This and That

Here's a sneak peek at another project I have going...I love white!

Squeaky gets so much fun out of this toy! I love her face...she was telling me all about how it worked, I think.

Yes, we are fans of early childhood education.

The Dress...

Remember this awesome deal at Hobby Lobby? $1.99 patterns and expensive, er, gorgeous fabric? Well, something has finally emerged.

I put my sewing skills to work. This involved me thinking I was smarter than the pattern and having to rip out stitches. Which on the one hand is easier than my size clothing, since it's such a little dress. That can also make it harder. I finally wised up and obeyed the instructions. It was smooth sailing from there.

(This is my great grandmother's machine...it works like a dream!


The dress is amazing.

The hat, not so much.
It was my first attempt.
And that is why I decided that next time I make a hat,
I will not assume the measurements on the pattern assure that it will fit my daughter's head.

Yes, it is awkward. And it is now lying in a poor, abandoned heap, the elastic cut from it in order to be put to better use.

I whipped up this little headband. It is so much better. And can you say CUTE?!
It has a rosette, and it ruffles...and on Ava it is perfection. I'll show you what Easter morning brings...

A New Flavor

Warning: The following images contain epic cuteness and should only be viewed by those who can handle adorable to the max.

The first couple bites were interesting...then she got the hang of it and snarfed the whole thing down.

Is "snarfed" a word?

Full tummy, happy daughter!

Daddy got in on the action too.

Apparently she needs food faster, dad!

Pardon me. My messy kitchen is showing.

I know. It's so cute. I pretty much giggle every time she eats the stuff. She smiles so big when the bowl and spoon come out, and practically inhales every bit.

Of course, I'm still the main course and favorite part of her menu. :)

Conglomeration

Spring does things to me.

It makes me want to match the sun's brilliance and do a million things all at once. So, I try to juggle multiple projects and still keep our apartment clean so as not to stress over a constant mess.
(Disclaimer: I frequently fail at keeping things clean. Please do not assume that I am perfect in this area. I would be mortified if you were to do so. Thanks)

Want to see what I've been doing lately? I finally pulled pictures off our camera...here's a glimpse at this past week:

Scott's birthday:
The ribeye steak...

The items of mass destruction...I mean deliciousness. The items of deliciousness:
I even made mashed potatoes from scratch. Yum:
Forgive me. I can neither stage nor photograph food. But this steak was incredible. Scott's comment was, "I could get addicted to this". Yes, it was that amazing.
"Happy birthday, darling!"


Now, while I am on the subject of food, I also made fresh bread. My second attempt in the 14 months we've been married, and it was pretty good too. Good flavor is a bonus, since we've got to eat it.

Like my scrapbooking goodies from Hobby Lobby? I love their paper sales. I get a little overeager when they have paper sales.To make the day complete, Hobby Lobby also had McCall's patterns for $1.99. I desperately wanted to make Ava a dress, but didn't want to pay more for a pattern than I would for a finished product. Bingo! Add some cute fabric, and we've got something going:
Ava seemed to like the pattern as well.

I realize that I take and post pictures of my child when she's happy. I would like to refute any "perfect parent" image you may think I'm trying to project. Please note the dissatisfation with mommy's choice of activity: cleaning over doting attention.

(Can I add here that she gets so much attention...I think that's why she was bummed...because I took a break from her...silly child. I still love you.)

My silly girl's response to me playing with her after the cleaning was done. Oh, my. Could she be any more female??


Thanks for reading.
This was long.
And random.
But I have neither the time nor patience to post seven different times.
So...I hope you enjoyed. :)

Food...mmmm....

It's my Favorite's birthday today. Now, Scott is a meat and potatoes kind of guy. He loves steak. So here's what I'll be attempting to make him for dinner, complete with homemade mashed potatoes and fresh salad. I know he'll bear with me on the salad part...

This looks so good...it has his favorite seasonings...I can't wait to try it!
Ree Drummond's Ribeye Steak

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Wedded Wednesday

Love this blog...and the sharing that happens, about life, spouses, and being real.

Check it out.

My kiddo found her voice.

And it is the funniest, cutest thing ever. She talks and then laughs at her own joke. I've spent a lot of my day laughing at Squeaky hamming it up. What a cutie!

Lindsey is coming!

I am SO excited! And I can't wait to tell you why!

{Lindsey} is coming today!!!
(click on her name to visit her blog...very fun.)

She is one of my dearest friends, and each visit is better than the last. Love this girl, and I get her for 5 whole days! I can't wait!

We met in Tennessee on an internship 3 years ago. Lindsey now has a job she loves, some of the coolest parents I have ever met, lives in a gorgeous part of the country, and is one of the most devoted big sisters I have ever seen. Love this girl.

I get to go to the airport in T-7 hours.
Do you think they would notice if I just showed up and sat around all day?

Five Months

Could she get any cuter?

She already tries to sit up by herself, but she still doesn't show interest in rolling over. She talks to books, as if reading them. She won't sleep well without her bear and her blankie. Teething is proving to be a tough process. Her smile warms me inside, and I would do anything to make her laugh.

I love this girl.

I Am Thankful For...

This little girl that has me all wrapped up in her smile...
Quiet moments to reflect and relax...

These two people; my life is full because of them...

A warm place to live...

And the best of all: being married to my best friend!!

Darling
we have laughed
and cried
together.
And above all
I know you love me.
Through thick and thin
we've stuck together
and I will always
love you.