Tid bits & Randoms of Last Week

I feel so bad that I'm now doing weekly catch up posts rather than daily catch up posts! We are finally in a routine and schedule and so far, it's working out fairly well. I think Gretchen is well adjusted to the school routine, as is Megan, and Addy is still getting use to things, but it's hard when she's at daycare every other day.

 

Last Monday was the first day that I actually met most of my speech kiddos and started therapy. I think it's going to be a great year!

 

Monday afternoon, I picked up all of the girls, and as soon as we get home, I sit down to feed Adalyn. Megan crawled up in my lap too, and was extra cuddly Monday afternoon. She was also extra whiny because she has had a cold and over the weekend had run about a 99 degree temp. Nothing big, but enough to make her feel bad.

I didn't feel like cooking Monday night, and Gretchen wanted hot dogs. I decided that since it was such a nice fall day, we'd have chili dogs. I'm not ashamed to admit that I opened up a can of chili that had been in my pantry for seriously too long, and made myself a chili dog.

And, it was dang good.

 

I kept Megan and Addy home on Tuesday. I usually go to Bible study Tuesday morning, but since Megan wasn't feeling good Monday night, I decided to keep her home with me. I realized that afternoon, I should've just sent her to daycare. She would have been fine. Man she was whiny all day long.

 

Megan and Addy had school pictures a few weeks ago, and we received the proofs to order pictures from:

I'm pretty sure we won't be ordering any.

 

Thankfully, we had pictures taken over the summer, by the so talented Madison Vining of Madison Vining Photography. so I don't feel bad about not buying these. They're hysterical and I'll keep the proofs just to show Megan what her personality was at age 2. I'm now debating even ordering pictures of Gretchen when her school pictures are taken later this week.

 

Wednesday night, Gretchen had children's choir. Megan was able to play on the playground before we headed home and we let G stay for Wednesday Night Live and DJ picked her up. She's been begging to stay for WNL, and finally on a night where it was a little more convenient, they chose to let the big kids play outside and have sno cones rather than hold worship. G was in Heaven. I think we'll have to let her stay again on a worship night!

Meggie climbed this, and for the record, G didn't climb one until she was 3. Megan's my little monkey climber.

Thursday was TU's home game against Iowa State. I won't even go into details about the game #didnotturnoutwell #welost. But, G wore her "Tulsa Girl" dress and bow that I made her and her chunky necklace from LG's Necklaces (you can find them on facebook).

She also wore her pink Nike's. Bless her.

 

She later said, "Did you get my Nike's in the picture mom?" "No, hun, I did not." "Well, thanks because if you put it online, people would laugh at me since I don't match."

 

#shehasthatright

 

I kind of regret buying her pink nikes, because that's all she wants to wear. Have I mentioned she wears dresses or skirts almost every day?

 

Nikes and dresses just don't go together.

 

Stay tuned for Friday's re-cap with my weekend wrap up posts! It was a great one!

By: Unknown On 06.00

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Addy Pearl is 12 weeks!

Addy Pearl has been in our lives for 12 whole weeks, and yes, it feels like she's been here a lifetime and has always been a part of our family. I am so, so thankful that God surprised us with her!

I have loved being able to be home with her for the first 10 weeks of her life, and I realize how lucky I am that I was able to take 10 weeks with her.

I went back to work when she was 11 weeks old, and she started daycare.

Right now, she only goes to daycare two and a half days per week. Even though she could go full time, I decided that I wanted her home with me. I wanted to have alone time where I could focus only on her. I did the same with Megan, and I'm blessed that I have the opportunity again. I also didn't see a need in sending her to daycare when I was home, and having to deal with pumping.

She goes to Bible study with me on Tuesdays and sleeps peacefully in her swing.

