see you, 2013. hello, 2014

Britton and Barrett made New Year's hats at school today.  Is this a thing?  I think it was most likely a craft to keep the kids busy, so that the teachers could firm up their plans for tonight's festivities.  Us, on the other hand - on the couch, as per the usual.  The hubs and I aren't big partiers anymore, and I'll gladly take some greasy Sheetz cheesesticks and Dick Clark's Rocking Eve over a crowded bar.  And, truth be told, I'll probably be snoring in the recliner by 11:00 pm.  But I better set an alarm, because Britton has been begging all afternoon to see the ball drop, and we finally compromised that we'd wake her up to see the ball drop, but that she had to go right back to bed.  I'll let you know how that works out for us!

As I am apt to do, I'm thinking about some New Year's resolutions. Well, not really resolutions, but more like "do more of this" and "stop doing that."  And some random things that I need to actually do in 2014:

1.  Get professional photos of the kids together.  Even though Barrett likes to pretend in all of my photos that he doesn't smile, he actually does, and these two are at adorable ages.  I need a beautiful portrait to look at years from now, when they are teenagers and I want to remind myself that they were once angels.  I've already submitted a request for info to a local photographer!

2.  Learn to use my camera.  Yes, more photography.  But seriously, if I treat my fancy camera and my iPhone camera in the same way, what's the use of having the fancy camera?  I signed up for a 2 night course at the local community college on how to use the camera in the manual mode.  

3.  Move.  Not houses (surprisingly) but my body.  I hate gyms, I won't run at 5:00 am in 15 degree weather, but I am in desperate need to moving my body more.  So when the opportunity to join Britton in a dance party presents itself, or a family walk, or just swinging on the swing set, I'll be up for it.

4.  Listen without anticipation.  Too often, I'll be listening to someone's story, and realize I'm thinking up a clever remark or story of my own.  And I'm missing the story.  Perhaps it's a side effect of Facebook and internet socialization, but I need to stop.  And listen.  Really listen.  

5.  Read more.  Over Christmas, I stayed up until 1:00 am three nights in a row in order to read a book ("Winter Garden" by Kristin Hannah - fantastic!). Surprisingly I wasn't tired the next day, or as tired as I would have been if I stayed up to watch television or browse the internet.  Reading allows me to experience new things through the characters, completely differently than watching shows or movies.  I learn new things.  I'm transported.  And I sleep like a baby after reading.

6.  Get more massages. This Friday, I'm getting a manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage - a total of four hours of pampering (an awesome birthday gift from the hubs).  I can't wait!  And while the whole spa package is out of my reach, price-wise, on a regular basis, I need to start treating myself to massages and pedicures and regular haircuts.  It's time to move these from "special occasion" to "I totally deserve this."

Hope everyone has a fabulous New Year's Eve, and Happy New Year!!!

a homemade christmas: the star quilt and tote bags

I haven't shared this quilt yet, because I gave it to Jessica and her family for their family Christmas gift and didn't want to spoil the surprise!  I saw this "Starcrossed Quilt" on a quilting blog (find it here) by Tracey Jay Quilts, and instantaneously I decided I needed to make it.  And I knew I would make it for Jessica.  So, last January, as in almost a year ago, I started pulling my favorite scraps and made wonky star after wonky star after wonky star.  There was no plan - just pulling colors and fabrics I loved, though trying to include all colors (blue fabrics dominate my stash - I could have easily made all the stars different blues if I didn't pay attention!).  

Over my maternity leave this summer, I finally got the top pieced, then quilted it in my lazy loopy free motion quilting.  The back is a beautiful grey fabric with small blue detail.  I didn't know what binding to use, since most of my fabrics just seemed too busy with all the different fabrics on the quilt top.  In the end, I went with a first for me - a solid, the same blue as the detail in the backing fabric.

And judging by Jessica's recent post about her Christmas (read it here), they love the quilt!

I also tried out making tote bags, which admittedly was scary.  Just because I can quilt doesn't mean I can sew, but I knew I could at least try.  Worst case scenario?  Throw the mess away!  But the first bag went so smoothly, that I went ahead and made one for my mom, my niece Caroline, and Memaw!

For Caroline - narwhals, of course!  And navy pin dot 

For Jessica - the colors of the sea

For Cammy - Greece was the inspiration, since Cammy always says how much she wants to go there

I don't have a picture of Memaw's bag, dang it all!  I used a fantastic sailboat print for hers, though in the upper bag area on the front, I used white and applied both kids' handprints in fabric paint to it.  Then I free-hand stitched their names underneath their handprints.  I promise to get a picture from Memaw!

