable behavior always brings a hidden laugh (and embarrassment) that only Jeff and I can understand. He is so tried of the doctors and tired of us TALKING to doctors. Yesterday he shouted at the oncologist "Hey Dude, stop talking!" and then kicked him and flicked him in the face.

Thanks for your prayers and PLEASE DON'T STOP!!!!!!!
Julie"

This weekend, Julie and Jeff are compiling a list of all of their questions to meet w/the doctor on Monday. They will be making the decision of where to have Jacob's operation/treatment...a huge decision. Please keep them in your thoughts/prayers.

National Wildlife Week

2009-02-28T21:10:00.003-05:00

This morning The First Born woke up not feeling too well. At first we thought maybe she caught some kind of stomach bug going around. After a little rest, she was back to her normal chattering self. She loves to get magazines in the mail. Right now she gets Ranger Rick and Ask, both were gifts from family members. (And both of these are excellent children's mags, with no advertising.) To keep order of all of these publications, The World's Greatest Husband went out and got all of the kids, and me, magazine files.
So The First Born has all of her magazines ordered and such. So this morning after she began to feel better, she dove right into her magazine collection, pummeling me with numerous facts about animals. She then asked me when "National Wildlife Week" was. I told her that I didn't know. (This is her way of either quizzing me, or letting me know that this is something she would like to discuss.) After a while, she informed me that "National Wildlife Week" is March 16-20, and could we put it on our family calendar. I said "Sure" and wrote it on the calendar for that week. She then proceeded to ask me what we should do for "National Wildlife Week". I said I didn't know; what did she suggest? "Maybe we could help out some of the wildlife animals around here."

Trip to WV

2009-02-22T20:59:00.003-05:00

Last week the children were out of school for "Winter Break". We made plans to drive to WV to visit family; we had not been to WV since last summer, July 4. So we were all looking forward to our trip. Despite not feeling well the week before the trip, we trudged onward. We arrived in WV with minor difficulties and were ready to start feeling better and visiting with family. Things did not go as we had hoped. The youngest, Taz, had a fever off and on all week; I was developing a terrible cold, as was The World's Greatest Husband, and then Classic Middle Child had to be taken to the ER for an ear infection.
Now, let me explain our "arrangements" when we visit WV. Both of our Mothers live about 10 minutes from each other. We have tried to split the time and stay with one side of the family for half of the trip and then the other side for the other half of the trip. That does not work out too well, too much moving around, packing up, etc. So The World's Greatest Husband stays with his mother, and the children and I stay with my sister. It is not ideal, but generally it works out ok. I needed to explain our "arrangements" in order to clarify that the children are primarily with me. It was me who took CMC to the ER at 1 am, and it was me who was up with Taz every couple of hours monitoring his fever and giving him the remedy of choice. All the while, The World's Greatest Husband was recuperating on his mother's couch, in front of the TV! Imagine my shock when after arriving back home, I overheard The World's Greatest Husband on the phone with a friend. He was recounting our trip to WV, and I quote "I (he actually said 'I'!!!) had to take CMC to the ER at 1 am". Are you kidding me?????

Look out Comedy Central...jokes around the table

2009-02-22T20:47:00.005-05:00

I like to think that members of my family have good senses of humor. If you knew some of the people in my family, you would agree. We like to laugh together, tell funny stories and tell jokes. The First Born and Classic Middle Child also like to tell jokes. TFB had really gotten into it and we even encouraged this new hobby by checking out some joke books from our local library. But after a few days of constant "Hey Mom/Dad, What did the ____ say to the ____?" (you fill in the blanks), we had had enough. So the joke books went back to the library shelves.
Now TFB and CMC will tell us jokes that they find in a book/magazine, and even ones that they have made up. Some of the made up jokes are pretty funny, and some are just, well funny because we are right there in the moment and the joke teller is laughing so heartily at his/her joke, you can't help but laugh too.

So here is the first installment of jokes around the table, this one by CMC:

CMC: "What did the dog say to the tree?"
me: "I like your bark"
CMC: "No. You have more leaves than I can count. Get it? Trees have too many leaves to count!" (followed by hearty belly laughs.)

