Play

As Maari gets older (sigh!) she becomes funner for Connor to "play" with. He has been coaxing toys into her hands, dangling action figures over her head, and introducing her to our wild kingdom of stuffed animals. The more she laughs and coos the greater his satisfaction. He keeps a daily smile tally - "That is my fourth smile today!" Too bad her hair is not yet long enough for the Princess Leia hairdo. When that day comes he will really be pleased! Hopefully she will be just as pleased to go along with it.

Cozy Pants

Maari's new pants were made using the Picky Pants pattern. So soft and cozy - I wish I had a pair! I started them months ago and finished them up just in time. I thought I was smart, making them a little longer so they would last just a little longer. But, my longlegged girl fits into them perfectly right now - maybe I will have to add on. Or they could be capris!

Spring Break

Swim trunks in March? No, we are not going on a tropical vaca this year - I only wish. The closest we are getting to that is the elementary all-school luau. Connor's new swimwear came just in time for the big event. And now the crabs will be packed away until June, or maybe May if we are lucky! We are spending this spring break week at home just relaxing - sledding instead of swimming.

The Quilt

Well, I have finally completed Maari's baby quilt. The plan was to have it done before she was born, but oh well. The pattern is from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones. Instead of machine quilting it I just used large embroidery stitches, mainly because when I was big and pregnant it was much easier to sit on the couch than hunched over at the sewing machine. The floral fabric was a wonderful old tablecloth given to me by my aunt.


It works wonderfully as a floor quilt, nice and plush. Now, I just need to finish that quilt I started when I was pregnant with Connor - seven years ago! I am almost there.

Booties

Here it is, my first knitting project for Maari - COMPLETED! Well, technically I made her a sweater, but it did not turn out quite as planned. I am much more pleased with these booties, so I will count them as number one.


The pattern is from Easy Baby Knits. They actually stay on pretty well, which is more than I can say for most of her socks. I think Maari has thin feet, not taking after her mother on that trait. And, when they do slip off the strap keeps them attached to her ankle. So, the first knitting project was a success!

Ten Joys of January

1 ~ Matching handmade elephants, Christmas gifts for brother and sister. (Pattern from Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson)


2 ~ Lots of rocking in this little corner.



3 ~ Gifts of food from neighbors and friends after Maari's birth (especially those weekly grocery store runs from Grandma). I have been a little spoiled lately.

4 ~ Silly spectacles on a silly seven year old.

5 ~ New bangs.

6 ~ This CD

7 ~ The snowman that never melts (now diasassembled but still here).


8 ~ Watching Polk come up with new places to nap.

9 ~ Fitting into a pair of non-maternity jeans!

10 ~ This little peanut.

Reading

Reading for three now! It looks to me like someone is already fascinated by her older brother.

Maari has been adapting well to life outside the belly. She is a very easy baby, the other night she slept almost six hours. What a treat for mom! Connor has adjusted well also to life with a sibling. He is very proud and protective.>

As for Justin and I, we are ecstatic!

All is well here.