Lastly, I made a pillow sham for Emily.  It's the same cherry print I used for the backing of Britton's birthday quilt, with my always-favorite red pin dot fabric for the name appliqué.  I also made a gummy bear pillow case for Caroline, but again forgot to take pictures!

head case

Poor Barrett has been sick all week. Luckily, it's just a cold, but that cold is trying its hardest to make him miserable.  Not to mention I felt a tooth poking out of the top gums this morning.  So between the hacking cough, constant drooling, runny nose, and throat and mouth pain - let's just say that this week was very trying.  Then we had to go and make it worse by picking up Barrett's helmet.

Remember when our pediatrician pointed out so off-handedly, "Have you noticed his head is a little flat on the back right side?" at his six-month wellness visit?  Then the physical therapist had to come and check him for torticollis and other issues I can't pronounce.  Then a visit to Children's Hospital, to the cranio-facial specialist.  Then a visit to the orthotics company for a head scan.  And finally, a trip to the orthotics company to get the helmet fitted.  Then, for an undetermined number of months in the future, bi-weekly appointments with the orthotics company to check on fitting.

The hubs and I took Barrett to his fitting, and entered a waiting room where we spotted a baby in a helmet.  I've never known a baby that had to wear one.  Honestly, before all this happened, I had just assumed that the helmets were on babies who had developmental delays and needed head protection.  How does one figure out that it's for shaping the head unless you're in the situation of needing one?  

The hubs and I looked at each other, and once left alone in the sweltering exam room (note to office renters - get thermostat access), we admitted that the helmet was so much worse on the parents than the baby.  Should I just say that it all went well and the helmet is great and we don't even notice it and how awesome is Barrett because he ignores the helmet and this whole thing will be a breeze?  I can't, not honestly.  It's a staggered process of getting him used to the helmet, wearing it for increased periods of time over five days until finally he's wearing it 23 hours a day.  It makes his head sweaty.  It makes his cheeks red and irritated.  It's that shitty spot of being a parent - caught between wanting your baby to be happy and doing what is best for him, and the answers aren't the same.  

I know, he will get used to the helmet.  I know, it's only for a couple of months.  And he won't remember any of it.  Britton has been asking when she gets to cover the helmet in stickers.  I want to know when I can throw it in the trash.  I'm kidding, though not really.  Here's to hoping he gets used to it sooner than later, and that his head gets rounded sooner than later!

merry christmas to all!

We started our Christmas Eve with a haircut for Britton and a nap for me.  Ugh, I was struck with the gross 24-hour flu and to top it all off, Barrett spent his first Christmas Eve and Christmas sick as well. Poor Barrett was worse off than me, because he had a horrible runny nose and congestion and an inability to breathe properly or eat anything and no intention of being anything else but coddled and catered to (as sick babies are).  Thankfully we had Memaw here to help out, since not long after I fell sick, the hubs was also shaking in cold sweats and coming down with the flu too!

Cookies for Santa...

Stringing popcorn with Memaw...

Christmas morning! The night before was awesome because we were able to set out "Santa" gifts (for all the kids reading - we were just helping him out) quickly because nothing had to be assembled!  Britton wrote to Santa a couple of weeks ago and wanted an American Girl doll, ballet Barbie, and a "diamond" ring.  Well, Santa delivered - even a diamond ring, courtesy of Wal-Mart's fake engagement ring selection.  

Proof that Barrett did attend his first Christmas!  Admittedly, there aren't many photos of him, because he quickly gave up on feeling better and went down for a nap.

Then it was on to playing (after removing every doll from their wire-strapped box jails) and Britton got into the chocolate candy in her stocking.

We made a traditional dinner, with roasted chickens, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn maque choux, broccoli rice casserole, and roasted carrots and beets.  Leftovers for days, people!

This girl loves her jewelry!

 Since I was out of commission all day yesterday, Memaw made the dessert - a red velvet and white chocolate cheesecake from Southern Living that I've been waiting to try for weeks now.

It was ridiculously rich, and fine - 3 layers would have been enough, but this is Christmas so we went decedent.  

And in true Carrie form (oh, I just went third-person there), I started clearing out Christmas stuff as soon as the china went back into the dining room hutch.  That included throwing away the stale as all get out gingerbread house, so I made a stickered-Britton pose with it.  Memories, like a corner of my mind…...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

a little lesson in love

Adding sass to Daddy's wardrobe

Last night, while I was getting Britton dressed in her pajamas, she told me that Daddy doesn't love her anymore.  I asked her what she meant, and she said that Daddy was mad at her and so he must not love her anymore.

I sat her on my lap and explained that Daddy and I might get mad about something she does, but that we will both always love her.  I told her that our feelings about what she does aren't the same as our feelings about her.  That we can be angry or frustrated at her actions but still love her.  And that no matter what we would always love her and there was nothing she could do to change that.  That mommies and daddies love their children forever.

She looked at me with her "thinking face" (lips pursed and eyes serious) and says, "Like at Barrett's doctor for his helmet.  When you said that I keep growing even though you want to keep me little forever because I'll always be your baby.  But I keep growing."