Night Whispering and Giggling

2009-02-09T21:18:00.003-05:00

I struggle with a "name" on this blog for my youngest child. He has been called "bundle of energy", "terrible twos", and "tazmanian devil". And all of these names are very fitting. But tonight, he is called the "night whisperer". When he has had a decent nap during the day, he is not always ready to go to bed. He will nurse for a few minutes (yes, he is 2.5 years and STILL nursing, and we are proud of that) and then I will ask him if he is ready to go to bed. He will tell us goodnight and I will lay him in his big boy bed. Usually he will whisper for a few minutes and then drift off to sleep. But tonight he must have a lot to say; he has been whispering and giggling in his bed for 51 minutes now. And Classic Middle Child is asleep in the same room, undisturbed! (He got this gene from his father.)
The World's Greatest Husband and I take turns going into the bedroom and telling the "whisperer" to be quiet and go to sleep. The last time I went in, I told him that we would talk tomorrow and no more talking tonight. His response: "Pwease, Mommy?"
Now you may wonder why I let him take a nap during the day if not taking a nap will ensure an early bedtime, which it does. Well, I have gone 'round and 'round on this one. And it comes down to the fact that I NEED him to take a nap during the day. We need that bit of rest, even if it means he will be up a bit later. There is always some kind of trade-off...

Birthday Extravaganza

2009-02-08T13:58:00.008-05:00

Well, The First Born is about to celebrate her 8th birthday in 3 days. I could go on and on about how I can hardly believe she is old enough to have her ears pierced, much less try to act like a "cool dude"!

Or bemoan the fact that she is not a baby any longer, but more closely resembles a string bean. While these are all true, let us instead celebrate who she is, and the wonderful young lady she has become.
When beginning to make birthday preparation, The First Born was asked the usual questions: "What kind of birthday party would you like?" and "Who would you like to invite?". Who to invite became a tougher situation than we thought. The First Born only felt like there were 3 girls from her class that she is good friends with, so with that small number, I set out to make sure that these 3 girls would be able to attend on the date set. Next was the theme for the party...we went 'round and 'round, from craft/puppy party to a friendship party, and we settled on a cooking party. There is a local bakery that offers children's birthday parties in which the children are able to decorate cakes, etc. I thought to myself, "If they can do that, I can do it, and do it better!"
So I set out to begin preparations for this party. We decided that each child would help to mix cake batter, and we would bake 4-6" heart-shaped cakes during the party. (I had previously made 4-6" heart-shaped cakes and frozen them so that all of the girls would have a 2-layer cake to take home.)
So, day of the party, the girls arrived, and after showing them The First Born's room, and Classic Middle Child and Tazmanian Devil showed off a bit, the girls and I set to work at baking while The World's Greatest Husband took Classic Middle Child and Taz downstairs to view a movie. (They rejoined us when it was time to decorate the cakes.) While the cakes baked and cooled, the girls had a snack, made snowmen from bananas and other various fruits, and played rousing games of musical chairs and hot potato. We then made Brownie Sand Art for each of the girls to take home:

Use a 1-quart mason jar.
Layer in this order, cocoa on bottom. Baking Directions:

1/3 cup cocoa
2/3 cup sugar
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup vanilla chips
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tbsp flour
½ tsp. salt 9"x 9" pan.
½ tsp. baking powder

Seal with mason jar lid and ring.

Baking directions:
Combine contents of jar with:
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
Mix until well blended. Pour into greased 9”x 9” pan.
Bake at 350 for 26-28 minutes.

After the Brownie Sand Art, it was time to decorate the cakes. This proved to be lots of fun, challenging and a great creative process! And the cakes looked awesome! (even though some of the children--Classic Middle Child--decided to see just how much candy could be piled on top of a cake.)
We did the usual, opened gifts and had cake and ice cream, although I think most of the children had had enough cake/frosting by now!
And I have certainly had enough cake--one 2-layer birthday cake, 4-6" heart-shaped 2-layer cakes, and two 1-layer cakes later! All of the girls took home their decorated cake, as well as their "shopping bag" with an apron, cooking utensils, and Brownie Sand Art.
We took the remainder of our cake to church today, and passed it out for coffee hour, and then sent many people home with large helpings!!!

Crossing Over

2008-12-15T22:09:00.003-05:00

I have finally crossed over to the other side: I have joined Facebook. I had no idea how addictive it can be! Just waiting for a "friend" to tag you or confirm you or post to your "wall". It's almost more than I can handle!!!

