There are a few other projects I'm working on, but some are gifts that still have to be given and the others still need a few finishing touches. I can't wait to share though!!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Hanging Crib Bag 2
My friend Jenny requested a crib bag like the one I made for Jill (see prior post). Since I don't really have any girly material, she gave me this really pretty floral print to use to decorate the bag. Only I had trouble figuring out how to sew it onto the bag with out un-sewing the bag completely. I had some batting left over from another project, so I decided to use this tutorial and make one from scratch. I used different measurements than what's on the website, but I definitely needed the guidance on how to get the bag together. There might be a few things I'd change if I did it again, but I'm pleased with how it turned out. Hopefully Jenny and her daughter agree.
There are a few other projects I'm working on, but some are gifts that still have to be given and the others still need a few finishing touches. I can't wait to share though!!
There are a few other projects I'm working on, but some are gifts that still have to be given and the others still need a few finishing touches. I can't wait to share though!!
Stroller/Child Tether
Prior to our trip to Iowa I was a little concerned about traveling with two kids thru the airports. Thankfully we didn't have to travel for very long or thru any MAJOR airport, but I still wanted something to help. So I made a tether that velcrows around the frame of our stoller and has a loop on the other end for Ryan to hold on to. Of course this only works if Ryan holds onto the loop. :-)
I also made one for Colin. I made his to velcrow around his wrist instead of just being a loop to hold on to. He wasn't so thrilled about the idea, but we gave it a shot anyway and it worked about half the time. Again, it only works if the child holds on to it and stays in the proximity of the stoller. Otherwise the velcrow pulls right off the stroller. Something I'll have to brainstorm on fixing.
It worked well enough and I'll probably continue to use it for trips to the mall and the like.
I also made one for Colin. I made his to velcrow around his wrist instead of just being a loop to hold on to. He wasn't so thrilled about the idea, but we gave it a shot anyway and it worked about half the time. Again, it only works if the child holds on to it and stays in the proximity of the stoller. Otherwise the velcrow pulls right off the stroller. Something I'll have to brainstorm on fixing.
It worked well enough and I'll probably continue to use it for trips to the mall and the like.
Autumn Rose
Tim's cousin, Matt, and his wife, Sarah, are having their first baby this next month. And it's a girl!!!! Since girls seem to be few and far between in our family, I was SO excited to get to do something girly. Autumn Rose is expected to arrive September 21st, or somewhere around there. Sarah had told me that the theme for her room is going to be brown and pink polka dots and cupcakes. How cute will that be! I can't wait to see pics of it. I, of course, had to send my contribution for the room. I was inspired by an item in The Lakeside Collection magazine and thought that Autumn's room would be the perfect recipient for my attempt at something similar. I ordered an unfinished wood letter from a company I found online. I wanted something a little bit bigger than what they had at Hobby Lobby. So this is what it looked like prior.
Then I took some scrapbook paper I picked out and Modge-Podged it on. This is really my first time Modge-Podging anything other than a puzzle, so I ended up doing both sides. Still trying to figure out the "tricks-of-the-trade". The first time I cut the paper to the exact size of the letter, but had minor shifting issues. The second time around I cut the paper a little bigger then the letter, let it dry, then used my exacto knife to trim it up. After it dried I tied the ribbon on securing it with some hot glue and also hot glued the flower on. I glued some ribbon to the top/back as a hook and that was it.
Some of the edges don't look so great up close, but you can't tell from a few feet back. Maybe something with a thicker edge next time so I can kiind of wrap the paper around. My prayer is that it stays together. Overall it was very simple and a great way to customize any letters you might be putting up.
Then I took some scrapbook paper I picked out and Modge-Podged it on. This is really my first time Modge-Podging anything other than a puzzle, so I ended up doing both sides. Still trying to figure out the "tricks-of-the-trade". The first time I cut the paper to the exact size of the letter, but had minor shifting issues. The second time around I cut the paper a little bigger then the letter, let it dry, then used my exacto knife to trim it up. After it dried I tied the ribbon on securing it with some hot glue and also hot glued the flower on. I glued some ribbon to the top/back as a hook and that was it.
Some of the edges don't look so great up close, but you can't tell from a few feet back. Maybe something with a thicker edge next time so I can kiind of wrap the paper around. My prayer is that it stays together. Overall it was very simple and a great way to customize any letters you might be putting up.
