Closing the Door

The last few hours of 2010 are quickly ticking away.  I'm currently tucked in bed with my Little One while she decides if she IS going to sleep, or if she may wake up and want a snack.

Waiting for her to make this decision, I let my mind wander and realize that, last New Years at this time, we were still praying we would have more children in our life.  How neat to know that our prayers were answered with such a perfect gift!

I continue to wander and think of everything that has happened this past year . . . I lost a friend - one of the best people to ever step on this planet.  I am still of the opinion that his prayers helped when I was using fertility treatments.  To go even further, I think he's my little Miz Aise's guardian angel.  We lost family members - one of the oldest and the very youngest. My heart still aches each time I think of my little cousin's passing.  I am comforted in knowing my Great Uncle Earl is there with her.

Miss Mia  . . . . let's see . . . .
~ is going potty without accidents.  I was so worried with how she would do when Miz Aise came and she had to share the spot-light.  We had a few bumps (and still do), but nothing like what I thought.  Yah, we took a step or two back in potty training, when she would tell us it was Aise or Hansy who needed to go potty, but that trend quickly ended.  And yes, she'll still purposely do something forbidden to get our attention, but those are fewer and fewer. She makes up by being so cuddly with her sister and so protective of her. 
~ is getting so vocal.  It's amazing at how many words she now knows as well as how complex her sentences are becoming.  I love that she uses please, thank you, excuse me and I'm sorry.  Yesterday, she complimented a cashier at Lowe's by telling her she was wearing pretty make up.  It doesn't get much cuter than that - and it was so wonderful seeing the smile on that cashiers face.  She couldn't believe Miss Mia was only 2 - and that Miss Mia responded with the correct answer when she asked her her age. 
~ is able to do split jumps just like Miss Picky.  She dances up a storm whenever music comes on.  She has perfected her summersalt, does bridges and kicks. Now, she walks through stores doing cheerleading moves - again, just like Miss Picky.

Miz Aise . . . hmmm . . . her list is a little short . . .
~ is starting to get on a schedule for sleeping and eating.
~ is cooing and smiling.  She also started laughing on Christmas Day.
~ favors Miss Mia - her first smile was for her big Sister.  Her eyes follow Miss Mia everywhere.  She also coos more and gets all excited when hearing her sister's voice.
~ is currently wearing size 0-3 clothing and size 1 diapers while eating approx 4 oz milk at each feeding.  She doesn't like taking a bottle from me, preferring natural feeding, but she does accept it from every one else.  She has also started using the binky this last week instead of comfort nursing (I hate using binkies, but at the same time, I am sooo glad she's started that as she would "nurse" for 1/2 hr or longer and then would start freaking out if I would remove her!)

The Home . . . Hmmmm . . . .
~ We have my sewing room together and I've been using it for projects.  Have orders for 3 quilts.  Made 12 pillowcases for the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge (in Russ' honor).  My friend Christine gave me some adorable material - and those pillowcases will be in Lainey's honor. 
~ Our sunroom was enjoyed throughout the entire year.  It has become one of Miss Mia's favorite rooms and it shows as most of her toys are stashed there.  I do still have to stucco the one wall, but it's complete but for that.
~ Outside, I didn't get much accomplished due to the extremely hot days and pregnancy . . . but we did plant some fruit trees.  I'm also planning to continue planting a garden, even if only to show the girls the enjoyment of watching something grow from seemingly nothing.

And, me . . .
~ My goal last year was to get pregnant.  I did accomplish that!  YAH!
~ The other half of my goal was to continue the weight loss.  I was doing great, getting into size 8s the week I got pregnant.  Now, my goal is to get back on the weight loss train.  I've been working out with the Wii and dancing with Miss Mia.  I can feel it - especially the days after doing a lot of lifting her!  The scale isn't showing a change, but I'm having fun and moving, so that's what counts.

For 2011 . . . .
~ I hope to continue improving myself through learning . . . .
~ I want to focus on becoming a better Mom to my two girls.  I want them to have fun childhoods where they were free to learn and be themselves - as well as to grow up normal, well-adjusted girls.
~ Physically, I want to keep working out and toward my goal weight.  I hope to defy my PCOS and stay med-free.  I will be starting my cinnamon supplements again.

Miz Aise has decided she needs her beauty sleep, so I'm going to tuck her into her cradle and snuggle in my own bed.

Happy New Years!

Baby and Toddler Legwarmers

The story behind this project follows how I made these cute legwarmers.

Items needed:

~ One pair of women's knee highs

~ Sewing machine (could hand sew, but that's work)

~ Self-healing mat

~ Rotary Cutter (could use scissors, but that's work, too)

~ Pins!

Start with one pair of women's knee highs.

Cut off the heels and toes. I cut both socks at the same time in the hopes I'd be able to keep them a relatively similar length.