Her typical day starts around 7 or 8 (depending on whether or not I have to work.) She takes a nap while we drop her sisters off at school and run errands. We typically make it home around 10:30 or 11, and she eats again, and then goes back down for a nap around 11:30. She wakes up again around 2:30 or 3:00 and eats before we head back out to pick up her sisters. I typically feed her when we get back home around 4:30, because she has almost always spent the last hour crying off and on! Once she eats around 4:30, she goes back down for a nap until about 7:30. She eats again, and is back in bed by 8:30.  I usually sit in my bed beside her while she is falling asleep (sticking the paci back in her mouth as it falls out) and then I get her up again around 10 to feed her one more time. She has slept through the night on several occasions, but when she doesn't, she wakes to eat around 4:30 or 5. 

Her daycare schedule is typically the same, but she's had trouble taking naps there. She's too fascinated by all of the activity and other babies around her to sleep!

Her first day at daycare, she came home and slept so well, and then slept through the night!

She eats every 3 hours for about 10 minutes.

She smiles and coos.

She holds her head up well.

She takes a paci but will also happily suck her fist.

She is wearing size 2 diapers.

She wears size 3 months clothes. 

My favorite moments are right after she eats and how happy she is; smiling and cooing, or holding her at night trying to get her to sleep. 

She is finally content to sit in her bouncy seat or swing for about 10 minutes.

I love what she has already added to our family; I love how Megan loves her and has become more of a little mommy herself. I love how Gretchen will randomly give her a sweet little kiss, and I love when DJ gets to hold her and catch up on what he's missed while he's been at work.

Our family of 5 is very blessed.

By: Unknown On 06.00

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Turkey, Squirrel, and Owls

I am in love with my mom's embroidery machine that i'm borrowing while I continue to save for the machine that I want! I really think that by the end of October, if not sooner, that i'll have one of my own!

Meanwhile, I'm busy working on designs, and completing your orders!

All of my machine applique designs are on sale for $17.00 (+S&H) right now if you are the first to choose that design! After someone has had the design made; the price will go up to either $20 or $25.00!

To check out the designs go here.

I was so excited when a customer purchased this turkey tie!

He's cute enough to make me want a baby boy to put this on!

He can also come in solid brown fabric, but I loved the polk-a-dots and contrasting lime green fabric!

I also started working on dress designs!

I have a ton of blank dress design options here.

I purchased two identical dresses for Gretchen and Megan, thinking that I would make them matching, but once I made Megan's I decided to make something different for Gretchen.

Below is Megan's dress:

You can order a dress with a name and an applique for just $35.00! 

The manufacturer says that this dress is pink and red, I disagree. It's more of a contrasting coral stripe to me, and I really wanted to use turquoise fabric with it!

The girls already have a candy apple, pumpkin, and turkey outfit, and I wanted something else that was fall, so I went with my beloved squirrel!

I love how Megan's dress turned out!

Once completing Megan's dress I started brainstorming ideas for Gretchen's dress. I knew that her dress would have her name at the top, and again, I wanted a "fall" design at the bottom. Gretchen wanted a butterfly, but I vetoed her choice!

I decided to create a fun and whimsical owl!

The owl is made with a turquoise body, pink & mustard yellow wings, and yellow eyes.

I am in love with this little owl!

Please let me know if you would like to place an order! You can comment here or message me on my facebook page! I love custom orders!

I just can't say it enough, but I've been very blessed business wise over the last year, and I'm just so thankful for y'all!

By: Unknown On 06.00

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Fall Decorating!

Sunday was the first day of Fall! Quiet honestly, it snuck up on me and I feel like summer and days at the pool just ended. I love fall, but I really love summer! Oh well, the days go on, and fall brings some of my favorite traditions and holidays!

I wanted to decorate a few weeks ago, but it just didn't feel like fall and there was so much going on! Sunday morning we stayed home from church because Meggie wasn't feeling well, and I took the opportunity to decorate the house. 

