Model In Training

I tried getting a few photos of Marissa in her dress but didn't have much success.  She is such a busy bee!

Not too bad for my first time making a dress!

 

Our Week In Pictures

She looks so serious in this picture, but I love it anyway.

 Where you find Marissa, you will find "Teddy"

I *may* have a small obsession with baby feet.

D-Man, just a swingin', wavin' hello to momma!

Sunglasses: check

Hat: check

Water bottle: check

Someone's ready to go "outside" (Marissa says the cutest outside now; almost like she's asking a question when she says it).

Snack time!  Playing outside works up an appetite.

That's our week in pictures!

Oh - I almost forgot one of my latest sewing projects.  I made Marissa her very first purse and it just so happens to match mine.  

She is such a busy body. I was trying to get a shot of her modeling her first purse but she wouldn't stand still, so this is what we got!  

 Checking out her purse.  She already has her cell phone and sun glasses in it. 

 

A Shirt or A Dress?

I've been seeing tutorials all over the internet for men's dress shirts being turned into dresses for toddlers.  Well, I decided to try my hand at making one for Marissa.  After hitting up our local thrift store I found a dress shirt for $1.75.  I figured if I totally botched this test I wouldn't be out much!  I have a few tweaks to make but I will definitely be making more.  Hopefully I can get it on Marissa and take some modeling pictures soon. :)

 

Lately I feel like my creative senses are on overload.  There's so much I want to do and learn and play with.  I'm feeling stretched thin and pulled like a game of tug of war.  Do I want to sew, cook, practice my photography, scrapbook or craft (all on top of trying to be a great mom and wife)?  Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era.  My inner Betty Crocker/Susie Homemaker is dying to break out!  I feel like I dabble in so many things that I can't be great at any one thing.  I think I'm okay with that, though.  I just have to keep practicing and learning.  Getting my creative juices flowing and thrown into action really makes me feel complete.  Like a high you don't want to come down from.

I have so many sewing projects I want to do.  I have an order of fabric on its way.  I'm making a gift for a friend's birthday and I'm going to try my hand at dress making for Marissa.  Sadly, my maternity leave is dwindling and I'll be back to work soon.  Hopefully I can still find time to craft and work and cook dinner and keep up with house work and, and, and...

Whelp, nap time for little miss is drawing to an end.  I will leave you with this little ham!

 

Brinner

What's "brinner" you ask?  It's Breakfast for Dinner!

So, was anyone watching Food Network this weekend?  I had a bout of stomach flu, food poisoning, something along the lines of me not feeling well and being laid up on the couch with my momma taking care of me and the kids.  Anyway...as I laid on the couch watching Food Network some show that I've never seen before came on and she was making breakfast for dinner.  No big deal, right?  Eggs, pancakes, fruit.  Your typical brinner, right?

Wrong!

This lady was making sausage and pancakes on a stick.  You know, like a corn dog but for breakfast.  Amazing.

I decided I had to try these out, so I did...we had brinner last night, with fried eggs and homemade fruit smoothies (and we may have taken the extra pancake batter and made funnel cakes for dessert).

These were so easy and simple to make!  You gotta try them, they are even kid approved!

Pancake Battered Sausages (on a stick)

Ingredients:

• (Your favorite) Pancake batter
• Sausage links
• Eggs
• Milk
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Maple syrup
• Oil - I used vegetable
• Vegetable skewers, halved

Directions:

• Pre-cook sausage links, allow to cool
• Pre-heat oil in a large skillet or stock pot on medium heat
• Pre-heat oven to 250 degrees
• Skewer each sausage 

 

• Mix pancake batter according to package instructions, then add in a dash of vanilla extract and a pinch of cinnamon
• Dip each skewered sausage into the pancake batter, coating completely

 

 

• Once oil is hot, place pancake battered sausages (and the stick, too) into the oil.  Cook, turning once until golden brown.  You can do about 4-5 sticks per batch

 

• Once golden brown, drain on a paper towel on cookie sheet

 

• Place pancake sausages in preheated oven to keep warm while the others cook and while you finish your other dishes.  We had fried eggs with ours so they cooked up quickly.
• Serve with Maple Syrup!
• I had a ton of batter left over so I added additional cinnamon and made funnel cakes after dinner topped with confectioners sugar.

 

Fruit Smoothies

Ingredients:

• Fruit - I used a pint of blueberries, 1 banana and about 15 strawberries
• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
• Ice
• Milk
• 2 tablespoons Honey (or to taste)

Directions:

• In a blender mix all ingredients until desired consistency/taste and enjoy! 

 She even had seconds, I'd say brinner was a success!

 

Expanding Horizons

I've taken the plunge into shooting in RAW format.  Here's my very first RAW edit!  Woot!  I need lots more practice but here goes...

SOOC:

Edit:

My little beauty!

 

Thankful Thursday

It is Thursday, right?  Sometimes I forget which day of the week it is.  I only have 2 weeks of maternity leave left so I guess I should enjoy these last few weeks of not caring if it's Saturday or Wednesday.  On this "Thankful Thursday" I'm thankful for these two little blessings in my life.  They truly give life a whole new meaning.  I love them to pieces!  It's amazing how you go from "Thirsty Thursday's" to "Thankful Thursday's" in the blink of an eye.

Marissa in her new Minnie Mouse Apron I made for her

 Dylan, 10 weeks old

 Holding his head up really well during tummy time

I love the look on his face!

Sibling Love - Marissa loves holding her baby brother.

...and what's life without a few stinky toes?! ;)