Christmas card picture

2008-12-10T21:36:00.005-05:00

We have never been the type to think that everyone we know, family excluded would want to have a picture of our kids for a Christmas card. You know the type, family all decked out in matching sweaters, lounging around a perfectly trimmed tree, that BTW I am sure is not their tree at all. Anyone who has small children knows that their tree will be far from perfectly trimmed. Back to the perfect Christmas card scene...all of the participants with perfect smiles, maybe even looking as if they like one another.
Well, last year we crossed over to the other side and with the help of an online service, we put together a Christmas card with a picture of all of us, yes all of us. I guess we jumped in feet first. Now this year, we decided we would formulate another photo card, just of the children this time. We have been trying to plan for a good picture of the 3 little imps together, but it seems that we don't have any that turn out with all 3 looking somewhat normal. The First Born is all for it, totally posing with a smile glued on her face. But the Middle Child and the Terrible Two's are another story. The Middle Child is ok for a few shots, but then he starts closing his eyes, making faces, striking crazy poses. And the Terrible Two's, well need I say more? We are lucky to just get a glimpse of him in the picture...

So we ended up with one so-so picture that will have to do. Now that we have crossed this threshold, is our next step to become one of those families who send out form letters about a year in the life...? I hope not, but never say never. It will come back to bite you in the....

New Etsy Listings

2008-12-08T21:38:00.004-05:00

Well, I have finally posted more items in my Etsy shop. I don't know if I will sell anything before Christmas, but I am getting better at it. We'll see how it goes. It is so hard to find the time to make something, then take the pictures, placing and arranging everything just so. And then after all of that, listing it, writing up a description. And trying to keep everything else (non-etsy) going smoothly, or somewhat smoothly. If anyone has any managing tips or secrets for me, please let me know!!!!

If You Can't Beat 'Em...

2008-11-27T11:57:00.002-05:00

In our house, raising 3 children, aged 7, 5, and 2, it is inevitable that there is lots of "potty talk". And I don't mean anything profane, unless you consider bowel movements and farting profane. Much to the dismay of several Mothers I engage in playgroup with, I do not much discourage such talk. Oh sure, if we are at someone's house or restaurant for dinner or at school, we refrain and have taught the children to do so as well. But if the children are at home or playing with friends, all bets are off.
So yesterday the first born tells me that she knows what 100 times 10 is. I ask her and she replies "1000". The middle child heard this exchange and then says to me "Hey Mom, Do you know what 100 times turd is?" How do you answer that?

Back in Business

2008-11-22T21:50:00.005-05:00

Well, I have been out of "business" for quite a while now. It is so hard to work even part time and be a full time SAHM!!! I don't know how people do it!!! So I took a sort of sabbatical this past Spring. My middle child was getting ready for kindergarten and we were wrapping up home pre-school. And then Summer came and the first born was out of school, vacation to GA, visiting the fam in WV, and just hanging out with my nuclear family, all of that overtook Sassy Stitches. And I wouldn't have changed a thing. We had a great summer.

Fast forward to Fall...the first born is now is 2nd grade, different school (but great because we can walk her over), and the middle child is now in kindergarten--half a day and loving it, and the unruly toddler is beside himself, crying for his sibs. What an adjustment for all of us. But we are making it and doing well.

Now, a few weeks ago I received an email from our wonderful children's librarian inquiring as to whether I was going to sew for the Library Ladies again this Holiday season. I gave it some thought, and then thought some more, and then thought that the extra money would help out for the holidays. So I am back in the sewing room. And it feels good. I have started up a few new things like xmas stockings, and some kids items like bean bags and felt magnets. And in one week I will have a table at the Blackstone River Theatre craft fair. Funny how things take off so quickly...

Exciting Weekend

2008-05-22T21:30:00.006-04:00

Last weekend was an exciting one for our family. Let's go back to Thursday, which technically isn't the weekend, but since the World's Greatest Husband's days off are Friday and Saturday, the weekend officially starts Thursday evening. Last fall, The First Born's Brownie Troop leader asked me if I would be willing to do a sewing project with the Troop. After some discussion, we decided to link it with Earth Day and teach the girls how to sew a coin purse out of Capri-Sun and Kool-Aid juice pouches. Because of family stuff, the date was moved back and I went in last Thursday. The First Born was so excited and it seemed all the girls enjoyed it. They were so amazed that they had sewn something themselves. It was a lot of fun for me too.