I'm quiet at this point because I want to see where she's going with this.

Britton continues, "I will always keep growing.  Like you and Daddy will always love me."  Yes, I replied.  Just like that.

"And how long will we will love you, Britton?"

"Forever, Mommy."

And then I hugged her tight as all get out and willed myself not to cry while we read books.  Damn, I love this kid.

sweet treat gifts

I finally got my teacher and boss Christmas gifts ready to be delivered tomorrow!  Every year I bake for Christmas presents - I love baking and Christmas is the best excuse for excessive sugar consumption!  Last year, we did jars of sweet treats too, but that time I did the jars with crayons glued all around them for the teachers.    This year, I happened upon these great chalkboard labels, then by accident found some ruler washi tape.  Add in some raspberry and green twine, and I was set for some beautiful jars that had a "teacher" theme to them!  Bonus - the labels and tape come off easily, so the teachers can use the jars for something else when the treats are gone.

I made labels that listed the contents.  Recently we received a big box of chocolates at the office, and I picked the weird filled one without knowing what was in it.   Always lovely to gag and spit chocolate out in front of your co-workers!  This way, there's no iffy surprises.  I also added an Amazon gift card and a homemade pot holder.

The raspberry twine was left over from Britton's birthday, and I found the green at JoAnns.  I actually lucked out with the raspberry color instead of red, since the "red" chalk I used on the labels turned out to be more raspberry pink than red.

The treats - ginger cookies, toasted coconut cashew cookies, peanut butter balls covered in white chocolate, peppermint bark, and lemon shortbread bars.  My boss and my boss's boss are receiving the same treats, but in these Christmas tins instead of jars.

Four teachers and two bosses - all finished and ready to be delivered tomorrow!

cookies with Santa

Today we were greeted with continuous snow.  From 10:00 am on it just never stopped.  But did that stop us from getting to our "Cookies and Milk with Santa" fun at lunchtime?  No way!  First up - icing the cookie.  

Then as the hubs kept our place in line, Britton and I took turns taking pictures in the elf cut-out.

But then, oh, it was Britton's and Barrett's turns to meet Old Saint Nick!  I have to admit, I wondered if Britton would even get near Santa.  In Santa visits past, Britton has avoided any contact like the plague - I don't think she's ever voluntarily been close enough to Santa for me to even get a photo.  But this year, that all changed.  She hopped right up into Santa's lap, and Santa went down a list of toys Britton would like while Britton nodded at each toy.  Barrett just hung out, let Britton have the limelight, and may or may not have drooled on Santa's beard.

Then this afternoon, with the snow still not stopping, Britton and I went out to sled and make a snow-woman.  Yes, her head is bigger than her body.  She's got sass and charm, that snow-woman!

christmas card 2013

Learning our lesson from last year, we planned on our Christmas card photo session for the end of October, when we were more likely to get non-freezing weather.  Oh, I remember last year, sitting on that park bench and all of us just freezing our rear ends off!  I wanted to do a royal blue and Kelly green color combo this year, as it's still festive and yet different enough from last year's color combo of red and grey.  

Originally, we planned on photos on a Saturday afternoon.  But the wind was so bad, we knew we'd be fighting hair flying everywhere and the baby looking stunned.  Memaw and I tried out different locations indoors, but we couldn't find a place that got good lighting and would hold all of us.  So, we put it off a day.

My friend Rachel came over to take the photos, and she took some great ones!  The one secret I've learned about getting good family photos - take as many photos as possible in a short period of time.  People get tired of smiling and sitting up straight, and the freshest-looking pictures always seem to come at the beginning of the roll (so to speak, since does anyone use film anymore?  Anyone?)

My first favorite...

But it was hard to see Britton's face.  So, my second choice was this one...

But Jessica said it looked like everyone was laughing at the same joke and goofing around and I was waiting for everyone to get their act together and just take the picture.  Long description, I know, but while it was one of my favorites I could also see her point.  What I saw as fun and spontaneous, less posed and stiff, was slightly off because I'm looking at the camera while no one else is.

So, I conferred with Memaw and we decided on the final photo and card selection, so without further ado, here is our 2013 Christmas card...

And the back...

barrett: 7 months old

That picture is what happens when you blind your baby with the flash immediately after him waking up!  First off, let's talk about the obvious - that cowlick.  I don't know where it came from, or when it showed up, but it looks like I got crazy with the hair gel!  Nope, it's all natural.  

Barrett has had some interesting developments lately.  At his 6 month wellness check, his doctor asked us about his flat spot on his head.  It's on the right side of his head, and honestly it didn't register as anything much to me.  I just figured it would round out when he was strong enough to sit up more.  But she sent us to the craniofacial specialist, who sent us first to a physical therapy assessment.  

My head's not that flat.  Well, it's kind of flat...

