Dylan's 2 Month Check Up

Dylan had his 2 month well baby visit today.  He is growing so fast!

Here's his stats:

Weight - 12 pounds 3 ounces, 56th percentile
Length - 23.25 inches, 57th percentile
Head Circumference - 15.25 inches, 19th percentile

He has gained 4 pounds 2 ounces since birth and has grown a whopping 4.25 inches!  Holy moly, big boy!

He was not happy about his shots and has been sleeping most of the afternoon.  He woke once to eat and was extremely fussy, I've never seen him so fussy before. ;-(




Marissa was supposed to have her 18 month well baby toddler check but she was up every hour last night running a fever.  It came on very sudden so we're not sure what's going on.  The doctor checked her ears, throat and listened to her lungs and everything checked out fine.  We have to keep an eye on her as strep is going around. Once she is fever free for two days she can go back for her 18 month check up and get her shots.

Here she was yesterday "helping" me with the laundry:

Handy Towels

I had some fabric left over from my Carolina Breeze bag so I made these handy towels.  They velcro on handles of the stove or fridge so that little hands, ahem, Miss Marissa can't pull them down.  Plus, they are pretty!

Check out this tutorial and pattern if you would like to make these towels! 

Marissa's apron is underway!

Want To Make Your Own 'Carolina Breeze' Bag?

If you are interested in making the 'Carolina Breeze' bag for yourself, check out Grits and Giggles Etsy shop to purchase the pattern.  This is such a great project for beginner sewers, you will be hooked!

This is Love

It amazes me that after only 2 short months Marissa loves her baby brother so much!  She is so sweet to him. She has to give him a kiss before she goes night-night and she loves giving him his pacifier and giving him hugs and kisses.  Everyone always asks if she is jealous of Dylan but I honestly don't think that she is.  She loves her baby brother and she knows that we love her just as much as we did before we had Dylan.  No jealousy needed!

It's kind of a chilly, gloomy Sunday afternoon but sharing a bowl of goldfish with my sweet girl makes the day so much brighter.  We're taking turns giving each other a bite, she thinks it's so funny to shove them put them in my mouth, but occasionally she sneaks one for herself.  These are the moments I hope I never forget.

 

Little Miss Sunshine - New Purse

I got really ambitious after testing the Carolina Breeze bag.  I took one of my favorite Vera Bradley bags and used it as a model for creating a new purse.  This bag has 5 inner pockets and 1 outer pocket.  I really like how it turned out, though it was very time consuming (I think it took me over 7 hours to complete) and really tested my sewing skills.  I wish the straps were about an inch longer but other than that I can't complain!  I now understand why Vera Bradley sells purses for $60.00. This was a pretty complex project for my beginner sewing skills, but I had fun.

Next I plan on making Marissa a matching purse (with less details).  I also got fabric to make her a Minnie Mouse apron for helping me in the kitchen and I am going to make her a little doll carrier so she can be just like mommy!  Let's face it, I might as well enjoy the days of her actually wanting to be like me...I'm sure a day will come (all too soon) where she wants to be the exact opposite of her mother. ;)

DIY Monogrammed Taggie/Sensory Blanket

With baby season in full swing, I've been scouring the internet for DIY baby gifts...particularly ones that you can sew.  I love the sensory taggie blankets for babies.  I made this blanket for baby Sean & Kristin's baby Camden.  I did a monogrammed "C" to make it personalized.  It's not perfect but it's a handmade gift that I hope he enjoys.  

Here's a quick tutorial if you would like to make one for your baby or an expecting friend!

Supplies Needed:

• Heat and Bond paper
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter
• 1/4 yard Minky Dot fabric - pick your own size square to cut, anywhere from 8" to 12", depending on how large or small you want the taggie blanket to be
• 1/4 yard coordinating cotton fabric - cut in a square the same size as your fabric above
• 1/8 yard coordinating cotton fabric for monogram
• At least 3 coordinating ribbons of different widths and textures - cut each piece to 2" - 3" long
• Coordinating thread
• Monogram Letter (I used my Cricut Machine for the "C")

First trace your monogram onto your heat and bond paper.  Make sure the letter is backwards so that it faces the correct way when bonded to your fabric.  Follow directions according to the Heat and Bond package.  Once the paper/fabric is cool, use your scissors to cut out the monogram.

Remove the paper backing and iron monogram onto your fabric of choice, following directions on the package.

Using a close zig-zag stitch, go around the edges of your monogram. For more information on monograms, go here!

I added a decorative edging on this one with the minky fabric.  Cut strips and sew on the outside of your square if you wish to do this.  

Next, fold each pre-cut ribbon in half.  Tape or pin your coordinating ribbons along the edge of your fabric, facing inward.  Then lay your coordinating minky fabric on top, wrong sides out for both fabrics (I forgot to get a picture of this step, sorry).  Pin fabric in place and then sew around the edges, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.  Leave a 2" hole for turning your fabric right side out.  

Turn your fabric right side out and sew your hole for turning closed.  Stitch all the way around the blanket for  a finished look.

These make great shower gifts and can be personalized in so many ways!  These are also nice for taking on the go, no need to drag along a large baby blanket as a lovie.  

You can also add a sheet of cellophane to the middle of your fabrics for an additional sensory activity!

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!