Move on to Friday...Two bit events for Friday. First, The Word's Greatest Husband went to The First Born's classroom to talk about being a minister. Several of the other children's parents had been in to talk about their professions. The WGH wore his robe, told the kids that the sleeves were called "pudding sleeves", which they thought was hysterical. And he evenr read some Hebrew, but then said it translated to say that first graders should not pick their noses. Second, The Father-Daughter Dance, unofficially. The school refers to it as "Girls Nite Out". Last year we did not know that "Girls Nite Out" was the Father-Daughter Dance, so we skipped it. Big mistake. The First Born was devastated the following Monday. So this year, The World's Greatest Husband promised to take her. She was so excited, but then seemed to get a little nervous as the time for the Dance approached. Before the dance, The WGH asked her "What if I have to go to the bathroom? Will you go with me?" Her reply: "No! I am not going to the boy's bathroom! Yuck!" (She knows what she is talking about.) Then The WGH proceeded to show her his latest dance moves. That didn't go over too well either. They left for the dance, stayed about an hour and had a great time. The First Born got to dance with some of her friends and then do some cool dances with Daddy.

Onto Saturday, The WGH took Classic Middle Child and Bundle of Energy to get "summer haircuts", meaning buzz cuts. Every spring when he does this, I have a difficult time with the boys. It is not that the haircut changes them, but that it changes their looks. So much that they look so ornery. Before the cuts, with their long floppy hair, it seemed they could get by with more, but with the buzz cut, I don't know. The orneriness just seems to show more, even though they are still cute as a bug's ear. You be the judge.....

Performance Debuts

2008-05-04T16:18:00.004-04:00

Our church has a Concert Series. It began several years ago as a Spring Concert Series, but now it extends through a Christmas Concert. Most of the concerts are well attended and the Concert Committee does a good job of getting local talent to perform.

Last nights concert was The Red Tide Ramblers, with one of the members being The World's Greatest Husband's fiddle teacher. He has been taking lessons for about a year or so, and has gotten pretty good at it. I can only imagine how hard it is to play the violin. As a side note, when I was in 2nd grade, at school we were given the opportunity to learn to play the violin. I was so excited. I went the first time, but the second time when the teacher came to get those interested, I was somehow overlooked. And I wouldn't/couldn't speak up. That was the end of my violin playing.

Anyway, The World's Greatest Husband's fiddle teacher said that her band would be happy to play, but he (WGH) would have to play a song with them. He agreed and has been practicing "Old Joe Clark" ever since. So last night, the band played their first 2 numbers and then invited Reverend up to play with them. He had to start the song, playing it through twice and then the band joined in. He did a great job. And received a standing ovation!!! Afterwards, he said he had not been that nervous since our wedding day. I'm not quite sure how to take that....

Here is a pic of him in action:

Several people were planning to stick around and have a jam session, but only a few brought instruments. So instead, The First Born delighted those still in attendance with some Irish Step Dancing, accompanied by one of the band members playing a fancy flute. Her footwork is too quick to be captured on film.

Take Me Home, Country Roads

2008-04-30T21:34:00.013-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, the family and I traveled back to WV to visit with family. The First Born had the week off from school for Spring Break. Unfortunately, all of the kids back in WV had their Spring Break around Easter, so all the cousins were in school. But we had a good visit and were still able to see everyone, even if it was briefly.

When we travel such a long distance, we take our time and have plenty of stops for the kids to get out and run around. One of our greatest stops was in Hershey, PA. While traveling through Hershey a few years ago, a couple of friends who live in Harrisburg took us to the Hershey Pantry. We will forever be grateful. This restaurant has the best breakfasts, and the largest egg sandwiches I have ever seen. They are as big as a salad plate, no kidding!! Anyway, we placed an order to go, with plans to find a local park to let the kids run off some energy. The World's Greatest Husband and I each ordered this monster of an egg, bacon, and cheese sandwich, served on a pretzel roll!!! Have you ever heard of such a thing? I looked at my sandwich and immediately thought that there was no way I could eat the whole thing. Did I mention it came with the best fried potatoes, sliced like chips? Mmmmmm....Needless to say, I did eat the whole thing.