Our Trip to Iowa
This past weekend the boys and I got to take a trip to Iowa to see my brother, Devin, play two soccer games. He is a Senior at Dordt in Sioux City, IA and wanted us to come see him play before he graduated. We were happy to oblige, with the help of my parents. The boys were great travelers! The boys were very excited about getting to ride on an airplane. I was a little afraid that the excitement would only be temporary and that they, especially Ryan, would become scared. The excitement lasted though. Colin loved the little air fans, playing with the seat belt, continuously opening and closing the window shade, and looking outside. Colin got a little nervous when there was turbulence and he would just sit there and hold my hands. Ryan thought it was funny when we had a bumpy landing on our first flight. So glad it made him laugh though and didn't scare him.
We flew into Omaha and took a shuttle to a local airport where we stayed for the night. Colin didn't take a nap on either of the flights so my goal was to keep him awake and shoot for an early bed time. I was afraid he might get cranky, but he seemed to be pretty wired. We hung out for a little bit and Colin entertained himself with one of the trash cans while Ryan zoned out to some cartoons. I had ordered some pizza for dinner and managed to fall out of the chair while eating. I tried leaning over to try and pick up some meat that fell and apparently I leaned a little too far. Ryan thought that was hilarious. He was kind enough to come help me up though while he was still laughing. We headed down to the pool for some swimming, but the water was FREEZING. The boys swam around for about 15 minutes, but I noticed Colin's lips were even looking a little blue and he was starting to shiver. I felt sorry for him; yet it was quite cute. So back to the room we went for a really warm bath.
Friday morning we woke up and gave Grandma & Grandpa a call. They had been driving and got in about midnight. After breakfast and getting the car packed we started driving to Sioux City. After stopping for lunch I gave the boys a life saver and Ryan chewed his in about 5 seconds. I told him that he's not supposed to chew it, but suck on it. In all seriousness he looked at me and said, "But Jesus told me to chew it." I think we all laughed for about five minutes.
The rest of the weekend went by pretty fast. We went to Devin's first game Friday afternoon, then out to dinner. Saturday morning we went to a local park to let the boys play for a bit. I think they wore Grandpa and Devin out. Then we headed to Le Mars, Iowa to the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop. Apparently Le Mars is the Ice cream Capital of the World. Of course I married into a Texas family, and I currently live in Texas, so this would not be very impressive considering Blue Bell is the ice cream of choice. But in Iowa, it was a big deal. Of course my boys don't know the difference and to them ice cream is ice cream. Saturday afternoon the boys and I headed back to the park while Mom & Dad did some grocery shopping for the dinner they were going to grill that night. Then it was back to game #2, then back to Devin's dorm room for dinner. My parents made a feast for Devin and his 6 roommates, plus friends. They had salad, steak, chicken, baked potatoes, grilled vegetables, green beans, french bread, and brownies. Colin had tried tearing the brownie box open earlier in the day but was so busy playing with all of Devin's friends he didn't even eat one. The boys enjoyed all of the extra attention and I didn't mind the extra help either.
Sunday it was back to traveling. All in all, the boys did great again. Colin decided to sing during half of the second flight. I don't think the man in front of us really appreciated it, but I figured that singing was way better than screaming. We had a rough ending to our day of traveling, but not due to the boys. That's all I'm going to say about that. We made it home safe, just later than we thought. I took tons of pics; yet not enough. Lindsey helped me out with taking most of the ones at the park.
I already missed Iowa today and their lovely 80 degree weather, cool breeze, and green grass. Wish we would have had a little more time to hang around, but life called us back home.
We flew into Omaha and took a shuttle to a local airport where we stayed for the night. Colin didn't take a nap on either of the flights so my goal was to keep him awake and shoot for an early bed time. I was afraid he might get cranky, but he seemed to be pretty wired. We hung out for a little bit and Colin entertained himself with one of the trash cans while Ryan zoned out to some cartoons. I had ordered some pizza for dinner and managed to fall out of the chair while eating. I tried leaning over to try and pick up some meat that fell and apparently I leaned a little too far. Ryan thought that was hilarious. He was kind enough to come help me up though while he was still laughing. We headed down to the pool for some swimming, but the water was FREEZING. The boys swam around for about 15 minutes, but I noticed Colin's lips were even looking a little blue and he was starting to shiver. I felt sorry for him; yet it was quite cute. So back to the room we went for a really warm bath.
Friday morning we woke up and gave Grandma & Grandpa a call. They had been driving and got in about midnight. After breakfast and getting the car packed we started driving to Sioux City. After stopping for lunch I gave the boys a life saver and Ryan chewed his in about 5 seconds. I told him that he's not supposed to chew it, but suck on it. In all seriousness he looked at me and said, "But Jesus told me to chew it." I think we all laughed for about five minutes.
