Warming up

No, not the weather... Wally seems to be warming up more to the idea of Maggie - especially if it means another set of hands that might be able to play Pooh Bear with him. Unfortunately, she didn't catch on right away. Give it a few years, Wally.

A little more making...

No big projects were accomplished this past week - just little bits of craftiness here and there. Seems Maggie has decided that she will only sleep during the day if she is being held. I am quick to oblige, but it makes it quite difficult to get much done.

I did manage to use my serger to make some baby wipes. I know I remarked previously that we weren't doing cloth wipes, but as long as we're washing diapers it just seemed natural to use wipes that could be tossed in with them. And, by doing so we eliminate the need for a garbage can at each changing station, which is a bonus given Wally's interest in checking the items we've tossed out.

Signs of Spring

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We took advantage of the good weather to get out for a family walk and admire the signs of spring popping up. Just makes you wish the 60 degree weather would stay forever... or at least a few weeks.

What signs of spring are present where you are?

What we made Monday...

Last week I talked about the things we were making around here and provided some sneak peaks. Today we unveil some finished product.

This applique daschund wraps around the onesie and is accompanied by a reversable bib using a pattern from Bend the Rules Sewing (the other fabric is that same green flower print used in the onesie). There is a burp cloth (not pictured) that is also part of the set. These are Mama Chic Wrist Cuffs made with a pattern from JCasa, fabric from a botched ebay purchase (paid WAY too much for some scraps) and vintage buttons (of which I am amassing a collection).

I also finished the nursing cover up I was working on. No photos yet, so we'll save that share for another day.

Shameless Product Promotion Saturday

Let's talk products that are making a difference in our house these days.

The Dyson DC25 Animal. We heart this vacuum cleaner! After it's christening run today we can confidently say this machine is 200 times better than our previous vacuum - the Bissell something-or-other which sucked, or more appropriately didn't suck...that was the problem.

LuSa Organics Booty Balm - a natural ointment for baby's bottom. Not only do we feel good because it's (1) organic (2) made in Wisconsin and (3) safe to use with cloth diapers, but also because it actually works! A&D ointment, Desitin, Nystatin, you are dead to us! This is the only thing that has little Maggie smiling again... okay, maybe not smiling but totally not crying every time you change her diaper, and given the 10-12 changes a day, diaper change happiness is high on our priority list.For the Kids CD. We have the first in the trilogy and we're rockin' to it. Maggie seems to like Cake singing Mahna Mahna. I never knew that was the name of the song/ I like Sarah McLachlan singing The Rainbow Connection. Overall, it's good stuff! We've yet to venture into For the Kids 2 or 3. Maybe they'll appear in someone's Easter basket this year?!?

It's TOO COLD!

I love winter. I love snow. I just don't love them in March...when I want to be outside pushing a stroller around the neighborhood in an attempt to shed the "baby layer". Despite the cold Mags and I headed out in our first joint venture today. We went to the public library.

Things that went well- I got the stroller out of the trunk, set up and carseat installed without incident. I remembered to overlap the shades on the carseat and stroller to protect Maggie from the cold.

Things that didn't go according to plan- Even though we ate before we left home, Maggie decided she was hungry and professed that hunger at the top of her lungs. Remember, we were in the library (shhh!). Yesterday's (finished) sewing project had not yet made it into the diaper bag. I am proud to say that we managed okay - I just wasn't ready for that challenge today.

Something tells me this was the first in a series of challenges presented by this little girl.

ten things

Ten things I'm loving right now...

1. This fabric which is being used in some current projects. Doesn't green just make you think spring? 2. The newest issue of Real Simple magazine - read while cuddling with this girl.

3. The Heather Ross fabrics that arrived in the mail the other day. Hmmm... now what to make with these?

4. My own personal watch dog. Things I'm not loving: all the barking done throughout the day.

5. This chair. Apparently it once belonged to my great-great uncle Bill (maybe there's only one great in there, I'm not sure). Anyway, it was recently stripped and refinished by my talented husband and reupholstered by the shop across town. It's the best place to rock quietly day or night.6. Reconnecting with old friends on Facebook.

7. A sleepy daughter. *Sigh* so peaceful.

8. The making that happens while said daughter sleeps. In progress today: a nursing cover up.

9. Chocolate chip, M&M cookies - baked fresh during the afternoon nap. Happy 3 week birthday, Magdaline!
10. Another book finished. This one for the March Book Club meeting. I think I'm going to have to head to the yarn shop next week for some supplies. I feel inspired!

What are you loving right now?