Further down the road, once we crossed into WV, we decided to take the back roads and drive through Philippi, where we both attended college. We drove through town and up on the campus of Alderson-Broaddus. It was kind of weird to be back on campus; the students that we saw couldn't have been older than 15!!! How our perspective changes as we age!! Here is a pic of our kids by the fountain if front of New Main (it was renamed, and I refuse to call it by anything other than New Main),

and the view of downtown from atop the hill:

After 17 hours of driving, all in one day, we safely arrived in the Kanawha Valley. Here are more pics of the kids with MawMaw and NeNe:

and just general fun and tom foolery:

lest we forget Aunt K's pedicure day:

Crazy Hair Day

2008-04-30T21:26:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago at school was a sort of Spirit Week, in honor of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) day. So I guess they were getting the kids all fired up about reading. The week consisted of "Rocker Socks Day", "Crazy Rocker Hair/Hat Day", "Pajama Day", "Dress Like Your Favorite Rock Star Day", "Rock Out With Red Day". So as you can guess, there was a Rock Star theme, except for the pajama day. I think that one is always included because the kids just love to wear pajamas to school. Who wouldn't? Anyway, here is a pic of The First Born with her Crazy Rock Star Hair. We put lots of tiny pig tails in, about 10, then threaded a pipe cleaner through the holder and braided the pipe cleaner into her hair. I fastened the end by wrapping the excess pipe cleaner around and then we twisted each braid. I am not sure of the reaction at school (I think it was pretty good), but the bus driver and monitor were loving it!!

First Born's Birthday gift--belated entry

2008-04-30T21:10:00.003-04:00

The First Born's birthday was in Febuary, so this is a belated entry. For her birthday, she wanted some kind of reading chair. She LOVES to read; I don't know how many times I have to tell her to put down the book to do something else. Don't get me wrong, we love it that she has such a love of books and we do encourage her to read. So for her 7th birthday, instead of buying a "reading chair" made of mystery particles and made in a factory where the workers may not earn a fair wage, I decided to make a "bean bag" chair. Technically it has no beans, but for lack of a better term....I went to the local recycling center and purchased a huge amount of foam pieces and cotton batting. The cover is made of new fabric, but the stuffing is all from upcycled materials. She, as well as Classic Middle Child and Bundle of Energy love it. Classic Middle Child now wants one for his 5th birthday, in July.

Blog Feature

2008-04-30T21:02:00.003-04:00

A couple of months ago while on the etsymom member board, one of the members posted that she wanted to feature some other etsymoms on her blog. So I responded, she sent me the interview questions, and voila, here is the feature. I have been checking her blog frequently and it is fun to read another mom chronicling her children and the craziness that ensues. She is very good at keeping up her blog; I am not. Evidence: my last post was one month ago!!! Anyway, check out her blog and etsy shop. She has really cool baby friendly necklaces for Mom.

A Day of Learning, Sharing, and Missing My Family

2008-03-30T13:26:00.009-04:00

Yesterday I attended the Breastfeeding and Parenting Conference for La Leche League of MA/RI/VT. What a great day of learning and sharing. I am not sure how many Mothers, Fathers, children, grandparents, etc. were in attendance, but it seemed like maybe a couple hundred. Workshops ranged from parenting/loving guidance for all ages to homeopathic remedies to vaccines, and so much more. There were two highlights for me: 1) a workshop on Kangaroo Mother Care, and 2) a general session by Robert Sears, MD, FAAP, highlighting his book Vaccines: Making an Educated Decision for Your Children.

First, the session on Kangaroo Mother Care: it was so amazing to see mothers caring for their premature newborns, holding them skin-to-skin, meeting the baby's needs, and watching a newborn wriggle and squirm to get into position to latch on, with no assistance from Mom!!!! How instinctive human babies are, if we would just allow them to do what they already know how to do!!!

Second, the general session with Dr. Sears: this one was attended by everyone at the conference. Dr. Sears had the challenge of presenting his lecture after lunch, but through his conversational style lecture and his own humor, had no difficulty in keeping everyone's attention. He presented an overview of his new book mentioned above. Basically he went through typical vaccination schedules and offered an alternative schedule for those parents who may want to delay some or all vaccines. I appreciated his approach in that he offered the information as a tool for parents to decide how to use it and how to collaborate with his/her own health care provider.