The rest of the weekend went by pretty fast. We went to Devin's first game Friday afternoon, then out to dinner. Saturday morning we went to a local park to let the boys play for a bit. I think they wore Grandpa and Devin out. Then we headed to Le Mars, Iowa to the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop. Apparently Le Mars is the Ice cream Capital of the World. Of course I married into a Texas family, and I currently live in Texas, so this would not be very impressive considering Blue Bell is the ice cream of choice. But in Iowa, it was a big deal. Of course my boys don't know the difference and to them ice cream is ice cream. Saturday afternoon the boys and I headed back to the park while Mom & Dad did some grocery shopping for the dinner they were going to grill that night. Then it was back to game #2, then back to Devin's dorm room for dinner. My parents made a feast for Devin and his 6 roommates, plus friends. They had salad, steak, chicken, baked potatoes, grilled vegetables, green beans, french bread, and brownies. Colin had tried tearing the brownie box open earlier in the day but was so busy playing with all of Devin's friends he didn't even eat one. The boys enjoyed all of the extra attention and I didn't mind the extra help either.
Sunday it was back to traveling. All in all, the boys did great again. Colin decided to sing during half of the second flight. I don't think the man in front of us really appreciated it, but I figured that singing was way better than screaming. We had a rough ending to our day of traveling, but not due to the boys. That's all I'm going to say about that. We made it home safe, just later than we thought. I took tons of pics; yet not enough. Lindsey helped me out with taking most of the ones at the park.
I already missed Iowa today and their lovely 80 degree weather, cool breeze, and green grass. Wish we would have had a little more time to hang around, but life called us back home.
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Few Other Random Pics
We headed out to the lake again on Friday and had some friends join us. Matt was kind enough to entertain Ryan for a bit and swam with him all the way out to the dock. He was able to get him to climb up onto the dock, but he was still unwilling to jump in and get his head wet. Hopefully with more time and encouragement he'll come around.
Colin, again, trying to ride something that is way too small to be ridden. This time it was the horse he got from the Ice Cream Festival.
I had given the boys some pretzels for their morning snack the other day and went off to clean my bathroom. When I came back Ryan had successfully formed the letter 'Y' and 'A' with his pretzels. So I helped him out with the 'R' and the 'N'.
Just a few more of me and the boys.
Colin, again, trying to ride something that is way too small to be ridden. This time it was the horse he got from the Ice Cream Festival.
I had given the boys some pretzels for their morning snack the other day and went off to clean my bathroom. When I came back Ryan had successfully formed the letter 'Y' and 'A' with his pretzels. So I helped him out with the 'R' and the 'N'.
Just a few more of me and the boys.
Austin Ice Cream Festival
On Friday I was informed of an Ice Cream Festival in Austin. I kept debating if we should go or not, but hubby said "go"..so we went. When we got down there it was still 104 outside so we found a CC's pizza to go eat dinner at. When we came out of CC's it was 105. Oh well. So we headed to the park. They had a concert, tons of ice cream vendors, craft vendors, and mini-circus rides for the kids. Colin went on all of them with Ryan, which I was quite surprised. For new things like that he will normally hang back unless mom or dad go with him. Ryan begged the whole time to go on the mini-Ferris wheel, and after about one time around he started crying. I made him go a few more times around, but the man was nice enough to stop it and let him out.
Yes, I know this was an ICE CREAM FESTIVAL and I have NO pictures of ice cream. That would be because by the time I got my ice cream and found us a place to sit, Ryan's was practically gone. Next time I'll have to have the camera out and ready to go.
Yes, I know this was an ICE CREAM FESTIVAL and I have NO pictures of ice cream. That would be because by the time I got my ice cream and found us a place to sit, Ryan's was practically gone. Next time I'll have to have the camera out and ready to go.
Jesus is a Cowboy!
Last week at church Ryan came out of his class with this picture informing me that it was him and Jesus and they both were wearing cowboy hats and boots. The bump on the top is the hat and the circles on the bottom are the boots. Love him!!!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Ryan's First Swimming Lessons
Last week Ryan started his first swimming lessons. As we were headed out the door on Monday, we got a call saying the teacher was sick and the first class was canceled. Bummer! Ryan already had his swimming trunks and sunscreen on, so we re-grouped and headed to the lake.
Day two was on schedule as normal thankfully. Ryan did great the first few days and I was hoping on Day 3 when she took them to jump off the diving board, with their life-vests on, that he would embrace it. He didn't re-act with the enthusiasm I was hoping. Long story short, the teacher dropped him into the other teacher who was in the water and came up crying. Oh well. More time, more practice.
