Happy Birthday Kinsleigh!

I just had to post a picture of the birthday tee I made for Kinsleigh's 6th birthday. I am so happy with how it turned out. I hope Julie loves it as much as I do. I added the button and ruffle along with a new cupcake design. I look forward to making more of these using various fabrics and colors. Note the "6" on the button (as the cherry :) Next time I think I will use a bigger button but didn't have the room at the top this time.

Another Woods Weekend/Laura Beth and Books

Well there's not too much interesting to blog about these days. We had a relaxing weekend. Shannon and her family came to visit Saturday and we celebrated Carter's 9th birthday with dinner and cake. I hate that I didn't get any pictures. We enjoyed their visit.. especially Laura Beth. I think she should have been a second or third child. She loves going places or having company. When other people are around I don't have to entertain her at all. Landon had to work Saturday morning so Laura Beth and I went to McDonough. I went to this amazing fabric store there in town while Laura Beth played with Aubrey at Erin's. I know Erin took a million pictures so I will get one and post later.

Tonight I figured I would post a few pictures of Laura Beth and her books. The child is obsessed with books. Her favorite thing to do is sit and have you read to her. We probably read an average of 20 books a day to her. It's a constant thing. She brings them to you and repeats.. "book, book, up, up" and climbs into your lap for a story. Lately when I go in her room in the mornings she wants to stay in her bed. She'll ask for her books. I put a few in with her and go get dressed or make coffee, etc. Then when she's ready, she'll start yelling "mama, mama." I hope she keeps this love for reading. I love books myself and love to think you can go anywhere, learn anything, or dream anything through books.

This Week's Newest Creation!

This week I designed these adorable brother/sister outfits. I think they turned out well. I hope Carrie likes them. I look forward to making more coordinating shorts, pants or capris and t's.

I am also working on a new dress design for Laura Beth. I had perfected (well I like to think so... :) the a line dress but it's time to begin some new designs. This is proving to be more difficult but I am reminded how frustrated the reversible a line dress was at first. I will post a picture when I finish. Don't forget to check out http://www.thewhimsicalwoods.blogspot.com/ if you want to see an archived list of the things I have done.

Weekly Update...

We spent most of the week close to home. Monday and Tuesday were crazy busy as I packed in teaching and tutoring. Laura Beth spent Wednesday with LaNae and of course screamed when I picked her up and put her in the car. The plan for Thursday was to stay home and clean house. Well for those of you with kids, you know it's not quite that easy! It goes kinda like this... clean bathroom while Laura Beth pulls everything out of the drawers. So you finally just decide that deep cleaning will be the priority and all of the mess can stay until she goes to bed. By noon on Thursday Laura Beth was walking around the house saying "bye, bye." Next, while I am cleaning the bathroom she brings me my jeans. :) O.K. point taken! LaNae bought her some crocs that she doesn't want to take off. All of this brings me to the picture below. (I can't even look at it without laughing) Laura Beth is walking around in her diaper, crocs, and hideous head band she found. She is still saying "bye, bye" (translation... let's get out of this house mommy!) I ask her where she wants to go and she says, "Parker." Too funny!!! At this point I am laughing out loud as I grab my camera. Parker is her little friend she just loves.

We did meet Jack and Lara for lunch and playtime at the park. Here are a few pictures.

And then Friday she was at it again.... dressed in her finest attire she was ready to go somewhere again. When asked where she was going this time, she stated "Nae, Nae." She was off to her babysitter's. After I talked her into putting on some shorts, she settled for the grocery store. :) Oh, the innocence! Laura Beth brings so much joy and laughter to our lives! She is too funny these days.

LB Finds Her Belly Button!

This week Laura Beth found her belly button... how exciting!! She's been walking around the house pulling up her shirt and saying (more like screeching) "beweee." She also has been wanting to hang out in her crib after she wakes up. She wants me to give her books or put Sadie in their with her. She hangs out for a few minutes looking at her books or just yelling "mama."

She went to LaNae's again on Monday and Wednesday this week. Oh, how truly blessed we are! I truly believe God put this woman in our lives last Fall for this reason. I was drawn to New Life Christian Church as a place to put Laura Beth twice a week for a few hours. My intent was to give her socialization while giving myself a few hours a week to run errands, etc.. Well to make a long story short, LaNae will be Laura Beth's Nanny in the Fall. Each day I pick her up she pitches a total fit. She wants to stay with "Nae, Nae" as she calls her. When I dropped her off at MMO on Wed., Jude (LaNae's 5 yr. old son) was anxiously awaiting her arrival. They just adore each other. LaNae is treats her with complete love and affection. I am blessed with peace of mind to go back to work.

Ballerina Bag

How cute is this bag! I made it for a little girl to put her dance clothes in. It makes me think about the future as Laura Beth chooses her hobbies and interests. Let's just hope Landon doesn't have too much influence or it'll be hunting and fishing.