Along with these highlights, I met Mothers from other La Leche League Groups, we talked about things that our respective Groups were doing, and even saw a few old friends. Other features of the conference are a kid's play station, a silent auction of wonderful items donated by some LLL Groups and local businesses, (here is the messenger bag that I donated)

and a bookstore that highlights several LLLI-approved books on breastfeeding, parenting, weaning, nutrition, and children's books. I was able to pick up two children's books for the kids, they stayed home with Dad. Yes, he tended to all 3 from 7am to 7pm, and did a wonderful job. I arrived home to find all of the children fed, one bathed and dressed, one in the tub, and one patiently waiting her turn.

It was a great day, but I sure did miss my family. I missed The First Born's Irish Step Dance class, going to get doughnuts afterwards, and nursing Bundle of Energy for his nap. He made up for it when I got home!!!

Movie Day

2008-03-15T16:57:00.003-04:00

Today a friend called wanting to know if the kids and I would like to join her and her son to see Horton Hears a Who. I decided to go and take The First Born and Classic Middle Child. Now our kids have not seen a lot of movies or TV for that matter. When they do watch a TV program, it is something from PBS. Needless to say, they are not exposed to violence in media and are very sensitive to antagonistic characters.

Not to give away the plot of the movie, but Classic Middle Child was very upset with the strong musical selections and antagonistic characters in the movie. He did eventually peel his fingers from his eyes, and I was able to pry him off of my lap towards the end of the movie. Even The First Born was cowering under my arm at a few scenes. It's Horton Hears a Who!!!!

As we were leaving the theater, both were very chatty, commenting on parts of the movie. Classic Middle Child even said that the next time he goes to see it, he wants Daddy to take him. After arriving home, they proceeded to update their father on the movie, not ever mentioning cowering next to me, fingers covering eyes, etc...what a selective memory they each have already!!!

Wemberly's Worry List

2008-03-14T10:23:00.002-04:00

Yesterday The First Born came home from school with a photo-copied paper in a Library book. At the top of the paper, it read "Wemberly's Worry List". She had read a book by Kevin Henkes at school about this worrisome character. On the paper are 3 things that she had written down. I just thought they were things that the character worried about.

This morning after giving it a closer look, I realized that these were some of her worries. Now if you know my family, and know me, you also know that the First Born is very much like me. She looks like me and acts like me. We have many of the same temperements. And I too am a bit of a worrier, passed down from Opal. So here are the First Born's worries:

1. snake on the floor

2. forget library book

3. forget birthday

This is so her. Just about everyday before school, she worries about forgetting her Library book, even though her class only goes to the Library on Thursdays. The worries of a 7 year old...

Etsymom Spring Auction-Check it out!!

2008-03-02T21:16:00.004-05:00

Here are the items for the Etsymom Auction, as seen on Etsymom's Blog. Bidding for the basket of goodies has begun and will continue until 3/17 or 3/18. There are some great Springy/Easter items; I've already ordered 3 felting kits from Buttercup Corner. The First Born and Classic Middle Child saw the kit and went crazy over it!! To see a close up of the egg/chick felting kit, click here.

This is an Etsymom Promotional Auction starts March 3rd ~ half of the proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House Charity, so you are bidding for a good cause! Etsymoms entered their best and favorite for spring, and you have a chance to win it all! Please visit EtsyMom.com for more information, and thank you for looking at our Etsymom Auction!
The Auction will take place on Mommyauctions.com in HappyHouseQuilts Shop