He's been eager to go to the other classes, but he voices his opinion every time about not wanting to put his face under water. For his first class I think it's going pretty well. Definitely lets me know what we need to work on though.
Ms. Shelby taking Ryan under despite his requests not to.. :-)
Colin has been a great sport in hanging out with mom on the side..
Day two was on schedule as normal thankfully. Ryan did great the first few days and I was hoping on Day 3 when she took them to jump off the diving board, with their life-vests on, that he would embrace it. He didn't re-act with the enthusiasm I was hoping. Long story short, the teacher dropped him into the other teacher who was in the water and came up crying. Oh well. More time, more practice.
He's been eager to go to the other classes, but he voices his opinion every time about not wanting to put his face under water. For his first class I think it's going pretty well. Definitely lets me know what we need to work on though.
Ms. Shelby taking Ryan under despite his requests not to.. :-)
Colin has been a great sport in hanging out with mom on the side..
MIsc. Goings Ons
27 wks, 5 days...and new bangs.
Ryan cutting out and pasting pieces to make a house...
Me and the boys...
Colin trying to ride the 4" motorcycle....At least he's got safety in mind.
Ryan cutting out and pasting pieces to make a house...
Me and the boys...
Colin trying to ride the 4" motorcycle....At least he's got safety in mind.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Randomness One
Colin likes to dip his pizza in ranch dressing.
During swimming lessons today Ryan excitingly declared..."I'm swimming!!! All by myself!!!"..with his life vest fully secured.
Colin has been calling anyone and everyone Mama. He and Ryan were upstairs playing and Ryan's response..."I'm not Mama. I'm just a kid. My name is Ryan."
Whenever Colin sees a picture of the United States of America he makes his sign/noise for an elephant. ????? I guess Maine/New Hampshire/Connecticut look like an elephant's trunk.
During swimming lessons today Ryan excitingly declared..."I'm swimming!!! All by myself!!!"..with his life vest fully secured.
Colin has been calling anyone and everyone Mama. He and Ryan were upstairs playing and Ryan's response..."I'm not Mama. I'm just a kid. My name is Ryan."
Whenever Colin sees a picture of the United States of America he makes his sign/noise for an elephant. ????? I guess Maine/New Hampshire/Connecticut look like an elephant's trunk.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Ok..so it might not be THAT serious...but it's one of those things that we just can't seem to get right. Ryan's nap time. If he takes a nap, he's up till 10:30 PM, at least. The other day he only took an hour nap and he was up till midnight! He's in his bed, but he'll come out of his room multiple times for different reasons. Ie: he needs a drink, he has to go to the bathroom, I forgot to fill the humidifier with water, his thumb hurts, I didn't clip his fingernails, Colin wants to see me (yet he's dead asleep). So there are days like today where I keep him up and his attitude just goes downhill as the day goes on. He gets SUPER emotional over any little "upset". And he just about fell asleep on the way home from church. Now there are days where he does just fine with no nap or with a nap. I just wish there was a better way to know if he needs one or not; instead of this guessing game and being stuck with the consequences.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Steal Your Pain
This song popped into my head tonight. Love it.
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I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m open
And I don’t feel like I am strong enough
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m lonesome
And I don’t feel light when you’re gone away
The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There’s so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m open
And I don’t feel like I am strong enough
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m lonesome
And I don’t feel right when you’re gone away
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m open
And I don’t feel like I am strong enough
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m lonesome
And I don’t feel light when you’re gone away
">
I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m open
And I don’t feel like I am strong enough
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m lonesome
And I don’t feel light when you’re gone away
The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There’s so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m open
And I don’t feel like I am strong enough
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m lonesome
And I don’t feel right when you’re gone away
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m open
And I don’t feel like I am strong enough
‘Cause I’m broken when I’m lonesome
And I don’t feel light when you’re gone away
A Perfect Day
Do you ever have one of those days as a mom where things just seem to go smoothly and you are satisfied with the day's events? Where your children play well together with little to no supervision/mediation needed? Where even if you do have to discipline you don't do it out of anger? Where even if there is an accident, you respond calmly? Where you are able to complete a project with your children with no "hiccups"? Where your kids eat ALL of their dinner without any whining or complaining and you get the joy of being able to give them dessert later?
Well, today was NOT one of those days. It was just about opposite of everything I said. I wish I could say that patience and loving kindness where the things that flowed from my heart...but a majority of the time, they weren't. It probably is due to in part that I didn't fall asleep till about 1 AM last night and woke up about four times between then and 7:30 AM...and I'm a 9-10 hr/night sleep kind of girl.