Check out my latest work!

I was quite busy last week filling a few orders. I just love this pink and blue a line dress I designed for a baby shower. I will post more pictures on http://www.thewhimsicalwoods.blogspot.com/ but the dress, bag, and cotton outfits are some of my favorites.

Happy Father's Day

O.K... I doubt any father's are reading this but for you ladies who have amazing Dads in your life, Happy Father's Day. I myself was blessed with a wonderful Daddy. He is funny, loving, strong, and hardworking. My favorite memories are as a young child spending time with my Dad. He has always made me feel special. A gift I think every father should give his daughter. I often wonder how I became so independent and confident and when I reflect on my childhood, I believe my Mother and Father gave me that gift. I wish we lived closer and could be in each other's life more. No matter what though, he still calls me about once a week just to say I love you and tell me how proud of me he is. Just that act is priceless!

And, then the other Daddy in my world-- Landon! Oh, how lucky Laura Beth is. She has just begun to experience the wonderful qualities of her Daddy. I admire my husband tremendously! He's hardworking, caring, smart, and dependable! I have never doubted his commitment to me or our family. Landon works hard each day, comes home sits down for dinner with us, bathes Laura Beth and spends time with her playing or reading. Some days I tutor so he takes her to the park or to grab some dinner. On Saturdays he gets up with Laura Beth while I sleep in and most weekends bring me breakfast in bed. (Sundays are his sleep in day) On top of being an amazing husband and father, I never have to ask him to cut the grass, take out the trash, do dishes, etc. As for any other housework... well let's just say that's my job. :) And on top of all that he gives me time to be with my friends never complaining. I can go to dinner or even spend the night off and he's happy to spend that time with Laura Beth and give me the break I need. I am grateful to his Dad who raised him to be such a great man. I thank God for placing him in my life and giving us a child to raise up together. I know He will be proud of our work.

My Little Fish!

Laura Beth and I went swimming on Thursday and Friday. We went over to our friend Lara's house to swim in a big pool on Thursday. I was amazed at my daughter's lack of fear. She hasn't been swimming in a big pool since last summer when she was small. She headed straight for the water and wanted me to let go of her. Natalie's son Parker was jumping off the side holding her hands and going under water. Laura Beth saw this and jumped right in. I was fearful wondering if she would know how to hold her breath. Oh it only took a few times and she had it down. Then she wanted to jump and go under over and over. I wish I had a picture! She is fearless! Fun and scary to watch. :) Then on Friday we went to our playgroup and Laura Beth and Parker had fun playing in the baby pool. Of course she was putting her face in the sprinkler. I did get a few pictures of that.

The Whimsical Woods

I finally decided to create a separate blog where I could just post pictures and descriptions of some of my creations. I have been quite busy this week and will post pictures of the things I have been making soon. It is so much fun coming up with new designs and finding new fabrics. Feel free to check out www.thewhimsicalwoods.blogspot.com. It's all a work in progress so share the journey with me.

My Sweet Baby!

We had a nice weekend hanging out with friends. Meme stayed until Saturday and we all went over the Mrs. Janet's for Mr. Randy's birthday cookout. We had fun watching Laura Beth play in on her new riding toy and in the water fountain in the backyard. Mrs. Janet spoiled her with a new riding toy and an adorable new outfit. She is always so sweet to us! Saturday we headed to McDonough to have Erin take some pictures and then to have dinner and hang out with McKneely's. We originally planned to do some family shots and then some of Laura Beth. Landon and I quickly decided we'd just get some of Laura Beth. Well after 5 minutes and lots of sweat our photo shoot ended. It was sooo HOT!! Just miserable! Either way, Erin got a few really good shots. She's doing so well with her photography and I can't wait to have her take more pictures of Laura Beth. We don't get many smiles and LB is smiling!!

I just love the shot of her walking off with her book. She is obsessed (I mean seriously obsessed) with books and would rather be looking at a book than doing anything else. This shot captures that part of her world right now. And, then in the third picture she's making the sign for "more." She knows about 10 baby signs and we are always getting her to show people. She constantly signs for "more." I think she is even confused as to what it means. Lately it's always "more, more, more."

A Few Of My Latest Creations

Here are some of my latest creations. I really need to get a separate website set up but just haven't found the time, knowledge or right person to help. Maybe someday!!

Blew Out My Flipflop!!

If you have never attended a Jimmy Buffet concert it's time to book your ticket for next year. Laura, Lloyd, Landon, and I went to see him at Lakewood last night. Landon's mother came in town to stay with Laura Beth and we headed out for some Mommy/Daddy time. Laura, Lloyd, Landon, and I could probably have fun in a box. We always have a good time regardless of where we are. However, this was a night to remember!! There are many interesting sights to see at a Jimmy Buffet concert. I was reminded of how diverse the world is! :) Enough said! Landon and I met them after Landon got off work. We tailgated for a little while and then had lawn seats. We spread out our blanket and enjoyed listening to fabulous music!! We laughed, danced, and enjoyed watching Lloyd chasing and kicking all of the beach balls. What a blast!! Oh and the picture of Laura and I in the trunk was taken after the concert back at the tailgate! I will have to post picture later.

