DIY Crib Mobile - Elephants

I don't think I ever posted a finished picture of Dylan's Crib Mobile.  I took the hardware from Marissa's crib mobile and my MIL sewed new coordinating fabric for me.  My sewing skills were not quite up to this skill set (and probably still aren't).  I handmade the elephants, so this was a bit of a team effort!  The crib mobile that goes with his nursery set was upwards of $60.00.  We managed to make this for less than $10.00!  Granted I had the mobile hardware, but that's still a great deal (and I think it's cuter than the one that came with the set). So if you spot a crib mobile at a yard sale or on Craigslist and you aren't really diggin' the pattern, make your own!

Personalized Memo Board

I can't take full credit for this idea but I had this frame sitting in a closet waiting for a good home when I came across this idea.  I've turned this frame into our daily chore/menu planner for the kitchen...plus cute faces of my beautiful children.  You can get these frames at WalMart and Target for under $15.00, add some scrapbook paper, a dry erase marker and some pictures and wa-la (voila) you have a personalized memo board!

Danny even suggested changing out the scrapbook paper for different holidays and seasons.  Genius!  I knew I kept him around for something. ;-)

Check it out!

Carolina Breeze

Jenilyn, from "Grits and Giggles" asked for testers for her "Carolina Breeze" bag pattern.  I was one of the lucky testers to be chosen!

I was just as eager to get started on the bag as I was to hurry up to town and pick out fabric.  I'm not one to procrastinate but having children can put a bit of a damper on my free time (I'm not complaining).  Jenilyn requested that the testing end by Sunday.  With a baby shower to attend this weekend I didn't want to put it off.  Plus, I had bright, beautiful spring like fabric waiting to get on the sewing machine, how could I procrastinate?  After Marissa went to bed last night I got busy right away.  I ironed my fabric (pre-washed and dried) and started cutting my pattern pieces.

Dylan came along for the fun.  He sat in his papasan chair and watched Momma get to work.

I was really surprised at how quickly this bag came together.  In about 3.5 hours I was finished and that included time to nurse Dylan and get him ready for bed.

Anyway, here is my finished product.  Jenilyn will be selling the pattern in her Etsy shop soon and I will be sure to post a link for anyone that is interested!  This is such a great bag for beginner sewers (if I can do it, so can you!).  It is so versatile and can be customized in so many ways.  Your fabric choices are endless!  Check out Grits and Giggles for some of her designs!

I accidentally measured a piece wrong so I didn't have enough fabric to make a bow for my bag.  Instead I jazzed it up a little with a coordinating black button.  I like how it turned out.

Inside lining and pocket.

Modeling my bag, picture courtesy of my husband. :)

As you can tell, I am very proud of myself!  I never thought I would learn to sew.  It's always been a dream of mine and now I'm making it a reality!

How cute is that?  It would make a perfect gift for a friend or family member.  Stay tuned for the Etsy listing coming soon. 

Fabric!

In the excitement of being asked to test a purse pattern, I made a very impromptu trip to town this morning with the kids for some fabric.  I was so rushed to get out the door that I put Marissa's shoes on the wrong feet. {Insert embarrassed face here} Now unless she managed to take her shoes off and switch them around before we got to town, I'm fairly certain that was my mistake.

I digress...I hit up Hobby Lobby and picked out these fabrics.  I can't wait to get started on the project, though I'm a little nervous...I've never tested a pattern, much less used one before!  It looks pretty easy but the true test will be when I get on the sewing machine and get to work.  Hopefully I can start on it this week during nap times and in the evenings when Marissa goes to bed.  Stay tuned!

Don't Worry...

...I didn't forget about Miss Priss.  We had a beautiful Spring like day today so we headed outside for a little bit of fun in the sun.

Daddy and Marissa

She was having SO much fun!

So serious...but I love her anyway. 

I'm having a lot of fun with my camera.  There's so much I want to learn but I don't really know where to start!  So for now it's mostly trial and error.  

Melt Your Heart Monday

How can this boy not melt your heart?!