The day didn't start out so horribly but from lunch time on it's been crazy. I have been letting Colin drink from a cup without a lid during meals, but after lunch he came to grab his cup and flung it in a way that Gatorade ended up on half the kitchen floor. Colin had been nothing but cranky and didn't really eat lunch, so I put him down for nap early. After he woke up I heard him calling my name, which normally means he crawled up to the top bunk and needs help down. So I went upstairs to find him on the dresser covered in Destin and Vaseline. Thankfully the Destin tube was practically empty..so minus the few spots I have to get out of my carpet..it wasn't that bad. Pretty much from then on (about 1:30) he has whined/screamed/cried continuously. The "terrible twos" have definitely been in full action as well. He's been testing boundaries, being destructive towards things in general, bullying his brother, etc. (This is not just today either.) So after dinner, which he chose not to eat either, I tried giving him some alone play time which ended up being a 10 minute screaming session. Tried giving him a bath to help calm him down...he screamed when I put him in and continuously while I tried to wash him, then he screamed when I turned the water off to take him out. Total bath time was about 45 seconds.
So now it's a little past 7 PM and he is in bed. Praise God!!!!!! Hoping to spend the rest of the evening with Ryan and "re-group" for tomorrow. Thankful for those moments/days that "make-up" for days like these. And still overwhelmed with love for my boys.
Father God, continue to teach me to be the mother you want me to be and the mother that my boys need me to be. Continue to convict my heart about my own attitudes. Let me be SO reminded of your grace and love for me that these are the attitudes that flow NATURALLY out of my heart even in the rough spots.
Well, today was NOT one of those days. It was just about opposite of everything I said. I wish I could say that patience and loving kindness where the things that flowed from my heart...but a majority of the time, they weren't. It probably is due to in part that I didn't fall asleep till about 1 AM last night and woke up about four times between then and 7:30 AM...and I'm a 9-10 hr/night sleep kind of girl.
The day didn't start out so horribly but from lunch time on it's been crazy. I have been letting Colin drink from a cup without a lid during meals, but after lunch he came to grab his cup and flung it in a way that Gatorade ended up on half the kitchen floor. Colin had been nothing but cranky and didn't really eat lunch, so I put him down for nap early. After he woke up I heard him calling my name, which normally means he crawled up to the top bunk and needs help down. So I went upstairs to find him on the dresser covered in Destin and Vaseline. Thankfully the Destin tube was practically empty..so minus the few spots I have to get out of my carpet..it wasn't that bad. Pretty much from then on (about 1:30) he has whined/screamed/cried continuously. The "terrible twos" have definitely been in full action as well. He's been testing boundaries, being destructive towards things in general, bullying his brother, etc. (This is not just today either.) So after dinner, which he chose not to eat either, I tried giving him some alone play time which ended up being a 10 minute screaming session. Tried giving him a bath to help calm him down...he screamed when I put him in and continuously while I tried to wash him, then he screamed when I turned the water off to take him out. Total bath time was about 45 seconds.
So now it's a little past 7 PM and he is in bed. Praise God!!!!!! Hoping to spend the rest of the evening with Ryan and "re-group" for tomorrow. Thankful for those moments/days that "make-up" for days like these. And still overwhelmed with love for my boys.
Father God, continue to teach me to be the mother you want me to be and the mother that my boys need me to be. Continue to convict my heart about my own attitudes. Let me be SO reminded of your grace and love for me that these are the attitudes that flow NATURALLY out of my heart even in the rough spots.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Warm.My.Heart.
Colin loves to sing. Today on the way to church he started singing all about Mama and Dad-da!
Warm.My.Heart.
No other words...just Mama, Dad-da, and a great little tune.
Then later while I was working in the nursery, one of the other ladies who works in Ryan's Connection Group (aka Sunday School)told me how Ryan is their "Prayer Warrior". She said he always wants to pray when they ask for a volunteer.
Warm.My.Heart.
And she said he always prays for Mom and Dad.
Warm.My.Heart.
Warm.My.Heart.
No other words...just Mama, Dad-da, and a great little tune.
Then later while I was working in the nursery, one of the other ladies who works in Ryan's Connection Group (aka Sunday School)told me how Ryan is their "Prayer Warrior". She said he always wants to pray when they ask for a volunteer.
Warm.My.Heart.
And she said he always prays for Mom and Dad.
Warm.My.Heart.
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