I started with the mantle:

I added a few flowers and leaves to the arrangement on the far left. Next is a pumpkin bowl that was handed down from my mom, along with a family picture, a pumpkin gourd given to my by my step-mother-in-law; a new picture frame that my grandma bought me as well as a candlestick; a pilgrim girl and a large pumpkin (Hobby Lobby.) 

Most of these decorations came from Hobby Lobby! I should have bought stock in them long ago!

After I was finished with the mantle, I decorated my entry way.

When I'm redecorating for the holidays; these are the first two pieces to get decorated because they make the most impact.

Once again, I added new flowers and glittered pumpkins to a vase. I left my turquoise chalk board, and added to twig pumpkins. I also placed little squirrels.

The bottom tier, received an acorn shaped bowl filled with acorns, a fun picture of Gretchen climbing over pumpkins from a pumpkin patch trip about two years ago, and a squirrel candle holder.

Fun fact: In college, I was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Our mascot is a squirrel, so many of my fall decorations were bought for me in college!

I don't decorate too much for Halloween. I really like having things out that will last for several months and so many Halloween decorations are ghoulish.

I have an antique sewing stand in my kitchen, and I placed the girls treat buckets on it, as well as our candy dish.

In 2011, I think that's right after I joined Pinterest, I made this ghost foot print picture!

I'll have to make another canvas this year with something of all three girls and place just below it.

On another wall in my kitchen I have this count down picture. My mom bought it for me about two years ago.

On a shelf in my kitchen, I placed a leaf candy dish, pilgrims, and my squirrel and acorn salt and pepper shakes.

I kept my kitchen table simple by just adding a dish full of potpourri. 

On my kitchen island, I have a vase full of sparkling pumpkins and another candy dish.

I placed two of my fall platters on top of my kitchen cabinets.

I also set a few decorations around in the living room.

I have this wall sconce in the living room full of flowers, and I usually leave it as is, but this year I added leaves and flowers. 

I love how full it is!

I still have to decorate the front of my house. That usually happens in October, after a trip to the pumpkin patch. I have a wreath that i'm revamping and i'll be adding outside, and my mom bought me a new garden flag. 

Fall is officially here y'all!

Hope you've decorated!

By: Unknown On 06.00

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Shop Update: Last Weeks Projects!

Last week I was able to complete lots of orders and start a few new projects! I just feel so blessed at where I am in my business and i'm so thankful every time places an order and allows me to create something for their little honey pie. 

I am still saving to purchase my own embroidery machine, and I'm so, so close. But for now, I'm borrowing my mom's and I'm grateful that she's loaning it to me!

I shared on my facebook page last week, that I the Magic Christmas Pillowcase pre-order is OPEN! 

My mom and I made these last year, well, mostly my mom, but I'll be taking over this year and making the pillowcases! 

Christmas is my most favorite holiday, and I love new traditions! 

If you don't have a pillowcase for your child(ren) you need one ASAP! 

The pillowcases are made with your fabric and border color of choice and all will be embroidered with your child's name. Each pillowcase comes shipped with a poem explaining it's magic to help your child sleep well on Christmas eve.

To information from last year go here. 

For this year's fabric options go here.

Tuesday afternoon, I stitched out this spider applique all by myself!

Because there are a few tiny flaws, i'm selling her for only $10.00! She's on a 5T short sleeve shirt, so if you're interested let me know!

I worked on another corduroy apron skirt.

And embroidered a bib.

I also completed these witch shoes!

The shoes are on a 12-18 month short sleeve shirt. You can purchase this one for $17.00, and I also have a few headbands or hair bows to match!

I spent much of the weekend working on more designs and i'll share those with y'all later this week!

If you're interested in an applique shirt, the designs are $17.00 if you are the first to purchase. After that, designs will go up to $25.00. Short and long sleeves are available right now! Check out all of the designs here!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Phillipians 1:3

By: Unknown On 06.00

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What We've Been Up To

Since last week was my first week back at work, I spent the week getting adjusted to our new schedule. I blogged about Monday & Tuesday here. I had to work Wednesday, and DJ offered to take Megan and Adalyn to daycare. It allowed me about 10-15 extra minutes at the house, so I gladly obliged. It also helped me to not cry when I had to leave Adalyn! 