Rosie's Cozies has a cute toddler tote, cute bunny on the front
Happy House Quilts presents Threadabilities Craft kit, design and make your own spring flower clip!
Buttercup Corner has another craft kit, felt an egg and a chick to go inside! It's absolutely darling, and a perfect activity for the family.
Andrea Baker provides a fun library tote, with fun spring critters in pastels
Aebaby makes these *adorable* tag toys. This is a minky rabbit with colored ears. Really cute!
GreenBeanBoutique makes little fruit babies in various colors
Caelista sent this adorable fried egg catnip toy. Something for everyone in the family!
Peek-A-Boo Studios made little Suzy Zoo spring hair clips. Custom designed just for Etsymom!
NightOwlStudios contributed these adorable spring hair clips. Made from imported fabric, these are way cute! Love the hedge hog.
WylesStyle made this super cute egg pouch. Perfect for a teen's Easter, you know how hard they can be to buy for!
BeadedSocks makes cute doll diapers and... beaded socks! The doll diapers are a favorite among the toddlers, and they hold up to rough toddler play much better than disposable dipes.
Sassy Stitches made this totally cool clutch! Fun 3D flower on the front. Perfect for mom for Easter!
Mommy3Jesse put together this beautiful diaper cake! How fun would this be at a baby shower? A useful gift that is guaranteed *not* to be returned to the store for sure!
AllGrownUp2 made this sweet spring charm bracelet. Bunnies, eggs, and chicks!
Minefull made this cute pendant featuring a cute little chick! Nice and simple, classy moms would love to wear this this spring.
Thumbelina Creations made an amazing pendant with lampwork beads, buttons, and wrapped wire. Be sure to check this out in more detail (click her name) to see it 'up close'.
Mellberry4 made this beautiful pendant, reflecting Easter.

It's Not Easy Bein' Green

2008-02-29T21:28:00.003-05:00

Today I said good-bye to my favorite bag. We could have had a great run at it: the bag's endless supply of space and pockets, my need to always carry way to much. We really could have been good together; she had several cubbies, and I have lots of little bits to carry about. And we would have looked great together too. It's shades of green would have cheered me up and warmed my soul in this last phase of winter....But alas, the request came from an aquaintance...it would be perfect for her daughter. I guess we weren't meant to work out. Farewell, Springtime Carry-All Tote....

New Items for Etsy Shop????

2008-02-23T14:49:00.005-05:00

So Friday is supposed to be my workday for the week. As hard as we try, it doesn't always work out to be a full day. Because Friday is also the Greatest Husband in the World's (GHW) day off, it is also the day that I have to schedule hair appointments, doctor appointments, or anything else that I need/prefer to do sans kids. So yesterday I had a hair appointment, and The First Born is on Winter Break from school all week. I wasn't planning on getting much work done.

I thought maybe I could get an hour in and make a few doll cloth diapers for the shop. So while The Greatest Husband in the World took The First Born and Classic Middle Child to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, Aggressive Toddler took a nap, leaving me a small window of time to sew. I was able to make four cloth doll diapers and was finishing them up as The Greatest Husband in the World, The First Born and Classic Middle Child arrived back home. The First Born was helping me fold and velcro the diapers when she said "Now I have six diapers for my babies." My response was "What?" She continued, "Two from Christmas and these four, that makes six." Good math skills, I thought. How could I correct her. So I just said, "You're right, that does make six." So I guess I'll be making more doll diapers for my shop...

Here is a pic of the diapers and one on The First Born's doll, and of a recycled ribbon purse made for her. The ribbons are leftovers from community and school events.

Etsymom Promo Spring Contest #2

2008-02-22T07:23:00.002-05:00

Well, my Springing Up Floral Clutch is officially up on the Etsymom blog, along with a pic!!! There are also some other very cute Spring/Easter items up, hopefully lots more to come...

Etsymom Promo Spring Contest

2008-02-17T22:14:00.008-05:00

The Etsymom Street Team (sounds like a gang huh?) is running a Spring promo in which members of Etsymom submit an item with the Spring/Easter theme. All of the items will go up for auction at Mommy Auctions. Half of the proceeds will go to a charity voted upon by Etsymom members, the other half will go to the winner of the contest. The winner will be determined by a vote of Etsymom members. So here is my entry: Springing Up Floral Clutch/Wallet. If you like this, convo me at Sassy Stitches and I can stitch up a similar one for you. More on this later about when you can check out the auction....wish me luck....

Getting Started

2008-02-17T14:10:00.005-05:00

Well, the husband set me up with a blog and here I am getting it started. I plan to post some of the things I am making for my Etsy shop. I am trying to get a "Black Widow" line, in honor of the women at the Lincoln Public Library. So far I have 2 items, one of which has sold, to one of the women from the Library!!! So here are the 2 items from my "Black Widow" collection...