Budget Busters!

My SIL Joy tagged me to write about five things that constantly bust my budget.

1.) She was right. Fabric. I am becoming a hoarder. It's really hard because it can go quickly if you don't act now!! Sometimes I get three kinds of fabric for the same gift idea. And looking at other people's creations fuels the fire.
2.) Craft books and cook books. It's that creative juice. I have figured out that many parts of life involve creation and design. Cooking and crafting are at the forefront!
3.) Patterns! Sewing patterns are really a fun for me - at least a way to use the fabric I buy, right?
4.) Shoes for Sam! I know. He doesn't need more than a couple of pairs. But they are so cute! And I just think he's so handsome when his shoes complete the look.
5.) Shoes for me. Again, no need for them all, but I LOVE SHOES!!! And, NO! I will NOT count them for your amusement.

BTW, here's your Sam update: We have crossed the point of no return on the paci and "guy". He now needs them for nap and bedtime! I am OK with this, but I intend to keep it's life short. No three year old with a pacifier here!

And the "guy"? He can stay around as long as he wants.

Happy day,
ariana

Reading Pillows.

Happy Monday to you!

We had a busy weekend of celebration. Saturday morning we celebrated my niece's 3rd birthday and then in the evening I was able to have some girl time with my girlfriends celebrating Christy and Jen's birthdays at Christy's place.

Sunday we went to church, got naps and celebrated Jen's big 3-0 again at a cookout at her place. Phew! Lots of good food and celebration.

I was able to sew a gift for the little birthday girl - a reading pillow. The pattern is by Montessori by Hand and it's pretty neat. There are page holders, a bookmark, a glasses pocket and a pencil pocket. The piping was a bit challenging for me, but I am hoping I get better with time!

You can see how the pillow works in the second picture. Oh - and another one of my Favorite Things! Those books by Munro Leaf are soo funny and cute. They are full of wonderful lessons for kids to learn and are communicated in a way that is enjoyable for moms and dads to teach too. Check them out on Amazon!!

Happy day,
ariana

Life with a "toddler"

So here are some decorative apples in a bowl that rest on a small table in our home. Do you see the little teeth marks?

Yes, it's part of our morning routine. Sam grabs one and walks away. I tell him to put it back because it's "no touch". Sometimes he does it on his own, sometimes I walk him back. If he's really feeling rebellious he throws it.

Hmm. Sometimes I miss the office. However, I know these little lessons should build up to something bigger. Here's to hoping.

You never realize...

Gosh, I never realized how much I love my moments with this guy! They are priceless.

We had a great time in our yard last night just enjoying the beautiful weather and sun that was given to us yesterday...Thank God for the little wonders that we can savor each day.

Another one?

I know it seems like all I do is make baby gifts, but maybe soon I can show you something else? I can't help it that everyone is having babies these days...particularly girls!

My buddy Christy is almost done with producing #3, Allesandra Elena Bonifacio. She will be arriving in the next couple of weeks and we are so excited for her arrival.

We celebrated with a shower a week ago and we had a great time eating and talking! I made Christy a nursing blankie and another diaper and wipe holder. I took a picture from a different angle this time so you can see how it works.

My SIL Becca has worked out creating straps with D-rings, which looks pretty good. Check hers out.

Anyway, things continue to be quite hectic in our house. I can share more on that later...

Happy Tuesday! xoxo

Sam on the Beach

Quick update!

Here's some pictures of Sam and family on the beach last week. We went to Hilton Head and stayed at a beautiful house that his family rented for the week.

We had a great time relaxing, eating, biking, eating, hot-tubbing, eating, pooling, eating, reading, eating, shopping, eating...

Can't wait to go again!

By the way, I am ABSOLUTELY going to keep that little bear cub.

Now these?

Matt recently went on a trip where he was able to score a free pair of Crocs. He excitedly called me on the phone and asked what size I would wear...

Hmm. "I don't think that I would wear a pair of Crocs, but do they have them in Sam's size?", was my response. Yes - they did! And boy do I love the way my baby looks in those little navy shoes.

But wait! I saw an ad in my new InStyle magazine and look what they have now! Yes, I would wear these Crocs...now I want to try them on. ;)

Anyone out there love their Crocs?

A Quilt for My Boy

I have been moving along with projects, but sometimes I forget to share them!

One of the projects that I didn't post was Samuel's Zig Zag quilt. I was so excited to finish this project since

1. It was on the back burner
2. It was my first quilt ever

Here is what I showed you in January - I am so excited to have it done and I love the finished product. There are a few areas of structural weakness, but overall we did well.

I might have to make him another one for his bed when we switch to his little bed.

By the way - if I can do this, so can you! Try it out, you just might like it.

Creative Time

It's been a while since I have shared some creative things and so here's some recent creations.

The first is the baby shower invitation that I made for Christy's shower (if you click on her link there's some photos of Sam on her blog).

The second is the nursing blanket and diaper holder I made for Baby Reese - just in time. :)

Happy Friday and Love,
ariana

Knoxville Marathon

What a weekend!

As I mentioned before, last weekend was Knoxville Marathon weekend. Before the actual running started, though, my friends and I threw a Baby Shower for Paige. Paige's due date was April 29th and we all got together at Kristie's house for cake, food and presents. We had a lot of fun talking about babies and labor and delivery that night - interesting topics for moms only. ;) I know. I was not so interested before I had Sam...

Paige planned to come to my place and pick up some more baby gear on Sunday afternoon after my race. Saturday was a day of errands and getting ready for the race. I got into bed at 9:30 p.m. and planned to get up at 5:30 a.m. The race started at 7 a.m.

At about 10:30 pm. my phone rang and I groggily noticed that Paige was calling me. I figured she was calling to wish me luck and put my head back down on the pillow. My phone rang again. Uh oh. Something is wrong. She wouldn't just call me over again like that.

Paige was in labor and on her way to the hospital! I couldn't believe it!! It was like a movie or something. I told her to call me no matter what time it was...

When my alarm went of at 5:30, I had no word. I was so worried and wanted everything to be OK with the baby! I called her on the way to the race and by then she had a baby girl in her arms.

Reese Olivia Law was born at about 3:30 a.m. and for those keeping track, it was the morning of the Knoxville Marathon that took place on March 30, 2008. The same Knoxville Marathon that her mom ran a year earlier (while I jealously watched in my pregnant state)!

Of course I visited after I ran my race. And OF COURSE, Reese received the medal I got at the race - for her scrapbook.

My results? I ran the race in 2:11:18. Nowhere near my goal of 2:07, but I am happy, nonetheless. I am ALWAYS thankful for 2 legs that move me forward through the day and through a run. And really. The best thing that happened that day was a healthy baby girl who was just itching to take off in the race we call life.

P.S. If you would like to see some hideous photos of me at the race, click here. Now you know that I don't take myself too seriously because they are pretty bad. I will say this: I was sprinting and trying to beat the clock for my time. ;)