That is all. :)

Sunday Funday

It's been an uneventful weekend.  Lots of relaxing in PJs and spending time as a family.  Just what the Doctor ordered!  For those that know our last name, this picture might be a little comical. :-D

Marissa likes playing doctor.  She puts the stethoscope on and lifts her shirt to listen.  She also likes it when we listen, so cute!  Maybe she will be a doctor or a nurse when she grows up. 

Playing outside the other day 

Sittin' in a tree

Can you believe these eyes?  He is going to be a lady killer with these blues! ;-)

Apparently diaper changes are tiring, but he has the "touchdown" pose ready for football season.  {Go Skins}

Such a sweet boy!

We're successfully cloth diapering with 2U2.  A few people thought I might give it up after having two in diapers, but sure enough we're still going strong!  I need to get some supplies from the craft store because I plan on attempting my hand at sewing a diaper.  My sewing skills are still far from perfect but I thought it might be fun just to try it out.  It would be good practice working with elastic and velcro.  

I'm getting the cloth diaper itch...I really want to buy some fun new colors but I'm trying to resist, as I have too many diapers as it is. :)  Maybe I will de-stash a few so I can buy some new colors.  :o)  It's a good thing Danny doesn't mind my CD addiction. 

Dylan is coo'ing at me for some attention, so I'm off to see that sweet smile. 

Reminiscing

Marissa is at the sitter's today so I'm looking back on some photos, reminiscing if you will, and playing around with some photo editing.   I came across this photo, taken in June 2011.  This is one of my most favorite pictures of Marissa.  

She is sheer perfection! 

And this one was taken right before her first birthday

She has grown and changed so much!  She's our little wild haired, spunky, lovable, sweet heart.

Well, I'm going to head out for some errands, visit my work and possibly have lunch with Danny.  "Toodles!" 

The Usual

 Not much is going on here.  Doing our normal thing.  My maternity leave is dwindling down, I have a month left.  My first day back is March 23rd, a Friday.  Luckily I will be easing back into it since Marissa has an ENT follow up that day.  I'm not looking forward to returning to work and leaving my babies.  I know it won't be too bad once I get back in the swing of things, it's the anticipation that is the hardest part.  I'm supposed to be going back to work part-time, hopefully 3 days a week.  The best of both worlds.

Marissa keeps me busy during the day and Dylan is such a good baby.  I never thought I would get so lucky twice!  He has been coo'ing and smiling at us.  I love hearing him talk.  He reminds me so much of Marissa when he puckers up his little lips and lets out a sweet little sound.  His eyes light up when he sees Danny or I and he gets the cutest little chubby cheeked grin on his face.  ::Adorable::

He is pretty consistently sleeping through the night (STTN) now.  He goes to bed around 9:30 and sleeps until 6:00 most days, but today he was up at 5:00 (but went back to sleep until 7:30 after his feeding).  I can't remember when Marissa starting going to bed at 7:00 PM, I guess we'll let Dylan decide when to move his bedtime up.  I'm afraid if we put him to bed too early he will be up at 3:00 or 4:00.  Ah, baby sleep patterns.  Such a science!  Who would have thought?

In my "free" time (which pretty much consists of Marissa's nap time if Dylan cooperates) I've been trying to get back into sewing.  I went to Hobby Lobby on Sunday and got some supplies.  I have three friends that are pregnant right now, one due in April and two due in June; two girls and one boy.  I am making each of them a homemade gift for their little ones.  It's not much and far from perfect, but I hope they like it.  Stay tuned for a DIY tutorial on my homemade baby gifts (I don't want to ruin any surprises)! :)

Marissa and her 2nd cousin, Aubrey

Giving hugs

Dylan napping in the swing

Crazy hair, she looks like she went back to the 80's. 

Playing in the kitchen

So fresh and clean after his bath

Watching the birds in his swing go around, he also loves looking at the mirror

Pretty girl

Dylan Man

He is moving his arms and legs so much now!

Well, that's our week in pictures (I know my parents need their grand baby fix)!  They got to video chat with Marissa last night for the first time. They've finally entered the world of laptops and video cams. :)

Sweet Babes

Another week has come and gone.   Dylan is 7 weeks old today and I got some smiles on camera!  No time to blog...but here's a few cute faces.

7 week smiley baby