Vacation Over, Routines Back!

We survived our first week at camp. I had a hard time leaving Laura Beth in the one year old room the first day. I cried on the way home realizing that my baby is growing up and I must let go some. When I took her upstairs to her room (remember I was teaching right at the bottom of the stairs and it was only from 9-12) I walked her in with her bag all perfectly packed with everything she would need and maybe a little extra :) Sippy cups labeled, fresh fruit for snack.. o.k. if you know me you get the drift. I walked her in and was informed that they didn't have snack because lunch would be served (and I mean served at a tiny table with miniature chairs) at 11:00. I let the teacher know that if she got upset her pacifier ("patty" as she calls it) was in her bag. The teacher smiled at me with this "aww, first time overprotective mommy" smile and gently stated, "oh, we don't do pacifiers in here but if she gets really upset I will give it to her." O.K. I stayed calm and headed to teach my students. I really didn't think much about it and was able to teach 3 hours with little worry as to what Laura Beth was doing. The one year olds lie down after lunch for naps on their mats. I told the teacher there was no way Laura Beth would lay down on a mat and to please keep her up because we would be leaving at 12 anyhow. I scurried upstairs to get her around 12:15 and when I went in the room she was asleep on a mat. Most will say o.k. so what?? A MAT!! A BLUE MAT WITHOUT HER PACIFIER AND HOLDING A RANDOM BLANKET!! O.K. Moms I know your as shocked as I was right! I was floored but tried to keep my cool. I asked the teacher how that happened and she said well once the other children went to sleep Laura Beth started to cry so she just held her and walked around with her and she finally just fell asleep. When I got to the car she woke up and was very upset I was putting her in her carseat. I think she was disoriented and thought I was leaving her again. Anyhow we cried together for a few minutes. I just felt my heart sink for mothers who have to drop their 2 month olds off at daycare, realizing that in the Fall Laura Beth and I would be part of that busy lifestyle. It's such an inner battle. I admire and have so much respect for all Moms. I admire the Mom who has to make that difficult decision as to what is best for her family. I admire the stay at home mom who can't even sneak in a shower or use the bathroom alone. She's running constantly all day to still have her house a wreck at 5:00 and a frozen lasagna in the oven because that's all she has time to manage for dinner. I admire the mom who must wake their sleeping baby to take her to the sitter, rush to work, back to get her child only to rush home cook dinner, sneak in some quality time, feed a child, bathe a child, read, rock and make sure everyone is snug in bed. The past year and a half have been so rewarding and I have a lot of questions and anxiety about returning to work. Am I making the right decision for my family? Am I hearing God correctly and serving Him. The reality is Laura Beth will not have to attend daycare (not that I think it's a bad place... Monday was actually a good experience for her) and we are so incredibly blessed to have a wonderful Nanny that will be keeping her. She'll continue with MMO as she has this past year and then Lanae will take her home for lunch, her nap, etc. until I am off at 3. But no matter your particular situation it's just a reminder how difficult this new job of Motherhood is. So all I can do is wish all Mothers peace. Peace knowing that the decision they have chosen is right for their family. I sure hope my decision will be a rewarding one. Only time will tell!!

Oh, and Laura Beth will only be going to the one year old room one day a week and I still cried. Terrible isn't it!! I never thought I would be so protective!

Girl's Night!

It's Sunday and I am sitting on the couch wishing I could take a nap in lieu of going to the grocery store and Office Max. We had a relaxing weekend at home. No travels!! Landon's Mom and Grandma came to spend the night Friday. We went to dinner and enjoyed visiting with them. They both just adore Laura Beth. Last night, Paula, Laura, Julie and I went to dinner and to see the Sex In The City movie. It was a nice night out and the movie was great. We ate and laughed alot at Long Horn's and then went to the movie. After the movie we spent the night at Julie's. No sleeping in however. Kinsleigh and Kaden were jumping on our bed by 8:15. I felt right at home. Landon and Laura Beth grilled ribs here at the house and hung out together. I am reminded how simple nights out with the girls like that are needed and appreciated. I am blessed by my friendships. I wish I had a picture to post but unfortunately we didn't take any. Well, off to the grocery store and Office Max I must go. I start teaching at my friend Angie's daycare tomorrow for summer camp. It should be interesting. I have 60-80 kids ranging from 4-12 and many in serious need of some "tutoring." Laura Beth will go with me one day a week and stay in the one year old room. Then on Mondays and Wednesdays she will stick to her normal routine going to Mommy's Morning Out at the church. However, she's going to go home with Lanae afterwards for a few hours to "practice" for the fall. Hooray, a few hours a week to myself. :)