I spent my day at work getting data sheets typed and finalizing my schedule, and I was able to meet a few of my students. I'm just so excited about how nice and helpful everyone seems, which is a far cry from last year! 

Addy and Megan had school pictures on Wednesday, so I dressed them in their little pink chevron dresses my mom made. I think they took pictures together, but Meggie didn't smile, and then I think they tried to take pictures of just Megan, and she apparently had to sit in her teacher's lap. Wonder how those will turn out?

We had Children's choir at church Wednesday evening, so after dropping G off, Meggie, Addy, and I headed to the playground. 

I left my sling at home and had to carry Addy the entire time... not the brightest ideas on my part.

Thursday was a home day for me, and I think i'll enjoy being home every other day! DJ was able to take Megan to daycare, and because I didn't really want to get out, I let Gretchen ride the bus.

I spent Thursday picking up a bit around the house and catching up on orders; stay tuned for that blog post this week! I have so many new projects to share!!!

Addy stayed in her pj's almost all of Thursday. I may have too. She was actually happy and almost fell asleep in her swing, so I had to take a picture to mark the occasion! She hates her swing! Well, she may sit in it for 5 minutes without crying, and then she's done.

I had to wake her up to go get the girls from school and I absolutely hate doing so. She was so peaceful sleeping!

Yes, I let her sleep on her belly during the day.

I thought it would be fun to share an outfit pic.

I had to get out of pj's to pick up the girls from school and DJ and I decided we would all go out to eat, so the afternoon called for real clothes.

Shorts: Coral linen from Old Navy.

Shirt: Navy from Old Navy

Scarf: Leopard from Wal-Mart (#score)

Shoes: Gold Metallic Wedges.

I decided to pick Gretchen up from school first on Thursday.

And this is me celebrating a quiet, non-fussing child while i'm in the pick up line at school!

Because, this is what she usually looks like:

Thursday, we went to eat at Chili's as part of a fundraiser for Gretchen's school. I again forgot my sling, so Addy spent the first few minutes of dinner in her carseat. Then, I held her while we devoured chips and queso. As soon as our food came, Meggie announced she had to go potty, so DJ volunteered to take her. Gretchen decided she wanted to go too, and DJ looked at me and said, "I can't take both of them at the same time." And I just laughed because I thought to myself, "I do!" I told him to let Gretchen use the women's bathroom by herself, and that he could Megan in the men's. He made it back to the table with Megan, and was headed back to get Gretchen when she appeared at the table herself. Addy had fallen asleep, so I placed her back in the carseat and managed to eat one fajita before she started to cry. I held her while DJ ate a fajita, and then we passed her over the table, and I ate another fajita while he held her, and then I took her back so he could finish eating. It was a lovely game of pass the baby.

Megan started fussing at the end of dinner, and I was thankful that we were able to head home for bed. It wasn't a bad evening out, but I'm convinced that restaurants should have separate rooms for families with kids. Just shove us all in there, let our kids go crazy, and then we won't disturb other patrons... like those on dates without their kids. 

I washed my face Thursday night and discovered that Megan had put her babies to sleep.

In our bathtub.

Friday morning I was able to sleep until 7:30, and it felt so late! I got up to help DJ get Gretchen and Megan ready for the day. Gretchen didn't have school, due to professional development day, so she went to work with DJ. He dropped off Megan at daycare and I kept Adalyn home with me until I had to head in to work.

And, another outfit picture:

Because i'm finally getting dressed again, I might as well share.

Dress: Old Navy

Because of the length of the dress, and the cooler weather, I paired the dress with my skinny jeans (cuffed, because of my own sensory issues) and a pair of flat sandals from Target.