My socks instantly began to roll at the cut areas. Instead of just tossing them together and sewing them, I actually *gasp* pinned them!

Evidence - I do use pins!

After they were pinned, I slid them over the sewing machine and did the basic stitch the entire way around the sock.

My finished projects!

For some reason, our power company is having a really hard time keeping the power on in our area. We aren't having bad weather as yesterday was actually a beautiful day (although, very cold, in the high teens). Unfortunately, we were without power much of the day AND our wood burning fireplace is currently not in working condition until the manufacturer sends us some replacement parts.

Add into the mix an almost potty-trained toddler who refuses to wear pants of any sort over her "big girl undies". I needed some baby legs or other type of leg warmer, but didn't have any. As a child of the 80s, I remember my drawers being full of them. WHY did I give them away??? To help with the situation, I grabbed a pair of women's knee highs and whacked off the toes. I flipped them over and slid them on Miss Mia - using the heel of the sock to cover her knee.

They worked until the electric came on.

Then, I went to my sewing machine.

I decided to whack off the heel part as it was droopy around my skinny gal's knees and just sew 'em back together sans heels and toes!

I like how they came out.

Although next time, I may decide to actually pay attention to the pattern (see the V pattern socks final result - I accidentally reversed it on the one side and just now noticed).

The gals will be getting these under the Christmas Tree! I can't wait to see them wearing them!

Step by Step

So, once again, I have no photos of the progress in the basement. I'm too cranky and I'm also trying to keep the batteries charged for the camera - just in case the Little Pumpkin decides to make her appearance!

Enough with the excuses - today . . . we (yes, I actually did some work) worked on both the sewing room and the study . . . Joe put the baseboard down in the sewing room. Yesterday, I had started hauling my treasures into the room . . . . after Mom and I had washed the cupboards out and swept the floor a few times. Now, we'll need to sweep it a few more times and do some more dusting. Then, the only thing left will be to stock it full of scrapbook and sewing stuff!

While Joe was in the sewing room, Dad and Steve resumed installing the studs and insulation in the front room - pretty much, what will become the "study". The electric wiring was also installed. By the end of the day, I'd emptied quite a few boxes into the sewing room - I can't wait to really plow into my unfinished projects! Dad, Joe and Steve had finished the one wall with drywall and have half of the front wall drywalled as well.

Next week, they're hoping to finish the drywall and also start cutting down some of the trees that need gone - I have 5 out front, two on the side and then three or four by the drive that are dead or more dead than alive . . . .

I wonder if I'll be around to keep an eye on them . . . . or will the Little Pumpkin and I be hanging out in the hospital?

We'll see!

Construction Update!

Okay, there are no pictures. I'm feeling beyond drained tonight and have a hard time just walking from the living room to the bedroom. Wondering if our Little Pumpkin may just be getting ready to make her debut???

Anyway, back to the Construction Progress --- Dad and Joe were up here by 9. They put the heat duct in the Sun room. YAH! So, that room is finished, except for me putting the Stucco up on the wall. That will just have to wait a few days - or until next spring, depending on time frames and weather ;)

The boys then went to work in the Sewing Room. The counter was glued in place and the last set of cupboards was installed. I was able to put a few items in, but again, was quite tired so I didn't get much accomplished.

After lunch, they got to work installing the studs and insulation in the front room . . . YAH! We are going to have rooms down here!

Oh, thought the sewing room was done. I forgot, it's not. We've gotta pick up baseboard, install the door, and I think my friend, Kim, is coming up at some point to pain the floor.

Now - just gotta get the Pumpkin here and get downstairs to go through all the totes. There is now space to store all my material for my projects. There is now space to store Christmas wrap. There is still too much junk that I MUST PURGE. With hope, I will be able to PURGE away!

Sewing Room Progress!!!

I'm nesting. There is no other way to describe it!

Last week, Dad, Joe and Steve worked at installing the drop ceiling in the sewing room. It's been awhile since Joe was able to come down, so I was doing the happy dance when he arrived. By the time Miss Mia and I went back downstairs after her nap, they had all of the ceiling installed and were finishing up the wiring to the lights.

They finished the entire ceiling. I was so excited as it looked like a REAL room! I let pregnancy hormones get the better of me, and I cried. It was wonderful!

Today, they began working on installing all of the cupboards in the sewing room - in between installing the lights and heat duct to the sun room. They were able to get one wall of cupboards installed. I, of course, had to take a few things down to the room . . . . to start cleaning out the mess up here, and to see just how sewing supplies would look in my sewing room.

In my humble opinion, they look awesome!

I can't wait to see what next weekend brings! I've told Steve we'll have to get a pack 'n play for in the sewing room. The Little Pumpkin can spend hours with Mommy downstairs while I scrub the cupboards clean of all of the drywall dust and start stuffing them full of all of my sewing materials!