The physical therapist came over for two hours, checking every area of development, and Barrett scored high average or above average on everything.  She was confident it would just round out on its own.  But the craniofacial specialist thinks a helmet is the better route, since if it doesn't round out we will be out of options by the time he's 12 months old and his skull is hard bone.  So, I think my baby is headed (bad pun intended) towards that sad baby helmet that makes old women whisper and point and give you sympathetic looks.  But hey, we'll cover it in stickers and stick it out for a couple of months.

On to sleep - for the most part, Barrett is a good sleeper.  He's still taking his two naps a day, and has recently stopped getting up for an extra bottle at night.  Since last week, once he goes down at 6:30 pm, we don't hear anything out of him until 5:30 am, when he downs an entire bottle and sometimes a second bottle!

Barrett is now in size 12 clothing and size 3 diapers.  At the doctor appointment last week, he weighed 21 pounds and 13 ounces, so we need to install his new car seat pronto!

Barrett officially likes baby food!  He's on stage 2 foods, and for dinner will eat one and a half 4.5 ounce containers.  His favorites are apples and chicken, mac  and cheese and veggies, and sweet potatoes with anything.  He loves his puffs, and at daycare one day last week he picked up a puff and put it in his mouth by myself!  I've also introduced a sippy cup of water, which he tries to hold himself. He mostly chews on it, but does get to practice swallowing something other than formula.

Likes:  chewing on anything and everything, the walker we borrowed from Jessica, bread - rolls/cornbread, being sung to/talked to

Dislikes:  Sadie barking, tummy time for longer than 10 minutes, the cold weather

52 months old

Oh, this girl is growing up fast!  And while I expected that she would move from baby dolls to Barbie dolls, play kitchen to "Mommy, can I help make brownies?", I didn't know I'd be fielding requests for ear piercing (my answer was a resounding no) and sleepovers.  Granted, she only knows about sleepovers from her books, so there's no real understanding of it, but still.  She's just getting so big so fast.

According to my parent-teacher conference this morning, Britton is doing great in school. She loves playing with the other kids, is learning sign language and Spanish, and has a real love of learning.  And last week, she was watching a video where one of the My Little Ponies started crying.  And she started crying too because the pony was sad.  A breakthrough to me - Britton had learned empathy, something that can't be taught.

Likes:  Barrett, singing and dancing, playing with all her old toys I took out for Barrett, Christmas lights

Dislikes:  consistently wearing a coat (good thing she's impervious to the cold!), having her knotty hair brushed

turkey day 2013

This year, for the first time since the Thanksgiving before we had Britton, the hubs and I packed it all up and went away for Thanksgiving.  Britton was very excited about visiting her cousins, and I was looking forward to everyone being in one place.  A snowstorm threatened our travel plans, but true to local weatherman form, the storm was over-talked and dropped a mere four inches of snow.  A dusting, as far as I'm concerned!  So we loaded up Memaw and PawPaw's new minivan (they lent it to us to make the trip) with the kids, all of Jessica's family's Christmas presents, boxes of clothes to pass down, and everything else you can imagine.

We found that forcing everyone outside helped keep the cabin-fever to a minimum!  Caroline was a huge help with the kids, entertaining them all, letting Britton play with her Barbies and American Girl dolls, and going on countless walks.

This was the first time Jessica's family got to see Barrett.  He was such a good baby, easily adapting to the pack-and-play for sleeping, and playing with all of Jason's toys.

The first time we've ever gotten to take this picture!  All six kids together. And this picture will never be missing a kid, because neither Jessica nor I are adding to this group!

We spent Thursday getting Thanksgiving dinner ready and herding the kids out of the kitchen.  Jessica set up the bouncy house and it entertained Britton and Emily for a while.  Then Garrett took all the mobile kids outside to run out some energy on the playset.

One thing Britton was looking forward to was sleeping with Caroline.  Both Caroline and Britton are "heat-seekers," meaning if they are sleeping near you they will creep towards you in their sleep and curl up right on you.  Caroline's room was serving as the hostel, as not only her and Britton were there, but also Garrett and Cammy!  I snuck a peek in on Thursday morning, and saw these two peas in a pod.  

On Friday Jessica took us all out to a park near town, and we hit the playground and hiking trail.  So often Britton and I go to one of the same two playgrounds, so it was fun to discover a new playground.  Admittedly, I tried out the slides too!

This tree is covered in carvings.  Just amazing.

 After the park, we all warmed up with Starbucks, then headed home for the first of two raucous rounds of Scattergories.  Let me tell you - we always play Scattergories and no, it never gets old!  Especially when you add in Yeunglings and some really inappropriate answers on the answer sheets, but I digress.  This is what holidays are - kids running wild, cousins piled up on an air mattress, family eating together and laughing and everyone losing it over a round of Scattergories!