My look was comfy/cute. Oh, and post baby belly coverage.

And, thank you to Erika for pointing out that I had not been to a Dallas Mavericks hockey game, but rather to a Dallas Stars hockey game. Apparently, I'm only familiar with football mascots. Other sports aren't as important in our house. 

By: Unknown On 06.00

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Back to Work

Monday was my first day back at work, since being off since the end of May, spending pretty much every day this summer with my girls, welcoming Adalyn to our family, and being home with her for the past 10 weeks.  To say that I was not ready may be the understatement of the century. 

I'm so thankful that we have been able to ease back into a routine, but September 16th still snuck up on me.

The above picture was taken on the 15th; her hair just cracked me up......

The morning of the 16th, I woke up a little after 5 am. Addy and I were up at 4, and I had gone to bed with a splitting headache and woke up with it as well.

Thankfully, DJ was home and he was able to help me get everyone out the door, and on the bright side, I got to see him in the morning.... well, maybe he got to see me, since I'm usually still asleep when he goes to work.

We left the house just a little before 7, and I was doing well, right until I walked in the doors at ILCAP.  I've walked in those doors for the past two years, dropping off Gretchen, then Megan, and now Adalyn. I think Monday was the hardest though. 

I had told myself that it wouldn't be hard to leave Adalyn. After all, she was my third and I had been through this twice before, and it's only for 2 1/2 days a week, but for some reason, I opened those doors, walked down the hall, and tears started flowing. I hadn't even dropped Megan off in her class!

I quickly said good-bye to Meggie, since I had tears in my eyes, and I wanted to be on time for my first day of work, and I still needed to take Addy to her room and explain everything to her teachers.

I am so, so thankful that Addy's teacher was Gretchen's 3 year old teacher. I know that Addy is in good hands. She asked me if I was okay, and I could just shake my head no. I tried to hold it together, explain everything I needed to make them aware of, and I snapped a few pictures with my phone before it was time to leave.

I cried a bit more walking away, and then I saw Meggie and her teacher in the hallway. I think God placed them in that hall for me to see Megan and remind myself that my girls were okay and that I would be okay. 

When I got outside, I said a prayer to God that he could distract me in someway, and within 5 seconds, my neighbor sent me a text telling me to have a good first day back.

I'm so thankful that God placed me on my neighbor's mind at that exact moment.

I managed to make it to work just a few minutes late, and my eye make up hadn't smeared too bad!

The first day back is always full of going through files, making schedules, finding your way around.... a typical day.

When 2:00 rolled around, I started counting down the minutes until I could leave at 3! I think I pulled right out of the parking lot at 2:59! 

I was so excited to pick up the girls!

I made cheese quesadillas for dinner, and I had to tell y'all about these chips:

OMG... they are delicious! I think I could eat the entire bag!

DJ came home at 5:45, and I was shocked! On a typical football night, early for him is 7:30. The girls and I were so excited to see him! Addy was taking a nap, and my first thought was that I could sneak upstairs and sew for an entire hour before I needed to get the girls in the bed!

He took Gretchen and Megan to pick out a movie and we decided to have family movie night! We watched the new (or old) Oz movie, and it was so good!

The girls stayed up until 9, but I didn't mind since DJ was home with us!

I had Tuesday off, and I was so thankful to have the day with Adalyn!

We dropped off the big girls at their schools and went to Bible study. She did so good in the sling and slept the whole time. Afterwards, we ran some errands, and then headed home so she could sleep in her own bed and I could applique'! 

I've had my mom's machine since Saturday, but I needed to pick up a few materials and I could not wait to get my hands on it!

Tomorrow on the blog, I'll have a few announcements and a few more new HPA products! I still just feel so blessed at the amount of love i'm receiving right now from my customers. Y'all are the best, and i'm just praying that God can send my business in the direction where He wants it to go!

Y'all have a blessed day! 

By: Unknown On 06.00

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